Get Schooled

By Shooter

April 26, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this

With uncontrolled sprawl and population growth comes the “free-lunch students” with these students comes gang activity. Half of the schools in Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett have a serious influx of gang members and the activity is starting to spill into the school systems. I like the no-tolerance stance. Anything that reflects a culture of violence needs to be left at home. Someone’s right to free expression ends when it causes others to be intimated or creates a culture of fear. Another reason to go to a private school - parent’s of gangbangers can’t afford it.

By Sly

April 26, 2005 10:29 AM | Link to this

Another good reason to stay the hell away from Clayton County. And for homeschooling. And for private school. And for the church. And for the judgment of concerned parents who don’t want their children exposed to this kind of crap on an hourly basis.

By K. Williams

April 26, 2005 10:43 AM | Link to this

It is ironic that you mention home schooling. You people speak before you do your research. The quiet “horror” crimes in Cobb, North Fulton and Gwinnett County are not reported on T.V. in order to misled the public into thinking everything is well in these counties. Well, it is not. Gangs exist in all neighorhoods especailly the non-minority ones. If their crimes don’t get reported, why should they stop committing them. Signed a Cobb County Minority Resident.

By One-9-Oh-6

April 26, 2005 10:49 AM | Link to this

You people act as if there is a salary cap on gang activity. You are sadly mistaken if you believe the kids who are doing this are all from low income, broken homes. While that may be the case for many, several of these children come from middle-income families. They are influenced by all types of media, saying that this lifestyle fictionalized in song, movies and television is REAL. They don’t understand that the entertainers they mimic are indeed ENTERTAINERS. Running away from the issue won’t solve it. I’m not against moving my child to a private/parochial school for safety’s sake, but I would still involve my self in the community to help solve the problem instead of running away from it.

By Shooter

April 26, 2005 10:52 AM | Link to this

“Gangs exist in all neighorhoods especailly the non-minority ones.”

Ms.Williams show me any evidence to support this claim. I think a drive-by shooting would be reported even if it happened in Bridgemill. I don’t think any of my neighbors are invovlved in gang activity - because we all work. Quiet “horror” crimes in the suburbs - I’m sure there are - but they are not gang-related, which is the focus of this topic.

By Lisa

April 26, 2005 11:04 AM | Link to this

I want to express the sadness that I see in Clayton County Schools!!! I’am more sad to see the parent’s who have lost control of there kids!!! the school system remind me of the 50’s when we were being attack by white’s for trying to attend school,now it’s us attacking each other!!!I just can’t understand why the Parent’s will allow the school to get so bad that the board agreed to put dogs inside!!! I SAY SHAME ON THE PARENT’S AND THE ADMINSTRATORS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS TO GET SO OUT OF CONTROL!!!

By Shooter

April 26, 2005 11:13 AM | Link to this

one-9-oh-six: I agree the entertainment culture does play a large role in promoting this culture. However, I was in High school when NWA (the original gangsta rap) hit the main stream. However, I realized I didn’t live in Compton, wasn’t struggling to survive, and really had nothing in common with these entertainers. Oh, and a lack of good parenting and structure is what allows entertainment to dominate a child’s worldview.

By David

April 26, 2005 11:36 AM | Link to this

to lisa and shooter you are both right on the money….to k. williams…sure there are white gangs out there…no doubt…however, i am a teacher, and the majority of gang activity is with the minorities…and that is not to say just black…but also mexicans…right here in georgia…esp. in gwinnett….no need to say anything else to you shooter…you are 100% correct…to lisa…you’re so right…parents are the problem…their angels get into trouble here at my school and 95% of the time , they come in and blame us, the teachers, for the problems…and whoever said shame on administrators , i think you did lisa, amen to that too….administrators have the power to gid rid of these kids…especially if they are regular ed. kids and not special ed kids…the parents and kids call the shots at my school with the help of an administrator who spoils the hell out of them….and guess what , i’m 3 counties EAST of fulton….we call it Dekalb County Phase III

By Garbage in Garbage out

April 26, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this

Gangs, Violence, Sex, Life! We allow many social ills to exists among us and when something tragic takes place we call it unexpected. Plainly spoken, “you are what you eat”. We allow our kids to take in all of the garbage that the entertainment industry dishes out, that we as adults dish out. Now days churches can’t even get along and they are suppose to be the pillars of our communities. Our kids spend more time around negative influences than positive ones. Therefore making it extremely difficult to deal with everyday pressures. There are absolutely no excuses for the behavior of a few violent offenders to be associated with an entire population. If you really want to talk about change. Get off of your pedestal and try helping the underclass build upon their skill base and fight their way out of poverty. In terms of sending your kids to private school. Have at it, by the way how many kids are sexually assaulted in private school? Where is that story at? How many private school kids commit suicide as oppose to public school? Segregation or integration. Only the courageous willing to really work truly make the call.

By David

April 26, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this

let me add this before some no it all comes back at me and calls me a racist…you never see African Americans shooting up the school house, they don’t follow Marilyn Manson and the gothic lifestyle…and i also believe that if you ever make friends with a black person you have a friend for life….

By LISA

April 26, 2005 11:48 AM | Link to this

I would also like to recommend to all parents especially black parents to read Jawanza Kunjufu book call the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys.And read his book call To Be Popular Are To Be Smart!!!.Mr.Kunjufu break down what we as African American do within the home and allow within the school system to happen to our kids, also in the community!!!I myself is African American and I was once blind!!! through first knowing my position as a Parent thru God eyes and also being around people of all race and walk of life!!Thru that journey we are the smartest the brightest but we continue to fall thru the cracks!!! Parents need to get back in there position and stop trying to be these kids FRIENDS!!And be the Leader we need to tell our kids the truth at a early age and stop waiting until they are 14!!By that time it’s to late!! Wake Up people and get back in your Position!!!!Take Back Your school, your neighborhood,your home!!!

By David

April 26, 2005 11:53 AM | Link to this

garbage you do have a point….just because a child comes from a wealthy or upper class background certainly doesn’t mean he comes from a good home…there is a ton of drugs in private schools and i would think that many who commit suicide are from the priviledged ranks….i don’t know when i have known a minority who committed suicide…

By David

April 26, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this

exuse me for the type-0…KNOW it all not no…sorry…

By David

April 26, 2005 12:01 PM | Link to this

good point lisa…parents make the mistake (black and white) of wanting to be “liked” by their kids….big mistake…to much of this BUDDY BUDDY thing between parents and kids…it will backfire big time

By KAREN

April 26, 2005 12:03 PM | Link to this

I am a concerned parent my child is not in high school but will be in going to high school in 2 yrs and it is a shame for parents not just of clayton cty but of the other ctys to say that gang activites does not exist in your communites it should not matter whether it is in cobb cty or clayton cty all of our children are at risk. I am a visible force at my daughter’s school and other activites in OUR community. It is not up to the school or teachers to raise or kids it is up to us! Education as well as discipline starts at home and the schools and the teachers add on to what we as parents do at home. We can all sit back and point the finger at say private school vs home school vs public school but when it is all said in done our kids will have to co exist with each other!!!

By Jennifer

April 26, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this

Private schools have the best drugs since most of the students who attend them are from privileged homes. And, there are quite a few of their parents that believe only poor, uneducated children do drugs.

I am deeply disturbed about the violence in schools and I am glad the schools my children attend use metal detectors. However, I do wish it wasn’t necessary. When I went to school it was only the big cities that were using metal detectors, but now I believe it is a good idea to put them in all schools.

I have lived in Midtown for five years and I have never really witnessed ‘gang activity’ per say. That does not mean there aren’t gangs, but I do believe a great portion of them moved to Gwinnett and the surrounding suburbs once our police force started cleaning the streets a little better. Sadly, all it did was shoo them to someone else’s backyard.

I believe there should be stiffer penalties for those in gangs when they are involved in illegal activity and we should not feel it necessary to stay inside because we are afraid of being shot or assaulted. That’s just wrong.

Some of the kids that are involved in so-called gangs do it because they think it’s ‘cool’ or so others will see them as untouchable. There are children in gangs who come from upper-middle class homes and children in gangs that come from very poor homes; you can’t really stereotype what background these children have.

And, too, I think the children don’t always realize the consequences for their actions because they are children.

By Shala

April 26, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this

To add to Ms. or Mrs. Williams comment. This society has branded a group of people as “all bad”. The evidence is overwhelming if you look at all school and non-school related crimes on T.V. The news just harp on minority crimes all week and suburban crimes 1 day. If you don’t believe me, write down what happens on the news with minorities that is negative and what is positve. See which out weighs the other. Positives don’t get reported.

Ms or Mr. that wants to respond to Ms. Williams, you know in your heart what has happens in your neighborhood don’t get reported. Although all your neighbors are the only neighbors that work. Because you know for a fact non of your neighbor’s kids are in a gang or do you call it “trouble group” like the precincts do.

The Kennesaw murder this week. Oops! We’re not gonna call that a murder. The incident, I meant to write.

What about the students that are going to prison for having consensual sex? Why wasn’t the D.A. of Conyers and his law in rounding up the student that set off the worldwide “suppose” shock of sex parties that gave all those “high school” students syphillis. They admmitted it on national t.v., some faces were blurred. But, the records don’t lie. That was not a national drive by. They should all be in prison, according to the law. Double standard.

What about the Superintendent of Gwinnett County Schools overlook of thousands of “incidents” that were not reported? Protection is what we’re talking about here. The image you want us to believe.

What group of people end up being profiled everytime there is a serial killer or rapist? The white male. These males don’t just start doing these “horror” crimes, they don’t get report early in their lives. Mother/father pick them up from the jail and say “we’ll handle this”. Trust me I work in the “Judicial System”, that is suppose to be fair.

Yes a drive-by is a horrible crime for any group of people. But, don’t try to say that all the students at that Clayton High School aren’t worth being next to in a classroom, because there are bad apples in each bunch. No matter how much money your parents have.

Peer pressure is the real “killer” not the kids. Keeping your child at home from public schools isn’t gonna solve anything. What if he/she goes to the mall or any public place? The same peolple in those schools are there.

Every parent must teach your child self-worth. We, as adults, must learn that your child is a child and will do anything he/she is pressured into doing. If you don’t believe me, as my grandmother would say, “Just keep on living baby”.

By shooter

April 26, 2005 12:19 PM | Link to this

garbage - I don’t see the relevancy of private school suicides. If a private school child kills himself -I’m sad for him and his family - but I don’t fear my child’s life is in jeorpardy from a retaliatory act the next day. If gangmembers just committed suicide and hurt no innocent students - I’d be fine with that. Sexual abuse occurs everywhere. Again, we are talking about gang activity. Kids join gangs because they have no real family unit at home-so the gang becomes a support system that creates a sense of belonging. Lisa: I work hard, I raise my children in an old-fashioned manner, where it’s more important to be respected than liked - I don’t have the time nor the inclination to help right the problems of the irresponsible. The more I deal with and see the disrespectful, unproductive members of our society, the more I wish (through hard-work and education) to separate myself from them. Yes, I will live on a big house on hill - gated off from the class of PEOPLE (not races or ethnicities)who bring the rest of society downward and demand we fix the problems (kids) they have failed to raise.

By Sly

April 26, 2005 12:35 PM | Link to this

Right on shooter. What are guys like us gonna do? Fix this major societal problem ourselves? I’m responsible for my children - not society’s. Good luck to the administrators and parents in Clayton - you’re fighting a tough battle. Do what you’re gonna do. But don’t expect us Northsiders etc. to do much other than pat ya on the back. We moved here for a reason.

By Lisa

April 26, 2005 12:36 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand you concern shooter!!But we have so many parents who would rather have there daughters as a queen in high school than to have them in the beta club!!!I don’t have anything against none of the things you said and how you live!!! I just recommend that parents read a particular book by some one who know and see whats going on in our community!!! Every night when I turn on the TV i see black boys this black mother that black farther who!!! we have a state of emergency in our race!!! And it really don’t matter to me where you live shooter the problem is this are you your brother keeper!!!! we can’t turn our head and act like it don’t exist!! the problem is real and it will have an affect on you no matter what color you are!! we see that everday with innocent kids mother and farther sister and brother being killed by heartless kids motherless kids and fartherless kids!!! so don’t just think it’s all about you and you nice house on the hill!!! because they know how to get in those to!!!

By KAREN

April 26, 2005 12:40 PM | Link to this

Thats really good Sly, but, what you don’t seem to realize is they have also! Where do you think Brian Nichols lived. And what about the girls that poisoned there classmates it is everywhere not just in Clayton County. You really need to wake up!

By Dorciah

April 26, 2005 12:41 PM | Link to this

I THINK ALL OF YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY.WE HAVE A GENERATION OF CHILDREN RAISING CHILDREN,ONE PARENT AND BROKEN HOMES….IN “ALL” RACES AND “ALL” CLASSES. THE IDEA OF IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED IT’S NOT “MY CONCERN”,SO WE TURN OUR BACKS. OUR CHILDREN ARE RAISING THEMSELVES.OUR TEACHER’S ARE SUFFERING AND BOGGED DOWN (the one’s that care) WITH HAVING TO RAISE OUR KIDS. LAST TIME I LOOKED THAT WAS NOT IN THEY’RE JOB DESCRIPTION. I THINK IT’S SAD WHEN THEY CAN GO THE WHOLE SEMESTER AND NOT SEE A CHILD’S PARENT FACE.BUT LET THEM GET A BAD GRADE. ALL H@LL BREAK LOOSE. I THINK YA’LL GET THE PICTURE. TELEVISION IS RAISING OUR CHILDREN,WHAT DO YOU EXPECT. LISA YOU WERE RIGHT WHEN YOU SAID WE’RE TRYING TO BE OUR KID’S FRIENDS AND NOT THEY’RE PARENTS. THERE’S A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING. HOW MANY FAMILIES DO YOU KNOW SIT DOWN AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK TO HAVE DINNER TOGETHER. THERE IS NO UNITY IN OUR HOMES SO HOW CAN THE CHILD SEE IT ELSEWHERE. LASTLY AND ABOVE ALL IF THERE IS NO GOD OR SOME TYPE OF SPIRITUALITY IN OUR HOMES THAN WHO’S THE HEAD????

By Robert

April 26, 2005 12:41 PM | Link to this

First, I say “bravo” to the Mundy’s Mill High Administration for taking back control. I don’t know the details of how it got out of control, but it seems that this is a great first step. I hope that this level of Administration continues next year.

Second, a school in any area can get out of control. When “active” parents try to bully teachers into giving better grades to their child, things get out of control. When “inactive” parents don’t care then things get out of control. It is not the socio-economic level that makes them stay in control or lose control. It is not the race make up of the area that makes them stay in control or lose control. It is involved parents that care about education, plan and simple.

I applaud any faculty member, administrator, or parent that enforces rules in order for learning to occur.

And please, stop trying to pit “public” schools against “private” schools against “home” schooling. This is ridiculous. Can you imagine a parent of a gang member requesting to home school their out-of-control teenager? Can you imagine a private school keeping an out-of-control teenager on the roster? The answer to both is NO. Therefore, the problem defaults to the public schools and we all have to join forces to help them deal with these problems. After all, each individual in total makes up OUR SOCIETY!!!!

By Jake

April 26, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this

While drive-bys, rampant consenual sex, drug use, and suicide may all be considered anti-social behavior, there’s a BIG difference in degree of seriousness between these activities that many of you are ignoring. Killing others, even ‘accidentally’ by firing into a crowd, should result in the death penalty (an eye for an eye). I’m not sure any of the other offenses should even result in jail time.

By teacher at MMHS

April 26, 2005 12:50 PM | Link to this

Mundy’s Mill has a lot to offer. It is a good school with a good principal and good teachers. We have students accepted to excellent colleges (Brown, MIT, ect). Please do not right negative comments about our school or the county. There are a few students at each school that are causing problems. If you want to blame someone, blame the parents and the rap music that glorifies violence. Also, we could use volunteers to help us if you are so disgusted with the public school system. If you can take the time to write about us, take the time to volunteer! After all, it takes a village to raise a child. Thank you

By LISA MURPHY

April 26, 2005 12:58 PM | Link to this

To the teachers at MMHS if you i would demand to the princiapl that he have a mandatory meeting with the Parents and stack holders in the community!!! you see when you have a rep like Clayton County people will move out and your schools will become empty!!! You will only have a whole lot of children who Parents don’t get involve!!! And by the way if you only have a good princiapl your in trouble!!! we know good is one step below bad!!! you need a EXCELLENT PRINCIPAL WHO DON’T PLAY AND LOVE THE KIDS LIKE HIS OR HER OWN!!!

By Garbage in Garbage out

April 26, 2005 12:59 PM | Link to this

RE: Shooter, As I said before Segregation or Integration only the COURAGEOUS willing to really work will make the call. AND DON’T BELEIVE THE HYPE. How many retalliatory instances of gang violence do you know of? No child should die at the hand of another or themselves. It’s sad. However the focus unfortunately becomes the minority underclass, or we have the influx of people really believing that gangs are the root of the violence issue. When I was in H.S there was a group of us who tutored kids, and were extremely positive in our community. We were classified as a gang by our police department (7 black kids). Most black teens do not partake in violent behavior as well as hispanics. Understand our H.S are simply a microcosom of our society. “The good the bad and the ugly. And please do not think because you plan on moving into a house on a hill with a gate that you will not encounter “this population” in the mall, were you shop, the restaraunts in which you eat, the events that you attend. You can not totally avoid it. However you can help change it.

By Concerned

April 26, 2005 01:09 PM | Link to this

I have read a lot of the comments that were written by different people. That fact remains is that a child lost his life for no apparent reason. My children attends the school were the incident happened and they were good friends with the young man. You have to remember that the media only gives you part of the story. A mother lost her only son and sister lost her brother. From my experience with this particular school is that most of what is going on just recently (this school term) started happening. My children are telling me that a lot of the things they are going through are coming from students who come from other areas. They are cleaning up the inner city tearing down projects and sending these families out into the suburban areas. Now all of the children who is creating this mess is not only inner city kids but these kids do have a big influence over suburban children. I tell my children constantly you have to be mindful of how you act and who you choose to be your friends. I think it is a good idea to put the dogs and the metal detectors in the schools if it insures my childrens safety at the school. We as parents also need to be mindful of the types of parties our children attend. WE MUST KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE AT ALL TIMES OVER OUR CHILDREN.

By jade

April 26, 2005 01:19 PM | Link to this

Shala- I could not have said it better myself. Need I say Columbine.

By PleaseDon'tMoveToHenryCo

April 26, 2005 01:20 PM | Link to this

Mundy’s Mill Teacher: I hope you aren’t really a teacher at Mundy’s Mill or any other school. Your comment: “Please do not right (!) negative comments about our school or the county.” Then again, maybe you are a teacher at Mundy’s Mill. That would explain why a MMHS student that was on the news last night stated many students were afraid to return to school because they were “trying to keep they life.”

By Concerned

April 26, 2005 01:23 PM | Link to this

I just want to say that i think that Mr.Smith is an EXCELLENT PRINCIPAL. I do think that positioning someone at the doors are a great idea. I know that in my younger son’s school. The way that it is set up if you walk in you have know choice but to go into the office. The way MMHS is set up when a person walks in if they choose to go down the hallway left or right they don’t have to enter the office and if the staff is not (not saying they are not) paying attention then a person could easy slip in to the school. I think that if Mr. Smith has to crack down like he has at previous schools he has ran then that is alright by me.

By KAREN

April 26, 2005 01:27 PM | Link to this

PleaseDon’tMoveToHenryCo shouldn’t it be state that(!). MMHS teacher I appreciate you!

By Dorciah

April 26, 2005 01:30 PM | Link to this

TO EVERYONE: LET’S ALL REMEMBER THAT WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO OUR OWN OPINIONS. THIS DISCUSSION IS ABOUT THE SAD CONDITION OF OUR YOUTH TODAY. WE ALL MAY THINK WE KNOW THE SOLUTION. BUT ARE WE “DOING” WHAT WE’RE “TALKING”

By Concerned

April 26, 2005 01:31 PM | Link to this

I just want to say that i think that Mr.Smith is an EXCELLENT PRINCIPAL. I do think that positioning someone at the doors are a great idea. I know that in my younger son’s school. The way that it is set up if you walk in you have know choice but to go into the office. The way MMHS is set up when a person walks in if they choose to go down the hallway left or right they don’t have to enter the office and if the staff is not (not saying they are not) paying attention then a person could easy slip in to the school. I think that if Mr. Smith has to crack down like he has at previous schools he has ran then that is alright by me. I can’t speak for all children but i know that they one’s my children talk to are not attending the school yesterday and today are because they are upset over losing a good friend.

By Offended

April 26, 2005 01:31 PM | Link to this

I can not believe what so many of you are saying about the youth today. I work with inner city kids on a daily basis and yes I did say INNER CITY. They live in a survival of the fittest environment from day to day. I will say that the tragedies that happened over the weekend have gotten people talking but look at what you are talking about. Home schooling, private school and I’m not even going to go into the post from PleaseDontMovetoHenryCounty. We as a society are responsible for every child. They didn’t ask to be born into their environment. They live as they know how whether that be through violence, sex or whatever else they are doing to get attention. Instead of talking about how “bad” they are take some time out of your precious schedules to help them so that they will have someone to turn to when they are faced with peer pressure to retaliate and kill someone’s child. They aren’t bad kids, they live in a bad society that tells them they are.

By David

April 26, 2005 01:45 PM | Link to this

you know, offended, i really understand your point…i know these kids are a product of their environment….i know their self esteem has to be shattered…and they must resort to any means to get attention so to speak…BUT at some point we have to draw the line….i mean, if i’m at a party and someone DRIVES BY and starts shooting…or if someone decides to invade my home…..i’m not really gonna take into acct. how that kid was brought up or what level his self esteem may be …you know??? i mean these kids KNOW right from wrong….and many will have to learn it the hard way….IF CERTAIN PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY THINK THAT TEACHERS NEED TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE, THEN WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT EDUCATION IS NOT FOR EVERYONE…There WILL be kids left behind….only because they choose to be…..

By Concerned

April 26, 2005 01:46 PM | Link to this

You are right we are all have a right to our own opinions. I can speak for other parents u stated in a comment earlier do we spend time with our kids at the dinner table some of us do. I personal take my children to church and try to lead them spirtually. But the fact remains there is peer pressure out there that i kids face everyday. Now i will be the 1st to admit my children are not saints. There is know telling what they do when they are not in my presence. But i do what i can to the best of my ability. We they ask to go to parties i check were the parties are located i speak with the parents of the child who is hosting the party. I do what is physical within my power to do. If my children friends are attending any event with them i treat them the same as my kids. Please remember a child lost his life do to know control of the parents who were hosting the party the kids ran out into the streets. I think that whatever we can do to help the schools whether its inner city or suburban we as parents need to unite with our school system and make it better/safer for our children.

By Randy

April 26, 2005 01:49 PM | Link to this

I’ve read your comments and want to add mine. The problem ultimately is not whether any group is to blame. There are good Caucasians and bad Caucasians, there are good African-Americans and bad African-American, and there are good Hispanics and bad Hispanics. What has been disturbing to me are how many really bad PARENTS, and how many really bad PEERS there are. I have 2 1/2 grown kids, and I have always felt responsible for a portion of their acts of misbehavior. When I see how often society wants to forgive someone who has committed violent crimes because he/she had a lousy childhood, I want to scream “hey, don’t let him off, throw his lousy parents in jail too”. Parents have ceded their responsibility to teach their own kids over to television, peer groups, and teachers who are handcuffed in their attempts to actually guide children they did not bring into this world and have no control over. I honestly feel there are a whole lot more lousy parents than lousy kids.

By Offended

April 26, 2005 02:00 PM | Link to this

Believe me, I am not making excuses for the kids that have had a bad childhood but what I know is that need people to come into the community and show them the right ways of doing things. They do know right from wrong to a degree because they are surrounded by violence. We are quick to say that it is no big deal but most of us would not be able to survive one day in some of these neighborhoods. The lack of involvement from those that have escaped poverty is what is not helping the problem. I’m sure that the so called “free lunch kids” would love to know how mature adults view them. Some of which were “free lunch kids” at some point in their lives.

By LISA

April 26, 2005 02:24 PM | Link to this

I want to say that we can’t blame the kids 100%.We really need to as parents get back in our rightful place as parents.The problem is not the kids alone, we as adult regardles if there your kids are not are letting down the children.And it don’t matter where they come from it’s up to us to correct our children when there wrong.regardless of what color they are,are who there parents are.The bottom line is this!!! we as parents need to set boundaries and stick with them!!!! the school system need to stop playing and hiring these mediocrity adminstrators and teachers who are don’t know what to do with the authority they have.Parents your neighborhood school is a reflection of your community.TAKE IT BACK!!!!

By Debra

April 26, 2005 02:37 PM | Link to this

To By Shooter:

Your comments are very negative and biased. I suppose what you meant by “free-lunch students” you were referring to a specific group of people. Please allow me to educate you. People educated in the “private schools and come from affluent communities have comitted some of the most heinous crimes of our times (serial killings, murdering pregnant wives and unborn children and let’s not exclude swindling people from their hard earned pension plans.)

Your focus should be that our youth is getting involved because more than likely, they are trying to survive in a world that it’s either join or become a victim. It doesn’t matter whether our children receive “free lunch” or attend private schools they should never have to fear for their lives by going to school.

It’s people like you and your negative perception of people and things that makes our world an ugly place to live.

By Teacher

April 26, 2005 02:55 PM | Link to this

We all want to blame everyone for parents who are not on their jobs. Parenting is not part time, nor does it come with instructions. So many parents have yet to grow up and they are not paying attention to the needs of their children. Children in gangs are crying out for help and this should have been noted by the parents and teachers a long time ago. School employees from teachers to administrators have their hands tied as far as how to discipline children who are unruly and out of order. The students know this and they verbalize it. If you are bold enough to assault a teacher you should be able to deal with the consequences. Stop blaming everything on the school and investigate mediocre parenting. Holding parents accountable is key. We must get back on one accord and work together to help these children. Parents who are not doing what they are suppose to often want to debate with teachers about what is going on. Administrators are running out of solutions. Where do we draw the line?

By T. R.

April 26, 2005 02:56 PM | Link to this

Hats off to MM for taking a strong stance, and I hope it is backed up by eaqually strong and consistent action by the administration.

What I want to add is this: Persons with a criminal record are not permitted to work in the school systems. So, why are STUDENTS with criminal records allowed to ATTEND school?

I believe that students convicted of gang, drug, and/or violent crimes should NOT be allowed to attend public schools. Why should my daughter have to sit next to a felon? Why do the rights of a criminal, who does NOT want to be there, superceed the safety of a child there to learn?

These teens who don’t want to be in school - should be allowed to leave. I understand the idea that they need to be somewhere, but the fact of the matter is that you can’t FORCE them to co-operate. So they just bide their time and cause problems until they reach 16 and drop out.

Lets let them drop out earlier, or find somewhere else to put them.

Then, our children can go back to learning, and stop worring about the criminals in their classrooms.

By LISA

April 26, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this

Debra I agree totally we can’t afford to waste energy on sterotyping people!!It’s a waste of time and effort to try to play one group against another group just start trying to give knowledge and wisdom to those who may not know whats going on!!! Let’s not belittle or berate people from any walk of life for not knowing but let’s lift and lead the people and learn how to listen and love the people regardless of what side of the track they was born on!!! In God eyes we are all his children!!!!

By David

April 26, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this

ok…lisa….i was hoping you wouldn’t get around to blaming the teachers (partially)….i think it’s the kids who make many teachers look mediocre…even weak administrators can make teachers look mediocre…i don’t think mediocre teachers are causing the problems with these kids….

By Offended

April 26, 2005 03:08 PM | Link to this

Amen T.R.!!!! I agree that there are a chosen few that cause problems in the classroom but at the same time we can’t just throw them away either. There does need to be a palce for them to go in order for the other students to learn instead of worrying about if they will be a innocent bystander in some gang activity. I see students that want to learn and are eager to learn but a lot of my time is spend on trying to control those chosen few that are always causing problems.

The sad part about it is that although they behave badly most of the time it is a cry for help and society throws them away. It’s like a double edged sword. Either you try to make them behave or throw them out on the streets to rob people because that is the only way for them to survive.

Another problem is the lack of programs for boys. There are many programs that taylor toward helping young ladies but very few to help young men. Will one of the men here make a difference to get something started to help those that are lost or will you just judge them and let them fall by the wayside? Women can’t teach boys to be men. Only a real man can do that…..

By Dan

April 26, 2005 03:21 PM | Link to this

Cry for help my eye, the problem is we don’t throw them away soon enough. These days a brat practically has to be a felon to be kicked out of school. There should be some kind of 3 strike rule, if a teacher deems detention is necessary 3 times you are gone. (not doing your homework should have a lesser level of severity )They need to be segregated in a separate school run like a boot camp

By NotMyProblem

April 26, 2005 03:24 PM | Link to this

It really amazes me how many times we hear this crap about “it takes a village” or “the children are the community’s responsibility.” BALONEY! It is the PARENT’S responsibility to raise their children with morals and values, teaching them right from wrong and making sure they are prepared to be PRODUCTIVE members of society. I don’t expect anyone else to raise my children, and I am CERTAINLY not responsible for raising someone else’s. People, stop passing the buck and just admit that there are too many people out there having children with no means by which to raise them or money to pay for them. If you can’t afford to give a child a stable home and the things that he/she needs, then DON’T HAVE THEM. The situation at this school is nothing but the end result of an entire generation of people who have more children than they do common sense. These kids have no family life, no home life, and they turn to gangs for the “love” they don’t get at home. And then suddenly, these thugs become everyone else’s problem. I’m sorry. But these people made their bed and now they can sleep in it. I’ll happily keep my children in a safer environment, north of the perimeter and in away from these criminals. And no, I won’t be seeing them at the malls or the restaurants where we eat. Public transportation doesn’t come to our part of town, so they’ve got no way to get there.

By NotMyProblem

April 26, 2005 03:27 PM | Link to this

Amen, Dan. If these thugs won’t voluntarily become productive members of society, they should be either put into boot camps and forced to conform, or put into prison where they’ll be around their own kind. They have no place in our schools.

By Lesli

April 26, 2005 03:29 PM | Link to this

Part of the issue that has been overlooked here is the fact that the “children” in question are HS students. These are not babies but young adults. Every child in every environment faces challenges, peer pressure, exposure to drugs, etc. However, what remains is that there still are some universal truths in this world. Some things are right and some things are just wrong. The killing of another human being is one of those things that is simply wrong. As of late, our society has grown fond of placing blame on parents, teachers, environments, gangs, etc. for the behavior of these “children”. One thing that society is not quick to dwell on is the personal responsibility aspect involved here. These are young adults who ultimately are responsible for their own actions. It is true that a number of factors shapes an individual. However, unless you are talking about someone with diminished mental capacity, the choice to commit, and therefore the responsibility for, a violent act lies with the person committing the act. Just FYI, I am a “free lunch” kid from a single-parent home in a “bad” neighborhood. At some point, each person has to decide on their own whether to perpetuate the cycle and blame their parents and society for how and where they were born or to do something positive with their life.

By Heavy Hearted

April 26, 2005 03:33 PM | Link to this

I am a former 32 year resident of Clayton County. I was forced to move 5 years ago because of the out of control crime invading the County from newcomers. Parents need to wake up and take control of their children. In my new neighborhood, we recently had a family from Clayton move in to get away from the violence in the schools, but unfortunately their children still have the thug mentality. Parents WAKE UP - you cannot run from your community unless you are willing to make changes in the lives of your children. Do not allow them to dress like they just got out of jail, listen to how they speak to one another, watch the TV with them and see what the rap videos promote. Moving away does not help - I have learned that - taking control and changing the situation will.

By NotMyProblem

April 26, 2005 03:35 PM | Link to this

Lesli, I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Personal responsibility is what it is all about. On the part of the parents and also on the part of these thugs. Nobody forces them to pull the trigger. They do it fully knowing what the consequences of their actions will be. If they still want to do it, then they should be tried as adults and subject to the death penalty, just as they gave a death sentence to that poor innocent girl.

By sandra

April 26, 2005 03:36 PM | Link to this

“Lets do something”. “Take it back”. “It takes a village to raise a child”. Its all worthless rhetoric if the actions to these words are never performed.

If you are tired of school violence, teenage pregnancy, drug use, racism, classism, teen suicide, STD’s, and all of the other ailments of society, start at home and TALK to your kids. Dont start out by changing the world- Change your kids world by spending time with them and REALLY parenting.

Parents, dont let your middle shool and high school kids stay out until 2am. Middle school kids have no business out in the street at 10 o’clock at night. What do you think they are doing? Singing Kum-by-yah? Mothers, dont let your daughters wear 3 inch long skirts and shorts. That is highly inappropriate and degrading to her self image…. nothing sexy about a 13 year old girl showing her pot belly in a half shirt and I’m tired of seeing it!

Enforce not only self-respect, but tell them how to respect others. Enforce consequences for your kids for any mis-behavior. What is going to stop YOUR child from picking up that gun? Or from smoking that pot? Are they fearful of the consequences? Yes, I said fearful. Kids should FEAR their consequences so much that it drives their decision on how to make that choice between picking up a gun and just walking away.

Start at home. Start with your kids, if you see mine acting like they dont have any sense, say something to them. I wont get mad because if I’m not there, who else do they have? If you are not there for your own kids, who else do they have?

By Lisa

April 26, 2005 03:46 PM | Link to this

We need to implement quality life program that teach young girls and boys on life stiuation and how to avoid them!!!it also need to be mandatory for the parents to attend as well.With this program it should teach on character building fiances sexually contact and prevention from being a teen mom or dad.I know the parents should do this but there not, some are but some not!!! we have a lot of single parents and we have to extend ourself period.The schools in Clayton and any other county that are having problems need to get with there mayor and local councilmen and school representative and come up with a plan on how they can offer programs to the community that will help the kids as well as the parents.I know when people know better they do better so we need to empower people with information making it mandatory for them to take classes especially those kids who have been before the principal several times we need to have preventive program so they want go before the judicial system.We have enough kids black white red green in prison right now.LET’S WORK TOGETHER PEOPLE!!! WE CAN DO IT!! IF WE TRY!!!

By PleaseDon'tMoveToHenryCounty

April 26, 2005 03:51 PM | Link to this

No, Karen, it shouldn’t be state “that.” Thanks, though.

By suthrn_stranger

April 26, 2005 03:52 PM | Link to this

I just wanted to comment on some of the other comments. I grew up in Jonesboro in a neighborhood right across the street from MMHS and attended LHS. I graduated from LHS in 99. I know the demographics overall in Clayton County have changed; however, I don’t think that’s changed the community that dramitcally in the sense that all of these kids doing idoitic acts are coming from violent neighborhoods or broken homes. They have nothing else better to do. What are they involved in? Part-time job, after school activities, sports, etc. None of the above. I listen to rap music (gangster rap) which I am sick of people trying to blame black violence on. The music does not make me violent. The first item pointed out is rap music. People spend more time watching t.v. which glorifies violence more than rap music. As well, t.v. is a larger means of communication. The commenters from the northside stating that it’s our problem is a reason why not only society but our communities are the way they are, “it’s our problem, not yours.” Once it happens in your community then it’s a concern and you want to do something about it. Your kids will associate and socialize with a variety of people from all walks of life. How does what happens on the southside not concern you? You cannot be so ignorant to think that ALL of those kids went to MMHS or were all from the same part of town, neighborhood, etc.

By Lesli

April 26, 2005 04:02 PM | Link to this

Lisa….there already is a program like the one that you are describing. It is called “church”. It is free and accepts everyone regardless of race or socio-economic status. Unfortunately, due to liberal influence, you cannot discuss the “G” word at school. Schools are not designed to teach morality or universal truths. They are designed to help children pass standardized tests (whether they learn anything or not). As a secondary function, schools are designed to build children’s self-esteem and widen the parameters of what is “normal” and “accepted” so that most people can fit within them. This is not the fault of the teachers. Nor is this issue the fault of the administrators. I have the utmost admiration for educators. My sister teaches 3rd grade in a public school because she wants to make a difference in the world despite making less money than my hairdresser. The fault lies with a society, composed of you and I, who fail to make the school system as a whole accountable for the tax money they spend. The fault lies with a society that is more concerned with hurting someone’s self-esteem than we are with drawing a clear line between what is acceptable and what is not.

By YJACKET98

April 26, 2005 04:13 PM | Link to this

It does not matter what our schools do on the inside (tighter rules, dress codes, etc..), the kids today are going to continue to participate in these activities. Also this does not only involve kids in gangs. Everyday we hear about a robbery, rape, burglary, car chase, etc… These problems are a result of a poor society, and I don’t me monetarily. Our society has gotten so screwed up in recent years, it’s going to take ages to recover.

Nobody accepts responsibility for their actions any more. It’s never their fault. People want everything given to them without earning it. Parents don’t discipline their kids like they should and they grow up to be heathens. But of course like I said, it’s not the parents fault by any means. It’s because they live in a low-income area. One way to overcome that is to become proactive, get out and get an education, and thus a better job. This might get you out of the area you are staying. But as our society has developed, we wouldn’t want to do that. We’d rather sit around and wait on the government to take care of us, while we start having babies without a mother or a father involved.

I’m sure the end result of this will be somebody else’s fault. It’s a sick world we live in. Society needs to go home, look themselves in the mirror, and re-evaluate their choices in life. It’s nobody else’s fault. No disciple and no family life with the children leads to this. It doesn’t matter how much money we have or don’t have. These problems show themselves in either case.

By LISA

April 26, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

Hey Leslie I agree to disagree I know that the church have information!! but it’s time to come out in the highways and byways like god said!!!! now we can do it now or pay later!!! I as a taxpayer can demand the public school to do this to do that!!!NOT!!! WHILE THE GOV IS PUTTING MONEY IN IT!!!ALSO THE MAJORITY DON’T SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL!!! SO YOUR FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE!!! THAT’S WHY YOU HAVE PRIVATE!!! AND THATS THE REALISTIC TRUTH ABOUT THE STIUATION!!!

By tamara712

April 26, 2005 04:36 PM | Link to this

Leslie, I’m confused. Can’t say the G word in school no longer. That’s the word that got replaced with GD right? Least that’s what the kids think. Maybe we should bring the G word back.

By Lesli

April 26, 2005 04:56 PM | Link to this

Tamara….I whole-heartedly agree that we should bring the “G” word back into the schools. It is much easier to explain to a child why they should “Just Say No” when you give them a reason to say no. It is easier to teach right and wrong when you have a source to turn to. Unfortunately, we have come to a point in this country where secular humanists are more afraid of the damage that my belief in God and advocacy of morality will do to their children than a total lack of moral upbringing will do. My teenagers both attend public high school, so I am quite aware to the curriculums that they teach. As an involved parent, I supplement what they learn at school by spending time with them and taking them to church so that they have the necessary information to make spiritual decisions of their own. Ultimately, whatever choices that they make in life are their own. If they succeed it is their own success and if they fail it is their own failure. My relationship with them is not conditional upon them being successful in school or in life. I am available for support and encouragement as they fail. However, at ages 16 and 18 respectively, I am NEVER available for finger-pointing or blame for the things that go wrong in their personal lives.

By Lisa

April 26, 2005 05:06 PM | Link to this

Lesli your on the right track with your kids and continue to expose your kids to christ like ways!!!AS PARENTS ALL YOU CAN DO IS WHAT YOU KNOW HOW TO DO!!!SO WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER YOU DO BETTER!!! SO LET’S HELP PEOPLE LEARN BETTER!!! FOR I HAVEN’T ALWAYS BEEN WHO I’AM!!! BUT THROUGH PEOPLE THAT HAVE HELP ME ALONG THE WAY!!! I’AM A BETTER PERSON!!!

By Jay

April 27, 2005 08:52 AM | Link to this

The gang issue seems to be related to two issues and only two issues: lack of parenting and racism. 1) If parents actually parented their children instead of just giving birth to them, then most of the trouble with gangs and the violence surrounding it wouldn’t exist. Raising a child doesn’t mean being friends with the kid. It doesn’t mean expecting the school, the neighbors, and other family members will raise the kid - that’s the parents’ responsibility. And just because some 14 year old girl gets knocked up doesn’t make her a good parent. It’s the kids having kids and then expecting someone else to raise it that causes a lot of problems. It’s a self perpetuating problem. Too many African Americans accept teen pregnancy as a normal state of things. Abstinence and safe sex are not discussed. The churches don’t preach it as a sin. Until people start looking to themselves and accepting responsibility for their actions the problems will only get worse. 2)Racism: Expecting “white” people to pay for something that happened in the late 1800’s is sheer stupidity. Expecting them to feel responsible for something that other white people (not necessarily their ancestors) did is sublime stupidity. African American society that promotes this “you owe us” attitude and teach their youth that their problems are the white man’s fault, does nothing but cause the youth problems. It makes them angry and violent. Instead African American parents should be teaching their kids to stand on their own two feet and take responsibility for their own actions so that they can function and become valuable assets in today’s society.

By NotMyProblem

April 27, 2005 09:51 AM | Link to this

You hit the nail on the head, Jay. It’s just so much easier to blame Whitey for their problmes than to own up to them and take respon. With the percentage of black children born in 2004 at over 70% illigitimate, it’s no surprise that their entire community is going to hell in a handbasket. There is no value on human life, education or accomplishment, and it’s all about the “bling” and getting something for nothing. There is a great irony about a community that is all about material things but not about working to get them. The only ones keeping blacks down is other blacks.

By Jay

April 27, 2005 10:14 AM | Link to this

There is no reason at all that African American children cannot function in society at the same levels as white society. As a race, black people are as intelligent as anyone else. HOWEVER, black culture teaches children that studying and being a good student is “acting white” and adopting values that mirror those practiced by not only white people, but responsible people of all races, is “acting white”. White is a dirty word and that is a result of the African American culture that preaches that. It is taught in churches and it is taught in homes. It is not because of white people that black families typically consist of a mother and her children but no father. It is not because of white people that the boys become thugs because they have no male role models other than the rappers and the drug addicted and/or cheating athletes. I’m told by black friends of mine that because they are Republicans, Condolezza Rice and Colin Powell are not considered black, so they are not to be emulated. I think that’s a shame - and I’m a Democrat.

By KEITH

April 27, 2005 10:32 AM | Link to this

Sandra you said it best. Everybody needs to read your response because ypu could not have said it better.Also it’s not the teachers fault hell they don’t have any control any more. What happened to paddleings in school Isure as hell got them. If the parents are not going to disipline someone needs to.

By WorriedInJonesboro

April 27, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this

I do agree with the issue that lack of parenting contributes to children getting involved in gang activities. However, the race of these children whose parents lack parenting skills is not the issue. This is a problem that affects all cultures. I am an African-American resident of Jonesboro. When I first moved to Jonesboro, my neighbors who were not African-American had two sons who were always getting into trouble. They would break into homes and cars in the neighborhood. Clayton County police cars were constantly coming to their home. It was a sad situation. They did not associate with any of the few African-American boys in the neighborhood at that time. I never thought that those boys were doing bad things because they were not African-American. I also do not feel that the boys who are now causing problems in Clayton County are doing bad things because they are African-American. I believe it is simply a case of poor parenting.

By El

April 27, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this

I am insulted at the responses given by Jay and Not my problem. Your statements regarding blacks as a whole was a complete misrepresentation and speaking as a black woman I am insulted. We as a people do not blame “Whitey” as u put it for our issues and social problems. I am a resident of Clayton Co. and the area in which Mundy’s Mill is located is a middle to upper class area. These are not kids who are running around in a ghetto, they are not poor and struggling, that area over there is very nice. There are a lot of nice homes and for the most part is seems to be a quiet neighborhood. The problem stems from home. If you don’t teach your kids how to be responsible then they won’t be responsible. Point blank, doesn’t matter if they are white, black, green or purple. If you raise a disrespectful child then guess what u have a disrespectful teen and a disresectful adult.

I don’t think that speaking properly and getting a good education classifies me as being “white”. I know who I am and my parents brought me up to take responsibility for all of my actions and shortcomings.

So for you to “GENERALIZE” all blacks and say we blame you for everything is an ignorant thing for you to say. If your black friends say these things about Condi and Colin then they are ignorant. But their ignorance does not transfer to us as a whole. I do not make generalizations about whites or any other race, because just like there are ignorant lazy blacks there are ignorant lazy whites. There is good and bad in all of us. We need to stop segregating ourselves into different races and just live as the “human race”. Peace!

By Lacy George

April 27, 2005 01:15 PM | Link to this

El, you make several good points. I think it’s over-generalizing to say that race is the only factor and that it stems from racism. It’s never good to generalize an entire race. However, there is a culture out there—call it a Thug Culture, Ghetto Culture, whatever—that is a real base for the problems we’re having now. This culture does seem to be predominantly black, but it is by no means an exclusive club—thugs can be white, black, asian, et al.
Culture has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with environment and parenting. The poorest black child can be taught that acting in such a way is wrong, while the richest white kid can embrace this lifestyle.

However, Jay and NotMyProblem do also make some good points. There definitely exists in our youth the idea of “acting black” vs “acting white.” When I was in school, there was a black girl that I was good friends with. However, when we got to high school, all of her black friends taunted her, calling her names like “Oreo” and saying that she wasn’t black enough. She made the choice to stop “acting white” and refused to associate with me any longer. Does this happen to every person? No. Would every person choose to “act black?” No. So they are wrong to generalize, but it does happen; the fact that it didn’t happen to you doesn’t make it false.

By El

April 27, 2005 01:38 PM | Link to this

Lacy, I agree with all your statements. However, I was not saying that it does not happen because I know it does. I am realted to and know people who are excatly like what Jay was talking about. People who are materialistic and wish to blame whites for their problems and misfortunes. But to say as a whole we all do it is not a true statement. That was my only complaint with his comments. I could make all kinds of general comments about others based on the actions of a few but I would be WRONG. I know some good white people and I know some bad ones, just as I know some good black people and I know some bad ones.

By suthrn_stranger

April 27, 2005 02:15 PM | Link to this

El I agree with what you say whole heartedly the area is not low income; I grew up over there. While not every black blames there socio-economic problems on the white man (I am black man who doesn’t). The past does have a significant bearance. The argument can be made about other ethnicities who came into America and “strived” however, put them in the same situation African Americans were in for 200 years and I can guarantee those other ethnicities would go through what African Americans have and are going through as a culture.

Lacy unfortunately that does happen. I no longer live in Georgia I moved out west. It has been my perception since I’ve been here (almost 2 years now) race and friends do not matter as much as opposed to living in the South. That was a huge reason why I wanted to move.

If you boil everything down to it; pardon the cliche, it all comes back to the parents and leading by example. Parents are the most influential people throughout our lives, they teach us morals, beliefs, etc.

By NotMyProblem

April 27, 2005 02:25 PM | Link to this

I will agree with you on that, El. My comments are not meant to apply to ALL black people. There are good and there are bad in every race. And I saw the boys arrested for the shooting - one of them is white. I also saw the mother of the trigger man on the TV saying that it wasn’t his “character” to do something like this. He was dressed in GANG clothes when he was arrested! What exactly does she think his “character” is? Those long white shirts are nothing but the new gang colors and obviously she had no idea what he was doing or who he was with - BAD PARENTING. Now there is a young lady dead, who by all accounts was a wonderful and intelligent student with aspirations to become something great. Just snuffed out at the age of 14 because these thugs had an axe to grind with some guy about another girl. Again, just no regard for human life. These boys are nothing but animals and I hope they are beaten and raped repeatedly in jail by the meanest and most horrible men there are. They don’t deserve to live, and if they aren’t going to be put to death, then I wish them the most painful life possible.

By BJ

April 27, 2005 02:43 PM | Link to this

I just recently moved down here from the DC area and believe me it can be worst. However, I have sense enough to know that I don’t have the answers to the problems of our society because thier are know “answers”. I am going to try to teach my children right from wrong and educate them so they can make responsible decisions. I read these comments for my amusement and to try and get the pulse of the area. The only thing that bothers me is that some people think that you can “run” North, South, East, or West. There are problems EVERYWHERE you go. I am going try to raise my kids in a safe environment, but the reality is that this is a metropolitan area. People come here because their are jobs and are trying to better themselves. Yes, some are single parents whether its from a divorce or a prior relationship. Neither are the best case scenario. Look, you can choose to stick your face and your childrens face in the sand, and think you can move where their is no “public” transportation and all your problems will be solved (or Henry Co.) but, you can’t do it alone. I does take a village whether you want to here it or not. Unless you are going to keep your kid in the house all the time! Live were you want to live but having a selfish, pompous, attitude during a crisis situation is insensitive and ignorant.

By Teacher,Too

April 27, 2005 03:07 PM | Link to this

This is a really interesting dialogue. I teach in a minority school where it’s primarily Hispanic and African-American. Every day I see the disrespect of students to teachers and administrators. Unfortunately, there is very little we can do as discipline measures other than detention, in-school suspension, and out-of-school suspension. Most of the time, teachers cannot assign detention because parents can’t get the kids to school. We have watch our number of OSS because of No Child Left Behind- attendance is a measure of school performance. Our hands are tied, and we are extremely frustrated. As a whole, most teachers are caring, dedicated professionals who would be happy to be held accountable to tax payers. I have taught in a Title One school for six years. It is emotionally exhausting; it is demanding of time and money…yes, I spend over $500. per year on classroom materials so my students have what they need. Some parents either don’t have the money or don’t have the inclination to ensure that their child comes to school with materials. I firmly believe that ALL children deserve a quality education, regardless of where they live or their economic situation.

But, I have to tell you, after this year- seeing the constant disrespect and vandalism of a beautiful new building, and having 8th graders yell at me when I ask them to pull up their trousers or cover their cleavage, I’ve had enough. I am saddened that it become so bad that I feel compelled to move to a different school.

The children that I see every day are not being held accountable for their actions. Their parents, for the most part, blindly defend their children, even when there is a history of misbehavior. Or, they don’t even respond, saying they have too many other problems to “deal with this.” Now isn’t it a shame when a parent doesn’t have time for his/her child.

Someone said in an earlier post that schools are a reflection of society. I am constantly amazed by the intelligent and thoughtful discussion I have with my students; they are so very bright and perceptive and have so much iniative and inquisitiveness that it almost makes it worthwhile to stay. But then I walk into the hallway, and it’s a battle I no longer have the strength to fight.

By Jay

April 27, 2005 03:25 PM | Link to this

El - If I led you to believe that I was saying all blacks are to be pigeon-holed, please know that was not my intent. As I said later (somewhat differently), blacks and white, pinks and purples - it doesn’t matter. Everyone has the same abilities and can achieve. However, a culture of us versus them is one that IS readily propagated - maybe not by you - but it is done by others and it is detrimental to all.

By Jeeves

April 27, 2005 03:26 PM | Link to this

Teacher Too - move. Get the hell outta there. Here you are in the middle of it with a big heart and a willing spirit, and you just get dumped on. You can’t change the world. Come on up to the Northside. My kids aren’t perfect angels either but they know the difference between getting into an Ivy League college and being in a gang (and then jail). Guess which one they prefer. They’ll appreciate you. Welcome.

By MUHAMMAD

April 27, 2005 03:37 PM | Link to this

TO TEACHER TOO- I FEEL YOUR PAIN. I WORK IN AN ALL AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOOL AND IT DOES GET VERY HARD AND FUSTRATING. ALL I CAN TELL YOU TO DO IS PRAY AND BE STRONG. WE ARE HERE FOR THE KIDS, ALL THE KIDS. JUST REMEMBER WE ARE ALSO HERE TO MAKE A DIFFEREANCE. JUST WAKE UP EVERY MORNING AND TELL YOURSELF “YOU ARE ALRIGHT” AND GO TO SCHOOL AND DO YOUR JOB. GOD IS WATCHING OVER ALL OF US!!!

By scott

April 27, 2005 03:39 PM | Link to this

One question how many of you commenting grew up in Clayton county? Probably not many, well I did. Like it or not this kind of crap wasnt going on 10,15, or 20 years ago. Everyone wants to be so PC, well I call em like I see em, and when Clayton county was predominatly white this nonsense wasnt going on. Look at what Clayton county has turned into. Crooked politicans, ie the new Sheriff, OUT OF CONTROL CRIME, Crappy looking houses and businesses, and the schools just to mention a few. I left Clayton county in the early nineties like so many of my friends and family and it pains all of us to look at the shape that this county is now in.

By Jay

April 27, 2005 03:40 PM | Link to this

suthrn_stranger - I don’t buy your argument that all other people of any ethnic race would have and continue to face the same problems African Americans do today. Why? Because Jews were slaves for over 2000 years and they’re doing quite well for themselves now. Because the “white man” from Europe was enslaved for hundreds of years under the Romans and we’ve made do. Because less than sixty years ago the Jews were tortured and killed under Hitler and yet they are doing fine today. The argument that slavery has caused irrepreparable harm to all black people is ineffective. It isn’t true. African citizens who come to the united states today are finding work and do not state they face the same problems as African Americans. In fact, it was Al Sharpton who started to get on a bandwagon to disallow Africans from Africa to refer to themselves as African Americans because their success in the workplace was skewing the statistics in a favorable direction those who are natural born African Americans. It goes to support my argument that “culture” not race is the problem, but it is viewed as racism by the parties involved. When modern black culture embraces (and I’m generalizing here…) the idea that economics rules, not race, then everyone is going to be on level ground. However, I say to all of modern American culture - not any one race - you have to have a license to drive and a license to own a gun - so why the hell don’t we require a license to have children? Because those who want them can’t have them and those who shouldn’t have them do. If you’re going to have kids then for heaven’s sake be a parent to the kids and learn who their friends are; teach them manners (not white manners - but manners in general - read Emily Post); teach them respect for other people instead of expecting for respect to be just given to them (Respect is earned not given); teach them the value of life; teach them the value of an education; and the value of their own body…..

By Lashelle

April 27, 2005 03:46 PM | Link to this

First, let me say I am black and live in Clayton County. Black people, we really need to wake up. We are living in denial. I grew up in a neighborhood like the one I lived in now, my parents stayed and we lived the exact tragedy of the two teen-agers of this past weekend. My 17 year old brother was killed directly acrossed the street, shot in the head. My parents finally gave up and moved, so am I. It’s like fighting a losing battle. Too many of our youth are ‘keeping it real’. Our churches are turning a blind eye to the problem. Prayer is a verb, you can pray all you want but you have to get off your butt and do something. Preachers, stop blaming everything on the Devil. We have to accept our faults as a race. I try to raise my daughters properly, but I have to compete with parents who aren’t raising their kids and BET who keeps playing music that glorifies sex and violence. Music does influence people, think about how you felt when your heard your favorite gospel song or your favorite Luther song. We are too forgiving to our wrongdoings, how else can we look up to people who admit in their songs they disrespect women and will do anything for a dollar. Growing up I was called white girl, because I read books and went to the library all the time. Yes, they are big beautiful homes in Clayton, but there are no big beautiful families. A house does not make a home.

By NotMyProblem

April 27, 2005 03:58 PM | Link to this

Teacher, Too - come to East Cobb to teach and you will find schools with a much higher level of education, children with better moral value and ambitions, and your wavering faith in today’s youth is much more likely to be renewed and strengthened than it is in that hell hole you’re in now. We need teachers like you who genuinely love their kids and want the best for them. We want the best for them too, and you sound like someone who fits that description. The thugs you’re with now have already given up on themselves, so you have no reason not to give up on them as well. Know when to say when! Come on to East Cobb!

By Jay

April 27, 2005 04:00 PM | Link to this

hallelujah Lashelle!

I’m happy to hear that someone realizes that in order for something to change, action must take place. It sounds like you’ve done that. Congratulations. However, I’m sorry that you lost a brother in the process.

By suthrn_stranger

April 27, 2005 04:13 PM | Link to this

Jay, the relevancy of the Jews and WWII is null. Were the Jews forcefully removed from there land (whether or not they were sold by other Jews)? No. To reiterate, the argument can be made with other ethnicities (i.e. present day Africans) they were not forced to move here the generations behind them were not the products of neither instituional slavery nor actual slavery. They didn’t harness the opression that African Americans did. If 2000 years was the strong argument, give African Americans another 1700 and then your argument may stick.

However, I can agree with you on the fact that it’s culture and not race. Yet, economics in America is tied to race whatever your rebuttal I could counter and the arguments wouldn’t be reaching or far fetched. The initial start of the American economy was built on the backs of slaves (mostly African American), thus the reason some black people believe they are entitle to reparations.

By Connie

April 27, 2005 04:17 PM | Link to this

Wow. Took a while to read all of your blogs.

My daughter went to public schools her whole life in CA, TX and GA. She graduated from High School here in GA and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2004.

She wasn’t a “perfect” kid. (Show me one PLEASE.)

But her father and I were involved in her life up to her armpits! We always knew who her fiends were, where she was, etc. When she began dating,the young men would come INTO the house and sit and talk with us before they went out. There was a cerfew depending on where they were going and what they were going to do. It was let known to the young man that, if he would like to continue seeing our daughter, he would abide by OUR rules. We were involved at her schools. We augmented her schooling with projects at home and trips to places they discussed in school like parks to see the redwood trees, battlefields to see where things happened, local museums. If she was in a sport, WE WENT TO THE EVENTS.

Did it bug her that we were so involved? At times you BET it did. But you know what? We were her PARENTS, not her best friends!!!

It wasn’t always easy to make the choices we did. But it was OUR RESPONSIBILTY to raise our child. Not the school’s, not the county’s, not the state.

No one is responsible for their actions anymore. It’s always someone or something else’s fault.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CHILDREN PEOPLE.

By Connie

April 27, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

Wow. Took a while to read all of your blogs.

My daughter went to public schools her whole life in CA, TX and GA. We never lived in a gated community or an “upscale neighborhood”. She went to school with white kids, black kids, brown kids, asian kids, rich and dirt poor kids. She graduated from High School here in GA. Last year she graduated from one of the best colleges in the country and currently serves as an officer in the Navy.

She wasn’t a “perfect” kid. (Show me one PLEASE.)

But her father and I were involved in her life up to her armpits! We always knew who her fiends were, where she was, etc. When she began dating,the young men would come INTO the house and sit and talk with us before they went out. There was a curfew depending on where they were going and what they were going to do. It was let known to the young man that, if he would like to continue seeing our daughter, he would abide by OUR rules. Her firends loved to hang out at our house. But ALL of them had to abide by OUR rules when in our home. We were involved at her schools. We augmented her schooling with projects at home and trips to places they discussed in school like parks to see the redwood trees, battlefields to see where things happened, local museums. If she was in a sport, WE WENT TO THE EVENTS.

Did it bug her that we were so involved? At times you BET it did. But you know what? We were her PARENTS, not her best friends!!!

It wasn’t always easy to make the choices we did. We made sacrifices. But it was OUR RESPONSIBILTY to raise our child. Not the school’s, not the county’s, not the state’s.

No one is responsible for their actions anymore. It’s always someone or something else’s fault.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CHILDREN PEOPLE. And MAKE THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS.

By Jay

April 27, 2005 04:30 PM | Link to this

suthrn_stranger - actually, since I studied this in great detail in college as a major in history - the United States economy relied far less on blacks than it did on the Irish. And the Irish, as a whole, were treated far worse than blacks (check your history books if you don’t believe me). True, the Southern economy depended on African slaves, but not the northern economy and the northern economy was driving the country as a whole and because of that the South was doomed to fail from the beginning of the Civil War. Now, if you want to keep blaming whites for slavery - fine - then do so. However, it doesn’t exist now. Education is not withheld from blacks now - in fact it is mandatory until age 16 - so why is it that so many blacks view education as acting “white”? Again, I’m not harping on race - please believe me - it is the culture. Okay, slavery was horrible, there’s no doubt about it - but at some point you have to stop being the victim and start taking responsibility for your own life. That’s what I’m talking about. Too often black culture points the blame at everyone and everything else when it should be directed within. For it is within each of us that change happens. I cannot make you like me. I cannot make you smart. I cannot make you a millionaire. However, all those things each of us can do for ourselves. The gang mentality is one of survival and being “respected”. Again, I say respect is something earned not given. Parents of all races should be teaching that. It is why it really pisses me off when I hear someone say, “so and so was disrespecting me…” So what? Did you earn the right for them to respect you? Just because you fixed me a hamburger doesn’t mean you deserve respect. Just because you exist doesn’t mean you deserve respect. I respect a man who, if he gets a girl pregnant, he offers to marry her and then stays with her, accepting responsibility for his actions and supports that family he has created. I respect a person who fights adversity and becomes a success. Why is it when I go into a fast food restaurant, the girl at the counter always acts like I’m putting her out by placing an order? Is that respectful of the customer? And yet, I’m supposed to “respect” her. Gangs don’t exist to create respect and nurture the members. They exist to incite fear and commit crimes so that the members can have bragging rights among themselves; and not unlike some team sports - pit themselves against other gangs trying to do the same. It’s fun for them. It’s not necessity. If parents took control of their hoodlum children and actually parented then gangs wouldn’t have any power to exist in the first place.

By Student

April 27, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this

Parents will never fully know what their children are doing. You can never be around a person 24/7. As parents you try your best to instill great values in your children - but please remember its up to the child to carry it out. children regardless of race can be sneaky and muniplative - and as parents you can be blinded badly by love. There is also a generation gap - yea children do the same tricks, but sometimes those tricks can truly fool a parent.
All these problems are not always income based. B/c the media protrays what happens in one neighborhood please dont think its not happening next door! As a student I was fortunate enough to observe both sides of the fence - Rich white children of the buckhead area frequently got drunk and did drugs EARLY in highschool. The thing they were able to hide it better. Their parents had the resources to cover things up. I had friends in middle school that were going through deep depression (Buckhead area). There different sets of problems for different income levels. So all those higher incomes out their quick to pass judgement on lower incomes should really take stock at home and see what their children are REALLY doing - I’m sure most are depressed and hiding problems that the parent is to blind to see trying to maintain the facade of a happy home.

By suthrn_stranger

April 27, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this

Jay, kudos on your profound knowledge of American history. However, my cynicism relies me to believe on what I’ve witnessed as well as who did the research and what spin they want put on it.

I don’t think you read my initial comment. I was not blaming anything on anyone. I agreed with the fact that people need to take responsibility for their actions. I merely stated why some chose to believe a certain way. As well, I never stated nor have I ever claimed to be a victim

By NotMyProblem

April 28, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

Student - your lack of proper spelling and grammar is frightening. I hope you’re a student just starting out your education and not coming to the end of it. Otherwise the content of your post is a lot less scary to me than the sentence structure of it.

By The Truth

April 29, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this

Teachers and schools are the faults of our society. ANY teacher can reach ANY child in ANY lesson on ANY subject if the teacher will get off their lazy bum and develop a lesson plan that reaches all the students. The problem lies within the teacher themselves due to poor planning, poor lessons and a “lazy attitude”. Teachers need to be better.