We really can make a difference

[Lynn Luckett]

Sorors,

I just finished grading a journal assignment that my classes had to do on yesterday. The topic was "When I look in the mirror I see...." Right now I am so filled with emotions. One girl wrote,"When I look in the mirror I see a black, fat, ugly person that no one loves." Another wrote, "I see a person that her own father lives down the street, but won't have anything to do with her." One of my guys wrote,"I see a scared boy who has to act like a man because he has to take care of his sisters and brothers because his mother is on crack." Another wrote," I see a girl who is five months pregnant and scared to death." (she is only 13 and the father is 15) The last entry was written by a female,"I see a girl whose mother is on crack and perform favors for boys for $5.00.

My heart aching so badly. I wonder am I making a difference in these children's lives. I feel depression rearing its ugly head. I wish that I can make their pain go away.


Conskeeted Skee Wee

[This message has been edited by Lynn Luckett
(edited October 03, 2000).]

I just read another one. This one says, "I see a young lady who realizes the she is the master of her own destiny." I have that quote posted all over my room and I say it everyday.

YOU ARE THE MASTER OF YOUR OWN DESTINY!

[This message has been edited by Lynn Luckett (edited October 03, 2000).]

[AKAtude]

Soror DG,

I think you have come up with an excellent idea. During my senior year of high school, I enrolled in a teacher cadet course because I was considering being an education major in college. A class project involved each of us writing down at least three positive qualities we liked in our classmates.

We made "mailboxes" out of construction paper. Whenever we were having a bad day, we were suppose to read one of the strips of paper in our mailbox. Sometimes, people noticed the same good qualities about me and other times they noticed things no one else had noticed before. So, getting the class involved and having them share would be a wonderful idea. Sometimes hearing things come from their peers means more to them than coming from the adults.

Also, I would like to echo what Soror DG said. If you have the time (an hour or two a week), please consider mentoring a child. I was matched with my Little Sister at the end of April and we are still going strong.

[Lynn Luckett]

Thanks for the idea about the mailbox. I once read that the potter never presses down on the clay; he always raises it. If we are going to save the seed of this generation and generations to come, we must raise (lift) our children. I don't know how active our local Boys and Girls Club is, but I am going to find out. We need more men to answer the call of changing lives. Most of my students often express there saddness regarding the abscense of their father. My own sons suffer from not having their father in their lives. I don't know if men truly understand how powerful their role is in life! I understand that some men did not have a male example to model after. A man once told me that until men really deal with themselves and their feelings, they will continue to pass the buck to the women. I do believe that we have outstanding brothers out there--to them I tip my hat. Sistas lets continue to keep our children and our men in prayer!

Peace and prosperity to all,

Conskeeted Skee Wee

[This message has been edited by Lynn Luckett (edited October 03, 2000).]

[LadyAKA]

Great post, makes me think alot about what I am doing... I am thinking about mentoring someone, but I plan to bring it closer to home ... I have nieces and nephews and even my mom's godchildren that can use this type of support. I just want all to remember to start the clean up at home first ... but no matter where you start ... JUST GET STARTED, I am, and thanks for the inspiration SORORS!!

Soror Lynn I commend you and other teachers for taking on this task of watching and caring for 'our' children ... It makes a difference especially when the teacher cares enough to post what her students feel and then she plans to make a difference ... more power to you!!

[Discogoddess]

Soror, my prayers are with you and your students. I was just talking to my mother last night about people's failure to take responsibility for their lives, and the hurt, pain, failure, etc. they often pass down to their kids, who didn't ask to be born, and shouldn't have to put up with that mess!!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps you can write each child back, and tell them what YOU see mirrored back to you when they look at you, and pick out an outstanding quality about each of them. Maybe turn it into a class sharing thing, where each child gets up and recites what you wrote back in their journals.

Sorors and friends: please, please, get off your butt and mentor a child! Just being around someone who cares about them, who's about something, and who takes the time to share themselves MAY wind up being the lifeline some kid needs.

[This message has been edited by Discogoddess (edited October 03, 2000).]

[BrandNubian]

Originally posted by Lynn Luckett:
Sorors,

I just finished grading a journal assignment that my classes had to do on yesterday. The topic was "When I look in the mirror I see...." Right now I am so filled with emotions. One girl wrote,"When I look in the mirror I see a black, fat, ugly person that no one loves." Another wrote, "I see a person that her own father lives down the street, but won't have anything to do with her." One of my guys wrote,"I see a scared boy who has to act like a man because he has to take care of his sisters and brothers because his mother is on crack." Another wrote," I see a girl who is five months pregnant and scared to death." (she is only 13 and the father is 15) The last entry was written by a female,"I see a girl whose mother is on crack and perform favors for boys for $5.00.

My heart aching so badly. I wonder am I making a difference in these children's lives. I feel depression rearing its ugly head. I wish that I can make their pain go away.]

Hello Lynn:

I think the assignment that you gave your students was a wonderful one. I am in the process of applying for a teaching position, and it's inspiring to see some of the teachers really doing great things with their kids. Getting them to really think about themselves and their self-images is a great idea.

My heart goes out to you...some of those responses nearly broke my heart. Keep keeping on though with your kids...you are making a difference. I have just learned that just because you don't see the results of your efforts immediately, that doesn't mean change and growth isn't taking place!!!

Wishing you the best..
B.N.



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"I thought making a record and receiving some form of public affirmation would bring me the love I desired in my life, only to find that what I wanted no one could give, and what I searched for lived in my heart waiting to be discovered."
-Me'shell Ndegeocello

[BrandNubian]

Originally posted by Discogoddess:
Sorors and friends: please, please, get off your butt and mentor a child! Just being around someone who cares about them, who's about something, and who takes the time to share themselves MAY wind up being the lifeline some kid needs.

Discogoddess:

I agree with your statement about mentoring. True, mentoring may not be the way everybody chooses to give back, but it can be wonderful! It will not only link you with a young person who needs you, but through your interaction with that kid, you will learn lots of things about yourself! It can be very enriching, for both parties involved.

My two cents...
B.N.



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"I thought making a record and receiving some form of public affirmation would bring me the love I desired in my life, only to find that what I wanted no one could give, and what I searched for lived in my heart waiting to be discovered."
-Me'shell Ndegeocello