If I told you there is an institution that is base on your color, language, and writing to determine your status and ability to make money you would most likely think I am talking about racism. But I am not talking about racism, I am talking about gangs. Gangs are groups of people who come together under one color and make money most of the times illegally. If you don’t have their color or don’t belong to their group you will get hurt. They have their own gang symbols, language and dress codes. I guess I am now realizing the similarities between gangs and how our society is set up. I chose not to join a gang even if it meant that I couldn’t ride around in the new cars and have lots of money. Even if it meant I might get jumped walking down the street for not having on the right color. I feel the same way about myself as a man I will not join a group just out of fear that I won’t be able to make money. Or out of fear that I won’t be accepted and attacked because I am different. When I was younger I had to determine what was important to me and I stood up for my beliefs no matter what the consequences. Like Toya said today, it is about the ability to make a choice that makes all the difference. Yes, I want to provide for my wife and five children but not at the cost of loosing my values and myself, just as I chose not to join a gang but to wait for a better situation to come in my life. The only reason I have the strength to take a stand is because of my faith in God. I believe I only need to find His will for my life and everything else will fall into place.
Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the Lord, even his enemies will be at peace with him.
I pray when my life is over that God will say well done my good and faithful servant. People and groups change their ideas way too much for me to anchor my life decisions on their opinions.
Steve
I think you can apply this concept to teaching as well. If you truly know yourself and your students you will be a better teacher. You may have to conform to standards to an extent, but the more you can be original and creative and true to yourself, the better you will be at reaching your students.
ReplyDeleteI love this comparison of gangs to the groups we belong to. Although most of the time our lives are not in danger if we are in one group versus another, there are many people who are hurt emotionally, mentally, and there are definitely times where they are hurt physically. And like Ryan said, it applies to education because of the requirement to conform. In relation to what we discussed in our small groups of three today, it was unanimous that the availability of choice directly correlated to everyone being happier. In a country where we emphasize "freedom" so much, why is our educational system, supposedly the root of it all, so restricted?
ReplyDeleteIn Tuesday's class we all shared the topics we are researching for our final papers. I found it really courageous of you to share your personal experience of not conforming to what everyone else was doing in your neighborhood to join a gang. You paved your own path, and I commend you for that. I like how you further compare the concept of conforming to education. I am looking forward to hearing how your research unfolds!
ReplyDeleteStephen, I was thinking about the gang analogy and applying it to politics. Power, influence, money, prejudice, divisive means to achieve a goal…what do you think? Perhaps we need more people who actually can change their perspectives through education and observation. All of us get stuck in ideas and return to judgment without understanding. You make great comments! Can we make these changes through the school system? After reading responses to Michael’s post, I am hopeful.
ReplyDeleteStephen, I love your last statement! "People and groups change their ideas way too much for me to anchor my life decisions on their opinions." It's so true. Fashion changes. Norms change. Opinions change. Morals change. But what God teaches us always stands. The 10 Commandments will never change the way laws do to fit the changing needs of society.
ReplyDeleteYou're always so thoughtful!
Chrissy
Stephen, wouldn’t it be great if all parents and educators had the many resources to expose and offer our children and students’ for the well-being of their futures? It would be great if some parents did not have to decide between paying a bill and providing enough food for their children. The ability to make a choice unfortunately is not always “visible” or “clear” or “as a matter of fact” for some (parents or students)
ReplyDeleteThus as educators when we intentionally choose to be mindful and conscientious about such circumstances of our students, we can offer and give guidance to choices. Even as educators it’s about our choice to get involved, to not sit back and say “that’s somebody else’s problem.”
I like your blog title “Know Thyself”. As we’ve discussed in class the article “The Role of Reflection in Epistemological Change: Autobiography in Teacher Education” and in my comments to Michael’s blog, on the importance of self-reflection or introspection, as educators we can also expose our students to being aware of their lived experience in relation to what they’re learning.
I’m a firm believer in committing time reflecting on my lived experiences and their impact to the formation of who I am and how I interact with people. I am thankful to learn from my mistakes I’ve made with family, friends, students and others. Reflecting (not dwelling) on these mistakes and being intentional about changing myself, my thinking and my judgments have truly allowed me to make positive, effective and fruitful changes over the course of time in my life and the lives of those around me. Also, I can personally attest to your quote from Proverbs 16:7, though I’ve made mistakes in His eyes, I have an inherent desire to please God above all, and am always amazed when overcoming difficult situations and people.
Stephen
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate what you bring to the class discussions. I must say, that you bring a specific dynamic to all of our groups that forces us all to question our beliefs, not only about education, but about ourselves. I was raised around all different types of races, colors, creeds, and belief systems. I understand the idea of diversity. But understanding is not the only element that we need to embrace. We need to live this understanding in our day to day lives. We need to teach our children that it is ok to love people of "all tribes, and peoples, and tongues" which is only going to enrich their lives. I have found that the best way to grow is to share. Share with other people, their experiences, their customs, their beliefs, their joys, their sorrows. It is through these types of intersections with others that we can grow into the strongest versions of ourselves. Stephen, you are an asset to our classroom, and to the community that you serve. I would like to extend my thanks to you as a fellow educator, and as someone that incites change in others, both emotionally, and spiritually. I believe you are going to contribute to Cleveland's academic community in ways that will surprise us all.
Keep it real brother. Stephen your comments are always very insightful as to how the real world operates and that is something I will always cherish about our friendship. When most people get lost in the the theories and concepts behind abstract ideas, you always have a way of bringing the conversation back to functionality within the real world. What might explained in the books as an outsiders opinion, you have a way of relating that to your own real life experience which many more individuals can relate to and understand. When individuals are unsure about their own identity it often brings along insecurity, and what makes people feel secure? Power. Thats what most of these gangs and organizations have also come to realize and offer power as a reward, however it may be a false sense of power. But because they achieved this power they think they will gain social status through some channel or another. It takes strong willed individuals like yourself to break those molds. Keep on keepin on!
ReplyDeleteStephen, I agree with you that gangs have a great deal of appeal for people of all ages. Gangs make their members feel empowered and emotionally secure. The need for belonging can overtake a person’s better judgment and moral thinking.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that every individual has to make choices regarding his conduct. What one person thinks is ethical another person may not. In my opinion, one needs to find ways to do the “right thing” in difficult situations and look at all the consequences of a decision.
I like the way you worded this. A group that comes together to make money, using the same symbols, language, and dress code. It sounds like a corporation! I’d never thought of it this way before, but a gang is a money-making group with a strict code of behavior. And we’re always taught that kids are most especially vulnerable to groups when they are lacking family and want a place to fit in. Still, the new comparison opened my eyes a new way.
ReplyDeleteAs for the rest, I admire you for being so forthright about your faith in class. You’re a man of deep principles; that’s not about to change. Your Luke 4 verse of life, which Jesus quoted from Isaiah, will be your anchor to the end and beyond. I believe in serving God in all things and developing to the fullest the Gifts He gave me. I guess that kind of paraphrases what Luke 4:18 says, but the original wording is much more elegant and beautiful!
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Stephen my man!! always love your insight.. Continue to express yourself and you will contibue to be succesful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephen, for sharing your personal story. We all can learn from it. It is true that people (of all ages) try to conform in order to feel secure, but every time we try to conform, we risk to lose our values, our identity , and our believes. It does not even mean belonging to a particular group, but even when making everyday choices, we must listen to our hearts and ask ourselves if it is something that we want to do or how this choice will affect our lives in future. It takes a strong will sometimes to go against everybody and against all odds, but the results can make us proud.
ReplyDeleteAnd here is the link to the article.
ReplyDeletehttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html
Steve, just wanted to thank you for your kind words after class today...love to keep in touch...my e-mail is debra2corrado@att.net
ReplyDelete