Kids on the Block

M.I.A. Paper whatever...thanks. You're part of the reason I face the kids I face every day. Grow up and take responsibility for the junk you put out there. All of them: Lil' Stupid, The Lame, A Convict...take a long look at yourself. Yuck.

It isn't just rap, it's all of it. Katy Perry, Pussycat Dolls, and the list goes on. All the things that I try to share with the students I see...boom, means nothing because these people prove contrary to what I say. They do nothing and make a ton of money in the process. Same thing with athletes. Carmelo Anthony makes me want to throw up. Adam Jones...don't even get me started. I like Allen Iverson more than I like him. And my head would probably explode if I talked about Ricky Williams.

The saddest part for me is the unrealistic life it portrays. Most kids have about a snowball's chance in Hades of making it pro. Look how hard Cedric has worked and he still isn't "there." Johnson is an anomaly. I'm not even sure if that's his name. Where are the members of CHS's state champ 4x100 team?

Our best athletes?...drug addicts, unwed parents, small time cons. There are only a few who've done anything. Jeremy comes to mind. Stacy. A good man and a Pastor. I know there are others from both CHS and BHS who I'm forgetting.

Sports and music. The biggest dream and the biggest lie. What if you get hurt? What if you get sick? How do you live then?

There is a whole big wide world outside. A world where you can be a doctor, a teacher, a pastor, a nurse, an engineer, an artist, a writer, a clerk, a scientist, a meter reader...a ton of worthy things.

Watching the people around you, admiring the people UNWORTHY of admiration, all lies. Don't be the one who rides a bike or your parent's car through town while talking on your Boost phone with your cubic ziconia, gold plated jewelry. It is not impressive. Don't rev your truck engine through the WAL MART PARKING LOT. It is not impressive. Don't post pictures of your butt, your bong, or your drunk driving/self/friends on the internet. Not only is it unimpressive, it is STUPID.

Focus on what you know you do well and DO THAT THING. Be you. Don't be a caricature of yourself.

Pay attention in school. Try hard. Give back to your community. Find a person to love and who loves you...not a friend with benefits. Don't date someone a week and say you love them. You don't. Be thankful. Be kind. Be a person worthy of admiration. Be a person of good character. Look for a greater purpose. Don't believe your own publicity. We live in a small, small place. Be the bigger person...walk away.