TAG Session with The Attic

Yesterday, I attended a training session hosted by The action Group in Philadelphia and The Attic, an LGBTQA (the A is for Ally) Group for Students and Young People. The session was an incredibly eye opener for me. As an educator, I've been mystified in thinking about diversity in terms of sexual orientation of students. What happens when blatant homophobia is demonstrated in my classroom? What do you do when a student feels complete unsafe? How do you handle a situation where administration is completely unsupportive? These are all questions that educators deal with.

The session was led by some amazing young men and women in the city of Philadelphia. I learned a lot. Perhaps the most useful piece of information I received involved the TOOL-Kit- a how to guide for teachers, administrators, and community organizers can combat homophobia and promote safe spaces. It was super cool to see fellow educators and community members discuss and plan alongside the young people from The Attic.

Check out their site and see the great work that they're doing.

http://www.atticyouthcenter.org

Identity and Black Male Adolescents

The way that an individual perceives themselves is based the perceptions that others might have on her or him (Nakkula, Understanding Youth).  The notion that individuals are affected by events and ideas outside of their immediate culture and experiences, is one that is hard to fully grasp or even accept. What does it mean, for example, when a young black male who is raised in a two-parent, middle income household, trades a more personal set of values for an entirely different set of beliefs that have been predetermined by the greater society’s perception of black males? What does it mean for a black male who sees himself one way, but performs in an entirely different way in fear of in-group exclusion? The aforementioned questions are important to consider, especially because race plays such a crucial role in identity development for all young people.

           

One’s racial identity is not fixed, but is in fact constantly evolving. As an individual constantly takes in racially- oriented information based on experiences involving privilege, oppression, exclusion, an inclusion, he or she is constantly reevaluating his or her racial identity. For this reason, adolescents experiment and perform identity in ways that might not be consistent or easily discernable (Nakkula, Understanding Youth). Using the previously discussed theoretical understandings as a foundation, one can safely say that the identity of young black males might be greatly influenced by both society’s understandings of themselves and their own perceptions of themselves. A number of scholars in the social sciences, such as Anthony Brown, assert that negative depictions of African American males as violent, hypersexual, apathetic, and/or a sharp contrast to more positive or acceptable understandings to white personhood. As movements involving blackness (particularly streams of black manhood) have sought to redefine what it means to be a black male, conceptions of black manhood and masculinity now extend beyond an explainable positive-negative paradigm.

Thinking about all of this, I wonder what can I as a teacher do to make sure that all of my students (but especially this demographic of student) has a democratic voice in my classroom and feels empowered. I remember sitting in all white, upper income classrooms in high school and feeling ostracized and lonely; disempowered and ignored. Knowing that feeling, I refuse to let that happen...the question is then, what can I do to make my classroom a safe space for all students as they continue to explore and experiment with their identity.

Election!!! Thoughts

There is a gospel song called "Unspeakable Joy" that encapstulates the essence of how I am feeling right now. I am incredibly proud to call Barack Obama my president. I am incredibly proud of my country. I think this moment in history reflects our country's ability to accept the call of progress. In this past election, we were presented with two choices- and I believe our country made the right choice.

This election has peered through many aspects of my own university classes and also, my classes at school. In my Developing Adolescents course, we spent quite a bit of time dissecting a Daily Show clip about women and the election. In my Methods course, we were strongly encouraged to write about the election. Most of the Penn GSE folk were in Obama's camp, so it should be of little surprise that many of these conversations were engrossed with inquiry of progress and change. Outside of class, I found myself consumed with election talk- because I was spending all of my time volunteering with the Obama-Biden campaign. All of this talk and consumption and faith, to rest on one day.

Election Day was when everything hit. I've always been of the opinion that Obama had the election in the bag, but for the first time, I felt jitters. My day started off sour when I went to vote. The line was long---- in West Philly, eh go figure. One of the machines was not working. I couldn't help but think voter disenfranchisement was happening right before my eyes. However, nothing was going to stop me from voting. I proudly casted my ballot for the President. After voting, I spent the day doing Professional Development. At first, I was salty that I had to go into school instead of canvassing for Barack. However, the PD, like everything at SLA, was great. It was surprisingly productive and enjoyable- and gave me my first moment of 'chill.' (side note: The Principal Chris Lehman is more than the on-point guy who does TedX talks and writes amazing Op-Eds; he's actually an incredibly cool person. Learned that at PD Who'dathunnkit). After PD, I went to class- and again, I was salty especially when we were told to put away computers. My President might have been losing and I had no way of knowing... thank God for cell phones. #Teachersmaketheworststudents As soon as a surprisingly good class, I went straight to Obama Headquarters on 52nd and Walnut and canvassed until 8 pm. After that, I went to Landmark (a bar) to watch the election results with some black Penn grad students.

The black Penn event was great. I really enjoy fellowship with other likeminded students. Also, the event was hosted by a group called BGAPSA and they provided FREE WINGS AND SUBSIDIZED BEVERAGES. I was in heaven. And as the election results poured in...Pennsylvania. Obama. Ohio. Obama....and the drinks poured. Screwdriver. Carona. And the conversation continued. Wharton business plans. GSE student teaching. Law school craziness... and then the announcement. CNN projects that Barack Obama has won the presidency. Absolute celebration! Jumping! Crying! Toasting! Facebooking! After a brief moment of celebration, I had to get it together and head home because I had to be at school the next day. On the bus ride back to my apartment, all I could think about was my students and how they felt about this moment. As soon as I got home, I watched the President and the 'other guy' deliver their speeches. I wrote up questions. I downloaded videos from online to show the class. I was excited.

When it came to facilitating discussion as a teacher, I thought that this would be incredibly difficult to do because I know that my students are coming from all different places and that while many of them are Obama folk, a few were going for 'the other guy.' I didn't want things to become tumultuous and have some of them be turned off. At the end of the day, most of the students were incredibly excited to discuss the election results. The discussion was incredibly mature and nuanced- I had basically scrapped my plans for the day to pursue a very inquiry-driven discussion. The students knew what they believed. They had also been observing the election for several months now and were interested in discussing the election on their terms and what it meant for their generation. I had to let that ride and just let the beauty of inquiry discussion reveal itself.

I'm becomming super-attached, lol, but the best part about all of this (for me) was hearing what the generation thought about all of this. They're still green and involved; my generation is so apathetic and removed. The intermediacy of the conversation was amazing and confirmed my belief in progress. I think that this generation symbolizes progress in many ways; I believe the next generation of voters transcends beyond linear symbolism. They are progress.

Food + Classroom = Community and Productivity

Food is such a powerful tool for community and unity. Today, I brought in some snacks for my class and one student brought in some SLAMMIN' oxtail. I mean, let me tell you, it got the students so energized. If a student has beef with another student, its rectified (for a moment at least) by food. Didn't like what Mr. B (that's me) said about your project? Its all good if I bring in food. Food makes people so happy- even when they don't eat. Today was the coolest day of my classroom. My students gave amazing presentations and were really hype; it was such a great day!

Man after today,  I think I might bring in food everyday lol. If I had the money, I'd throw a banquet for these kids everyday.

...I just wish that Penn GSE would stop being so stingy and throw a couple of events with food and beverages. 

Still Looking for a Church

I am a devout Christian and church has always played an important part in my life. I do believe that there is more to Faith than just a physical building, but I can't deny that for me, the space, the community, and the spirit of the space really provides me with something that gets me through my week.

Well, I've found it quite challenging to find a church home in Philadelphia. Its been quite a journey, actually. Week after week, I've been traveling to church after church and at this point, I'm getting a little worried. I'm a particular person and so, I'd like to find a church home with a predominantly black congregation  young folk, progressive thinking, and community involvement. It's Philly, so you wouldn't think this would be hard. For me, its been an incredibly difficult task. Barbershop. Found within five minutes (literally right afte moving on my block). Jamaican food spot. Found that mug in a week. Gym. Right across from GSE, saw it before even stepping foot into GSE. The right church? Have yet to find it.

Today, I wanted to go to Enon, a phenomenal church that I've encountered via web sermons and through news articles; however, I woke up too late to make the early service (and its about a 1.25 hr commute one way); I also had a planning session that intersected the second service.

What to do? What to do? What to do?

I've been back home in Jersey so much that I've been going to services at my home church (shout to my church St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church- I know a few of y'all follow my blog, woo woo! lol). My church home is great, but as time is cutting on my ability to travel back to Jersey, I really need to settle and find a church home here. Forgive me, but it kinda feels like I'm dating and looking for the one. "She" has to be lively and exciting; open to all races but prefer the black gospel style of worship; She can't be too big; She must be involved in the community; she must be young in age (as in, the average age for members is under 65.. I'll take 70 at this point); She must love God.

Election Fever at school!

Election fever has really hit the school. All of the students at SLA are talking about the election. I mean, BINDERS of students are talking about elections. Its cray cray.

It does not surprise me that younger generations are very interested in contemporary politics. Granted, there are a few folk who have seen enough of Bronco Bamma (2 syllable words are that hard little four year old girl that you can't say Ba-rack -slash- shame on her parents for not telling her to insert a President before Barack/Branco?! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, visit the following link: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2012/1101/Are-we-all-Bronco-Bamma-girl-so-tired-of-election-we-could-cry-video).

But here, at SLA, ain't nobody crying about the amount of media coverage that the election has been receiving. The students seem to want more election talk and I really appreciate it. Ever since the young girl broke down and cried about the election, a lot of political commentators have been saying that the sentiment of youth is a glimpse of honest public opinion; these commentators fail to consider the young adults who's experiences are being shaped during a time in which our country is at the crossroads of progress. I know students that are volunteering as staff members for a candidate or are leading GOTV (Get Out the Vote) initiatives.

Hurricane Sandy

Before I begin with this post, I want to offer my sincerest sympathies for all of the folk who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. I shall to refer to Sandy as a she for the duration of this blog post (and I must again preface that all of the Sandys that I know are incredibly nice people and would never cause any damage to anyone, but I digress). But yes, Sandy did some damage this time around.

Philadelphia was not affected all that terribly, which did not surprise me too much. We're pretty much pushed west within the interior enough to rarely experience the affects of a coastal storm. To be honest (and to be honest, my grandmother is going to kill me when she reads this) I went out for pizza at 7:30 pm on Monday, the time in which Sandy was most furious and angry. We'll, my roommate came along and we got pizza; after our 8 block trek to get some really cheesy (too cheesy) pizza, the wind decides to act up and almost blows the pizza box over. #ainthavingthat

Well, I give this light-hearted story to let you know that shortly upon arriving home and turning on the television, I viewed some gruesome images of the storm on the television. I was incredibly disturbed and also, feeling blessed. We didn't get hit too hard here in Philly, but many other people did and so, it is imperative for us not to take anything for granted, but also, to be of help to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. A friend of mine who is from Toms River is collecting items to take back to those affected- if you are in the area happen to read this and want to donate something, feel free to hit me up and I will connect you all.

Now, with all of this said- for the past two days, Sandy has been my gurl (gUrl not girl). Why? Because she gave me a day to sleep. That sounds so basic, but it's so real. I've never been so tired in my life. Life is always on the go. My classes, student-teaching, family, the boo, Obama campaign stuff, gym, etc- Sandy forced me to sit down and sleep.