As a girl born and raised in a neighborhood I commonly refer to as "the ghetto," I am used to seeing drug dealers, men with their pants hanging so low you can see their undergarments, and many other distasteful things. I live in Pine Hills. As a child, I attended Ridgewood Park Elementary, and later as an upcoming teacher doing service learning in my old school, I heard many stories of unruly/dangerous children.
I attribute these problems greatly to the "hip-hop culture" that is glorified in the entertainment industry. "People" (using the term loosely like I did in my previous post) like "50 cent," "Snoop Dog," Mike Tyson, "Eminem," and countless others are terrible examples for young people. And yet, parents (for whatever reason) do not shelter their children from the garbage these "entertainers" spew, so the children emulate them and their lifestyles.
I'm sorry, but someone living the gang-life, doing and selling drugs, committing crimes of all sorts, and making fatherless babies does not make for a good role model. I don't know why people find it appealing instead of appalling. A few times when I'm flipping through radio stations on the way to school in the mornings, I have stopped to listen momentarily to stations like Power 95.3 or 102 Jams, just to see what they are saying in their morning 'dialogues.' (It's not a good way to start the day because it makes me mad, but hey.) What I notice is that not only does their English totally stink, but 98% of the time they are laughing about the fact that yet another rapper has been jailed for doing some illegal activity. How is that funny? I really would like to know!
Why are violence, promiscuity, and drugs accepted and tolerated? Well-educated, decent people in the community should stand up against this ridiculous problem facing young people today. Where are the voices of reason to overshadow the foul-mouthed crap that is featured in "ghetto" entertainment? It's infuriating!
September 11th
Posted by
Kristy Zabel's Blog
comments (1)
Before I begin my blog, I just want to respond to Olyvia's question about me doing poetry. No, really I'm not into reading or writing poetry. Poetry for small children can be cute, but it's just not my favorite form of writing. In spite of that, I will still encourage students to experiment with poetry because it might be something they will really enjoy. I'm glad you enjoyed my poem though--either that or you're just being polite. ;)
As for my response to Krystina's recent comment on my fashion blog...Christmas sweaters?! Yikes! lol No--I know what you mean. I'm sure you will be able to make it stylish in some way. :)
Ok---now for tonight's blog topic: September 11th...
Today marks the day six years ago, when terrorists managed to kill thousands of innocent people, bring down two towers, destroy a section of the Pentagon, and crash into a field--all with the use of four planes carrying innocent civilians-turned-heroes. Despite their efforts, however, they did NOT manage to bring down the American spirit. One thing that amazes me is that a lot of good came out of something so horrid--it brought Americans together.
Back then, we as a nation banded together in support of our great country and in support of those who lost so much that day. Six years later, some of that has faded. Many have moved on with their lives. In some respects, that fact is saddening, but on the other hand, moving on is a way of healing. Although I can sympathize with the victims' families and friends, I cannot truly comprehend the sadness because I did not lose anyone, but I still get teary hearing their stories and watching footage of that fateful day even now.
To this day, I still remember exactly where I was when I first heard the news of the attack. I was in tenth grade--in Mr. Wilson's English class. My class was in the library for some reason, instead of our usual classroom. The principal's voice came over the loudspeaker, and he said that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I had never heard of the World Trade Center before this occurred, but I could tell by the name it was an important place. At first, I thought the plane crash might have been just a terrible accident, but once I heard of the second plane, I knew something was terribly wrong--it was no accident. The rest of the day at school, people were somber, and teachers kept their televisions on for news coverage.
I couldn't comprehend why 'people' (using the term loosely) would be filled with so much hate that they would kill themselves for the sake of killing others. And now to know that there are thousands more just like them who would do the same in the name of extremism is beyond me. It doesn't make sense that people fall for this "religion" and/or cults (like the KKK and Black Panthers). Why is violence so appealing to those who have no support system? Terrorists (and cults and gangs) prey on people--especially young people--who lack hope and a promising future. These people are brainwashed in order to be recruited. If Osama Bin Laden was not such a coward, why did he need others to do his dirty work? Do you notice how the majority of 'people' (using the term loosely again) like Osama Bin Laden (i.e., Hitler, Ahmedinejad of Iran, Stalin, etc.) force mostly uneducated, hopeless, and often times poor people to do their unmentionable deeds for false rewards? It is past time for Muslims to stand up against the radicals in their religion. Earth to terrorists: There is no reward for blowing people up!
I pray for the those who lost loved ones, and I pray for our country's and its people's safety. I also pray that the terrorists' efforts will be thwarted every time, so that we will not have to witness another attack. God bless America!
As for my response to Krystina's recent comment on my fashion blog...Christmas sweaters?! Yikes! lol No--I know what you mean. I'm sure you will be able to make it stylish in some way. :)
Ok---now for tonight's blog topic: September 11th...
Today marks the day six years ago, when terrorists managed to kill thousands of innocent people, bring down two towers, destroy a section of the Pentagon, and crash into a field--all with the use of four planes carrying innocent civilians-turned-heroes. Despite their efforts, however, they did NOT manage to bring down the American spirit. One thing that amazes me is that a lot of good came out of something so horrid--it brought Americans together.
Back then, we as a nation banded together in support of our great country and in support of those who lost so much that day. Six years later, some of that has faded. Many have moved on with their lives. In some respects, that fact is saddening, but on the other hand, moving on is a way of healing. Although I can sympathize with the victims' families and friends, I cannot truly comprehend the sadness because I did not lose anyone, but I still get teary hearing their stories and watching footage of that fateful day even now.
To this day, I still remember exactly where I was when I first heard the news of the attack. I was in tenth grade--in Mr. Wilson's English class. My class was in the library for some reason, instead of our usual classroom. The principal's voice came over the loudspeaker, and he said that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I had never heard of the World Trade Center before this occurred, but I could tell by the name it was an important place. At first, I thought the plane crash might have been just a terrible accident, but once I heard of the second plane, I knew something was terribly wrong--it was no accident. The rest of the day at school, people were somber, and teachers kept their televisions on for news coverage.
I couldn't comprehend why 'people' (using the term loosely) would be filled with so much hate that they would kill themselves for the sake of killing others. And now to know that there are thousands more just like them who would do the same in the name of extremism is beyond me. It doesn't make sense that people fall for this "religion" and/or cults (like the KKK and Black Panthers). Why is violence so appealing to those who have no support system? Terrorists (and cults and gangs) prey on people--especially young people--who lack hope and a promising future. These people are brainwashed in order to be recruited. If Osama Bin Laden was not such a coward, why did he need others to do his dirty work? Do you notice how the majority of 'people' (using the term loosely again) like Osama Bin Laden (i.e., Hitler, Ahmedinejad of Iran, Stalin, etc.) force mostly uneducated, hopeless, and often times poor people to do their unmentionable deeds for false rewards? It is past time for Muslims to stand up against the radicals in their religion. Earth to terrorists: There is no reward for blowing people up!
I pray for the those who lost loved ones, and I pray for our country's and its people's safety. I also pray that the terrorists' efforts will be thwarted every time, so that we will not have to witness another attack. God bless America!
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