Off the Cuff
Posted Aug 14 2007
One thing that has stood out to me over the past three years of teaching at Oakland Unity High School in California is the high level of discussion that we have in class. I really wish that people, including policy makers and other teachers, could hear the students share their thoughts on topics ranging from the war in Iraq to universal health care. Just as important have been the numerous informal conversations that have taken place. During one particular violent weekend in Oakland it was obvious that many of the students I work with wanted to talk about what happened. We decided to get together one afternoon so I could interview them. Interestingly enough, while our school is pushing 80% Latino, the three students who showed up were all African American. They had worked all day and it was a blazing hot so they were a bit more reserved than usual. Yet it was an interesting conversation nonetheless. I was tempted to write an article but decided that it would be best to let them speak for themselves. While it doesn’t really come out in this conversation, these three are quite involved with activities such as Upward Bound, fashion shows, out of state college visits, and Tech Bridge, a science and engineering program for teenage girls. Next time we’ll have to focus on those accomplishments.
All three will be seniors for the 2007-2008 school year.
How do different races get along out here?
M: Mexicans and Blacks get along better than others.
W: We have more connections.
Like what?
Drug connections.
Drug connections is your answer?!?!
W: Yeah, that’s just reality. But you wouldn’t know that because you’re a….
Square?
W: Yup.
M: But seriously, we do go through similar things. Some Asians are cool, and Tongans too. I get along with everyone.
How’s all the violence affecting you?
M: A lot. It involves people we know and see everyday.
W: Loved ones. If someone gets shot, someone else will get shot, then another. It goes back and forth.
How do you cope?
M: It’s an everyday thing.
J: Sometimes it has a good effect. It’s like your friend gets shot…
M: That’s a good thing?
J: No. I mean, it’s a sad thing, but maybe you learn from their death.
M: Who wants to learn from their friend’s death?
J: Who said you wanted it? I said it can have a positive effect. Pain does make you stronger.
W: You might not die and know that it could’ve been you. You might change your ways.
What types of opportunities are there for youth Oakland?
All: Jobs, our school, recreation centers.
J: Some music opportunities.
W: You can do music at Youth Uprising.
J: Lots of kids want to be the next Bay Area rapper.
M: There are places that teach life skills. Foster youth can get involved with programs.
What are your post graduation plans?
M: I want to be a pediatrician, a psychologist, or detective.
J: I want to be a professional musician, playing with some old school artists like B.B. King. In an ideal world I’ll be working in the music business.
W: While I’m in college I’m going to have a part time job. Around my junior year I want to have my (modeling) portfolio together. I’m ready to be big. Eventually, I want to own restaurants and property and do some investing.
What should people know about Oakland?
W: It’s not just negative.
J: Oakland’s about more than shootings and killings.
That’s all you talked about!
M: True, but you can also be a high achiever. Lots of successful people come out of here…
W: Keyshia Cole, Too Short…
Is Too Short a good role model?
J: It depends on how you define success. Do you mean from being positive or just from making money, doing anything?
However you define it.
W: Too Short’s down at the center (Youth Uprising), all the time. He’s part of the staff. F.A.B., E-40, all of them go there.
How would you define yourselves?
W: No. I want them to define me. If I do it, I’ll be conceited. I mean, I’m beautiful, outgoing, I have a nice sense of humor. Did I say gorgeous?
I think you left out pretty, good cook, and that you’re a genius.
J: It’s hard for you to get upset.
W: Yeah, I get along well with people
M: Do I have to define myself like that?
W: Be quiet! I’m still talking about me! I have no enemies, people say I burp too much, and I give good advice.
M: Like I said, do I have to define myself like that?
J: People say I’m nice and sensitive. I’m tall, dark, and I don’t try to follow the crowd.
What makes you unique?
J: I run fast.
W: He likes a lot of rock music.
J: I’m out there when it comes to music. I don’t stay in any category. I listen to jazz, rock, rap…Everyone’s heard of Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra…but they can’t even name a song.
M: I’m optimistic, I have many personalities, I’m flexible--get your mind out the gutter Jestin--I’m sympathetic, unique, and out going. That’s it.
Are you sure? So, any last words?
W: Yeah. Peace out!
hey
I agree on what jestin said about you cant really have something nice because you get approched rapidly. Thats something so unfair for teens like us because you cant even be wearing nice clothes or some color cause at the end of the day you end up beaten up or with no clothes. Also i think that most teens just look for help around their area they dont really go out to check out other places. I think that the enviroment we live in is not neccessarily that positive but its an influence for us to do something better.
Look at this now make think alot from when i did this and i learned a lot more now than what i knew from when i was in the 10th grade
Look at this now make think alot from when i did this and i learned a lot more now than what i knew from when i was in the 10th grade
Looking at this now make think alot from when i did this and i learned a lot more now than what i knew from when i was in the 10th grade
Its really sad to see that when Oakland's own youth think of Oakland all they can think of us the negative, but the reality is that thats just how it is. i love Oakland i grew up- here but its just so ghetto and its hard to live in a place where someone will want to start a fight because of some small thing that isn't even worth your time. it get annoying an irritating at times. even through all of this i still love Oakland and there are many positives to growing up here.