Constructive Response

Johnny Davison

Mr. DeWit

English 4

08/25/13

Response Paper

Dear Jill Tucker,

            Your articles are very well written but lack a lot of information. As a young Black African-American I feel like you portrayed your article to be like a pity party statement. Some statement s you said was true and you had a lot of great things in there but it sort of lacked truth. It’s true that when you walk out your door you have no idea what is in store for you, you have no idea who Is lurking waiting to take you out probably for something you had no idea about. Im similar to Thomas I stay to myself pick and choose my friends because I don’t want to be associated with non-sense and be lying in my grave. Most of the shootings that are happening now and days are retaliation from a hurt individual who have lost a person close to them whether it be a family member or a close friend, Emotions are flying high so now that persons mentality is like “Forget Everything” . Most kids can’t handle school after a traumatic experience they find it hard to concentrate so school gets ruff, they don’t drop out because they want to sometimes they have to. Then you have these good for nothing teachers who don’t give a damn whether you pass or fail as long as they don’t have to deal with you, all most teachers or looking at is a paycheck at the end of the day they don’t care if your learn anything   or not and most kids know that, and that’s why they take education lightly because we don’t have mentors who care about our future and want to see us successed. Oakland is hard because people make it hard, all the stereotypes that get put out and talked about makes it what it is. If people spent less time complaining and more time trying to help and clean it up, we will have better futures for the upcoming generations out there. We need more mentors like Mr. Robinson from Castlemont, or make more charter schools for African-American kids like your Article “Manhood 101”. You have a lot of good points in your Articles just not enough information and details. Kids now and days are picking up hood mentality because that’s what they were brought up, that’s how they learn to survive or see another day, because either their father passed or maybe that’s what their father is teaching them or they are feeding into what society is saying about us, either way guidance is needed. When I was younger my father was in and out of Jail and my auntie was murdered and my Uncle died two weeks later I went through a depression stage, I skipped school didn’t go because I didn’t want to deal with anyone, Then when I did go I was fighting cursing out people etc. So I know what kids are going through but if they had mentors like I did to help them through these tragic times they will be okay. You as an author should get more write about how we could help more and not all about the tragedies, help make the community better write an article on what kids need, what they are striving for etc. , make them feel important. Your chronicles can help shape kids future; let them see the good and not all the negativity that’s going on in the community. Remember you are one of the many who can help change and shape these kids future. Also remember “Facts are the Key of Life”.

Sincerely,

Johnny Davison