In A Perfect World, We'd All Learn The Same...Or Would We?

Campaigns aimed at bringing awareness to educational disparities between different cultures are all over TV and the Internet. In one public announcement there's a scene of a white boy with his mother in a bright and inviting environment, then there's a scene of a black boy with his mother walking around what looks like a ghetto that has no chance of improving.

If you haven't seen this commercial, asking Mayor de Blasio to “end inequality” in our education system, you're probably missing a statement that says a lot more about lack of responsibility than it does about racism and stereotyping.

Educators and advocates say that black and Latino children are not as successful because of the lack of education they receive and because of the way they are treated in and around our schools. The website, www.endinequalitynow.org, states that schools are separate and unequal – and that 90 percent of the kids in the city’s worst schools are black or Hispanic. The site also states the there are 478,000 children – mostly black and Hispanic – stuck in New York City’s lowest-performing schools.

Why are New Yorkers resigning themselves to this unfortunate mentality? Are we going to continue using a community’s demographics as a crutch and excuse for failure? While I know statistics show that children in poor communities don’t have access to the same resources as children in wealthier or upper class communities, who is truly responsible – at the foundation of things – for this deteriorating concept?

Let’s get real! If a black/Hispanic child attending an elementary school in a low-income neighborhood does extraordinarily well in their studies – gets 100’s and A’s in all of their classes, wouldn’t they be able to attend a gifted program in junior high school, subsequently leading the way to attend a quality high school and then maybe getting into a decent college by earning a scholarship?

Are all of these feats impossible for minority students to attain just because they grew up in places like East New York? Someone out there is passing on the subliminal message that children in minority/poor communities are, at the root of things, NOT as smart and will NEVER be as smart and successful as their “superior peers” of another race.

  

Sometimes I wonder how we view schoolchildren in communities like East New York and East Flatbush. How can black and Hispanic children within these schools be considered “minorities”? They are the MAJORITY! Within their own school communities, they are seemingly 90 percent of the school’s population. How many minority students are excelling among their own race?  

In my opinion, students of all races should strive to do BETTER and get higher grades so they could attend a top high school, college and maybe even graduate school. Who’s stopping them? De Blasio?

What about other “minority” cultures and how they learn or succeed? Consider this: Are Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and European children not the minorities when they come to America? What type of education are they receiving? Where do they fit into the group of kids who are being treated “unfairly” or who are getting a “different” education than white children?

Who's "learning" different in our schools!!!

From what I've witnessed, Chinese students seem to excel in their studies because of their family values. They attend some of the best high schools and universities – according to my stereotypical “sources.” Where do these cultures learn to have outstanding education ethics? Well, I've seen children in fast food restaurants working alongside their parents after school helping with the cash register while they're doing their homework! From a young age, many children from other countries, who are not living in rich neighborhoods, are forced by their parents to work hard for success and are expected to spend countless hours dedicating their free time to school work. What are “minority” children being taught by their “minority” parents? Children who live in the “ghetto” don’t know that the only way they’ll get off the streets and make more money so they can buy a house in a good neighborhood is to be successful in school and follow a career path that will secure their future. Is that not the answer?

It’s understandable when a child can’t learn the same due to a language barrier or a certified developmental problem which prevents them from achieving cognitive development.

But for those who exhibit lazy academic traits and refuse to hit the books or get involved in extracurricular activities that encourage academic success, STOP making excuses for why our minority children aren’t successful. Why are kids getting stopped by police if they're going home from school and doing what they're supposed to do? What’s actually stopping black and Hispanic children from getting A's in all of their classes so they can go to college and get out of the ‘hood,’ buy a home and live in a community where they can thrive?  

Instead of addressing ‘inequality,’ let’s address the root of an individual child’s failure and why it’s attributed to their environment. After all, there are thousands of successful people in this country who are or were at one time of ‘minority’ status. If they rose above the ‘status quo,’ our kids can too!

Have A Toxic Halloween Everyone!!!

For years our children have been deciding for themselves what to be for Halloween. When they’re babies, we dress them up in cute little outfits and take them trick-or-treating around the neighborhood to show off their adorableness. As they get older, they grow into their interests and pine to dress up as super heroes, princesses, monsters or other characters that make their parents hunt down the perfect costume in which they can trek door to door.

Is this a death trap waiting to happen???

How about kids who don’t want to wear a costume, per se? How about the ones who want to paint their faces to get in the spirit? After a recent unofficial “study,” you’d better consider NOT purchasing any colorful face paints. State Senator Chuck Schumer recently came down on agencies like the Food and Drug Administration for not testing face paint for toxic ingredients. This, as the kids today say, is a “face-palm” moment. There’s no routine checking for lead in cosmetic products? Isn’t that something that should automatically be done before it hits shelves? What kind of ignorant world are we living in where something as simple as face paint for children can be produced in the first place using any type of metallic substance? According to the NY Daily News, lead is “banned from makeup in Canada and Europe, but is not prohibited from being sold in the United States.”

Also, after all of these years, it’s FINALLY deemed dangerous to use face paint made in China? Are we only NOW selling makeup that’s tainted with chemicals and ingredients that could….what? Make a child blind? Give them an allergic reaction? Eat away at their skin? How was the toxic discovery recently made? Not to sound callous – and I usually do – but if the U.S. hasn’t had many cases of children who suffer health consequences from the chemicals they put on their face when using those paints, where did these findings come into play?

What about other countries that willingly sell these paints – are their children having breakouts or symptoms associated with exposure to metals? If adults suffering from any dermatological ailments can attribute their sickness – years down the line – to wearing face paint when they were younger, where are the statistics? Where is there proof that China shouldn’t be making these colorful products available? I’m not saying we should throw caution to the wind and that something as simple as a Halloween costume can’t cause cancer cells to form – or that melanoma and lead poisoning isn’t a possible consequence of making your child look like a clown. Well, is that a possible consequence? No one is even telling us about the victims of lead poisoning!

Let’s get real. When you hear that something you put on your skin is made from metals like nickel, cobalt and chromium, wouldn’t you think the overall use of those chemicals should be banned from the get-go? I understand the need to use metal-based ingredients for a product that outlasts sweat, tears and oil, but at what expense?

I applaud Schumer for recognizing the scary reality that carries no reported consequences. Testing paint for chemicals is a great idea, but politicians can also tell their constituents – and parents in particular – to simply look at the ingredients in the makeup they buy for their children. If it contains any metal products, parents can chose not to buy it in the first place. There’s fake “blood” with plenty of dyes and chemicals – how do we know that applying it to your skin more than once a year won’t slowly turn your flesh into a funny pinkish hue?

However, there might be professional stage makeup sold in those seasonal Halloween stores which are purchased by adults who aren’t as vulnerable to being poisoned as children. The products are out there for sale – no matter who buys it.

I also wonder what’s the deal with other Halloween goodies? Are those vinyl masks really all that safe? Gonna buy a wig – has it been examined for ticks or bugs after it was shipped from overseas? Some of the materials are made of wool-like fabrics that might cause breakouts and allergic reactions? How do we know who’s allergic to all of these Halloween accessories?

A better system of monitoring needs to be available if there’s suddenly going to be strict guidelines on makeup that’s been on the market for decades. How can the feds “suddenly” scrutinize a product that’s probably already in our children’s bloodstream from years of being used? Until we have answers to all of these questions, officials will paint themselves in a corner while China makes hundreds in profit from those who don’t care about makeup mayhem.

A Runner Is Born...

Getting to the scene of an accident on time is one of a reporter’s biggest challenges. If we get there before the police or the paramedics, we're lucky – or unfortunate enough – to snap photos of a victim on the ground suffering from their injuries. Harsh, I know, but it’s part of the job!

Earlier this year, there was a car accident on Avenue L and East 99th Street. It came over the scanner as a car accident with injuries. I knew I had to bolt out of the Canarsie Courier office. I heard the FDNY ambulance siren wailing as I raced from the office to Avenue L. I knew that if I wanted a fresh shot of the accident, I'd have to get there…FAST.

So, I did whatever I had to do to get there in time to capture the disaster. I LITERALLY RAN! I ran so fast that I wound up beating the police to the intersection where the accident took place. As I ran from the Courier office to East 99th Street, I felt a sense of strength and my adrenaline was pumping faster as I raced past each block and avenue. I was beyond winded and breathless as I got closer, but the sensation of my calf muscles coming to life was more exciting than the car accident itself. I used to get excited to capture the “money shots” of people being taken away on stretchers, but suddenly, the feeling of running was a rush I never really appreciated.

Running it!!!

Let’s get real – lots of people have a hobby or sport that they enjoy outside of their career. In the back of my mind, I always thought that if I was going to pursue anything athletic, it would probably be running – because that's what my job often required me to do when I heard something news breaking.

The week after the car accident made the newspaper, I remembered how exhilarating it felt when my feet hit the pavement and I picked up speed. How far could I run, I wondered? And for how long?

A couple of weeks later, I had a Saturday morning to myself and decided I’d put my physical ability to the test. I headed over to Canarsie Park and jogged easily for about 20 minutes. I was only able to complete a mile, but the sensation and energy I had after my few rounds inside the park was exhilarating! I went back to the park a few days later and did another one-mile run. Two weeks later, I made it to two miles! While the 69th Precinct Community Council was hosting its games, I’d pass board members by and make my rounds – eventually running two and a half miles straight without having to take a break.

July changed my life forever.

I was asked to write an article on T.E.A.L. (Tell Every Amazing Lady About Ovarian Cancer) and the organizers’ annual walk/run in Prospect Park, which raised money to bring awareness to ovarian cancer. The press release from T.E.A.L. noted that there was a 5K run being held during their events at the park in September. What’s a 5K race? I always saw these advertisements and never had a reason to run. After interviewing Pamela Esposito-Amery and learning how little women know about ovarian cancer, my interest in supporting the cause, joining other runners and testing my own strength motivated me to do more with my new “hobby.”

A few days after talking to Pamela, I signed up online for the T.E.A.L. 5K run, not knowing how I’d be able to complete it – I’d never ran three miles straight! I clocked in most of my runs at about 30 to 40 minutes and the park in Canarsie wasn’t really helping during the summer. Garbage-strewn walkways, kids running in the middle of the path, people illegally barbecuing and dumping their trash on park grounds. Nothing says: “You can run a 5K!” like the smell of trash and spicy chicken…

I needed a new adventure to train for this race. So, I took the road less traveled. And if you ask me, it’s not really traveled by many who aren’t up for the sport of running or biking. I headed to the Belt Parkway! It’s still in Canarsie, still a mile from my house, and still a natural environment to hone my running skills.

By day, I was at the Courier office “chasing” the story, and by the evening I was out chasing my goal of being able to run three miles for the T.E.A.L. race. By the end of August, I was just about set. In addition to the rush, running gave me bursts of energy and I didn’t have as many aches and pains from the daily grind as I used to. Little did I know, running was an addiction.

There were evenings I’d take to the Belt before a meeting – just to cover a couple of miles since I didn’t want to lapse in my training. By Saturday, September 12th, I was well prepared.

I had to be at the race by 8 that morning. Even though I’m far from a morning person, I was anxious and determined as I made my way to Prospect Park. I’d obviously never ran in a race before, so when I received my number – 4056 – I felt a surge of excitement and also a sense of humbleness. Ovarian cancer survivors and their families inspirationally donned teal and white gear as they signed in for the race/walk. Soon, I headed to the starting line with a crowd of runners, some who’d lost their mothers, sisters and daughters to ovarian cancer and held a sign supporting their loved ones. The combined feeling of being humbled and revved up for the race gave me the extra jolt I needed as race participants picked up speed to make it to the finish line. I have to admit, two miles into the race, I was winded and had to slow down a bit. When I ran at Canarsie Park or along the Belt, I wasn't really going full force against hundreds of other runners – this took my “hobby” to a whole other level!

After walking for a minute, I saw the finish line not too far ahead and practically sprinted to the clock that showed the passing minutes and seconds. The square red numbers displayed 32:23. I wasn’t concerned about how long it took me – I simply wanted to complete the race, which I’d spent four and a half months training for.

At the end, I felt exhilarated, successful and honored to join hundreds of runners – many who experienced so many more life challenges than I ever had to face. I didn’t know how much time others spent preparing for the race, but I did know that I wanted to keep training to run in other 5Ks in the future – for whatever cause that would get me moving and motivated.

So, if you see me running in the middle of the street and I don’t say hello – don't take it personal…I might not have time to stop and talk and reveal whether I’m running to a crime scene or gearing up for my next big race.

Don't Mess With This Month Of Trying To Keep Our Kids In Line!

Calling just about all of the schools in the districts where the Canarsie Courier circulates is a tough job. Waiting to find out who to speak to, leaving them a message and then waiting for a call back - that we never get - is frustrating. This month it was particularly frustrating. October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month. There are variations of this title, but each school, I believe, has its own initiative aimed at creating a better learning environment for their students. What's really going to work???

As of last week, only ONE school has gotten back to us about anti-bullying efforts and programs. P.S. 276 on East 83rd Street invited me to capture their annual “Stomp Out Bullying” event, during which children gathered in the auditorium and took an oath, announced by Principal Yasmine Fidelia, that they would not engage in or promote behavior that interferes with their learning – and that they would report bullying to their elders and accept their peers' differences.Students made the promise and then took to the front of the school where they placed blue ribbons on a "Stomp Out Bullying" banner that was attached to a gate.

A promise is a promise...Sounds easy enough, right?

At the core of things, I've always wondered where do children initially learn that it's okay to torment and mock someone? Should we blame the adults for teaching them hatred? Where and when does a child even establish the idea that someone who is different than them deserves to be bullied?

Little Timmy can always get eye surgery...
Then, no more bullying!

Boys poked fun at me when I was younger -they pulled my hair and stuck gum under my seat. No big deal...Girls “bullied” me because I was quiet or because I didn't want to give them an answer on a test. One girl in junior high ordered me to meet her outside after class in the Bildersee schoolyard. At 13, seeing a girl slam her closed fist into the palm of an opened hand was enough bullying for me! I played no part in the drama, but later found out that this “bully” wasn't just targeting me, she had beef with tons of other kids in the school too!

Sorry to burst anyone's motivational bubble, but – much like gun violence- we can never do enough to stop bullying because everyone's reason for being a troublemaker is circumstantial. Some kids feel inadequate, so they mock someone else to feel better about themselves....Some kids have family problems that run so deep, all they can do is beat up on a kid in their class to resolve their inner-conflicts...Some kids grew up in families that never taught them how to get along with people who are different than them. Subsequently, if they come across someone who is of a different culture, who was born with a health or mental problem, or has some physical challenge, their first reaction might be to treat that person as a subordinate.

Let's get real! Adults are no better!

As far as this country has come in terms of “acceptance,” there are still adults who are known to throw around racial slurs and homophobic vocabulary. If they do this in front of their children, or they don't want their children spending time with those who are “different,” they internalize this and overhear our disapproval of those we “bully”- even during a passing conversation.

The media doesn't help either!

Six-year-old Gage Berger, of Utah, had plastic surgery on his ears recently because he was born with what looked like “elf ears”. The youngster was bullied in school for a long time before his parents decided that butchering his head and pinning his ears down was something that would give him more confidence. Really? If he didn't have any hearing problems, then what about as he grows older, is this child going to believe that anything can be fixed with a little nip/tuck?

So, here we are in Anti-Bullying Awareness month and we're telling children – not even teens – that not getting teased is as easy as going under the knife so you can impress everyone in class!

Instead of parents modifying their children, they should be meeting with the parents of those bullies and hashing out ways of punishing the bullies – NOT putting the victims on an operating table so they can be acceptable to their classmates.

Of course, bullying goes beyond poking fun of someone's physical traits. I was bullied because I was quiet and didn't follow the “rough” crowd. I was bullied because I looked smarter (looked being the operative word here, since I wasn't in any advanced courses) than the kids in my class. Were they jealous? Were they simply disrespecting the fact that I didn't want to be like them ...and why did they even care?

Programs in our schools can only help so much. By the time once class and grade of tormentors leave the building, another class is coming in. Teaching acceptance, tolerance and conflict-resolution is a great idea. But I'm thinking these kids need more than a mantra.

If you've every watched “Beyond Scared Straight,” - and if you haven't you should YouTube it – you'll see the perfect example of how at-risk youths are put to the test by adults behind bars. Inmates say such horrible things to the teens who are placed in jail for a day, that eventually, their resolve is broken down.

I propose the Department of Education (DOE) put money into a fully-functioning Anti-Bullying Boot Camp in every school or district where it's sorely needed. No, we don't want to lower anyone's self esteem, but let's get a team of therapists for those troubled kids and put them in their place! Let's sit these tormentors down in the cafeteria and smash food all over their bookbags and poke fun at THEIR imperfections without them being allowed to say anything. We can follow this up with a rigorous course of brainwashing – providing them with lessons on how to perform the best in THEIR lives and focus on THEIR learning and growth instead of picking on someone innocent!

If all of you educators out there think this is too brash, too harsh and too severe, then look at how bullying effects the victims. Some acts of torment leave a brutal emotional and psychological scar on kids and stay with them well into their adulthood. Some eventually turn to drugs, gangs or suicide because they're tired of not being accepted.

Alternatively, someone can bully the DOE into allocating money towards plastic surgeries and anything else that will ensure our children accept each other for who they truly are. 
It's only for one month – after that, we can stop harassing our educators...

UNPUBLISHED AND UNEDITED 10-3-15