|
Post by airraider on Jun 9, 2007 8:48:04 GMT -6
Tog 100% right. I coached Inner City Youth for 9 years. Cant stand coaches that reinforce thugness and attitudes that will not help the kids succeed later in life. Yo yo dog baloney. Coaches that actually use that type of language, dude, bra, pimp, bling bling etc etc and act like little wanna-be kids or gangsters with sideways caps, do rags, rolled up pant legs etc. Kids dont need more misguided "friends" they need leadership. Popularity does not equal leadership. Im going to play devil's advocate here.. So.. is this just something that should be watched with that type of society? Or should the coaches who go in the weightroom and blast the heavymetal and lift with the kids also not inforce that type of culture? What about the coaches who use slang terms such as "my bad" and things of that nature? I dont think a coach is a bad coach because he uses the word "dude".. That is actually some what of an asinine statement.. Now, even though coaching at a 99.9% black school, I dont ever see myself saying bling bling in a normal conversations.. But Ill be damned if Im gonna watch saying the word dude.. or even Bra just because some guy on a message board doesnt like it.. There are far too many really bad examples of leadership out there (year of the bull) to be getting all bent out of shape over a coach using a little urban slang.. just my 2-4 cents..
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 9, 2007 9:04:25 GMT -6
i know airraider didn't intend to go THIS route, but this be about as good a time as any to address this.....so here goes.
how much do we, as coaches, reinforce the "American Idol" mentality in kids when it comes to football? The 'free-lunch' mentality of the be-all-end-all/cure-everything approach to 1) college scholarships 2) record deals 3) lottery ticket
Like all I have to do is get that scholarship, and now everything in my life is fine......................like I just won the lottery. I think, personally, I have seen this more and more over the years... "coach, coach.....I am a DI prospect (5'7" 175lbs slow DT)!! You guys need to tell the colleges about me.....I need more game film to show these schools...."
This sells the sport in a completely different light. The "next level" is all about replacing the current stud with a new stud......personalities and lives be damned. This game will eat coaches, parents, players up like a meat-grinder, you're not promised tomorrow (or the next play)........thats life. Those starters and studs you see on Saturday don't get there just by showing up, no matter how easy they can make it look.
Also, it reinforces the SELF-GRATIFICATION something this game really isn't meant for.
To hell with the team, fundamentals, hard work, etc, so long as I get my " yards, tackles, game film, scholarship"
There is a very cold and lonely realization awaiting those that play this game for themselves, or just out of what they can get out of it.....they will eventually wake up to the fact that the game has used them up and spit them out. After that, the stage of denial that few come out of is blaming OTHERS for their perceived short-comings (coach so-and-so screwed me out of this scholarship, depth chart, yards, etc). Ever see those "American Idol Confessionals" after a horrible singer, convinced they are otherwise, is booted from the show? Thats the exact same thing you will hear from our athletes......like they were entitled to a scholarship, but the coach / AD / scheme screwed them out of it.
The main thing is the main thing - take care of whats important, and the scholarship / opportunities will be there (GPA, SAT, Community involvement, measureables, etc). Somehow we treat football scholarships different than science, band, art scholarships....like everything schools look for in awarding those type of offers has no relevance in football, so long as you can run fast, we'll give you a deal. It doesn't work that way.
Secondly, do some coaches further hurt the kids by acting like those vicarious mothers on American Idol? Always trying to get face time with the 'buyers' in the market...."but you've just GOT to see Billy....he is the next ____". Regardless of what the kid is really like?
I know this isn't as sexy as calling someone a racist, but it is a good opportunity to maybe discuss decorum in the profession.
Why didnt you just say that in the first place?? lol.. I agree completely.. I am guilty myself of trying to get a kids name out there just hoping to get him looks.. but deep down knowing that the kid is not college material.. but I think that maybe if he was given a shot he could turn himself around.. but thats probably just not the reality of the situation.. I will get on my soapbox here a bit and say this is why we need a Dual Track Curriculum.. Too many of these inner city kids end up dropping out due to the ever cycling of poor education and poverty. If you grow up in it, you are more likely to stay in it.. Someone somewhere has to break the chain.. Give a kid a chance to learn something while in high school other than algebra and you will have less dropouts and less unemployment.. Have a college prep route and a vocational route that these kids can veer towards in their last 2 years of high school.. Give them good solid life skills education for the first two, then send them down their chosen path.. Little Johnny, who dropped out at 16, is now working at Mcdonalds for $5.50 an hour not giving a crap if he ticks me, Mr. Customer, off because he knows that if he gets fired he can go to Burger King and make the same money.. This lends itself to poor customer service and overall bad operations in today's lower paying jobs.. Now.. if little Johnny had an option at 16 to go into autobody repair, welding, small engine repair, machine shop, or any other trade type track.. then he might be working at a decent job that he has a sense of pride in and is willing to do a good job because it has worth to him.. not everyone is college material.. not everyone should be forced to take all of these classes that every tom, dick, and mary are being forced to take in order to graduate.. You wanna make the world a better place?? Allow these people who cannot normally get out of school a better opportunity by not making them take non-sense classes, not making them take the GEE, and by supplementing them with some sort of labor trade that they can use in life.
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 9, 2007 9:28:34 GMT -6
Tog 100% right. I coached Inner City Youth for 9 years. Cant stand coaches that reinforce thugness and attitudes that will not help the kids succeed later in life. Yo yo dog baloney. Coaches that actually use that type of language, dude, bra, pimp, bling bling etc etc and act like little wanna-be kids or gangsters with sideways caps, do rags, rolled up pant legs etc. Kids dont need more misguided "friends" they need leadership. Popularity does not equal leadership. Im going to play devil's advocate here.. So.. is this just something that should be watched with that type of society? Or should the coaches who go in the weightroom and blast the heavymetal and lift with the kids also not inforce that type of culture? What about the coaches who use slang terms such as "my bad" and things of that nature? I dont think a coach is a bad coach because he uses the word "dude".. That is actually some what of an asinine statement.. just my 2-4 cents.. tha is a real good point, IMO - it takes all types, good and bad - there are no shortcuts to success. To some, being loud and animated is seen as rude.....depends on the environment... nothing is righr or wrong, thinking makes it so - Bill Shakespeare fundamentals and integrity are the bottom line.
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 9, 2007 9:46:37 GMT -6
i know I'm reading this wrong but.....
"Give them other classes besides Algebra...."
this may be an old Yankee colloquial expression, but
WHAAAAAT???!!!
you can't take shortcuts to the promised land. Thats what got these kids (and their parents) into the mess they are in.
The thing is.....EDUCATION (and hard work) is the ONLY solution for anyone.
What we as coaches can do, is realistically frame their future. Expose them to society outside their neighborhood.....taking them to see college campuses. Let them see the culture of continuous learning, the pretty girls, the top facilities.....the pretty girls. Football COULD get you in the door, but YOU have to do the work. Taking team trips to Spring games is a convenient excuse to this type of exposure.
They have got to see something greater than themselves (contributing society) that they want to be a part of. Placating and pacifying them by telling to only be as good as they are by themselves now.....does nothing by delay the painful truth of no-shortcuts to success in life.
Take the approach that the path to graduate education starts as Freshmen.....it is not an 11th hour rush in the spring of their Junior year. We sell that EVERY kid is going to college after HS, what their other family members did is irrelevant. EVERY should plan to go to college...NONE of them should believe their football skillz should get them through college. College football should NOT be sold as the minor league to the pros. amen.
|
|
|
Post by 3rdandlong on Jun 9, 2007 10:10:21 GMT -6
You guys were talking about slang terms earlier and the hip hop culture and race as well. Now I believe that it's important to prepare kids for the real world. Coaches are a big part of this and should teach kids how to conduct themselves in a proper, professional manner.
With that being said, there is no way colloquial language (slang) is not going to be used by players. Heck, I've heard some of the most professional people in the world use slang.
The thing I have beef (slang word) with is that often times it's only the hip hop type of slang that gets condemned. I've seen coaches, educators, parents who look down on a kid for saying "That was tight Dawg," but see it to be perfectly fine when another kid said "That was Awesome Dude." IMO there is no difference.
Slang has its place and to expect kids to eliminate it from their vocabulary seems a bit absurd to me.
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 9, 2007 10:10:32 GMT -6
i know I'm reading this wrong but..... "Give them other classes besides Algebra...." this may be an old Yankee colloqial expression, but WHAAAAAT???!!! you can't take shortcuts to the promised land. Thats what got these kids (and rheir parents) into the mess they are in. The thing is.....EDUCATION (and hard work) is the ONLY solution for anyone. What we as coaches can do, is realistically frame their future. Expose them to society outside their neighborhood.....taking them to see college campuses. Let them see the culture of continuous learning, the pretty girls, the top facilities.....the pretty girls. They have got to see something greater than themselves (contributing society) that they want to be a part of. Placating and pacifying them by telling to only be as good as they are by themselves now.....does nothing by delay the painful truth of no-shortcuts to success in life. amen. Thats just not realistic though.. I honestly know a handful of kids who dropped out at the age of 16 because they could not pass high school Algebra.. why let their pursuit for life end there?? Why not give them options?? You see it on a more broad level with "troubled" kids who get sent off to Job Corp or something of that nature.. but why do they have to be troubled before they get this opportunity?? We have kids in my community.. (not inner city) that have dropped out and went on to the local Votech to get training.. why not allow them to get that at the high school level?? And I kind of threw Algebra out there as a generalization.. I was really referring to today's standards in Louisiana where you have to have 3 units of math.. I could go through the rest of my life and never use anything dealing with math other than general business math applications.. and I have 2 college degrees and a professional career.. We are trying to be too politically correct in this country.. We are saying well even though little Jimmy has the IQ of a 5rd grader, he still has to pass all of these college prep classes just to get a high school diploma.. We know he isnt going to college, but we have to offer it to him just incase he wants to. Nevermind that he made a 9 on the ACT, he still might want to give it a chance.. NO, he doesnt.. If he cannot function in a normal classroom setting and pass an easy class, then give him other options!! Do not make his only options either learn it or drop it.. We are kidding ourselves if we think that everyone is on even playing fields.. Take the moderate end of the mild/moderate special education children who are completing high school on a certificate based plan.. Why do we make little Bobby become streamlined with regular students when he has severe learning disabilities?? Why make him go to school until he turns 21 to earn a certificate just for him to go home and earn an SSI check?? Why not give him some sort of skill at a young age that will allow him to fuction as a part of society? Heck teach im to wash windows, mow lawns, shell peas, whatever.. but why waste money sending him to a class that he fails and still gets his certificate??? Its a broken system and we will continue to suffer through poverty and high crime rates until it is changed.. bottom line..
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 9, 2007 10:11:43 GMT -6
You guys were talking about slang terms earlier and the hip hop culture and race as well. Now I believe that it's important to prepare kids for the real world. Coaches are a big part of this and should teach kids how to conduct themselves in a proper, professional manner. With that being said, there is no way colloquial language (slang) is not going to be used by players. Heck, I've heard some of the most professional people in the world use slang. The thing I have beef (slang word) with is that often times it's only the hip hop type of slang that gets condemned. I've seen coaches, educators, parents who look down on a kid for saying "That was tight Dawg," but see it to be perfectly fine when another kid said "That was Awesome Dude." IMO there is no difference. Slang has its place and to expect kids to eliminate it from their vocabulary seems a bit absurd to me. My thoughts exactly!!
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 9, 2007 10:20:14 GMT -6
Slang has its place and to expect kids to eliminate it from their vocabulary seems a bit absurd to me. not eliminate as much as to know when it it is appropriate or not
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 9, 2007 10:20:31 GMT -6
And Broph.. I have stepped out of the realm of coaches.. I am in the realm of educator.. tax payer.. citizen..
I agree that Education is important.. the major problems within our borders today stem from people being poor and uneducated..
but.. to be educated does not mean you have to posses knowledge of Algebra and Geography.. it means you have been taught or informed on something that you can use to your advantage..
|
|
|
Post by Mav on Jun 9, 2007 10:37:59 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 9, 2007 10:46:12 GMT -6
wow....great thread, Mr.Raider - I KNOW this is where you wanted this discussion to lead to.....lol
although....I really don't think this discussion is that far from the gist of the original post.
Why make him go to school until he turns 21 to earn a certificate just for him to go home and earn an SSI check?? Why not give him some sort of skill at a young age that will allow him to fuction as a part of society? Heck teach im to wash windows, mow lawns, shell peas, whatever.. but why waste money sending him to a class that he fails and still gets his certificate??? Now where this logic falls short is placating uneducated individuals into believing they are educated to make them feel better.
#1 - the education system can NOT cure societal errors of uneducated / unmotivated / disaffected PARENTs.
it is what it is
to use your Burger King analogy, if I order the triple-heart bypass burger, but because Johhny just ain't too bright, I get the single-heart attack cheeseeburger, I should accept it, because after all, Johhny needs a job.
Baloney
It is what it is....and if it ISN'T ...well, then, it isn't.
#2 - football coaches have beef because they need athletes eligible. Athletes can'tbe eligible unless they meet academic standards. Coaches blame academic standards (not kids / parents for not studying) for why the kid isn't eligible.
This frustration is misguided
#3 - if parents refuse to raise competent citizens....what do we do with them? THAT is a question the education system & athletics cannot do anything realistic about. Both can offer hope, but not the absolute answer.
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 9, 2007 11:08:50 GMT -6
wow....great thread, Mr.Raider - I KNOW this is where you wanted this discussion to lead to.....lol to use your Burger King analogy, if I order the triple-heart bypass burger, but because Johhny just ain't too bright, I get the single-heart attack cheeseeburger, I should accept it, because after all, Johhny needs a job. Baloney You are right.. post has flown off the handle.. but its good discussion and being that everyone here deals with kids.. its valid.. Now.. on to my burger king theory.. It has nothing to do with that logic at all. I am just saying.. without proper training these uneducated/unskilled kids will end up working at a job that they hate!! McDonalds.. I mean come on.. who wants to work for $5.25 an hour and have to deal with the public?? So.. they have this mentality that its just a job and they take no ownership of the job.. they do not care if Mr. McDonald is making money.. they do not care if Mr. Customer gets ticked because he ordered a Coke instead of a Dr. Pepper.. they are there simply to make that little check each week.. and they know if some how or another they get booted, there is another dead end job just down the road.. If.. Mr. McDonald didnt have 100 people applying everyday to work for $5.25 an hour because they were not qualified to do any better.. then he would be forced to up the anty a bit.. But.. if these same people had a job say at a cabinet shop where they were a skilled laborer who made cabinets.. they were getting paid $10 an hour or more.. then they would value that job.. they would care more about not just being self serving.. they would be more willing to do what it took to keep that job.. this in turn creates a better business system for the owner.. and he in turn can afford to pay better wages.. its all a cycle.. I know Im probably only making sense to myself.. lol.. but dangit.. its something I am extremely passionate about..
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 9, 2007 11:16:43 GMT -6
I believe you are right
kids need an outlet of purpose, self-expression, personal pride
that can come in many forms.....but unfortunately, the education system isn't the answer.
why not?
Because the only REAL thing that has changed is how that individual looks at themselves. The minute they find purpose in something, anything.....they will be able to apply themselves in other areas as well.
UNFORTUNATELY, that 'purpose' is usually found (and more acceptable among peers) is in street life peer culture. As long as you are the hardest mofo out there, you have tons of juice that you couldn't get in the classroom.....couldn't match as easily on the field....and has the QUICKEST way to self-gratification (reward). Again, SHORT-CUTS to 'success'.
They just need to find a milieu in which they are successful to always fall back on. How many of these kids that are ignorant, can't spell, can't read, etc......were ever encouraged / applied themselves when they were in the 3rd - 6th grades? Are we just supposed to "call" when THAT kid turns 16, and try to cut our losses by saying "well, Johnny, you just ain't bright....and rather than try now....well, you should just face facts that you should set your sights as a professional broomsweep for the next forty years"
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 9, 2007 11:35:30 GMT -6
Did I mention that this kid bench presses 390??
|
|
|
Post by phantom on Jun 9, 2007 11:47:50 GMT -6
Actually, teaching kids a trade is a long way from making them professional broomsweeps. Not every kid is college material and that doesn't reflect their intelligence, just their preferences and aptitude. Industry is dying for people with trades- carpenters, machinists, chefs, etc.- and trained tradesmen can make good money. There are problems with dual tracking. One of them is racial politics. In the past (at least I hope it's the past) minority students, even those who were willing and able to prep for college, were funnelled into the shop track. The other problem is one that would have ramifications for us as football coaches- kids who choose the trade route but turn out to be studs who could be college prospects. What's the answer? That's for smarter people than me.
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 9, 2007 13:02:52 GMT -6
I agree completey Phantom... poor and uneducated knows no color.. sometimes in certain areas a certain race might be more predisposed to this.. but these problems are blind.. these options need to be open to everyone.. and it should be on campus where the student can still be like a normal high school kid.. just that his course load is more geared towards a trade/skill than college prep.
|
|
|
Post by wingman on Jun 9, 2007 17:56:05 GMT -6
I don't see haw "Help him to be an awesome citizen" has any hint of racism. That makes no sense to me. The assumption that goes along with the statement to me is that many great athletes are aholes because everyone kisses their a**, but that has nothing to do with race.
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on Jun 9, 2007 18:59:00 GMT -6
To explore all sides of this, I can indeed see why someone would think the "help him to be an awesome citizen" statement could be interpreted as having some racial overtones, as it followed a lengthy post detailing a dislike for many things accompanying the hip hop culture.
Many could question "why would someone assume that anyone needed help to be an awesome citizen?" "Why is this a statement that needs to be made?" and when combined with the post on hip hop culture, a think a connection could be made.
Obviously there are no intentions there, I am just showing how people derive their opinions.
One could go even further and ask why such things as "bling bling" and hats on sidewize, grillz, and "yo yo dawg" are deemed "innapropriate". Who sets the societal norms?
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 9, 2007 19:59:26 GMT -6
why would someone assume that anyone needed help to be an awesome citizen? i assume that all kids i work with will need help with this 99% of them do its my job
|
|
|
Post by phantom on Jun 10, 2007 6:41:49 GMT -6
why would someone assume that anyone needed help to be an awesome citizen? i assume that all kids i work with will need help with this 99% of them do its my job Tog's right. Our ultimate job, as teachers and coaches, is to help our guys become good citizens. After a couple of years of reading Tog's stuff I also know that he meant nothing racial by it. One thing I've learned over the years, though, is that fashions come and go. Hip-hop is a fashion and it's not only a black fashion. When I was in college I had shoulder-length hair but I was no hippie. When you get to know them you find that the hip-hop kids run the gamut. Many are more conservative than me. Many are smarter tnan me.
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on Jun 10, 2007 10:29:27 GMT -6
phantom---you are exactly right in that having read tog's posts for quite a while, there were no racial sentiments in it.
You are also right that hip-hop has kids running the gamut in terms of character and citizenship. That said, I maintain that it was an odd statement to make, (would anyone have made that statement if the kid had been white?...we will never truly know) and when following a lengthy post discussing an extreme dislike for "hip hop" culture..SOME (not all, but SOME) people could indeed infer that there was a correlation.
I wonder what those who dislike the hip hop culture think about jazz poetry such as Sterling A. Brown's "Ma Rainey", which is performed with as many deviations from standard English as many hip hop songs. Just food for thought here.
Living in the New Orleans Metro Area, it ludicrous to think that the Hurricane Katrina debacle was racially motivated and would become a racially charged event...but it happened, and that same mindset is the reason I believe that some could find some racially charged thoughts in tog's post. I didn't, but it doesn't take a big leap to see why some might.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 10, 2007 10:59:24 GMT -6
50
it isn't the music so much as the gang type attitudes associated with it
some of the attitude stuff within hip hop seems to be pushing the cycle of poverty to me
is it the only cause? no but i really don't think it helps
its just more of the glamorization of the superficial things in life, or of certain lifestyles that will not allow young people to succeed in a professional world
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on Jun 10, 2007 11:16:48 GMT -6
I agree 100% tog---and when I have voiced that same opinion, I was given the following response
"Well, who sets the norms and standards of behavior and decorum in "the professional world" ....THE WHITE MAN. "
My reply was just to nod my head and think "Ok, someone has filled your brain with a good degree of entitilement lifetstyle"
|
|
|
Post by spreadattack on Jun 10, 2007 13:53:32 GMT -6
50 it isn't the music so much as the gang type attitudes associated with it some of the attitude stuff within hip hop seems to be pushing the cycle of poverty to me is it the only cause? no but i really don't think it helps its just more of the glamorization of the superficial things in life, or of certain lifestyles that will not allow young people to succeed in a professional world i like tog's posts in part because they read like haiku poetry they are deep in a way that indicates intelligence but also reserve. sometimes a longer thought (always a good one) is followed by a space and then, a few closing words of reflection.
|
|
|
Post by tog on Jun 10, 2007 15:28:05 GMT -6
yeah
sometimes i get caught up in typing internet style
just faster is all
nothing too deep behind it
i had enough technical writing to last a lifetime in law school
so i guess this is my little subconscious middle finger to the grammar police out there
|
|
|
Post by spreadattack on Jun 10, 2007 15:37:03 GMT -6
oh, i enjoy it
it's all good stuff
|
|
|
Post by coachcb on Jun 10, 2007 18:38:24 GMT -6
It's funny that this has come up because I got into a rippin fight with a professor over the appropriateness of "hip-hop" lingo in the classroom/gym.
Appearently, we are supposed to embrace this piss-poor English in the name of cultural diversity. According to this person (who holds a doctorate in education) the slang and street English is a part of their(black,white, Hispanic etc...) cultural heritage and we shouldn't correct them.
You can imagine what my response was to her; basically reiterating everything Tog said earlier. But of course, because I expect all of my students (all races and creeds) to speak and write proper English, I am biggoted against what she refered to as "African American culture."
On a brighter note, the inevitable decline in IQs that goes with the "hip-hop culture"(which transcends culture) will make Brophy's plans for world domination that much easier. ;D
|
|
|
Post by CoachMikeJudy on Jun 10, 2007 19:06:36 GMT -6
The language of our "hip-hop culture" (most over-used phrase this year) is not a major issue with me. I think as educators we should allow these kids to embrace their creativity, but teach them that the language of the streets is not the same language of the board/classroom.
The over-emphasis on material things (bling/rims/shoes) is a product of the culture of poverty.
Dr. Ruby Payne describes in her book "Understanding the Framework of Poverty" how these values that our students embrace today are directly related to socio-economic class. She states that there are generally five reasons for poverty:
1. Educational attainment of adult 2. The structure of the family 3. Immigration 4. Language issues 5. Addiction issues of adults
She claims that society has these "hidden rules" that dictate behavior. Some hidden rules are:
Food – Quantity vs. quality Wealthy – The presentation of the food, making it aesthetically appealing, is what is important Middle Class – The quality of the food is what is important Generational Poverty – It is about quantity; having enough is what matters
Fighting – How conflicts are resolved Wealthy – Done through social exclusion and lawyers Middle Class – Done verbally; issues are discussed Generational Poverty – Done physically with fists and bodies
The World – How individuals see themselves in the world Wealthy – Part of the international / global world Middle Class – National; staying within the continent Generational Poverty – Local; rarely leaving the state or even the county
Time – How it is viewed and perceived Wealthy – Traditions and past history are what is important Middle Class – The future is what matters; planning and preparing Generational Poverty – It is about the present – living in the moment and meeting immediate needs
Destiny – Fate vs. choices Wealthy – “Noblesse oblige”; the wealthy are bound by obligations that determine their destiny Middle Class – Believe in choices; can change the future with well-made decisions Generational Poverty – Believe in fate; not much can be done to mitigate chance
Possessions – What is important to own Wealthy – One-of-a-kind objects, legacies, and pedigrees Middle Class – Material items (cars, electronic gadgets, clothes, etc.) Generational Poverty – People and relationships
Love and Acceptance – What determines love and acceptance Wealthy – Whether the individual is connected and has social standing Middle Class –Achievements and success Generational Poverty –Whether the individual is liked
If any of you guys teach in an urban area or are interested in this topic, check out some of Dr. Payne's stuff.
|
|
|
Post by coachcb on Jun 10, 2007 19:22:37 GMT -6
Great post whitemike; very eye opening.
|
|
|
Post by fbdoc on Jun 10, 2007 19:22:50 GMT -6
whitemike - your first paragraph said it all. "I think as educators we should allow these kids to embrace their creativity, but teach them that the language of the streets is not the same language of the board/classroom." I don't know about embracing creativity ... but teaching them traits like hardwork, sacrifice, and teamwork - traits of the football field as well as the board room - are definitely our charge as educators. The rest of your educational summary is interesting... no, I guess it wasn't interesting.
|
|