‘Round and ‘round the hatred goes
by day in the classroom, at night on the news
how or why it starts, nobody ever knows
even when it’s personal, haters seem confused
by day in the classroom, at night on the news
verbally, physically, my students are at odds
even when it’s personal, haters seem confused
ironic in their justifying, hiding behind their gods
verbally, physically, my students are at odds
they take no pains to hide their actions
ironic in their justifying, hiding behind their gods
proclaiming his protection even in fatal interactions
I intervene, negotiate – counsel when I can
verbally, physically, my students are at odds
no matter what I say to them I’m just teacher-man
ironic in their justifying, hiding behind their gods
– Mark L. Lucker
© 2016
Sounds like our kids are from similar back grounds. Up here we call it “behaviour programs.” I have worked with kids like this – or they with me – for so long that when I teach summer school, it feels strange to be with kids who don’t pepper every turn of phrase with “fuck.” I love them and I love your nod to them here. This has inspired me to return to this form with this subject matter. Thank you for this and for all you do with kids. You change lives.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, Yeh, they are a handful sometimes….but most of the time, they are just…kids. Where is ‘up here’ for you?
In Canada – British Columbia…near Vancouver.