I spoke to Isabel's teacher today. I was glad that she called me back this morning. Points to her, some teachers take forever to call back.
I am happy to say that the conversation went well and that I don't think Lil Wayne will be making anymore appearances in Isabel's classroom. I wish I could say that he won't be making an appearance in any classroom but sadly I don't think that will be the case. This teacher got the article from another social studies teacher who got it from another teacher. The teacher who chose the article thought it would be someone the kids could relate to - they used it last year and the kids really liked it.
I was shocked, and I asked this woman if she had actually read the article. She had. That was even more shocking. I asked if she realized it contained a link to his website, that the lyrics to his number one song had words that I would be uncomfortable repeating to her....she responded that she was not trying to encourage the kids to buy his cd or look up his lyrics.
I'm certain it wasn't deliberate, but accidental influence is no excuse. She is in a position of power in these kids lives and I expect better judgement from someone who could be so positively influential. Middle school or not, these are still kids. They may think they are grown but they are not. And on a daily basis you see my child more than I do when I'm sitting behind a desk all day. I need you to not only be an educator but also a good role model for my daughters.
I explained that Mark and I did not allow Isabel to listen to Lil Wayne, and that he was not someone we hoped our children would aspire to be like. She was apologetic which made the conversation easier for I was afraid she was going to be defensive about her choice. I explained the reasons I was disappointed, the glorification of his career, his jail time, and his family lifestyle. I explained that in the future I would like to see people of integrity for our children to study. I mean, why not pick the president? I'm no Obama fan but at least the man is modeling a healthy family life, is educated and has never been in jail. What about Olympic athletes? Even Micahel Oher from the Ravens (The Blind Side movie)? There are so many good people to choose from, why highlight the negative? I was glad that she was so responsive and I was able to explain my concerns to her. It is disheartening to know though, that this article has been used in multiple classrooms for at least two years and yet not one other parent has expressed concern.
Boy is this parenting thing hard. You work constantly at trying to lead a Godly life, which is hard enough itself just for my own benefit but the added layer of knowing that my eleven year old is watching and modeling everything I do is mounted pressure. I pray daily that the things that Mark and I pour into our kids will stick....because Satan is doing everything he can to devour the next generation.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Lil Wayne - Only in PGCounty
My fingers can't move fast enough to get out all of the things I want to say. Isabel came home from school today and handed me a wikipedia article that they read in World Culture/Geography class today. The assignment was to read it and write down two facts and two opinions. Guess who the article was about?! You are never going to guess because no parent or teacher in their right mind would think that Lil Wayne is an appropriate person for our kids to be focusing on. What was this teacher thinking? This man has 4 children by three different women, the last two were born within two months of one another. Not to mention that he became a parent at the age of 15. He's also served jail time for weapons charges. While in jail he was able to release another album. Hmmm, great all good things so far, right??
The article glorifies this guy....."With well over ten million in sales, unquestionable street credibility, critical acclaim, industry accolades, eight Grammy nominations, and four Grammy wins for his multi-platinum selling album The Carter III, Cash Money/Universal Mowtown recording artist Lil Wayne has firmly laid to rest all doubt that he is anything less than the best rapper alive today. Wayne's silky flow, along with his uncanny ability to weave incredible metaphors and similies wrapped in taunt rhymes accented by witty punch lines, compel rap fans around the world to hang onto his every word whenever his records are being played." (Emphasis is mine.)
Incredible lyrics huh? Guess what his incredible lyrics include? Sex, sex and more sex....with anyone...doesn't matter, with some violence mixed in.....mainly just garbage about women and how to treat them. Just google the words to his hit song Lollipop, also mentioned in the article and see for yourself what kind of garbage this man sings about. Not exactly what I want my eleven year old daughter to be singing along to.
I asked Isabel if the class had a conversation about Lil Wayne, about his life, his choices, anything....nope. Nothing. So basically, read this article glorifying this rap star and form your own opinion about him kids. No reason to point out that maybe his lifestyle isn't exactly something to be modeled.
Of all the good, honest, hardworking people she could have chosen she picked Lil Wayne. Last time I checked the class title was World Culture not Pop Culture. And believe me there is a huge difference. I already called the school and left a message for the teacher to call me to discuss this article. I'm going to try to be as polite as possible but if she can't assure me that this won't happen again I think I'll be calling the principal. For heaven's sake it even gives a link to Lil Wayne's website, which I of course scoped out. It's basically a link so you can preorder his explicit cd or his the deluxe explicit cd. I'm thinking there's a teacher out there who didn't research what she was handing our children ahead of time. Stop trying to be cool and just be their teacher. Stop filling their heads with garbage and wondering why we don't get better results. Stop wondering why we have so many thugs here, why so many of our young people end up in jail, or on drugs. If this is what we model for them, no wonder.
The article glorifies this guy....."With well over ten million in sales, unquestionable street credibility, critical acclaim, industry accolades, eight Grammy nominations, and four Grammy wins for his multi-platinum selling album The Carter III, Cash Money/Universal Mowtown recording artist Lil Wayne has firmly laid to rest all doubt that he is anything less than the best rapper alive today. Wayne's silky flow, along with his uncanny ability to weave incredible metaphors and similies wrapped in taunt rhymes accented by witty punch lines, compel rap fans around the world to hang onto his every word whenever his records are being played." (Emphasis is mine.)
Incredible lyrics huh? Guess what his incredible lyrics include? Sex, sex and more sex....with anyone...doesn't matter, with some violence mixed in.....mainly just garbage about women and how to treat them. Just google the words to his hit song Lollipop, also mentioned in the article and see for yourself what kind of garbage this man sings about. Not exactly what I want my eleven year old daughter to be singing along to.
I asked Isabel if the class had a conversation about Lil Wayne, about his life, his choices, anything....nope. Nothing. So basically, read this article glorifying this rap star and form your own opinion about him kids. No reason to point out that maybe his lifestyle isn't exactly something to be modeled.
Of all the good, honest, hardworking people she could have chosen she picked Lil Wayne. Last time I checked the class title was World Culture not Pop Culture. And believe me there is a huge difference. I already called the school and left a message for the teacher to call me to discuss this article. I'm going to try to be as polite as possible but if she can't assure me that this won't happen again I think I'll be calling the principal. For heaven's sake it even gives a link to Lil Wayne's website, which I of course scoped out. It's basically a link so you can preorder his explicit cd or his the deluxe explicit cd. I'm thinking there's a teacher out there who didn't research what she was handing our children ahead of time. Stop trying to be cool and just be their teacher. Stop filling their heads with garbage and wondering why we don't get better results. Stop wondering why we have so many thugs here, why so many of our young people end up in jail, or on drugs. If this is what we model for them, no wonder.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
the recommended list
I did some Christmas shopping on amazon.com this year. I'm sure you're familiar with amazon's personalized recommended list once you've browsed and shopped their website. Here are some of the things on my list:
1. I Love Lucy on DVD Season 5
2. Taylor Swift's CD: Speak Now
3. Apples to Apples Board Game
4. Lenox Simply Fine Chirp 4 piece Dining Set
5. Did Someone Step on a Duck? The Natural History of the Fart
6. Loves Enduring Promise by Janette Oke
7. Apple Ipod Nano
8. Inuyasha: Season 1 DVD
9. T-Fal Signature Hardware 12 Cookware Piece
10. Children's Ministry Volunteers that Stick by Jim Wideman
What's that you say? One of these things is not like the other? One of these things just doesn't belong? Yeah, I though the same thing. Anyone who knows me at all knows that I find nothing funny about farting. In fact, if anyone in my house thinks it might be funny to fart on my fantastic brand new couch I might lash out irrationally and throw them out of the house. Just ask Mark...when his siblings start a laughfest about farting I just about have a heart attack.
It started to really bother me that this book was on my recommended list. It just didn't reflect who I really was at all. Everything else on that list made total sense but that blemish of a book was making me crazy. And of course, I clicked on the book and read the description which of course then added other books like it to my growing list of books about farts. Before I knew it my recommended list looked like that of a stranger, nothing on there truly stood for anything I would purchase. This was bothering me tremendously.
I know it seems petty to be concerned with something so small but I began to equate this list and the things on it to how my life measures up before Christ. I started to wonder what friends and family would add to my recommended list if they could. What does this list truly say about who I am deep down inside? Does it show that I am a Christian, kind, compassionate, forgiving, a devoted parent and teacher? Or does it show my terrible temper, the occassional curse word, my complete and utter lack of patience? If others were to view my list would it matter what they thought? Should I care? Should I care if the list were shown to the world and everyone saw the fart book? Would I be embarassed if every sin I ever committed were exposed for the world to see?
Fortunately for me I can ask Christ for a redo. A clean slate, and new fresh start. He can take that stupid fart book along with every other thing that leaves me blemished and separated from Him and give me that fresh start.
What's on your amazon recommended list? Hopefully not a book about farting. But if there is, I'm sure Jesus has some Febreeze for it.
1. I Love Lucy on DVD Season 5
2. Taylor Swift's CD: Speak Now
3. Apples to Apples Board Game
4. Lenox Simply Fine Chirp 4 piece Dining Set
5. Did Someone Step on a Duck? The Natural History of the Fart
6. Loves Enduring Promise by Janette Oke
7. Apple Ipod Nano
8. Inuyasha: Season 1 DVD
9. T-Fal Signature Hardware 12 Cookware Piece
10. Children's Ministry Volunteers that Stick by Jim Wideman
What's that you say? One of these things is not like the other? One of these things just doesn't belong? Yeah, I though the same thing. Anyone who knows me at all knows that I find nothing funny about farting. In fact, if anyone in my house thinks it might be funny to fart on my fantastic brand new couch I might lash out irrationally and throw them out of the house. Just ask Mark...when his siblings start a laughfest about farting I just about have a heart attack.
It started to really bother me that this book was on my recommended list. It just didn't reflect who I really was at all. Everything else on that list made total sense but that blemish of a book was making me crazy. And of course, I clicked on the book and read the description which of course then added other books like it to my growing list of books about farts. Before I knew it my recommended list looked like that of a stranger, nothing on there truly stood for anything I would purchase. This was bothering me tremendously.
I know it seems petty to be concerned with something so small but I began to equate this list and the things on it to how my life measures up before Christ. I started to wonder what friends and family would add to my recommended list if they could. What does this list truly say about who I am deep down inside? Does it show that I am a Christian, kind, compassionate, forgiving, a devoted parent and teacher? Or does it show my terrible temper, the occassional curse word, my complete and utter lack of patience? If others were to view my list would it matter what they thought? Should I care? Should I care if the list were shown to the world and everyone saw the fart book? Would I be embarassed if every sin I ever committed were exposed for the world to see?
Fortunately for me I can ask Christ for a redo. A clean slate, and new fresh start. He can take that stupid fart book along with every other thing that leaves me blemished and separated from Him and give me that fresh start.
What's on your amazon recommended list? Hopefully not a book about farting. But if there is, I'm sure Jesus has some Febreeze for it.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
life restored
I will always remember 2010 as the of restoration. I married a wonderful man who loves Isabel like she is his own daughter and bought a fabulous house in which to raise a family. God is a good God. It wasn't that long ago that I was wondering if I would ever be able to stand on my own two feet. Then God got a hold of me and helped me to realize that it is never my feet on which I stand, but always the solid rock which he has place me on.
A year of restoration. I almost let Satan steal it from me too. When Mark and I got the news about Charlotte Grace we were obviously devestated. I wish, looking back, that I would have been able to see what the Lord was working out for me. But hindsight is 20/20, we all know that. And I suppose that part of the beauty of the journey is learning that I was never destined to live this life on my own but instead live it in God's redeeming grace and salvation. Since getting the amnio results and discovering that this baby girl is healthy I have had lots of time to ponder over what I would say in my next blog. I agonized over how to explain all that has been going on inside of my heart and head. It didn't come to me until New Year's Eve. We had gone to bed and I was laying there awake thinking over the events of 2010. My marriage, my house, my daughter, my new car, my fun job at the church, my not so fun job at the office...just thinking over things I had been blessed with. I can't tell you what a difference it was for me to fall asleep thinking about all of my blessings instead of all of my mistakes and selfish desires. In that moment before my eyes completely closed and my mind drifted off to peace I felt it in my heart: I will always remember 2010 as the year that God brought restoration to my life.
I was 18 when Isabel was born, 19 when I got married, and 20 when the marriage fell apart. From there it was just an uphill battle. I allowed Satan to wreak havoc in my life for a couple of years before I returned to church and admitted to myself and to God that I had tried on my own and failed miserably. From that moment on he set my feet on a path that would guide me to this beautiful life I have today. I will never be sorry I followed Jesus and I will never be able to thank Him enough for restoring to me a life that I had almost thrown away with my foolish behavior.
Job 5:8-9: "But if I were you I would appeal to God, I would lay my cause before Him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."
A year of restoration. I almost let Satan steal it from me too. When Mark and I got the news about Charlotte Grace we were obviously devestated. I wish, looking back, that I would have been able to see what the Lord was working out for me. But hindsight is 20/20, we all know that. And I suppose that part of the beauty of the journey is learning that I was never destined to live this life on my own but instead live it in God's redeeming grace and salvation. Since getting the amnio results and discovering that this baby girl is healthy I have had lots of time to ponder over what I would say in my next blog. I agonized over how to explain all that has been going on inside of my heart and head. It didn't come to me until New Year's Eve. We had gone to bed and I was laying there awake thinking over the events of 2010. My marriage, my house, my daughter, my new car, my fun job at the church, my not so fun job at the office...just thinking over things I had been blessed with. I can't tell you what a difference it was for me to fall asleep thinking about all of my blessings instead of all of my mistakes and selfish desires. In that moment before my eyes completely closed and my mind drifted off to peace I felt it in my heart: I will always remember 2010 as the year that God brought restoration to my life.
I was 18 when Isabel was born, 19 when I got married, and 20 when the marriage fell apart. From there it was just an uphill battle. I allowed Satan to wreak havoc in my life for a couple of years before I returned to church and admitted to myself and to God that I had tried on my own and failed miserably. From that moment on he set my feet on a path that would guide me to this beautiful life I have today. I will never be sorry I followed Jesus and I will never be able to thank Him enough for restoring to me a life that I had almost thrown away with my foolish behavior.
Job 5:8-9: "But if I were you I would appeal to God, I would lay my cause before Him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."
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