"I don't smoke pot everyday anymore" .. . These were the words from a High School sophomore. I visited an DISD High School yesterday to speak to two classes of sophomores to motivate them to stay in school and make good choices. This student was moved by my story of my own use of drugs as a teenager. He and I connected and I hope somehow I made a difference in his life. I have been approved to be a volunteer in this High School and I intend to get involved because they really need help.
I was appalled at the condition of the school and the programs. DISD now only graduates 40% of its Hispanic freshman. This school I visited is overwhelmingly Hispanic, its also popular in news reports of the teen killer drug, "Cheese". . . a slang name for heroine. The students were friendly and many of them smiled at me but the emptiness and depressive state of the school was deafening. TAKS scores were out that day and the tension was high. This school has been on probation before and it looks like it might return to that status. As many as 50 seniors of 250 could end up failing the TAKS. For these seniors that are about to graduate it means failure. They won't get their diploma and for most they will give up. I went to meet the principal but he was not there, I hear he is rarely at the school . . . MIA. The counselors are not much better. Its a few teachers that are holding down the fort for the sake of the students. . . Who will stand?
Compare this 40 % statistics to the 90%+ of Plano High Schools. Why such a huge disparity? Obviously such issues are very complicated but the fact remains that we are allowing this to occur. It broke my heart to know that these students are destined to very limited lives. Worse is that they don't even have access to the gospel. Over 90% of immigrants from Latin America do not have a clear understanding of saving faith. Their kids are much worse. So who will go to these schools and be a light and salt. Who will divest themselves of their resources to help these students? Who will share the loving message of Jesus? Who will Deliver?
All it takes is ONE! There is one Christian young lady that is now an English teacher at this High School. I watched her firmly instruct her students and she would not let them push her around but at the same time every word, look and action was filled with encouragement and love. I was blown away how she could be so firm and so patient. The students can't leave her class without feeling like someone believes in them. This teacher is not Hispanic and is not from the neighborhood. She is a Plano High School graduate and could have found a teaching job in the comfort of the suburbs. Instead, she intentionally chose to work at DISD with the hope of landing in a school like this. I applaud this missionary and pray for more.
What can we do?
1. Pray
2. Speak out against these kind of injustices to our ruling officials, school officials. Racism is real in Dallas, speak against it.
3. Adopt a student or school and volunteer, its easy to get involved
4. Get your church to adopt a local school.
5. Leave your job and join the ranks of the front lines of missions
Great Quote from Stand and Deliver
"There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of those two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do"
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4 comments:
Volunteer Preacher Man,
Please don't pray with or preach to students. Remember, at all times, Seperation of Church and State!!! I doubt you would want someone Jewish, Buddist, Satanic, (a recognized religon) Atheist, Hindu, Sikh or Wiccan going into the school of your child and attempting to influence them?
Why do people not get this??? So quickly they want to share their beliefs but if others are expressed, whoa the wrath!!!
Very funny advocate. . .very funny. You need a chill pill, so sensitive are we?
Never did I do those two things you describe. Well, I lie . . . I did preach about drugs and staying in school without mentioning Jesus. I was there to influence students to stay in school and make good choices (drugs etc). As an immigrant myself on welfare and drug user, I shared my story of staying in school, getting a college education and a master's degree, fulfilling dreams through education. Is that wrong? Are you judging me for that? Can't a pastor have good things to say about drugs? Don't we have anything good to say to youth? I have been a professional youth worker since 1994 surely I have some experience they can glean from.
About separation of church and state . . .that is a joke too. . . .but don't have time now to go into that huge farce. A small study into history and the reasons for those words that never made the constitution would enlighten you a bit. . . plus what the authors of the constitution actually said about religion and Christianity.
But on your last point, let me tell you why a few (note the word a few because studies show that only about 10% ever do) Christians are so quick to share our beliefs with others.
These few Christians do it because they are commanded to in the Bible. The New Testament tells the followers of Jesus to share the awesome characteristics of God with others so that they too can have God's best. (dumb analogy but I like it) Like when you first had Starbucks or shopped at Costco, you had to tell others about it. My story is like that. After a very challenging youth, I found what I was truly looking for . . .it changed me from the inside out, totally changed me from being a totally self-centered, selfish, anxious, bitter, mean, compulsive, lost young man.
Does that make sense to you, Jesus really changed me, its hard to argue with that and hard not to tell others about it.
I don't tell very many people about Jesus but I should. . . and I plan too, BUT NOT in public schools.
Honestly, my blog was about the social injustice and disparity in schools. Have you seen it? Have you seen the huge gap between Plano High School and the Dallas minority schools? I hope you join me in doing something about that. I hope your heart breaks for these drop-outs too.
Keep giving me your comments Mr Advocate, I love your passion.
I suppose this is the quote from your blog that made me choose to comment as I did.
"Their kids are much worse. So who will go to these schools and be a light and salt. Who will divest themselves of their resources to help these students? Who will share the loving message of Jesus? Who will Deliver?"
No judgement here....I am judged DAILY and would never purposely do the same to others. (I am human though and do sometimes make mistakes)
My passion comes from my childhood experiences in school. I grew up in a VERY small town with most people being your "run of the mill" Christians. However, there was one family who were Jehovahs Witness and one child was in my class. It broke my heart when he would have to sit in the hall during the prayer, pledge, and holiday parties. (yes, the teachers probably could have had an alternative to having him sit in the hall but hindsight is 20/20)
I was raised Church of Christ and I am still "recovering" from what I call the religous abuse of my childhood. So many organized religons and churches choose to Exclude rather than Include!!! Luckily, I have found a church in my adulthood that is welcoming to ANYONE and EVERYONE!!!!!
I am going to make a guess....you were at SPRUCE???? I work for DISD....I could make several other guesses but, this is my first. My background in the juvenile justice system has led me to where I am today. I see myself as an ADVOCATE for students and teachers as well...Women can do that too!!!
Have a great day!!
MS. Advocate
Dear Ms. Advocate,
I stand corrected, forgive my assumption.
I'm glad you you commented back. Yes, my quote could have given an impression I did not mean. I do not apologize for believing that the true love message of Jesus is one that anyone can benefit from.
It sounds like you had some very damaging experiences growing up. I can't even imagine growing up in that environment. I'm glad you are recovering and have not given up on God. Obviously you have not.
I applaud your work and hope that you can keep being an advocate for these teens. Your guess is not exactly right, sorry. . . and yes, a women is uniquely qualified to do this very special work, I find that most advocates are women. Thank God for women that care like you!
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