Interesting Days

Yesterday, my school went into a lockdown to prevent our largely hispanic student population from walking out in protest. I spent the entire day with my 2nd period class and no bathroom breaks. I even escorted them to the lunchroom and brought them back to eat in my classroom.

So basically, the kids got to chill all day, watching movies, playing games as a reward for organizing a walk out. It's a cynical view, but it's mine.

The more important comment I can make is that these Jr. High kids have no idea what they are protesting. And when they try to regurgitate what they've heard from parents and other kids, they don't make any sense.

And truthfully, even the people on the news don't make sense to me. They are demanding to be treated like citizens of this country and yet claim a great deal of pride in being citizens of Mexico. They wrap themselves in Mexican flags while screaming that they have the rights of a United Sates citizen.

I asked some kids today why they choose to live in the United Sates if they identify themselves entirely as Mexicans. I asked them sincerely why they don't live in Mexico if they love it so much. They informed me that it's too expensive, it isn't a safe place and you can get a better education here. So then I asked why they love it if it's like that. They said, "because you can do what you want, and school gets out at 12:00 and the police leave you alone... " I tried to connect these things for them, but it they chose not to understand.

It bothers me that they want all the benefits of U.S. citizenship, but yet do not want to be considered 'Americans'. Even the ones who are citizens of the U.S. don't want me to say that out loud. They say, "I'm a Mexican, Miss!" When I question the validity of the statement, I get a Jr. High response of eye rolling or other meaningful forms of self expression.

I hope my questions have at least had a small amount of influence on them.

We're in a modified lockdown today. Kids are being escorted places. We're changing classes one grade at a time. Very controlled environment, but at least I'm not stuck in my room the whole day.