Here are new Education Narratives by English 030 students at Forest Park. These stories are difficult, dangerous, heart-breaking, and inspiring.
"Education Narrative" is the story of learning how to give to others after a lifetime of disappointment and abandonment turned a young boy away from being the selfless care-giver he once was.
"Acceptance" is a journey of learning to live with--and thrive in spite of--a devastating epilepsy diagnosis.
"My Lesson I Learned" is the story of a newly independent working woman's lesson in paying bills and living independently.
"Hardships and Triumph" explores the journey of a mother's most difficult choice, and her lesson in giving too much.
"My Hardest Lesson" is the story of a young man's difficult journey away from his family and into financial and emotional independence.
"Learning to Think Before I Act" is a narrative that takes us into and out of prison to show how a man can learn and grow from his mistakes and regrets.
"My Life Story" shows a young student learning the importance of school, reading, writing, and asking for help.
"The Lesson I've Learned" tells of a young woman whose bad choices in school almost cost her the opportunity for education.
"Legendary Angel" tells the story of a tragic loss, a sudden and unexpected new family, and a young woman's journey from only child to sister.
Friday, July 25, 2014
"Education Narrative" by Student J.
I did not know it to be a lesson at the time, but my first one was selflessness. I was around three when my mother and father divorced. My brothers, mother and I had nowhere to go, so we had to move in with my grandparents. My mother always seemed very sad. One night I woke up it was very cold, and dark. She was crying and I got out of bed to see what the matter was. When I walked into her room she was looking into the mirror brushing her dark brown hair, with tears running down her face. I asked her what was wrong. She said nothing and I went over and crawled onto her lap, gave her a hug, and told her everything would be alright. I was only worried about her and how I could help. It was a very long time before I could care for anyone like that again.
When my father left, I stopped believing in people. I blamed myself for a long time, and it really took its toll on me. I took the hatred I had for my father with me everywhere I went and took it out on everyone I could. I believed if I hurt, you should too. Fredrick Douglass recalls how at one time he felt about his life: “I have often wished myself a beast. I preferred the condition of the meanest reptile to my own. Anything, no matter what, to get rid of thinking! It was this everlasting thinking of my condition that tormented me. There was no getting rid of it.” At certain times I could not think of anything better than not being me, but I could not get away from myself.
At a young age I started to be defiant, and never did what I was told. I always did what I wanted to do no matter the consequences I smoked my first cigarette at six, and I drank alcohol and smoked weed at seven. I started to steal at a young age also. One hot summer day in Jackson, Mississippi, I decided to steal two cartons of cigarettes from Piggly Wiggly. I walked in like I owned the joint. I walked over to the cigarettes and put them up my pants legs. Back then the smokes were out in the open and we always smoked for free. Before I could get out of the store, I was arrested and taken to jail. My mom had to come get me. I went to court later that summer and I was sentenced to a state boys’ home at the age of thirteen.
The boys’ home was intimidating, the other boys were much older and all we did was fight. The food was bad; the staff treated us like we were animals. It was a prison for children, a very scary place for a little thirteen year old boy. My heart grew even colder, and my hatred for everyone and everything grew stronger. When I finally got out, six months later, I was sent to live with my aunt. She tried to do her best to help me. I went on doing what I did best drinking, smoking, drugs, and doing whatever I wanted.
I made it through seventh, eighth, and half of ninth grade. One night in Waco, Texas, I went to a party about midway through my ninth grade year we were all drinking and getting high and my friends pulled out a gun and started to play around with it. I left and the next morning my aunt woke me up with the newspaper my best friend was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Things really got bad after this. I helped carry his coffin to his final resting place. What a sad day, one of the hardest days of my life. I never wanted to care for anyone ever again. I started to use drugs and alcohol to kill the pain, but it did not work. Things got worse, never better. I had been in trouble a lot because of drugs and alcohol but none of that mattered, only drinking and drugging were on my agenda.
Years later I was driving intoxicated and wrecked my car. I hit a van doing about seventy miles an hour. I was in a black out, all I remember is waking up in the hospital with a tube in my lungs and machine breathing for me. I had been in a coma for three days. Things like this happened on and off all of my life but I never thought I had a problem. I knew deep down that if I did not find a better way to live I would be dead before my time. I was a slave to drugs and alcohol. Fredrick Douglass reflects on how he saw his life if he were not to be a free man. “I often found myself regretting my own existence, and wishing myself dead; and but the hope of being free, I have no doubt that I should have killed myself, or done something for which I would have been killed.” My life had gotten so bad that at times I felt the same way. My life had no purpose and death would have been a blessing.
I met a man in 2003. I was in a treatment center outside smoking. It was a cold November day in Saint Louis. I wanted to stop drinking and using drugs and did not know how. He was there to pick up a friend and take him to a meeting. His friend was not there. He asked me how I was doing and I said fine; what a lie. I needed a drink so bad I could taste it. He said that he was going to a meeting, did I want to come along. I thought to myself, what he wanted. We talked for a little while and I said sure. We went to a place where everyone seemed to be happy, shaking hands, talking, laughing and just looking like they were having the time of their life. The meeting started and everything I heard had something to do with my life. It was a smoke filled room and the aroma of coffee filled the room. These people seemed to have found a way to live without drugs and alcohol. I did not want to listen to these men and women share, but it sounded like it was just what I needed. Fredrick Douglass recalls a situation where he was fearful of what the white man told him. “I pretended not to be interested in what they said, and treated them as if I did not understand them; for I feared they are treacherous.” When I was approached by people who were trying to show me a better way to live, I was also reluctant to listen.
I know today it is not all about me and what I can get out of life; it’s what I can give and put into life. I am no longer selfish. I help others, the same way I was helped. People took time out of their lives to show me how to live and today I do the same for the next person. My life is amazing today. I have everything I need and more. Most of all I have me back. Today I can be that three year old boy again, caring, loving, accepting, and selfless. I am a much better person because of this. I only get out of life what I put in it today. Looking back I put nothing into life all I did was take. I had to go through everything I went through to be the man I am today. My experience can help others not do the same. This is a great way of life. To give is better to receive. Fredrick Douglass was a great man; I’m just a man trying to stay grateful. Learning about yourself is very painful and is the only way most of us will grow. Helping others is the only way to go and it will definitely help you grow.
When my father left, I stopped believing in people. I blamed myself for a long time, and it really took its toll on me. I took the hatred I had for my father with me everywhere I went and took it out on everyone I could. I believed if I hurt, you should too. Fredrick Douglass recalls how at one time he felt about his life: “I have often wished myself a beast. I preferred the condition of the meanest reptile to my own. Anything, no matter what, to get rid of thinking! It was this everlasting thinking of my condition that tormented me. There was no getting rid of it.” At certain times I could not think of anything better than not being me, but I could not get away from myself.
At a young age I started to be defiant, and never did what I was told. I always did what I wanted to do no matter the consequences I smoked my first cigarette at six, and I drank alcohol and smoked weed at seven. I started to steal at a young age also. One hot summer day in Jackson, Mississippi, I decided to steal two cartons of cigarettes from Piggly Wiggly. I walked in like I owned the joint. I walked over to the cigarettes and put them up my pants legs. Back then the smokes were out in the open and we always smoked for free. Before I could get out of the store, I was arrested and taken to jail. My mom had to come get me. I went to court later that summer and I was sentenced to a state boys’ home at the age of thirteen.
The boys’ home was intimidating, the other boys were much older and all we did was fight. The food was bad; the staff treated us like we were animals. It was a prison for children, a very scary place for a little thirteen year old boy. My heart grew even colder, and my hatred for everyone and everything grew stronger. When I finally got out, six months later, I was sent to live with my aunt. She tried to do her best to help me. I went on doing what I did best drinking, smoking, drugs, and doing whatever I wanted.
I made it through seventh, eighth, and half of ninth grade. One night in Waco, Texas, I went to a party about midway through my ninth grade year we were all drinking and getting high and my friends pulled out a gun and started to play around with it. I left and the next morning my aunt woke me up with the newspaper my best friend was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Things really got bad after this. I helped carry his coffin to his final resting place. What a sad day, one of the hardest days of my life. I never wanted to care for anyone ever again. I started to use drugs and alcohol to kill the pain, but it did not work. Things got worse, never better. I had been in trouble a lot because of drugs and alcohol but none of that mattered, only drinking and drugging were on my agenda.
Years later I was driving intoxicated and wrecked my car. I hit a van doing about seventy miles an hour. I was in a black out, all I remember is waking up in the hospital with a tube in my lungs and machine breathing for me. I had been in a coma for three days. Things like this happened on and off all of my life but I never thought I had a problem. I knew deep down that if I did not find a better way to live I would be dead before my time. I was a slave to drugs and alcohol. Fredrick Douglass reflects on how he saw his life if he were not to be a free man. “I often found myself regretting my own existence, and wishing myself dead; and but the hope of being free, I have no doubt that I should have killed myself, or done something for which I would have been killed.” My life had gotten so bad that at times I felt the same way. My life had no purpose and death would have been a blessing.
I met a man in 2003. I was in a treatment center outside smoking. It was a cold November day in Saint Louis. I wanted to stop drinking and using drugs and did not know how. He was there to pick up a friend and take him to a meeting. His friend was not there. He asked me how I was doing and I said fine; what a lie. I needed a drink so bad I could taste it. He said that he was going to a meeting, did I want to come along. I thought to myself, what he wanted. We talked for a little while and I said sure. We went to a place where everyone seemed to be happy, shaking hands, talking, laughing and just looking like they were having the time of their life. The meeting started and everything I heard had something to do with my life. It was a smoke filled room and the aroma of coffee filled the room. These people seemed to have found a way to live without drugs and alcohol. I did not want to listen to these men and women share, but it sounded like it was just what I needed. Fredrick Douglass recalls a situation where he was fearful of what the white man told him. “I pretended not to be interested in what they said, and treated them as if I did not understand them; for I feared they are treacherous.” When I was approached by people who were trying to show me a better way to live, I was also reluctant to listen.
I know today it is not all about me and what I can get out of life; it’s what I can give and put into life. I am no longer selfish. I help others, the same way I was helped. People took time out of their lives to show me how to live and today I do the same for the next person. My life is amazing today. I have everything I need and more. Most of all I have me back. Today I can be that three year old boy again, caring, loving, accepting, and selfless. I am a much better person because of this. I only get out of life what I put in it today. Looking back I put nothing into life all I did was take. I had to go through everything I went through to be the man I am today. My experience can help others not do the same. This is a great way of life. To give is better to receive. Fredrick Douglass was a great man; I’m just a man trying to stay grateful. Learning about yourself is very painful and is the only way most of us will grow. Helping others is the only way to go and it will definitely help you grow.
"Acceptance" by Student G.
When I was in the seventh grade, I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures. I was told this at Children's Hospital in St. Louis. They quickly prescribed medication to me. I kind of scared my classmates, friends, and family but it didn't scare me really, because I didn't accept it. I was told things I can do and things I can't do, but I didn't listen. I acted like it would go away in a couple years. My best friend Rachel was always worried about me. She took care of me the most. When I went into high school, I basically kept this a secret from everyone except two friends that went to grade school with me. I was told I couldn't play any heavy contact sports, but all four years in high school I played rugby. Surprisingly I got hit in the head a few times but I got back up and kept playing. No one on the team knew about my condition. Until April came.
In April, 2010 I had two seizures. One of them happened the day before a rugby tournament. That day the team freaked out a little and found out that I'm epileptic. After the second seizure which was few days after the first one, I kind of went insane. I felt depression in me. I felt that my life was broken and felt what's the point to go on. As Frederick Douglass recalls "I often found myself regretting my own existence and wishing myself dead." He described himself as a slave for life. I described myself broken. I tried committing suicide twice. The first time was a complete fail. The second time I tried hanging myself at a friend's house. Before it was about to happen, Rachel stopped me by knocking me down. She told me just because my life is damaged that doesn't mean it's broken forever. It still works. You need to move forward. So I did and I started by accepting the fact I have epilepsy and I need to take it more serious that there's always hope. Just like Frederick Douglass points out "I consoled myself with the hope that I should one day find a good chance." Douglass is mostly saying that one day he wouldn't be a slave anymore and that he would be a free man. I too believe someday I will no longer have epilepsy.
I returned from home to school from my absence and recovery. After every seizure my doctor would upgrade my dose of the medication. That would happen I would be taking it easy for a few days. When I returned to school my rugby coach Pat Fogarty, was worried about me. He always kept an eye on his players but a closer eye on me. He allowed me to stay on the team, but he does not want me to get hurt or have a seizure during a game or practice. The rugby team to me was a just a team at first, but later I realized it is more like a brotherhood. We always had each other’s back. They made sure I was ok. One day after a game I had a seizure; a couple of them carried me off the field. That made me realized I'm not alone in this fight. I kept fighting mostly for Rachel. She changed me really. She saved my life. We weren't just really friends we're more like brother and sister. She always supported me through every time I was in pain. She changed me to the person I am today.
Now my epileptic seizures come and go. It only happens twice a year during the spring/summer. Maybe a little aftermath pain too, because it takes time to adjust to the new higher dose of my medication. Frederick Douglass once said "It was the everlasting thinking of my condition that tormented me." He talked about his slavery and how thinking about it hurts him and more. Well that did it for me. My everlasting thinking wasn't really me thinking about my condition. It was really how every day I have to take large doses of medication, every time I see my doctor, and every time a friend or a family member asks me about it. It was a constant reminder. The number one question I'm always asked is "Grant how painful are your seizures?" I always reply that the pain doesn't come from the seizure itself, it comes from living with it. It reminds me that I'm limited. But I'm ok with that because I'm adaptable and I always look forward now. The hardest I had ever learned is acceptance.
"My Most Important Lesson" by Student C.
My most important lesson was to never give up. I realized this was important to me because there was a time in life when I felt like giving up on everything. It all started when I first found out I was pregnant in the year of April 2013.I was living in my Aunt’s house. It was a five bedroom home, but I wanted a place I could call home. Fredrick Douglass’s mistress proved slavery as injurious to her as it was to him. “When I went there she was a pious, warm and tender hearted woman. There was no sorrow or suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach.” This description remind me of my Aunt because she’s warm hearted, powerful, intelligent, helpful and thoughtful. She reminds me of an angel sent from God. She’s always looking for something positive she can do like give to the needy and feed kids in the neighborhood.
Furthermore, I remember crying and stressing myself out during my pregnancy, thinking “How will I be able to take care myself and another human being?” I knew I had to get my priorities together I was still living with my Aunt but that was not where I wanted to be. It was, noisy, crowed and every time the doorbell rang it annoyed me. I had standards from that day on. I was working at Subway but I got fired from my job for eating. I wasn’t on break but I was pregnant and hungry. I knew if I didn’t eat I would pass for standing on my feet all day, so I took that chance to eat when there were no customers. After I got fired I was upset because it was the beginning of my pregnancy, I had help from my relatives but I wanted to provide for my child myself. I begin thinking it was a problem that I couldn’t solve. Douglass recalls “Have not I as good a right to be free as you have. I was now twelve years old and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavenly upon my heart. Just about this time I got hold of a book entitled “The Columbian Orator”. Every opportunity I got I read this book.” This memory reminds me of myself.Everytime I go through a tough situation I’ll read a book like African American stories or Romance. It helps me get threw things.
My Aunt always told me I could stay as long as I pleased. She provided food, shelter and a nursery for my baby. She explained to me if I didn’t have faith then I didn’t have anything. She told me this repeatedly until she realized I had it in me.Time passed and I had my beautiful baby girl. She was everything I could ask for. Beautiful, pretty eyes, long eyelashes she was perfect. The only thing we were missing was a home. After I left the hospital my family could see the anger in my eyes. I was angry because I felt lost I didn’t know what my next step was. I knew I didn’t want to go back to my Aunt’s house. I went to my cousin’s town home for a couple of weeks. Then I began to start my plan. I got a sheet of paper and thought about what step I was going to take next.
It was then December 2013, so I knew the New Year was yet to come. I knew federal income tax was coming and I also knew I wanted to start school in January 2014. Receiving the school financial Aid would have been a big help, plus I wanted to better my education. With the money I was going to receive from taxes and financial aid I was going to move in my own place. I eventually called my old job back and asked my manager can I come back. I was a great worker so she talked to the supervisor and he agreed.
One day I was looking in a newspaper I saw some apartments that was very affordable. I scheduled an appointment with them but when I saw them they were dirty, smelled like mildew, people yelling out the windows, and very small. I knew I had to be at work in an hour but I wasn’t far from my job. I walked a few blocks down the street and I saw a Now Leasing sign. I called the leasing office and told her I was standing outside of the complex she directed me to come right in. I talked to her and told her I was in a rush but I am looking for a 1 bedroom apartment as soon as possible. She gave me a date to meet back with her with all my information and the security deposit. In a couple of weeks she called me while I was at work and told me I got accepted come in and sign my lease. I was delighted!
Douglass became more depleted by the day.I often found myself regretting my own existence and wishing myself dead: and but for the hope of free, I have no doubt but that I should have killed myself, or done something for which I should been killed. While in this state of mind I was eager to hear anyone speak of slavery.” This emotion relates to me because I was going through a lot. After my pregnancy I wanted my life to be over. Even though I had shelter, food and support I was missing my independence. I thought there was nothing left to do but give up. I knew I had a responsibility. I too, wanted to hear words of encouragement from anyone that would listen.
Today, I am stronger, wiser and independent. I conquered what I never thought I could. It makes me now a better woman when I went through that term in my life. Now I’ve learned that you can’t wait on things to happen to you in life, you have to get up and get it on your own. Nothing came easy.
Furthermore, I remember crying and stressing myself out during my pregnancy, thinking “How will I be able to take care myself and another human being?” I knew I had to get my priorities together I was still living with my Aunt but that was not where I wanted to be. It was, noisy, crowed and every time the doorbell rang it annoyed me. I had standards from that day on. I was working at Subway but I got fired from my job for eating. I wasn’t on break but I was pregnant and hungry. I knew if I didn’t eat I would pass for standing on my feet all day, so I took that chance to eat when there were no customers. After I got fired I was upset because it was the beginning of my pregnancy, I had help from my relatives but I wanted to provide for my child myself. I begin thinking it was a problem that I couldn’t solve. Douglass recalls “Have not I as good a right to be free as you have. I was now twelve years old and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavenly upon my heart. Just about this time I got hold of a book entitled “The Columbian Orator”. Every opportunity I got I read this book.” This memory reminds me of myself.Everytime I go through a tough situation I’ll read a book like African American stories or Romance. It helps me get threw things.
My Aunt always told me I could stay as long as I pleased. She provided food, shelter and a nursery for my baby. She explained to me if I didn’t have faith then I didn’t have anything. She told me this repeatedly until she realized I had it in me.Time passed and I had my beautiful baby girl. She was everything I could ask for. Beautiful, pretty eyes, long eyelashes she was perfect. The only thing we were missing was a home. After I left the hospital my family could see the anger in my eyes. I was angry because I felt lost I didn’t know what my next step was. I knew I didn’t want to go back to my Aunt’s house. I went to my cousin’s town home for a couple of weeks. Then I began to start my plan. I got a sheet of paper and thought about what step I was going to take next.
It was then December 2013, so I knew the New Year was yet to come. I knew federal income tax was coming and I also knew I wanted to start school in January 2014. Receiving the school financial Aid would have been a big help, plus I wanted to better my education. With the money I was going to receive from taxes and financial aid I was going to move in my own place. I eventually called my old job back and asked my manager can I come back. I was a great worker so she talked to the supervisor and he agreed.
One day I was looking in a newspaper I saw some apartments that was very affordable. I scheduled an appointment with them but when I saw them they were dirty, smelled like mildew, people yelling out the windows, and very small. I knew I had to be at work in an hour but I wasn’t far from my job. I walked a few blocks down the street and I saw a Now Leasing sign. I called the leasing office and told her I was standing outside of the complex she directed me to come right in. I talked to her and told her I was in a rush but I am looking for a 1 bedroom apartment as soon as possible. She gave me a date to meet back with her with all my information and the security deposit. In a couple of weeks she called me while I was at work and told me I got accepted come in and sign my lease. I was delighted!
Douglass became more depleted by the day.I often found myself regretting my own existence and wishing myself dead: and but for the hope of free, I have no doubt but that I should have killed myself, or done something for which I should been killed. While in this state of mind I was eager to hear anyone speak of slavery.” This emotion relates to me because I was going through a lot. After my pregnancy I wanted my life to be over. Even though I had shelter, food and support I was missing my independence. I thought there was nothing left to do but give up. I knew I had a responsibility. I too, wanted to hear words of encouragement from anyone that would listen.
Today, I am stronger, wiser and independent. I conquered what I never thought I could. It makes me now a better woman when I went through that term in my life. Now I’ve learned that you can’t wait on things to happen to you in life, you have to get up and get it on your own. Nothing came easy.
"Hardships and Triumph" by Student C.
One day, during the summer of 2013, my life totally changed. I was told that I had to leave my mother’s house. My mother and older cousin got into an altercation. They were verbally attacking each other on what each party felt wasn’t right. My mother got angry and told my cousin that she had to go, things got heated, and one thing lead to another. My younger cousins’ and I felt that it wasn’t right and tried to intervene. I was shocked and couldn’t believe my eyes. Then my mother turned to the rest of us and told us that we had to go as well. This started my journey in learning one of the hardest lessons in my life; I couldn’t depend on anyone but myself. My mother had never reacted in such a way. When it happened I was blown away.
Frederick Douglass suggests that he had at least one master who was even remotely nice at first. “When I went there, she was a pious, warm, and tender-hearted woman. There was no sorrow or suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, Clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach. Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities. Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamb-like disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness.” Even though I have never been a part of slavery I knew what he meant in this moment. The same way he felt about his mistress was the same way I felt about my mother after the altercation. When I was younger my mother was always kind and very over protective and wanted to shelter me from anything harmful or anything that she felt was harmful. Along the way something happened to her that made her grow tired and less protective. As I got older her personality changed almost every day she went from a sweet loving mother to a woman I no longer knew. But it felt that overtime it was just from life’s hardships that took over her. It was as if she had a switch and could turn it on and off when necessary.
After the altercation, I had no choice but to call my child’s father. I could not take JaCole with me. I wasn’t sure where I was going to lay my head that night. So, I did the next best thing by sending my son to say with his dad until I could get up on my feet. I felt so ashamed that I could not take him with me. But, I knew he wouldn’t be in harm’s way. I knew I couldn’t be selfish. I sent him to stay just until I could provide for him and myself. It was the hardest time of my life. I knew it was going to be a while before I would wake up to his little hands grabbing my face. Or him kissing my forehead saying, “Mommy get up, its morning.” I would spend my day trying to do any and every thing to keep the situation far from my mind. I became depressed over not having my son with me. I became so depressed that I didn’t want him to see me in that light. I spent many nights being held and rocked to sleep because all I could do was cry. But, I knew where I was staying was no place that I wanted him either, so his father had him for the next three months. I got my son back on September 29th. It was one of the best days since being put out. I never wanted him to leave my side I would stay up late hours. I just watched him sleep. I would have a bad day and all I had to do was look at him and my troubles would wash away.
During the time he was with his father I was living with my aunt. While there she helped me learn a piece of my lesson as well. I felt used and taken for granted. I was the only one in the house with a job. I didn’t mind helping out with the bills but it started becoming more and more of a hassle. Instead of being able to save up so that I could get my own apartment, my aunt started to ask me for money for her own purposes, which stopped me from saving. Once I started giving her money for whatever she needed, I started having less and less money to set to the side for me to save up in order to get myself back on my feet and go get my son. She also taught me to not depend on anybody. I thought that since she was my aunt that she would help me out but, she was just using me for my money for herself and I was back at square one. A lot of family members would come to me telling me that they felt that I should move back home with my mama. They all said that they thought that maybe she only did it because she was frustrated. I felt that she did it on purpose. In Douglass’s reading he claims “I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity. I have often wished myself a beast. I preferred the condition of the meanest reptile to my own. Anything, no matter what, to get rid of thinking.” Like Douglass I often felt as if I wish I could have the same mind set as others. I wish that I didn’t know the truth; I wished that I was blind to everything such as them. But I knew all too well what was true. My Mother had been like this for the last few years when people weren’t around she would be mean on some days and other days she was extremely nice. So I knew that it was no mistake.
At first, I was kind and loving and gave my last to anybody. If you were near me and said that you needed one thing or another I made sure that I helped as best as I could. I would always put others before myself. I made sure everyone else around me was happy. When most of the time I was very unhappy. After this experience and feeling used I stopped just offering my help I make sure to do what makes me happy rather than making other people happy first. When it comes to JaCole he’s the only person that I put before myself. I never knew that one little person could have such an effect on my life. Now I cherish every moment I get to spend with him whether it’s a millisecond, second, minutes, hours or days. This situation has changed me completely and honestly I'm ok with it.
Frederick Douglass suggests that he had at least one master who was even remotely nice at first. “When I went there, she was a pious, warm, and tender-hearted woman. There was no sorrow or suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, Clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach. Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities. Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamb-like disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness.” Even though I have never been a part of slavery I knew what he meant in this moment. The same way he felt about his mistress was the same way I felt about my mother after the altercation. When I was younger my mother was always kind and very over protective and wanted to shelter me from anything harmful or anything that she felt was harmful. Along the way something happened to her that made her grow tired and less protective. As I got older her personality changed almost every day she went from a sweet loving mother to a woman I no longer knew. But it felt that overtime it was just from life’s hardships that took over her. It was as if she had a switch and could turn it on and off when necessary.
After the altercation, I had no choice but to call my child’s father. I could not take JaCole with me. I wasn’t sure where I was going to lay my head that night. So, I did the next best thing by sending my son to say with his dad until I could get up on my feet. I felt so ashamed that I could not take him with me. But, I knew he wouldn’t be in harm’s way. I knew I couldn’t be selfish. I sent him to stay just until I could provide for him and myself. It was the hardest time of my life. I knew it was going to be a while before I would wake up to his little hands grabbing my face. Or him kissing my forehead saying, “Mommy get up, its morning.” I would spend my day trying to do any and every thing to keep the situation far from my mind. I became depressed over not having my son with me. I became so depressed that I didn’t want him to see me in that light. I spent many nights being held and rocked to sleep because all I could do was cry. But, I knew where I was staying was no place that I wanted him either, so his father had him for the next three months. I got my son back on September 29th. It was one of the best days since being put out. I never wanted him to leave my side I would stay up late hours. I just watched him sleep. I would have a bad day and all I had to do was look at him and my troubles would wash away.
During the time he was with his father I was living with my aunt. While there she helped me learn a piece of my lesson as well. I felt used and taken for granted. I was the only one in the house with a job. I didn’t mind helping out with the bills but it started becoming more and more of a hassle. Instead of being able to save up so that I could get my own apartment, my aunt started to ask me for money for her own purposes, which stopped me from saving. Once I started giving her money for whatever she needed, I started having less and less money to set to the side for me to save up in order to get myself back on my feet and go get my son. She also taught me to not depend on anybody. I thought that since she was my aunt that she would help me out but, she was just using me for my money for herself and I was back at square one. A lot of family members would come to me telling me that they felt that I should move back home with my mama. They all said that they thought that maybe she only did it because she was frustrated. I felt that she did it on purpose. In Douglass’s reading he claims “I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity. I have often wished myself a beast. I preferred the condition of the meanest reptile to my own. Anything, no matter what, to get rid of thinking.” Like Douglass I often felt as if I wish I could have the same mind set as others. I wish that I didn’t know the truth; I wished that I was blind to everything such as them. But I knew all too well what was true. My Mother had been like this for the last few years when people weren’t around she would be mean on some days and other days she was extremely nice. So I knew that it was no mistake.
At first, I was kind and loving and gave my last to anybody. If you were near me and said that you needed one thing or another I made sure that I helped as best as I could. I would always put others before myself. I made sure everyone else around me was happy. When most of the time I was very unhappy. After this experience and feeling used I stopped just offering my help I make sure to do what makes me happy rather than making other people happy first. When it comes to JaCole he’s the only person that I put before myself. I never knew that one little person could have such an effect on my life. Now I cherish every moment I get to spend with him whether it’s a millisecond, second, minutes, hours or days. This situation has changed me completely and honestly I'm ok with it.
"My Lesson I Learned" by Student K.
My first lesson in paying bills on time came when I was eighteen years old. When I got my first apartment at 3751 Shreve Ave, I had been working at Walgreens for only about 10 months. After a month of living in my apartment, it was time to pay bills. I did not realize that you need to pay them in full and pay them on time until my lights got shut off. I came home from work and it was dark outside and I noticed that my light above my front door was not on. I went in the house and turned on the light switch and still there were no lights. I called my aunt who stayed up the street from me to see if she had lights, and she did. I called Ameren Missouri to see if they had some kind of power outage in my area and they told me no. I was informed that my power was shut off due to me not having my bill paid. I was told that I was sent a disconnection notice in the mail about three days ago, I went to the mail box and found the notice saying that today was the last day to pay my bill, and if I didn’t my electricity would be cut off and I would be charged a late fee. I had no money to pay my bills because I was irresponsible, I had previously gone shopping to buy clothes for a party.
Frederick Douglass acknowledges “It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy. I opened my eyes to the horrible pit, no ladder upon which to get out. In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity.” Like Douglass, I too experienced what it felt like to be tremendously embarrassed. Being that my lights were off, it was embarrassing to have friends and family around. This showed me the importance of being responsible. I called my aunt back to tell her what happened and I asked her will she help me pay my bill. Frederick Douglass recalls “When I went there, she was a pious, warm and tender hearted woman. There was no sorrow or suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came with in her reach.” Douglass’s mistresses selfish less ways reminded me of my aunt. My aunt had no problem giving the money to pay my bill she was always there when I needed her. She was the person that everybody could go and will get anything from her for help; she also gives me some advice, telling me that nothing is more important than paying my bills on time and in full. She continued to say” once you get your lights cut off it will be hard for you to catch back up to your current bill. You will need to pay the bill in full along with a late fee and you will be paying the next month bill too that will cost you more than you expected to pay.”
Frederick Douglass explains “Anything no matter what to get rid of thinking it was this everlasting thinking of my condition that tormented me. There was no getting rid of it. It pressed upon me by every object within sight or hearing animate or un-animate.” With the thought of my lights being cut off It was so depressing that no matter what I tried to do or even sleep I just continue to have nightmares of me trying to turn on my light switch and still there no lights. After this ordeal I felt like I wanted to move back home with my mother and not have to pay any bills but just give her a little money for me staying with her.
Now that I have learned a good lesson in paying my bills I would do things different. I can write out a budget list on all the important bills that need to be paid first in the beginning of the month which will be my rent, gas bill, light bill, house hold items, and food. And then if I have extra money left over I will be able to shop for clothes and entertain my- self. I have been in my apartment now for over a year and I have been paying all of my bills on time and in full and I never had my lights being shut off again. So throughout the years of paying my bills on time this and made me learn that this is the wise and smart way to live.
Now that everything is under control with my bills I can relax. I’m in my bathroom with the sound of running water getting ready to take my bath with smell of bubbly shower jell of green apple and cherries; with the touch of the warm water feeling like I’m ready to fall asleep and with the taste of a glass of sparkling water with cherries and lime; by the side of burning candles smelling like a bed of roses; with the sound of Barry White making me want to sleep good tonight.
[MG1]
Now that I have learned a good lesson in paying my bills I would do things different. I can write out a budget list on all the important bills that need to be paid first in the beginning of the month which will be my rent, gas bill, light bill, house hold items, and food. And then if I have extra money left over I will be able to shop for clothes and entertain my- self. I have been in my apartment now for over a year and I have been paying all of my bills on time and in full and I never had my lights being shut off again. So throughout the years of paying my bills on time this and made me learn that this is the wise and smart way to live.
Now that everything is under control with my bills I can relax. I’m in my bathroom with the sound of running water getting ready to take my bath with smell of bubbly shower jell of green apple and cherries; with the touch of the warm water feeling like I’m ready to fall asleep and with the taste of a glass of sparkling water with cherries and lime; by the side of burning candles smelling like a bed of roses; with the sound of Barry White making me want to sleep good tonight.
[MG1]
"My Hardest Lesson Was Teaching Myself to be Self-sufficient" by Student C.
Fredrick Douglass wrote in his autobiography, “I was now about twelve years old, and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavily on my heart.” I too was in despair, filled with the thought of being dependent on others for the rest of my life going through disappointments. In 1985, I started growing into manhood. I decided that I wanted a better life. I felt that living in Saint Louis was holding me back from having a better job, apartment, car, and a better lifestyle. I felt that I needed to relocate and start over and escape the depression I gained from worrying about family members like my aunt Olivia, who had developed a bad cough and schizophrenia, and my grandmother who was hording, losing her things, and also had a touch of schizophrenia. I needed to focus on a better life. I needed to leave that which I was emotionally attached to. This was the beginning of my hardest lesson in making the decision to be a self-sufficient young man.
It was 75 degrees in Saint Louis at 5:30 am when I got on the highway that Sunday. Four hours later, forty miles outside of Kansas City, Missouri, I drove into a blizzard bad enough to beat hell back. I made it through without a problem, although I was driving a 1979 Plymouth Horizon. The first part in the hardest lesson to become self-sufficient came when I moved into my brother‘s house. After four months of living with my brother I began working as a welder, just hired and on probation. One morning I was on my way to work when I developed a flat tire. I called my brother and asked him to take me to work, which he did; although; It took him two hours to get me there. The job was 20 minutes away from the highway. Needless to say, I lost that job. This made me realize that my brother could not be depended on during important times. I realized that I needed a backup plan for getting myself to important places on time. The plan, as it turned out was to have more than one mode of transportation: bus, bike, and car.
Kansas City, Kansas, when I first arrived there, in September, 1986, was a bit of a slow moving country-like city, where it seemed that everyone drove around in a pickup truck, blowing their horns on every corner at people they knew. Everything outside looked as though it needed to be washed. The smell of the city was like dust because it hadn’t rained in a while. Public transportation ran though the city once every hour but not on the weekends. In 1987, I took a job as a maintenance man and received a free apartment with furnished utilities. A month later I started a second job as a welder. I was feeling pretty good about myself, until what I call my third and most valuable lesson in becoming self-sufficient. I had met the most attractive woman while I was working as the maintenance man for a company that owned al lot of townhouses located in the rural area of Kansas City, Kansas. Her name was Ruby Washington. She was a 26 year old secretary. Ruby stood 5’9” tall and weighed about 150 lbs. Ruby had very nice curves and a professional look. She spoke like she was raised some of her life in Arkansas and went to school in the mid-west.
Things were going well with us for a year and a half. We moved in to a better townhouse, we were both working for better companies, and we both drove the same model Chevrolet Monte Carlo. She drove the silver with burgundy interior Limited Edition; while I drove a burgundy sport model with 1/3 white leather top, duel chrome tail pipes, chrome wheels, and sport tires with raised white letters. Things were going pretty well until her father started coming around our apartment and saw how nice things were.
Ruby’s father was called “Wash”. Wash had a lot of kids whose ages ranged from seven to forty, and most were very immature. At the time, Wash was 62 years old and a very big guy about 340 pounds at 6’2” tall. He owned a pickup truck and a van he purchased while working at GM for over 25 years, and he always dressed in bib blue jean coveralls. He and his wife, who happened to be his ex-wife’s daughter, and their three children, and her four sisters and brothers, lived in a wooden western-style house.
Wash would come to our apartment to visit his daughter. This gave her the opportunity to act like daddy’s little girl and start practicing her whining skills, which gave her father the opportunity to play the protector and say things like, “what are you with this boy for, what do you want with someone who brings you down, don’t you know you can do bad all by yourself?” Eventually, things started getting bad, as if her father planted a suggestion in her head and it took effect. I don’t know what motivates a person to undermine another’s relationship but it happens as it did to me back then.
The second part of my hardest lesson in becoming self-sufficient came when I lost the 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. I had been making every payment on time. But Ruby was a co-owner also on the purchase agreement, who got mad at me for something silly and stayed mad for no more than fifteen minutes. She called the dealership and told them that she couldn’t guarantee that the next payment would be made on time. She suggested they come get the car immediately, which they did do immediately after they ended the conversation. Soon afterward, I went to get into my car and leave for work, but the car was gone. After questioning Ruby I found out what had happened. I ended up losing over three thousand dollars because Ruby, the co-owner, got angry at me for fifteen minutes. Now whenever I make a purchase it’s in my name only, no co-owner will be involved.
Fredrick Douglass recalled that the pieces of the puzzle that would lead him to accomplish his goals came to him in small and sometimes large amounts of information. “The light broke in on me by degrees… They both advised me to run away to the north; that I should find friends there; and that I should be free.” Just as Fredrick Douglass slowly understood what he needed to do, I learned to be self-sufficient; the reason came to me after one disappointment followed another. Of course, over time in my life things have changed from bad to good and continue back and forth until I had learned to develop a strategy to stabilize my life. The most important action in accomplishing this goal was to develop an understanding of what led to the problems I was having. It appeared that I was depending on family and friends as a safety net.
In some cases reading has solved the problem by enhancing my comprehension. When I didn’t have money for food I learned how to fish by reading. When I didn’t have money for an auto mechanic I learned to do preventive maintenance on my car and my bike through reading. Like Fredrick Douglass, reading has enhanced my life by giving me the ability to understand my situation and develop a way to neutralize a problem before I become depressed. Having the ability to read and comprehend has provided me with better opportunities like better paying jobs and a free higher education.
Fredrick Douglass recalled the struggle it took him to accomplish his goal. “Thus after a long tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in learning how to write.” I also struggled through loss, for years learning why I shouldn’t depend on others to have my back in case I couldn’t accomplish something on my own. By 1995, and after many years of determination I am finally self-reliant. I’m earning $60,000 a year. I own a convertible sports car and a large black sport utility vehicle, and I live in a luxury townhouse apartment; all without a co-signer or co-owner.
It was 75 degrees in Saint Louis at 5:30 am when I got on the highway that Sunday. Four hours later, forty miles outside of Kansas City, Missouri, I drove into a blizzard bad enough to beat hell back. I made it through without a problem, although I was driving a 1979 Plymouth Horizon. The first part in the hardest lesson to become self-sufficient came when I moved into my brother‘s house. After four months of living with my brother I began working as a welder, just hired and on probation. One morning I was on my way to work when I developed a flat tire. I called my brother and asked him to take me to work, which he did; although; It took him two hours to get me there. The job was 20 minutes away from the highway. Needless to say, I lost that job. This made me realize that my brother could not be depended on during important times. I realized that I needed a backup plan for getting myself to important places on time. The plan, as it turned out was to have more than one mode of transportation: bus, bike, and car.
Kansas City, Kansas, when I first arrived there, in September, 1986, was a bit of a slow moving country-like city, where it seemed that everyone drove around in a pickup truck, blowing their horns on every corner at people they knew. Everything outside looked as though it needed to be washed. The smell of the city was like dust because it hadn’t rained in a while. Public transportation ran though the city once every hour but not on the weekends. In 1987, I took a job as a maintenance man and received a free apartment with furnished utilities. A month later I started a second job as a welder. I was feeling pretty good about myself, until what I call my third and most valuable lesson in becoming self-sufficient. I had met the most attractive woman while I was working as the maintenance man for a company that owned al lot of townhouses located in the rural area of Kansas City, Kansas. Her name was Ruby Washington. She was a 26 year old secretary. Ruby stood 5’9” tall and weighed about 150 lbs. Ruby had very nice curves and a professional look. She spoke like she was raised some of her life in Arkansas and went to school in the mid-west.
Things were going well with us for a year and a half. We moved in to a better townhouse, we were both working for better companies, and we both drove the same model Chevrolet Monte Carlo. She drove the silver with burgundy interior Limited Edition; while I drove a burgundy sport model with 1/3 white leather top, duel chrome tail pipes, chrome wheels, and sport tires with raised white letters. Things were going pretty well until her father started coming around our apartment and saw how nice things were.
Ruby’s father was called “Wash”. Wash had a lot of kids whose ages ranged from seven to forty, and most were very immature. At the time, Wash was 62 years old and a very big guy about 340 pounds at 6’2” tall. He owned a pickup truck and a van he purchased while working at GM for over 25 years, and he always dressed in bib blue jean coveralls. He and his wife, who happened to be his ex-wife’s daughter, and their three children, and her four sisters and brothers, lived in a wooden western-style house.
Wash would come to our apartment to visit his daughter. This gave her the opportunity to act like daddy’s little girl and start practicing her whining skills, which gave her father the opportunity to play the protector and say things like, “what are you with this boy for, what do you want with someone who brings you down, don’t you know you can do bad all by yourself?” Eventually, things started getting bad, as if her father planted a suggestion in her head and it took effect. I don’t know what motivates a person to undermine another’s relationship but it happens as it did to me back then.
The second part of my hardest lesson in becoming self-sufficient came when I lost the 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. I had been making every payment on time. But Ruby was a co-owner also on the purchase agreement, who got mad at me for something silly and stayed mad for no more than fifteen minutes. She called the dealership and told them that she couldn’t guarantee that the next payment would be made on time. She suggested they come get the car immediately, which they did do immediately after they ended the conversation. Soon afterward, I went to get into my car and leave for work, but the car was gone. After questioning Ruby I found out what had happened. I ended up losing over three thousand dollars because Ruby, the co-owner, got angry at me for fifteen minutes. Now whenever I make a purchase it’s in my name only, no co-owner will be involved.
Fredrick Douglass recalled that the pieces of the puzzle that would lead him to accomplish his goals came to him in small and sometimes large amounts of information. “The light broke in on me by degrees… They both advised me to run away to the north; that I should find friends there; and that I should be free.” Just as Fredrick Douglass slowly understood what he needed to do, I learned to be self-sufficient; the reason came to me after one disappointment followed another. Of course, over time in my life things have changed from bad to good and continue back and forth until I had learned to develop a strategy to stabilize my life. The most important action in accomplishing this goal was to develop an understanding of what led to the problems I was having. It appeared that I was depending on family and friends as a safety net.
In some cases reading has solved the problem by enhancing my comprehension. When I didn’t have money for food I learned how to fish by reading. When I didn’t have money for an auto mechanic I learned to do preventive maintenance on my car and my bike through reading. Like Fredrick Douglass, reading has enhanced my life by giving me the ability to understand my situation and develop a way to neutralize a problem before I become depressed. Having the ability to read and comprehend has provided me with better opportunities like better paying jobs and a free higher education.
Fredrick Douglass recalled the struggle it took him to accomplish his goal. “Thus after a long tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in learning how to write.” I also struggled through loss, for years learning why I shouldn’t depend on others to have my back in case I couldn’t accomplish something on my own. By 1995, and after many years of determination I am finally self-reliant. I’m earning $60,000 a year. I own a convertible sports car and a large black sport utility vehicle, and I live in a luxury townhouse apartment; all without a co-signer or co-owner.
"Learning to Think Before I Act" by Student R.
My first lesson in thinking before I act came when I was twelve. We lived on Greer Avenue on the Westside of St Louis Mo. I stayed with my mom and brother at the time, free from responsibility but I never fully realized how sweet I had it until I got locked up for the first time.
It was September 16, 1994. It was a sunny day. I remember this day so vividly because it was my younger brother’s birthday. I was supposed to pick him up after school and take him home so that we could go to Six Flags. After picking up my brother we were walking down Belt Street, which was around the corner from our house. I had a gun on my waist because we were in gangs at this time. The gun fell down my pant leg. Eventually, I had to stop and put it back on my waist. While doing so somebody must have seen me because by the time we got down the street the police were surrounding us from every angle. Luckily I had time to put the gun across the street under my jacket before they pulled up. When I asked the police why they were bothering us they replied we got an anonymous tip that there was some kids walking down the street with a gun and that we fit the description, which was funny to me because my brother and I had on the exact same thing. I got locked up and they let my brother go home. This was my first time going to jail and my first taste of the loss of freedom, but surely not my last.
I sat in jail a little over a month. I was finally released because of false testimony. That was a blessing in disguise because that little time in jail was one of the worst months of my life. Jail was no fun while in there, it made me respect my freedom a lot more. Officers were saying things to me like, I'm never going home, I'll never see my family again basically trying to scare me. I didn't know any better so it worked. After being released I said I would cherish every minute of every day.
Through the years I've learned to think before I act. For example, if one of my cousins pulled up and asked me to go stealing with him I would think of the consequences first. Is it worth it, whose going to take care of my family if I get caught, or just simply do I want to go back to jail today. That kept me out of trouble for a while.
In 2007, thirteen years later, I ended up catching another weapons charge. I was sentenced to twelve years and had to do a minimum of five before I'd be eligible for parole. This is when I really learned my lesson in thinking before I act. I was taken away from my family and sent to a penitentiary in Charleston Mo. which is a level five maximum security institution. At this time I was twenty-five with a wife and three year old son. Times were already hard because my son was born prematurely and his mother needed my help. I'd just found out my mom was fighting breast cancer, but my mom tried to make it a little easier. We made a pact, that if I took care of myself while inside she'd take care on the outside.
While incarcerated my wife came to see me a lot. You could tell this was starting to get to her. In Douglass's autobiography he remembers "She at first lack the depravity indispensable to shutting me up in mental darkness". My situation was similar because, after coming so far so long not being able to touch your loved one the evilness starts to come without notice. When I first got sent away she was there through thick and thin sweet, kind, loving, just waiting for me to come home. Douglass also shows the kindness of his mistress "My mistress was, as I have said, a kind and tenderhearted woman". I can relate to this because my wife was the same way at first. Coming to see me just started to get to her I guess because I'd been gone so long.
I had to do something to keep busy and my mind occupied. So I decided to get my G.E.D. this was going to be a challenge because no one in my family graduated. In his autobiography Douglass points out "During this time, I succeeded in learning to read and write. In accomplishing this I was compelled to resort to various stratagems." I had to find different ways of studying and finding people willing to help wasn't easy. At times I had to use canteen to get the help I needed. You have to use any means necessary to get what you need.
I had to learn ways to get around things because if not I would have stayed in trouble. Guards and inmates tried to provoke you to putting your hands on them. Some inmates are never going home, so they want you to stay with them. The guards act like you are the lowest scum on earth. They tell you when to get up, bang on your doors and talk to you like you are a kid. This makes you so mad at times hurts your feelings but you can't do anything because you are trying to go home. I remember a time when I was going on a visit to see my wife, they talked to me so bad, saying: “Why would anyone come see you she must not be anyone ether, only a dumb person would come all this way to see a bum.” I started finding ways to stay out there faces, exercising, taking classes, and playing cards I got good time and the parole board release me.
When I came home I had a new outlook on life. I started spending more time with my wife and son, quit the gangs and got in school. Before I went to jail I was living day by day, now I'm living better my future. I didn't have any goals at first but now I have to set a way for myself and my son so that he doesn't make the mistakes I did. A simple thing like not thinking before you act can take your life from you in a blink of an eye.
It was September 16, 1994. It was a sunny day. I remember this day so vividly because it was my younger brother’s birthday. I was supposed to pick him up after school and take him home so that we could go to Six Flags. After picking up my brother we were walking down Belt Street, which was around the corner from our house. I had a gun on my waist because we were in gangs at this time. The gun fell down my pant leg. Eventually, I had to stop and put it back on my waist. While doing so somebody must have seen me because by the time we got down the street the police were surrounding us from every angle. Luckily I had time to put the gun across the street under my jacket before they pulled up. When I asked the police why they were bothering us they replied we got an anonymous tip that there was some kids walking down the street with a gun and that we fit the description, which was funny to me because my brother and I had on the exact same thing. I got locked up and they let my brother go home. This was my first time going to jail and my first taste of the loss of freedom, but surely not my last.
I sat in jail a little over a month. I was finally released because of false testimony. That was a blessing in disguise because that little time in jail was one of the worst months of my life. Jail was no fun while in there, it made me respect my freedom a lot more. Officers were saying things to me like, I'm never going home, I'll never see my family again basically trying to scare me. I didn't know any better so it worked. After being released I said I would cherish every minute of every day.
Through the years I've learned to think before I act. For example, if one of my cousins pulled up and asked me to go stealing with him I would think of the consequences first. Is it worth it, whose going to take care of my family if I get caught, or just simply do I want to go back to jail today. That kept me out of trouble for a while.
In 2007, thirteen years later, I ended up catching another weapons charge. I was sentenced to twelve years and had to do a minimum of five before I'd be eligible for parole. This is when I really learned my lesson in thinking before I act. I was taken away from my family and sent to a penitentiary in Charleston Mo. which is a level five maximum security institution. At this time I was twenty-five with a wife and three year old son. Times were already hard because my son was born prematurely and his mother needed my help. I'd just found out my mom was fighting breast cancer, but my mom tried to make it a little easier. We made a pact, that if I took care of myself while inside she'd take care on the outside.
While incarcerated my wife came to see me a lot. You could tell this was starting to get to her. In Douglass's autobiography he remembers "She at first lack the depravity indispensable to shutting me up in mental darkness". My situation was similar because, after coming so far so long not being able to touch your loved one the evilness starts to come without notice. When I first got sent away she was there through thick and thin sweet, kind, loving, just waiting for me to come home. Douglass also shows the kindness of his mistress "My mistress was, as I have said, a kind and tenderhearted woman". I can relate to this because my wife was the same way at first. Coming to see me just started to get to her I guess because I'd been gone so long.
I had to do something to keep busy and my mind occupied. So I decided to get my G.E.D. this was going to be a challenge because no one in my family graduated. In his autobiography Douglass points out "During this time, I succeeded in learning to read and write. In accomplishing this I was compelled to resort to various stratagems." I had to find different ways of studying and finding people willing to help wasn't easy. At times I had to use canteen to get the help I needed. You have to use any means necessary to get what you need.
I had to learn ways to get around things because if not I would have stayed in trouble. Guards and inmates tried to provoke you to putting your hands on them. Some inmates are never going home, so they want you to stay with them. The guards act like you are the lowest scum on earth. They tell you when to get up, bang on your doors and talk to you like you are a kid. This makes you so mad at times hurts your feelings but you can't do anything because you are trying to go home. I remember a time when I was going on a visit to see my wife, they talked to me so bad, saying: “Why would anyone come see you she must not be anyone ether, only a dumb person would come all this way to see a bum.” I started finding ways to stay out there faces, exercising, taking classes, and playing cards I got good time and the parole board release me.
When I came home I had a new outlook on life. I started spending more time with my wife and son, quit the gangs and got in school. Before I went to jail I was living day by day, now I'm living better my future. I didn't have any goals at first but now I have to set a way for myself and my son so that he doesn't make the mistakes I did. A simple thing like not thinking before you act can take your life from you in a blink of an eye.
"My Life Story" by Student M.
A young boy I had a difficult problem to learn how to read and write. I didn't have people to sit down with me to help me with homework. I had to learn how to read and write. I needed to learn how to understand and break down my words. I always was a person that stayed to myself. I was afraid to ask for help thinking I will get yelled at.
I never fully realized how my education in life was very important. I really look back when I was in middle school running the halls. I was not getting an education or learning how to read and write. I was not thinking that I was missing out on education. Skipping class, school, not doing homework, class assignments and not giving my teacher attention teacher is something’s I regret the most. When I always told her I am doing my work; I was not because I was asleep or talking. When I was not at school I was at my friend’s house. I was looking at TV, on the phone or trying to make some money selling drugs on the corner. Since I was trying to be down with my friends, be cool, selling drugs and running from the police affected my learning. I walked around starting stuff with people that I didn’t know calling them bad names like fat, big head, and stupid.
My friends and I where at school we would sneak out the back door of the school and go on different busses to get to the mall and I always think back when people call me names like dumb, stupid or said things to me like “you would never make it in life”. It wasn’t a moment when I wasn’t thinking that someone was calling me names behind my back. Douglass wrote a biography on what different ways he had to learn how to read, and write. Douglass showed me how education was very important and understanding.
I finally finished middle school then I went to Beaumont High School. I was getting in trouble so the principle expelled me from school because I was not going to my classes. I went back up to school to talk to the principal to see if I could get back in school. I started going to class but I started hanging out with the wrong people so I got put back out. I had to go to the Board of Education to see what schools were available for me. I enrolled into Gateway High School. I intend to get a lot of help with my school work. I went home every day doing all of my homework. I Turned in all of my class work and understood all of the class work that my teacher was giving to me.
My teacher always told me “never give up and Start setting goals that you can meet. I won't you to finish going to school get your degree. You can make some good money.” My teacher told me I will miss you. I graduated from Gateway high school. The school held the graduation at Roosevelt high school. I was very excited to graduate from high school. I saw my teacher again for the last time. I took it very hard looking at my teacher as family. I didn’t want to cry even knowing it was a very happy thankful moment. I had to man up and try to hold it in then a tear fell shortly on the floor. I was not able to hide it behind that smile I had on my face glowing.
I started attending college a few months later. In my first semester I started taking four classes. I was starting to feel overwhelmed. I didn’t have much time to get the homework done on time. I started getting bad grades so I had to withdraw from Reading Improvement, and Math. I was able to pass the last two which were smart start and English 020. My second semester I am trying to get all of work and the different assignments done. I learned that your education is valuable. To get the importance and understanding of reading and writing. I will always try my best. To become an Auto mechanic I know I have to pass all of my classes. As of today I take my education more seriously. I will work harder, be on time and listen more to achieve all of my goals.
I never fully realized how my education in life was very important. I really look back when I was in middle school running the halls. I was not getting an education or learning how to read and write. I was not thinking that I was missing out on education. Skipping class, school, not doing homework, class assignments and not giving my teacher attention teacher is something’s I regret the most. When I always told her I am doing my work; I was not because I was asleep or talking. When I was not at school I was at my friend’s house. I was looking at TV, on the phone or trying to make some money selling drugs on the corner. Since I was trying to be down with my friends, be cool, selling drugs and running from the police affected my learning. I walked around starting stuff with people that I didn’t know calling them bad names like fat, big head, and stupid.
My friends and I where at school we would sneak out the back door of the school and go on different busses to get to the mall and I always think back when people call me names like dumb, stupid or said things to me like “you would never make it in life”. It wasn’t a moment when I wasn’t thinking that someone was calling me names behind my back. Douglass wrote a biography on what different ways he had to learn how to read, and write. Douglass showed me how education was very important and understanding.
I finally finished middle school then I went to Beaumont High School. I was getting in trouble so the principle expelled me from school because I was not going to my classes. I went back up to school to talk to the principal to see if I could get back in school. I started going to class but I started hanging out with the wrong people so I got put back out. I had to go to the Board of Education to see what schools were available for me. I enrolled into Gateway High School. I intend to get a lot of help with my school work. I went home every day doing all of my homework. I Turned in all of my class work and understood all of the class work that my teacher was giving to me.
My teacher always told me “never give up and Start setting goals that you can meet. I won't you to finish going to school get your degree. You can make some good money.” My teacher told me I will miss you. I graduated from Gateway high school. The school held the graduation at Roosevelt high school. I was very excited to graduate from high school. I saw my teacher again for the last time. I took it very hard looking at my teacher as family. I didn’t want to cry even knowing it was a very happy thankful moment. I had to man up and try to hold it in then a tear fell shortly on the floor. I was not able to hide it behind that smile I had on my face glowing.
I started attending college a few months later. In my first semester I started taking four classes. I was starting to feel overwhelmed. I didn’t have much time to get the homework done on time. I started getting bad grades so I had to withdraw from Reading Improvement, and Math. I was able to pass the last two which were smart start and English 020. My second semester I am trying to get all of work and the different assignments done. I learned that your education is valuable. To get the importance and understanding of reading and writing. I will always try my best. To become an Auto mechanic I know I have to pass all of my classes. As of today I take my education more seriously. I will work harder, be on time and listen more to achieve all of my goals.
"The Lesson I’ve Learned" by Student W.
The hardest lessons I’ve learned is that I have to be educated and have the knowledge to understand how to succeed in life. I learned this when I was a freshman at McCluer High School. It can be very emotional when I realize I’m not able to recognize, explain, assist, or even response to individuals when asked a question. Now days’ people observe your character and knowledge. Fredrick Douglass observes that he regretted not having the knowledge or well-being of education, and often recalled that he should have killed himself. “I often found myself regretting my own existence, and wishing myself dead; and but for the hope of being free, I have no doubt but that I should have killed myself, or done something for which I should have been killed.” The irony of education can be overwhelming and painful. I can relate to Douglass because in the past I thought of committing suicide; I was stressed and overwhelmed when I didn’t know or understand something.
My mother, Lucy, always reminded us that, “In order for you to be successful in life you have to have an education background (Degrees or High School Diploma) and knowledge to get where you want to be in life.” At the time I wanted to do a lot. I wanted to be a doctor, culinary arts, chef, and a model. She recalled, “So what are you going to achieve to get the career you want in the future?” I replied I’m going to graduate from high school and go to college. My mom described in five words: hardworking, loving, strong, and supportive. Her character was open and she received whoever was in her presence. When she smiled it was like the sun had risen on a dark night, as if an angel approached shinning bright; she lit the world with her beauty. If you meet my mother she’ll greet you with happiness and defend your well-being like your family. This woman smelled like delicate flowers from Jesus’s garden. To be honest I’m a spitting image of her; we think and act similar.
For me McCluer High School was entertaining, fun, and tough at the same time. I used to joke around all the time in the hallways and classrooms. I did my work but often got side-tracked a lot and influenced to do negative things. I never fully realized that I wasted my brain and energy on negative and non-sense in school. For instance, I had a teacher, Mr. Friburguer, he was mean a hard philosopher, loud, weird, and no fool to education; he took his class very seriously. One day I was in Chemistry class conversing with my friend Jasmine while Mr. Friburger was giving a lecture. He asked me repeatedly to stop talking and pay attention; I laughed and started back talking with Jasmine like nothing was ever said to me; the words that came out his mouth went in one ear and out the other ear. Mr. Friburger then yelled at me annoyed and angry, “shut up or leave my classroom this instance” The classmates laughed at him and he told me to leave and report to the office; as I walked out he said “I’m sending a referral to the office.” I did not report to the office; I went to second lunch and saw some friends crowed around the bleachers.
I went to grab something to eat and decided that I wasn’t going to attend the rest of my classes. My friend Kayla came up to me and said, “You want to skip class and go get stoned?” Yes I replied, “Got to relieve some stress right now because my teacher just pissed me off.” I wanted to get out of this boring and lame school. Kayla got in her 2004 red Mustang, and started it up; she pulled off fast and sneaky so we wouldn’t get caught. I was driving behind the school getting high as a kite. I spotted a McDonalds. I order three burgers, two large fries, and two large drinks. I pulled up and paid for our food; as soon as I she gave us our food we was trying to bash it, so I pulled in a parking spot and starting eating. After we were done eating I realized that I had my last test in Chemistry worth hundred points; my grade was barely above a C. That day I made some terrible choices; I knew if I didn’t complete that test my grade was going to drop, but I went on doing me and did what I wanted to do.
I did not want to fail my class because it would have affected me not becoming a sophomore next year. What I did was going to my teacher Mr. Friburger the next day and apologizes for my wrong and asks for forgiveness. He responded, “I’m disappointed with your choices and actions because they don’t turn out well when you behave and disrupt my class while I’m trying to teach and develop your knowledge so that you can be successful in the future.” He said, “People make mistakes and life to learn from their actions but I’m proud of you for coming to me and owning up to what you did.” He suggested that I stay after and take the test to earn my hundred points that I missed. So I did and earned eighty percent on my test and my score moved my grade up to a B. Douglass remembers that every opportunity he got he took advantage of it to improve his ability to read. “I was now about twelve years old, and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavily upon my heart. Just about this time, I got hold of a book entitle, “The Columbian Orator”. Every opportunity I got, I used to read this book.” As a young woman at the age of fourteen, I related to him because in life I felt that every opportunity I had I took advantage of. For example, I had to take my test over; it was valuable to me because I knew if I took it and scored well I was passing the 9th grade.
I did a one eighty and realized what I was doing was going to lead me to destruction and down a bad trip to nowhere. Douglass remarks sorrowfully that he will be a slave for life because he’s owned by his evil slave master; but will hopefully be free in the future. The article implicates that Fredrick Douglass points out that, “You will be free as soon as you are twenty-one, but I am a slave for life! These words use to trouble them; they would express for me liveliest sympathy, and console me with the hope that something would occur by which I might be free.” Even though I never pushed myself as hard as I should to improve my own education, I still felt that I was a slave to the evil spirit because I did things I shouldn’t have done and I was not as knowledge as others students. I can relate to him because I was a slave of the devil. I was a slave to society because I choose to drink, smoke, curse, and was judgmental to people; you living sinfully can hurt you on judgment day. I always tell myself don’t be a slave to society but be a human-being with knowledge and skills of education. Douglass is a slave because he had no choice but today people do and I realize that.
I changed my life dramatically sophomore year. School was still difficult and temptation still hunted me; I had to look passed that and do better with my life because I had little brothers and sister that look up to me as a role model. I followed these steps that I still had until this day in my journal from years ago to be successful in school and staying on the right path. I avoided loosing friends that encourages me to do right and drop the ones who were doing negative things. I kept a smile on my face and didn’t act tough. I threw away all my clothes that reminded me of the old me and started changing on the new me. Old me use to drink, smoke, and lived sinfully. I didn’t become a nerd but I paid attention in class, did my homework and classwork, stay after if I didn’t understand something or asked the teacher, and kept my grades above a D. I was prepared in every class and organized. I didn’t smoke marijuana as much as I did and cut down on partying every day; I only partied on weekends where I didn’t have to worry about me having a hangover or not feeling well to attend school. I studied for test. I stopped skipping classes. I started to read a little more.
One thing I noticed about students was that they didn’t keep their cool but I did. I knew If I was to get stressed I would want to smoke right then and there; I kept my cool to maintain and focus on school. Douglass acknowledges that after a long period of years, he finally succeeded in learning how to write. “Thus, after a long, tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in learning how to write.” I can relate to him because I finally succeeded in learning, improving my abilities, skills of learning and doing what I was supposed to do; I graduated from high school and went to college to further my education. He showed me that life is not always perfect; it’s challenging but helpful at the end of your goal. People need to understand nothing is going to be handed to you you have to go out and get it to be successful in life; our knowledge and ability of education is very powerful and beneficial in this world.
My mother, Lucy, always reminded us that, “In order for you to be successful in life you have to have an education background (Degrees or High School Diploma) and knowledge to get where you want to be in life.” At the time I wanted to do a lot. I wanted to be a doctor, culinary arts, chef, and a model. She recalled, “So what are you going to achieve to get the career you want in the future?” I replied I’m going to graduate from high school and go to college. My mom described in five words: hardworking, loving, strong, and supportive. Her character was open and she received whoever was in her presence. When she smiled it was like the sun had risen on a dark night, as if an angel approached shinning bright; she lit the world with her beauty. If you meet my mother she’ll greet you with happiness and defend your well-being like your family. This woman smelled like delicate flowers from Jesus’s garden. To be honest I’m a spitting image of her; we think and act similar.
For me McCluer High School was entertaining, fun, and tough at the same time. I used to joke around all the time in the hallways and classrooms. I did my work but often got side-tracked a lot and influenced to do negative things. I never fully realized that I wasted my brain and energy on negative and non-sense in school. For instance, I had a teacher, Mr. Friburguer, he was mean a hard philosopher, loud, weird, and no fool to education; he took his class very seriously. One day I was in Chemistry class conversing with my friend Jasmine while Mr. Friburger was giving a lecture. He asked me repeatedly to stop talking and pay attention; I laughed and started back talking with Jasmine like nothing was ever said to me; the words that came out his mouth went in one ear and out the other ear. Mr. Friburger then yelled at me annoyed and angry, “shut up or leave my classroom this instance” The classmates laughed at him and he told me to leave and report to the office; as I walked out he said “I’m sending a referral to the office.” I did not report to the office; I went to second lunch and saw some friends crowed around the bleachers.
I went to grab something to eat and decided that I wasn’t going to attend the rest of my classes. My friend Kayla came up to me and said, “You want to skip class and go get stoned?” Yes I replied, “Got to relieve some stress right now because my teacher just pissed me off.” I wanted to get out of this boring and lame school. Kayla got in her 2004 red Mustang, and started it up; she pulled off fast and sneaky so we wouldn’t get caught. I was driving behind the school getting high as a kite. I spotted a McDonalds. I order three burgers, two large fries, and two large drinks. I pulled up and paid for our food; as soon as I she gave us our food we was trying to bash it, so I pulled in a parking spot and starting eating. After we were done eating I realized that I had my last test in Chemistry worth hundred points; my grade was barely above a C. That day I made some terrible choices; I knew if I didn’t complete that test my grade was going to drop, but I went on doing me and did what I wanted to do.
I did not want to fail my class because it would have affected me not becoming a sophomore next year. What I did was going to my teacher Mr. Friburger the next day and apologizes for my wrong and asks for forgiveness. He responded, “I’m disappointed with your choices and actions because they don’t turn out well when you behave and disrupt my class while I’m trying to teach and develop your knowledge so that you can be successful in the future.” He said, “People make mistakes and life to learn from their actions but I’m proud of you for coming to me and owning up to what you did.” He suggested that I stay after and take the test to earn my hundred points that I missed. So I did and earned eighty percent on my test and my score moved my grade up to a B. Douglass remembers that every opportunity he got he took advantage of it to improve his ability to read. “I was now about twelve years old, and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavily upon my heart. Just about this time, I got hold of a book entitle, “The Columbian Orator”. Every opportunity I got, I used to read this book.” As a young woman at the age of fourteen, I related to him because in life I felt that every opportunity I had I took advantage of. For example, I had to take my test over; it was valuable to me because I knew if I took it and scored well I was passing the 9th grade.
I did a one eighty and realized what I was doing was going to lead me to destruction and down a bad trip to nowhere. Douglass remarks sorrowfully that he will be a slave for life because he’s owned by his evil slave master; but will hopefully be free in the future. The article implicates that Fredrick Douglass points out that, “You will be free as soon as you are twenty-one, but I am a slave for life! These words use to trouble them; they would express for me liveliest sympathy, and console me with the hope that something would occur by which I might be free.” Even though I never pushed myself as hard as I should to improve my own education, I still felt that I was a slave to the evil spirit because I did things I shouldn’t have done and I was not as knowledge as others students. I can relate to him because I was a slave of the devil. I was a slave to society because I choose to drink, smoke, curse, and was judgmental to people; you living sinfully can hurt you on judgment day. I always tell myself don’t be a slave to society but be a human-being with knowledge and skills of education. Douglass is a slave because he had no choice but today people do and I realize that.
I changed my life dramatically sophomore year. School was still difficult and temptation still hunted me; I had to look passed that and do better with my life because I had little brothers and sister that look up to me as a role model. I followed these steps that I still had until this day in my journal from years ago to be successful in school and staying on the right path. I avoided loosing friends that encourages me to do right and drop the ones who were doing negative things. I kept a smile on my face and didn’t act tough. I threw away all my clothes that reminded me of the old me and started changing on the new me. Old me use to drink, smoke, and lived sinfully. I didn’t become a nerd but I paid attention in class, did my homework and classwork, stay after if I didn’t understand something or asked the teacher, and kept my grades above a D. I was prepared in every class and organized. I didn’t smoke marijuana as much as I did and cut down on partying every day; I only partied on weekends where I didn’t have to worry about me having a hangover or not feeling well to attend school. I studied for test. I stopped skipping classes. I started to read a little more.
One thing I noticed about students was that they didn’t keep their cool but I did. I knew If I was to get stressed I would want to smoke right then and there; I kept my cool to maintain and focus on school. Douglass acknowledges that after a long period of years, he finally succeeded in learning how to write. “Thus, after a long, tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in learning how to write.” I can relate to him because I finally succeeded in learning, improving my abilities, skills of learning and doing what I was supposed to do; I graduated from high school and went to college to further my education. He showed me that life is not always perfect; it’s challenging but helpful at the end of your goal. People need to understand nothing is going to be handed to you you have to go out and get it to be successful in life; our knowledge and ability of education is very powerful and beneficial in this world.
"Legendary Angel" by Student K.
From the time I was born until August 16, 2009, I loved someone I thought I could never have so much love for. Shevette C. Chamber, my mom’s best friend was more like a sister to her. They had been friends since the fourth grade. I was my moms’ only child, our bond was unbreakable, I cherished every moment I had with her. From getting Mani’s and Pedi’s and going shopping to being there to talk when she was stressed about bills. I couldn’t picture anyone taking my place in my mom’s heart.
At 36, my mom seemed to be more depressed than she’s ever been. On August 15, 2009, my mom went to Springfield to visit an aunt. With the funny and close relationship her and Shevette had, my mom jokingly implied that Shevette should stay home until she got back from Springfield. Shevette laughed and said “girl get off my phone, I’m grown”. At 3a.m my mom received a phone call saying that Shevette had been shot. Because of the screaming and yelling through the phone, with no hesitation, my mom instantly packed her bags and headed back home to St. Louis. I was home with my uncle just waking up. Before I could brush my teeth or shower I got a phone call from my mom around 6:30a.m.Because I was so young, she didn’t want to speak to me nor did she want to tell me why she was crying. I suspiciously handed my uncle the phone. I noticed the miserable look on his face so out of curiosity, I kept asking him to tell me why my mother was crying. With disbelief, he had told me that Shevette, my second mom, the one that held the family together, was shot. Before I could say anything my mom called back to tell us that she was pulling up outside of our house. I walked outside into the cold, misty morning dew to see my moms’ Silver Impala filled with many of her heart broken , supportive friends. I opened the car door to see my mom sitting in the back seat because she was so sad that she couldn’t drive. To this day I can still picture her puffy red, heavy, teary eyes.
My mom insisted that I stay home while she went to the hospital to see her. I impatiently waited at home until further notice. I called my mom constantly to see if she had heard anything, I didn’t get an answer. I got on Facebook to pass time and I logged in to see a “R.I.P Shevette” post from one of my childhood friends. Knowing that my mom was born dramatic, I didn’t bother to engage into the depression. I didn’t know that the incident was critical I thought that maybe the bullet had left a small wound and she was just going to the hospital to get stitched up. I didn’t want to believe what I just read so I called a few family members to see if they heard. Still, I received no answer. By that time I was getting worried. I sat in my room alone thinking about everything that I just witnessed, the early morning phone calls, the sad look on my uncles face, the intense sobbing, the Facebook post , the ignored phone calls. All the signs were there. It hit me. She was gone.
The beginning of my new life consisted of mourning, sorrow and unforgettable memories. After Shevette passed my mom felt as if she was obligated to take care of Shevette’s 3 children; Markeke, Markeyia and Markesean. Shevette was all they ever had. She loved her children unconditionally and was willing to do anything for them. Months after grieving, Markesean’s dad and my mom agreed that he was now stable enough take his son into his own care. Although, My mom loved Markesean like he was a child of her own, they both can agree that taking care of 1 out of the 3 was a weight lifted off of her shoulders. Markeke and Markeyia’s dads lived separate lives. No communication with them, no phone calls or visitations or anything. They had families of their own and focused on other things. They lived as if nothing ever happened. Douglass points out “I am strongly tempted to give the names of two or three of those little boys, as a testimonial of gratitude and affection I bear them; but prudence forbids; not that it would injure me but embarrass them.” Like Douglass, I too would rather not mention their names. Not that it would be harmful towards me but it would embarrass them.
It was hard for me to adjust to my new life. I was no longer the spoiled, only child, that got everything I wanted. I was forced to share my life with two other children. At 12 years old, I was the most selfish and self-centered person that I’ve ever known. I hated that I had to share my toys, I hated that I had to even share the same breath of air with them. I cried when I didn’t get my way, it was longer I “we can go here because you want to” it was “No, Kaniya we have all agree on something”. Like Douglass’s mistress, I was once kind hearted then suddenly one incident changed me completely. “When I went there, she was pious, warm, and tender-hearted woman. There was no room for sorrow or suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for ever mourner that came within her reach.” My selfish ways started to embarrass my mother’s character. Everything I did reflected my mother’s actions on how she raised me. I always dreamt of what it felt like to have siblings, I finally got a taste of my own medicine.
September 10, 2009 is when everyone began to notice my over dramatic selfish ways. September 7,2009 is Markeyia’s birthday , being that my mom was now her only provider, she wanted to make sure that Markeyia got the best gift she ever wanted ; a pink mountain bike. September 10,2009 was my 13th birthday, 3 days away from Markeyia’s. Markeyia got a pink bike so I figured that I would get something better. My mom pulled me into her room and explained that she couldn’t get me anything because she wanted to make sure Markeyia got everything she wished for. This was the 2nd worst day of my life; Douglass mentions “I found myself regretting my own existence, and wishing myself dead”. Like Douglass, I was eager for some information. He wanted to read and write and I wanted siblings. Again, like Douglass, I regret ever wishing for this.
2 years after the new adjustments something came over me. I surprisingly began to enjoy having siblings. I loved the company they brought and going through little things that siblings went through. It was August 2011, Markeke, Markeyia, my mom and I all went school shopping. While being in the car, we started to reminisce. We spoke about how much we missed Shevette and how life would be different. Conversations later, I was still thinking about her. I could still remember how she laughed when she saw my hair for crazy hair day at school. Her eyes were glossy and her smile lit up the room. Her hugs made me melt and her love had no limits. I started to think to myself, how I could treat people that I was once loved with some much hatred. I began thinking what it would be like if it was the other way around; if my mom passed and I lived with Shevette. I immediately smiled. Shevette was spontaneous and adventurous and so were her children. I knew her children would have never treated me how I treated them. I regret my actions and wishful thinking’s about not existing. I now treat everyone how I want to be treated regardless of their situation.
At 36, my mom seemed to be more depressed than she’s ever been. On August 15, 2009, my mom went to Springfield to visit an aunt. With the funny and close relationship her and Shevette had, my mom jokingly implied that Shevette should stay home until she got back from Springfield. Shevette laughed and said “girl get off my phone, I’m grown”. At 3a.m my mom received a phone call saying that Shevette had been shot. Because of the screaming and yelling through the phone, with no hesitation, my mom instantly packed her bags and headed back home to St. Louis. I was home with my uncle just waking up. Before I could brush my teeth or shower I got a phone call from my mom around 6:30a.m.Because I was so young, she didn’t want to speak to me nor did she want to tell me why she was crying. I suspiciously handed my uncle the phone. I noticed the miserable look on his face so out of curiosity, I kept asking him to tell me why my mother was crying. With disbelief, he had told me that Shevette, my second mom, the one that held the family together, was shot. Before I could say anything my mom called back to tell us that she was pulling up outside of our house. I walked outside into the cold, misty morning dew to see my moms’ Silver Impala filled with many of her heart broken , supportive friends. I opened the car door to see my mom sitting in the back seat because she was so sad that she couldn’t drive. To this day I can still picture her puffy red, heavy, teary eyes.
My mom insisted that I stay home while she went to the hospital to see her. I impatiently waited at home until further notice. I called my mom constantly to see if she had heard anything, I didn’t get an answer. I got on Facebook to pass time and I logged in to see a “R.I.P Shevette” post from one of my childhood friends. Knowing that my mom was born dramatic, I didn’t bother to engage into the depression. I didn’t know that the incident was critical I thought that maybe the bullet had left a small wound and she was just going to the hospital to get stitched up. I didn’t want to believe what I just read so I called a few family members to see if they heard. Still, I received no answer. By that time I was getting worried. I sat in my room alone thinking about everything that I just witnessed, the early morning phone calls, the sad look on my uncles face, the intense sobbing, the Facebook post , the ignored phone calls. All the signs were there. It hit me. She was gone.
The beginning of my new life consisted of mourning, sorrow and unforgettable memories. After Shevette passed my mom felt as if she was obligated to take care of Shevette’s 3 children; Markeke, Markeyia and Markesean. Shevette was all they ever had. She loved her children unconditionally and was willing to do anything for them. Months after grieving, Markesean’s dad and my mom agreed that he was now stable enough take his son into his own care. Although, My mom loved Markesean like he was a child of her own, they both can agree that taking care of 1 out of the 3 was a weight lifted off of her shoulders. Markeke and Markeyia’s dads lived separate lives. No communication with them, no phone calls or visitations or anything. They had families of their own and focused on other things. They lived as if nothing ever happened. Douglass points out “I am strongly tempted to give the names of two or three of those little boys, as a testimonial of gratitude and affection I bear them; but prudence forbids; not that it would injure me but embarrass them.” Like Douglass, I too would rather not mention their names. Not that it would be harmful towards me but it would embarrass them.
It was hard for me to adjust to my new life. I was no longer the spoiled, only child, that got everything I wanted. I was forced to share my life with two other children. At 12 years old, I was the most selfish and self-centered person that I’ve ever known. I hated that I had to share my toys, I hated that I had to even share the same breath of air with them. I cried when I didn’t get my way, it was longer I “we can go here because you want to” it was “No, Kaniya we have all agree on something”. Like Douglass’s mistress, I was once kind hearted then suddenly one incident changed me completely. “When I went there, she was pious, warm, and tender-hearted woman. There was no room for sorrow or suffering for which she had not a tear. She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for ever mourner that came within her reach.” My selfish ways started to embarrass my mother’s character. Everything I did reflected my mother’s actions on how she raised me. I always dreamt of what it felt like to have siblings, I finally got a taste of my own medicine.
September 10, 2009 is when everyone began to notice my over dramatic selfish ways. September 7,2009 is Markeyia’s birthday , being that my mom was now her only provider, she wanted to make sure that Markeyia got the best gift she ever wanted ; a pink mountain bike. September 10,2009 was my 13th birthday, 3 days away from Markeyia’s. Markeyia got a pink bike so I figured that I would get something better. My mom pulled me into her room and explained that she couldn’t get me anything because she wanted to make sure Markeyia got everything she wished for. This was the 2nd worst day of my life; Douglass mentions “I found myself regretting my own existence, and wishing myself dead”. Like Douglass, I was eager for some information. He wanted to read and write and I wanted siblings. Again, like Douglass, I regret ever wishing for this.
2 years after the new adjustments something came over me. I surprisingly began to enjoy having siblings. I loved the company they brought and going through little things that siblings went through. It was August 2011, Markeke, Markeyia, my mom and I all went school shopping. While being in the car, we started to reminisce. We spoke about how much we missed Shevette and how life would be different. Conversations later, I was still thinking about her. I could still remember how she laughed when she saw my hair for crazy hair day at school. Her eyes were glossy and her smile lit up the room. Her hugs made me melt and her love had no limits. I started to think to myself, how I could treat people that I was once loved with some much hatred. I began thinking what it would be like if it was the other way around; if my mom passed and I lived with Shevette. I immediately smiled. Shevette was spontaneous and adventurous and so were her children. I knew her children would have never treated me how I treated them. I regret my actions and wishful thinking’s about not existing. I now treat everyone how I want to be treated regardless of their situation.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
"A Desiring College Student" by Warnae Whitehead
Charquisha Davis was born on August 21, 1994, in Saint Louis, MO. She has two younger siblings Chardae, eleven, Waiel, thirteen, and a daughter named Deaira Webb that’s six months. Furthermore, she graduated in May 2012 from Imagine College Prep High School. Quisha as friends and family called her enrolled at Forest Park Community College in spring 2014 and majoring in nursing.
To begin with, she attended Missouri College in 2013 for nursing and was thinking becoming an RN (Register Nurse). Her desire is to transfer to UMSL after two semesters and enroll in the nursing program. She stated, “I always wanted to be in the presence of hospitals and working firm to help others; it’s something I enjoy.” In addition, her dream career is to become a Mortician. That’s frightening and grosses me out cremating and embalming practices on decease remains. As a child, Quisha was always fascinated by the unloving industry and was curious as to what happens to people when they die. The excitement of an opened human body impresses her; it made her feel untouchable in a mysterious and a strange way.
Last semester, Charquisha had English 020 with me. We never really had a conversation often, but we spoke in small terms. She seemed like a laughable and pleasant person to be around when I observed her. Also, she was open and honest about her life; kind of the same way I am. I found out that we like to party, we like to shop, and we like to love family. For instance, one song that reminds me of her is “Beyoncé-Blue”, because it expresses her emotion, devotion, caring, loving, and heart for her baby girl. When she gave birth she found treasure of mother hood and adored the adventure and pleasure of her daughter. What I admired is when she told me that, “after giving birth she loses interest in everything including herself being second. My mom and her has desires in common because my mother always say you guys come first before money, relationships, shopping, and anything else that’s enjoyable in life; I live for you guys. I kind of started to get emotional writing this sentence because my mother is the most beautiful, complicated, hardworking, risk-taking, sacrificing, and loving person in the whole wide world. I wouldn’t ask God to replace her for any other woman to be my mom.
Charquisha liked spending most of her time caring for her daughter and partying when she can. I question her, would you rather be famous or rich. She quoted, “I’d rather be rich because money is more important than living a famous life. We both enjoy math because we like solving things and listing to Hip Hop and R & B. Qusiha thought people think of her as an outspoken and crazy person. Also, she said some may think she’s abnormal. I questioned her, if today was your last day what would you do? She responded, “I will spend my whole day having fun, reminiscing back on great times with family and my daughter”. Her comfortable appeal is not being shy but, chattering when meeting new people.
Charquisha is a role model for younger teens because she has goals and accomplishments set for the future. Her dedication to be successful and caring for her daughter is enough for me to proudly say that I’m proud of you for not giving up and following your goals. I am happy to say I met a new friend that’s honest and goofy just like me. Your daughter will be a great and smart young woman like her mother.
"The Growth of Jancison" by Kaniya Smotherman
Jancison had many friends growing up in the South of Mississippi. There are many different cultures there, which taught Jancison how to communicate with different groups of people. He grew up being called “Jane”, which he didn’t like very much, but after a while he learned to live with it. Jancison stated, “It is the best place in the world to learn about loss, love and life”.
Jancison went into depth about how rough life was without a father. Like Jancison, I too, was raised by a single mother. With having two parents you learn different values and different aspect of life. With one parent you are raised by only seeing only one view of things. Jancison explains what it’s like to have a single mother. “My dad left me when I was 2 so my mom and 2 brothers moved in with my grandparents”. After losing someone really close to him Jancison then turned to his aunt for advice and finances. He cared about his mother too but knowing how stressful it was raising three children, he didn’t want her to carry the burden. Being that Jancison Is a kind and strong-minded man, he takes his struggles and uses them to encourage his loved ones. Just when Jancison thought all the pain and suffering was over, he then, lost someone else who was close to him, his grandmother.
After going through so much pain Jancison got a chance to show someone else what it felt like to be loved. August 17, 2006, Alexander Bedwell was born. From the time he came out, it was love at first sight. 2008 his first words were “Da-Da”. Jancison loves his son. Besides being an athlete, Alexander is nothing like Jancison growing up. Alexander loves school and adores meeting new people. In addition, he loves learning and going on adventures with his dad. Jancison promised to always be there for his son. No child should ever go without a father. He promises to love Alexander forever.
Jancison was asked would he rather be rich or famous, He briefly explained that he would rather be famous to build a fan base. For a chance, he wants people to be able to look up to him. Not including his son, he finally wants to have the chance to inspire someone else. Most people who grow up with a single parent seeks attention usually from someone besides their parent. Jancison just wants support and people who’ll be there for him.
After all of his hard work and life lessons Jancison states that now he would like to just focus on starting his new life and being there for his son. Change is a part of maturity, sometimes you change naturally and sometimes someone or something is the reason you’ve changed. Alexander is Jancison’s reason for change. “This is now an introduction to my new life. Don’t know what’s behind the next door that I will open up but that’s the best part. As long as I have the ability to open that door is all that matters”.
Jancison went into depth about how rough life was without a father. Like Jancison, I too, was raised by a single mother. With having two parents you learn different values and different aspect of life. With one parent you are raised by only seeing only one view of things. Jancison explains what it’s like to have a single mother. “My dad left me when I was 2 so my mom and 2 brothers moved in with my grandparents”. After losing someone really close to him Jancison then turned to his aunt for advice and finances. He cared about his mother too but knowing how stressful it was raising three children, he didn’t want her to carry the burden. Being that Jancison Is a kind and strong-minded man, he takes his struggles and uses them to encourage his loved ones. Just when Jancison thought all the pain and suffering was over, he then, lost someone else who was close to him, his grandmother.
After going through so much pain Jancison got a chance to show someone else what it felt like to be loved. August 17, 2006, Alexander Bedwell was born. From the time he came out, it was love at first sight. 2008 his first words were “Da-Da”. Jancison loves his son. Besides being an athlete, Alexander is nothing like Jancison growing up. Alexander loves school and adores meeting new people. In addition, he loves learning and going on adventures with his dad. Jancison promised to always be there for his son. No child should ever go without a father. He promises to love Alexander forever.
Jancison was asked would he rather be rich or famous, He briefly explained that he would rather be famous to build a fan base. For a chance, he wants people to be able to look up to him. Not including his son, he finally wants to have the chance to inspire someone else. Most people who grow up with a single parent seeks attention usually from someone besides their parent. Jancison just wants support and people who’ll be there for him.
After all of his hard work and life lessons Jancison states that now he would like to just focus on starting his new life and being there for his son. Change is a part of maturity, sometimes you change naturally and sometimes someone or something is the reason you’ve changed. Alexander is Jancison’s reason for change. “This is now an introduction to my new life. Don’t know what’s behind the next door that I will open up but that’s the best part. As long as I have the ability to open that door is all that matters”.
"A Student with a Master Plan" by Michael Smith
Che'Myra is a black African American female 21 years of age who is currently enrolled in Saint Louis Community College. Che'Myra was blessed with her 3 year old son Jacole that she truly adores. She loves taking him to the park to play such as things like football, basketball, sliding and number games. Che’Myra loves spending quality time with her 3 year old son.
Che'Myra is expecting a baby girl who she is very excited to see. Che’Myra is determined to name her second child Xiana. She says Jacole is very happy about receiving his new baby sister into the world. Che'Myra is going to school to earn her cooking degree which is what she loves best. One day she has a plan to have her own business so that her family will not need for anything. Also another thing that she loves to do best is help others Che'Myra is a very caring person that will remain with her for the rest of her life. Che’Myra is a very outstanding young lady. In her voice (one day my big heart will get me in trouble.) She has one person that she looks up to which is her father’s mother.
Che'Myra says her grandmother is a very nice lady who taught her a lot of things such as how to cook. Her grandmother helps her set goals so that she could meet them from now into the future. Che'Myra says that this wonderful lady that she has accepted into her life also showed her the road to love one another no matter what was said or did God see everything so she counts on the man upstairs. Another thing that I learned about her is that she loves R&B music. She listens to R&B when she is upset. Che’Myra said when she cooks it helps her to relax herself and keeps her going so that she can get everything done. Che’Myra says that music is a very inspiring thing that helps out a lot.
One thing that’s important to know about her is that she loves her computer because she could look up a lot of things on the internet. It’s good to know that you could do your homework look at pictures watch all the up to date TV shows. She really valuables her computer so that she could look up a lot of job apps on the internet and not just for an old job that you don’t know for sure how long you are going to be there but a jobs that fits your career that could stay under your belt for the rest of your life. Che'Myra says that by the end of the courses that she is receiving at Saint Louis community college she hopes to be making a lot of money so that she could pay all of her bills but at the same time she wants to save her money so that if anything comes up then she already will be prepared.
Che'Myra is expecting a baby girl who she is very excited to see. Che’Myra is determined to name her second child Xiana. She says Jacole is very happy about receiving his new baby sister into the world. Che'Myra is going to school to earn her cooking degree which is what she loves best. One day she has a plan to have her own business so that her family will not need for anything. Also another thing that she loves to do best is help others Che'Myra is a very caring person that will remain with her for the rest of her life. Che’Myra is a very outstanding young lady. In her voice (one day my big heart will get me in trouble.) She has one person that she looks up to which is her father’s mother.
Che'Myra says her grandmother is a very nice lady who taught her a lot of things such as how to cook. Her grandmother helps her set goals so that she could meet them from now into the future. Che'Myra says that this wonderful lady that she has accepted into her life also showed her the road to love one another no matter what was said or did God see everything so she counts on the man upstairs. Another thing that I learned about her is that she loves R&B music. She listens to R&B when she is upset. Che’Myra said when she cooks it helps her to relax herself and keeps her going so that she can get everything done. Che’Myra says that music is a very inspiring thing that helps out a lot.
One thing that’s important to know about her is that she loves her computer because she could look up a lot of things on the internet. It’s good to know that you could do your homework look at pictures watch all the up to date TV shows. She really valuables her computer so that she could look up a lot of job apps on the internet and not just for an old job that you don’t know for sure how long you are going to be there but a jobs that fits your career that could stay under your belt for the rest of your life. Che'Myra says that by the end of the courses that she is receiving at Saint Louis community college she hopes to be making a lot of money so that she could pay all of her bills but at the same time she wants to save her money so that if anything comes up then she already will be prepared.
"A Man of his Word" by Robin Keeney
My first year of college was kind of scary and hard attendance wise, but as a result we had to research a classmate. My teacher picked me out the quietest person in the classroom, during this experience I’ve learned a lot about what we had in common and what are differences where. Just a week ago in summer school I met a man named Robert mull. Robert is 31 years old, and resides on the Westside, known for Westside, The Best Side. Robert was born on July 31, 1982, as well as my younger sister and grandfather, same day, different years in St. Louis Mo, “The Show Me State” says Robert. Growing up, he would answer to Lee Lee. He grew up with two brothers and one sister. Later on attended Vashon High School and graduated with a diploma in 2009, In addition was in the checker club, loved Tom and Jerry, and loved taking cat naps during class. In Robert’s words “I admire my mother for all she did for me and raising me the best she could”. However while growing up; taking care of his siblings was a challenge for him. In addition, I also grew up taking care of my siblings including my daughter. While attending college with him, succeeding in his own business is very easy. “When it comes to owning your own business I’m the man”. Robert is attending college for business and administration. In addition, Robert works for a Tree Company, while trying to earn his degree. Aside from all the hard work in college, Robert has a nine year old son Robert Jr. “Nothing in the world would stop me from providing for my son”. As a result, there are responsibilities that need to and have already been taken care of. Robert and I come from a two different backgrounds, but as well as the same backgrounds. We are African American, lived in the city our whole life and graduated from a city high school. What I learned about Robert is that he is really shy to new face and people and does not like being talked down to if he doesn’t know you. I actually have the same thought about that because of the simple fact that if you do not know me, do not talk to me like you do therefore stay in the boundary range. We are two different ages but know how it is to live a normal and hard life. One shocking detail Robert gave to me was that if his Business career did not succeed he would pursue his dream of becoming a teacher. Quote on quote, Robert says, “I want to teach students the correct way of learning, so it would be less drop outs, maybe they could learn from my mistakes.” In the interview I asked Robert, “What do you miss most about your childhood?” Replying, “My responsibilities”, said Robert. His life was a little easier being a kid, as a grown up children, bills, school, a job, which is a lot to juggle. Finally I learned Remember that every path walked is walked for a reason, and every day is full of blessings no matter how BIG or small.
"A Woman With A Plan" by Robert Mull
My name is Robert Mull, this is my profile draft on my classmate Ms. Robin Keeney. Robin seems to be a caring person. I say this because every question I asked Robin came back with an answer of caring for someone else. I can conclude from talking to Robin that Robin cares deeply for her family and has no problem taking responsibility for them.
Robin is a eighteen years old. Robin has one daughter who she adores. Robin’s daughter's name is Reign. Reign is three, so Robin had to be about 15 when she had Reign. Robin spends most of her free time with Reign, because Robin really wants Reign to grow up and be somebody. In addition to Reign, Robin has three brothers and one sister. Robin deeply admires her family because they help when Robin really needs them.
Being a beautiful Black and Cuban queen can't be easy, especially being born on the south side of the city of St. Louis. "It was hard coming up over there. It's like I was different from everybody else, I guess because I stayed to myself,” Robin says. Robin grew up over by Grand and Mermac, which is a pretty rough neighborhood. That's something I can relate to because I've been in the hood my whole life. It's not easy being a child in the hood, never the less raising a child in the hood.
Robin just graduated from Roosevelt High School which is also on the south side of St. Louis. Robin attended Hancock while at Roosevelt and Robin loves mathematics. Now that Robin is out of high school Robin has decided to do something Robin loves, which is care for people. So for the summer Robin chose to enroll in Forest Park College to get a degree to become an ER charge nurse. Considering that Robin is a very caring person, I think Robin will be a great nurse.
Being an independent woman can't be easy. Robin has her own apartment with her own car, don't forget raising little Reign and doing all this while holding a job at Save-a-Lot. I admire that, so I take my hat off to Robin, and relate to Robin’s situation. I have a son that I'm raising, a house that I'm paying for, my own car and doing all this while starting my own business. Sometimes accepting life's terms isn’t easy but when your a independent person you have to do what you've got to do.
These are things Robin likes to do on her free time. Robin loves to sing and says, “My favorite song is All of Me by John Legend.” Growing up Robin liked the television show Cat-Dog and taking cat naps. Robin favorite thing to eat for breakfast is burritos from McDonalds. Robin is very outgoing and loves to have fun. Even more important, Robin loves spending time with her daughter, Reign, more. Robin said, “I got pretty much everything I wanted and desired as a child, which made a good childhood.”
"Karen Hendrix: A Wonderful Person" by Charles Lockhart
Karen Hendrix is at the time of this profile a student at Forest Park Community College. She has decided to major in Culinary Arts because she loves to cook for others. In addition Karen has obtained certification in carpentry, hair care, as well as certification as a nurses’ assistant. Karen has studied a number of professions for a variety of reasons, I think it’s because she likes to help others for all her interests seem to evolve into helping others in some form or fashion. Karen’s latest job at Barns Hospital was as a Patient Care Giver, which she has retired from. Karen says, “Being away from school for 31 years then trying to get back into the swing of things is a difficult task but I want a new career something I can work at my own pace.” She said, “I think catering will fit perfectly as what I am looking for because I love to cook…..a lot”. I asked, besides catering is there any other career you would be interested in? She responded by saying, “Yes, I would love to teach young girls gymnastics.” I asked “Why and why to young girls only?” She said, “Young girls have a certain type of spirit that makes working with them fun and exciting also, it has been proven that the young have bodies that heal faster.
Karen is single; she has no children which gives her a lot of freedom and extra time. As a result she uses that time to read and play games on her android device. Besides reading and playing games Karen enjoys R&B music by artists such as: Luther Vandross, The Temptations, and Patty Labelle.
Karen likes body art and one day wants to sport a tattoo of a dragonfly that has a lot of colors in it. Karen doesn’t own any pets however, she feels that Parakeets do make good pets because they sing for you. When I asked Karen what her favorite possession is she said, “My television be cause, I like to watch reruns of my favorite T.V. shows.” Those T.V. show are: I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, and Gilligan’s Island to name a few.
I asked Karen who her role model was, she said, “My mother is my role model because she took good care of me, protected me as well as, taught me right from wrong in addition my mother gave me my nick-name, Carrie.” I also asked Karen what she missed about her adolescent years? This is what she said, “What I miss about my child hood is the lack of things I was responsible for particularly paying bills, going to work daily, and keeping things in their perspective.”
The unique thing about Karen is that she seems motivated to do for others, a motivation that is instilled in her. This is something that I believe she inherited from her mother during her impressionable years. Karen is also proud to be a student at Saint Louis Community College at Forrest Park.
"All About Charles Lockhart" by Karen Hendricks
Charles Lockhart was born in the 1960's in St. Louis, Mo. As a child he went by the nick name of Smack. He got that name from his family members because he used to smack when ever he ate especially when he ate his favorite food which is sausage and eggs.
Charles loves to watch television. His favorite tv show was Speed Racer, a show that came on tv every Saturday morning. It was about a boy and his pet monkey, competing in auto racing against other drivers and their characters.That was a great show to watch because that was my favorite show too.
In addition to tv shows, Charles love music. The song Edge Of A Dream, sung by Minnie Rippleton is one of his favorite artist along with Michael Jackson being his most favorite of the two. Besides singing, he loves the way Michael Jackson dances. He said, "I could watch him do the moon walk and other dances every day.
Charles likes to fish, he thinks this is a great hobby that will give him a piece of mind. This gives him a chance to sit and think about a lot of things that he is trying to accomplish. Also he is the type of person that don't like to be around a large crowd.
During his school years, Charles went to O'fallon Vocational Technical School and took up welding. He was a preppy dresser at that time he attended school. After graduating, he never went to a class reunion of his own but he went to a reunion of Soldan High School because they were going to Jamaica. He said, "I developed a bad experience in Jamaica and I will never leave this country again.
Later on in years, Charles lived a normal life. He had gotten a job working for Ford Motor Company to support his four children. He has two daughters, one is a doctor and the other one is married to a man that is in the military. He also has two sons. One of his sons is an artist, has a line of comic books and works for Sony. His second son just joined the Army this year. Now that his children are grown up and off on their own. Charles said, "I am able to retire from work and go to college and get me a degree".
Charles is a unique person and a life saver. He used his skills that he learned from a CPR class that he had taken to save his mothers life when she had gotten ill. He statted that was the best thing that ever happened to him because she is the most important and valuable person in his life.
Charles mentioned that as he gotten older he misses his childhood days of playing, his mothers love and effection,and her taking care of him. He said that things are going good in his life and he will never change a thing.
Charles loves to watch television. His favorite tv show was Speed Racer, a show that came on tv every Saturday morning. It was about a boy and his pet monkey, competing in auto racing against other drivers and their characters.That was a great show to watch because that was my favorite show too.
In addition to tv shows, Charles love music. The song Edge Of A Dream, sung by Minnie Rippleton is one of his favorite artist along with Michael Jackson being his most favorite of the two. Besides singing, he loves the way Michael Jackson dances. He said, "I could watch him do the moon walk and other dances every day.
Charles likes to fish, he thinks this is a great hobby that will give him a piece of mind. This gives him a chance to sit and think about a lot of things that he is trying to accomplish. Also he is the type of person that don't like to be around a large crowd.
During his school years, Charles went to O'fallon Vocational Technical School and took up welding. He was a preppy dresser at that time he attended school. After graduating, he never went to a class reunion of his own but he went to a reunion of Soldan High School because they were going to Jamaica. He said, "I developed a bad experience in Jamaica and I will never leave this country again.
Later on in years, Charles lived a normal life. He had gotten a job working for Ford Motor Company to support his four children. He has two daughters, one is a doctor and the other one is married to a man that is in the military. He also has two sons. One of his sons is an artist, has a line of comic books and works for Sony. His second son just joined the Army this year. Now that his children are grown up and off on their own. Charles said, "I am able to retire from work and go to college and get me a degree".
Charles is a unique person and a life saver. He used his skills that he learned from a CPR class that he had taken to save his mothers life when she had gotten ill. He statted that was the best thing that ever happened to him because she is the most important and valuable person in his life.
Charles mentioned that as he gotten older he misses his childhood days of playing, his mothers love and effection,and her taking care of him. He said that things are going good in his life and he will never change a thing.
"Michael is his Name; Auto-motive is the Plan" by Che'Myra Fields
Michael smith is a 22 year old African- American student. He was a born on April 17, 1992. He grew up on the north-side of town in O' Fallon park. He quickly learned that a lot of people in the neighbor hood were not good examples for him. He grew up hanging with the wrong crowd which he felt "kept me in trouble." Shy and reserved are what you would think when you first meet him. He likes to observe first. Then he opens up more once you are around him for sometime. He took an interest to cars at the tender age of 8.
After all, he "grew up around people who worked on cars. Being exposed to auto- motives at such a young age made him want to learn to fix things. Even if just around the house. If it was something that was hands-on or fixing things, he found an interest. He enjoyed helping people by helping them run errands or just lending a hand. When he was younger he found himself interested in tattoos. He has now grown out of that. While in that stage he got 9 or 10 tattoos. He no longer has an interest in them. He also liked watching the show Bananas in Pajamas. Now he doesn't like watching T.V. that often, he rathers spend time with his children.
By the way, he has two daughters that he and his mother take care of together. He also has 2 sisters and a brother as well. He enjoys spending time with his children. he enjoys taking them places. He admires his "kids' grand-daddy.” He has two daughter one at the age of 2 and another daughter which is 3 years old. He choose to attend forest park community college to pursue getting a degree in auto- motives. He likes doing things with his hands so I believe auto- motive is a good idea for him.
In addition to working on cars he also likes to build and paint houses. Once he obtains his degree he wishes to open run and maintain his own auto- motive shop. That is his main goal but, he likes to do things that are very much so hands on. That is something me and him have in common. I as well am a very hands-on person. He likes to start new projects quite often that involve him working with his hands. Both of our majors urge us to do hands-on work.
Since he is a hands-on person I find it very interesting that he likes to help people, I as well like helping people. But he likes to help people even if it leaves him with nothing. When he help people it makes him feel as if hes helping in one way or another. He also likes meeting new people. Even though he comes off shy and reserved he likes meeting people and learning things about them. Hes a outdoors person he spends a lot of time outside and doing things with his family.
After all, he "grew up around people who worked on cars. Being exposed to auto- motives at such a young age made him want to learn to fix things. Even if just around the house. If it was something that was hands-on or fixing things, he found an interest. He enjoyed helping people by helping them run errands or just lending a hand. When he was younger he found himself interested in tattoos. He has now grown out of that. While in that stage he got 9 or 10 tattoos. He no longer has an interest in them. He also liked watching the show Bananas in Pajamas. Now he doesn't like watching T.V. that often, he rathers spend time with his children.
By the way, he has two daughters that he and his mother take care of together. He also has 2 sisters and a brother as well. He enjoys spending time with his children. he enjoys taking them places. He admires his "kids' grand-daddy.” He has two daughter one at the age of 2 and another daughter which is 3 years old. He choose to attend forest park community college to pursue getting a degree in auto- motives. He likes doing things with his hands so I believe auto- motive is a good idea for him.
In addition to working on cars he also likes to build and paint houses. Once he obtains his degree he wishes to open run and maintain his own auto- motive shop. That is his main goal but, he likes to do things that are very much so hands on. That is something me and him have in common. I as well am a very hands-on person. He likes to start new projects quite often that involve him working with his hands. Both of our majors urge us to do hands-on work.
Since he is a hands-on person I find it very interesting that he likes to help people, I as well like helping people. But he likes to help people even if it leaves him with nothing. When he help people it makes him feel as if hes helping in one way or another. He also likes meeting new people. Even though he comes off shy and reserved he likes meeting people and learning things about them. Hes a outdoors person he spends a lot of time outside and doing things with his family.
"The Life of Warnae Whitehead" by Charquisha Davis
Warnae Whitehead was born on July 26, 1994 in St. Louis Mo
specifically grew up on the south side of St. Louis. In addition, Warnae is the
oldest of four kids. She has two brothers, twelve and fifteen, and a younger
sister that’s twelve. Warnae knows she has a lot of responsibilities helping
her mother when needed and says "I’m basically the second mother".
Since Warnae was younger she looked at her siblings like there were her own.
She like to be there for them when needed. At the same time, she also enjoys
having family time and being the oldest child. Above all, Warnae has
responsibilities even though she has responsibilities of her own.
Warnae graduated from McCluer Senior High School in the year
of 2013. She attended Forest Park Community College as a freshmen. “It was
pretty hard finding my classes and starting college “ she stated. Her first day
she got lost. She appreciates her teachers for everything they’ve done for her.
And know they made her better in Reading and Writing Essays. They alsp helped
her strive for her accomplishments and goals. Warnae favorite subject is Math
her major is EMT/Paramedic, She chose this major because helping injured people
makes her smile. “It lights my day when I can help and care for people “she
says.
In Addition, Warnae likes to hang with her friends, going to
the movies and go out to eat. She loves shopping, partying and cooking. Warnae
enjoys cooking because she feels she can get creative in the kitchen and Food
Network makes her want to do it even more. Shopping makes her feel good about
herself so she can “jump fresh” in her words. She also love exercising. Staying
fit is important to her it brings out her inner beauty. Which are some
similarities of myself. Ashe enjoy. She enjoys hanging around her friends
because she’s comfortable around them. Meeting new people becomes apprehensive
for her. When she meet new people she open up and express herself more.
Warnae plans on finishing school with a full time job and
getting her degree so she can have a better life for her and her family. Her
long term goal is to be working in the ambulance or the environment of the
hospital. Therefore, she plan on taking modeling classes so she can express
herself more.
Inspiring words from Warne Whitehead
“People talk a lot about how the world is bad but I don’t
understand why people are not doing things to make the world a better place and
work together. If this was to happen ohhh this world would be a better place”.
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