Reply to "My Brother's Keeper" and at-risk kids... thoughts?

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Reply to ""My Brother's Keeper" and at-risk kids... thoughts?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]I have worked in a similar school and also at a school where 80% of students were immigrants from other countries (or their parents were immigrants)

It is amazing to see the difference in behavior between the two populations. Even though the poverty levels are similar on paper there is an enormous difference in student behavior. I chalk that up to having stable families and a belief that their families are working hard for a better future for their children.

We can talk a good game about blaming ghetto culture and poverty cultuer but what can we do to change that other than victim blaming? (posting on my phone so forgive me for errors)[/quote]

Assuming we're talking about poor immigrants, they've already gotten out of a bad situation, so they have a belief that one can change their situation and their status as immigrants proves it.  They've also got a networking community that supports almost every basic need, as well as guidance on how to work the system.  Then there's a fear of deportation if you catch the attention of any authority.  It's very different.[/quote]

They have that belief that they can change that situation and get out of it.  Why can't our kids?  They have the same opportunities as those immigrants do - in fact those born here have more and better opportunities than those immigrants do.  Belief is what either empowers you or holds you back.  If you believe you are a victim and that a big unseen foot holds you down, you will never try, and therefore will never go far.  If on the other hand you believe the sky's the limit as these immigrants do, you will go far.  Most of those institutionalized barriers are gone - in fact, if anyone has far more institutional barriers working against them, it's illegal immigrants - yet they are thriving.  Life is what you make of it and people need to learn that fundamental lesson.

Networking community?  Why can't our communities network?  Latinos come here from places like Honduras and El Salvador, dirt poor, with nothing but the shirts on their backs, yet are able to reach out and help each other and form those networks.  Why can't our own communities do that?  I sometimes hear poor folks say they don't want to move away to a town with a lower cost of living and better potential for jobs because their family is here.  What good is being with family when it's the dysfunctional family situation, to include a lack of support network, that's part of the problem?  Support for basic needs and guidance on how to work the system?  Illegal immigrants get even less of that support from the system than those who are citizens.

Fear of deportation if you catch the attention of authorities?  How about fear of arrest and imprisonment if you catch the attention of authorities here?  The best way most of us avoid attention and keeping out of trouble with the authorities is by keeping clean and sober, keeping our heads down and keeping busy.  As gramma reminded us from Proverbs, "idle hands are the devil's workshop".

Yes, it's very different - but I don't think I am thinking along the same lines as you on how and why.[/quote]

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