REPOR T RESUMES ED 020 240 UD YOU CAN'T SEE THE TREES FOR THE SCHOOL. MEYER,BY- JUNE EDRS PRICE MF-$0.25 HC-$0.28 5P. DESCRIPTORS- *HIGH SCHOOL STUD *INTERVIEWS, *STUDENT ATTI RACIAL ATTITUDES, NEGA SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT (PSYCHOLOGICAL RIC TH 005 674 PUB DATE DEC 67 NTS, *NEGROES, *PUERTO RICANS, UDES, SELF CONCEPT, ASPIRATION, IVE ATTITUDES, SCHOOL ATTITUDES, RACIAL RECOGNITION, IDENTIFICATION BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL, HARLEM ESE QUOTED CONVERSATIONS WITH FOUR NEGRO AND PUERTO AN STUDENTS AT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL IN EAST HARLEM REVEAL THE NEGATIVE FEELINGS OF TWO OF THE TEENAGERS ABOUT THE VALUE OF AN EDUCATION ANC THE MOBILITY ASPIRATIONS OF THE OTHER TWO. THE TALKS SHOW A FATALISTIC HOPELESSNESS ABOUT THE BARRIERS IMPOSED BY RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND A DEFENSIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT RACIAL IDENTIFICATION. THE RECORDER OF THE CONVERSATIONS FEELS THAT THE MOST "HOPEFUL" NOTE . REFLECTED IN THESE EXCHANGES IS THAT THREE OF THE STUDENTS PLAN.TO TEACH ANC TWO OF THEM ARE ALREADY INVOLVED AS TUTORS. THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN "THE URBAN REVIEW," VOLUME 2, NUMBER 3, DECEMBER 1967. (NH) U .S . D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H , E D U C A T IO N & W E L F A R E O F F IC E O F E D U C A T IO N T H IS D O C U M E N T H A S B E E N R E P R O D U C E D E X A C T L Y A S R E C E IV E D F R O M T H E P E R S O N O R O R G A N IZ A T IO N O R IG IN A T IN G IT . P O IN T S O F V IE W O R O P IN IO N S S T A T E D D O N O T N E C E S S A R IL Y R E P R E S E N T O F F IC IA L O F F IC E O F E D U C A T IO N P O S IT IO N O R P O L IC Y . Y o u C a n 't S e e t h e T re e s fo r th e S ch o o l 0 5 /6 2 ff by J un e M ey er B en ja m in F ra nk li n H ig h S ch oo l lo ok s pr et ty m uc h li ke m os t N ew Y or k C it y hi gh s ch oo ls : bl ur re d be tw ee n ps eu do -c la ss ic a nd f ac to ry -b ri ck . T he re a re a lo t of m id dl e- ag ed t re es a nd f ro m h al f of t he w in do w s yo u ca n se e ri ve rs o f tr af fi c an d w at er . T he v ie w i s pa rt ly p ea ce fu l. F ro m t he o th er w in do w s, t ho se ac in g on P le as an t A ve nu e, y ou c an s ee t hr ee - an d fo ur -s to ry t en em en ts v a- ca te d on t op w it h a "m ar gi na l" c an dy s to re , o r so m et hi ng e ls e, o n th e bo tt om . L ea di ng a w ay E as t to W es t fr om P le as an t A ve nu e, a re t he c ro ss to w n st re et s of E as t H ar le m w he re e ve n m od es t im pr ov em en t of s ix o r se ve n sl um b ui ld - ub li ci o w w w w w w w w w w w w w W W a lN N IM IN II II II II M IN N II II IN Ig a r R i B en ja m in F ra nk li n H ig h S ch oo 4 in N ew Y or k C it y, h as a p op ul at io n of a pp ro xi - m at el y 30 00 s tu de nt s. A cc or di ng t o re ce nt s ta ti st ic s, 4 7. 5 pe r ce nt o f th e st ud en ts ar e N eg ro , 4 4. 1 pe r ce nt a re P ue rt o R ic an , a nd 8 .4 p er c en t ar e w hi te . A s of t hi s ye ar , 1 00 s tu de nt s ar e en ro ll ed i n th e co m m er ci al p ro gr am , 6 70 i n th e ac ad em ic pr og ra m a nd 2 28 6 in t he g en er al p ro gr am . T he g ra du at in g cl as s of J un e 19 67 co m pr is ed 2 0 gr ad ua te s of t he a ca de m ic c ur ri cu lu m , 5 0 gr ad ua te s of t he c om m er ci al cu rr ic ul um , a nd 1 30 g ra du at es o f th e ge ne ra l cu rr ic ul um . T he d ro po ut r ar e at B en ja m in F ra nk li n H ig h S ch oo l is a pp ro xi m at el y 42 p er c en t. O Can pr ec ep to rs . E rg o st ud en ts h av e no th in g to o ff er ( te ac h) , a nd t he s ys te m n ee d no t be l oc al iz ed a nd s en si ti ve ( ca pa bl e of l ea rn in g an d of c ha ng e) . S tu de nt s an d th ei r sc ho ol o ug ht t o fi t to ge th er , s ee m n at ur al t og et he r. T he on e ca n sc ar ce ly e xi st w it ho ut t he o th er . O r so y ou w ou ld t hi nk . B ut y ou c an 't us e th e sa m e fo cu s or k ee p th e sa m e di st an ce i n tr yi ng t o un de rs ta nd t he sc ho ol , a nd t he n ag ai n th e st ud en ts . B en ja m in F ra nk li n H ig h S ch oo l an d it s st ud en ts d o no t co in ci de ; th e pl ac e an d it s pe op le c om bi ne l ik e a do ub le ex po su re . A ft er a ll " B en F ra nk li n" i s th e na m e of s om eb od y w ho d ie d a lo ng ti m e ag o an d "h is " sc ho ol i s no t al to ge th er d if fe re nt f ro m G ra nt 's T om b. A et ' ,1 1, 11 .1 11 1. 1. r- w w w ,g or m r. .r - S T A T E D D O N O T N E C E S S A R IL Y R E P R E S E N T O F F IC IA L O F F IC E O F E D U C A T IO N P O S IT IO N O R P O L IC Y . Y o u C a n 't S e e t h e T re e s fo r th e S ch o o l 0 5( 07 by J un e M ey er B en ja m in F ra nk li n H ig h S ch oo l lo ok s pr et ty m uc h li ke m os t N ew Y or k C it y hi gh s ch oo ls : bl ur re d be tw ee n ps eu do -c la ss ic a nd f ac to ry -b ri ck . T he re a re a lo t of m id dl e- ag ed t re es a nd f ro m h al f of t he w in do w s yo u ca n se e ri ve rs o f tr af fi c an d w at er . T he v ie w i s pa rt ly p ea ce fu l. F ro m t he o th er w in do w s, t ho se ac in g on P le as an t A ve nu e, y ou c an s ee t hr ee - an d fo ur -s to ry t en em en ts v a- ca te d on t op w it h a "m ar gi na l" c an dy s to re , o r so m et hi ng e ls e, o n th e bo tt om . L ea di ng a w ay E as t to W es t fr om P le as an t A ve nu e, a re t he c ro ss to w n st re et s of E as t H ar le m w he re e ve n m od es t im pr ov em en t of s ix o r se ve n sl um b ui ld - in gs w il l ea si ly r ec ei ve n at io na l pu bl ic it y. to T he h ig h sc ho ol i s on ly a s ho rt w al k aw ay f ro m L en ox A ve nu e w he re 1 M al co lm X c ou ld f re qu en tl y be f ou nd , b ef or e he b ro ke w it h th e M us li m s, i n 44 th e T em pl e N um be r 7 R es ta ur an t. T hi s is t he n ei gh bo rh oo d w he re J es se G ra y he ld a " W or ld 's W or st F ai r" i n 19 64 , a nd t he e ve nt p ro ve d re m ar ka bl e at l ea st b ec au se N ew Y or k' s S an it at io n D ep ar tm en t un de rt oo k a m ai de n m is - si on i nt o th e ar ea a nd w as he d th e st re et s up t o fi ve t im es p er b lo ck i n an ef fo rt t o le ss en t he s te nc h th at m ig ht o th er w is e sh oc k vi si to rs es pe ci al ly 3 th e te le vi si on c re w s. N ow a nd a ga in , i n E as t H ar le m , l oo ki ng S ou th , i t is p os si bl e to g li m ps e th e no rt he rn e dg e of C en tr al P ar k w hi ch , e ve ry on e ag re es , i s be au ti fu l. A t th e in te rs ec ti on o f 11 6t h S tr ee t an d P le as an t A ve nu e, t he s ch oo l co ul d re fl ec t a co in ci de nc e of h ar ds hi p an d ha ve n, o f so ci et al n eg le ct a nd p re pa ra - ti on s fo r se lf -s uf fi ci en cy if a ny on e th ou gh t ab ou t ph ys ic al l oc at io n as a c lu e to r eq ui re d se rv ic es . B us in es sm en c om m on ly d o. B ut , c om pu ls or y pu bl ic ed u- ca ti on , l ik e th e dr af t, i s no t un de rs to od a s a pu bl ic s er vi ce fo r th os e di re ct ly in vo lv ed . C om pu ls or y pu bl ic e du ca ti on i s co nt ro ll ed b y go al s in va ri ab ly m or e ab st ra ct t ha n on e pa rt ic ul ar i nf an tr y di vi si on , o r on e pa rt ic ul ar s tu de nt p op u- la ti on . M or eo ve r, d if fe re nt ia te d ro le s ar e ab so lu te ly c le ar a nd m ut ua ll y ex - cl us iv e: S tu de nt s ar e re ce pt or s. T he s ys te m a nd i ts p ai d pe rs on ne l ar e th e pr ec ep to rs . E rg os tu de nt s ha ve n ot hi ng t o of fe r (t ea ch ), a nd t he s ys te m ne ed no t be l oc al iz ed a nd s en si ti ve ( ca pa bl e of l ea rn in g an d of c ha ng e) . S tu de nt s an d th ei r sc ho ol o ug ht t o fi t to ge th er , s ee m n at ur al t og et he r. T he on e ca n sc ar ce ly e xi st w it ho ut t he o th er . O r so y ou w ou ld t hi nk . B ut y ou c an 't us e th e sa m e fo cu s or k ee p th e sa m e di st an ce in t ry in g to u nd er st an d th e sc ho ol , a nd t he n ag ai n th e st ud en ts . B en ja m in F ra nk li n H ig h S ch oo l an d it s st ud en ts d o no t co in ci de ; th e pl ac e an d it s pe op le c om bi ne l ik e a do ub le ex po su re . A ft er a ll " B en F ra nk li n" i s th e na m e of so m eb od y w ho d ie d a lo ng ti m e ag o an d "h is " sc ho ol i s no t al to ge th er d if fe re nt f ro m G ra nt 's T om b. A to m b is n o be gi nn in g; i t is a p la ce p ri m ar il y re la te d to t he p as t. A nd o ne te ac hi ng p ro bl em i s ce rt ai nl y th at o f m ak in g th e pa st u se fu l to t he f ut ur e us ef ul f or s tu de nt s to k no w . E ve n m or e, f or t he t ea ch er o f N eg ro s tu de nt s, th e pa st m ay s im pl y pr ov id e so ur ce m at er ia l fo r le gi ti m at e bi tt er ne ss an d st re ng th en p er ce pt io ns o f a de ad -e nd . G iv en c on di ti on s of b la ck A m er ic an li fe t od ay , a nd y es te rd ay , t ea ch in g sh ou ld f ol lo w t he f or m o f a qu es ti on , se ri ou sl y ra is ed . F or a ll A m er ic an s m ay , a t be st , r el at e to A m er ic an h is to ry in a n eq ui vo ca l m an ne r. C lo se t o on e hu nd re d pe r ce nt o f "B en F ra nk li n' s" s tu de nt s ar e N eg ro es . O r bl ac k. N eg ro n o lo ng er s ee m s an a cc ep ta bl e w or d. B y bl ac k, b y ca ll in g hi m - se lf b la ck , t he s tu de nt c an m or e cl ea rl y in di ca te t ha t he i s di ff er en t fr om , a nd op po se d to w hi te to w ha t w hi te m ea ns . C lo se t o on e hu nd re d pe r ce nt of th e sc ho ol 's t ea ch in g st af f is w hi te . F ou r st ud en ts t al ke d w it h m e ab ou t ex pe ct at io ns , e xp er ie nc e an d ab ou t th e im pa ct o r ir re le va nc y of t he ir e du ca ti on , t o da te .. .. P au l L uc ia no a nd V ic to r H er na nd ez C ru z ar e fr ie nd s. N ei th er o f th em th in ks o f gr ad ua ti on , n ex t Ja nu ar y, a s an yt hi ng e xc ep t a ti m e of " ge tt in g ou t" o f th e sc ho ol , p er s e. P au l re ga rd s th e ex pe ct ed " li tt le p ie ce o f pa pe r" (t he d ip lo m a) a s pr oo f th at y ou h av e be en " w hi te y- fi ed " fo r fo ur y ea rs . P a u l: I w as f or m er ly i n th e ac ad em ic p ro gr am . N ow I 'm i n ge ne ra l. V ic to r: G en er al p re pa re s yo u fo r no th in g. P a u l: P eo pl e w ou ld g et h ea rt a tt ac ks i f B en ja m in F ra nk li n w as p ri - m ar il y ac ad em ic . V ic to r: T he y kn ow w ha t th ey 'r e do in g. S ch oo l tr ai ns y ou t o be a f ac to ry w or ke r. ... P a u l: It 's l ik e so m an y je ll y be an s in a j ar . I f th er e' s no t en ou gh b ea ns , or t oo m an y of t he m , y ou g o to a no th er c la ss . S o yo u ju st g iv 'e u p. T ha t's t he p sy ch ol og y of a n in fe ri or p er so n: Y ou g iv e up . T ha t's w he re y ou r pr ob le m s st ar t. V ic to r: T he y ca ll ed a t ea ch er 's c on fe re nc e. Y ou k no w w hy ? A bo ut t he M id dl e E as t cr is is . T w o ho ur s! B - it t he y w ou ld n ev er c al l a co n- fe re nc e to h el p F ra nk li n st ud en ts . V ic to r is a ls o in t he g en er al p ro gr am . H e ha s be en w ri ti ng p oe tr y fo r tw o ye ar s, h as p ub li sh ed i n T he E ve rg re en R ev ie w , a nd i s re la ti ve ly c on fi de nt a bo ut a bo ok -l en gt h m an us cr ip t of p oe m s no w be in g co ns id er ed b y G ro ve P re ss . W he n as ke d ho w s ur e he i s ab ou t "g et ti ng o ut " ne xt J an ua ry , V ic to r re - m em be rs t he o ne o cc as io n w he n he w as n ot p ro m ot ed ; he w as l ef t be ck i n th e th ir d gr ad e: V ic to r: It 's k in d of s tu pi d to g et l ef t ba ck i n th ir d gr ad e. I p ro ba bl y he ld t he s tr aw w ro ng . P a u l: N o, m an , t he y fe lt y ou w er en 't qu al if ie d. V ic to r: I w ou ld 'v e li ke t o ha ve b ee n ou t of sc ho ol r ig ht n ow . I k no w w hi te k id s ou t of s ch oo l at 1 6, 1 7. P a u l: Y ea h, b ut t he n th e st at is ti cs w ou ld b e al l w ro ng . V ic to r an d P au l ar e bo th 1 8- ye ar s- ol d w it h li tt le t ra ce o f bo yh oo d. T he y ar e m or e li ke y ou ng m en f or ce d to pl ay p up il k no w in g th at t om or ro w t he y m ay b e fo rc ed t o fi gh t as s ol di er s in a w ar th ey r eg ar d as i ns an e. P a u l: T he p ro gr am [ th e cu rr ic ul um ) is a v er y co nf us in g sy st em . T he re 's n ob od y to e xp la in i t to y ou . T he y ju st , y ou kn ow , l ik e pa t yo u on t he b ac k. P eo pl e te ll m e if y ou do n' t go a lo ng w it h th e pr og ra m , y ou 'll m es s yo ur w ho le l if e up . w hi te k id s ou t of s ch oo l at 1 6, 1 7. P a u l: Y ea h, b ut t he n th e st at is ti cs w ou ld b e al l w ro ng . V ic to r an d P au l ar e bo th 1 8- ye ar s- ol d w it h li tt le t ra ce o f bo yh oo d. T he y ar e m or e li ke y ou ng m en f or ce d to p la y pu pi l kn ow in g th at t om or ro w t he y m ay b e fo rc ed t o fi gh t as s ol di er s in a w ar t he y re ga rd a s in sa ne . P a u l: T he p ro gr am [ th e cu rr ic ul um ] is a v er y co nf us in g sy st em . T he re 's n ob od y to e xp la in i t to y ou . T he y ju st , y ou k no w , l ik e pa t yo u on t he b ac k. P eo pl e te ll m e if y ou d on 't go a lo ng w it h th e pr og ra m , y ou 'll m es s yo ur w ho le l if e up . I sa y, w el l th en , t o he ll w it h m y li fe . Y ou h av e to t ak e so m e ki nd o f st an d. E ve ry th in g yo u le ar n is l ie s. It 's t he ir e du ca ti on . N ot m in e. It 's t he ir h is to ry . N ot m in e. It 's t he ir l an gu ag e N ot m in e. Y ou n am e it . I t's t he ir s. N ot m in e. A w hi te t ea ch er , h e ha s no t li ve d th e li fe . H e ca nn ot r el at e an y of t he t hi ng s to m e. S o I' m b or ed . V ic to r: T ha t's w hy y ou n ee d co m m un it y co nt ro l. ... Y ou k no w , t he y ha ve a J ew is h te ac he r te ac hi ng a c ou rs e on P ue rt o R ic an c ul - tu re a nd h is to ry ! S o I as ke d hi m a bo ut t he h ea d of t he P ue rt o R ic an N at io na li st P ar ty , o ne o f th e le ad in g po et s, a nd a 1 9t h- ce nt ur y ph il os op he r a ve ry i m po rt an t ph il os op he r th e ca t pr ed ic te d th e em er ge nc e of C hi na , m an ! S o, a ny w ay , I a sk ed th is t ea ch er , a nd h e di dn 't kn ow n on e of t he m . T ur ni ng t o fa ce P au l w ho t hi nk s of h im se lf m or e as a b la ck m an t ha n as a P ue rt o R ic an , V ic to r co nt in ue d: G eo rg e W as hi ng to n ha d sl av es , m an . Y ou k no w o ne ti m e he t ra de d a bl ac k m an f or a p ig ? T he n tu rn in g to m e: W e to ld t he l ib ra ri an w e w an te d a pi ct ur e of M al co lm X . W e sa id w e w ou ld s up pl y ou r ow n pi ct ur e an d ev er yt hi ng . B ut s he s ai d, 'N o. ' W e w an te d hi s pi ct ur e up t he re w it h G eo rg e W as hi ng to n an d T ho m as J ef fe rs on . P a u l: H e [M al co lm X ] di d no t co nt ri bu te t o th ei r cu lt ur e. V ic to r: T he l ib ra ri an s ai d he p re ac he d ha te . H e. ..P au l! G et y ou r m ot he r to c om pl ai n ab ou t G eo rg e W as hi ng to n' s pi ct ur e! P a u l: (q ui et ly , e m ba rr as se d) N o, m an , n ot m y m ot he r. V ic to r: W el l, g et s om eb od y' s m ot he r. .. W e as ke d th e li br ar ia n to g et T he A ut ob io gr ap hy o f M ak ol m X . S he s ai d, 'S om e bo ok s yo u ha ve t o w ai t th re e ye ar s? ... It 's s ti ll n ot t he re . B ef or e B en ja m in F ra nk li n, P au l at te nd ed F oo d an d M ar it im e H ig h S ch oo l. P a u l: T ha t's a s ch oo l w he re y ou j us t ge t pa rt s. O ne d ay y ou g et a rm s. A no th er d ay y ou r he ar t. A no th er d ay id ea s. ..u nt il y ou g ra du at e a ro bo t to w or k fo r th em . [ A t B en ja m in F ra nk li n] I w as w ri ti ng a b oo k ab ou t ev er y cl as s w ha t w as g oi ng o z. I g av e it t o m y E ng li sh t ea ch er . S he t or e it u p. I ju st s to pp ed g oi ng a lo ng w it h th e pr og ra m . S ta rt in g w it h th e pl ed ge o f al le gi an ce t o th e fl ag . I s to p th er e. I d on 't st an d fo r th e fl ag . C iv il L ib er ti es U ni on s ay s I do n' t ha ve t o. I ha d a lo t of c ut s. I h ad a bo ut 5 0 cu ts . T he y di dn 't pu t on e cu t do w n on m y [r ep or t] c ar d. T he se p eo pl e tr y an y w ay t o et r id o f yo u. V ic to r: D ec em be r 19 67 11 3 D e b o ra h : (a gg re ss iv el y) N eg ro c ol le ge s ar e no t eq ui pp ed . R ig ht n ow th ey 'r e [t he w hi te c ol le ge s] o n to p. T he y ha ve w ha t w e w an t. I th in k w e sh ou ld g o to t he ir s ch oo ls a nd l ea rn yo u kn ow , w ha t th ey h av e so w e ca n co m e ba ck a nd t ea ch o ur o w n. I m ea n so m et hi ng a bo ut a N eg ro c ol le ge t ha t. .. I m ea n, th ey [ w hi te e m pl oy er s] j us t do n' t ta ke y ou . ( D eb or ah b eg an ea rn es tl y ar gu in g w it h L ar ry :) B ut y ou 'v e be en a ro un d bl ac k pe op le a ll y ou r li fe . Y ou 'r e bl ac k yo ur se lf s o yo u kn ow h ow t he y fe el a nd h ow t he y th in k. T he w hi te m an i s th e pe rs on y ou d on 't kn ow h ow h e fe el s an d th in ks . I do . (a m az ed ) H ow c an y ou s ay t ha t? L a rr y: D e b o ra h : L ar ry s hr ug ge d, a nd r at he r th an t ry t o an sw er h er , h e th re w a q ue st io n ba ck . L ar ry h ad e ar li er r em ar ke d th at p ra ct ic al ly e ve ry on e at 'B en F ra nk li n" se em ed t o as su m e m ar ri ag e ri gh t af te r hi gh s ch oo l. H e no w a sk ed D eb or ah ho w s he w ou ld m an ag e to g o to c ol le ge i f sh e m ar ri ed . D eb or ah d id n ot c ha l- le ng e hi s as su m pt io n. S he a ns w er ed : "I f yo u w an t to g o to c ol le ge , y ou 'r e go in g to g o. A c hi ld w ou ld n' t ho ld m e ba ck . I m ea n, I 'd m ak e it m y bu si ne ss to g o. " L a rr y: W ho i s yo ur h us ba nd ? Is h e a co ll eg e gr ad ua te ? D e b o ra h : (s ud de nl y sh y) I d on 't kn ow . E ve ry bo dy l au gh ed . I a sk ed L ar ry i f he h ad d is cu ss ed h is p la ns w it h an y ad ul ts at s ch oo l. L a rr y: I ta lk ed w it h on e, b ut n ot w it h m y ow n gu id an ce c ou ns el or . M y ow n co un se lo r sc ar es m e, h e re al ly d oe s. W he ne ve r I se e hi m , h e' s al w ay s ru sh in g. B ut t he o th er t ea ch er , w he n- ev er I s ee h im , h e al w ay s ha s ti m e. H e st an ds t he re a nd h e w il l sh ak e m y ha nd a nd s ta nd t he re f or a f ew m in ut es . A nd w e ta lk . H e ta lk s w it h m e. I t hi nk h e' s a m ar ve lo us m an , I re al ly d o. ( L ar ry p ro ve d m or e th an w il li ng t o th in k al ou d ab ou t .. .. i& ka M IS M IM B O M ia M A IL N E n .,- I. M L L 11 M - 'W N W I M IN IT E M IN .1 in n w o w - ev er y cl as s w ha t w as g oi ng o n. I g av e it t o m y E ng li sh t ea ch er . S he t or e it u p. I ju st s to pp ed g oi ng a lo ng w it h th e pr og ra m . S ta rt in g w it h th e pl ed g of a ll eg ia nc e to t he f la g. I s to p th er e. I d on 't st an d fo r th e fl ag . C iv il L ib er ti es U ni on s ay s I do n' t ha ve t o. V ic to r: I ha d a lo t of c ut s. I h ad a bo ut 5 0 cu ts . T he y di dn 't pu t on e cu t do w n on m y [r ep or t] c ar d. T he se p eo pl e tr y an y w ay t o ge t ri d of y ou . I as ke d V ic to r fo r hi s id ea s on s ch oo l. H e sa id : "T ea ch er s sh ou ld b e re ad y to d o an yt hi ng . T he y sh ou ld b e yo ur n ei gh bo rs . T he y sh ou ld n ot o nl y be w il li ng t o te ac h yo u ho w t o re ad , b ut t he y sh ou ld b e w il li ng t o cu t th ro at s, w he n th e ti m e co m es ." P au l ex pl ai ne d ho w " th e pr og ra m " be ga n to s ee m i rr el ev an t to h im : "S ta rt - in g w it h m at h. I f el t th at m at h ha d no th in g to d o w it h m e. " V ic to r: (l au gh in g) A nd m at h is p ro ba bl y th e on ly t hi ng t he y ca n' t te ac h w ro ng un le ss t he y sa y 2 an d 2 is w hi te . P a u l: (n ot l au gh in g) T he y ar e te ac hi ng w hi te n at io na li sm . T he y te ll yo u, w he n yo u ar e 34 , a nd y ou b uy a h om e, yo u' ll b e ab le t o pu t up a f la g po le i f yo u le ar n al ge br a. V ic to r: I ke ep f lu nk in g al ge br a, m an . I m ea n, s er io us ly , I k ee p fl un k- in g al ge br a. T he y w er e la ug hi ng h ar d no w , a nd a ng ry a t th e sa m e ti m e: W ou ld t he y ge t to b e 34 -y ea rs -o ld ? W he re w ou ld t he y bu y a ho us e? W hy w ou ld t he y pu t up a fl ag p ol e? T H E N E X T T IM E I sa w V ic to r, P au l w as n ot t he re . P au l w as s pe nd in g th e af te rn oo n w it h hi s tu te e, a n 11 -y ea r- ol d bo y he i s te ac hi ng t o re ad . B ut h e an d V ic to r ha d ar ra ng ed f or m e to m ee t w it h tw o B en ja m in F ra nk li n H ig h S ch oo l st ud en ts w ho a re p re pa ri ng f or c ol le ge . In c on tr as t to P au l an d V ic to r w ho b ot h ha ve a k in d of g en tl e m an li ne ss , D eb or ah R og er s, 1 7, a nd L ar ry R ea do us , 1 8, s ug ge st ed t he t ee na ge t en si on pr od uc ed b y m im ic ry o f ad ul ts . W he n th ey t al ke d ab ou t "b ei ng b la ck ," t he re w as c on si de ra bl e, n er vo us g ig gl in g. L ar ry e vi de nt ly f el t he h ad t o de fe nd h is i nt en ti on t o en te r a S ou th er n sc ho ol , M or eh ou se C ol le ge , r at he r th an a " w hi te " co ll eg e: " I lo ve b la ck p eo - pl e, I r ea ll y do ." T hi s w as a d ec la ra ti on L ar ry m ad e re pe at ed ly a s th ou gh th e re pe ti ti on a lo ne w ou ld b ol st er i ts s in ce ri ty . at s c oo L a rr y: I ta lk ed w it h on e, b ut n ot w it h m y ow n gu id an ce c ou ns el or . M y ow n co un se lo r sc ar es m e, h e re al ly do es . W he ne ve r I se e hi m , h e' s al w ay s ru sh in g. B ut t he o th er t ea ch er , w he n- ev er I s ee h im , h e al w ay s ha s ti m e. H e st an ds t he re a nd h e w il l sh ak e m y ha nd a nd s ta nd t he re f or a fe w m in ut es . A nd w e ta lk . H e ta lk s w it h m e. I t hi nk h e' s a m ar ve lo us m an , I re al ly d o. ( L ar ry p ro ve d m or e th an w il li ng t o th in k al ou d ab ou t B en ja m in F ra nk li n. ) "I w ou ld n' t re co m m en d th is s ch oo l to m y si st er b ec au se s he 's no t as s tr on g as I a m . T he re 's s o m an y th in gs h er e to r ea ll y dr ag y ou d ow n. I m ea n, f or i ns ta nc e, i t's s o ea sy n ot to g o to cl as s. Y ou c an s ay t o yo ur se lf , I c an ea si ly n ot g o to c la ss . T he t ea ch er w on 't qu es ti on m e be ca us e th er e ar e ve ry f ew te ac he rs w ho 'll s ay , w el l, w he re 's J oh n? I th in k th at m os t te ac he rs c om e he re w it h th e id ea t ha t th es e ki ds a re d um b, i gn or an t, s tu pi d. A nd t he y ge t in t he cl as sr oo m , t he f ir st m on th , a nd s ee t ha t th e ki ds a re u nr ul y an d so f or th , a nd t he y ge t in t he s am e ol d ba g. T he y sa y, I ca n' t m ak e th em k no w a ny th in g. S o th e ki ds l os e a w ho le lo t. A nd I t hi nk t he t ea ch er s do , t oo . B ec au se I w ou ld i m ag - in e a lo t of t ea ch er s re al ly l ov e to t ea ch if t he y' re i n th e bu si ne ss o f te ac hi ng . A nd i t hu rt s ev er yo ne , al l th e w ay ar ou nd ... .( T he re w as a s il en ce . F in al ly L ar ry di st ur be d it :) N o, I ca n' t kn oc k th e sc ho ol . B ec au se t he re 's t oo m uc h ar ou nd th e ki d. T he w ho le e nv ir on m en t af fe ct s th e gr ow th o f a pe rs on . Y ou c an 't de al w it h it o n a le ve l of , o ka y th e ki d co m es t o sc ho ol -i t's ou ts id e th at y ou h av e to s ta rt .W ha t yo u ca n le ar n in c la ss i s so un at ta ch ed t o sl um l if e. ... 14 1 T he U rb an R ev ie w D e b o ra h : (i nt er ru pt in g) B ut w e ha ve s om e of t he t op t ea ch er s he re in t hi s sc ho ol , w ho t ea ch . A nd t he n ag ai n, s om e of t he s tu - de nt s he re , t he y do n' t w an t to w or k. A nd s om e of t he te ac he rs , t he y sh ou ld n' t ke ep t el li ng t he k id s: 'Y ou l iv e in a po ve rt y ar ea , i n a sl um , a nd y ou c an 't ge t ou t. ' W e kn ow w he re w e' re l iv in g. T ea ch u s w ha t yo u' re s up po se d to t ea ch . L ar ry : I sp ok e w it h th e pr in ci pa l an d he s ai d th e ge ne ra l co ur se pr ep ar es t he m f or n ot hi ng . ( V ic to r, w ho w as h el pi ng m e w it h th e ta pe r ec or de r, d id n' t ch an ge e xp re ss io n. ) -a rr y: S o, s om e of u s, a nd a f ew o f th e te ac he rs f or m ed t he F ra nk li n Im pr ov em en t C om m it te e to t ry a nd d o so m et hi ng a bo ut th is . T he " F ra nk li n Im pr ov em en t C om m it te e" w as t he s ec on d st ud en t gr ou p I kn ew . T he f ir st w as " T he F ra nk li n S tu de nt M ov em en t" t o w hi ch V ic to r an d P au l be lo ng . P au l ha d to ld m e ab ou t th e un be li ev ab le b at tl e w ag ed by F S M i n or de r to h av e m or e th an t w o ba th ro om s op en ed fo r th re e th ou sa nd s tu de nt s. E ve nt ua ll y, F S M w on . W e st oo d be tw ee n tw o ba rr en c ol um ns a t th e to p of t he s ch oo l st ai rs . I a sk ed D eb or ah w hy s he d id n' t be lo ng t o F S M . " W el l, " sh e pa rr ie d, " w ha t ha ve t he y do ne ? Ju st t he b at hr oo m s. " V ic to r sa id : "Y ea h, b ut , e ve n ho no r st ud en ts h av e to g o to t he b at hr oo m ." D eb or ah d id n ot r es po nd i m m ed ia te ly . S he w as t hi nk in g ho w t o co m pl et el y di st in gu is h he rs el f fr om V ic to r an d P au l. A t la st , a nd r at he r vi ci ou sl y, s he e xp lo de d: " S om e of y ou p eo pl e do n' t ev en 9! at m e sh e co nt in ue d: " T he 'r e ge ne ra l P a u l: V ic to r: P a u l: V ic to r: P a u l: V ic to r: P a u l: V :c to r: P a u l: V ic to r: P a u l: V ic to r: T h is is a r a ci st c o u n tr y, m a n . T h e re is n o in -b e tw e e n . P au l. H e' s th e w ei rd es t ca t I kn ow . L ik e, I m ea n, w he re d id y ou ge t yo ur l as t na m e? W ha t do y ou m ea n, w he re d id I g et m y na m e? Y ou b et te r ch ec k th at o ut . I d on 't th in k th at 's y ou r la st n am e. I to ld y ou , i t's a s la ve n am e. I t's a s la ve n am e. N o, m an , i t's a n It al ia n na m e. H ow d o yo u kn ow ? Y ou k no w , l ik e th at c ri m in al w ha t L uc ia no i t's a n It al ia n na m e. (s tu bb or nl y) I t's a s la ve n am e. (l os in g pa ti en ce ) B ut m an , d on 't yo u un de rs ta nd in g yo u? T he re w er e no I ta li an s w he n th er e w er e sl av es . M y gr ea t gr an df at he r, h e w as a m er ch an t an I ta li an ch an t. M y gr ea t gr an dm ot he r, s he w as a s la ve i n S pa in . S he w as o ne o f th e sl av es o f th e Q ue en o f S pa in , o r so m eb od y. L u- ci an o, h e w as a m er ch an t; i t w as a nd s ti ll i s a fa m ou s na m e in It al y. H ow d o yo u kn ow t ha t, m an ? w as hi s na m e? L uc ky w ha t I' m ° te ll - m er - th ou sa nd s tu de nt s. E ve nt ua ll y, F S M w on . W e st oo d be tw ee n tw o ba rr en c ol um ns a t th e to p of t he s ch oo l st ai rs . I a sk ed D eb or ah w hy s he d id n' t be lo ng t o F S M . " W el l, " sh e pa rr ie d, " w ha t ha ve t he y do ne ? Ju st t he b at hr oo m s. " V ic to r sa id : "Y ea h, b ut , e ve n ho no r st ud en ts h av e to g o to t he b at hr oo m ." D eb or ah d id n ot r es po nd i m m ed ia te ly . S he w as t hi nk in g ho w t o co m pl et el y di st in gu is h he rs el f fr om V ic to r an d P au l. A t la st , a nd r at he r vi ci ou sl y, s he e xp lo de d: " S om e of y ou p eo pl e do n' t ev en pl an o n go in g to c ol le ge ." L oo ki ng a t m e, s he c on ti nu ed : "T he y' re g en er al st ud en ts . T he y ha ve n o ki nd o f av er ag e. T he y' re n ot hi ng . H ow y ou g on na as k fo r th in gs i f yo u' re n ot hi ng ? T he y do n' t ev en h av e no k in d of a ve ra ge !" I w ai te d fo r V ic to r to s ay s om et hi ng , b ut h e di dn 't. S O M E W E E K S L A T E R , I m et w it h P au l an d V ic to r ag ai n. T he y w er e pr e- oc cu pi ed b y su m m er j ob s; w or ki ng f or S .T .I .R . S pe ci al T ut or in g In R ea di ng , a pr og ra m f in an ce d by t he J ob s C or p an d un de r th e ae gi s of t he C it iz en s' C ou nc il o f C ol um bi a U ni ve rs it y. T he y se em ed p le as ed a nd p ro ud ab ou t th ei r w or k. P a u l : D on 't te ac h m e R ob er t F ro st . H e ha s no th in g to d o w it h m e. D on 't te ll m e ab ou t th e bi rd s an d th e be es o ut i n so m ep la ce l ik e Q ue en s. B ut h is [ V ic to r' s] p oe tr y' s te ll in g m e ab ou t th e be au - ti fu l th in gs i n m y ow n ne ig hb or ho od th in gs I d on 't kn ow ab ou t. T ea ch m e bl ac k hi st or y. T ea ch m e P ue rt o R ic an h is to ry . I' m h er e be ca us e I ha ve t o be no t be ca us e I w an t to b e he re . A s P ue rt o R ic an s, d id t he y co ns id er t he m se lv es b la ck o r w hi te ? P a u l : (q ui ck ly ) I' m a b la ck m an . I 'm a b la ck m an . V i c t o r : W el l, I 'm n ot b la ck a nd I 'm n ot w hi te . I 'm i n- be tw ee n. : st u or n y V i c t o r : (l os in g pa ti en ce ) B ut m an , d on 't yo u un de rs ta nd w ha t I' m t el l- in g yo u? T he re w er e no I ta li an s w he n th er e w er e sl av es . P a u l: M y gr ea t gr an df at he r, h e w as a m er ch an t an I ta li an m er - ch an t. M y gr ea t gr an dm ot he r, s he w as a s la ve i n S pa in . S he w as o ne o f th e sl av es o f th e Q ue en o f S pa in , o r so m eb od y. L u- ci an o, h e w as a m er ch an t; i t w as a nd s ti ll i s a fa m ou s na m e in It al y. V i c t o r : H ow d o yo u kn ow t ha t, m an ? P a u l: I as ke d m y gr ea t gr an dm ot he r. V i c t o r : Y ou a sk ed h er ! W he n? P a u l: L as t C hr is tm as . V i c t o r : (w hi st li ng ) H ow o ld w as s he ? P a u l : A h un dr ed a nd s ix . N ob od y sa id a ny th in g. P au l re la xe d. A m on th a go h e ha d sa id h e w an te d to b e a tr uc k dr iv er . " Ju st g et a t ru ck a nd d ri ve o n th e ro ad . H av e no th in g to do w it h th e m an ." I d id n' t as k hi m w ho se t ru ck h e w ou ld d ri ve , o r w ho w ou ld de te rm in e hi s de st in at io n. T hi s af te rn oo n P au l w as s ay in g he w ou ld j oi n th e M er ch an t M ar in e as s oo n as h e "g ot o ut ." V ic to r co m m en te d on th e co nn ec ti on b et w ee n P au l's l at es t, st at ed a m bi ti on a nd t he I ta li an m er ch an t, L uc ia no . P au l m ad e no r ep ly . T o ch an ge t he s ub je ct , I a sk ed w ha t th ey w an te d to b e: P a u l: B e m ys el f, r ea ll y. G et o ut o f th e co un tr y. V i c t o r : I' m g oi ng t o go o n as a p oe t. I w an t to b e in t ha t si tu at io n w he re I bo th w ri te a nd h el p pe op le . ( H e th ou gh t fo ra w hi le a nd th en s ai d: ) I w an t to t ea ch . P a u l: V i c t o r : T ea ch ! T ea ch w ha t? (f ir m ly ) T ea ch w ha te ve r I kn ow . H el p pe op le b y te ac hi ng . I ha ve b ee n th in ki ng o f V ic to r an d P au l, s tu de nt s in t he " ge ne ra l co ur se " th at p re pa re s th em " fo r no th in g. " I ha ve b ee n th in ki ng of P au l an d hi s pr id e ' of V ic to r an d th e po et ry h e w ri te s an d of D eb or ah w ho w an ts t o "c om e ba ck a nd t ea ch o ur o w n. " I ha ve b ee n th in ki ng ab ou t th e w el l- re he ar se d sp ee ch o f L ar ry w ho w an ts t o "d o ad ve rt is in g fo r th e ge ne ra l pu bl ic ," b ut w ho w il l go t o M or eh ou se C ol le ge b ec au se "I l ov e m y pe op le , I r ea ll y do ." In t hi s ye ar o f D et ro it , t he m os t ho pe fu l th in g I kn ow i s th at t hr ee o f th es e fo ur s tu de nt s w an t to t ea ch . T he m os t ho pe fu l an d th e m os t am az in g tr ut h I kn ow i s th at t w o of t he se s tu de nt s th e tw o w ho w er e pu t at t he b ot to m o f "t he j el ly be an s" a re a lr ea dy t ea ch in g! F or a ll o f th em , fo r D eb or ah a nd P au l an d V ic to r an d L ar ry , t he g oo d an d w or th w hi le l if e is t ie d di re ct ly t o th e fa it hf ul a ct o f te ac hi ng . B ut w ha t w il l ha pp en f or t he m ? W ho w il l ke ep t he ir fa it h? W ha t ha pp en ed fo r th em a t "B en F ra nk li n" w he re I h ad t o ch ec k m y ow n ey es t o se e th at t he re w er e tr ee s yo u ca n' t se e th e tr ee s fo r th e sc ho ol . In a p oe m c al le d "T he J un gl e, " V ic to r ha s w ri tt en : "W e w ou ld n ot b e li ke f lo w er s re st in g de ad i n so m e hi ll ri ot e ve n ge tt in g cr ed it f or i ts c ol or or t he w ay i t sm el ls ." A nd w ha t he w ro te h e m ea ns . Ju ne M ey er i s a yo un g w ri te r an d po et l iv in g in N ew Y or k C it y. S he h as a ls o w or ke d as a r es ea rc he r in t he h ou si ng di vi si on o f M ob il iz ad on f or Y ou th .