I tried to pay attention but they classes wasn't interesting

I was a good student growing up. I got mostly good grades. But I also had a penchant (more like ill skill) for falling asleep during class. Sometimes I would be in the back row, hidden from conspicuous view. Yet, I did end up mad obvious with mine as well. But anyways, I came out alright. I didn't miss too much during that REM sleep. So my dunny HC over at GhettoUprising said something not long ago that still resonates in my mind. Basically, the gist of his notion was (verbatim):

It must be some shT to try to save "“urban youth,"” then have to work with a grown-up urban youth to do it.

I don't know about you, but that whole concept just introduces an entirely sharp contrast in thought to any normal daily grind thinking. It's almost akin to me being "in education" while pumping Dead Prez's "They Schools" on WinAmp. The paradox poses intriguing issues of struggle versus progress, right versus wrong, pity versus purpose, and fate versus fatality.

Maybe I'm just being a bit too simple-minded with it though. And it's not as though I echo those same sentiments that HC does because, frankly, I have been pleasantly delighted to work with the various peoplthroughoutut the Boston Public that I've come across. But really though...it still don't mean everything is all gravy. We have our share of crime, youth violence, gang beef, and old-a$$-men-who-have-yet-to-become-grown-a$$-men. But without stopping short of wiping the slate clean, it's the hardest thing in the world to reshape someone's entire paradigm, nahmean? I could kick it to the choir for days, but who would really be hearing me like that?

I actually ended up going off on this tangent because of this
this article about how Oprah was ragging on Baltimore's Education Climate. Much like Boston, Baltimore is a major city with an inner-city that is a shell of itself. On one hand, you can see the hope and promise of a better of tomorrow. But for sake of humanity, you cannot figure out when tomorrow will become today. When will the talk result in action. Will we keep thinking or will we start doing? I saw a re-run of one of The Wire's episodes last night and recalled my anticipation for the new season, which is rumored to be focused on the public schools in Baltimore. Plus, I spoke with a high school principal not long ago and he very emphatically lamented about the need for Black male teachers. In my mind, I was thinking we need more black male students and graduates, too.

A brother can work in fast food if he can't invent computer games
-Bulworth

Of course I'm biased about steering the li'l duns towards STEM careers, but hell as long as they are being steered in the right direction, that's all good with me. So I'll chill out this weekend, recover from the huge headache the midget inflicted the last 48 hours, get some work and cleaning done, and take some time to flesh out some personal and professional goals and 2-3-year plans so I can maintain some clarity and focus on shT. Because the never-ending quest for making this hood good is still on. Roll those sleeves up first though, fam. Who's riding dirty with me?

...you know they math class aint important 'less you addin up cash
In multiples, unemployment aint rewardin
They may as well teach us extortion
You either get paid or locked up, the pricipal is like a warden
In a four year sentence, mad n!gga$ never finish
But that doesn't mean I couldn't be a doctor or a dentist
-Dead Prez, "They Schools"