Quote:
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch
No. That's not the correct lesson. That could never happen to me, or millions of others who've never touched drugs let alone hardcore ones like Coke mixed with alcohol. It isn't random - it's a choice.
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I wondered if you were going to take this position. I taught at a school where one of my students got beaten up by four people in a rival gang after he tried to stop selling dime bags. He choose to say no, and he got beaten within an inch of his life. He's now hustlin' again, and indicated to the staff that he feels like he doesn't have a choice.
It's easy to say "no" when you've never had to choose between being a poverty and relying on vice for a livelihood. While a boy at my school tried to get out of my life, many don't, in my district (KCK) there were 5th graders who had parole officers because they learned to hustle in their communities. It's because of this that many don't see the risks of engaging in that lifestyle, because it's all they've ever known. Jose Fernandez could be the wake up call because he
demonstrates that the risk is there for even those at the top of the societal ladder. He also illustrates the collateral damage that he's left behind for the victims in his family. This removes any glamour associated with this "life", and told in the right way, could inspire a village to make real changes in their communities. Maybe it wouldn't work, but we know the alternative of the "Just Say No" narrative has been nothing but a colossal failure in our society.
If you want to preach the merits of that failed campaign, I won't stop you. With respect, we're not likely going to find a common ground on this subject, PB, so I'm going to bow out now. I'll catch you in a Royals thread sometime soon.