by Chanell Marshall (4/17/10)
by Chanell Marshall (4/17/10)
On April 17 2010, we officially kicked off the Suspension Stories project with a day-long event at Depaul University. Over 75 people attended workshops focused on challenging the school to prison pipeline. As part of this event, there were several writing and art-based workshops. We collected some of the writing that was produced at the event and will share it here.
Teacher-Student Blues by M.L. DeFino
By Chanell Marshall (4/17/10)
SCHOOLS ARE LIKE PRISONS
Schools are like prisons because both institutions changed my sister’s life. A lot of the opportunities she wasn’t able to take advantage of were because they didn’t care what her story was. Neither do. The people up-top are making decisions that end up changing people’s lives. They half-assedly try to shape people’s lives. Things of such a psychological and sociological matter should not be left to people who consider it their job. You see, these places are as helpful as being chained in a dark room, the key lying in one of the corners.
But, I’m glad I know this cause now I can help those who need it. I’m thankful for those that helped me. The programs at my school that were aimed to help a ‘sista’ out were available to others. The programs at the jails helped educate my brother.
But don’t be fooled we don’t just need reform. We need total reparation to the broken systems. We need to, as a society, look at the horrific situations and just be real about their existence. Women shackled to the stirrups, can’t move, givin birth in a jail. Students going to school. Hearded masses passing through the metal detectors. Don’t forget your ID. $1 for a replacement, but that was lunch money to buy my chips. Yelling by security guards with a bad temper and stanky breath. There’s no escape just like in jail. There’s no choice. You are there for a certain time and once you get out of the system it has changed you – both school and jail.
By Marta Aguila (High School Student written on at Suspension Stories event — April 17th 2010).
By Chanell Marshall (4/17/10) - Neighborhood Writing Alliance Adult Workshop
MURMURS
In school I could hear the murmur of voices
reading, laughing. They seeped into the hallway
under the gap beneath the door.
There were portraits of important people,
important white men
up on the wall in the entryway
under a slightly tattered American flag.
They looked like the ghosts of order.
We knew they’d be there watching,
making sure we didn’t
step too far out of line.
Now, the entryways have metal detectors,
giant rectangular gates.
Instead of a “hello,”
Students are greeted with an
“I don’t trust you.”
In school I could smell
ink and paint,
those hopeful chemicals
that spill words and dreams
into the world.
Now you smell
fear.
By Erin Moore
Written on April 17th 2010 Suspension Stories event in “There’s No Comparison for Adults” workshop facilitated by the Neighborhood Writing Alliance. In this workshop, adult participants recalled and wrote about a time from their youth that mirrors the school discipline situations today which sometimes end in arrest.
Dear Rodney,
Ms. Grockis told me about your situation under house arrest. And that your brother is, too. I also heard the 2 of you’ve figured out how to trick the ankle bracelets a little so you can sit across the street. I like that.
I don’t like it because, as an adult who’s trying to be a good model for you, I don’t want to encourage rule breaking. I like it because you’re smart and this proves it. I hope you see that.
You’ve been dealt a bad hand being born where you were. Your circumstances are not your fault yet they will be if you don’t take action to work out of it. Your teachers can help you. I can help you. Remember the photographs you took on our Day of Service? That was all you, man; I just pointed you in the right direction. You have so much power inside you to be whatever you want to be. But you’ve going to have to work hard. Harder than I had to and I know how hard that was. Come talk to me or I’ll find you.
By Rachel Shine.
Written on April 17th 2010 Suspension Stories event in “There’s No Comparison for Adults” workshop facilitated by the Neighborhood Writing Alliance. In this workshop, adult participants recalled and wrote about a time from their youth that mirrors the school discipline situations today which sometimes end in arrest.
Where I grew up, and the school I went to is totally different from Chicago and Chicago Public schools. I grew up in a small rural town in West Central Illinois. My environment was carefree. Kids were able to ride their bikes outdoors without supervision, and parents felt comfortable about this. I was never scared to go to school because there was nothing to be scared of. The community I grew up in didn’t have gangs or much violence. Where I grew up children were free to act like children.
Chicago and Chicago Public School are totally opposite from my experience. Children in Chicago, I don’t feel are free. They don’t get to go outside, worry free. They do have to worry about gangs and violence. They even have to worry about getting shot. Another thing that is different is that children in Chicago ARE afraid to come to school. School should be a safe environment, but children don’t feel that way and they have a right to feel this way. Gangs, drugs, and violence infiltrate the school. On top of this, school is made out to seem like prison. There are police, security guards, metal detectors and bars on the windows. Who wouldn’t feel safe in this environment? Schools need to look at these environments and find a solution to make children feel safe. Every child should feel safe, like I did growing up and going to school. It’s a shame that most of the children in Chicago do not feel this way. This is a disservice to them.
By Amanda Prather
Written on April 17th 2010 Suspension Stories event in “There’s No Comparison for Adults” workshop facilitated by the Neighborhood Writing Alliance. In this workshop, adult participants recalled and wrote about a time from their youth that mirrors the school discipline situations today which sometimes end in arrest.
