There’s a scholar that I used to teach. His name is Stan. He’s wild. We’re really close and he often reaches out to me to keep me updated. Trust me. You want to read everything this child has to say.
Got my weekly call from Stan today. School has begun. Stan seems to have issues with all of his teachers...
Me: So tell me about your day...
Stan: There’s not much to tell. I was in and out of the dean’s office all day.
Me: It’s DAY TWO!
Stan: Actually, its day 233 of the actual year. I learn all year round.
Me: Okay Stan. Why were you in the dean’s office?
Stan: Because I gave the teachers advice.
Me: What kind of advice?
Stan: Well, the art teacher didn’t know what she was doing.
Me: What made you think that?
Stan: She was talking about all the compositions that we were gonna make and stuff but I couldn’t focus. She was wearing a yellow suit with a yellow shirt.
Me *stifles laughter*: Well what makes you think that she can’t teach...
Stan: How you gonna teach me about compositions and you can’t compose yourself?
Me: Stan...
Stan: Then she gonna ask me to step outside because I said she looked like the character from The Mask.
Me: Why would you...
Stan: She started talking about making Ponce Masks...she brought it on herself.
Me: How did you end up in the office?
Stan: I tried to take the pass on my way out because I needed to use the bathroom and she said no.
Me: Well she had good reason...
Stan: For me not to pee?! Nah.
Me: Well what did she say to you when she stepped outside?
Stan: She didn’t say anything because she was too busy yelling about the pass!
Talking about, “Stan, if you don’t put that pass back on the hook and wait outside...we’re going to have a problem.”
I don’t believe that we should assign “homework” to elementary/middle school students. I wanted to “full stop” this, but my Facebook wanted to continue the debate.
Here’s what I have to say to those that are upset about the statement:
We are indoctrinating scholars to do the very thing we write self-help articles about. You read bulletpoint lists about closing the laptop, not answering work emails, and turning off devices after your 9-hour workday but...
..........scholars are required to spend an extra 3-4 hours on work after 9 hours of school?
On July 25th, 2017, my cousin Zanu G. Simpson was murdered after leaving a party. We mourned. Today, Queens will rename Hollis Avenue after you. Cousin, the black officers have the streets blocked off and they will not move until every speech is done. Today, we celebrate you.
Hollis Avenue is now Zanu G Simpson Way. ✊🏾
Whole hood showed up. Zanu we love you!
“Live everyday like its your birthday.” —Zanu Simpson
On this day, in 1963, four girls in their Sunday dresses, were murdered when four members of the Ku Klux Klan planted at least 15 sticks of dynamite attached to a timing device beneath the steps of the African American 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
My mother turned one, the day before this tragedy. We celebrated her 56th birthday, yesterday. Let that sink in.
These are not 5 fast facts you need to know. I will not wade in shallow paragraph history that’s in our textbooks. I will not treat it as if this pain doesn’t resound right now. I will immerse myself in it. I will call history out as it repeats itself. I will name it.
Been M.I.A. on social media. I mean, I'm always on it with the articles, but I lost complete control over consistent content once the school year started. I'm doing the work. I love it. I'm tired, but I love it. I'm not tied to it for any reason other than my students.
My PR/branding friends have been shaming me about not growing my following. My besties have been shaming me about not finding time. My family shakes their head when I lug my large bags in and out of my home. *cues @fatbellybella*
But this week, I finally had some time to get my head above water. I probably had 2 hours of free time within the last three days & honestly, they should've been spent sleeping. Instead, the moment I got home from my 9 to 5...I jumped into my company: @LangstonLeague
The #GeoffreyOwens ordeal really bothered me. I haven’t spent much time on social media these days, because I’m immersed in the work. I’m finalizing summer clients, starting the school year, and trying to find free time to still be a creative. This is the hustle.
When I came across the article, the first thing that left my lips was: SO?
We are all out here juggling and balancing in our own ways to stay afloat and sane. What is it about “celebrity” that negates humanity?
The blue check doesn’t stop the bills, it doesn’t make the deductibles lower (I’m looking AT YOU health insurance), and it most certainly doesn’t guarantee opportunity. It’s surface. & until I can walk this earth without worrying about finance...I will always HUSTLE.
It’s been exactly 1 year since this clip went viral. It’s been an amazing journey. However, my journey started long before this educational remix. It started the moment I realized that the classroom was the biggest stage I’d ever perform on.
In 2009, a woman that did work in juvenile detention centers & group homes saw me perform spoken word. She said, “I think you’d change the life of some of the kids I work with.” I’d never imagined myself as a teacher until this moment.
I spent the next three years tutoring and teaching creative writing to teen girls. I had the guidance of a mentor that would not allow me to keep my talent a secret. She pushed me to incorporate my rhymes in my lessons. She encouraged me adding elements of game playing.