1. The Sandusky case created a shock initially, then the media moved on to the next story but am I the only one who wants to make sure that this pervert spends the rest of his life behind bars? If we cannot as a society protect our children, then what good are we?
2. Is there an age limit on Facebook? I heard one little girl at my son's school who couldn't have been more than 10 years-old telling another little girl to Friend her on Facebook so she could follow her updates. Shouldn't there be an age requirement?
3. Why is it that whenever a school shooting or some other tragedy happens in the schools in the suburbs, there is an incredible amount of attention given but the decades of bloodshed in lower economic area schools go virtually ignored?
4. After the movie The Hunger Games, there were scores of white people who were actually upset. Apparently, after reading the book and all of the emotion they felt toward the main characters, they were outraged to discover that the characters were actually black? So they wouldn't feel the same emotion for the loss of black life as they do for white life?
5. I guess that was the point in the movie A Time to Kill where Matthew McConaughey told all of the jury to imagine that the girl was white, then and only then did they view it as horrible. I know this is not an accurate representation of how most white people think, but are there a lot of white people who even in 2012 actually think like this?
6. I saw a clip where Governor Jesse Ventura was advocating the return of corporal punishment in Minnesota schools. In his words, "I was paddled as a boy, and it didn't hurt me. It was just humiliating." Does he really think public paddling is the answer to all behavioral issues with kids in school? Why is society so focused on punishment without finding out the root cause for the behavior, or do they simply not care?
7. What is the rationale of suspension from school? Doesn't that amount to a vacation for most kids?
8. I accidentally gave my son Malcolm my daughter's Princess and the Frog cup and he said, "Daddy I can't drink out of this, it's for girls" and seriously was not interested in drinking it. He would rather have gone thirsty then drink out of his little sister's cup. Was it really that serious?
9. My son Malcolm asked me if the smoke from my incense had the same negative effect to people's lungs as cigarette smoke. He also said he didn't understand why anyone would choose to smoke cigarettes when there is so much information about how bad it is for them. Isn't it amazing that a 6 year-old can have such a clear understanding of that, but so many adults don't ?
10. How much funnier is The Cosby Show once you actually have kids? It is one of our favorite shows in my house, and I have seen all of the episodes before growing up and over the years, but when you actually have kids and can relate, doesn't it just become 10 times funnier than it already was?
11. How cute was little Rudy Huxtable ?
12. Can you believe Rudy Huxtable is now 34 years-old? Goodness, time flies with child actors and actresses.
13. Isn't it amazing how persuasive kids can be and how they can change your entire routine and how you feel no longer matters, but it becomes all about them? I tried to tell Imani, "Listen, Daddy is too tired to play with you. I'm a free agent this summer and I'm working out and trying to get my wind back so I can work out for these teams, and daddy is tired." She hit me with the "sad-little-girl-daddy-manipulation" eyes and said, "But daddy, you promised that when the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 4, you would have a tea party with me -- and Princess Tiana and Princess Jasmine and Princess Ariel are all downstairs at the table waiting for us." As you can guess, I didn't take a nap that day
14. I heard a little kid on the plane ask his dad why there are flotation devices at the bottom of every seat on the plane and not parachutes. The dad said he didn't know and told his son to ask the people in charge. So he asked all the flight attendants as well as the pilots. Isn't it great to encourage your kids to not only be inquisitive but to seek answers ?
15. Me and Malcolm were in the food court at the mall and we heard this group of men who happened to be white discussing how one of them was being accused of being racist at his job. He then said that he can't be racist because look at how many black Facebook friends he has. Malcolm being the inquisitive boy he is, asked me what does it mean that he has black Facebook friends? They heard his question and looked at us and I looked back at them shaking my head, and said it means absolutely nothing, but isn't that amazing that the guy actually used Facebook friends as his defense ?
16. Why do they make cribs and little baby strollers, toys, etc. one-size-fits-all as if all babies are the same size? My daughter Sierra is following the tradition of all my kids of growing out of her crib way before she is supposed to. Don't they know all babies are not the same height ?
17. Why do my kids Malcolm and Imani act as if it's a big surprise every night when it's bedtime as if it's not the same exact time every night ?
18. Why when my kids have the opportunity to sleep in, they wake up 10 to 15 minutes later than they usually have to for school?
19. Why is it such a struggle for them to wake up for school, but no problem at all for them waking up for Saturday morning cartoons?
20. Me and Imani were on a date and these people who happened to be black were trying hard to talk to some Hispanic ladies and the ladies didn't speak English. Imani asked me why do they think that if they speak English louder then the people will understand them? And why don't they learn to speak Spanish instead of trying to force them to speak English? Lol I couldn't stop laughing because she was exactly right.
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17. Because they harbor the sincere hope that YOU will forget it is bedtime if they don't say anything
18. Annoying but every sleep specialist says that getting up at the same time of day (and going to bed) is the best way for optimal sleep. Clearly you are doing something right about putting them to bed - so they wake up. At least it is later and not earlier...
19. School = not fun because it is required (regardless of what you are doing). Cartoons = always fun and likely not a daily activity
20. Yes I can't stand when people talk LOUDER as if others will magically develop the language learned. However it is debatable as to which person in the exchange 'should' learn the language. A tourist in Italy will mostly not find signs in English yet Americans expect it. At the same time, if you travel to a country with a language you do not know then it would behoove you to learn it quickly or have some way to translate.
Ultimately I get tired of articles where race is the center issue. Until people stop 'seeing' it - it will ALWAYS be an issue.
10. You mention the Cosby Show - how about Married with Children or some other family show that has white people? Is there a reason you specifically said THIS show?
11. yes she was
12. yes it is shocking!
13. This is because you want and can be involved with your child who actively wants to be with you too. Hallmarks of a great relationship.
14. Yes this is wonderful - questioning why - as frustrating as it can be - is how kids learn and how new things are developed. If the Wright Brothers never said 'why can't we fly?' rather than 'humans don't fly' things would be different.
15. While I know the racial comment is related to white having black friends - 1. the heart of the matter is the most troublesome. I have seen plenty of people of ALL racial types discriminate against others - blacks against white, hispanics against white/black, even asians against others as well. 2. Sure the facebook argument is silly but people want 'proof' that you are (or are not) racist. It is significantly more common to have a white employer be called racist by a black employee regardless of grounded fact. Certainly sometimes it is true - other times perhaps not.
7. This isn't a new issue - but it is considered best for other students and more importantly the entire class to have the problem student removed. Back when suspension was started kids didn't get to go hang out and play video games or whatever - they had to face their parents and were duly punished to the point that being IN school was preferable. Goes back to that paddleing comment...
8. You comment about racial stereotypes but have somehow managed to develop gender stereotypes in your son. Is it a big deal for a kid to drink out of the 'wrong' cup - clearly yes. Now your roll is to teach him that the answer is no
1. Yes others are worried about the Sandusky deal but it will be months if not years before it goes to trial and other things are going on
2. Facebook says it is for 13 and over but there are even parents that start pages for their kids
3. It is about the shock value - bloodshed via gang fights are typical, 1 quiet kid going on a rampage is not. Should it be typical no but that isn't the point. New = news.
4. I have no idea what you are talking about but ultimately people imagine characters of any novel to look like they do - it starts as kids and is perfectly normal. As for the 'human reaction' - I have no idea what was said but in general it is always easier to relate to a situation you know.
5. That movie (and book) were staged in a very difficult time in 1982 in Mississippi. It is rather obnoxious to assume that it is a prevailing thought today. That said I'm sure there are people who may act the same - of any race. It goes back to #4
See the Ugly truth about School Corporal Punishment, shocking injuries to students Kindergarten through Twelfth grade YouTube video Trailer for Documentary "The Board of Education" by Jared Abrams at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vt4v7KsFi8 School employees are Immune from criminal/civil charges leaving no legal remedy! Some State Laws, including Florida and Tennessee, do Not require parental consent or notification to inflict Pain as Punishment in school, yet it is Illegal in Schools in Nashville and 31 U.S. States! Spanking can be sexual abuse http://nospank.net/101.htm
Watch short YouTube Video of Montel Williams, 2007 Supreme Court of The United States complicit in child abuse/beatings of minor schoolchildren no legal remedy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu20PSLcJIw
U.S. Organizations Opposed to Corporal Punishment in Schools http://www.stophitting.com/index.php?page=usorgs
School Spanking, known as Corporal Punishment, is discriminatorily applied to boys, minority, disabled and low-income students. http://www.hrw.org/reports/2009/08/11/impairing-education-0
Sign Petition to End School Corporal Punishment at http://www.change.org/petitions/support-h-r-3027-to-end-corporal-punishment-in-us-public-schools