"Poll question: Should 5th graders be shown videos about prison?
"
My son's substitute teacher had a discussion about choices. the topic started of with Lebron. Him growing up under single parenthood, being introduced to sports and choosing that lane.
Then onto the more recent story of a Spelman student who's 14 years old. She apparently knew what she wanted a 8 years old. I guess that's Spelman.
Next was consequences of certain choices, which included some video of prison life.
I don't know about you, but I don't think my 10 yr should know what the hole means. I was good with everything about choices, with the exception of the showing a vid. that's doing too much.
yeah, we're in an information age but that was too far for me. I'd be fine if she'd just stated what the possible outcomes could be. showing it and my kid coming home with jail terminology aint it.
2. "I knew about prison, drugs, crime, diseases and death..." In response to Reply # 0
...early in life. As far back as I can remember, so the lessons probably got started really early. Growing up in the city, understanding the pitfalls is critical to avoiding them.
I grew up in the city too and learned a lot of stuff from the streets. don't remember what age I came into that knowledge.
knowing of it didn't necessarily make me or my folks stop doing dumb stuff. it actually made it seem like it wasn't so bad since so many of my peers and elders had been living that life.
you don't have to see a vid to avoid it some things. the message about consequences could've simply been stated rather than shown.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79594 posts
Fri Jan-10-20 03:42 PM
5. "Do you let your kids surf TV?" In response to Reply # 0
Asking because every channel seems to have prison life. Was this his first time hearing about prison life?
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
6. "he watchs cartoons and has prolly seen" In response to Reply # 5
a few movies with the bad guy going to jail. those are fictional tho.
no, this isn't his first time hearing about it. we talk to him about making good decisions and potential outcomes of black boys when not doing so. so he's aware. this just seems extra to me.
8. "I don't think so. Not in the context of "choices" at least." In response to Reply # 0 Fri Jan-10-20 04:08 PM by Brew
And especially when using LeBron as an example of a "choice." He's gifted as fuck and a lot of things had to go his way other than his gift in order for him to get where he is.
Most disadvantaged people don't have or make the "choice" and end up in prison anyway.
It's way more complex and nuanced for a 5th grader to possibly understand, IMO.
So I don't think this should be introduced to them, at least not in this context. And *definitely* not by a teacher. Let the parents handle that type of subject matter until maybe high school, when their brains are more developed and better able to comprehend the complexities of systemic racism, oppression, poverty, socioeconomic disadvantages and classism, etc. which would lead to prison moreso than just "choice" itself in a vacuum.
the context is part of the issue. most kids aren't going to be an all world ball player or a gifted teen in college. life doesn't work like that for most.
I thought about talking about the lack of choices because of systems, but decided not to.
hopefully, she sends me the vid so I can see what is really shows. if nothing else, I can use this to talk more about things and give him more of the nuances.
Atillah Moor Member since Sep 05th 2013 13825 posts
Fri Jan-10-20 04:56 PM
11. "If this were a homogeneous society or mostly so I'd say it's ok" In response to Reply # 0
But with the school to prison pipeline being a very real thing my concern is it would more likely be used to familiarize our group (primarily) with prison.
Music already pushes a pro violence pro incarceration message and then you get more desensitizing at school is how I see it playing out.
______________________________________
Everything looks like Oprah kissing Harvey Weinstein these days
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
General Discussion
(5 votes)
(1 votes)
