A Proper Disagreement

Children are My Business: A Proper Disagreement

Back Story: On Thursday, October 23, 2014, the wonderful children and young adult author, Jacqueline Woodson received the above video posted to her FB wall.  Because I value her work, I became intrigued with her   response to endorse this video with a purchase of a tee shirt or a sweatshirt.  

Immediately I was offended by the title, “F-Bombs for Feminism” and before I passed judgment, I viewed the video in its entirety and was terribly bothered.

It is not my intent to be at war with Ms. Woodson who has given children of color a unique voice in literature but, I strongly advocate against any form of child abuse, no matter how subtle, and I encourage adults who are in position to be role models to be careful as to what they endorse for children as activists.

Below I have posted the thread of posts that ignited a disagreeable discourse between a children’s librarian and a children’s author.

By the way, I am very fond of Ms. Woodson’s work (Locomotion is a favorite) and I will continue to place her works on the list of books for children and young adults to read.

Robin Muldor to Jacqueline Woodson...Am I missing something here? Really Miss? Since when do we use children to fight adult battles or issues... particularly if it doesn't benefit their current state in childhood? I find this to be appalling and abusive. “The devil is a liar.” You are a children's and young adult author, and a mother, and you mean to tell me that you condone children using street vernacular or profane language (Miss. Author who has supposedly mastered the King’s English) so that you can order a tee shirt. Wow, disturbing and unbelievable. Please don't use our children, they are going through enough.

Karen Clark to Robin Muldor Initially, I found this a disturbing video - it is startling to see these "adorable little girls" shouting out these words, indeed. But I think that's the point. Every single one of them is going to grow up and - far too soon - have to deal with the issues they are raising, namely, rape, financial inequality, and a culture of violence and disrespect towards women" that "keeps them in their place" by telling them to be sweet, pliable and decorative, and never under any circumstances to raise their voices in protest in the same language employed by males, because then they're not "nice." There is a lot of food for thought in this video, and it runs far deeper than the surface shock value of having a bunch of pretty little girls in princess outfits shouting out four-letter words. When they point out that "One out of five women will be raped in her lifetime," count off from one to five and demand, "Which one of us will it be?" - the fact that they are speaking a statistical truth is far more of an obscenity than merely uttering a word that used to get Lenny Bruce, the groundbreaking comic and social critic who also employed shock-value words to get his point across, put in jail. What's the real despoiler of innocence here - the fact that they were given a script with this language, or the fact that they are living in a society in which they are, in fact, going to feel afraid to walk to their own car at night after leaving a job for which they are nt being paid according to their merits and deserts

Robin Muldor  to Karen Clark, it is not so much the f... word that is bothersome ( as a child I know I used some choice of words that would make some cringe, and if my grandmother had found out  she would have punished me for it ) it's the overall message of allowing children to fight adult battles. We are a doubled jointed society. We want the children to "stay in a child's place" only when we see fit. It is the adult’s responsibility to make sure all children's futures are secured, not the other way around. Yes, we should bring them into the fold of awareness but we shouldn't put them on the battle field at such tender ages...they lose a sense of innocence. If adults use prudence and wisdom that comes with living and maturing, then we wouldn't have to have children help fight our battles. I advocate on behalf of the wellbeing (the holistic approach) of all children.

Jacqueline Woodson to Robin Muldor And it's true, children are fighting these battles. I know I was before I could even talk - and always was grateful for any way to be empowered these battles. We have to have the 'talk' with our Black Boys. We have to have yet another talk with our daughters. They are not immune as much as we want them to be. As children, we live in two worlds, the world of both adult and child, sadly. They are not 'protected' no matter how much we want to protect them. But if they are lucky, they are loved and safe and well-fed and getting prepared to have the tools to walk out as strong people into the adult world. Our work as adults is to guide them as best we can. That said, this facebook page is for my friends who are not judging what I post and by the way, I don't speak any "King's English", thank you. If you're looking for Jacqueline Woodson, Author -- that's my Fan Page which young people ARE allowed to view. Please don't use this page as a space to judge what I post. Thanks.

Robin Muldor to Jacqueline Woodson, I always say, I stand to be corrected and can learn from another's point of view. What is judgment? If by me not seeing "eye - to - eye with you on this issue and not being afraid to say so, and if I can only agree with everything thing you say to consider myself friendly, then out of respect for your feelings of being bothered or offended with my point of view, then I must  bow  out of your fold... The judgment is in the passion I hold as a child’s advocate and I don't compromise.

 Please click onto link to  view video http://vimeo.com/109573972

Children Can and Want to Learn

Readers Theater at the Library

I enjoy being a children’s librarian but the art of teaching is my first love. Therefore, the joy of working alongside teachers and collaborating jointly on lessons helps me create and experience those teachable moments I once enjoyed while in the classroom.

To make sure that my story times are an effective part of the students' learning experiences while visiting the library, I have aligned my lessons against the Pennsylvania Common Core standards in English & Language Arts and the mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia, to advance literacy, guide learning, and to inspire curiosity.

These lessons introduce new and challenging concepts that will bring about active listening and critical or higher order thinking and writing.

These lessons expose students to a variety of genres, enhancing fluency and comprehension.

This school year, I have decided to teach readers’ theater: reading, writing and thinking. It is a participatory unit of  lessons engaging  reading, performing in groups, and developing scripts with the overall goal of performing a play for the entire student body at the local school.

I was pleasantly surprised during our fourth session how quickly the children were able to grasp the concept of work -shopping.

They listened to their group members read, and then scored them accordingly, providing a narrative  justifying their scoring.

View the rubric and read the feedback from one of the fifth grade students.

Take note, while these lessons are in the beginning stages, the beginning is looking very bright… proving that children want to and can learn.

I Believe in All Children

Young people are the solution and not the problem

In most preschool classes, children are taught how to identify positive forces in their communities. They come in the form of “community helpers”: doctors, judges, teachers, social workers, librarians, law enforcement, et cetera. And yet, some of these role models have contributed to children’s unacceptable behaviors.

Since the late 20th century, these individuals have been harmful spectators, finding contempt for young people and their supposedly incorrigible ways. I would like to question why? Why is there contempt for children when the blasé attitudes from some adults and their improper interactions with these children have created the very behaviors which are now despised? What about the authority that have used laws to flip the script on parenting, stripping away rights and placing an unprecedented amount into the hands of children, the type of rights that are driving society insane.

Are parents not their children’s first role models; responsible for guiding their decision- making process? Why aren’t they monitoring their children’s time of leisure, setting boundaries and teaching them codes of behavior that are consistent with societal principles? Assuming that parents are providing basic necessities: food, clothing and shelter—why aren’t they investing in the importance of education? If parents aren’t sure how this thing called parenting works— is it not practical to seek professional assistance through counseling, workshops or religious guidance?

Why are doctors swift to prescribe psychotropic medications (drugs) before suggesting natural methods that could potentially eradicate such disorders as— attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)? Are doctors incapable of recommending behavioral modification plans, and advising that meals be prepared using fresh fruits, vegetables and liquids without harmful dyes that can trigger hyperactivity and loss in concentration?

Why would certified-qualified teachers say that a child born with a brain can’t learn?

What happened to the educator’s brain that makes him or her unable to transmit pedagogical knowledge in a way that would excite a child’s brain into cooperation?

What librarian works with children and never facilitates the joy of reading? Is reading not a prerequisite in the field of library science? Is it hard for them to comprehend that not only are they conduits through which information is filtered, they too are teachers.

When determining placement, how can social workers justify taking shortcuts? And when has it ever been sensible not to monitor a child’s wellbeing? How much does a child have to pay for moral obligations? Have they forgotten about pernicious forces lurking for prey: molesters, pedophiles, rapists and yes, murderers? Protection cannot be negotiated. Just as Antwone Fisher wants to know…Who Will Cry For the Little Boy? Well, the children want to know… who will see about them?

Why would police officers go on a high speed chase with juveniles, causing loss of life for something that could be recovered with insurance? Why target someone based on a dress code? Who asked police officers to be society’s fashionista? Are they not aware of today’s workforce apparel? And why would judges sentence juveniles into a penal system that will further strip away their innocence before seeking justice that values their importance?

Why would newsmakers use media lenses to peddle our children— glorifying street vernacular, sex, drugs, violence and thuggish ways, only to gain ratings—instead of searching for exposure that will magnify the good in children?

Why are we not curious about the academically inclined? Are they not noteworthy of red carpet coverage, the same magnitude of coverage given to that of great athletes like LeBron James and Allen Iverson?

Why would “mature” seasoned adults sit around blathering about how children are running amok and turning the world topsy-turvy? Why passively watch the future of our children slip away? What type of psychological attitude do watchers possess?

If some adults are bent on a laissez-faire attitude towards the woes of our children, then let us look towards their peers as to how they were able to achieve in the midst of their storms. Let us look towards their efforts as possible solutions to problems confronting their generation.

Eighteen year old Cameron Clarke was raised in Mount Airy section of Philadelphia where he attended Germantown Academy. With hard work, discipline, and parental guidance, he was able to score a perfect 2400 on his SATs; one of 360 students who did so nationwide, out of a total of 1.66 million young people who took the exam in 2012. What a prime example of “your discipline will determine your destiny.”

MK Asante, the product of a broken family, grew up on the mean streets of Philadelphia and was left to understand life on his own when his father walked away. Thereafter, his mother became mentally unstable, and his brother was incarcerated. It was not until he had enrolled at an alternative school that he would have an epiphany— discovering purpose and searching for what life could mean for him. Today, he is an award-winning filmmaker, hip-hop artist, and writer.

What remained vital in the lives of these two individuals were the adults needed to guide potentiality into actuality— producing future leaders.

Let us not forget that children do what they do because of what they have experienced, and they are not the problem but the solution.

By Robin R. Muldor

8/26/2014 #children

Read more (95 lines)

The Republic Depleted Value for Education

 

I hate to say it but I called it back in the late 80's/ early 90's . I said because there appeared to be a severe depreciation for education, there might come a time when one might have to pay for it, just as those when  formal education first came into existence.  There was a social worker  who adamantly rebuked such a notion  saying that no one's constitutional right( it's the law) can be violated .What he failed to understand was, the constitution is a living document , therefore, laws can be "changed" or "amended". Basically, if  "We the People" aren't careful to regain the respect we once held for the institution of public/free education, there just might be a terrible diversion and education will  be only for those who can afford to pay for it. #education