Diversity. I never knew that word until I stepped into a continuation school in Piedmont. I didn't think anything of it because I'm used to seeing all types of people everyday. But because I look Mexican, Piedmont threw me into a diversity club which was mandatory for me to go to school there. The club had 90% of the people that were in the continuation school in it and a few from Piedmont high that were white people. There was still a line the kids from Piedmont high were on one side and the continuation school on the other. There would be questions that we had to answer and start a discussion. Half the time we weren't listening, they knew nothing about us so why are they trying the only time they would talk to us was when we were in the club so what was the point? So our group would come up with bullshit answers because we just didn't care. Our group didn't understand why diversity to them was such a big deal. Then our group started to realize we are the only different looking people here and they are not use to that. Then another question came up, why should we accommodate them? Why should we be here? To do what? To show teachers that we get along? To see that all the kids are tolerant? Or was it to make the school look better to say hey we have a diversity club? So to us that weren't white we just didn't care. It wasn't helping us it just wasn't another hour.
The one good class that was mandatory to take was anger management. To me that was a great class we got to talk about what was going on at home and what made us upset, happy, etc... We got to talk about emotions and got to speak freely to the counselor. He didn't treat us like teachers did he actually listened and asked questions. Sometimes he even did one on ones. He felt like he cared and gave us tips on how to control our anger. He related to us and told us personal things about him which made me open up more.
We were teenagers, we had no idea where we are going on in life. We did what we are told and went where we were supposed to go. I saw kids sleep through class, I saw kids skip school, I saw kids give up. Our home lives were a mess, some of my friends didn't have beds to sleep in, no food at home, and younger siblings to look after. A lot of time I didn't go to school because I was taking care of my brother and sister so my mom and dad could work to pay rent. I don't blame them for that I wanted my home i didn't want to get kicked out of where we were staying. I wanted to help and that was my downfall. Teachers thought I didn't care because I didn't go to class and I was trying to do my best. My counselor was the only one who stood up for me and explained my situation. But some kids were so far gone it was impossible to pick them back up. My counselor said, "You can only lead a horse to water but the horse has to choose to drink it."
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