hmm never thought about that...oh that? yea I did Promt 4-johnson

Though out my life I have never actually lived in the city of Providence, I know when I was younger my parents would say "there's nothing good there" or "you go there you will be sorry". As a kid you look up to your parents and no matter what they say you think that they are right. As mentioned before I had received some bad advice from some co-workers about Glory. Having people tell me that the school is in horrible conditions to lock my car doors, or to be overly careful, it kind of made me paranoid.

Before going into the school I stopped to think, Why on earth is this going to be a problem, their just kids, and besides Providence is beautiful. Its like Allan Johnson said in "Our House is On Fire" that "human beings are fascinated, not repelled by peoples who's appearance differs from their own". I don't think that all of Providence and it's people are bad, like I had said before, the city and all that makes it up has beauty. Look at the RISD campus for example, some of the people who go there are the most unusual people I have ever seen. I remember this one girl was walking around, she had a mohawk with all different colors in it, a green shirt, a red skirt and knee high socks that were all different colors as well. It was absolutely amazing that she was walking around Providence that way. I didn't cross the street to avoid her or say any comments to her, but as she passed I looked to my friend and said "lets be her friend... I give her a lot of credit for that"

I tried to be more open minded about the school and the kids inside and found that it was very easy for me to get comfortable with the students in a matter of a day or two. These kids just need people to show interest in them, to help and support them. I stay with the students for two classes, and its safe to say there is almost no integration. The second group is comprised of white children, but it was odd to me that I was not able to connect with them unlike the first period which is almost all non white students. Going back to Johnson he says that whites are automatically assumed that they are competent in the classrooms, while blacks have to prove themselves. I hate to say it but from seeing these two classes it seems as though Johnson was right.The first class has to constantly keep their game up, but many people feel as though it is tough for them to get the work done correctly. I walked in the school thinking that and will now walk out knowing for a fact that black children can be just as smart as white children, they just need more motivation.

I was able to connect with the 1st period class simply because they needed me. They needed more attention and direction given to them. They are eager to share their ideas with me as well as listen to any suggestions I make to them. I felt as thought the second class did not need or want my help, they just did their own things. When Mr. Yeller assigned the work, they didn't ask questions they just did it. So as Johnson talks about privilege does that make the white class privileged? or does the 1st class who ask questions and who seeks guidance get the privilege? In my opinion its the first class.