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by fdtappan from Eureka TrueVine Baptist Church

Last Post 12 days, 5 hours Ago


Michell High School - Students Out of Control - Administration?
May 6, 2008 | 12:17 AM
Category: News
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I am a proud Mitchell High School graduate, class of 1982. A long legacy of administrative excellence has been established by principals such as Alonzo Weaver and Alfred Motlow. They molded an atmosphere of respect, character and high standards. I can remember when I couldn’t wait to attend Mitchell High. I had 4 sisters to graduate,  my mother was the first cafeteria manager, former PTA president and I could not wait for my turn to carry on the family legacy.

 

Pride; Excellence and Character were earmarks of that era. Now let’s fast forward to 2008. The difference is as far as the east is from the west; as far as right is from wrong; has this school moved in a negative direction. Every other week, Mitchell High School is in the news for some negative event, unflattering you tube video or something that illuminates the school in a negative light. Shootings, fights, rape dances, just plain anarchy throughout the school. However, the conspicuous omission in this entire situation is the administration. Where were the teachers and administrators during all these incidents? Another troubling thing I saw was that many of the students were not in uniform. May I continue…The students are allowed to pay the school, not to wear their uniforms up to 50 days per semester. And, a teacher was accosted by a student and no administrative punishment was given.

 

After I heard about the “Rape Dance” on Youtube and a local news cast, my wife and I surfed Youtube for more Mitchell High videos. We found one that was deplorable. It was a video of a talent show where four young men were performing sexually explicit dances on the floor, mimicking sex acts. Students even came onto the floor from the stands and participated in the immorality. Remember when I asked about the location of the administrators during many of the past episodes? Well, I finally found one. During this embarrassing exhibition of student exploitation, the principal leisurely walked across the screen without a word said regarding the debaucherous acts that were being displayed in his presence. I can’t only blame the students. There is much blame to go around. They are only doing what they are allowed to do.

 

The principal’s silent acceptance tells us everything we need to know about the problems at the school. It seems that the patients have taken over the asylum. The NCAA calls it a lack of institutional control. I call it students in danger; I call it absolutely unacceptable. Something must change! I hope we don’t let that something be a death, a rape or some other heinous act yet to be committed, while this cavalier administration seems to be powerless or unwilling take to control and ameliorate the situation. Where do you stand on this issue? Let me hear your opinion.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 25
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SianSkye read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 6:10 AM

This whole situation was completely unacceptable. The administration should be replaced for allowing this type of thing to happen and the kids should be taken home and (altho I know they are too old for this really) spanked! It's not appropriate behavior for a teenager. It's not cute. It's certainly not funny. And for an adult to condone this is horrible.

Where did these kids self respect go?
bubbah read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 7:30 AM

This IS what institutionalized racial ignorance looks like, too bad it looks a little like me, it makes people think I would let my kids do that. It makes people think people that look like me are a bunch of idiots.
I'm REEEEEAAAALLLLYYYY tired of that.
This is THE stupidest place I've ever been.
bubbah read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 7:31 AM

Oh and yes, siansky, replace them all and the Board needs to step down and step off, they are OBVIOUSLY not in control of anything that makes any sense.
Step down and step off.
bubbah read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 7:34 AM

I think "committing lewd and lecivious acts" in public is against the law and they should be booked, add "in front of minors" and it's a bigger crime, the teachers and admin should be arrested and booked on charges!
Where are the police?
mskaytenn read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 8:23 AM

I am sick of this type of behavior, I am sick of children and adults acting like fools, I am sick of people turning a deaf ear, I am sick of my children being stereotyped because of stuff like this. The principal obviously has no respect for the student body that represents him/her. If you walk into most of the schools, you will see stuff that breaks your heart, you will see some young ladies (if they can be called that) dressed like a hoochie right off the street, you will see young men (if you can call them that), looking like a thug hanging on a corner. Then you will see, girls looking like boys, braids, pants sagging and all, then you will see boys switching harder than the girls. I am afraid for my children each and every day. If I did not have children already, I don't think that I would bring a child into this world!!
mskaytenn read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 8:25 AM

Then we have the principal that everyone is beating up on about the homo/hetero issues going on at her school. I stand behind the principal, and respect her for the stand that she took. She is responsible for the students and staff there, so she should run it as she sees fit. Atleast she opened her mouth!
SianSkye read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 8:31 AM

MsKay - I think you and Bubbah are right. This type of behavior does contribute to unwelcome stereotypes. I would however still feel the same way I do now even if (God forbid) it was my child acting a fool. Being an ididot crosses all boundaries to my way of thinking.

What happened to mothers inspecting their children's clothing before they left for school? What happened to teaching them modesty? Self-respect? Respect in general?

WHAT HAPPENED TO PARENTS TEACHING THEIR KIDS THAT IT IS NOT OKAY TO DEGRADE ANOTHER PERSON OR THEMSELVES? THAT THEIR BODIES ARE NOT JUST THINGS TO BE USED? WHAT HAPPENED TO SELF-RESPECT????? Obviously no one has taught them that and the school administration obviously just turns a blind eye.
SianSkye read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 8:32 AM

**typo: "idiot"** Sorry.
mskaytenn read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 9:27 AM

It's really sad Sian. I did not see this video, but I keep hearing all of the buzz about it. Like I said, parents are responsible for their children's clothing and so forth. Parents should not allow their sons and daughters to leave home the way some do. Some of the things that are in their wardrobe should not be! These children have no self respect, or any other kind for that matter!
teacher08 read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 1:16 PM

Pastor,

I believe I just watched the video you mentioned. Is the principal the man in the white shirt? If he is, God help those students. This act should never be allowed in a school talent show. What about the Club Mitchell video? Is this from Memphis? WHO controls the music at these events????????!!! Why do they even allow this? This is incredibly disgraceful.
fdtappan read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 2:59 PM

teacher08 yes that was him as he casually strolled across the screen, acting as if he was in total control. Deluded is what he is. The students are the losers here.
bubbah read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 3:27 PM

Pastor, which video was it that you saw the principle in?
I need to have this video, we are going to get something done.
teacher08 read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 6:37 PM

bubbah,

Type in mitchell high talent show on youtube and it is the first one that pops up. They are in black and red
fdtappan read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 7:02 PM

Thx teacher08

Bubbah you have my support. Let me know
nene9 read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 9:03 PM

My nephew who will be an 08 graduate on the 17th of May at Mitchell and is third in his class, there are students who are doing what needs to be done to make their parents proud and are going on to a higher learning so not all are behaving badly but I just hate that all these incidents shed a negative light on Mitchell and all schools who have this type of behavior.
fdtappan read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 9:08 PM

Nene9 Congratulations! Your nephew's success is admirable and he has shown his metal as a surviver in adverse conditions.
foxydiva1974 read my blog
May 7, 2008 | 8:48 AM

Well Pastor I saw the video on wreg.com. All I can say is WOW, were are the teachers the prinicpal. OMG, these children are going up way to fast. I like Mskaytenn this is heartbreaking!
foxydiva1974 read my blog
May 7, 2008 | 8:51 AM

OMG, heaven help us! These kids have no shame in their game. I remember when I was in school we were too shy to even slow dance with a boy. And if you did the teachers,etc would not allow close contact.
irishoaks read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 10:13 AM

I just watched that video. I am still holding my mouth shut. That was so blatant. Those boys should have been yanked up by the scruff of their necks and the adults present need to be arrested. Totally shameful. Sexual orgy with clothing.
teacher08 read my blog
May 7, 2008 | 12:23 PM

Pitiful and sad. When I was in school, this type of behavior would have led to an immediate halt to the activities. The talent show would have been cancelled and we would all be sent back to homeroom probably with a scolding from the homeroom teacher and a memo to parents informing them of the event. The man at the end decided it was time to push the students back to the bleachers. About 33 seconds into another video entitled Club Mitchell High School Christmas Dance, it appears as though a young lady is running by pulling her pants up. Can anyone tell if this is from Memphis? Yes, it appears as though uniforms are optional.
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fdtappan

I am the Senior Pastor of the Eureka TrueVine Baptist Church. In my ten year tenure, the church has grown from 10 to approximately 300. My personal mantra is to,”Meet the needs of the people, right where they are”. The Church Motto is “Real Ministry, with a Real Message, for Real People”. Family, social service and youth ministries are the foundational ministries of the church. I completed my undergraduate work in Psychology from Christian Brothers University and Jacksonville Theological Seminary and my graduate work from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in Theology and the Harvard University, School of Divinity. I was the first Director of Academic and Vocational Training for The Memphis Job Corps Center, and held the position of Facility Manager and instructor with Memphis City Schools Adult Basic Education Program at Tri-State Training Center and with the Title-One Program at Tall Trees Juvenile Detention Center. I served as the Chaplain of the Shelby County Detention Center and also at the Jail East “Women’s Jail”. Along with my pastoral duties, I am currently an administrator with the Shelby County Department of Corrections with the Fatherhood/Healthy Relationships Program. My wife of 19 years, Regina and I have 2 children, Frederick 13 and Alexis 11. Together we head the Memphis Area Youth Association, which is a youth athletic and educational support program with an abstinence base.

Member Since: 6/20/2007


 

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