Recent Violent Outburst in Schools: Is School No Longer Safe?

Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes in Life

Ever since February 2008, I find myself constantly thinking about schools in America today, and the traumatic events that occur. Recently, according to the Chicago Tribune, more than 20 Chicago Public School students have died by gun related deaths. Can you exactly pinpoint the predicament of what is causing our generation of adolescents to depart this life at young ages? Some may say we have let the gang-affiliated streets conquer our young black men and subsist calmly amongst our communities. I would have to say I partly agree the same as others. But what about those silent ticking-time bombs that exist in our classes? It could be that reticent boy that never says anything, the one that studies hard and tends to be mindful of himself. Or it could be someone who revealed their sexual attraction to the same sex, is under suspicion for being “that fag.” Or even that girl who dresses a little provocative and just recently transferred over who, rumor has it, is considered to be a “bust-down.” Please be aware that, you don’t have to resemble the appearance of a thug (baggy pants below the waist, long white T-shirt, do-rag, etc…) to pull a trigger, because there is no single profile for a potential mass killer, young or old. That’s why it’s so important for schools and communities to have a fair, coherent, and even method of estimating and responding to school violence.


I attended Fredrick Douglas High School in the Austin Community, and it was not what I thought it would be. As a result, I began to decline academically, due to the environment in which I was forced to subsist. As much as I liked school (because it gave me a chance to show off my intellectual side), I hated Douglas because there were fights between students every day, teachers in disputes with the students, and gang violence; it just made the whole educational experience horrible. There were times when I would skip class and study in the hallway with the security guard in order to get my work done (or I would go at the local library to study) because the conditions in the classroom were just terrible. And what makes it so awful is my peers lashing out in a detrimental way. Some people would just come to school to take up space, receive a free lunch, and make the situation terrible for other students by ridiculing them for no apparent reason. When you profile people in belittling ways, it causes what I like to call an “emotional diminish” (when you lose a sense of yourself, and you are left with the feeling of insecurity, discomfiture, and other emotions of seclusion). Whether schools add metal detectors, security guards, or uniforms to stem the violence, in all likelihood, these problems will continue amid the chaos of the school day because of what was stated above. And people can absorb these negative sensations for only so long, until they literally snap in respond to the emotional exploitation. I do not want to condone the fact that the victims feel as if they need to demolish all bullies (usually ending innocent lives as well); they were completely culpable for their acts of sadistic rampage. But, you have to be vigilant when bullying occurs. Where there’s a cause, there’s going to be an effect.


Whenever I have time to watch the local news stations, all I see are people in my community dying. And the worse part of it is they’re at school! I get deeply sadden by these inexplicable violent events and mourn the loss of so many innocent lives. So, in the end, how can schools be safe again? Well, I have to say that vigilance, respectfulness, and common sense can go a long way in preventing these appalling crimes. First, we should be attentive on how we (the teens) treat one another, and make sure that we do unto others as we would want done unto us. Second, this note goes to those who are being mistreated: although it may seem like everyone is victimizing you and no one can help you through the dark period in your life, realize that you can find more productive ways to release your inner frustration and anger, possibly through therapeutic help. To the parents and the administrative team: realize that students and/or children are the most powerful allies, talk to us about what’s going on and take more of a proactive role in their schooling life. We do care about our communities and want to make the schools and neighborhood better places, despite the stereotypes that we as youth are disengaged, self-centered, and apathetic. Many people feel as if they should not have to pay an extra buck for something that will never change. But, you should never say “never.” I know it’s going to take up some money, but it’s for a good cause: to invest in the future for safety. Bottom line, we all play a part, and if each one of us doesn’t take the time to improve what’s happening to the school within our society, then the key ultimatum will also be the biggest cost of all: another life lost.

I'm Not a Bitch, I Just Tell the Truth!

My definition of being a bitch is someone who embodies the essence of a lewd personality that is unpleasant in the presence of others, by downing a positive moment or sensationalizing a situation. I think a common misapprehension when you're actually defining a person who is intentionally malicious is by confusing that to someone who is straightforward in honesty. It is possible for someone who dubs themselves as being "straightforward with you" to unconciously babble out their words before inflicting pain through a mean statement and not give a care to the damage that has been caused. I'm not a bitch, I just tell the truth from my personal perspective. My intentions aren't to crush others pride or belittle their thoughts or feelings. But, if the message isn't being conveyed clearly, because of an immense amount  of lack of comprehension, one gets frustrated and let's it all out. But, in the end, the truth has to be told. So, what's your definition of the truth and being a bitch?

Money Changes Everything

Money Changes Everything

After finishing a singing session of my personal rendition of  
Rihanna's "Take a Bow," I turned my iPod iTouch on to sulk in my  
musical high. I have well over 600 songs on my iPod, so I decided to  
touch the shuffle icon to randomly suprise me; the first song that  
popped on was "5 Star Chick (Remix)." Might I say, I don't really care  
too much about rap, but considering the fact that this song was  
hauntingly infectious, I added it onto my list on faint rap singles.  
Despite the fact that I knew ever lyic of the song, Trina's verse  
struck me the most and left my mind to wander about life's  
complexities and the recent crisis amoungst America dealing with this  
on-going economic recession. Simultaneously, thoughts ran around in my  
head about how people say how they're so real and money doesn't change  
them. I hate using Bibilical evidence as a means of support because I  
respect the different views of my non-believers and I don't want to  
appear as if I'm "preaching" or whatnot, but this quote speaks in so  
many different ways: In 1st Timothy, Chaper 6, verse 9 to 10, it  
states "Those who want to get rich will fall into temptation and a  
snare and many foolish an harmful desires will plunge them into ruin  
and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil, and  
some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced  
themselves with many griefs." We as people have a tendency to become  
very vain and superficial as we place our beliefs in materialistic  
items to define the status of who we are. No, there is nothing wrong  
with wanting nice things for yourself, but if you let that consume  
your identity, what is left to make up you is nothing more than a  
hollow shell with no heart, but that's encrested with sparkles. For  
me, that doesn't do it, because curiousity drives me for more, to see  
what's behind the surface; you have to be like a Toostie lollipop, I  
wanna see what's in the middle. Now, back to the "I'm real" section of  
the essay. I believe you are who you present yourself to be and that  
should go unsaid without a declaration of your cetified "realness."  
Boasting about your financial status, materials and sex life doesn't  
automatically give you a certificant of authenticity on your  
personality, it's the graciousiness you do with that power you obtain  
to set forth a good leadership for others to shadow by. I was re-
reading Ebony that featured mega superstar Beyonce on the cover for  
its 2008 October release, and the author had written an admireable  
comment on her characteristics: "Her friendly, posivitive vibe makes  
Beyonce very likeable. She is honest and open about most things,  
reclusive about others very much like any other woman---your sister,  
your co-worker, your bestfriend, your daughter (if you disreagard the  
mutliple talents, hourglass figure and good looks)." I had to step  
back and laugh at that. Not only did the author manage to give a  
subdued back-handed compliment to the reader with the statement left  
in the parenthesis, she continues to justify Beyonce's behaviorism  
that was explained in the previous paragraph on how relateable she is.  
I, however, don't see the connection between normality and Beyonce  
Knowles at all because, her lifestyle is money's common ground. She  
travels on private jet planes, models the finest gear, and has a  
grueling job schedule; Beyonce is untouchable, growing more distant  
than any of us will ever be because of money. I believe money, in  
general, changes everything around us. From the wealthy rich, to  
increase thier fortune, to myself, as a common folk, who craves for  
more yet has enough to get by and with an occasional moment of live  
beyond your means, to the poor, who continuously begs for more because  
they have nothing. But, do you honestly believe that your mannerisms  
wouldn't be the slightly affected because of your increase in  
finances? I think so. First, your happy face kicks in, then there's  
those moments where you outspend your normal capacity because you feel  
entitled to. Finally, you have to worry about how others will percieve  
you; there will be a lineup of different people wanting different  
things from you. The ass kisser, the one who says "don't forget where  
you came from," and the downright envious snobs. This causes an abrupt  
change in the personality as you become conflicted and pressure with  
different blows coming from all angles. We all dealt with this at one  
point or another in our lives. So, you can't say that money doesn't  
change things because it has become a center of our well-being, an  
emotional, mental and sometimes physcial way to survive and keep  
things in constant rotation. What are your thoughts?

I'm G.L.A.A.D And Damn Proud of It! (Being a Representative of the L.G.B.T.Q Community)

I just would like to take the time to express my my sheer pride in myself as a self-proclaimed spokesperson of G.L.A.A.D (for those that don't know, G.L.A.A.D is an acronym for Gays and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and discovering ways of continuing to progress as an upcoming artist from the L.G.B.T.Q community by offering a more positive aspect of our lifestyle. Based from the stereotypes that has plagued and poisoned our community with negative connotations of homosexuality, one already acknowledges the struggle to fight for basic equality in the terms of respect as a person and even more as an artist in this world where hate seems to plummet amongst us on a daily basis. There aren't too positive representatives from the gay community, where the media takes full glory in displaying images of men who are either infested with sexually transmitted diseases, poking fun of drag queens, hiding or denying their sexual orientation based on personal insecurity on what other people's thoughts were, locked up behind bars (or my personal favorite), exposing the down-low phenomenon as a representative of trying to fathom why is it men sleep with men. I would like to salute any of those who choose to strike hard against the odds of becoming a successful iconic artist or figure from the gay community, as we are in need of a relevant, intelligent, professional non-dramatic attention whore. I feel it is only right for someone to take on the challenge to represent for our people in a way as G.L.A.A.D so finely words it "perpetuate stereotypes, myths and misinformation about our lives... working to create a world in which we do not exist." I've wanted to entertain for so long and I as I continued to mature, I spent many nights deep in thought on what it would mean to be a public figure "openly" gay in the entertainment field. In this day and age, there's a lot of hate that comes with the territory. And I have come to peace with that I wouldn't receive any kind of slack whatsoever; I foresee anti-Kahari's signs outside the areas in which I perform, church mentors preaching the wrong-doings on homosexuality, me making personal appearances at different events to explain who I am. Is that something that I am ready for? Is my sexuality really much of a diversion from talent that creates everything in my life to be a focal point around my personal life? Will I really be the derision of everyone's eye causing my peers to not respect me on behalf of a factor of which makes me who I am? My main goal as an artist was to relate myself through personal experiences that I felt was an urgency to be heard and to shed light to the lifestyle that I choose to live, not creating a division between myself and others but exposing myself in a therapeutic, creative outlet. In closing, I would like to leave my readers with the closing paragraph from the G.L.A.A.D's website (under the about me section): "Everyday our stories-- yours, mine, those of our families and friends-open the truth of our lives to the people we share them with. In the same way, when the media tell our stories well, people in small towns, big cities and everywhere in-between find windows on our lives that broaden and deepen their understanding of who we are. Same principle-- infinitely larger scale. Fair, accurate and inclusive media images shatter stereotypes. They prove that we are connected through common, human experiences. And these are stories that we-- and the media-- have a responsibility to share." For more information on how you can contribute and joins the forces with G.L.A.A.D in the fight for understanding and equality, please feel free to go their website at www.glaad.org. Oh, and before I forget, shout-out to my baby daddy Darryl Stephens and fellow web-blogger Adam Benjamin (thank you two for being sexy and not only that, but extremely intelligent. You guys inspired me to become more aware of what's happening in our community). Also big ups to Q.B. the gay Vigilante (when you gon' put me on the track? We can make beautiful music together... L.O.L! I'm gagin' myself right now!!! Smiles and loud Laughter!) Sincerely G.L.A.A.D and always will be, Kahari.

How I Feel About Modern Music and Artist...

As an aspiring singer myself, I firmly believe that the music industry has become nothing more than just a competitive business filled with incompetent singers and rappers who create insensible music that has been rejuvenated from past formulaic radio singles. Sure, today's music is poppy and with its catchy tunes, but it only lasts for a season, then, today's tunes is in tomorrow's distant memory. Now, I must say there are in deed some artist I believe that have created a path of longevity, to where they have not become so much of a commodity to the industry's desires by forming a musical sound that originates their own aura and shines at their best. Artists like Christina Aguilera, Chrisette Michelle, Beyoncè Knowles, Kaynè West, Jennifer Hudson, Ashanti, Keyshia Cole, John Legend, and Ne-Yo are some who have found instant success. (There are many other artist out there who have achieved a semi-success career, too with Top Ten Billboard radio singles and heavy rotation on urban, pop, and adult contemporary radio stations...). All other artist, fall under the category of struggling to stay relevant or simply have disappeared. The music industry is always constantly in rotation and it can go forward or reverse backward abruptly. And with the music, as it changes, people change. You see a lot of artist coming out with a hot single or they're career only last for so long due to that one record. And then, the next minute you know, America's radio station is on to something entirely different. Now, artist are force to set trends with their music it's no wonder why almost everything you hear on the radio sounds like something so familiar because the producer re-creates that specific sound and switch it around just a bit. I like good quality music, and I'm a teenager, so I still do follow up after the more contemporary music. But, what really captivates me as a music listener is an artist that displays versatility and shows their audience that they can't be molded into just only one particular style.

My Response to Heidi's 10 Procedures of Plastic Surgery In 1 Day

I have a mixed response when it comes to celebutante Heidi Montag’s decision to receive plastic surgery. One the supportive end, I can relate to Heidi---having the desire of altering your appearance in order to disregard the physical scars caused by negative attention and insensitive critiques from your surrounding peers will drive someone to want to better themselves to seek some sort of acceptance, to fix the flaws. We have to face the reality of things, we live in a society where we strive for and praise things and people that are physically appealing. This has lead to inferiority complexes to kick in if those to don’t live up that unimaginable expectation. On the downside, as someone in the spotlight, sending a negative connotation to young girls about “perfecting” the exterior instead of embracing the naturalness of their body’s flaws can be an emotional and mental rollercoaster. I don’t down look what she has done to herself because #1: she was and still is a pretty girl and #2: if you want to physically change who you are because you’re not happy, and you have the money to do it, then, knock yourself out. But, I don’t think having plastic surgery is the issue here, I believe it was the amount of procedures done in a single day that was appalling.

Is There Another Someone Inside of You?

The need to define ourselves by producing an image of individuality draws others’ attention to relate to another side of who we are. The subject surrounding creative identity is inspired by the drive to become something different, whether it is like or disliked, popular or controversial. Even as we watch celebrities on television, we somewhat first handedly witness the growth of their persona. And for a minute, you have go beyond the exterior to see what’s the fusion that produces someone to become so appealing. Are people really who we think they are? Or is it something else lurking beneath the flesh yearning for their freedom of expression? Throughout this paper, I will exemplify and examine Erving Goffman’s theory on ego identity (inspired by his book The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life) as it relates to self in a “per formative and common” manner.

As a natural Gemini, the most popular and negative misconception that is assumed with people who carry this specific astrological sign is that we contain a multiple personality, that can change in a flash; it‘s on and off, night and day, ying and yang. Although it’s a continuous conflict between the emotional state of a Gemini and other’s respond to their nature, I believe that everyone has a bit of an alter-ego. According to Erving Goffman, “self is a performance, a presentation. We create and perform role throughout our life that project an image we wish to convey to the outside world…” So, with this to support the idea of that there is an inner person within our spirits, it is explained we that even the most ordinary and personality consistent person, must have those moments of irregular behavior.

There’s been a lot of psychological and philosophical debate over whether or not the intentions on whether or not the inner alter-ego is a positive force, since it is something compressed from active display. Psychologist Sigmund Freud’s theory on the ego explains the reality of the principle, which allows you to repress your urges when it isn't a good idea to do what you feel. However, Sikyamuni Buddha believes that the alter-ego’s intent is full of a selfish desire to experience and not to learn and enjoy for “rightful proposes.”

Before I go any further in this paper, I would like to explain the difference between a persona and a alter-ego because I do not want the audience to think that there is a connection to the ego and a person. A person, according to the analytical psychologist C.G. Jung, is a mask presented to satisfy the demands of a situation and not representing the inner personality of that individual. An alter-ego is described to be the second self or the second personality within a person. In Latin, alter-ego means “the other I” and it was coined in the early ninetieth century when schizophrenia was first described by early psychologists. Think of your alter-ego like a two sided coin, where the ego and desire both have their own side; one cannot survive without the other. It would be like riding a bike and the chain suddenly falls off, everything is broken. If we attempt to stop the alter-identity, it would fall into a deep sleep, feeling strange and vulnerable, in a death like state. From there, the self-ego would feel uncomfortable and weak, but soon, it will arise like the fiery Phoenix.

So, to finalize this paper to answer my own question: is it natural to act or become a different person? The answer is, of course, and the reason being is because different people and unusual situations require a change of emotional, mental and physical requests from you. Therefore, you develop multiple personalities wrapped into one body to satisfy those specific needs, depending on the precise needs of others coming from you. As far as me personally, my alter-ego as a Gemini is displayed though various forms of creativity, specifically through the gift of sing, song, dance and literature. The process of my alter-ego’s reality is translated from my dreams into action. My obsession with making my dreams come true through entertainment is my alter-ego.

The Celebrity Lifestyle: Should We Really Care?

What is it about celebrities that we care to idolize so much about? It is because they somehow reached the pentacle of success which has seemingly been avertable, hence causing a state of subconscious admiration? Or is it the on-going drama within their personal lives that continuously spirals out of control that catches our attention to stop, stare and care? Hollywood celebrities live a life that is based on mere achievements that is driven by pride which is generated by money and unbounded support from everyday people who crave for “more in life.” On occasion, we as human beings are attracted to things in which we cannot have, which makes the desire of obtaining that specific item or conquest even more glorious and inevitable… but, not everything in life that glitters is gold. I would be the first to say that I was a personal consumer of the tabloids and celebrity standard of living. I was the first to inform my peers on the who, what, when, where and the why of the entertainment industry. I completely enwrapped myself in their life, in their personal matters, as if somehow I knew them or as if it affected me on a intimate level. It was for long that an associate brought this bad habit to my attention through a conversation which led me to tears. She informed me that it was mildly annoying and irrational of me to care about celebrities because their lifestyle is fueled by their own arrogance to get even more richer while the supporters of these artist remain irrelevant in their life as they enclose themselves in a falsified reality of luxury and perfection (This had me thinking: how ironic is it that the gossip tabloids and vicious bloggers that aim to expose the life of these celebutante and socialites inner perfect world just ends up propelling them to a more statuesque position of fame than ever before…?). By the end of the discussion, my frame of mind was refreshed and my heart was shifted in a different direction about this topic. Although a part of me wanted to stay attached to the messiness celebrities give to the little people, I made a vow to myself that unless a roll of hundred dollar bills comes slipping from underneath my tongue every time I mention the Ashanti’s, the Beyonce’s, and the Rihanna’s of the world, I refuse to a be a walking promotional machine for these people. Because they don’t give a rats ass about me or what I can contribute to the world on a daily basis I realized that unless it involves me spending money on their brand, I have to limit my ingesting on worrying about how seeming them on TV does something for me a in personal matter. Don’t get me wrong, now, I haven’t completely swore them off, because that would be like easy a junkie off of their drug of choice. But, since celebrities are pushed in the forefront of everything in the media, it can be difficult to stray away from. In conclusion, I’ve learned that just because you see the glitz and glamour, doesn’t make it your reality or give break to real life that is occurring around you. You are influential to your life, not the faux of what seems splendid.

The X-Factor Winner Relases Her Highly Anticipated Debut, With Nothing to Favor

I was inspired to write this review after some of my followers on Twitter (shout out to @Ranity and @OneOf_TheKids!) had given me the link to download season 5 winner of the British version of Idol, the X-Factor Alexandra Burke’s debut unfittingly titled Overcome. Once revealed to the U.K. audience in the fall quarter of 2009, the public embraced the effort with a wholehearted cuddle because of the sales of the album had exceeded past the expectations of any other contestant on the show (yes, even Leona Lewis. I know, right?). But, to me, as a singer and fan of the show, I was left in a mixture of confusion and disappointment. Burke doesn’t serve up half of the gutsy soulful vocal performances she was known for on the reality talent show. Overcome is a major departure from Burke’s neo-soul roots as singer, and it is clear to see the influence of pressure from the label to become a contemporary pop star. Much of the album has a techno-pop dance essence to it, which lacks life, no matter how much Burke belts out the lines with her sharp alto voice. With a reminiscent vocal ability of Lauryn Hill, Alexandra’s career could soar to new heights with the upcoming re-release for the U.S. audience with new material. I can picture her singing that sluggish ballad material, one that conveys the tales of falling in love or trailing a journey through heartache; much like “Resentment,” or “Ave Maria” by the emotionally conveying Beyoncé or like “It Kills Me” by the assertive soulful Melanie Fiona, hell not to mention the soul stirring melismatic Jazmine Sullivan. While listening to the tracks, I was consciously listing other singer that I felt would gel with the material more because most of the songs triggered a musical memory of other songs we’ve heard before. Here’s the verdict I came up with:

1. Katy Perry on “Bad Boys.” After all, it does sound like a heterosexual version of her “I Kissed a Girl.”

2. Beyoncé or Leona Lewis on the vocally demanding “The Silence.” The percussion claps resembles a mixture of “Halo” and “Happy.”

3. Christina Aguilera on “Bury Me (6 Feet Under).” This song has a early Motown flavor that tried to crossover to appeal the ears of the white audience. It also sounds like a leftover track that didn’t make the cut for Aguilera’s Back to Basics era.

4. Jordin Sparks on “Overcome.” It sounds like a straight jack of her “Battlefield.”

5. Leona Lewis on “Gotta Go.” Those higher parts that Alexandra strain to ascend her voice in, Lewis can coo in her sleep.

6. Jazmine Sullivan on “They Don’t Know.” It has hints of Brandy’s piano samples of “Long Distance,” but because of the style, I can hear Sullivan’s rough voice portraying the tale of a lost love.

7. Beyoncé or Pink on “Hallelujah.” This sounds like another jack of Be’s “Ave Maria.”

It’s easy to see the Alexandra personally has a lot to learn because her identity is lost behind the superficial popcorn music she conveys, which makes the whole project flop because it lacks her originality and doesn’t deliver the more natural musical production to accommodate her as the expressive singer she is. She’s still young though, so hopefully she won’t fall for Simon’s spell of trickery to mold his every artist into a polished pop star. Even though the production is good, but the overall quality of the project seems like an empty vessel wanting to be fulfilled. There is nothing groundbreaking about this debut, and Overcome has fallen short, leaving Burke with nothing more of an unobstructed entry to the music business.