Speak Up: 10th Grade Launch Curriculum - 2024 - 156

LAUNCH GRADE 10: SPEAK UP!
" i am " by dale scott
I am a thief, stealing naturally from stores, homes and people with no remorse. I walk down lower Colfax Avenue and sell drugs to others, mainly young
teenagers who I have lured from successful lives. I own a gun which I carry at all times and I wouldn't think twice of taking the life of another. I wear an
angry face which gives warning that I may snap at anytime. I am naturally inclined to do so. I can't speak proper English and am not capable of succeeding
in accelerated classes in high school. I listen to music that speaks only of needless bloodshed, sex, drugs, and consumption of human flesh - a lifestyle of
fancy cars and expensive clothing. I am everywhere.
I know who I am, and I am not the stereotype you just read!
" It feels good out here! " I couldn't help but say it twice to my friends chris, mike, and Jay. We had been in the
house since early evening playing Fortnite on Xbox. We decided to make ham sandwiches and go sit out on
the front porch. We went outside at around 10 o'clock with our food and some Pepsi to enjoy the nice cool
night. the time passed so quickly that what seemed an hour turned into three. Around 1:15 am we noticed a
decline in the warm temperature so we decided to head inside for the night. on the way in we were startled
by the slow creep of what we thought were three police cars, but that number changed to five and before
we could speak or move we were blinded by their extremely bright lights. my personal reaction was to stay
on the porch and wait for chris's mother to come outside. meanwhile chris and Jay walked out onto the lawn
while mike and I watched on. they talked to chris and Jay for around ten minutes and just as I decided to go
get chris's mother we were ordered to come out on to the lawn. By then chris and Jay were in the street but
they didn't look troubled at all and an awkward feeling came over me. I thought everything must have been a
misunderstanding of some sort.
Just then an officer asked me for an ID while another officer took mike to the middle of the street with
chris and Jay. the officer placed my ID in his pocket and asked that I remove everything from mine. I didn't
say anything to him and emptied my pockets. the officer then remembered my jacket and began to frisk
me. this being my first police encounter, I was a bit nervous, not to mention cold (it was 2:00 am by this
time). the officer patted my upper half, my legs, and groin area. He felt around my penis and it was such
an uncomfortable and surprising feeling that I said: " Hey man! " my reflexes caused a slight jerk and I was
immediately tackled and cuffed. By then I was terrified and began to break into hives. Another officer came
over and together they picked me up and forced me into the police car.
my two white friends and one other who looked white still stood in the street in astonishment at what was
happening to me. chris's mother never came out of the house and not one in the army of officers thought to
knock on the door to see if a parent was home. the officers wrote us all curfew tickets and let us go back in the
house.
I remember looking in the mirror at my face - sad and angry about what had happened. I had to look past the
scratch from the officer's watch and the hives which caused my entire face to swell and itch to the point where
I couldn't touch it. I looked past all this to see myself, to see my soul. I noticed that my soul had been marked
from that incident. I've realized that I can't control the stereotypes of others; I understand that it is not my issue
to deal with. It's basically just people and their prejudices. I have healed many of the marks that have been
scarred on my soul. now that I understand people, I know that the stereotypes will never stop, so I can learn
from them and use the negative energy to fuel my drive to be successful.
I am a thief stealing knowledge from books, teachers, the minds of others and any other place where knowledge is present. I walk down lower Colfax
attending my church, volunteering and appreciating my city. I own my mind, body, opinions, responsibilities, weaknesses and short-comings. I wouldn't
think twice about helping another along the way. I wear a pleasant smile which shows love, care and the readiness to commit good deeds at anytime. I am
naturally inclined to do so. I speak proper English and even Spanish at times, and I do quite well in accelerated classes in high school. I am an open person
and listen to music of all kinds, from all kinds of places. I am everywhere.
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LeSSon 17: communIty StoRyteLLInG eVent

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