tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359348507190689090.post8359322116333136676..comments2023-07-03T05:58:37.124-07:00Comments on THE PERIMETER PRIMATE: Part Two: Another View of the Oakland SituationThe Perimeter Primatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12619173438763495716noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359348507190689090.post-59194870488220853552008-03-12T12:07:00.000-07:002008-03-12T12:07:00.000-07:00Maybe Ebonics deserves another chance.Maybe Ebonics deserves another chance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359348507190689090.post-44578750555629794072008-03-09T12:15:00.000-07:002008-03-09T12:15:00.000-07:00On 3/9/08, in a Viewpoint column in the Oakland Tr...On 3/9/08, in a Viewpoint column in the Oakland Tribune, the author Tammerlin Drummond wrote, "As a high school principal, Abdel-Qawi [principal at Castlemont East Oakland School of the Arts] faces a Catch-22. Some of his students are so disruptive that teachers can't even teach while they're in the classroom. Yet he doesn't want to suspend the boys because he knows if they drop out, the next stop is prison."<BR/><BR/>How about a decent alternative school for that "some"? See what I mean?The Perimeter Primatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12619173438763495716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359348507190689090.post-73481820340533821932008-03-09T09:07:00.000-07:002008-03-09T09:07:00.000-07:00A variation on the "backpack check" is a "pocket c...A variation on the "backpack check" is a "pocket check." I first heard of this happening on the crowded buses that provide the daily transportation to students from Skyline High School (located in the hills) to other neighborhoods (in the flatlands).<BR/><BR/>A group of kids will get on the bus together and move through it. They often target a limited-English speaking student who is seated. Then they surround him in an intimidating manner and rummage through his pockets, taking whatever they find. <BR/><BR/>This act is done in full view of others. The victim is overpowered and afraid to speak up. The other students who witness this act are either too intimidated (wisely so) to speak up in defense of the victim, or they just don't care. <BR/><BR/>The parents of the victims are often non-English speaking and are hesitant, or unable, to report the crime.The Perimeter Primatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12619173438763495716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359348507190689090.post-82829002680190345892008-03-07T12:58:00.000-08:002008-03-07T12:58:00.000-08:00Eventually I am going to explain "code switching" ...Eventually I am going to explain "code switching" according to the book. This is a tremendously important concept.<BR/><BR/>Code switching is a learned behavior. "Decent" kids in poor neighborhoods (and poor schools) learn how to act "street" so that they can survive. They know how to act one way with one set of people, and then act a totally different way with another set of people. <BR/><BR/>This explains the utter disbelief that some parents have when their child ends up committing a crime, or getting involved others who commit crimes.<BR/><BR/>Also, according to the book, “decent” kids can switch back and forth from “street” to “decent.” “Street” kids have not been raised in “decent” homes so they don’t know how to code switch.The Perimeter Primatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12619173438763495716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3359348507190689090.post-30226503561610035532008-03-07T11:38:00.000-08:002008-03-07T11:38:00.000-08:00I'm reading "Code of the Streets" now. There's a w...I'm reading "Code of the Streets" now. <BR/><BR/>There's a whole set of street behaviors and symbols that confers respect on individuals -- including the mugging described in this post. But one key point is that to the people involved, it doesn't necessarily confer just status; it confers survival in a dangerous environment. They're one and the same. Realizing that makes it much more understandable. <BR/><BR/>I've often wondered, for example, why smart people would flaunt mannerisms and dress that attract the attention of the police. Now, from that book, I get it.carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127336930949752636noreply@blogger.com