An Educator's Aid?

So, I was in my hometown of Rochester, New York (Jigga Voice: "The Roc") this past weekend. There was a discussion on the radio regarding a new item added to the Rochester School District's Summer Reading list. None other than Currrrtttttiiissss Jackson aka “50 Cent” is the author of the book. Rapper 50 Cent's book, From Pieces to Weight, recounts his early life in the New York City drug trade in the same language that characterizes his music. The book was added to the reading list in an effort to increase teen reading with more "interesting" subject matter and teach on the "black experience." The conversation went on to discuss another book that made the cut a few years back, The Coldest Winter Ever by Sista Soulja.

Now as much as I LOVED Sista Soulja's book and will do a 2 step with a twist to "It's Your Birthday" for the next 20 birthdays to come...Umm, really, I wouldn't want my daughter to read those books at a young age. There are tons of MODERN books that teach of the black experience that I'd prefer her to read. This act makes me think that the powers that be feel that in order for something to be about the "black experience" it has to be something negative. As for my friends, and me we've moved beyond the Donald Goines tails and "True to the Game" books to The Help, Standing at the Scratch Line, and What you owe me. Hollywood has gone from The Mack (70s) and Menace (90s) to The Best Man, The Pursuit of Happiness and Why Did I Get Married! Let's continue to move forward is all I'm screaming :-)

Readers, now, I've been told that I have semi-conservative views at times. I just feel that there should always be SOME standard in place. If you have no rules or if you continue to stretch things from the norms it just makes room for further stretching in years to come. Twenty years ago you didn't hear curse words on TV and radio. Now you can say certain curse words on primetime TV and radio. So, when my 2 year old turns 20 you may hear the weather man say "It's cold as a B*tch outside!" :-)

So readers, what do you think? Are these types of "changes" good? Should old fashion people like me try and understand that as time changes so should our approach? Your thoughts?

Talk to me people....