Where do these kids go to school? They have been going to the same Christian school now for three years, and they don't know what happens when you die? How could this be? "Well, you can go to Heaven, or Hell I guess, just depending on the person." After this it was quiet. Relatively quiet I guess, but the subject was dropped.
Periodically through the day, someone would bring it back up. What a weird question to be asking. Are they planning on dying or something? Why are they asking about death all of a sudden? After thinking this for just a bit, it hit me why they were asking with the following conversation with my student Maxsteven.
"They got him in the forehead, Mr. Isaac!"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"My homeboy! They got him in the forehead!"
"Who? What? Who got who in the forehead?"
"My homeboy got cracked in the forehead this weekend! They capped him!"
"He is dead?"
"Yea, of course. He got shot right in the forehead. He is dead Mr. Isaac."
After talking for a bit, they all chimed in informing me that one of their friends, specifically Max's, was shot an killed just a block from the school on Friday. However, no one seemed effected by it. And surprisingly, I wasn't either. When first coming to Miami, hearing about a murder anywhere in the city frightened me. It was very scary how much crime was here, especially near where I was to work. Now, it doesn't even effect me. Someone was shot a block from where I work, roughly about 5 hours after I left and it doesn't even shock me anymore. This, I think, is more shocking to me than the actual fact this young boy's life was taken over a drug deal. After dealing with it and hearing about it everyday, you just come immune to these things. You may not think so, but everyone at the school is about the same way. "It's just another person getting shot. No big deal. Happens every day around here. Thats part of Little Haiti life!"
For the rest of the day, I take it easy in class as I notice no one can really pay attention. While they try to act tough, as if nothing happened, I can tell they are all thinking about their friend. I promise them if they can pay attention through a short math lesson, we will have McDonald's. Little did they know I already had it in the microwave for them staying warm, and I would give it to them no matter what, but they think they are getting rewarded, which is the plan.
Working in ghetto has really opened my eyes in a way I never thought they would be opened. So many lessons can be taught to a teacher in school that somedays I really wonder just who the real teachers are. I truly feel I am learning much more from these boys than I could ever teach them!
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