During my first semester teaching in a private Christian school, less than 10 percent of my students were minorities. Ten years later, roughly half of my students were either African Americans, Hispanic or from overseas, on exchange for a year. As these cultures clashed with suburbia, I noticed a change in several students, mainly guys. Trying to fit in, these teenagers began to emulate Ice Cube, 50 Cent, Eminem and 2Pac. Instead of conforming to Christ, Romans 12:1-2, most ventured into the material world, wearing ball caps to the side, dressing like rap stars in videos and speaking broken English, slang, to sound cool.
Last night, I experienced my first public roller skating crowd since high school, escorting my daughter to her 9th birthday party at the local rink in town. What I saw was much worse than anything I encountered in my classroom as a teacher. As I stood to the side, talking pictures on my ipad of my daughter and her friends, a middle school girl gave me some advice. “Be careful when you carry that Mister, there are some really mean people here!” This was just a few minutes after people started skating, a clear indication that there are way too many gangsta wanna be’s in this upcoming generation.
In my final years of teaching, I attended a few seminars which addressed this issue of art imitating life, giving a biblical perspective of why some many young people are drawn to rap culture. Leaders like Dr. Jeff Meyers and John Stonestreet have developed cutting edge curriculum, on the edge of societal evolution, available through Summit Ministries. When people are humble, the media dismisses them as they bypass these individuals for the flamboyant, obnoxious or those who give great sound bites. Or they take godly role models like Tim Tebow, over killing their coverage, causing the average fan to tune out, sick of the same message. In this age, in a world that is falling apart morally, may father figures and influences like the movie Courageous change these gangster feelings before its too late.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 