A SaFe PlaCe

Lets describe a secret...
According to Websters, it is kept from the knowledge of any
but the initiated or privileged
We've all had to keep a secret of our own
And we've all told a secret of someone elses
When this happens... the word spreads for better or for worse
So, tell me why is it that when anyone mentions this secret... a movement is not made?

This secret known as the "other America"
Not your America... but their America
Try working 7am- 7pm as a mom with three kids...
Your husband works from 7pm- 7am, do you remember what he looks like?
Hopelessness feels your home, even when you try to avoid it
Keeping the fact that you are in poverty is hard to keep from your children
especially when you make $5,000.00. The salary of a part-time working teenager.

The teachers at school know about this so called secret, yet continue to send fundraiser packets home in their communities
All the while knowing, that hanging around outside in the "other America" could cost way more than the peanuts they sell.
Of course the instructors don't attempt to write grants or fundraise outside of the county because when the bell rings at 3pm M-F... they are so over those BeBe Kids. No?
Oh but YESSS... they are. I've heard it with my own.
"I get free lunch, but sometimes my mom gives me 50 cents to buy an extra snack afterschool... I've never been able to buy that snack though, before the other boys at school ruff me up for my money" - the words of a 10 yr old boy i met

It was'nt much of a secret when his best friend was shot and killed at the gas station after school ... on accident (we must add!) he was 10 as well.
How dare that little boy go to the corner store after school for a soda pop!
The neighborhood mourns for a week or so... but this shooting stuff isnt rare.
I'm 19 and never saw a gun, until I came here.

So, you're telling me that your uncle touches you funny??? is what I said.
Well yea he does, but he helps pay the light bill so mom doesnt care.
These are the kinds of things I just don't get... I'm seeing this everyday.
I walk through these neighborhoods and the police say... heyyyy lil lady... it'd be your best bet to stay far far away!
But what I'm thinking... are people are living and dying right in these quarters and all the police department does are build the gates around them taller.
No after school programs, no sports teams, no cheer leads just them... trying to make it to 16.

Its far beyond 100 degrees during majority of the summer
&& nothing to do.
So I'll find nothing to do and do it with you.
On the survey I gave you, you said that you first had sex at the age of nine.
I was sure they didnt mean to answer that way... so I reread the question... to find out that his answer was really eight... that just wasnt an option. :-/
But how did you... and who did you... and where were you is my question.
&& if the only adult with you at home all day is your grandmother who sleeps her day away, while the KiDs run outside and play... who knew?

These are the things that I see everyday during my internship... supposedly they call this a job. Yes, it gets tiring... but I almost don't even want to put this on my resume.
Is'nt that just niccccceee... shes helping the poor. NOOOO, this is family... these are real people and real kids who have dreams and aspirations, just to be shot down by the mean old lady they live with. I want to bring them all home... I have not run into one bad kid yet. I get along with them just fine. I've even been a summer acknowledged Godmother lol... and I am loving it. While, I'm here I am attempting to make the best of it... my eyes are wide open and seeing everything around me soooo much differently than I thought I would. Even though I live in NC... oh I'll be back... I can't buy these kids new homes or put food on their tables... but for the first time in a long time... someone gave them a hug, said I love you... kept thier promises... came back to visit even when their neighborhood wasnt the best place to be... and for once, they had someone to tell their horror stories to and their dreams to... and somebody let them know, that it was going to be ok and they were there to stay.

I never realized that just listening to people could lift their spirits up... even when you had no advice to give...

Mobile, Alabama
special shoutouts go to: James, Ronnie, Kayla, Zay, Calvin, Fred my homies!
&& the rest of yallll out there... can't wait to meet ya!

Its all Love.

Love, Simply Me. :-)