2_salazar_francisco

Francisco R. Salazar

Composition

Spring 2001

A Day Long Remembered

The youth of today, for the most part, emulates the youth of the past, but the older generation believes us to be the epitome of misguidance. Why is that? Just because they think the majority of us happen to be the jean and t-shirt type of kids- -kids who like to avoid dressing up- -kids who enjoy looking like they just got out of a garbage can. This does not mean we are drug-taking underachievers looking for a good time. Unfortunately, that just described many of the youth of today. But we are not all like that. Those who are jealous and lazy in nature bring the rest of us down. These are the children who give us a bad name. These are the children who ruined my chance to become Drum Major for my high school marching band. However, the kids in my class are not totally to blame. Adults should realize that "kids will be kids," and stereotyping based on the actions of a few is illogical.

The very first day I walked in the band hall of my high school, the lead band director had already labeled me. Because of the appearance of my jeans and ragged t-shirt, he believed me to be undisciplined, and lacking commitment to the organization, and he told me this to my face! His biggest problem was the fact that he could not intimidate me like all the other band kiddies in class. He was forced to deal with me because I was the best trombonist he had. I ranked about seventh valley-wide in playing ability. That is the only reason he allowed me to remain.

Time came for Drum Major try-outs my senior year. Several years of section leader experience were required. Fortunately for me, I had already acquired three years of section leader experience and everything I needed to try out. But I knew the moment I stepped into that audition room, and from the gleam in his eyes, my chance of being Drum Major was doomed.

The day came for the results to be posted. I was afraid to look. Thinking about it only made me realize what the answer was before even looking. I did not make it. I took it hard when I found out. Who wouldn't be disappointed? Prejudice is sometimes thought of as a relic of the past- -a disease which exists in stories of old. If only that idea were true.

Honestly, I never thought I would encounter prejudice. I was naïve to believe that. You would think it was something that only exists in the movies. But, no. It is very real. I received my first dose of reality that day. He showed me how ugly this human attribute really is. In a way I am almost glad that situation occurred. He taught me something about bias and prejudice. When I become a teacher, I will not be like him. He helped me realize what not to be: a teacher who teaches with bias and prejudice as his allies.









			Francisco R. Salazar Composition Spring 2001 A Day Long Remembered The youth of today, for the most part, emulates the youth of the past, but the older generation believes us to be the epitome of misguidance. Why is that? Just because they think the majority of us happen to be the jean and t-shirt type of kids- -kids who like to avoid dressing up- -kids who enjoy looking like they just got out of a garbage can. This does not mean we are drug-taking underachievers looking for a good time. Unfortunately, that just described many of the youth of today. But we are not all like that. Those who are jealous and lazy in nature bring the rest of us down. These are the children who give us a bad name. These are the children who ruined my chance to become Drum Major for my high school marching band. However, the kids in my class are not totally to blame. Adults should realize that "kids will be kids," and stereotyping based on the actions of a few is illogical. The very first day I walked in the band hall of my high school, the lead band director had already labeled me. Because of the appearance of my jeans and ragged t-shirt, he believed me to be undisciplined, and lacking commitment to the organization, and he told me this to my face! His biggest problem was the fact that he could not intimidate me like all the other band kiddies in class. He was forced to deal with me because I was the best trombonist he had. I ranked about seventh valley-wide in playing ability. That is the only reason he allowed me to remain. Time came for Drum Major try-outs my senior year. Several years of section leader experience were required. Fortunately for me, I had already acquired three years of section leader experience and everything I needed to try out. But I knew the moment I stepped into that audition room, and from the gleam in his eyes, my chance of being Drum Major was doomed. The day came for the results to be posted. I was afraid to look. Thinking about it only made me realize what the answer was before even looking. I did not make it. I took it hard when I found out. Who wouldn't be disappointed? Prejudice is sometimes thought of as a relic of the past- -a disease which exists in stories of old. If only that idea were true. Honestly, I never thought I would encounter prejudice. I was naïve to believe that. You would think it was something that only exists in the movies. But, no. It is very real. I received my first dose of reality that day. He showed me how ugly this human attribute really is. In a way I am almost glad that situation occurred. He taught me something about bias and prejudice. When I become a teacher, I will not be like him. He helped me realize what not to be: a teacher who teaches with bias and prejudice as his allies.