For those of you who are interested, I began my DC Reads job today. I warn you this is going to turn into a political rant later...consider this a spoiler and if you know you're not going to like what I have to say...well...don't read.

The line of division between the rest of D.C. and Southeast is as visible as the "SE" markings on the street signs. As soon as the bus crossed over you went from beautiful, perfectly manicured homes with Mercedes, BMWs and Lexus' in the driveways to slums and projects with Ford POSs circa 1950 in the driveways (which, for the most part, were dirt or front yards...you know...whatever sufficed at the time). We passed a large elementary school on the left (by large I mean huge...bigger then YC for those of you reading this from York). The name of the school eludes me at present, but the banner proudly displayed below it shall remain engraved in my mind forever. "Pride of Anacostia." My first thought, literally, was what's to be proud of?! The school had broken in windows (the windows that were not boarded up at any rate), rusty pipes and a nearly destroyed, rusty chain link fence surrounding broken concrete play yard with weeds more evident then trees or shubbery. At the time I figured, "OK...this is the best they've got...at least I'm working here, I don't even want to see what the other schools look like." Then, much to my horror and dismay, we drove right past Anacostia's pride. As luck would have it, I'm stationed at a place called "The Birney School" heretofore known as "Birney." I hesitantly got off the bus and followed my fellow tutors to the rusted, bullet proof door which swung open easily (such a difference from the pristine glass doors at my nephew's school where you have to be buzzed in after being inspected on a CCTV. Ironic how in the areas that need protection the most there is very little (if any at all) and in the areas that need the least security there is more then enough...) ANYWAYS, moving on. A girl slowed down and asked me, "first day?" I nodded my head, then she asked my name but didn't offer her own. After the semi-introduction she said, "Welcome to Birney. That's the only time you'll ever hear that." And I couldn't help but having sudden mental flashbacks to The Shawshank Redemption and remembrances of Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing. After some more quick and informal review and training I was assigned to my classroom of 4th graders (great age group, in my opinion). Today there were 2 tutors in the room, Kim (who has been there about 3 years and loves the kids) and Brian (who is from Ireland and won't be returning again because he's going home). When Kim found out I was going to be a permanent Tuesday tutor she said, "thank god! I was handling this all by myself for weeks now and it is just too much for one person to handle." I quickly learned the kids' names (hey, babysitting a 5 kids, twins and triplets, at once, had to pay off sooner or later.) The kids were great. Absolute sweethearts for the most part, but handling 10 of them with 3 people was hard enough, I cannot imagine how hard it's going to be when there are just 2 of us and I don't even want to think about what Kim went through before Brian and I.

So basically, all this is a set up to prove a point--THERE IS A HUGE DISCREPENCY IN SOCIAL JUSTICE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. Our current system is not working and something has to change. My biggest fear going into this was that the kids weren't going to listen to me or respect me because I basically understand NOTHING about their situation. I had no issue with that whatsoever. Those kids are some of the sweetest, most open minded people I can imagine. My issue now is surviving a day at work without marching to the White House and demanding that the educational system be seriously re-evaluated. Some of the kids in my class are absolutely brilliant and so dedicated to school. But do you know what their chances of graduating high school, let alone going to college are?! SLIM TO NONE. I see red every time I think of everything these kids deserve (all the hope and happiness I was given as a child, and more) yet are denied just because of where they happened to be born and because of what race they belong to. You know what upsets me EVEN MORE?! The fact that Bush has the AUDACITY to push "No Child Left Behind" like it's some great deed to humanity when not only can he barley speak the english language himself (comment courtesy of Sam) but he's actually underfunding the programs that form the backbone of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK -end rant-. On a happy note...the other day Sam, Jess, Sara and I went shoe shopping in Tenley. Twas awesome. Sara and Jess shopped for "Jap" stuff while Sam and I searched for shoes for her (she desperately needed them). Turns out we have similar taste in shoes (which, of course, makes her awesome) and she bought 2 pairs of cool boots, and I got a pair of comfy black sneakers. Happiness indeed. And tonight we had our weekly girls night. We watched Chicago (fantastic movie) on Southside (everyone who went shoe shopping plus Kat). I'm trying to convince them to do the monuments at night thing before it gets too cold and dark but thus far it's not working (c'mon guys...it'd be fun!). Next Monday I think we're going to go see Taxi. Mwahaha. Kat and her love for her car...go figure...