hallRIGHTSfall2109

Christian Parris

 

Jessica Parker is a reporter for the daily news she was assigned the task of writing an article on the increasing rate of young people under the age of 20 being in prison. For her report, she interviewed a prisoner who is serving a twenty-year sentence Jeremy Thomas for assault and battery. 

Act I

Report: Mr. Thomas I was wondering if we could speak to you about what happened. We all know how you ended up in jail? What got you here for half of your life? What caused this you were still in middle school you had your whole life ahead of you.

 

Jeremy: Well this is a long story where should I start. Maybe with the case or maybe the middle school experience itself. 

 

Jeremy: I was a young kid from Houston he lives with his mom and dad in their apartment in a low-income neighborhood. I had just started middle school with my best friend Tyler. I lived next door to him since there early years. This is the story on how I end up not only friendless but in prison. 

Act II

 Jeremy: I woke up excited but also nervous for my first day of school of my  middle school.  I got dressed for school both my parents have left for work already and I was the last one to leave but before I went to the kitchen to find something to eat. When suddenly I hears a knock on the door. It is Tyler he was my best friend from when we  met when we were still in kindergarten. Now  Both him and I where going to the same middle school unlike me, Tyler is outgoing and mischievous you could never know what he was going to do next.

 

Tyler: Yo you ready to go it’s our first day of school we gotta get their early. 

 

Jeremy: What’s the rush we got so much time school starts in like the next 30 minutes. Let’s take our time it’s not that far.

 

Tyler: Yeah but don’t you know in middle school everyone starts to group into different areas. This is where we make our names I don’t want to be known as the social loser of the school. 

 

Jeremy: Relax there is no way with your outgoing attitude that you become a social outcast.

 

Tyler: Yeah but this is a different ball game from our old school it was easy because everyone was friends with everyone. This..this is middle school the group you hang about with here will affect your social status all the way till college. 

 

Jeremy: Yeah we’ll make sure in your plan to fit in you don’t do anything stupid that can get you into trouble.

 

Tyler: Please what’s the worst the can do give us a slap on the wrist and send us home, I ain’t scared 

 

Jeremy: Right just don’t do anything that I would get you into danger.  I don’t feel like save you from things like fights or drugs 

 

Tyler: Sure I promise I won’t do anything come on bro trust me I ain’t that stupid. Now hurry up and let’s go where on the clock 

 

Jeremy:Fine, let me grab something to eat out of the kitchen before we leave. Alright, let’s head out.

Narrator: They  leave the house and walk to their new school and reach their 5 minutes before class starts. Both of them go to get their schedules realizing they are not in the same class.  

 

Tyler: Dang it well this sucks we not in the same class 

 

Tyler: Well at least we will be able to see each other at lunch and we can go to the arcade after school. 

 

Jeremy: True well we better get to class before the bell rings. See you at lunch 

 

Jeremy is a kid who has always had good grades so he was put in the exiled class. While his friend Tyler a little below average in all his classes so he was put into a regular class. As time when by both of them got used to their new school 2 months have now passed.  

 

Tyler: Bro you heard that tryouts for the basketball team are next week you and me  should tryouts .

 

Jeremy: Really sure I probably would have done it even before asked me but now we a Duo like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. 

 

Tyler: I better be Curry cause you know I got better handles than you .

 

Jeremy: Sure dude keep dreaming. Let’s go to the park if your serious we got to keep training to be ready. 

 

Tyler: Remember who beat you in a one v one. That was a while ago, bet you can’t beat me now. 

Act III

As they walk to the park they run into kids from school one especially Anthony he’s known to be wild and gets into fights but he is a cool guy at school popular and everyone likes him.

 

Anthony: what’s up guys want to go to a party at my house around the corner come on man it will be fun.

 

Jeremy: No thanks we’re good we were just on our way to the park to play some ball.

 

Anthony: Dang dude why you have to be such a drag in the mud. Whatever you two pansies go play basketball or whatever me and my friends are going to a party.

 

They kept walking to the park once they got there they trained all the way to the night and day every day till the day of tryouts. They got to the tryouts early there they met the coach and got to practice before the tryouts. 

Act IV

Coach: You both have great potential and are hardworking I would love to see you two join the team. 

 

Jeremy: Really thanks coach we both work very hard and would be a great addition to the team.

 

Tyler: Yeah you know it.

 

The tryouts began and everything went well they were both doing great as the tryouts went on both of them showed how hard they worked In the end both were happy to know they made the team. 

 

Tyler: Yes, we did it. 

 

Jeremy: Yep I told you all the hard work would pay off.  

 

Tyler: heck yeah  to celebrate this occasion we should party tonight .

 

Jeremy: Can’t I got to study for a test my class is taking tomorrow. Don’t you have any studying to do as well .

 

Tyler: Come on man light up. I don’t know about you but I got to party

 

Jeremy: bro I think you should study instead but it’s not my choice.

Act V

A few days passed since the tryouts and team practice started the coach pulled Tyler aside and was talking to him. Then out of nowhere, Tyler left Jeremy asked the coach why Tyler left. 

 

Jeremy: Hey Coach asked him why did Tyler leave?

 

Coach: Sadly I had to cut him from the team. 

 

Jeremy: What. Why?

 

Coach: His grades were slipping lately and he wasn’t passing his test he left me no choice. Now come on let’s get back to practice.

 

Later on that night on his way home Jeremy stopped by Tyler House. 

 

Jeremy: Yo bro you good I heard what happened 

 

Tyler:(Angerly) It’s not fear man just cause I scored low on one stupid test I can’t even play anymore it’s not everyone far the stuff on that test was like rocket science. 

 

Jeremy: Bro I told you you should have studied instead of going off partying 

 

Tyler: I didn’t even go I took your advice for once and I studied my hardest and that still wasn’t enough. 

 

Jeremy: well maybe you could get a tutor and if you do well on the next test I could ask the coach to give you a second chance. 

 

Tyler: don’t bother like I have the money for a tutor. Besides it’s too late by the time my grades get up to that level they would have already given away my spot on the team. 

 

Jeremy: bro come on at least we can try

 

Tyler: Thanks for coming but l need some time to myself 

 

(He closes the door)

 

Days pass by Jeremy are hard at work trying to juggle school and basketball he hasn’t heard from Tyler since the last time they talk. He is worried that he would do something stupid and his sesspitions were correct. While that’s happening Tyler runs into Anthony while sitting by the basketball court at the park by himself. 

Act VI

Anthony: If it isn’t the basketball stars where’s your friend is he not hear to protect you. 

 

Tyler: No he is at basketball practice. 

 

Anthony: Really wasn’t you supposed to be on the team as well. 

 

Tyler: I was on the team but I got kicked of cause my grades weren’t high enough.

 

Anthony: Really such a shame so your friend is on the team but you aren’t. Dang, he’s lucky he’s probably of making new friends with everyone while you’re still alone. He will probably forget about you altogether 

 

Tyler: No he won’t we have been friends since we were little he’s my best friend. 

 

Anthony: Oh really, then how come he hasn’t reached To you since he joined the team. You think it’s because he’s busy no it’s because he is moving on, which is what you should be doing. 

 

Tyler: How can I do that? 

 

Anthony: Join me and my friends it will be fun and you could be part of the most popular group in school. What do you say? 

 

Tyler: Well, Sure yeah let’s do it. 

 

Anthony: I was hoping you would say that. 

 

A few week Jeremy realizes he see less of his best friend Tyler and gets the idea to call him and as if he wanted to see his next game and after the game they can go hang out.

Jeremy: Yo bro what’s good.

 

Tyler: Nothing how you been. 

 

Jeremy: I’ve been good. So I was wondering if you would want to go to my next game it will be a big game. Coach is letting me start so what do you say. 

 

Tyler: nah man I’m really busy maybe next time.

 

Jeremy: Ok man by I was wondering if we could hang out on the weekend or something.

 

Tyler : nah man this week isn’t a great time for me 

 

Jeremy: really dang. Well let me know when it’s a great time 

 

Tyler: Alright. 

Act VII

While Tyler grew colder he started not only to engorging Jeremy but became jealous. Jealous on how he was on the basketball team. Jealous how he was able to make new friends and become popular without even trying like  how Jeremy did. It hit the climax with Antoine instigating the problem.

 

Anthony: WOW. Really it took him this long to reach out to you. He must not think of you now that he got his new friends on the basketball team .

 

Tyler: Really you think so? Nah it ain’t like that he probably just been tried, you know from basketball practice and school. 

 

Anthony: You know once I heard him talking with some kids from school them hangout and I thought I saw him with them. But it probably wasn’t him unless he thought you were going to cramp his style. I don’t know I must be going crazy.

 

Tyler: Yeah you’re right you must be cause I know him he would never do that. 

 

Anthony: Hey man don’t get mad at me. I’m just saying. Anyway me and the boys want to hangout and I need you to do us a favor. You could start making a lot of money. 

 

A few days pass Tyler is waking in the stairwell up to his next class but before he gets there he see Tyler with a nervous face like something was wrong. 

 

Jermey: Yo bro it’s been a while. 

 

Tyler: (nervously)Yeah man it has.

 

Jermey: How have you been.

 

Tyler: Fine 

 

Jermey: It’s been crazy how busy I’ve been we gotta find sometime when we can hangout .

 

Tyler: Yeah. Well I got to do something Catch you later. 

 

He runs off Jeremy continue walking when he hears two people talking. Dude it’s so funny we got that guy under the pam of our hand and if we get caught selling test answers we can just say we never knew and get off Scot easy. Anthony was right this was going to be so easy and that dude is so gullible. Yeah I know right (laughter)

Act VIII

Jermey runs to find Anthony in the lunchroom with his group of friends. Tyler is their with them when Jermey walks up to them . 

 

Jermey: I want you to tell the truth.  

 

Anthony: The truth about what? 

 

Tyler: Jermey, Anthony what’s going on here.

 

Jermey: Tell him, tell him your plans on how 

If your illegal business fail you would pine everything on him.

 

Anthony: I don’t know what your talking about 

 

Jeremy:  Yes you do. Quit playing dum 

 

Anthony: Seriously I don’t know.  Now quit bothering me before we have a really problem.

 

Tyler just sits there in silence as Anthony friends surround Jermey. 

 

Jermey: ok I get it.

 

Later on that day Jermey was called into the principal’s office not knowing what he did wrong. To his shock he saw both the principal and vice principal. 

Act IX

Principal: Young man I hope you have a good explanation for this .

She pullout a stack of sheets with with test answers for the school midterm.

Vice Principal: We found this.

Jermey: What is this? I don’t know what your talking about. 

 

Vice principal: oh so your playing dum. We were tipped off by one of your friends on how you were cheating on your test and how you started selling answers. So went and check your gym locker and what do we find.

 

Jermey: miss I swear that isn’t mine. 

 

Principal: I’m sorry but your in deep trouble 

 

Jermey: Can you at least tell me who told you his . 

 

Principal: I’m sorry we can’t 

 

Vice Principal: As I  punishment not only are you going to be suspended but you also are cut from all school activities. 

 

Jermey: what that’s not far. I did nothing 

 

Vice Principal: That’s all your dismissed. We have already contacted your parents. 

 

He leaves to he leave to collect his things when he walks down the stairs he see Tyler 

 

Jermey: Hey Tyler you won’t believe it I think Anthony frame me he planned evidence in my locker and told the principals. I swear if I see him I’ll. 

 

Tyler: It wasn’t him, It was me. 

 

Jermey: What. What do you mean 

 

Tyler: I mean I was the one who planned the answers to the test and told on you. 

 

Jermey: Why would you do that ? 

 

Tyler: Anthony told me how you where a danger to what we were doing and how you might snitch, so I bet you to it. You where handed everything on a silver plate, know your finally back down to earth  

 

Jermey: You were supposed to be my friend how could you.

 

Tyler: Friend? Friend you never had time for me after joining the team and started hanging out with your new friends new friends. Our  friendship went through a rough patch and you lift all together. 

 

Jermey: Your crazy. Did you know your stunt not only got me suspended but kick off the team.

 

Tyler: I’m glad for once you’re the loser in a situation, Not so perfect now.

 

(Back to present)
Act X

Jermey: And at that moment out of anger I pushed him. I pushed him so hard that he fell down the stairs and he got hurt so bad that they said he would never walk again. Police were called and I was put in handcuffs and the rest is history I was put in juvenile detention center. It’s been three years since and I look back on the situation everyday wondering what I could have done differently.  I could have started high school by now, wow time has passed.

 

Reporter: So from what I understand it’s your friends fault? 

 

Jeremy: Nah I don’t blame him anymore I blame the school system. The school to prison pipeline that’s what I’m apart of the school to prison pipeline. In steady of my friend relying on cheating you know what they could have done changed standardized test and maybe just maybe.  On my part instead of pushing him I could have talked out our differences when they started but I couldn’t do it alone schools should offer help in a situation like that. But at the end of the day here doesn’t feel differently from school except I can go home. The same process just like school, prison is just another way to break your spirits.

 

Reporter: final question if you don’t mind. Did you ever hear from Tyler again?

 

Jeremy: No I never heard from him but if I did I would tell him I’m sorry and I that I forgave him . If I could change anything  I would have found someway  to help kids just like Tyler so they don’t go down that path. Instead  of pushing him I should  have talked out our differences but yet I didn’t and now I will regret that for the rest of my life.

 

Neil Duran

English

 

As I look at each and every one of you I see the future, a future encased in a dense layer of ignorance. I implore you to attempt to break the habit of monotony, deviate from the path society has conditioned your brain to follow, create your own truth. There is an inherent diversity in all living beings: but a critical question stand does this diversity constitute a difference? We’re taught that certain physical characteristics and genealogy define your race, this concept of race is widely accepted by the population. What many of us don’t know is that race isn’t something as simple as the color of your skin or your chemical make up. What is the difference between me and you? What makes your skin darker than mine? What makes your hair fairer? What makes your eyes lighter? It’s the result of environmental stimuli that your predecessors underwent, this insinuates that at some point us as people as humans, we intersected and were a unified “Race”. I’m old my idea of race has already been cemented into my brain, even as I educate myself on the topic I still find it difficult to grasp. Your young you have the room for objectivity, the burden of ignorance is replaced by innocence. But how can you understand such a foreign concept, when your elders struggle with it themselves, alienating themselves into stagnant groups. The wisdom we have as adults are plagued by bias, we pass on information but in our own unique ways. We pass on our mannerisms and prejudices creating reflections of ourselves in the youth. We create the bias, we create the race, we create the exclusion when we should create unison. These are all premises that fall into the category of “racial skepticism”, what is racial skepticism you may ask? It’s a philosophical theory which suggests that Race isn’t a real concept, Naomi Zack a racial skeptic summarizes their argument like this “A summary of the racial skeptic’s argument against the biological foundations for race, sequentially summarizing the scientific rejection of essences, geography, phenotypes, post-Mendelian transmission genetics, and genealogies as possible foundations for races. Aristotelian essences, thought to ground the common characteristics of distinct species, were correctly rejected by early modern philosophers.” To summarize the summarization to be a racial skeptic is to challenge the validity of a long-held belief. I wanted to talk about this as a belief since in my opinion, most racial barriers are a result of faulty logic. One example of this is the self-segregation of people globally, there have been constant instances of people unconsciously dividing themselves on the bases of race. A prime is an example is Europeans and Africans, Europeans believed themselves to be above Africans because of their belief in Manifest Destiny or the white man’s burden. The superiority that they held in high regard lead to 400 years of oppression on their fellow man. Would the same situation play out if the Europeans were racial skeptics? Most likely, but at least it won’t be a race issue anymore. Racial skepticism isn’t a fix-all that’ll magically whisk away all the problems or tensions between people in this society. Racial skepticism, in my opinion, can be an effective tool in dispelling stereotypes and other situations along those lines, it isn’t going to prevent large scale acts such as slavery. But maybe with this ideology all black people won’t be seen as criminals, all Mexicans won’t be seen as immigrants, all these microaggressions that are present in everyday life will slowly fade out of existence. Imagine the good we can do if we acknowledge that we aren’t separate, more job opportunities, more diverse communities, more potential to grow! The boundaries that have been established over centuries of oppression and disdain can easily collapse through the spreading of tolerance. Prejudice is inevitable but only when those ideas are already cemented into your way of life. The only way to break this cycle of prejudice is to teach students these values, philosophy isn’t touched upon in-depth in high schools. Introducing kids to philosophies like racial skepticism can help kids make a decision on what they want to believe instead of playing into a narrative. Through education, these prejudicial values can be stopped in their tracks and a more open mind can be created. Individuality is built through experience, giving kids the ability to learn about these values will result in more free thinkers. Children who are given the chance to attain this knowledge will grow up to pass the same ideologies to their kids creating a new cycle of intelluatilism aimed at dismantling the bias in everyday life.