what does it take to change a way of thinking?

This update is a little overdue, but nonetheless, here it is. I am in the full swing of things now.. getting to know my students better and finding my niche at my school. Every day I am so thankful for this opportunity God has given me to interact so closely with my students. It's truly a blessing, and it's so reassuring that working with this population of inner city kids is where the Lord wants me.

I will give you a little update about "Moses." Although he is still quiet at times, he has quickly overcome his shyness around me and often smiles and makes jokes with me. He has been coming to our after school program where we do homework help and also do some kind of activity, and he is also becoming good friends with another one of my students. It's been really fun for me to see them connect and form a friendship. =]

Last weekend we celebrated Make a Difference Day (a national day of service) at my school! It was a day where all 60+ City Year members and 40+ volunteers came to paint murals and quotes on the wall and also clean up the courtyard by mulching and weeding. The mural I helped paint is in the photo above - NWS's motto with an eagle which is the mascot. It was an incredible day because of the impact it makes on the school climate. For students to see and know that somebody came to their school because they care about them and their success is a priceless thing.. especially at a school that has been getting some negative attention lately. I want the students at NWS to be proud of their school and feel apart of a community there, and I think Make a Difference Day was the perfect springboard for that to start. Of course it will take a lot of work, but I have hope.

I think one of the biggest obstacles I see in Milwaukee - and my school especially - is the belief that if somebody hits you, you have to hit them back.. or if somebody talks slick to you, you have to beat them up so they know you're not "soft" and you're not going to take them talking about you. From what I've seen, it's so deeply ingrained in the culture.. which is why I think there are so many fights and violence here. I was talking to a couple of my girls about it and telling them that I don't understand how fighting and violence are the answers to problems. One of them replied that fighting is "fun" because you get to see who's better by whoever wins the fight. I do see their point.. that if you beat somebody up, they'll think twice about messing with you the next time.. but how do you change this way of thinking?? All I say is that violence is not the answer and that it just leads to more violence. I've talked to a couple students too about how it's a cycle and somebody - a leader - has to stand up against it and stop the cycle. I'm not sure what else I can do. What will it even take to change this way of thinking that so many of these children are brought up with?? I've been thinking about this a lot lately and would definitely appreciate any thoughts or ideas that you have.

Thanks for reading! =]