sleepyeyed_Jynx
06-17-2004, 12:24 PM
Ok, I'm gonna have to rant this one...
I am a 17 year old african-american male living in South Jamaica Queens and I'm looking fo a summer job. I've literally walked up and down Jamaica Ave. and inquired about any openings from Toys R Us, to Modells, to Burger King. Simply put, you name them, I've asked. I have even went as far as to apply for a part time job at Walgreens. Anyway, today I chose to follow up on what seemed to be an almost guarenteed spot at McDonalds, a place I usually bash for their rising prices, and not so friendly staff. So I came at around 2:07 as the two managers told me to come at 2. Seven minutes late. I'm thinking they may not be quick to over look my tardyness, but the one manager that was there didn't even remember. So I identified myself as the youngman who you instructed to come back tomorrow, which was now today. She didn't recognize me until she asked if I was the kid that stood next to the trash compartment (i cant say trash cans, those things are so damn sophisticated when you think about it). I responded yes, and asked if i had my documents, i said yes and she told me to hold on. So I did, for a little over an hour, standing. Two of the workers at the register went as far as to make a joke in relation to my wanting to get a job. I even heard another worker respond to another when asked where she went, that she was on the phone. So I decided to finally take whatever dignity I had left, and leave. If they really wanted to hire someone, she would have taken the 3 minutes necessary to confirm everything and tell me when I can start, but she didn't, cause I'm basically shit, or at least that's what I usually feel like by others actions now a days. So it bring me to this, whenever you hear people talk about black males, teenagers more specifically selling drugs, just go the extra step to wonder what kind of situation they're in. I'm just about poor. My parents are superheros in my eyes who do everything possible that is LEGAL to ensure that my brothers and sisters (6) have grown up comfertably. The older four of the six grown up and gone on to marry, and continue their life. Myself and my sister are the onl two left in the house, and my parents still bust their butts for the two of us. I've been wearing the same pair of sneakers since last summer, and I usually get a new pair every year, last year I got two pairs in a year, but I don't complain nor do I make it a point to ask for much of anything from my parents because I know how hard they work, and yet how little they have. Now, with so many rejections I can either continue to try and find a place to work, or nickel and dime. I'll choose the former since my parents have raised me right. But in this city, where the after school programs have been cut, and so much funding for other school activities as well as even extra classes have been cut, with little to no community outreach centers surviving with the goal of giving inner city kids an oppurtunity, it certainly is a joke when we turn around and then criticize those kids for making bad decisions when they aren't given much choices. That's all I wanted to say.
Jesus - The Source of my Strength!
<IMG SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~rmfallon/RFnetsleepyeyed_Jynx2.jpg">
<marquee>"The Revolution will not be televised!"</marquee>
WWFallon - The best there ever will be!
I am a 17 year old african-american male living in South Jamaica Queens and I'm looking fo a summer job. I've literally walked up and down Jamaica Ave. and inquired about any openings from Toys R Us, to Modells, to Burger King. Simply put, you name them, I've asked. I have even went as far as to apply for a part time job at Walgreens. Anyway, today I chose to follow up on what seemed to be an almost guarenteed spot at McDonalds, a place I usually bash for their rising prices, and not so friendly staff. So I came at around 2:07 as the two managers told me to come at 2. Seven minutes late. I'm thinking they may not be quick to over look my tardyness, but the one manager that was there didn't even remember. So I identified myself as the youngman who you instructed to come back tomorrow, which was now today. She didn't recognize me until she asked if I was the kid that stood next to the trash compartment (i cant say trash cans, those things are so damn sophisticated when you think about it). I responded yes, and asked if i had my documents, i said yes and she told me to hold on. So I did, for a little over an hour, standing. Two of the workers at the register went as far as to make a joke in relation to my wanting to get a job. I even heard another worker respond to another when asked where she went, that she was on the phone. So I decided to finally take whatever dignity I had left, and leave. If they really wanted to hire someone, she would have taken the 3 minutes necessary to confirm everything and tell me when I can start, but she didn't, cause I'm basically shit, or at least that's what I usually feel like by others actions now a days. So it bring me to this, whenever you hear people talk about black males, teenagers more specifically selling drugs, just go the extra step to wonder what kind of situation they're in. I'm just about poor. My parents are superheros in my eyes who do everything possible that is LEGAL to ensure that my brothers and sisters (6) have grown up comfertably. The older four of the six grown up and gone on to marry, and continue their life. Myself and my sister are the onl two left in the house, and my parents still bust their butts for the two of us. I've been wearing the same pair of sneakers since last summer, and I usually get a new pair every year, last year I got two pairs in a year, but I don't complain nor do I make it a point to ask for much of anything from my parents because I know how hard they work, and yet how little they have. Now, with so many rejections I can either continue to try and find a place to work, or nickel and dime. I'll choose the former since my parents have raised me right. But in this city, where the after school programs have been cut, and so much funding for other school activities as well as even extra classes have been cut, with little to no community outreach centers surviving with the goal of giving inner city kids an oppurtunity, it certainly is a joke when we turn around and then criticize those kids for making bad decisions when they aren't given much choices. That's all I wanted to say.
Jesus - The Source of my Strength!
<IMG SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~rmfallon/RFnetsleepyeyed_Jynx2.jpg">
<marquee>"The Revolution will not be televised!"</marquee>
WWFallon - The best there ever will be!