This week MLK Academy 6th, 7th, and 8th students explored what it means to give and listen to good advice. Advice is an opinion that is supposed to be helpful and offer guidance. Students mentioned people in their own lives that give them advice: parents, siblings, elders, teachers, and friends. Together we read Langston Hughes poem “Mother to Son” where a mother is giving her son advice about life. Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair/It’s had tacks in it/And splinters/And boards torn up/And places with no carpet on the floor. Throughout the poem the mother uses the image of stairs to represent the hardships that she has faced in life. Yet, she has not allowed them to defeat her, she continues to climb. So boy, don’t turn back/Don’t you set down on the steps/Cause you finds it’s kinder hard. The mother wants her son to continue to reach for his goals despite obstacles, knowing that up the top of these “stairs” there is success and achievement.
Inspired by Langston Hughes students wrote poems about meaningful advice they wish to share with people in their community. Please enjoy these published poems.
Don’t Shoot That Gun
By Stephon
Just because u lost a fight don’t shoot that gun
You out having fun don’t shoot that gun
Are you trying to go to jail don’t shoot that gun
DON’T SHOOT THAT GUN
DON’T SHOOT THAT GUN
DON’T SHOOT THAT GUNNN
Brother Advice
By Elias
One day when me and my big brother went to the park,
I was very mad and irritated, so my big bro said chill out
don’t take out your anger on someone. Even if they are
responsible for your anger. Then I was a little happier
and I thanked him.
Celebrity to Fan
By London
“I don’t do things for the response or for the controversy.
I just live my life.” A quote from Rhianna.
She is talking to not just me but to other fans of hers’ too.
I like the advice because it tells you why she does
the things she does. That’s how I want to live my life.
