THINKING TURKEY, GIVING THANKS

It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you’re living like a turkey . . . John Maxwell

No matter how hard I try, no matter what advice I give, there are students fighting me every step of the way. Their resistance, you would think, would weaken with age. We call it: growing up. Prisoner Harris has defied that maturation process.

“I’m ready for the GED Exams,” he says.

Even though he’s approaching thirty and has been enrolled in school more times than I’d like to count, I explain the rules to the game: 1) you need to show up for class, 2) you need to do your assignments, and 3) you need to qualify for the actual GED Exams by passing a series of half-tests. “Put forth an effort,” I tell him, “and you may surprise yourself.”

He’s not buying it. He thinks I’m the problem; I’m the obstacle preventing him from earning his General Equivalency Diploma. I’m not Monte Hall. This is not “Let’s Make a Deal.” Even if it were, even if I asked, “Door number one? Or door number two?” I guarantee you that after handing him the key he’d lose it, he’d lock himself out.

“Okay,” I tell him, “We’ll disregard your attendance; we’ll disregard your dismal study habits, your poor work ethic. I’ll schedule you for the next half-tests.”

I already know my decision will not affect the outcome. Although he’s in agreement with this arrangement, he continues to miss class which leads to him not seeing the posted test schedule. However, on the day of reckoning he’s given an itinerary with his scheduled time for testing. He never arrives. I fill-out an absence form. The school officer calls his unit. Soon I'm provided with an explanation: “Prisoner Harris overslept and was not aware of the testing session.”

More John Maxwell: Turkey-thinking + turkey-talk = turkey-walk.
Soar like an eagle everyone, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

*Note: Pictured from left to right at the Lawrence Street Gallery are Rick Moore, Michelle Brooks, myself, and Mark Durfee. More to come.