Home Was New Orleans. But They Said Home Was Gone

Abstract

My cousin had just been enrolled at Sci Academy Charter School and I agreed to go on the tour with him. Students have to walk on the line. Students can’t make noise in the hallway. Students can’t do this, students can’t do that. I wanted a good education, but not at the price of having to be a prisoner. There was a long list of what would end up with suspensions. Chewing gum, having a phone, being late to class, simple things. A friend from Moton had enrolled in Sci. The teachers were white and not interested in Black problems in New Orleans. They couldn’t relate or understand some of the issues she had in her family. Actually, it was apparent they didn’t want to. I decided to stay at McMain. My new best friend, Wesley, had told me about this AP English class, which had a program attached to it, Students at the Center. “She want to take the class.” As simple as that, I was in the class. I was learning about everything. My education felt valuable again. I was doing college courses and always had work to do. I also got my confidence back. I also was given a platform that made me feel my feelings were legitimate. I found out I wasn’t the only one complaining about the education system. I started learning about what was really going down in New Orleans. I started learning the truth behind charter schools.