What the Hell is Going on Here?

I had one of the girls in my class pass ME a note the other day.  She said, "You gotta look up this song, especially the lyrics."  The song is called "Young" by a band called the Hollywood Undead.  I watched their video first, and was really unimpressed.  Just a bunch of tatted up white guys with masks yelling into a microphone - how original.  But when I read the lyrics I was absolutely blown away.

So this is how this generation sees my generation?  I can't blame them.  Right now, in education the politicians and so-called educational leaders really don't give a rat's ass about these kids.  They are just test-taking machines as far as our elected officials are concerned.

Look at the priorities of our politicians in this state.  "Uh, sorry we can't manage the tax money you gave us.  What the hell, we'll cut education and social services but spend millions and millions on roads and bridges so we can get to cocktail hour on time."

Only the  kid's test scores matter to these people.  And the kids know it.  And the other sad part is many of my own colleagues are buying into it! "Tests, tests, tests, standards, standards, standards!"  What about the kids, you bastards?!

What a completely different environment than the one I was fortunate to go through in the sixties and seventies.  Here's an idea - let's get back to giving a shit about the kids first.  Naaah, that won't get anyone reelected.

Anyway, here are the lyrics, without permission, though.  If the band wants to sue me they can have my house payments and car payments.



"Young" - Hollywood Undead

We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
We don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart

I see the children in the rain like the parade before the pain.
I see the love; I see the hate; I see this world that we can make!
I see the life I see the sky. Give it all to see you fly...
Yes! we wave this flag of hatred, but you're the ones who made it!!
Watch the beauty of all our lies passing right before my eyes.
I hear the hate in all your words all the wars to make us hurt
We get so sick, oh, so sick; we never wanted all this
Medication for the kids with no reason to live!

So we
March to the drums of the damned as we come
Watch it burn in the sun - we are numb!

We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
We don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart

As we walk among these shadows, in these streets, these fields of battle
Take it up, we wear the medal, raise your hands with burning candles.
Hear us whisper in the dark, in the rain you see the spark
Feel the beating of our hearts fleeting hope as we depart
All together, walk alone against all we've ever known
All we've ever really wanted was a place to call our home
But you take all we are; the innocence of our hearts.
Make us kneel before the altar as you tear us apart!

So we
March to the drums of the damned as we come
Watch it burn in the sun - we are numb!

We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
We don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart

We will fight or we will fall
'til the angels save us all

We will fight or we will fall
'til the angels save us all

We will fight or we will fall
'til the angels save us all

We will fight or we will fall
'til the angels save us all...

We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
We don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart

We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
We don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart

Why, Oh, Why?

O.K., so I probably should steer away from this whole death theme, but Junior Seau's death has been on my mind a ton this week.  Here was a guy who was my favorite football player up until his first retirement.  I've always been a fan of linebackers, it was my favorite position to play and coach, and my favorite player right now is Ray Lewis.

So here is this Samoan guy who is considered amongst the toughest of the tough guys.  Someone who has been widely admired and beloved by millions of Americans, and yet not tough enough to beat depression.  Depression is a nasty and mysterious beast.  So many of us do battle with it at different levels.

That's right, I said us.  I've been butting heads with depression since before I knew what it was.  Like many men, I don't like to admit it sometimes has a grip on me, and definitely don't like to admit I can't handle it on my own.  For me, it rarely takes the form of real sadness, but rather an over-whelming feeling of just not giving a shit.  Fortunately, I have a great family and a few wonderful, close friends.  My job also helps enormously, it's hard to stay apathetic when your surrounded by the high-octane energy of middle-school kids all day.

My heart goes out not only to Junior, but especially to his family.  They now have to tackle the grief, and the endless questions of whys and what-ifs.  I'm praying for the Seaus and all of the other families who are left with the untimely death of a loved one.