Word from Willie Green
| Word from Willie |
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My corner is for students who have some “style” and plan one day to be positive contributors to their families and communities. I call them the “Pros” because they are one day going to be “professionals” working hard in life to be successful. Actually, these students are a part of my new team and together we are working towards ending violence in Philadelphia schools and in our neighborhoods. They are my “P.R.O.S.T.Y.L.E. Squad” and I am down with them for the entire 2007-08 school year. As you now know, I come from Detroit Michigan. I come from a city just like Philadelphia. I know how tough it can be at times to be friendly or even nice to some of your fellow students. Growing up in the “Motor City”, I have had people say inappropriate things to me or even outright disrespect me! My first instinct was take action into my own hands. After all, that was the “code” or the way to act in the streets. Actually, some of how I learned to protect myself was taught to me in my own house. It became a part of the family tradition and neighborhood culture. It was either “roll or get rolled on”. So you can best believe that I was ready to verbal or even physical actions into my own hands. But I am partnering today with your teachers, faculty, and most importantly your fellow students to help you deal with these issues in the proper manner. And to show the rest of the city, that there are students taking the lead in promoting positive behavior. When I recall my high school years, I really did not know some of the things I was doing around the school and back on the streets was even considered “bullying”. I just thought it was the “stuff” guys did in the neighborhood. You know what I mean….. Talking trash, acting tough, sometimes using bad language, making fun of people in class, or sort of just being pushy…all of this was really just to be cool, accepted, or to let people know that they should not “mess with me”. I really did not know that it was affecting other people, the school, or could possibly result in something related to violence. But now I know better. This P.R.O. S.T.Y.L.E. Program is really good because it comes directly from the students. These are your friends and your classmates. I did not always pay attention to what my teachers said. Mainly because they were….teachers!! But when my friends and classmates turned me onto things that could help me, I always listened. I know they were like me and were trying to rise up and be somebody. We didn’t want our school or neighborhood to get a bad reputation…..we wanted to be successful and we knew that promoting “the positive” could help us do that. I want to say to the Student Leaders who I will be working with on this project that I am happy that you are stepping out and doing this. We need leaders and I am here to join you. And to the Principal, School District, and other teachers…..let’s get to work this year and next year. We can reduce the number of incidents leading to violence if we all work together. This is really exciting and you may see me from time to time at your school making sure we all do our best to promote positive behavior. I hope you will join my P.R.O.S.T.Y.L.E. Squad and help me put an end to bullying and violence. Together, we can win!!! Peace, Willie Green, #33, Philadelphia 76ers |
Hello Philadelphia and thanks for visiting “Willie’s Corner”. When you hang on my corner, you have to be positive. That’s the only type of people that I hang with. If you are positive and are about going places (like college, starting a career, or doing community service), then we can be friends and you are welcome on my corner. But if you are having difficulty attending school, getting poor grades, or find yourself in trouble a lot with your parents, teachers, and friends, I don’t think you will like it on my corner. 