Radar Jones Onguetou, age 21, moved to the U.S. at age 15 leaving his entire family, consisting of a mother, father, and six other siblings, behind him. He moved over from Camaroon, Africa, a place where buildings and technology are lacking. He moved here to “play ball.” A stereotype in Africa about the U.S. was that if they moved here, no matter what situation they were put in, they would succeed. America was a place where dreams came true and nothing bad ever happened.
Radar’s relationship with his mom was strong, but he rarely talked to his dad. Sports were considered healthy in Africa, but also a waste of time. His parents discouraged him from playing sports, and they wanted him to focus more on academics, his father especially. Since his father was so set in his ways, it was hard to see that he had once been a boxer. Radar knew his true passion was playing basketball and had to hide it from his parents. He would keep his shoes at the local recreational center and play basketball instead of doing schoolwork. Since he was doing well in school, he didn’t consider this to be a bad lie that he told his parents.
Later his father needed surgery due to a problem with his prostate. While in the hospital, he heard about Radar being an honors student. This was the first time Radar remembers having a true conversation with his father, with his father being proud. Academics are a big part of his family. Four of his siblings have their doctorates and his father just wanted Radar to succeed just the same.
When at the airport about to move to the U.S., Radar recalls being overwhelmed with excitement, but the look on his mothers face was full of worry. She was silent the entire time and she let him do all the talking. She was happy for him to be able to achieve his goal.
Radar talks about his struggles and hardships he had to deal with when initially arriving in the states. Stereotypes were a big obstacle he and other people needed to overcome. His coach, upon arriving, handed him a bag of used clothing, including underwear. This deeply offended Radar because his coach had made the assumption that he was poor, when in fact, his family was better off than most back home.
In Camaroon, parents give their children money and basically support them until they are out of college. Here in the states, most parents make their kids get jobs. Radar soon realized this after a few months. His first job was to scrape glue off a floor, getting it ready to be re-carpeted. He commented on how this job was “worse than slavery.” His boss was taken aback by this comment and didn’t know how to react since this was coming from a black person.
Radar talked about how people here are racist, even accidentally, such as his coach and the bag of clothes. He had good intentions, but still offended Radar. They assume things and act in different ways to try to cater to Radar just because they have preconceived ideas about him, even if they aren’t true.
Leaving at the age of 15 made Radar grow up quickly. He hasn’t seen his family in six years and he left all, but one of his friends behind him. His best friend came over with him and they experienced this new life together. However, last summer, his best friend passed away due to a heart condition that the doctors didn’t know about until it was too late. This experience made Radar stronger. It was hard to go through something like this without family, but he had made a new family with his team.
He never stopped playing basketball and made it into UNH on a full scholarship. The discrimination reappeared when becoming a college athlete. He said that teachers have the idea that athletes aren’t smart and they have lower expectations for them. This assumption makes Radar try harder to rebel against them. Radar said being an athlete is not at all easy. He has to do well in school to prove everyone wrong, as well as putting 100 percent effort into being a star athlete.
Being on the basketball team has helped him learn many things. It’s more difficult than people think. He’s learned teamwork and accepting differences. The players on the team may not have been friends outside basketball, and may never have even liked each other. They need to learn to set aside differences they have and be able to trust one another. Playing together on a team requires them to work well together and be supportive. Last year Radar couldn’t play for three fourths of the season due to a knee injury; however, his teammates supported him and still considered him a part of the team. When he was ready to play again they accepted him and helped him recover without pushing him too hard.
Radar is also working on an autobiography. His journey to the states and the different prejudices he had to endure still affect him and have even evolved into new prejudices. He talks about the clashes in society and how even subconsciously people are still racist or have prejudices. There are stereotypes that he has overcome and still needs to overcome. These help him strive to do better in life. When asked what his biggest accomplishments are and what he is proud of, his reply was, "nothing yet." He sees himself going places and right now he's still working towards that.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Commitment to Journalism
Journalism will be a part of our society for many years to come; however, the only role I am willing to commit to keeping it alive will be to read. Steve Damish talked about the excitement and pressure that being a journalist entails and although this sounds like fun, it is not the life I want to pursue. Newspapers are slowly, but progressively going out of style, but I will continue to buy and read them to keep them around. My commitment to the field of journalism will not require me to be a journalist, but to be part of their audience. I never planned on being a journalist, but after his talk, I have more respect for them. After listening to him speak, he also made me realize that this is definitely not the job for me.
Friday, March 27, 2009
3/24
I feel like Mexico's been getting a lot of attention lately. It seems like such an unsafe place to live, and even visit. There have been thousands of murders, and most related to drugs. I wonder how these statistics would change if marijuana was legal. Obviously this isn't the only drug being trafficked, but it's a big portion.
3/25
I can't believe how far a school would go to prove a "zero tolerance" policy. A strip-search on a 13-year-old girl? That's absolutely ridiculous. If they suspected drugs, such as cocaine or heroine, I think they should have taken it up with the police; however, prescription strength ibuprofen is not something to be stripped down for. It's only as strong as two Advils.
3/26
Mexico again? I'm tired of reading about it. I was attracted to the story about report cards in schools giving up letter grades for numbers. I think this should be changed, and definitely tweaked which they are doing for next year. It's a good concept given all the new standardized testing, but I think they should have the number grade along with a letter grade. Since it is not possible to attain a 4 until the end of the year, children are being stuck with mostly 2's. This is discouraging since a 2 out of 4 is not considered a good thing. A letter grade should be given, such as a B, and then a 2 to show that you're not yet meeting our standards, but you're well on your way.
3/27
The recession our countries in doesn't affect me directly, but I hear about it all the time. I still can't wrap it around my head how serious it all is. The article about the tent cities brought on a whole new level of seriousness for me. These people aren't even poor. They are lower to middle-class people who used to be able to pay for a home with their old income, but now are unemployed.
I feel like Mexico's been getting a lot of attention lately. It seems like such an unsafe place to live, and even visit. There have been thousands of murders, and most related to drugs. I wonder how these statistics would change if marijuana was legal. Obviously this isn't the only drug being trafficked, but it's a big portion.
3/25
I can't believe how far a school would go to prove a "zero tolerance" policy. A strip-search on a 13-year-old girl? That's absolutely ridiculous. If they suspected drugs, such as cocaine or heroine, I think they should have taken it up with the police; however, prescription strength ibuprofen is not something to be stripped down for. It's only as strong as two Advils.
3/26
Mexico again? I'm tired of reading about it. I was attracted to the story about report cards in schools giving up letter grades for numbers. I think this should be changed, and definitely tweaked which they are doing for next year. It's a good concept given all the new standardized testing, but I think they should have the number grade along with a letter grade. Since it is not possible to attain a 4 until the end of the year, children are being stuck with mostly 2's. This is discouraging since a 2 out of 4 is not considered a good thing. A letter grade should be given, such as a B, and then a 2 to show that you're not yet meeting our standards, but you're well on your way.
3/27
The recession our countries in doesn't affect me directly, but I hear about it all the time. I still can't wrap it around my head how serious it all is. The article about the tent cities brought on a whole new level of seriousness for me. These people aren't even poor. They are lower to middle-class people who used to be able to pay for a home with their old income, but now are unemployed.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Saturday Sessions at Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth High School is considering Saturday sessions for kids who break the rules which would cost about $3,000 per year for staffing. The idea is being debated and it’s a pretty evenly sided issue. Faculty and some residents are for the idea; however, students and parents are against it.
The reason for proposing several Saturday sessions a year is to minimize in-house suspensions which are given automatically if a student is caught smoking in or around the High School.
“There are other problems, but smoking is by far the biggest one,” said Tim Steele, a School Board member.
An in-house suspension is when a student is required to spend an entire school day with a faculty member in an empty classroom. Class work is not allowed to be made up. In 1995, the in-house suspension rate was at a high of 154 students. The new Saturday sessions function so that the student won’t miss any class time.
Steele proposed the new rule. Several weekends during the year, students who have disciplinary problems would be required to attend school on a Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon.
Peggy Bacon, a parent, disagreed with the idea. “I work six days a week—including Saturday morning—and it’s bad enough to get my son off to school Monday through Friday,” said Bacon. “I just don’t think it’s going to make any difference, and the parents are going to pay for it—in higher taxes as well as in ruined Saturdays.”
Steele counter-argued Bacon’s complaint. “I know this isn’t good news for parents, but I hope the threat of Saturday classes will make the students think twice before breaking the school rules,” he said.
Resident Bob Farley, of 64 Elm St., agreed with Steele. “Parents aren’t teaching their kids any discipline, so the kids have no respect for rules,” Farley said. “Maybe if they have to miss a few Saturday morning cartoons they’ll start wising up.”
Lisa Gallagher, a senior, spoke against the issue. She’s never served a detention before, and plans to keep it that way, but she still does not like the idea of Saturday sessions.
“I think it’s just being done to make life easier for the faculty, so they don’t have to deal with detentions during the week,” said Gallagher. “Anyway, what if someone skips the session? What are they going to do, make them stay all weekend?”
Steele replied that the student would not be allowed back at school without having served the detention.
After a heated half an hour of debate, the issue will remain unresolved until next week, March 7, after more research is done on in-school detentions this year.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
3/2/09
It’s funny how in our recession, people are ashamed to be driving a certain type of car. Ms. Baum stopped driving her Rolls Royce, but has to pay more to stop driving it, such as keeping it at a garage and paying a monthly amount. She is just embarrassed to be driving such a pricey car around right now.
3/3/09
Who knew circumcision could help prevent AIDS? I sure didn’t. Three studies were shown in Africa that it reduces the chances by 60%; however, misinformation caused myths that said it was 100% preventative. Healers then started providing their services to perform circumcisions for cheap, but they weren’t sterile.
3/4/09
Smokers are just as likely to die early as over-weight people are. Obese teenagers and heavy smokers are double the risk of dying early.
3/5/09
One would think it would already be illegal to have operators of trains, or any form of transportation carrying passenger, to be using a cell phone while working. It's sad that it took a major accident for this to become enforced.
It’s funny how in our recession, people are ashamed to be driving a certain type of car. Ms. Baum stopped driving her Rolls Royce, but has to pay more to stop driving it, such as keeping it at a garage and paying a monthly amount. She is just embarrassed to be driving such a pricey car around right now.
3/3/09
Who knew circumcision could help prevent AIDS? I sure didn’t. Three studies were shown in Africa that it reduces the chances by 60%; however, misinformation caused myths that said it was 100% preventative. Healers then started providing their services to perform circumcisions for cheap, but they weren’t sterile.
3/4/09
Smokers are just as likely to die early as over-weight people are. Obese teenagers and heavy smokers are double the risk of dying early.
3/5/09
One would think it would already be illegal to have operators of trains, or any form of transportation carrying passenger, to be using a cell phone while working. It's sad that it took a major accident for this to become enforced.
Monday, March 2, 2009
2/23/09
Considering I just wrote an article on the No Child Left Behind Act, the article in the Times to rename it related back to the basis of what I wrote about. They made fun of it a little by suggesting names such as “All American Children Are Above Average Act,” and “the Act to Help Children Read Gooder.”
I never knew that it was possible to make over a million dollars working at a private university. A football coach at University of Southern California made $4,415,714 in 2007 which is more than the president of the school.
2/24/09
It’s funny how we make history with Obama as our new president, and he’s being criticized on his grammar. Apparently he’s been mistaking “me” with “I.” In sentences he used “Michelle and I” instead of “Michelle and me.” I find these to be trivial errors that he should not have to be focusing on. Sure we want a literate president, but we should be criticizing his major issues, if anything. His minor grammar flaws don’t effect the economy.
2/25/09
Classrooms are becoming for geared for students and helping them learn. Some elementary schools now have desks where a child can sit or stand depending on their mood. This helps them focus because they are allowed to fidget when they like. When a child is forced to sit down, they often become restless and antsy, but when they are allowed to sit or stand, it helps them concentrate more on their learning. I think this is a pretty cool idea, although it’s still being researched.
2/26/09
I never knew “swinger’s clubs” existed. It was weird reading about one in the Times. Learning about how it works was interesting and a little creepy about how the majority of the swingers attending the club look like an ordinary person who is just a bus driver, or someone sitting next to you on the subway.
Considering I just wrote an article on the No Child Left Behind Act, the article in the Times to rename it related back to the basis of what I wrote about. They made fun of it a little by suggesting names such as “All American Children Are Above Average Act,” and “the Act to Help Children Read Gooder.”
I never knew that it was possible to make over a million dollars working at a private university. A football coach at University of Southern California made $4,415,714 in 2007 which is more than the president of the school.
2/24/09
It’s funny how we make history with Obama as our new president, and he’s being criticized on his grammar. Apparently he’s been mistaking “me” with “I.” In sentences he used “Michelle and I” instead of “Michelle and me.” I find these to be trivial errors that he should not have to be focusing on. Sure we want a literate president, but we should be criticizing his major issues, if anything. His minor grammar flaws don’t effect the economy.
2/25/09
Classrooms are becoming for geared for students and helping them learn. Some elementary schools now have desks where a child can sit or stand depending on their mood. This helps them focus because they are allowed to fidget when they like. When a child is forced to sit down, they often become restless and antsy, but when they are allowed to sit or stand, it helps them concentrate more on their learning. I think this is a pretty cool idea, although it’s still being researched.
2/26/09
I never knew “swinger’s clubs” existed. It was weird reading about one in the Times. Learning about how it works was interesting and a little creepy about how the majority of the swingers attending the club look like an ordinary person who is just a bus driver, or someone sitting next to you on the subway.
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