In the past week, I have seen a side of people I really don’t like. I have been subject to so much negativity that I am beginning to feel negative in myself...and I don’t like it.

I want to bring back the old saying – ‘if you have nothing nice to say – SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!’

Why is it that some people prefer to be negative? Why is it that some people prefer to speak badly of someone, something...some place? Why is it that some people feel the need to bring others down? Why, so they feel important themselves? Are we now living in a society of professional victims and bad @sses?

I live in an area which is subject to continual bagging. It was once a rough suburb and I say the word once with great emphasis. I grew up in my suburb – so I think I know it pretty well...and in all honesty, after living in – well....some would refer to it as being the ‘’better’’ end of town...I moved back ‘home’. I did so after there was a shooting around the corner from where I was living. I did so after finding the people were unapproachable. I did so after finding the cost of living was more expensive and just because of the belief that I was in an elite part of town....I moved back home and bought the house I am in because I prefer what my suburb has to offer me.

Unfortunately, as with people, there are some that refuse to believe that things, people, and places can change, people who continue to reinforce the old saying...Mud Sticks.

This week alone I have not only heard how my suburb produces low quality people but I’ve had to listen to arrogant, foolish and ill hearted individuals pigeonhole the children of this suburb. These children, these kids...they’re the kids teachers do not like or want to teach.

I sat in a lecture on Tuesday night and listened to my lecturer subtlety speaking down about the students in the Northern Suburbs of Adelaide. I sat there as she told someone how there are ‘some’ good kids at a particular school. I sat there as she laughed and said – ‘try teaching that to a student at ‘such and such school’. She said that in a way which not only put the school down but all the students of this school. This continued all through the lecture. No other suburb was used to illustrate problems; no other suburb was used to make a point regarding difficult students. Apparently, my area of town breeds nothing but unruly, unfriendly, illiterate degenerates that teachers would be better off avoiding.

Excuse me! I have raised my children here. I have great kids. I have worked in this area. I have grown up in this area. So what? My children are supposed to be pigeon holed like this too? I think emphatically not!

Here I sit, writing this blog. I am a product of my suburb. Therefore, I guess I am like this too. Yet here I am. I attend university. I am receiving high grades. I’ve received a merit of academic excellence, twice in fact. My grades are actually higher than many of those who live in the so called elite part of town. Again, I am a product of my suburb.

Yes, we have problems here. Yes, we do have children who are unruly...but correct me if I’m wrong...but doesn’t all suburbs?

I have requested to work this end of town – not because I live here...but because I believe in the people here, the children. I actually believe in them more today than I did yesterday. They also need teachers who believe in them and I hope and prey that I stay like this when I graduate. Apparently there are enough out there who have given up on them already. I refuse to be one of these.

I don’t know it all. I’m not a teacher yet and I know I have a great deal to learn. I’m also not stupid and I know that once you give up on the kids you are meant to teach...well, you need to find another profession.

People need to stop being so judgemental and actually open their eyes a little more. They may just be missing the most important, wonderful and giving people they’ll ever meet.

Ok, that’s my whinge for today...I just needed to vent some.