Learning from the Streets

A reflection on being a young person in Society:

 

Young people – growing up judged: 

Lazy,

Feral,

Youth

Disadvantaged,

Disaffected, 

Adolescent,

Millenial and to be blamed,

Teenage

Gang,

Loiterer

Anti Social (but socially with friends, not just watching TV)

In between

NEET,

Chav,

Ned,

on the margins of society – not included

Barred, Excluded

No Ball Games

No Skateboards

No more than 2 at a time

No Trust

No determination

No motivation

No Resilience

No Confidence

Being told, over again and again. 

This. is. who. you. are. 

trying to grow up and make sense of it all

tired of fighting.

 

Often a victim.

Often even just normal, whatever that it

trying to be distinctive, trying to fit in,  

Often coping with responsibility at home, the cook, the cleaner, the sibling carer. 

The witness to an assault. The sane one in a house bound mess. 

The one who had to grow up. 

 

What about the gifted one –

has anyone given them a chance to play music? 

or a drama to act out?

Or honed their leadership?  

or helped them create, make or decide? 

 

Easier to tarnish, easier to leave aside. Easier to misunderstand and judge. 

Easier to let the data dictate,

rather than invest in to prove people wrong. 

Growing up tarred with limited expectation,

with limited voice. 

Someone elses project passed

from one pillar to another post. 

 

It neednt be this way. 

Young person. You are more. 

More than how you are being judged as you emerge in the world.

More than how you have been treated.

More than the chances you have been given.

More than a victim, more than a mistake. More than being misunderstood. 

Just more.