Culture Clash Read Online Free PDF

lies.”
    — DEAD PREZ
    I didn’t get to chill with my girls yesterday at all because I had to meet with Mrs. Malone about my English paper topic. And being that it was a regular short Tuesday yesterday for teacher’s meetings, I had no time to do anything but get to class and sit in my mandatory AP meetings during lunch and break, which are now on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the AP exams are over.
    With the AP exams less than two months away, teachers and students alike are feeling the pressure. This is my first year on the AP track, and so far it hasn’t been too different from the honors classes I took last year, except for the meetings. Being a sophomore was bliss compared to my junior year. If it weren’t for my friends, school would be unbearable, especially now that I have to deal with Mrs. Bennett twice a week. I’m just glad that Mr. Adewale is here full-time now, to balance out the evil Mrs. B’s presence in my life.
    Speaking of bitches, I talked to Rah briefly about his and his ex Sandy’s living situation, and it was less than favorable for me. I’m not sure what to do about loving Rah, and I know he’s just trying to do the right thing, but I’m convinced that living with Sandy is not it. How can I get him to understand where I’m coming from without sounding like a jealous hater? Until she’s out of his house I can’t be in his life the way he wants me to be. In his mind, he and I, along with his daughter, Rahima, could be the perfect teenage family. I don’t know what dream world he’s living in, but I could never be down with that arrangement as long as Sandy’s receiving mail at his address.
    I didn’t share with Mama this latest development in my soap opera with Rah, but I did tell her about my school drama during her regularly scheduled hair appointment at Netta’s shop yesterday afternoon. She and Netta, Mama’s best home girl, gave me advice on how to deal with racial injustice on a spiritual level, and also assigned me spirit homework to accompany the verbal lesson. As if I didn’t already have enough work to do. Mr. Adewale taking over my Spanish class has been a mixed blessing indeed. I have more studying in that class now than ever before. But luckily most of our homework for debate class is writing responses to the topics discussed in class. There’s also some reading, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
    Now that me and my crew have fourth period together and we’re friends again, it’s fun being in class with them. And with the topics that Mr. Adewale chooses, there’s always plenty for us to argue about. And from the look of the topic on the board, today’s no exception.
    As soon as we’re all settled in our seats, class begins with a bang.
    “So, our debate topic for the day deals with race in society. Is America truly a melting pot and, if it is, does race still matter?” Mr. Adewale’s good at choosing insightful topics to discuss. It’s also interesting being in a general education class, where most of the black students are. I’ve never been in a class at South Bay where the white students are the minority. It feels empowering to free up a bit and not be the only black student.
    “Hell no, it ain’t no melting pot. This ain’t nacho cheese,” Del says, starting the debate off with a bang.
    “It won’t become one because you all won’t let it,” Candace, one of the few white girls in the class, states. She sounds like she could be friends with Jeremy, who looks at her and smiles. Jeremy sits all the way back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest, ready to watch the sparks fly.
    “I don’t understand,” Emilio says. He sounds so sexy with his Spanish accent. I know most of the females in here would love an opportunity to hear him say their names over and over again.
    “We know you don’t,” KJ says, making him and his boys laugh.
    “That’s enough, KJ. I told you no disrespect would be allowed in this class at all,” Mr. Adewale