The Power of a Smile
Patrick was a 6-year-old white kid, who lived in the inner city — possibly the red light district — he walked to school, where I was a student teacher.
It was a rough school in a rough neighborhood. The kids were full of energy and life. About 700 students filled five classrooms at each grade level from 4 years old (pre-Kindergarten) through 10 years old (5th grade). In that group of students, only 10 kids were Caucasian. The rest of the school was African American. Of those 10 Caucasian kids, 9 of them got beat up or hassled daily. Not Patrick.
I was working on my honors thesis. So I did a histogram. Patrick turned to be the most admired — academically and socially — among his classmates. He was the one they would all ask to a party. He was the would all ask for help with their homework.
What was it about Patrick? Patrick had something special. Everyone liked him.
It was his way of being. It was his attitude about life and himself. It was his charming, disarming smile, that said, “What? Pick on me? I’m a little kid, only six years old. You must be kidding!” Everyone liked Patrick. It was impossible not to.
He soothed the savaged beasts and charmed all of the teachers.
He was bright love and sunshine in the inner city. I smile to remember him.
He was only six years old then, but Patrick is still a role model for me.
We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Disarming? Wow… Lovely thought to waken to. Do you ever sleep Liz?
Good Morning, Robyn!
I did sleep an hour or two. 🙂
Yeah. Isn’t lovely to think of that little boy, who stole everyone’s heart that way? [grin] I’m still smiling.
I always tell my sons that attitude is everything. Great story, Liz. 🙂
Hi Deborah,
I agree. I thought of Patrick the time I found myself in a serious punk rock bar wearing a tweed blazer . . . his way worked for me. I made lots of friends that night and fit right in. 🙂
Boy, did this story bring back some unpleasant memories for me! I remember being one of the few caucasians in class, too, and constantly attacked only because I showed up white in Birmingham, Alabama. My parents finally sent me to the country to live with my grandparents in a safe school. The attacks were so bad I even began arming myself with loose sections of 2×4 before going to school and on several occasions using it in self defense. This as a third grader!
I am proud that this kid was able to find a way to adapt to his surroundings, but it does not excuse the other 9 being attacked and beaten up daily. Full of energy and life? Sorry, but the words you are looking for are violent and dangerous. I know, because as a correctional officer I had to deal with far too many 19 year old violent offenders who two years before were “full of energy and life.” Great story and again, this singular caucasion child will no doubt go on and do great things, but please don’t paint inner city schools positively this way. The kids are working too hard to get out to not at least have the truth told to and about the situation.
This is why my children will be home schooled and educated abroad before being subjected to public school in this country.
Hope you are well, Liz, as I think a lot of you. As always, I greatly enjoy your words. I hope what I have written is not seen as disagreement with what you have written. I guess my own experiences make it hard for me to not see the situation from the eyes of the other nine kids.
Disarming synonyms: convincing, deferential, ingratiating, ingratiatory, insinuating, insinuative, inveigling, irresistible, likable, persuasive, saccharine, seductive, winning…
Ah Troy!
I think the ones that’re most you must be irresistible, likable, and winning. Oh yes, most definitely winning.
HI Tim,
Hope you didn’t think that I “lost” your comment. It was stuck in the moderation queue. It’s out now.
I was at this school and I understand what you are saying. . . . I cannot condemn kids who were all under age 11. . . . I also cannot feel badly about holding up shining star that is in the dark.
I’m so sorry that a 2×4 was part of your history. That infuriates me on many levels. Never doubt that. Never doubt that did at this school too.