Edges Issue 19: Message from America

EDGES MAGAZINE Issue 19

October 1999

MESSAGE FROM AMERICA
People communicate with Edges from different parts of the world
We share a recent Email.

Your Edges Magazine is wonderful. I have been reading some of your articles for the past few weeks and have received such energy and comfort. I have been carrying a burden for almost 6 months.

My great nephew, Jerome Winder Jr. was EXPELLED form St. Augustine Academy in New Orleans, La. Forty-three days before graduations. He was expelled because he spoke before he could think. He was frustrated and tired of being belittled and he used profanity in the presence of the disciplinary vice principal in a "fit of anger". He apologised, his parents apologised, his grandmother and I too apologised; to no avail. We do not approve of what Jerome did but we know he must have been "pushed" and treated with verbal abuse to have responded in that manner. He has been punished maliciously.

The penalty does not fit the crime. This student had never been in trouble in or out side of school. He has always been respectful and a "gentleman". He was accused of talking in class, he denied this accusation, was sent to the office. Miscommunication occurred. His reply "I don't give a -----, caused him to be "expelled". For a first time offence: there is something wrong with this picture.

His parents are such wonderful young people, hard workers, Christian and upstanding citizens. They were treated extremely disrespectfully by the Principal, vice Principal, Discipline person, and the Priest. I know that God Forgives from the smallest to the largest sin and these folk, it seems, are above God. My nephew's parents had no choice but to take this problem to court to request reinstatement. Due to "New Orleans Style Justice", the judgement was in favour of the school. Do you know that the wonderful plans my nephew had were to be a reality in 43 days. Life is not the same for our family. But with determination and prayer his dreams will be a reality. I cannot forgive these four men for being judge and jurors in a child's educational growth. In today's world there are so many bad things happening, one would think that those who have "made it" would "reach back and help others up the ladder of success, and most men will. Thank God that there are only a few men who have a little authority that show their ignorance by hurting others.

"Keep me humble, dear Lord, when I am faced with undeserved problems. Also keep me meek, so that the love of Christ will shine through me to others". This is my prayer for my family and those who have pulled the rug of "graduation" from under the feet of my Wonderful Nephew, Jerome Winder. Please print this story, it may help someone. Could you tell me, "what's wrong with this picture" "Forty-three days before graduation", that's like "walking of a cliff". Then too, from the ashes rose the " Phoenix". "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is, the kingdom of heaven.