'The only kids that disrespect me are black kids': speaker challenges St. Louis high school students

Motivational speaker Eric Thomas was giving a speech at Vashon High School in St. Louis last month when things took a turn.

Thomas was telling his life story, in which he dropped out of high school and was homeless for a time before he met a preacher and was able to change his life around. However, as he was speaking, a group of students began talking and ignored his requests to quiet down. That's when Thomas went in on the students about respect and caught everybody's attention.

Thomas began by saying he usually got paid $50,000 to $100,000 for corporate speeches and that he had decided to speak to the students for free to make a difference in the community.

“When people love you, you don’t do them like dirt. When people care for you, don’t disrespect them. You ain’t got but a few people who care about you in this world. Didn’t you hear what I just said? If you’re in the wrong place, you’re going to get shot and killed. No one is going to jail for it,” he said.

He continued, “You got the nerve to act the fool when somebody cares about you? You’re talking when I’m talking. Do you know that if I go to a Jewish school, those kids are quiet. If I go to a white school, those kids are quiet. If I go to a Latino school, those kids are quiet. The only kids that disrespect me are black kids.”

“That’s it, my own, are the only ones who disrespect me. I work in any other school and they’re taking notes. I come home, you’re talking. You’re capping jokes. You think something is funny. Look how we’re living. Ain’t nothing funny. Ain’t nothing funny y’all.”

But Thomas’ speech didn’t leave it there. He continued by telling students that as descendants of slaves, they had instincts for survival and achievement.

“They think you dumb, you ain’t dumb. You take take our people from Africa, spread us all over the world and we survive slavery and we can’t pass a test? Come on!” Thomas said to audience applause.

“We are survivors,” Thomas said. “That’s all we do is survive. I challenge you to…do your best. I challenge you.”

Grio Fam what do you think about the speech? Was it on the mark or unfair to compare kids based on race? Sound off in the comments.

Follow Us :

[mikerotch]

and the next day they went back to being clowns

[cucchislayer]

Need more Black Fathers like this man!! Sorry to say, but it all starts in the home!!!

[allhailzamasu]

This is true and I'm black. I see it everyday at my job, on metro, stores. These kids/teens have no respect.

[markemark]

I totally agree with this man. The only people to really disrespect me were other black people. I had to transfer to a predominantly white high school in 10th grade because I was getting my ass kicked all day every at the black school. I never bothered anyone every but they (other black kids) kept bother me til I had no choice but to transfer. I got so tired of having to fight every day. The white kids never treated me that way and as a result I was able to focus more on my studies

[DavidAWA]

Years ago I asked some kids in my Dominican neighborhood what the problem was with their (New York City) schools. They told me that their teachers are pretty good but theres 4-6 kids in every class that aren't interested in school or learning. And the teacher spends so much time dealing with those kids that the whole class suffers.

[johndonohue]

No clapping from them until slavery was brought up...

[anneliselim]

As an asian, if u dare raise your voice or use violence against a teacher. You'll be a disappointment to your family and even your friends will shunned you. Even the most problematic kids don't do that. We were taught to respect.

[gyujrgn]

Has nothing to do with race and everything to do with culture.

[enizle]

Notice how the only applause he gets is for slavery?
These kids heard nothing but
"You took us from Africa and we survived"
That's why they don't respect you, you've inflated their egos so much they actually believe *they* survived slavery.

[thoughtfarmer]

The level of self-oppression in the Black Community is insidious. We to often look for the enemy and the enemy is us.What he said is right on time, and most assuredly needed. I do presentations in Baltimore City and I see exactly an experience exactly what he's talking about.

[AG-vbvv]

In Africa, education is highly valued, it’s a privilege and a way to change your future, and your families future. It’s not a black problem, it’s an African American problem.

[expectopatronum]

This is so real. I attend a white school my freshman and sophomore years and a black school my junior and senior years. The difference is depressing.

[dp]

It’s a culture thing....it needs to change. Criminals are more respected than somebody getting straight is something extremely wrong with

[owenlee]

If i was rich I’d pay that man to shout motivational stuff at me

[dannyduds]

Its not a race problem, its a culture problem. Black culture needs to change.

[kenadimcelroy]

Personally as a Black 14 year old girl
I never disrespect any teachers or adults no matter how rude they are
And I try to help out with anything I can. Because I was raised like that
I remember when I was getting my schedule for 8th grade (I'm a freshman now) and a teacher personally step me and my mom aside to just too say how
Nice and respectful I was

[andrewarnold]

Whenever I hear a liberal say "we need to have an honest conversation about race" they never mean this kind of honesty. Only the honesty where whites are at fault. I applaud this man. A great message

[nolmets]

Clapping for the slavery part made me so sad. Just shows that these children think they are forever a victim. Heartbreaking.

[NaturesStory]

Somewhere a white liberal lady is thinking this black man shouldn’t be mean to these black students.

[SunBunz]

They only heard the word “slavery” and reacted. That’s it. Selective hearing.