Malcolm London: 'High School Training Ground'

Young poet, educator and activist Malcom London performs his stirring poem about life on the front lines of high school. He tells of the "oceans of adolescence" who come to school "but never learn to swim," of "masculinity mimicked by men who grew up with no fathers." Beautiful, lyrical, chilling.

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[nitrous]

No wonder my people spit bars. Because the truth is hard to swallow...that's straight fire.

[shivdesai]

I really like the title of this poem.  Because that is what our schools are.  They train kids to hold their station in life and for some to rise above.  Bravo Malcolm.

[backinaesthetics]

Anyone watching this for a school assignment rn?

[abrarm]

I would always come back to this here when I feel school/ uni is too much pressure

[sileb]

As a senior preparing to graduate, that is the most accurate description I have ever heard. Thank goodness it's almost over.

[bossmane]

At 7:45AM, I open the doors to a building dedicated to building, yet only brace me down. I march down hallways cleaned up after me everyday by, regular janitors, But I never have the decency to honor their names. Lockers left opened like teenage boys mouths when teenage girls wear clothes that covers their insecurities but exposes everything else. Masculinity mimicked by men who grew up with no fathers, camouflage worn by bullies who dangerously armed but need hugs. Teachers paid less then what it costs to be here, Oceans of adolescence come here to receive lessons school but never learn to swim, part like the red sea when the bell rings, this is a training ground, my high school is Chicago. diverse and segregated on purpose social lines are barbed wire. Labels like, regulars and honors resonate, I, am an honors will go home with regular students who are soldiers in territory that own them.  This is a training ground to sort out the regulars from the honors a recurring cycle built to recycle the trash of this system, trained at a young age to capitalize letters taught now that capitalism raises you, but you have to step on someone else to get there. This is a training ground. One group is taught to lead, an the other is made to follow. No wonder so many of my people spit bars because the truth is hard to swallow, the need for degrees has left so many people frozen, homework is stressful. But when you go home everyday and your home is work, you don’t wanna pick up any assignments reading textbooks is stressful, reading does not matter when you feel like your story is already written either dead or getting booked. Taking tests is stressful. But bubbling in a scantran does not stop bullets from bursting. I hear education systems are failing, but I believe they are succeeding in what they are built to do. To train you, to keep you on track, to track down an American dream that has failed so many of us all.  

[binnghulbain]

Yes. Filling in a bubble doesn't test what you can create or the courage you have or the ideas you can give. I love this.

[oakland]

Wow. This will surely go over a lot heads - you dont hear this sort of truth spoken often enough.

[ddscorner]

Best TED talk I’ve ever heard in a school class 👏🏾‼️

[valeriedubois]

So brilliantly written and spoken.  Inspirational and profound!  Props to you, my friend!

[primdaises]

Family might not agree with me, but this is the most powerful thing I've ever heard in a class

[anthonybray]

Best Ted talk period. This motivated me to do SLAM poetry.

[iancarroll]

As a poet I am speechless and inspired. Wow.

[moonlightzanelengubane]

Wow so beautifully crafted i just wanted more and more of his poems. wow

[summerv]

watched this last night & this kid is AMAZING

[ВікторіяШевчук-фя]

I consider that this talk is real truth because of pithiness and shortness. Education has a great impact on our lives. In addition to this, outlooks of many people depend on education and are based on education. So it's too important to provide pupils with different interesting types of learning. And I agree that if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

[israelmunoz]

My good friend Malcolm! It's incredible to be able to see your friend on TEDx. One day, I'll be on this!

[isisrokicki]

For the 64 people who disliked probably don't understand what it's like

[jaketubbs]

I had to watch this for a school assignment

[Riley-ijlm]

I'm glad they showed this instead of Prince EA in class.