The Candy Pushers
Guest Editorial by Ivan Butcher II
It is a well known fact that the enslaved were fed a diet high in sugar to curb their appetites in order to keep them energized to work harder and longer in the fields and over time in our communities the taste is, the sweeter the better. I am aware that the selling of Candy is a traditional way that some people supplemented their income. I have also witnessed that some of the same Candy Pushers use some of their sales money to purchase cleaning supplies to do their jobs.
Because of these facts, I would say, that most Candy Pushers are truly not aware. But, there will be those who will take offense to the fact, I feel that their motivation is the same as that of the Drug Dealers, which is to make money, regardless of the detrimental impact their products have on their customers / victims
Sugar studies show that the side-effects associated with the over ingestion of sugar and caffeine, not only gives the user the same euphoric effect that cocaine does, but it also creates the same negative side effects of addiction, withdrawal and damaged health
Parents, guardians and the Candy Pushers, in and around our schools, are partially responsible for what is happening in our educational system, today. From the start of the school day, children come to school hyped up on sugar and caffeine; by lunchtime, those who weren’t, now are; so the rest of the school day is affected by students crashing, going through withdrawals and the others are bouncing of the walls.
This is why so many of our students with behavioral problems are those that start their day pumped up on sugar and caffeine.
Clinical studies show that children deprived of a balance diet and allowed to eat fast food fast and junk food were found to be low achievers, misbehavers and easily misled.
With all the studies that are out, some Educators are still rewarding and treating children with Candies / Cookies / Cake / Soda, etc. (Sugar). I feel it would be more advantageous to give them inexpensive, engaging, interactive gifts like jacks, marbles, tops, jump rope, crayons, a Book!
The bake sales are another issue that I have had with major subject areas using them for funding raising.
To me, demonstrating the economic value that each subject area holds out side the classroom would be in the best interest for all,for example:
the math, science, history and language students could have tutoring sessions during lunch and after school; student could be publishing some of the essays, poems and stories they are required to write for grades; students can apply for mini grants to cover their expenses for field trips and / or for other educational projects, thus learning how and what is required to qualify for funding trough local, federal and corporations; raffles and auctions of donated products and goods that would appeal to their peers, recycling, etc.
To the Sellers of Candy, Please, find something more wholesome to push!
Mr Butcher, thanks for shedding light on this issue. Both parents and Educators need to take an active role in providing healthy alternative for our children especially while at school. We must take action on the local level and tap into National Resources that are available. “Many children consume at least half of their daily calories at school.
With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever. Let’s Move! to get healthier food in our nation’s schools, starting with encouraging all schools to provide a National School Breakfast Program.”
Source:
http://www.letsmove.gov
Sugar is definitly ah drug. It has been isolated and concentrated and by definition that is what ah drug is. I have seen teachers and monitors selling drugs(candy) to students. I have never seen them selling fruits. I heard on the radio today that STUDENTS got BREAD AND CHESSE for lunch at one of the schools. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ALL THE FRUIT TREES WE HAVE HERE? The nutritional vaule of our local cherries are 3 times higher than any imported oranges . Our greatest resource is this land we stand on. We disregard that divine truth and wish(VOTE) to be saved by a government program.
I never understand why the schools’ admin. allow the truck in front of ED. Complex. Also, the overflow of food supplies that’s being given a couple times a year for free to seniors and foodstamp recipiants (SP) comes from the school lunch supplies while our children are being served bread and cheese for lunch. The lunch program is set up to discourage the children from eating in that one hour is set aside to feed over 1500 children, therefore two thirds of the children has to eat junk or go to spicy grill and spend over $12.
I have look for such a article for a long time, thanks a lot.
One tea spoon of sugar stops the active movements of white blood cells for 2 to 3 hours. Jewel Pookrum said something like that, check it out on Youtube. 7 circuits of the Brain