I Was Taught by Mark Jiminez

I Was Taught
by Mark Jiminez from Pauling Academy, Marshall campus
Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong

I was taught that stealing was good, to take from the store or my mom’s money; but I learned my lesson, that stealing was not good.
I was taught to learn to swim when I was 8 years old. I was drowning and my uncle saved me.
I was not taught that I would be going to school at that time.
I was not taught to hit a girl. You respect girls because there is no need to hit a girl.