Comments on: Telling a kid to suck it up and work harder is too “harsh”

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:16:39 +0000

He was speaking to the kid – who had approached HIM – on the kid’s level. I have teenage boys, and they hear far worse language that this in the locker room, in the classroom, and on television.

Kid needs to suck it up and learn exactly that lesson: Life is not fair.

This is what you get when you insist on practicing political correctness and “deferred success.” There can be no failure; it might harm their little egos. And of course, “ME” is number one.

Just like in the (kids’) movie The Incredibles, “They keep finding new ways to celebrate mediocrity.” We don’t need mediocre. We need EXCELLENCE. Y’all want a candy coating on everything, and that’s only gonna rot your teeth.

By: jules

jules — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:13:13 +0000

“Apparently, the kid isn’t doing too great in English either”

LOL!

My thoughts exactly.

While I agree that the gentleman should have perhaps phrased his answer differently, the message was just what the young man needed to hear from an adult.

By: Kerwin

Kerwin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:56:07 +0000

His reference to oral sex was unprofessional and could get him fired for that very reason as it could be a breach of his employment contract. Otherwise his advice was good.

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:05:10 +0000

Narcisse is a thorn in our sides and Des Moines public schools parents are embarrassed by his behavior. This letter is just one example of how he turns every issue into something about himself. How some guy in Narcisse’s high school class ended up is irrelevant. Lots of high school stars end up losers and vice versa.
Poor english skills aside, the student asked a valid question…he’s academically advanced in math, but had trouble in algebra 2 and failed, now what can he do about that so he can still participate in wrestling. Maybe the answer is that he’ll have to sit out this season, but there’s no need to be rude about. Narcisse is bringing unwelcome attention to our otherwise excellent schools. Narcisse is no role model and he’s no “professional” (mink’s comment) either.

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:11:12 +0000

It has been lost in this society that some boys on the way to becoming a man need to be kick in the butt and told to stop acting like a wimp. Writng a letter saying the rules are unfair…whaaah whaaaah. And I quote:”Wrestling is very important to me, and my season begins next week on Monday. So I hope you read and put some thought in this and email me back quickly”.

Jonathan Narcisse spoke to him like a grown-up. Something that his family should of been doing long ago.

By: mink

mink — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:23:33 +0000

I disagree. I think Narcisse’ whole letter was unprofessional, and I would never have written it. The core of his message is all well and good, and the rule certainly to be upheld, but the guy gets an F in diplomacy. If I as a parent saw my kid get a letter like that I’d be annoyed. Of course, I wouldn’t be encouraging my kid to whine to the school board because going out for sports would be the least of my kid’s worries after failing a class.