Yo, what’s up. My name is Vinny da Ginny, last name, Pig. I live in a rural neighborhood in New York City.
You need to be street smart where I come from. Truths be, you need to be street smart no matter where you come from. Use to be a kid could roam wherever they do pleased and not have to worry about a thing. But there be some shady characters hanging out in my neighborhood.
I see strangers lurking around everywhere. Da’ Neighborhoods changin’. So, my cousin Donny tells me that you’s is a street smart kid. A cool cat if you will. Well, we’ll just see about that. Let me take you around my hood and let’s see just how much you know.
You see, street smart kids never roll alone. They always make a habit of going places with a friend. This is my homeboy, his name is Crazy Q Under, last name, Pants. He hangs with me a bit when I’m out and about.
You see, street smart kids understand the true need for back up. You never wanna get caught on these streets alone. It can be a lot more dangerous. If I’m ever gonna go down to the park…..
Or shooting some hoops with da bro’s….. Or gonna do some skateboarding down at skaters alley….. I will find one of my freinds or another adult to go along with me. It’s funner that way anyhow.
A street smart kid is always payin’ real close attention to their surroundings. No matter where they go, they always keep their heads up, and their eyes peeled. They know whats going down, ya’ know what I’m sayin’? Like over there.
Because I’m paying attention, I can see there is a man at the playground, but it looks like he have no kids with him. We wanna be careful about that. A street smart kid always keeps their eyes and ears peeled to anything unusual or out of the ordinary. Do you see anything else unusual going on?
A street smart kid knows to examine everythin’ around them. A street smart kid can pick out what could be trouble from a mile away, and they know when they spot it to stay away.
A street smart kid knows the importance of stayin’ out in the open. A street smart kid, wherever he goes, always stays where other people can see him. He knows not to go getting himself in a place where someone could roll up on him without anyone else knowing. A street smart kid knows there is safety where other people are around, and that those people can help him if he ever gets in a jam.
A street smart kid knows to always pick the safest route wherever they go. They know to always take the same way to school, so parents know where they will be. They know to avoid busy streets with lots of traffic. Even if it means they have to walk a little bit further, they will always take the safest route.
A street smart kid knows not to make a habit out of talking with people they don’t know. If a stranger ever tries to talk to a street smart kid, and their parent’s aren’t around, they know to stay away and not talk to them.
If a stranger pulls up in a car to a street smart kid, that kid knows to stay away from the car, no matter what the guy says. He knows to tell the person he can’t talk to him and start walking in the opposite direction,
or towards a group of people.
If a stranger ever approaches a street smart kid in the park, he knows to do the same thing. Keep a couple of arm lengths away so that they can’t grab you. It’s Ok to be polite, to tell the person you can’t talk to them right now, but you need to stay away. Start walking away towards a place where there are a lot of other people. You can also shout out “Mom” and pretend to run over to her, even if she isn’t there. That’s what a street smart kid does.
A street smart kid knows to listen to his parents, and rely on them for advice. You see… parents may be a pain sometimes, but a street smart kid knows that parents provide cover too. Even though I may not always like what they say, I know they always look out for me. If I’m ever not sure about some- thing, I know to go to them for advice first.
A street smart kid also knows who they can go to in an emergency. If they are ever lost, or hurt, or scared someone is trying to get them, there are always other people around to help them. A street smart kid knows the best choice is always a policeman or firefighter. But if they aren’t around, the second best choice is some- one who is working. You see, a street smart kid knows even if the person is bad, they can’t hurt me while they are working. The third choice would be a parent or someone you see with kids. But if either three of those people aren’t around, in a real emergency, you could go to any other adult you find for help.
Well, I guess my cousin was right, you are a street smart kid. Come on up in my hood anytime. Mean- while, I gots to head home. It’s time for Vinny da Ginny to get himself some good, home cooked grubbin’.
Peace. Out!