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Uncertain Lives: Clinton


Clinton is different from the other children. He plays with mostly girls and enjoys what would be called the “girl” games. He is heavy-set, with a round face, and wears his black curly hair to the small of his back. He is very sensitive about his appearance and will throw a fit and cry if other children ask if he is a girl even though they mean no harm by the question. Clinton lives at home with his mother and his half brother. Neither him nor his brother has ever met their fathers because they are in federal prison. Both of the boys are biracial and Clinton’s mom feel that her having children out of marriage to two black men really alienated them from her family.
Clinton’s mother is very involved in both of the boy’s lives. Her appearance might surprise someone meeting her for the first time, as she is a “rocker chick” with piercing’s and tattoos. She wears her hair in bright and interesting colors and is even known to spike it up. Clinton really enjoys the way his mother looks and shows her off to his class for show and tell. She is unemployed and on welfare and has been that way since Clinton was born. She helps the boys with their homework and keeps them interested in school. This is very important in Clinton’s life because he struggles with school. He is very confused with math and even simple addition causes him great frustration. His reading is at least a full grade level below and it isn’t because of lack of effort. Every night Clinton and his mother will sit down and read and then talk about what they read. His mother is in constant contact with the school trying to see how Clinton is doing. She recognizes the Clinton wants to do well and does all of his homework but still isn’t progressing. Clinton’s teacher feels he showed be tested for learning disabilities and his mother agrees to have him tested but is yet to sign a permission slip.
Clinton is described as being very...