An Interview with Teddy Bonet, Author of Uniquely Yours: Book of Urban Poetry

I'm not cool on introducing a grown man to the world as "Teddy Bear" so for now, I am calling him Teddy B! I was really excited to see what this guy was all about, because through our conversations; sincerity and a sense of real prided was seeping through my phone line. Even if At&T wasn't involved, I felt very very connected. Not too often do I recieve the opportunity to talk with an individual that shares your same passion AND has true love for what they do.

Not one moment did I feel as if Teddy was trying to see what level I was on. he never asked about how many books I sold, have I ever made it onto a best sellers list and all the bull that most authors talk about upon meeting. We ended up talking on the phone for about a good two hours, which only shows how much the author wants to impact and show the world that old school values have not faded out. Now when Teddy talks about old school values, he means the way we live, take care of ourselves, our familes and the way we teach our youth. "It seems that the world has left it up to B.E.T., the NBA, and Rappers to raise their children. The babysitters have become Mr. X Box, Mr, PS2, and the family favorite...MR. T.V."

Funny, but oh so damn true! Now what?

"Hopefully, parents and adults can reposition themselves and re-learn their roles in not only their childrens life, but their own life as well." Teddy explains as if he were giving a speech to a live audience, with his very loud and atriculated voice. I asked Teddy what got him to this point in his life and why he wanted to become so active in the world. Here is what Teddy told me.

"Becoming an educator within New York, has proven to have it's ups and downs. I have been an Educational Assistant with the New York City Department of Education since 1997. I have endured great hardships with tying to meet the criteria of becoming a teacher, from taking 18 credits per semester, and always working two jobs- a full time and a part time job. I have also taken workshops for new teacher credit through the U.F.T., or District offices when they were intact, in hopes of meeting all of the criteria to become a NYC Teacher. One major set back has been taking the LAST, ATSW, and CST, several times each. I don't know if that means that I am a horrible test taker, or that I may have not taken enough prep classes. All I know is that I completed my degree three years ago, and I am still stagnant in my current position as a paraprofessional.

In 1997, I changed careers working in the mailroom of a prestigious Law Firm in midtown Manhattan. Consequently, I was forced to take a huge pay cut, Due to the fact that I didn't have any College credits under my belt. My mother had been a crisis management paraprofessional at District 75, for about ten years, and suggested that the BOE Career Training Program, could be a way for me to attain a collegiate experience. I filled out Applications and payed for fingerprinting, started substituting at Public School 135 in Queens, and won over the staff and principle with my maturity and professionalism. I was hired permanently within a month. Becoming a health paraprofessional, was a job that was already very familiar for me, due to the fact that I started babysitting my cousins and friends of the family since I was twelve. That is where I learned to have patience, and how to take care of others' needs.

Feeling that I was so behind my peers, because they had their College tuition paid for, at age 22, I felt the urgent need to catch up. I excelled in learning the school mission, code of conduct, what my job duties entailed, and administrative rules and regulations. I participated without a fuss to always extend myself above and beyond my call of duty. I performed numerous tasks such as reading programs, test articulation, learning along the way and always lending a HELPING HAND. Which was part of my character, to be selfless and giving, not to hold petty grudges among co-workers, or take sides, because I knew that ultimately, it always took away from the children. Children notice more than what most adults give them credit for. They know when you are happy with yourself, when you respect yourself, and when you have them in your best interest. I believe that I have been a positive role model for thousands of children, have helped educate thousands more, through working two jobs in the same fields."

Now I see that with all the trials and miles of walking a hard, but very disciplined life, I could see how teddy would not only be a great addition to the other active voices in society, but to the world through his writings. I am so sure that his books were inspired by his walks of life. I asked for a brief description of Teddy's work and I was surprised they were not as long as a history book. We both laughed out for a while on that one.

Most of my writing focuses on the rationalizations that we have with ourselves. The realizations that come about which ultimately lead to many conversations that we have amongst ourselves daily. I sometimes forget where I'm at on the street and answer myself out loud, and boy do the people cross the street quickly... But I feel and believe that we talk to ourselves for re-assurance and to maintain a connectedness with our spirit & soul."

YB/AC: Teddy what have you written about so far?

TB: "So far, I've written a self- published book of urban poetry, entitled: "Uniquely Yours - Minor Segments in One's Life". This is an introductory literary piece that reflects many of the experiences I have had as a well-rounded, worldly Black/ Hispanic male growing up in NYC. Watch out for me as I have several other riveting and empowering novels on the way."

YB/AC: What do these book really revolve around?

TB: "All books will revolve around my trainings, up-brining, self-taught lessons that have led to mastery of a subject, based upon the bible teachings through my parents. To help build a conscience from being taught positive morals and values. To always analyze, think consistently, constantly of what level I am at in all areas of my life, as well as to always examine and analyze where other people are psychologically, socially, metaphorically, and literally. To realize their own full potential, and that there is a schematic outlined and planned out for my life, as well as everyone else's. To believe that anything is possible, if we just change our mentality and perceptions."

YB/AC: I know most authors are influenced by where they travel, their walk in life and personal relationships. You seem to be more geared on societal issues, but be for real...does your real life lay somewhere within the pages of your book?

TB: "Okay, you're getting deep on me. My life experiences are mainly internalized (self- psychoanalysis). The many inward and outward mental and emotional struggles that one must journey and experience in a short life span. Trying to understand my emotions. How my views changed in the presence of love, during periods of an open/closed mind and heart at times. To turn my knowledge into wisdom from daily observances and experiences within different aspects of my life.

YB/AC: Okay Teddy. What helps you in understanding people and removing certain stereotypes out of your mind, when you are helping and reaching out to others? There! Hope that places you back on the shallow side of the pool.

TB: "You got jokes too I see! I want to quickly catch onto, analyze, and see why and how people talk and act to survive among enduring different social and psychological issues. ie: How people adapt to learning in a positive or a negative aspect within different environments. For me to break down that life learned lessons, and how I dealt with them, and other times that I couldn't cope. Because two situations seemed so different and far apart, and me learning a new way to train myself to see the commonalities, and associations in our daily problems. In the meantime this builds good dialogue too!"

YB/AC: Please tell me how you feel about society and the pressure it places on the shoulders of celebrities to be our childrens role models. What is your focus point when you write on these issues?

TB: "I want to make external role models (feeding ourselves false hopes, ie: Brittany Spears etc.), in the absence of someone real and present in our daily lives. To prove how much society makes us look outside ourselves for things that are not real, which is also a break down of the very fabric of close-knit families, as well as friendships. To get sidetracked, lose belief in our selves, not deal with our past, neglect our daily routines of learning life's lessons, and to put our positive efforts into negative baskets, hoping for a better means to an end of a problem.

To only get to see that there is no solution to the problem and spiritual shovel to dig our souls out of the pits of hell we put ourselves into daily. To consistently make the wrong decisions and feel that those with the answers are always hiding the answers, and to not be SHOWN- not told (through love), how to heal themselves, or properly know where to find our answers. I am not talking about the well educated, the minority being today's average or even below average intelligences of people from all races, backgrounds, and countries. The constant underdogs amongst our society, and the ignorance's of man."

YB/AC: Okay I need some air in between all that! Dang...You should be a therapist or something. I think I've found my new "Talk it out!" partner.

TB: "Call anytime! Certain fees will apply!"

YB/AC: Is there anything else you would like to share with the world before we end this interview?

TB: "I hope my stories will make an impact on people to help me straighten out the Black and Latin youth of today in America. There is a great need for the setting of good clean examples and morals for these children and adolescents. Babies having babies, and juvenile crime that is on a rise. To help others unlock the secrets of what we all posses inside but need help, guidance and nurturing so desperately. Their actions and behaviors cry out for attention constantly."

YB/AC: I think that will most certainly happen! Thanks for your time and good luck with all your future endeavors!

TB: "Your so welcome Yulonda. It was such a joy and pleasure talking and connecting with you on so many levels."