RadicallyTransformingLives

The sun emerged, radiating energy on the Olympic Range as I rattled in my dirty Chevy truck toward the neighborhood market this morning to buy orange juice and donuts for my children, five of whom look a lot like Trayvon Martin. I paused at the silhouette of a young black family waiting for the 128 in West Seattle in the early morning sunshine. All dressed in their Sunday best, on Saturday…I wondered what great adventure they had planned for the day. My smile extended to them without expectation as I moved closer to my destination. The events of the past month ricocheted through my head as I drove past the family. February 26-Young boy in hoodie shot dead in Florida. Police-No response because there is no reason “not to believe” the shooter. Questions of social justice—would a black man who shoots a white boy wearing Hollister be treated the same way? March 22-Thousands march, requesting justice for Trayvon—still no action March 23-Woman in crowd shouts to Rick Santorum as he ...

I really don’t care about those kids! I really don't care about those kids! I really live to see my children thrive! F*#%$ those poor minority kids whose parents don't work! The statements above reflect the way many of us react when we judge neighborhood schools, step into the voting booth, and validate school policy in the United States today. Our world has fallen into the trap of "The Law Of Diminishing Capacity." The Law of Diminishing Capacity conditions us that it "is enough" to care deeply about our own children. It is a law that releases our social consciousness from caring about any child other than our own. The law allows us to judge those in the food bank line and pass by a failing neighborhood school serving hundreds- as we drive our children to a program that cares for them well. This law, I'm convinced is the root of everything that is wrong with education today. It smacks against social norms from a bygone day when the villag...

4th and Pine Grit Vibrancy Color Alive Black man filled with joy Energetic affirmation, "good morning!" Infectious love