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| Let there be light! |
Years ago as a young mother, with a group of women I met through a nursing mother’s group, we formed the organization FAMLEE….Fathers and Mothers learning thru education and experience.
As I heard the news today that DeVos was confirmed as Educational Secretary, I was reminded of a young doctor who came to speak to our group about our role as parents. He emphasized how important it was to not only take care of your own children but also worry about the children outside of your family.
“Get to know the kids standing on the street corner”, he said. “Reach Out. It is not enough to just worry that your own child is fed, clothed or educated to the best of your ability. You must also make sure that the kid standing on the corner has opportunities too. Why you ask? Because to ignore that child is something that may come back to haunt you…because that kid will be the one to play with your child, marry your child or even worse murder your child.”
I remember sitting there stunned at the thought. It was blunt and to the point. But it had a profound effect on me and my thinking. We were not encouraged to be such do-gooders that we neglected our own children, but when given a choice by vote or pocketbook, to make a decision that would benefit those least among us.
I read Senator Toomey’s response as to why he voted yes for the DeVos appointment. He mentioned that it was because DeVos wants to provide choice for all students. That those parents who have been let down by the public school system should have a right to send their children to better schools...private schools…charter schools…for-profit schools. What is not said here, is what happens to those with choice but not the means? What can children expect from their public education if we drain resources from the public school systems to provide those choices?
Why could we not work to make the public school better? Why not provide uniform resources among the public school systems within our states? Why provide computers in the suburbs but not the inner-city? This is the real work. Equal opportunity to learn for all our children.
I have never been so disappointed in a selection of a cabinet member as I have been with DeVos. I am disappointed that Pat Toomey consistently votes his party first and his constituents second.
What about the kids that are left in the public schools? What are we doing to them? What message are we sending to those least among us?
