Wednesday, March 17

a new one - I really like it

Educated in America

America.

The country of opportunities and rights

Our forefathers
fought for this country so that we could have the opportunity for certain rights.

Education in America
Our Right and Opportunity

Did you know?
There are two types of education available in our country? Did you?

Education that is Free and Education that is Earned

I ask you -
students
families
communities

Which do you choose?

Free or Earned

Let me be very clear. Let me spell it out for you:

On one hand we have:
“FREE”

the buses pick you up / the school is open / the school is heated / meals are available / schedules are created to ensure your success / papers, books and pens are there /
teachers show up / lectures happen / assignments are given / extra help is offered /
computers are plentiful / You can read books, conduct experiments, calculate, create and synthesize.
Thinking is Requested.

All you have to do for this FREE education is to be there
nothing more is required
After all, it is Your Right

Free? Show up. Breathe. Learn my osmosis. yet Blame others for your failed success.
“It’s not my fault I failed. Education is my right and the system failed me.”


OR



on the other hand we have:

“EARNED”

the buses pick you up / the school is open / the school is heated / meals are available / schedules are created to ensure your success / papers, books and pens are there / teachers show up / lectures happen / assignments are given / extra help is offered / computers are plentiful / You can read books, conduct experiments, calculate, create and synthesize.

Thinking
HAPPENS.

It feels so good. Remember the time you pedaled without training wheels? Trepidation and uncertainty mixed with the joy of success... yeah, that good
True Education comes from
Hard Work
Active Participation
a Diligent Passion for Learning
Asking Questions
Learning to develop, offer, support and celebrate your opinions
You challenge yourself and the teachers, “I want to know more about that.”

Earning an Education just feels right.

Education in America...
It’s Your Opportunity... Make it RIGHT.
So
what will it be?
Students?
Families?
Communities?

FREE?
no strings no effort no responsibilities
“It’s their fault I am this ignorant.”

OR

EARNED?

an education built from a foundation of hope, passion, and dreams

“It is my fault I am this intelligent.”

Wednesday, March 3

The Show

Integrity.

Honesty.
Compassion.

I am late.
We pull up to the curb / Grab the greasy handle / pay my money.
I dash through the

crowd.

I am late.

Late.

Not really 5 minutes or even the half hour kind of late but the kind of late that happens when the show is about to start and you arrive the exact moment everyone else arrives. which is
LATE
and General Admission sucks.

General Admission: which really means the first one there without regard to rules of society gets the best seat. survival of the fittest, fastest and finest.
Waves of bodies.
Tides rush the entrance.
At the door

Holding the door?
Produces a monster of a dilemma
do I sneak inside under elbows and armpits, over ankles and knees
or
Do I listen to my dad... he who lives within my inner being screaming to me, "You were supposed to be the boy."
Me the boy with the girl parts.
Me the boy who dressed up in prom gowns - cried over wilting flowers and spent endless Saturday morning listening to mix tapes searching for the hidden "I love you's" in the lyrics.
Me - the boy who developed long before my friends could spell 'p.e.r.i.o.d'
and who couldn't stand gutting a fish
Me - the boy who was born a girl

I had already let him down so much the first few minutes of my life.
That might be why I listened to all of his lessons.
One which is hitting me hard at this minute of indecision: Holding the door.

A man always holds the door for those of lesser fortitude: old people, any woman,all children, men who might walk with a limp.
Again and still - here I am - at the door... Do I follow the seemingly social norms taught to me - the boy of the family - thus risking my great general admission seat or do I follow my father's teaching and stand here as I hold the door imaging how proud my dad must be to see his little girl emulating his teachings and striving to be the best boy I know how to be.

Maybe this - this moment of indecision is my show and my dad and I have the best seat in the house.

Boy or Girl
It
is
all about:

Integrity

Honesty

Compassion


Maybe this - this moment of indecision is my show and my dad and I have the best seat in the house.