America was built on the concept of the individual. Immigrants came here to get a new start, to get away from oppression, to find riches, to have a chance to earn a living. We deeply value more so than anywhere else, our independence and individualism.
Yet, what helped our ancestors survive was community. And what will help us survive is still community.
The adage that "it takes a village to raise a child" is entirely true. We have taken the village out of that process, to the detriment of our children, and several generations now.
But we can build up community now. Everyday. In a myriad of ways. Be creative.
On my mind is a school levy that is up in Brecksville next month. The residents haven't passed a levy since 2004, and aren't keen on passing this one.
I cannot think of anything as important as our investments in education and our children.
But money is not really the point of my blog today. There are lots of real and imagined money issues at stake here. Lots of retired individuals live in this city. Rising taxes are a real threat to them.
There have been horrible attacks on the teachers themselves, as though they were money-grabbing zealots bent on the destruction of the city. The tone is vicious and bend the truth more often than not.
Division is never the answer. Ever. (unless its a math problem ...)
All arguments the harbour division are missing the point entirely. The point is we can already change things on our own without the school board or city, state or national governments.
There is a solution to our education woes.
As funding gets stripped away year by year. As programs (such as the arts) get destroyed and annihilated. As busing disappears. As companies leave and tax bases fade away. There is something we all can do.
Community.
Each of us, like it or not, are members of at least one community. There is a neighborhood we all live in. Many of us don't even know our neighbors.
It's time to meet them.
We all have special and unique talents and passions and availabilities. We have so much to offer each other.
Children can learn from neighbors. Neighbors can learn from the children.
And we can all help each other.
Neighborhood carpooling can be established to get kids to and from school and activities. Just as an example.
Yes, I'm talking about friendship, camaraderie, and bartering. It works. It's more effective than any private or government company or office.
Things like time banks are our future. (http://www.timebanks.org/)
Today's the day it starts. And you know, we have an even better opportunity. We have physical and digital communities and neighborhoods. We all have a larger sphere of friends and neighbors who can helps us, and we can help in turn.
It is truly a Love Revolution.
Viva L'Amour!
Yet, what helped our ancestors survive was community. And what will help us survive is still community.
The adage that "it takes a village to raise a child" is entirely true. We have taken the village out of that process, to the detriment of our children, and several generations now.
But we can build up community now. Everyday. In a myriad of ways. Be creative.
On my mind is a school levy that is up in Brecksville next month. The residents haven't passed a levy since 2004, and aren't keen on passing this one.
I cannot think of anything as important as our investments in education and our children.
But money is not really the point of my blog today. There are lots of real and imagined money issues at stake here. Lots of retired individuals live in this city. Rising taxes are a real threat to them.
There have been horrible attacks on the teachers themselves, as though they were money-grabbing zealots bent on the destruction of the city. The tone is vicious and bend the truth more often than not.
Division is never the answer. Ever. (unless its a math problem ...)
All arguments the harbour division are missing the point entirely. The point is we can already change things on our own without the school board or city, state or national governments.
There is a solution to our education woes.
As funding gets stripped away year by year. As programs (such as the arts) get destroyed and annihilated. As busing disappears. As companies leave and tax bases fade away. There is something we all can do.
Community.
Each of us, like it or not, are members of at least one community. There is a neighborhood we all live in. Many of us don't even know our neighbors.
It's time to meet them.
We all have special and unique talents and passions and availabilities. We have so much to offer each other.
Children can learn from neighbors. Neighbors can learn from the children.
And we can all help each other.
Neighborhood carpooling can be established to get kids to and from school and activities. Just as an example.
Yes, I'm talking about friendship, camaraderie, and bartering. It works. It's more effective than any private or government company or office.
Things like time banks are our future. (http://www.timebanks.org/)
Today's the day it starts. And you know, we have an even better opportunity. We have physical and digital communities and neighborhoods. We all have a larger sphere of friends and neighbors who can helps us, and we can help in turn.
It is truly a Love Revolution.
Viva L'Amour!
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