Are your kids alright? Are they doing well? How do you know?
As I wrote about our personal responsibility to help each other act in ways that uplift lives, I thought about my own children's lives and wondered if I am doing all that I can to support their good living. I also thought about the lives of children all over our nation--are we doing what we can for American's children, are we creating good opportunity and good living for them?
My children have profited from the dedication and love of a very large and caring community in our large extended family, the broader community, and at their schools. Countless individuals have contributed to my children's welfare in multiple ways--many have gone beyond their job descriptions and comfort level to help them out time and again. I am so grateful for all these good people and positive contribution, and hope that I can contribute to others in similar ways.
As a nation, I do think we have to recommit to our nation's children--we have to assess what we are doing well and what we can do better.
Just yesterday I saw reports of immigrants who were reconnected to their children. This is a step in the right direction. I also read about Massachusetts leaders convening to discuss food shortages, and this too is a very positive step. Black Lives Matters efforts to educate and bring awareness to the neglect and inequity Black Americans have faced in multiple systems and communities in our country is similarly powerful and effective. If our nation's children thrive, we will thrive. Our children are the future--they will be the leaders of our country, and we want them to be strong, healthy, happy, well-educated, positive leaders.
Are the kids alright?
If not, what can we do to make them better.
In answering this question, I think we have to look ahead, not back. To recreate a world that doesn't exist anymore is impossible, impractical, and ineffective. We have to think ahead as we think about what our children need, and how to provide that.
To start, everyone of the nation's children deserve optimal health care, warm welcoming homes, nutritious food, safe neighborhoods, a good education, and the opportunity to recognize and develop their passions, interests, skills, and opportunities for good living.
And, I do believe that we will do well to give every child in the United States regular opportunities to contribute and learn about our nation's great diversity in truthful, meaningful ways. So much bigotry, hatred, and harm is born out of ignorance--we have to look for ways to rid our country of as much ignorance and misinformation as possible. One idea is to support high school senior semester exchanges throughout regions in the United States. For example, first semester senior year could be spent in the midwest if you are a student from the east or in Alaska if you are a student from Florida. We can look for ways to grow greater understanding and support for the great and wonderful diversity our country holds to foster greater unity of purpose and effort.
We also have to get rid of old mythis about what it means to learn and develop with positivity. Still too many old, bigoted, outdated myths exist which hold children back from becoming their best selves--too often bigotry, ignorance, and hate stand in the way of a child embracing their true identiy, potential, and good living. We have to work against this.
As a nation, there's a lot to do to help our children live the best possible lives. Together, I believe, this is a focus we can rally around to better the United States. Do you agree?