Read Part 3 The spirit of Agency in your text and the articles linked in module.
- To achieve the best grade, please follow the rubric.Your Critical Reflection should be about 1000 words.
As you read, make notes about your reactions, assumptions, implications, arguments, questions (see prompts in instructions) The idea of personal responses are to engage in thoughtful internal dialogue about the idea of global issues and education. You should attempt, in your understanding of the readings to get “underneath” what you read in order to understand the social, political, and cultural underpinnings of the issues. Reading critically involves more than understanding the words or liking or disliking the texts; critical reading requires reflection.
You should discuss the following readings and videos:
Part 3 of your text book: What are the main points and what is the authors purpose?
Equity Literacy for all: describe the 5 guiding principles and how they influence teaching in the classroom.
VIDEO
The Power of self acceptance: describe Harry Baker’s journey to self-discovery and the importance of self acceptance. How does this relate to the themes described in the textbook?
Your response should be written in a narrative form that is evident of engaging with the content and reflection.
Equity Literacy for All
PART3
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e spirit of agency
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The spirit of agency is believing at the molecular
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spiritual level that you can make a difference in the world, not by changing others, people and things, but by opening your spirit enough so that the light of others can shine through you
.
-Real World Dialogue
Service to others
matters
by Debby Wynne Kelly
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References
References
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IZi11g, I. L . J r. (1967). The tru1n/Jet rif co11scie1zce, Steeler Lccttirc. :’\ <>,·cml)cr. 11t t11: / / for tis a . <) r g / !)1C> gs/ i ,, .-111- )C> o t 11c / 111.-1 rt i 11-1tit 11C’ r- ki11 g-j r-11is – C>vv11-vvo r cls – r a clic a l- r c, :c>lti tio11ar)’-O})J)Osc cl-vv.-1r / 8+’.)5
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Where are the women?
by Joan T. Wynne
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WHERE ARE THE WOMEN? 85
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86 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
Sl1c fi.1rtl1cr cx1)lai11s Ll1aL tl1c , ,·clrk elf YPI”> i11Lc11cls tel C,l ]) l urc tl1c i111;:1g i11a ticJ11 c)f tl1c yc)L1Ll1 i11 clccc1)ti11g tl1cir L111ci1L1c J)C>s itio11s21s cl1a11gc agc11ls i11 sc >l,·i11g tl1c J)rc)\Jlc111stl1at tl1C)’ 2111cl tl1cir cc)11111L111ities face. acts <)ft e11 r cs L1lti11·g i11 r)ersc)11al ,.111c1 cc)1nn1L111,1l lr,1r1sfc)rmatic)r1s. i\ 11c1, ,ls i111) c)rta11ll) tl1rc)Ltgl1 tl1c YPP prc)ccss, sl1c discc)\' Cr s tl1at )'C)utt1 c)ftcr1 " g r c),,· r1c,.v a11prc);.1cl1cs tC) tl1c c)l cl a.r1cl sc c11i11gl') i r1tr,1ctaJ)lc 11rc)l1l c1T1stllc)· face ir1 tl1cir scl1oc)ls" ( P r c)filcs).
References
l\,Ic)sc s, R. P & Cc)i.)\J, D. (2 ()() l). Raclica/ equations:Civil Rightsfro,n1.\l i ss1:\’s1j,JJi Lo
Lite r llgehrctProejct. Bc)stc)r1: Bcacc)rl Press.
Prc)filcs: l\1I,1isl1a l\.Ic)sc s. ( 2 () ()( j) . T /1e Joung Peoj1le\· Prq ej ct. R c tr ic,·ccl frc)111: 11t t1): / / t)1)}1- org/})rcyfilc / 151
Sir1gl1, l\f. (?()15). Sec P riya c:ool,: Gc11clcr l1 ias J)c r, : ,1d c s tcx tt)C)o ks
, vc>r lcl, viclc . ..\ PR i11 .AJ)ril. l{ c tr i,c, c ci frc1111 l1tt1):/ / \v, v,,·.11 ) r . c) rg / l) lc>gs /
g c) a l s a 11cls <1 cl a / '.2 () 15/()4/ 1Y/ 4 () () 4 8 C>‘.-37 ‘.-3/ s cc-1 ) r i ya – c <>< J k- g c 11cl c r
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Calm down, relax; it
isn’t that big a deal
by Sarah Schultz
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87
88 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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c irc t1n1sl a11ccs. If I felt ;-111xic)t1s al)C)Ltl s c)11ctl1ir1g,,I ,·c)t1lcl ;-1s k tll )’Sc lf, ” ‘ \lc)t tld
tl1is 11,1t tcr ir1 1() 1n ir1t1tc s? v·\ c)t1lcl tl1is 111attcr ir1 ;:1r1 l1c)t1r; i11 a cla)’; ir1 a 111c>r1tl-1; ir1 ,1 )’ C,1r ?” I l c ,1r r1ccl to J) r a.ctice clcc1J l-)rc a.tl-1i r1gexercises tc> l1 c l1) a.llc
,·ia te tl1c J)fl),.s ic a l a s1Jects <)f tl1c a11xicty. I vv,1s s t1r1)r ise ci l)y l1c)vv 1n t1cl1 tr1csc
sec111i11gly si 111) lc tl1i1g1s t111c<1 111) lica tccl Il l) ' vvc>rlci.
Bci11g i11 Ll1craJ)Y l1<- lr:Jc cl 111c tr> t111clcrsta11cl lll )i tl1i11ki11g )) l’C>c <·ss , lo !)c, a va rc
c)f , ,·l1c11I, ,,
a s l1a\·i11g cl J1cl11ic ;.1tta ck, a11cl tc) clc vclc:JJ1 sc)111c s kills !c)r l1c)vV le)
rc111,.1i11 c a l11 i11 strcssfttl sitt1;1, tic)11s. It frcccl 111′)111i11d a11cl <)11c11ccl 111c LIJ.) LC) cl
r1c,v ,.vc)rl cl c)f rc1tic)r1al C)J)J)C)rtt111itics. I fe l t tl1;-1 t 111)’ s lc)r111 l1acl fi11;:1ll:1 le t LlJ.),
a.rid ,I ,·as a l)lc tc) cc)rltr ol 111)· a r1xic)t1s tl1c)t1gl1ts. I felt as tl1c)t1g l1 ffi)/ l)rair1
cc>t dcl fir1all)· figt1t 111y i)a .ttle c>f ,1r1xic t)· a11cl co t dcl c c)111b a t tl1c fear ar1cl ,,vc)r
r ics, sc> I c c>tdcl, fc)]· tl1e first ti111c , l)c 111ysclr. :\.1f) tr t1e se lf’. I c c>tdcl gc> tc> the
l)<·,,1cl1 <>11 a c lo t1cl)i cla )i, vvitl1<>L1t vv<1rryi11g if tl1c ra i11., , tl1at if tl1c rai11 c;,t111c, I cc)ttlcl c111IJ r a cc it.
<>t 1lcl co111c. I lc,,1r11ccl
A gia11t lcclJ.1 ,vas 111)’ l)CCC)11i11g· t111;,tsl1a111cccl)f sc c i11g ;.1 tl1cra1)ist. Yet,, , vl1c11I sl1arcd 111)’ r1c, ,· fc)u11d c11ligl1tc11111c11t ,,vitl1 fa111i·l)a11d fricr1cls, I 11c)ticccl tl1c rcactic)r1 tl1,1t I ac tt1all)· c1l,v;:1)·s l1c1d l)ecr1 cxpcctir1g. Pcc) J)lc 111acle n1c feel a.s if
I vvcrc 111ak.ir1g 111′)
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\ \ !itl1 tl1c ir 11cga ti,·c rcactic))lS tc> 111).: a111) rc c ia ti<">11 fc) r t l1cra11y, I vvas 11c> l<>11gcr clisa111)c)i11tccl i11 Ill )’Scl f 1.) t tl sc>rc ly clis,11.11)o i11tccl i11 tl1c rcactio11s c)f tl1c J)COJ11<' I l1acl 111c)sl lr t1s tc cl.
, \ Tl 1c11 <)tl1crs tc11d le) 111akc ;-tssu111.1tic)11s,tl)c)ttt isst1cs st1cl1 els a11xict)·, clc1 ) r c s
s i c)r: 1 sc l 1izc)J)l1rc11i;:1, a r1cl l>i J)C)l,tr dis<)rclc1 it c;:t11 111;:1kc a J)crsc)r1 ,vl1<> is
CALM DOWN, RELAX; IT ISN’T THAT BIG A DEAL 89
s tr t1g g li11g \,·i tl1 t l1csc cc>11clit ic)11s rcfi.1sc <) r resist gc tt i11g l1c1l ) . )l r c>fcssc>r c>f
P s) ·c l1iatr y, c; rcgory 1(. 1-‘r ilz (‘.2()()7), i11clir ,-1tccl tllcl l ” l o st co 11cc r11i11g fc)r cl1ilclr c11is tl1c f,ict tllcll il lca cls J) a rc 11ls t<> a \i()id sccki11g J) S;lc l1i1,t ric trca t11c111l
tl1at c<>Lil d clra11.1: tic.1: ll y i111Jr<>\ ·c tl1cir cl1ilci’s c<>11cliti<>r1” (p. 8). Fritz f<>ur1ci
tl1at ” I r1 a rcccr1t stucl)· c>f I, 134 /\ 11c1rica.r1 f),1rcr1ts, fc>r c xa11111lc, ,l l)<) Ltt 3()( 1 o
saici tl1C'{, \,· o t1lcl r1c>t \ra11t tl1cir cl1ilci to l)eco111c fricr1cls \\’itl1 a cl1ilcl \vl1c> l1acl
cic11r ess io r1 a11cl 2 51 saici tl1c s;-111c aJ)c>t1t a cl1ilci \vitl1 1\ D H D. r\ h11c>s t 2 ()( ¼>
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c)f t l1c sa1111) lc c \·c11 sa icl tl1cy vvc>Ldcl 11c>L vva11l a c l1ilcl \,·itl1 citl1cr clisc>r clc r (<> l i\iC 11cx t clo o r. lZcs1)<>11scs l<> ll1c sa111c c1L1′ cs tio11rcg;.lrcli11g cl c l1ilcl \,·itl1 a j)ll)’Si cal ill11css SL1cl1 as clstl111a1vvcrc 111Licl1 111<>rc g c 11cr<>Lts ” (JJ. 8).
i-\cc <>r cli r1i.2: l<> ll1c rcsc,1rcl1 c<>11ciLic tccl l>\ i I r c 11c C <>\ ‘ c1r r L1,l>i :1s c111cl l\Icck\·L111i.2:
L 1 ,, I L 1
H .:111 (2()11), J)C<>JJlc vvi tl1 scri<>LlS mcr1tal ill11csscs ,:tls<> CXJ)c r ic r1cc clcc rcasccl q Li,1lit)· <)f l ife, fcvvc r jc>t) O})J1C>rtLir1itics, clccrca.scd Of)})<)rtLir1ities for C> )ta .ir1ir1g r1<)L1si11g, cle c rc a.sccl c1L1a lit)· of l1caltl1 cc1r c, a 11cl ciecrcasccl sclf-estccn1 (J). '.-3 1 7 ) . C)t1r c tilt ur c tc>C> c>ftc11 cic>cs 11c>t tc11cl tc> sec 111c11ta l ilh 1css ,-1s a 11 a cc <'J) ta l)lc ill- 11c-ss; ;.-111cl, tl1L1s, \·icti11s c>f tl1is ill11css arc cc>11sta11tl)· cx1) c r ic11c i11g· J) f ( jL1clicc a11cl s tc rc <>ty7) i11g·. I t is 111L1cl1 111<>rc accc1)tccl l>)1 <>Llr CL1ll L1r c l<> l1a\1c s<>111c tl1i1g1· 1>ll)iSiCclll)· c r ir>1>l i11g·tllclll S()l11Ctl1i r1g tllcll is 111c11ltla)’ c r i1) r>li 11g.
T<><> <>ftc 11, tl1c 111cclia l1,1s iclc11tificd 1>r <>l>l c 111s <>f 111cr1tal l1ca ltl1 \,·itl1 })S)1cl1<>– 11atl1s a11cl c r i1n i11a ls. O tl1c rs <>ftcr1 assLimc tl1at issLics vvitl1 n1cr1t,1l l1ca.ltl1 ,1rc cittc tc> c l1ilcllil,_e J)Crcc 1)tior1s. Or tl1at tl1c 111cr1ta.ll)1 IUST l1a\iC’ vvca!,_ cl1arac
tc rs (C c>r r ig a11 a11,cl 1\’ a tsc) 11, 2()()2). T l1c>sc })Crcc1)tic>11s rci11fc>rcc tl1c stc rcc>t)·I)C
tl1al J)<' C>J) i<' s l1c) Lticl l)c afi·a icl c)f a 11yc>1-1c \,·itl111-1c 11ta l ilh1css. i\ cco rcli11g tr> Sc>ci,-1!
L c ,-l r 11u1g tl1c<>r y, 11c<>11lc , , ,
J1c> 11;.-1, · c 11,c,
c r cx1 Jcric11cccl c>r k11c>,..1, 11 a11)1<>11c \vl1c>
,l1 1s a 111c11ltaill11css Lise tl1c tclc\·isi<>11,11c\YSJ) clJ.)C 1:. ;-111d <>tl1cr 11c clicl s<>t 1rc cs l<>
ir1f<>r111 tl1c n1scl,·cs ;-111cl create JJcrccr)ti<)11s acc<>rcli11g t<> tl1<>sc i111ag cs (S t<>Llt ct al., 2()()4). U r1f<>r tL1r1atcly, J1C<) J1 l c vvitl1 111cr1t,1l illr1csscs l1a\'C' l) c c r1 J1C>rtraycd ir1 tl1c 111ccli,1 as vic>lcr1t a.rid arc, ir1 fact, rarcl)i rC’J)resc11tccl \.vell. Ir1 or1c s tt1Cl); P a tr ici;.-1 ,-\. Stc>t1t a 11cl l1cr cc>llc ,-1g t1cs r CJ ) C>r t tl1a t ·’ ( ; tdti\·;.-1ti c)1 1 tl1c c>r ) 1 s t 1g g cs ts
tl1at l1c ;.-1\ 1 ) · C’X))<>st1rc le> C<>11sistC’11l a11cl r cc L1r r c 11l 111C’ssa g cs <>11 l <,'ic ·isic>11 \,·ill
·reiterate, cc>11fi r 111, a11cl 11c>t1risl1, ‘ ·;.-ll Ltcs a 11cl sl1a1)c J.) Cr c c1J ti<)11s <>f s <>c i a l r c a l il)’
l() C()llfc>r111 l() lll()SC1 >rc s c 11tccl ()11lclc, ·isi<)Il" (S t()Lll Cl ell., 2 ()() 4 ) .
111 tl1c JJ,1sl, T \ cl1ar;-1clcrs, tl1c 11c \,·s s t<>r ic s i11 tl1c 111ccii;-1, a11d <>flc11111<>v·ic s l1a\’C f) <>r tr a)iCd J)C<>f)lc \ritl1 111cr1tal ill r1css as \·ic>lc r1t, Lli l ,l J)J)r <)acl1al:>lc , ,1 r1cl t1r1trca tal)lc. U rl>a.11 ccit1c a t<) r L is,1 D c l11it (Delp it, I 5) SLiggcsts ir1 lier rcscarcl1 al)()t1t J)C)\\'Cr a 11cl 11 ri\·ilc g c th,1t " ' 1\'c clc> 11()t really sec tr1r c) t1g l1 c>ur
C)’ C’S ( ) )’ l1car tl1rC)ltgl1 C)l ll’ C’a r s, l) ul tl1rC>Ltg l1 C)lll’ !)c!ic fs, ” rr tl1c 111cclia is tile
()llly SOLlfCC \ “II (‘ LISC l() fc1r 111OLtr j L1clg111c11lso r iclcas ;.-111cl S<>c ial isSLICS, tl1c11 \ \’ C
arc cl<><>11ccl l<> l <>11sid c cl J) CrCC J) l i <>11s <>f rcality.
N c\·cr tl1clcss, l>csidcs fccli11g d iscr i111i1cl1li <>11 fr<>111 tl 1c gc11crc1l J><)}>t 1la li <>11, tl1crc is als<> a sclf-s tig111c:1 tl 1c1t l<><>11s. R csc a rc l1cr s D. L. S tL1c11kcl a11cl \ 1i\·ia 11
90 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
\ \ !c)l1g, i11clica tc ll1c1t “Stig111atizcci i11cli\·iclL1a ls r11a y rcs1)<111cl tc> t l1c rcactic>11s
or ()lll(‘rs i11 a \ 1 a r ic t v,,; or \ \’ cl VS . ‘ l’ l 1C\i arc ()ft.c11 llllSLlJ'(‘ ,ll)C)Lll ll1c a Ll i l Lt( l c s ()r
; ‘ ; ‘
<)tl1crs ct11cl, tl1crcfc)rc. 111ct)· feel a cc)11slct11t11cccl tc) 111akc a g c)c)cl i11111rcssic)11. I11cli\·idt1als li\ 1 i r1!.?: ,vitl1 sti:<::,>111a c c1cl1 a11c{ c, ·c r , r d a , r c l1c><>s c l<> c.tccc1Jt sc>c ic L\ r’s C>r <)tl1cr·s \'iC\\'S c)f t l1c111, <)r cl1c><>SC tc> reject <)tl1crs' cliscrcditir1g \1icw1)c>ir1ts”
L J \ ; ; ;
(2 () () 9 , 11. 4 9). l\f a rl’) f)C’Of)lc ,vl1c> feel sclf-cc)r1scic>t 1s a l1ot1t tl1cir n1cr1t,11 ill11css
tisc str a teg ics st1cl1 as J)assi11g; CC>\ 1 c r i11g, clisrcga.rcli11g, rcsistir1g, r <: jc c ti11g, a11cl isc>lati11g t l1c111scl\1c s tc> clc f1cct tl1cir i1111cr f< c li11g,·s l l)C>Ltl tl1cir 111c11tal ill11<·ss
(S LL1c11kcl & \1\0′
11g. 2 ()() S ) . ‘ l ‘l1csc i1111cr i’<
c l i11·gs Ccltl li111il a 11 c r s <> tl fro111 sc c k
ir1g l1cl1) <)r Lrcc1L111c11l. \ \111c11\VC lctl)cl a11cl calcgc)rizc 11cc)1)lc vvitl1111c11tal ill
r1csscs: it c.1iscc)ttrc1gcs a11d c)ftc11 tl1,rarts tl1cir sc r1sc <)f l>ci11g c111 ;1: ccc11tcc1.
l1t1111ar1 l)cir1g ir1 tl1cir S<) CiCt·) ' St1cl1 l)c l1,1\·ic)rs ir1cr ca.sc J)COJ)lc's scr1sc c)f
sl1,1111cS. c)cictics a.r1cl tl1c n1c clia. create tl1esc so cia l co11str t1cts, ar1d too oftc11 i11l1il)it J)e<111le frc>111 re c c i\1 i11g tl1e care tl1a t tl1c)· 11c c cl.
l\f)’ rcscarcl1 l1c l1)c cl r11c u11clc r s tc1.11cl tl1at C\1C r )· l) ra i11 clc>cs 11c>t fL111cticn1 tl1c
sa111<· \Va·)· H L1111a11s arc 11ot a "cc1okic CLtt tc r" Sj) Cc ics. 111 tl1is vvo rlc l, tl1crc c1rc
cli11:crc r1t i11tcllig·c11ccs, clilTc rc11l 11l1ysica l ,1l)ilitics, cli11c:rc 11t 1 c rsc )11;:1li tics, clif fi:rc11tgc11ctic 1nakcu11, etc. Pcc)1)lc <)ftc11 c.lc) 11c)t t111clcrslc111cl tl1;:1t , ,·c l1a,1 c dif fcrc11t , v,1)'S c)f t1sir1g <)ltr l>r a i r1s. NC) t,vc) l)r;:1ir1s c>pcra tc tl1c sarnc. NC)t c,·cr1 t,\·ir1s ,(l\I c c lir1a, 2() 14).
l\ Icr1tal illr1css stig111as kcc1111cor)lc 111isir1for111cci abotit tl1c 11re11or1clcra11c c c>f
tl1is ilh1css 111 <1ttr \ VC>rlcl. () ftc11, fc>r 11a rc11ts , it is l1(1rcl tc> a cli11it \vl1c11 a cl1ilcl
111a·y 11cccl l1<·l1). l.)a r <'llls 111ay· tl1i11k it 111<'a11s tl1at tl1cy 11, 1,c f 1 ilccl. Ho,,·<'\'<'r,
rcscctrcl1crs like (;rcgc)ry; l r itz SL1gg·cs t tl1al 1)arc11ts sl1c) L1lcl l)c J) ra i sc cl ic)r l1clj.)
ir1g tl1cir cl1ilcl l)uilcl sclf-cs lcc111 IJ)1 ctch11illi11g tl1crc is a 1)rc)l)lc111, a11cl tl1al tl1crc is trc”1t111c11t fc)r tl1at J)rc)l)lcn1. O tl1cr”visc, el s tl1c J)arc11ts cl r c tl1c C)11cs
,vl1c> 111ak.c ,111 c)f tl1c leg a l clccisio r1s, cl1ild rc r1 ,vill r1c>t rccci,:c tl1c r1ccclcd sc)cial scr,·ices if th cir r)arer1ts i)c lic’\ C i11 so c ic t)·’s 111c11tal st ig111a a 11cl ig r1c)rc t l1cir cl1ilcl’s c c>11cliticn1.
1;1r tcacl1crs a11cl J)arc11ts, j)Cr CC J) t icH1 c>C 111c11tal l1ca lt l1 scr,1icc is kc)·· It is i1111)orlc111l tc> LL11clc rs ta11cl tl1at 111a11y c l1ilclrc11 ell’ <' 11c>t g c t t i11g tl1c 111c11ct1l
l1cclltl1 relief tl1at tllC’)
11cccl a11cl clcsc r,·c l)cC,lLtsc c)f tl1csc stig111as. I k11c)\,v
tl1at I- \VC)ttld l1a,·c l>c11cfittcd frc)111 tl1is k11C)\\·lc clgc a11cl trcctt1nc11t clt a y<>t 111g
age …-\s a tcacl1cr, I vv,1r1t tC) J)rc>tcct cl1ilclrcr1,vl1c) CXJ)Cr ic r1cc tl1c sa111c frt1stra tic)r1. 1\l tl1c)t1gl1 tl1csc cl1ildrcr1 111,1y· rlc)t CXJ)rcss tl1cir rr1er1t,1l l1ealtl1 issL1cs C>f)e 11ly; ti le)· arc i11 r11,1r1y C)f C)ttr cl,1ssrc>CH11s s ilc11tl) · l)cggi11g fc>r l1cl1). .t\ s cl1al
l<'11gi11g as it \Vc1S f<1r 111c tc> clcal ,vitl1 111y C>vv11 c111xic l y fi”
)·c>u11g age, I cc1: 11
· A..s cl C L1ltL1r c , \·V C scc111 tc) l1a, 1 c l)cc11 sc11t tl1c vvrc)11g 111cssclgc. 1l c11tal ill11css is r1c)t s c)111ctl1i11gtc) l)c asl1;:1111ccl c>f P L1sl1i11g a,,v;:ty <)Ltr 111c11lctl l1calll1 11cccls , \·ill
r1c)t 111c1kc lts l:>cttc1; r1c)r l1,11JJ)icr. Bccc>n1i r1g 111c>rc <>J)cr1, , , itl 1 cx1)rcssi11g <)Llr
CALM DOWN, RELAX; IT ISN’T THAT BIG A DEAL 91
f<-·c l i11gs a11cl 11c>t f’<
c li11g asl1a111ccl tc> SJ)cak a i) C>ttl tl1,c
v<1)' c1ur 1111i1cl,s
vc>r k
111gi l1t a11cl1c>r OLtr i111a g·i11a lio11s i11 !1c a ltl1y co11lcxts. ‘l ‘l1crc arc sc1 111,1111)l)cclLt
tifLtl ll1i11g·sc:t l><>L tt l1L1111a11l.>c i11gs ct11cls<> 111L1c:l1 cacl1 1)crs<>11 l1,1s t<> <>
11′<
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vV<>rl c,l. Vl1)· vV<>Ltld, – v,c, va11t clll )’ 1><>J.>L1lali<>r1 t<> l>c silc r1c:c cl i11 <>rclcr t<> c<>r1-
fc>rm t<> tl1c social r1c>r111? F c c li r1g sl1,1111,c 1l><>L1t ,t cl1cn1ica.l i111IJc1 la r1cc ir1 <>Ltr
t)odics sccrr1s like ,1 tl1ro,vl),1cl to Ltr1c11ligl1tcr1cd ti n1cs . 1\ s 1\ risto tlc 011cc saicl,
” l t is the 111ar k c>r a 11 c clt1ca tcci 111i11cl t<) l) c al)lc tc> c1 1tc r tc1i11 a tl1c)t1g l1, t ,·itl1c>t 1t
;,1c cc 1) ti11g it” ()l }1ilc>s<1 l) lc>g , 2()1 2). S c1c ic ty 11c·c·cls lC> c l1;,1llc11gc tl1c vic, vs tl1a t
tl1c 111cclic:t ! ) <>r l ra ys ,tl)<>Ltl 111c11t;,tl il l11css, vvitl1c>L1t l)li11 <)\icr, i11 scl1<><>l s, s l 1<>L1lcb1′ t \ ‘\ C l>c c r c a li11g S}Jaccs , vl1crc all cl1ilclrc11s’ 111c11la l states ,1rc accc1Jlccl a11ci gi,,e11 l1c;-1l tl1)· ;-1ttc11ti<>r1, s<> tl1;-1t t!1C’) mcr1t,1l frccclc>n1 a r1cl a relief fr<>m ,1CLttc s t1ffcrir1g. References
cc:111 c x1>c r i c 11cc cl C: <>r r i g ·,1 11, P &, \ \ :’;:tts<>11, ,.\. C. (2()()2). l.lnrler1·t.anrlinglite inzjJacl qf stignla 01z jJeojJl e
z.cith n1(‘1ztal ill nes,s,. \ ‘c>rlc l P s)’Cl1iatr)·: l ( I), I (5- 2 () . C <>‘\
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. (‘.2()11 ). ).11c11tc1lH c a l tl1 Stig111,1 ctl><>Ltt sc r i <>Lts mc11t,1l ill r1css a111c>r1g ).’IS,r\
5() (4)) 31 /+.
s tt1clcr1ts: so cia l cc>r1tc1c t ar1ci a ttitticlc. Soci(t! TI rJ1k
D eIJ) i t , T.,. ( I ) )5). Other Peoj)/es (:hilrlre1z: (iultural ( /o f!fl.icl in the ( i/a.1sroo1n. N c,v Yc>rk: Kc,,· Press. l ·itz, c;. I( . ( 2 ()( )7 , l\’c) \! Cllll)c r ).
Stig111a a11cl c l1ilcll1c>c>cl 111c11lal illt1css: C c111 a,c.I,
o c a lcs l L1r 11 ll1c ticlc? ‘l ‘!1c
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Creating paradise
by Martha Barantovich
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A sample of texts, ” must-r e ads: ‘ for pre-service teachers, along with suggested videos
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–·1·11a11k \!()Lt,” savs l\1lr. ,.\ clc11,va lla . ; , ” Na tl1a11icl C;rcc11liclcl-Ba11tistc.” ‘l’ l1c 111L1sclccl \)rc), ,·11-ski1111ccl 111;-111 i11 l1is n1icl-‘.2()s s tr uts c!c), ,·11 tl1e a isle jc))tfL1lly. Tl1c 11;-1ils C)Il l1is left l1;-111clarc 11cti11tccl l)lLtc, tl1c c)r1cs C)ll l1is rigr1t a ltc rr1a tc reel a11cls il,·cry ,rl1itc. “T l1,1t’s , ,·l1at I ‘ n1 talkir1g l)C)tlt, l),l l)y!” l1c sir1gs. 1\ cc)llccti,·c cl1ticklc l:)r caks tl1c sc)lc1111i1t)’ C)f tl1c ri tt1c1l as l1c circ)J1S l1is ca11.
99
100 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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– Ir. i \ clc 11\ v a lla i11Lc r r L1]) l S l1is Slcacly i11tC)tlali<)ll ()r 11a 111cs . ''E \·c11 ir )'()LI cic)tl'l
l)ri11g a11ytl1i1g1, J.)lcasc C<)111c LlJ.). cxlc11cl y·<)Ltr l1a11cl, 111a kc tl1c g es LLtr c <)f . ‘ . ., ._e,
llCr()Sl,l Ig r1a c i<) laugl1s cl n1<)ckir1g, attc11ti<)11-cc1llir1g lc1L1gl1. "Tl1,-1t's ki11cl <)f stLt})icl, cl<)r1't )-C)LI tl1ir1k, m,1k.ir1g LtS CC)n1c Llf) like ,vc'rc yc>Llr little sla\·cs or S<)n1etl1ir1g? Yc>Lt real!)· ,,·a11t 111c to co111c Lip vvit\1 110 car1 21r1cl r >r c tc r1c,l . .,,, .Aaa … \V I1alC\'(‘T” \’C)l lr 11a 1T1(‘ IS:
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i\ \’C>icl )”a \\’ Il S C>J) Cll tl1at C\ 1 cry·c>11c ,,·a11ts :\Ir. r\ clc11vva ll;:1tc> fill. 1-Ic a llc>, , ·s it tc> SL1ck i11 tl1e S]) c1ce fr>r ;:1 f< vv sc cc>11cls, tl1e11 lc>o ks cli rc c tly at lg11;;1c ic). clr, a Yi11g tl1c ,vl1<)lc c la ss 's g·a z c t<) l1i111 tc)<)-. i\ 11·)<)11cvvl1c) ca11' t 111akc tl1c fc)c>cl <)1' 1c ri11g Cclll s t ill 111;-1ke tl1e g cs tt1rc t<) car11 tl1eir lc11 J.l<>i11Ls. Yc)u clc)rl’t g es tLtrc. y<)Ll·re r1<)t l1ere, )'<>u get zcr<> })<>i11ts.” Ig r1aci<) la t1g l1s lc>Ltdl): H e })lc>c ls tc> tl1c frc>rlt C)f tl1c rC><)111, c1L1ickly· f),1sscs ,1 t1ar1d o\·cr tl1c crate lik.c a \1,1L1clc\·illia11 1r1,1gicia.r1, a11cl s111ilcs ,viclcl)' at Ir. f\clc11vva lla , r,c, ca lir1g a c h i])])Ccl frcHll tc><1tl1 11ca.rl)1 l)!ack ,,·itl1 clc ca y·. Ig11a c ic> re111ai11s silc11t L111til tl1e c·11cl c>f’ tl1c J)eric1cl, i11 c c>tl\ ‘e r sa t ic111 ,vitl1 <>11l·y l1i111sclr H e sli1)s ()Lil al tl1c c11cl ()r tl1c J)Cric1cl l.)cfc)r(‘, I r.• Aclctl\•Va lla ()r a11y ()11e else Cct11 ,-tsk l1it11 L111vvelc<)111c c1L1estic)11s <)r 111akc L111,,·elcc)11c1 C) 'C cc)11tact. H e ,,val ks tl1rc)L1gl1 tl1e C<)lleg·e c;-1111r)L1s, ,-1 c <>Il\1ertcd c>fficc c<>1111>lcx c)f r1i11c l)<)X)' l)uilclir1gs co111r cc tccl l)). a vvcl) c>f ,,·all vv,1y·s. H e ‘s lc)<) kir1g at tl1c tl1c>t1gl1ts ir1 l1is l1cacl risir1g lik.c tl1c S})t1n1c of acicl or1 111ctal. ·’I car1’t l)clie\•C tl1is is tl1c first cssa)·,· \! l1(1t a11 iclic>tic a ss ig11111c11,t. \111)• clc> ,,·c l1a\r(‘ l<1 clc> t l1is? \r\ r1a t a J)ai11. \ Vl1a L a 1)ai11. \ Vl1<> clc>cs tl1is g·L1y tl1i11k l1c is? He is sc>ft.. sc> 1’111 Jl<>l cl<>i11g it. \.\’ l1al is lie tryi11g tc> clc)’:” l g11acic) secs l1i11s1clf i11 1.l1c cl c1: ssrc)c)11 ag,1i11. lc)<)ki11·gat l1is c),,v11eyes \va11clcr ir1g ;-1r <)L111ci, l1is C)·c s sl 1rt111ck11 g rc)tcsc1t1cl)' s111;-1ll, dice rc)lli11g l)ctck a11cl f<)rtl1 ir1 tl1c so ckets. H e secs l1i111sclf ,1 l>lc:1stccl ,,v<)<>c.le r1 clc>ll, j<)i11ts l>r <>kcr1, f)LIJ.)f)Ct stri11gs sr1i1)1)ccl, arid al)a.r1clc)r1cl. He feels ar1gcr ar1cl feels tl1c ,v<)rd i{/iot. l o·u·re
an irliol. H e secs a11 axis acrc>ss tl1c classrc:>c)1T1, ,vitl1,l\
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a11cl l1i111sclf i11 C>J)J)C>sitic>11. frliol’. l’ l1c ,vc>rcl a11cl its cc l1c>i11g ccH11c fi·cH11 , ,·it l1i11 like ti1111itL1s, at ti111c·s l)a r c l)i a L1clil)lc, al Li111cs risi11g tc) a screccl1. lg11acic) fi11cls l1i111sclf i11 111ci lcllc c)f tl1c c;;11111)L1s. He is clisc)ric11tccl, tr yi11g· le) get C)Llt l )Lll, as it 11,-ts tL1r11ecl <)ttt, 1>ullccl i11t<) tl1e cc11tcr. ' i\11 Y<>L1r D r e c1111s Start Herc” reads a lc:1rgc J.)lacard ,vitl1 red lcttcrir1g. f\ r r<),,vs }l<)ir1t ir1t<> tl1e t)L1ildir1g tl1at l1c>L1scs rcgistratior1, fir1,1r1cial a icl, ar1cl acl\·iscn1cr1t. POETRY SCHOOL 1 01
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” I can· 1 A·eejJ all tltese bui/din,gs straight in ll J’ hea{/,” h.e SC{J’S. ((It all loo/cs the sarne.·· H e ,J) 1sscs tl1rc)tig}1 a cc)tirt)·,1rd lir1cci ,vit}1 tl1c f1.:1gs c)f rn a il)’ r1atic)r1s ir1tc) tl1e r1oisy cit)·· H e })icrccs tr1c 1nc111l)r ,:1r1c l)ct,\·ccr1 tl1c ar1cstl1ctic C)rclcr C)f tl1c can1J)t1s ir1to tl1c 1TlCSS)’ arclc>r of tl1c cit)·· J\ car hor11 I)icrccs l1is l)t tl)l) li11g t l1c>t1g l1ts as l1c arri,·cs at a ])us l)c 11cl1. ()11 tl1c l)t1s , l1c fi11cis a sca.t i11 tl1c l)a ck. i\ 11 (>lei , v<)111a11sits 11cxt t<) l1i11,1;:1ski11g ir lie k110 , ,·s tl1c st<>]) f<>r tl1c fi ·(·c c li11ic. lg11clc ic) 11c>ticcs tl1c l)lastic rc)sar)· clr c)t111cl lie r 11cck. ‘·I clc)11t’ “G C)cl IJlcss ) ‘C) t l.”
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*** Ig11acic> H t1r ta clc> 1/ 6 / 14 I:.::\’ C I ! (J I P re )( ,-\cic11\.Vc1la D ia g r1c>s tic Ess,1.)-: C r ca tio r1S to rie s E x t rc111cl y l111) c)r ta11tNote: ‘l ‘l1is is l.)asccljL1st (>tl 111′ )i111gai11atic)11, ,111cl l c!c)11’ t 111c,1r1 it to l)c tl1c trt1tl1: I .:1111 tt1rr1ir1g tl1is ir1 as ar1 exe rc ise ir1 c rc a ti,·c ,vritir1g acc<> r cli11g <>J) t ic>tl #?, i11 y<>t tr i11str L1c t i(>t1s, l J) rc l’< r tl <> t t<> c c>tl l j) a rc Il l) ‘ ” tr;.-1cli tic)rlcll’. crcatior1 stc)r)’ tc) a11c)tl1cr (<)11ti c)r1 # 1) C)r t<) ,111,l l)' ZC ,rl1.:1t it n1c.:1r1s tc) 111c (c>J) l iclll # 2) i11 tl1is c11\·irc>11111c11t ;.-1s I f’< ) ‘C) l l a 11cl c11cj-))·
cl tl1at is lc>La ll)· t111ca llc cl f<) r.' l' l1a11k
102 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
Re visin g Salvation
111 tl1is css;-1)·, I ,viii Lcll ;-1 s tc>r ) i tl1aL i<)<> ks at a 11c·\ v ,,.c rs i<>ll c>f’ tl1c ( l1risti;-111 c rc a tic)11 St()r y kll()\·\’11as c; c11csis, \Vl1icl1 is cl rcl,1ti()llSl1i1) i.)Cl \VC Cll c;()Cl ;-111cl l1is S<)rl cx1) la i11i1g1 tl1e 11alLire <)f l1Li111a11 IJ c i11gs, I , vill attc1111)t l<) i11tc r1)rct tl1c Bil>l c as vvcll ::1s n1!) k11c>,\·lecige <>f C l1ris, ti 1 r1it)’ tl1aL 111akcs Ll}) n1y SJJiritLi::1li t)·· Fi r s t <,)f
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ir1 tl1c l)cgi.11r1ri1g, tl1c Lc)r d aln1igl1ty , r,:1s f1c)a tir1g i11 tl1c , r,1st c111J) tir1css <)f s11acc. H e f<)L1r1cl tl1e c1111t1ir1ess L1r1l)caral)lc sc> fir1all)· sc1L1c e z c cl it i11to the llrst , \·c>r ci, , ,·l1ic l1 ,,vas 1<1,: c. /\ II l1c \v;,111t c ci \Vc:'lS l<)\:c , S<) l1c 111a.clc his sc)11 tc>g c tl1cr til e),·
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\1 ll1c L c)rcl a s kccl l1is SC)ll le) rL111 as fast cl11cl as f:lr els l1c C<)Lild S<) ll1e l)lLlC field s , ,·e r e l1is <)}Je11 l1ea rl, ll1c sky ,,·cts ll1e first la L1g-l1tcr. Tc) 1nakc ll1e <)cea11, tl1c Lc)rci l.>r<>ugl1t l1is S<)Il i11to cieeJ) slec11, S<) tl1c , ra te rs , rcrc tl1c>sc d r c a11s1 tl1cr1 tl1cy 11air1tcc1 tl1e gr,1sscs ar1c1 trees. T l1c)·m,1dc tl1e a.r1i111,1ls OL1t of tl1c 111t1cl. TI-1c I,1r1,ci ,·a s ra tl1er a11d so 1111I c1yi11g. Or1 the C>thcr l1,1r1cl, ,it
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·cr1tl1cia)· tl1at ,vc c;-1n1c ,1l0 11g. Tl1c T,c>rcl , v,’u1tc cl tc> res, t !)tit tl1c sc)11 \vas restle ss, !1c vva 11tcc l tc> kc CJ) J) ia )·i11g, !1c vva 11tc cl le) 111akc Ll1c vvl1c)! c s il L1a l io11 a s i1111) lc g;-1111c, l1c ,,·a11tc cl le) ll1ro,v clicc, i11 cl fit <)f crazi11css lie CC)l)ied l1i11s1clf: l1c),,·c, ·e r, i t , vas a IJ;,1cl C g <)cl, HE is SLIJJre111,cl.)Llt lie - , vas a f<)<)lisl1 s <>Il. FL1rtl1er111<>re, tl1is <)L1tr,1ge<)L1s acti<>r1 e r1ragecl tl1e L c)rcl S<) li e J)L1r1isl1ccl l1is so r1. ·'\ \)ti ,1rc a l)<)r t cc l, tl1c C>r1e , r l1c> n1a .k.cs tl1c fat,tl crrc>r.” Lik e a ,vratl1fL1l 11s t the I.,o r cl’s \V<)rc ls J1Ln1cr1ccl the sc>rl. H is !)rol cr1 tee th, tr1e l) lo o cl fro111 his 111c>t 1tl 1, !1is Lcar,s ,·2ttc rc cl tl1c Ea r t h, l1c la)· 111c)ti c) 11lc ss 0 11 tl1c g rc>t111cl vvit l1 tl1c J) c1i11f t.1l c111gc r i11siclc l1is tc1111)lcs. ‘ l ‘l1c Lcars fl· ll i11t<) t l1c g rc, L111cl, all tl1c J) C)iso11 l1as l)cc11 sc)clki11g ll1c g rc>L111cl c,·cr si11cc, ,,·c tr)i le) c lc a11 <)Ltrselvcs SC) Ll1at , ,·c ::trc })Lire. 111 C<)11clLisic)11, tl1is is tl1e l)ig secre t. Tl1erc , v,1s 11<) 111agic r il) <)r frLiit tree ir1 J) a r a d is c. I t’s LIS, ,vc ,1rc tl1c sir1, tl1c sc>r1, tl1c s,1111e sc>r1, l1as l)ecr1 c tcr r1,1lli) , va lk.ir1g tl1c c,1rtl1 t<) stiffer to srl<),v tis ot1r sir1 ar1cl ,,·asl1 l1is ovvr1 fro111 l1is l1a11cis.0 111)1 sc>111c <)f tl1csc 111c11 l1,a, c l)cc-11 r c111c111l)erecl, ,ve ;1-rc the 111si ta kc tl1at cc>111cs fi ·cH11 lc>, ·c , tl1at’s l1c-) \ v I sc·c it \Vitl1 111v i111a2·1i1atic, 11 111 tl1is s tc>r \ ‘. .. ( / ,I
***
l’\ ;-1tl1cl11icl G ree11ficlcl-Ba1 )tis te l.)Ltrsts tl1r<)Lig-l1 tl1c cl<><)r <)f tl1e cl;-1ssr<)<)111 al) <>L1t l1alf,,vc1).: tl1r<)L1gl1 tl1c J)cri<)cl. .1-\ll tl1e dcsk.s l1a,1c l)cer1 J)L1sl1cd t<) tl1e , va lls, clissc>l, ·i r1g tl1c fa11i1liar fc>r, va rd -f,1cir1g gricl ir1grair1ccl l)y l 2 yc,1rs c>f sc l1c>o lir1g.1\ ror)c is s11iralecl 011 tl1c c)1 c r1eci Sf)c1cc <)f tl1c gra)· tile n<) Or 11·0 111 tl1c cc11tcr C>t1t, va rcL l\,fr. f\ clc11vva lla ca111c tc> c- L1ss I :1 111i11utcs c a.rly· tc>cla.1) tc> a r r a 11gc POETRY SCHOOL 103
“‘( ) 11 Ill )’ gcicl, J)lc,,1S(‘ tell 111c I clicli1’t 111iss it!” atl1a11icl says. I-le fi11cls tvvc> g i r ls ,,vll () l1av·c !1(‘CC)111c l1is clcsk 11cigl1l)c1rs, J)(‘Cks c;.;1cl1 011c 011 tl1c cl1cck, ;:c111cl c l1c)r tlcs i11 G r i11·g,c>-
tccc11tccl S ]Jc111ils1: “Esta11 111Lt) ‘ 111Lt)’ li11cla s 11(>·) ‘
Tc CJ Lticrc) mL1cl1c>!” £\ ·c r vc>11c, i11clL1dir1!! 11Ir. ,-\clcr1,vallct, rcs1J<>11ds , ,·i tl1 c1r1 ur1cctS\’ s111ilc.
I \… , ”.Jt1st i11 ti1ne, clcc1r fric11d,” 111r. ,-\ c1er1,.v;:1ll,1. sc.rys tc> Natl1,1r1icl. 1 1I r. l\ clc11\,·alla sta11ds clt <>r1c cr1ci c>f tl1c rc>c>111 \\·itl1 l1is s tL1clcr1ts, all , vasl1cd ir1 tl1c ligl1t c>f a.11in·1,1gc projcctccl 011 tl1c ,vl1itcl)c>arcl. Grccr1 ar1cl red 11cl)ula.s risi11g i11 C<)s 111ic i) la c k11css softc11 i11tc> tl1c l)ackgrc>Lt11ci for a J)Ocr11:
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1 Tl1c g11c>stl)· digit,.11 le tte rs sec111 tc> n1clt ir1tc> tl1e i1111->crfcct letters tl1c stL1der1ts l1a\’C l>r;:1ir1stc>rmcd <>rite> tl1c l>c>ard lc><>1>ir1g c>r j,:1ggcd le t te rs, son1c strctcl1ec1 ir1to l1icrogl)1)l1ic t)caL1ty tl1,1t car1 c,1rry ir1cic1)cr1cicr1t 111car1ir1g l)C’)’<)r1cl tl1c cri\)s of tl1cir 11a ti\:e ,vclrcls, <)r sl1rL111k i11to s l,1 r1ti11g illegil)lc tracks <)f tcxtL1al crL1111l)s, tl1ickcts criss -c rc>ssc cl ,, ·itl1 J) a tl1s i11 a vvilclcr11(‘SS.
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Grace 1\’fcH11c11l I: Great E111cr2:e11cc. Ot1t ()f tr1c 111\:stc ric>t 1s c l1a os sc)111c l ‘.-3.8 l)illicH1 \·c a r s a12:c> ti111c. SJ)c1cc, a11cl c11cr2:\’ stal)ilizc i11t() tl1c 2.ift ()r cxistc11cc. ()L1r C 11i\·c rsc is l)c>r 11l1c)l a11cl ti11,v … < ' ;
1,J ( / <.J
i\ \VC)111a11 i11 lier sixties, tl1c c>lclc s l s tL1c.lc11t i11 ,I r. ,-\clc11,va lla ‘s classes tl1is sc111estcr, flits <>Llt c>f tl1c clt1s te r. ” Lista!” sl1e sa )1s, lctki11g lier JJlacc al tl1c C>Ltl – er111<>st ca11clle. H e r s1n c1. ll, sn1ilir1g face J)L1lsc s ,vitl1 e11crg, ·) tl1crc. 111 Cul>a: sl1e ,vc>rl”cd ,1s a I(i11clcrg,1rtcr1 tcacl1cr fc>r 2:) )·ca rs r)cfc>rc i111111igratir1g to tl1c C11iteci S ta tes, ar1ci s l1c r c lisl1cs l1cr role i11 tl1is stagecraft. She’s ,,vca ri11g ,1 s111art l)luc SL1it fc)r tl1c SJ)cci,,11 c>ccasic>11. ·’ I l)clic\1 C it 111 tl1c Bil)lc, tcacl1c1 ” sl1c Scl)·s g rc1\'(‘l)’, “l)L1t I tl1i11k tl1at ca11 l1c tl1c sa111(‘ vvitl1 tl1c l.1ig l)a11g. ()k?:’
104 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE Sl1c slc) vVI) · ! )c1 1cls clc>,v11 Le> lig l1L tl1e ca11clle. i\ 11 C>J) e 11 fla111(‘ i11 Ll1c c la ss rc>Cllll a viola ti(>11 (>f c,11111)Lts1) o licy Ll1 ,.1t lr. Aclc1-1v, a ll,.1k11c>,,·s ca11 r(‘SLtll i11 SL1s1 )c 11- si()11()r e\iCll ler111i11ati()11, j Lts l like la)·i11g )’C)Ltr l1eacl clc)vv11 l() take a 11c111 i11 )’ ()Ltr ()ffice. l()a11i11g c-111 ()fficc kC)i l() a st L1cle11t, ()r sr1ea ki11·g()Ut clL1rir1g tl1e des igr1atcd (>fficc l1c>t1rs J)(>stccl C>rl l1is dc)c>r fc>r ,1 CL1t),-1r1 C( )ffcc l)CJ()St .-lt tl1c cafe teria Tl1e st11lcc r1t lifts a J) ()Ster of a l)lack cr()Ss e11ge11clc r ir1g a s ky of stars, ar1 <)ra.11gc s t111, a gray 111c>c>11. ··Jr tl1e t)ig l);-111g is tl1e trt1c; tl1c11 vvl1c> cl icl it?” Sl1c 1)aL1scs, sc,-111s { 1ccs, 111akcs a11 i11ter rc1g ,1- ti,·e ‘·aaaaaaaaa!t?”
— 1l y ))iClLtf(‘ s l01 , vs it tl1a l 111ayl)c it is tl1c Cl1ristia11 gc)cl ,vll() 111aclc tl1c !)ig l>a11g. It ca11 l>c. 11(>?” O rie c,-111cile f1,:t111e al cl tin1c, tl1c s tL1c.lc11ts lrc1cc tl1e l1istc)r, v (>f tl1e 1111i·,crse.. :\s tl1c di11()saurs gi,,c ,,·a)’ t(> 111a111m.-1ls, it is Igr1,-1c i c> H L1rt,1cl(>·s tur11 l(> ill11strate c lassrc)c>111, ·c)ic c , tl1c ,,·c>r cls cc)111c C>Ltl at ,-1 lc),verccl c>c t,a, e , J.)L 1sl1cc.l tl1r()t1g l1 a st rc1ir1er. ‘·r\ c>Lt k11c>,, ·, 1 ‘111rc .-111·) tr yir1g, l>Ltl I c.lc>11’t agree ,,·itl1 tl1is. I’ll jLtSl tc1kc tl1c C()r1sc1c uer1ccs.” H e st,-111cls \Jack ,,·itl1 l1is .-1rn1s c r (>sse cL face lc11sc. H is r1cigl1l)c>rs ir1cl1 .-1, r a ) ‘ tc> 111a kc a l)ttffcr. l\Ir. 1\ clcr1,,v<1l la ar1r101111ccs tl1at if Igr1acio ()r a r1),-0 r1c else is ir1tcrcstccl ir1 a r1 a l te r11a ti,·c assig1111c111t; lie clc>csr1’t 111i11cl ·’r11aki11g cl clcc1I.” 111 rCSJ) CH1sc, Ig11a cic,>
v,.1lks tc> c>tl1cr c11cl c>f tl1c rc>cH11, 11c>isil·y clt·a g·gi11g a clcs k, a11cl s its tc,>
,·rite. He scr,-1lclies avvay al a ft.1rioL1s )) a ce. l1cacl ,-ll111cJsl ! ) r c ssc cl clc>,v11 t c> tl1c clcsk l(>J).. -\t tl1e e11cl c>f tl1c cl;,1ss, lie i11lcrr t111tsa gr()LlJ) c>f s l t1clc11ls aski11g· Ir. 1-\ d c11,,valla c111cstic)r1s L<> drC)f) a fc>l clccl )’Cil()\,v lc g .-11-1>.-.tJ)e r r1c>tc c>11 tl1c clcsk. ”T l1at’s f()r’ ‘()Lt; ,” lie sa \J·.s t)l.-1r1kl\I·. ‘· I felt I l1acl to ,,·rite it ir1stcacl c>[ clc>ir1g_, cos111i,c- valk tl1i11g.”
tl1c
Fc>r tl1c fir s t ti n1c, f()r a SJ)iit-SCC()r1cl, l\ fr. 1\ d c11,va lla l1<1s a cl()SC lc>o k at tl1c ta tt()O Clll Ig11a.cio’s 11eck. ,-\ J)i11k !) ul)! )! cg t1111l1ea.r t ,vitl1 t.vv<) claggcrs crc>ss i11g it, l)i c>c>cl clr1i) 1 ) i11g fi·o111 tl1c l) c>ll<> 111, lake c>f lire lick.i11g Ll))\varcl.· l ‘l1c u111)crilccl l1c,-1rl crc)sscs ever sc> slig l1tly’ c)11tc) l g11;1: cic>’s ja,,· a11cl c l1cck. St1cl1 a slc>J)J1)1 at1lc)gra11l1, tl1i11ks Ir. i-\d c1-1,valla. ()fl a c a11,·as tl1c.tt c c-111111;,1kc s11cl1 J) r cc is e J)C>clry tl1r(>t 1gl1 mir1isc11lc gestt1res. H (>vv 111ucl1 tl1at 11cccllc 11111st l1c1:,c l1L1rt (>r1 sucl1 tl1ir1 flcsl1! l\Ir. 1\ dcr1vva ll,1 1111ts I g r1c1. cic>’ s r1c>tc ir1 l1is J)()Cl c t .-1r1cl \\’alks tc) l1is c>ffice, J)ay ir1g attcr1tior1 tc) tl1e cor1t<1ct <)f c<1cl1 stc11 011 tl1c g ro1111d, S()L1r1clir1g tl1e ,,vc>r cls
f ·’f /.jusl take the ron.1equence1. i11 l1is arl)c)rec1l 111i11cl C>v·cr a 11cl c>,·cr. r l1c \VC)rcls rt1s tlc like lca \”( S, flc)al c,l,c>
rC)()lS.
·11 tl1rc>ugl1 Ll1c ca 11<>J)) 1, a11cl fall a, va )’ i11Lc> gr<>L111clless POETRY SCHOOL 105
i \ t l1is c1flicc l1c lc)c>ks tl1rr>L1g l1 vvl1a.t l1c tells v·isitc>rs is !1is l1ack,,·arcl , vi11clr>,, -, lc)r it <>11c1 1s. i11co11rgL1c>L1s l):1 i11tc> tll<' l)L1ilcli11g ratl1cr tl1a11 C>L tl lo tl1c l.) L1s y s tre e ts a11cl s tr i1) 11c1tlls ell tl1c cclgc c>f tl1c ca1111 L1s. H e C>CC L111ics ,-t11 i11tc ric>r c>fficc tl1.-1t c>, ·c r lc>c>ks a ,·,1.
st cc>111>1L1tcr l,11> ,,vit l-1 a ca tl1cd r,1. l – li ke ceili11g.·
He secs tl1c to11s of clc>zcr1s c)f l1c;1csi. S tL1cler1ts a.re vvriti11g sc l1c)c)l a ss igr1111c11ts, cic>ir1g l)oc>l._ r e p o r ts 011 classic 1\111crica11r10,·els, cioi11g jc>1 1r r1,1lsC)ll \.vl1,1t tllc)· lca r11ecl tc>cla ) cic>i11g Povvcr J)C>i11ts fc>r c>ra l J)r cse1 1ta ticH1s C>Jl c t1rr e11t c, 1 e11ts, cio i11g vvl1a t tll c) i’ rc tc>lcl, , ,·r it.i11gCHl l 1’rtcf1 hook, c -111aili11g clista11t f 1 111il)· 111c111l)e rs , vV,-lSl i11·gSlcllC J'(‘S()Llrc cs , a11 1 1 l)’i11·gi<)r g c)\'('l'lllllCll t a ss istclllCC, ! ) ()Ltr i11g ()Lil !C)\" C le tte rs, l1a tc 11,-1il, 11c1>,, i11g ,-1,·c1lars i11 \iir tL1a l r cc1litics,11a ) 1 i 11g l>ill s . 11lag·ic1rizi11g a11d 1)rc>se l) · tizi11g,mc>,·i11g tl1rc>L1gl1 clin1 c11si c>r1s c>f c c>11ft1sic>11 a11d d iscc>, 1 Cr )·, reaclir1g tl1e 1\l ia nzi Herald, reaciir1g Si{/dhartlza, reacli11g Fifi_)· Sha{/e.1· qf Gr{ V, rc a clir1g T 1:i kiperfia.
1\ t tl1e tOJ) c)f tl1c c c1tl1cclr a l, tl1rc)t1gl1 t he l)t1l)l ) le of c c)1111)11tc r 11c) ise a r1cl s ta tic ele c t r ic ity a sccr>11cl vvi11c!c) \ v rc,·cals tl1c s k·)’ l\’fr. i\ clc11,,·a, ll1 111t1st c r,111c l1is 11cck le> get j L1st tl1e rigl1t a11glc . He l1as l)cc·11 fi:cli11g tl1e sky-like lc>11gi11g LC>Clc1y. H e l1as l)cc11 s11c11cil11g c>11c c>f !1is 11cric>cls i11 tl1e ctirlcss 11lc1c,c, ·itl1i11.H e k1,1c> vs ,vcll ,-1 ri111)ec:l l1iclcle11 l.)leecli11g. J 11st l.>e fc>rc lie reacl1es tl1e e111>1ti11ess, tl1e c n111ti11es,s 1l>c>11t tc> cc>111c ag·ai11: lie l>11r11s a \\’cl)’ c>11t, c11gL1l[s tl1e c>L1ter \.vo rlcl, cla r1cc s fire ,1rc)11r1cl tl1c rr1assivc glass a11ci steel str11c t11r cs sc,1lir1g l1i111 ir1. Tl1is is l1is d e,iC)tic>11, tc) l)t1r11i11g. H e rcacl1cs i11tc> l1is I)C>ckct fc”>r I gi1a.cic>’s 11c>tc, feels 111c>ist ccH1tac,t vit l1 tl1c 11a11c r, l1is, s ,·ca t c111cl l1is st11clc11t’s. lg11a c ic>’s l1ig a11g1da r lc tt<'r s , tll<' s ic kl<'cl s11i11cs, tl1c sci L1arc se r ifs feel sl1ar11-cclg c cl i11 l1is e)re s .. \ f t.e r li e r cc tcls it., l1c feels a grea t ilc>,vi11,g, ·itl1i11.H e feels s11c11t., J)arts c>f l1i111 l >r, c -1ki11g c>ff like l>rittlc f>c.lJ:>e r . \;\’c>rd s c 111crge. “I 11ecc.i tc> cic> s c>111ctl1ir1g·else,” lie Sc.l);S ,-1lc>ucl. H e clc>sc s l1is C)’CS fc)r a. fc, r 111ir111tcs: secs l1in1sclf as tl1c>11gl1 lc) C)lzir1gtl1rC>L1gI-1 a vvir1clo,\: O r1}1is c o r1111tc1; he clicks c1 !) o x i11clic;:1tir1g tl1a.t lg r1ac ic> H 1 1r t;:1clo co1111lc)tecl l1is assi 2:1111c 1,1t vit l1 2:rc-a t 111erit tc>cl,a \ . <. } <. , ,
1
zui!lt jJeojJ/e.
· 4re u..Je allou:ed lo use I?
· 1lrelUe allolced to use outsi{le soztrces?
***
.’lre1ue allolced lo listen lo raJJ 1nu.\ic in class u.1itlt jJrostitules tlte_fzC’orrl, the n-lt’orrl, tlte h-lU01tl?
r
11
.4re zue aLLolced lo talk about scie1zce vs. religion? Do le;/zi!e jJeoJ1le rertlfp co,ztrol tfze world?
106 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE !1 it I/LO.\/ [P Lit(),]elos?
,S’o zu!to is l,fu racist here·,-vou or nie?
,s·oare_J’Oll sC{J’in.s; n J’ jJe1:yonaL 4,nerican D rea!ll i.l’ barf and dead?
-T· l rzo clo_J’Oll Lhi1zA·_J·o1t’ re calling a slate?
,f1’f,e n anrl zt’here rlo these secret Icings ,nee! to rig this ganze qf chess?
1c ): Pre)! Aclc11\•Va l la. Fro111: I g11acio Hurt<1cio Tl1is cc)111111ttr1ic,:1tic)11 is le> i11fc)r111 )’C)lt tl1at tl1c tC)JJics yc)tt discttss ir1 )’ <)Ltr cl,1ss arc \tCr )· C<'>ll l r c)v·cr s ia l, vvcll, it is c>11c 111c)11tl1 i11Lc> tl1c sc111cstcr, a11cl I cir> 11c>t tl1ir1k vvc sl1c)Ltlcl l>c t,.1lki11g al>c)Ltl gc)cl ir1 class, \•Ve l1ct’\ C l>ccr1 lc1lkir1g al.>c>ttl gc>cl c>r iclcas .-1l) <)t 1t g c>cl at least a fcvv ti111cs .-1 vvcck ,.1t least a11cl I tl1i11k it is cc)11lrc)\·crsial, 11,1’\C )’<)Lt l1carcl al.)C)ttl tl1c sc1)aratic)11 c>f c l1ttr c l1 ct11cl slate? I de) l:) c li,c \
c i11 g<)Ci l:)t1t I clo 11ot \ vis \1 to s l1arc 111')
goci ,ritl1 otl1cr })C’O})lc. I , ,·r c) tC’ tl1c csscl)’ ,.1!.)C)L1l Jestis. I Ltsc cl a ll 1111)crc,1ti\·it)’ fc)r it. It vvas like I ,vas 11c)l t l1ir1kir1g vvr1er1 I ,vrotc it. Tr1c essay al111c)st vvrotc itself. To l)c r1011cst I felt like l clicl sc)111ctl1i11g vvrc)11g ,1it.c r ,,va r cl. ()11 l<)J) c)f ,111 tl1al )' C)L1 g a \·c 111c cl C+!!! I kr10,,· tl1is is riot tl1c real gra.clc )·ct si11cc tl1is is jttst ,1 p r a c t ice , ar1ci , ,·e l1,1\1C <1 cl1a11cc lo kccjJ vvc)rki11g 011 tl1c essay to get a rc,11 g·ra.clc; l)Ltt l clc) 11ot i’< c i CC)111fc)r t i\ r c yc>u a 11 L1sli111? I k11c>vv I l1a,·'( LC> vvc>rk C>ll 111y J)t111clt1atic>11, l)Llt a ( +?
Tl1,1t’s cxtrcn1cl)· ridicLtlc)t ts a11d i11sLtlti11g. 1\ lsc>, I still clc> r1c>t tl1i11k it is rair t l1,.1t \VC l1a\·c tc) l)rir1g yc)t1r ca11s ,1s J)art c>f C)L1r ttra,clc c)r IJc s l1c:t111cclif vvc clc)11’t. T l1al 111a kcs 111c \·e r \ ‘ a11:gi·\1 a11cl frL1s- tratcd ._ , I , _ , , l1c) J)C )'C)lt Ltr1dcrst,1r1cl tl1at I a111 j t tst tr)1 ir1g tc) clc) \\'l1;:1t I t1a\'C tc) clc) i11 c)rclcr tc) get cl clcgrC'c c111clstart 111)· l)usi11css. Sir vvitl1 all clLt(' l'('SJ)CCt yc>L1r jc>l) is just l<> tc,.1cl1 Lts tc) vvritc. \ \ )Ltr jc)l> is jttst tc) g i\1 c Lts tr1c ,vc)rk. I c1111, ,·illi r1g t<> 111akc POETRY SCHOOL 107
tl1a t sacrifice. l)t1l I a111 N ( )' l' ,villi112· tc> c c>rllJ) J'CH11isc 111·\ !)e!ic fs . De> 11c>l 2·.c t
) ( } (J
me , ,·rc)11g:, I tl1irik \'C)LI c1rc a g·c)c)cl tcaclicr, \'C)Ll crc<.tle 1111a1,· i11trig:t1irig: si l tlct- ticn1s, l)t1t I t11i11k y·c)u a re gc)i11g tC>C> f:1r. \ 'c) LI arc 111a ki11g 111c u11c cn11fc> r ta l)I e. 11)' J)C)ir1l is trlcll , ,·c ,vill talk a!J()Lll lriis clfter class 1icx t ti11c1, trial \.Ycl) ' l \ \'()li't l)c fc)rceci tc> go tc> tl1c l1igl1cr :1:-t 1tl1c>r itics ::-1t )·ot1r i11s ti tt1tic)11 i11 c>rclcr tc) rc c tif)' t_l' ,l ._, I I _., ,_., tl1is sil t1atic)1i. I aJ)C)lc)g iz c C)1ice a g ,1.
all )' \ V,1) 1, sllaJ) C, or fOr l1'1.
Igr1acio Htir ta.clc) E.:\C 11() l
i1i if I li c1,·c LlJ)Sct )'C)LI c)r )1 C)Llr slt1clc1ils iii *** T,vc) 13-y·ea r -c)ld l)c)y·s, ,l J)J)c1r c ri tly· t, viris , ,-valk tlirc)t1gli ,l la1iclscar)c c)f s, ,·cl )' ir1g, ras1)ir1,g- vaist-l1igl1 sa.vv grass. Eacl1 steJ) ir1 tl1e l1c)t n1t1ci releases ,1 111ir1- cral J)erft1111c. J\ fc)rcst o f vvhitc pole-tl1i11 sla s l1 J) i11cs rises al)o,.-e tl1c l1o r izc)r1. [ li e s t111 lies !c) \Y, sc 11cli11g tl1c l)C>),-S c>r a 11g c lig l1t tl1rc>ugl1 t l1e s,va1111) fc)rcst, 111c>rc SJ) a cc tl1a11 , ,·o c>cl a11cl lc c1L· 1·11c sky is rt1111l)l i11g, C<>, · c rc cl i11 c lc>t 1cls tl1at scc111 sl1rcclclc cl cl\ Va )· frc )111c a cl1 <)ll1cr al C<)llc)11 c clg c s. "l' l1c 111c1ss c)f gray 11ick crs vvi tl1 liwtlit. Tlic s111i is s11lcclc1,i;l, m c)c)rilit riiglit.
g·c)1ic. c1rici tlie Eartli IJecc)111cs s ilc ril iii tlie "T l1is is sc) l) c a t1ti f11,l'' ,vl1is1)crs c)r1c c)f tl1e l)c)ys. Tl1e otl1cr lc)c)ks at l1in1, a.r1r1o)·ccl. " c). Tl1is is just a \valk. Get ()Lit C)f tl1a t clo t1cl. D c)r1't l)c ar1 id io t. I c t's l1t1r r y LlJ) a r1cl get l1orr1c. I t's g c t ti11g cia r k!" "'I t's 11<)t jt1st ,1 , val k!" )·ells l):1:-c k tl1c C>tt1er. S tc>J) a11cl listc11 tc> l1c), v c111ict it is!"
--c:, 111 ' t,
\ ! () l l sec? Tl1is is l)eat1tiftd!
--'\I'( ) ll ll lcl k·c 11() SCllSC, ''
s a ys lI}(' L.VVlll I)
l()St."
i\,lr. i\ clc1i vva lla , ,·a kcs fi-<1111 tl1c clrc;.1 111, tc1kcs a j <)t 1r1 ia l fi·c>111 l1is 11igl1tst,-111cl, a11d l.)c g·i11s ,vriti11g clll c11tr )' c11titlccl " Pc)c tr )· Scl1c)c)l. '' Btit, l.)cfc)rc l1c c,.111 rc ,.111·) sa)r , ,·l1c1l tl ic , ,·c)rcis 111cc11, lie re,1. lizcs lie 's gc)irig tc) l)c late fc)r l1is first c"l1ss, ar1d s"t1r ts rc,·ic,virig vvliat r1ccds ,lttc riti()Il. Tc)ci a )7, lie rc,1lizcs, l1c SJ) c,1 l s \,vi t t1 I2·r1caic) H tirt,1cic),1ftcr class. Ho, v \,·ill lie sa,.- it? u / Tl1c cor1,·crsa tic)r1 is less tl1,1r1 1() 111i11t1tc s lo11g ar1d al111c)st to ta lI)· C)11c-sicic cl. Ig·11a c ic> stares at l1i111 t l1rc>t1g l1<) u t, s l ig l1tl)· s la c_k- ja vvc cl, c>fTcr i11g 11c> rcsist;,111cc. ( ) l.),1ic11 1s l)1, 11<1 <111c is tclli11g lg11aci<> l1c l1as LC> l )c li,c, c a111)t.l1i11g. \ 'cs, tl1c tcacl1cr cl1c)c)scs tl1c l<)J.1ic. a11cl 111ayl)c tl1is is a11 11111is11al clJ.) J.) l'C)acl1, l)11l cx1) lc)r i11g s1 ) ir i t1 ial 111atlcrs c,1.11111akc tl1c class 111c)rc 111cc111ir1gf11l. i\ 11cl if tl1c tC)JJic is tr iggcririg cliffic:11lt c111c)tic)r1s, n1ayl)c Igric.1c i c) slic)11lc.i drc)J) tlic clc.1ss.
108 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE l\.f r. 1\clc11\v,.1lla \vill l1cl1) l1i111 tra 11sfc: r LC> ;.-111<) t!1cr scct ic)Jl . BLtl , l1c c1111 ) !1a s izcs, , ,·!1,.1t if lie fi 11csl a11c)t!1cr clifl i c Ltlt or,- ,vorsc. a i.)ori11g l<)J) ic i11 tl1c 11c,v COLtrsc? () 11c tcacl1cr l)ases a l,.1rg·e J) a r t <)f lier class <)11 Sl1,1kcsJ)C,trc's trageclics, fc)r cx,1m1)le. O tl1crs <)11 cri111c ficti<)r1: f<)<)cl ctl1ics a11ic triJ)S l<) a C<)111111t1t)r·1gi,.1r clc11; ,l J) <)c ,1l y1)tic r1arrati,1cs; 1\f ric,1r1-/\r11cric,1r1\VC)111cr1 ,vritcrs, scxis111 a r1ci racis111. \ 1\To L1lcl lie prefer or1e of tl1ose classes? l\fa)·l)c, tl1e si1111lc) yet al)SL1rd rc;.1lit)· is tl1at Ig11a.cic> is stuc k \vitl1 l1i111, l\fr. 1\ clc-11\ va lla J)rC>J)C>scs. l\ fa )·})c, l1c is 111ca11t tc> i.)c i11 tl1is c la ss . -l\ l r. ,.\clc1 1vv;.:1ll ,.1 l1as 11<·vcr i.)<·c11 tl1is cl<>Sc tc> l g 11ac i<> fc)r tl1is lc>11g, a 11cl c a11't l1cl1), IJLll st,1re ell s, va tl1s ()r f 1i1L1 J) ()Ck111a rks risi11g fr()l11 tl1c llaJ)C ()r l1is 11cck, <)\·e r tl1c t::1tt<)<)ccl f1::1111cs, Ltp l)<)tl1 cl1ecks :1:11c-l i11t<) Iris tc1111)lcs. H e ll<)tices tire C<)11t<)L1rs <)f l1is tl1i11 face, e)1es set ir1 l)<)11es J)r<)trt1clir1g g<)gglc-likc, cl1cck l)c)r1es l1igl1, tigl1t sl ir1 ta1)c ri r1g tc) a sn1all full 111c)t1tl1. H e r1oticcs tl1c \Va )' Ig r1a c io 's shifty cararr1cl e)·es ca J) tt1rc )'e ll c)\V stre,1ks of lig l1t. H e r1o tic cs tl1c f 1i11t SJ) icy stc11cl1 c>f l1is \) r c a t l1 ;.-111cl svvcet traces c>f CXJ)C11si,1c c c>lc>g 11c. "'\ 'c>Ll c a11't sa tis l\· a ll c>f' tl1c J) CC>J) ic a ll c>f tl1c ti111c, clear f1·ic11cl," CC)J1cluclc s -l\l r..A.clc 11,,vall,.1. -- <) clr<)J.) J) i11g. 11<) tr,-111sfcr," l g11,1ci<) s,1y·s after a J) ,l t1sc, as if tr)ii11g l<) J)r<)ccss a riclcllc. He ,va11ts t<) kr1c),.v , ,·l1,1. t graclc lie's e;:1r11ecl S<) f,1r. Pc r l1:1:1 ) s, a B. sa)rs l\Ir. •.\clcr1,valla, ..1: dc-li r1g l1is c tist<)m ary li11c a i.)<)Llt gr,1clcs IJcir1g fig111c11ts <)f tl1c in, 1tgir1a tic)r1. '·I '111goir1g to fir1isl1 ,vl1at l1a.s l)ccr1 startccl," Ig11acio s;.1),-S. He sr1aJ)S l1is foctis ir1tc> lr. 1\clc11,v;.11la 's e,
,,es. " ls tl1a t <)k \vitl1,
,. c>u? fa \, .:l) c tl1is is 111ea11t tc> f)c. " "()k ,vitl1 111c, cle a r fric11cl," Jr .. t\ cic-11,,·,-.d l,1 S n.)' S. "1\ 11cl \) y· tl1c \Vay 1'111 11c>t a -l\ l L1s li11,1<>r .rl i11lcL1, <>r a ( l1r is, ti111, <1r ;.:111 a l l1cisL. Rclig i<>ll is a fig111c11l <>f' Li1c i111ag i11,1ti<)11l<)<). ' l 'l1is Gc)cl tl1c rcligi<)LIS fc>lks talk al)<)Ltl 111igl1t i.)c rca l- 11<)t st1re. I j t1s t , ,·ct11t t<) lear11 ctl)<)Ltt life." l\Ir. 1.\dc11v,a ll:1:
is l1c)lclir1g I g11;1:
ci<)'s 111<>11<>l <)11c a11d glazecl l<)<>k i11 l1is 111i11c-l ;.1s li e ,v,1ll s ,1crc>ss ca 111J)t1s tc> l1is ()fficc, clcc icli11g tl1,1t trttly kr1<), ,vir1g tl1is )' C)t1r1g 1T1;.1r1 is l)<)t1r1cl to l1is , ·er )' f) Ltr J)Osc . 1\ fc, r stt1clc11ts ar1cl J)rofcssors arc st;.111cii11g ,.1rc)t1r1cl l1is c!()C)r cl1atti11g a11cl J)C>i11ti11g .-1t a la rg e s l1cct <)f J) clJ) Cr tl1,.1t l1a s l) c c11 taJ)<'CI rigl1t LL11clcr tl1is 11a 111c J) ia tc . I t's a \) l<1, v11-Ll)) ()!1c>tC> <>f ;,-1 , , · c)111a11's CL1r , ·,1c c o L1s tc)rS<), CLtl <)fl' ell tl1c l1cc1cl·. ·1 11c IJ<)S()Jll is ,,·ra1111c cl i11 cl ta11k l<)]J c 111)llaz<)11ecl ,vitl1 sta rs i11 tl1e sty·le <)f V,.t11 Gc)gl1's fa111<)t1s J)c1i11ti11g·. ' 'T l1is Is H <>\•V I \ \!a 11t T<> D ie?!?!" scr<>lls ::1r<)tt11d tl1c l)<)rdcr; rc,vritte11 sc,·cr,11 ti111es ir1 tl1ick red n1arkcr. ·'It seems S<)n1C<)r1c , r ;.1r1ts tc) get <)Ltr a ttc r1- tic)r1," l1e s;.l)' S, offcrir1g· l1is l1or1cst ,1sscss111c r1t. He lc a ,1 cs tl1c s r1c)cl ,1rt 011 t11c clc>c>r. " I clcH1't ,va.11t Li1is ])lace tc1 l)c 111,· tc a c l1i11,( 2·. a 11'v111c>rc , " fr . .A.clc11vv;.-1lla sa'vs i11 tl1c C!LLiCL ()r l1is ()!lice. T1-/' **** J' clo I ta/-;,e_vour facea1id t oice !tonze zcit/1 nze eve, )' cla_r?
POETRY SCHOOL 1 09
Hoz.u clo I tell_vou what f feel as I ICf JI u1zder n J' zuhite sfteets czt 1z gf1t?
T:1
ho are_rou hehinti these poen1s and lectures?
I a,n here to hf
zui!lt }'Oil .
l hu are !lze one.
*** ="atl1a.r1icl l1cl)cls tl1c stage, rcacli11g tl1c draft C)f l1is c rc a tio r1 sto r)' cssa )' to tl1c c la ss. H is 11ail J)C>lisl1 is l)lack CHl c>11e l1a11ci to cla ); e le c tr ic l) lt1e C>11 tl1e C>tl1e r.
I l e l1as a!s(J takc11
l' tl1c ,vl1itc !)(J;1-r cl.. tl1a t ca11;\a s t1st1al,lv rcS(' r \;e cl f(Jr tl1c cliclt1111s ()f tl1c1 .1r ()fcss<)r, clr a vvi11g tl1rcc sc1 t 1;-trc l1a1) J))' i:tccs. Eacl1 l1as tl1rc c C\' CS. tl1c ()11cs i11 tl1c 111iclcllc li ke l)rcakir1tt s titcl1cs. ;\1r.•.:\c.lc11,va lla l1as lctkc r1 l1is LlSL1,1lJ)lacc clL1rir1g tl1csc rcadi11gs i11 tl1c l),1ck c)f tl1c cl;:1ss. , L > ·, ', r\
l1c r1 tl1c first Cc)r1scic)LtS11css ca111c ir1tc) l)cir1g· frc)111 tl1c
'\ C)icl, it SL1clclc r1ly rcalizecl it vva.s a ll alo11c.I a111 tl1e c)rll)· I , it s<1id , a r1cl lc)okecl ax itself: It , v<1s a great fisl1 , vi tl1 a l1olc i11 its l1ea cl, s vvi111rr1i11g ir1tc> its e lf, C)\ie r a11ci C)\·cr a g a i11, a11 ctcr11al k11cJt, QcJi112·i11sicle cJf itself a11ci cc1111i112· cJul, !cJcJki112·f(-ir s cJ111c tl1i112· ,,.,, (/ J (/ (/ a ltl1o t1g l111ot s t1rc vvl1a t. It livccl i11 i'( a r t111til it tl1c>t 1g l1t, l 11c c cl a fr ic11cl. Ir I l1a\'C a fric11cL I \.VC)11't l)c ,1,
fraicl. Sc) it Cltt itself i11 t,vc). 011c siclc,
, va s c ,-1llccl F,:tl.)ttlc)us, tl1c 111c)tl1cr c11c rg·)· Tl1c C)tl1cr si clc ,v,:1s Cctl lc cl Fierce, tl1c f,.1tl1cr cr1crgy·. \r\ l1cr1 a !)c c t,1kcs J)c)llcr1 frc)11 c)r1c J)la r1t tc) a r1c)tr1cr, it is F <1l)t 1lc)t1s tr)' ir1g to rct1r1it,c
r i tl1 Fierce. Pc<1r1t1t t)Ltttcr <1r1cl jell·y. T o111a11cl .Jc r r·)'
F,1r)ulot1s a11cl Fierce. Blanco_)' 11( !!,ro."
="atl1,,111icl l1cJlcls l1is \) l t1e J1,,111cl l)c rc-irc l1i111 a 11clJ ) r csses l1is i)la c k c>11c i11tc> it, 1 ) a lt11 l(J1 ) a! 111, as l1is vv(>r cls t111i tc 1-'a l) t d(>L tS a11cl l·'ic r r c. " E v·cr)· l)ci11g CCJ11t;-1i11s l)c)tl1; l
a l) Ltl c)Lts cl11cl }"icrcc, i11 cli('1c rc11t 1.1rC)].1C)rlic)11s .
., . I g 11clc ic) clclr ts LlJ.1 frc)111 l1is clcsk, j t1s t a fc,v C)\1c r frc)11,1 , vl1crc, l\I r . A si t tir1g, c1r1cl 111C)\·cs Llj.) t\-VC) rc ),,·s. He l)cg·i11s 111a kir1g kissir1g r1c)iscs c1r1cl ar1 c)rg, 1s1n ic 1n c)a r1." ' \111at is tl1is nzariconcito tr y·ir1g tC) Sa)·?'' l1c yells. :\<1tl1<111icl J)l <1c cs l1is })ages c)rl tl1c tcacl1cr's t \.varcl a111icl a la r111 c d " O r1 tTl)' g c)cl's!" , ,.. r\ r1a t ;,1rc )'Cllt gc>i11g tc> clc>, faggcJt?" Igr1a c ic> l1c), r ls , c rc)ss i11g tl1e c la ss r c>C)tl l .
· ' I ' 111 ll C)l arraicl ()r \, ,'() Li ! "
·' \ 'cJ u s t1r c )i(JLt c a 11 l1a11cllc ;-111 tl1is?" Natl1;1- 11icl 111cJtio11s l1is l1a11cls LI)) a 11cl clc)\'\ ll tc) c.lis 11L:l )' l1is 11c),vcri't1l 1 ll)'Sic4t1c. I g11clcic) rt1sl1cs ctt Ncttl1,,111icl, rcacl1i11g l1i11 i11 tl1c 111iclc.llc c)r tl1c cla ssrc)<)111, jLtSL as ;\/Ir.• A.clcr1,v,.1lla l1cts 111acic l1is , ,·cl)' tl1crc tc)C). Ig11,1c:i c) IJrc,.tks tl1rc)t1gl1
110 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE l1is tcacl1cr's 2:ras1) a11cl !) ca r il Ll\2:S l\' a tl1c111ic l. U11fa zc ,cl l)ctr a,1 i11Q.' 11c> clistress .. , <.J ,, i ( J
i11 t l1c sligl1tcst t\vitcl1 r>f i 1cc (>r i.)(>cly, Natl1a11icl '( X! ) Cr tl)1 lca11s l1is cl1c c k agai11st lg11,ct io 's f()r lc\1Cr a g e , J) cttic11tl)· vvrctJ)S l1is 111Ltcl1 tl1icker ar111s a r() L111cl l1is c:tl ta cker's UJ)})er t()rS(), a11cl i11terla ccs l1is fi11gcrs ell tl1e sl1()L1ld e r IJlc:tclcs. T l1c })()lis l1ccl tiJ)S 11,11kc tl1c SLl})J) lc ! ()Ck. l)c,1L1tifL1l. a.tl1ar1icl sc1)a r,1tcs a r1cl a.cljL1sts tl1c fir1gcrs for a 111on1cr1t, ,1r1cl tllc)· lc)ol.. like r1c, rly l)11clciccl vvir1glcts st rc tc l1i11g C>t 1t. Ig11a c ic> le ts o t1t a. J) la i11ti\1 C 111 c>a 11, SL1r r c 11clc r i11g, l1cacl a11cl ,.1r111s i1lli11g !) a r k li111) l·)· l'\atl1a11icl J) l ,.1ces I g 11a ci(>, vvil (> is so l)i.) i11g, (>ll tl1e gr(>L111cl like a scarce! cl1ilcl. lg11acic) S()()ll Ccltcl1cs l1is IJrca tl1;-111cl rLlllS ()Lil ()r tl1c r()()l1.1 \ \!l1e11 1l r. Acle11vvall;-1 11c1c ts ,,vitl1 l1is clc J)c1rt11c111t cl1a ir la te r tl1,1. t c-l.1)·, tl1c)1 l)egir1 tl1e !()gis tics ()f cx1)c lli11g lg11aci() H 11rtc1cl() fr()111 tl1c C()llege. S l1e SJ) c r1cls ar1 l1C)llr d()Cu1n c11tir1g cacl1 sigr1 })C)ir1tir1g tC) I g 11,1ic()'s ir1st,.1l)ili ty, J)r()l)ir1g ,vl1at n1,1y ll,l \'C 11r1l1ir1gcd l1i111 ,1r1cl o l)sc ss i11g a l)OL1t , rl1ctl1cr I,1tl1,1r1icl , va s c c>11siclc r i11g lcg <1l a c tic>11. Sl1c scolcls 1\fr. ;\ cic11,va ll<1 a l)c)Ll t 11c>t rc1)<)rti11g tl1c tl1rcat 111ucl1 ea rlier, a11cl rc111i11cls l1i111 tl1a l la s t s c111cstcr, a 111L1sic J) r c>f c· ss( >r at a 11()tl1cr ca111J)L1s \Va s i.)c a tc11 L111co11scic)L1s l)y a 111as kecl a ss ;-1ila11t. ,-\cl111i11sitr a t()rs l1a cl i11siclc i11(f)r111ati()11 tl1c1t it \.Vas a l1it, retril)L1ti()ll fc)r ,l l)acl g·ra clc . ' ' I t's cl cla11gcr()US \ \'()rlcl ()Lll tl1ere!" sl1c Scl)'S. " Y()LI ki1()\V vvl1cre ,,·e live l1erc ()})Cr1 c11r()llrr1cr1t \V()rlcl. \ \ \ :' r e all J)C()})lc l1a\'C, ir1 1T1a11)·cases, l)L,lt- vc l1c1\1e Il() icic,1 ,,·l1crc tl1csc })CC)J)lc ,1rc c c)11i1r1g fr()m, \.vl1at tllc)·'rc ca1 ),l l )lc ()f, C)r l1c)vv sc rc vvccl 111) til e)· ,1rc. \;\ 'c l1a,·c a r cs1)o r1sil)ilit)' to kcc-1) trc)Ld) lc C)Ll t."
" :\ 1f). g <'lC>c li1css , )·c>Ll cir> Iik c tc> stir th i11gs tq), 1\,fr. ; \ cic11, \'aIIa ," s11c fi 11a ll)' g r<)a 11s. " l'vI )· g t1r L1! l '\ ·c sa ici it !)efc)rc a11cl I ' ll say it a g a i11. I lik e S<)111c c>f' tl1is ' re a l , ,·c)rlcl' stLd'l )'OLI ch>, ! ) Lil i.)c ca rc ii.11. I f )'()LI triggerl ) <'C)J1 lc, yoLt ,-111cl I a 11cl
zi·e arc rcsJJ()11sil.)lc. ,.f. l1is C() ll eg c is rcs1)c)11si!Jle.'' ' '\r\
ll ')
clc) I l1a,·c tl1c fccli11·g)' ()LI're g()ir1g t() ge t LIS IJ()tl1i11(t) l)ig tr()Ltl)lc ()11c ()f tl1csc d a)rs ? \ \111at 1rc )'()ll clc)i11g t() tl1esc J)e()})lc?'' Sl1c is C()Il\1ir1cecl tl1c1t, )·ct ,1gair1, sl1c ,vill riced to pay SJ) Cc i,ll attcr1ti()11 tc) l\lr. 1\ cicr1, valla 's ,1r1tics for ,1 , vl1ilc.
1\.fr. 1\ cic 11,va lla is tc1111)tcci lc>r a 111>c111c11t, l'>t 1t clt1r i11g the cc>11\·crsa ticH1, l1c clcc icles ,1ga i11st sl1ari11g l1i,s \ is i() Jl fc>r t l1c ccJ111i11g)·ca r, tl1c ,,·c>r k t\1,.1t , ,·ill, \.vitl1 lL1ck, s,a, c l1i111 tl1is ti111c. \ \1 l1a tc\·c r it is, tl1at- , vo r k ,,·ill l1a1)11c 11 ll(>, , · l1crc 11cc1r tl1csc 11i1c1 l)L1ilc.li11gs. He , vill cl() it all tl1rc)L1gl1 l1is ()vv11 11c1c111s- 11() Gc)lcle11 .A.JJJ)lc I1111'(,)-1\ti\·e T eacl1i11g Gr 1r1t, 11)( C()lla l)()r ,-1ti()r1vvitl1 tl1e Scr\·icc-Lec1rr1- ir1g ar1ci S ust;.li r1al)lc Li\1ir1g Ir1stit11tc. Best ()f ,111, sir1ce it' " ill r1()t l)c a cc>llcgc s,l r1ctio r1ccl J) ro j c c t, l1c , vill rl()t r1cccl ,1r1yc)r1c's })Crn1issi()r1 to ir1\·itc Ig r1acio as , vcll as a tl1a11ic l tc> J)articiJ)atc. l l1is is 11c>t tl1,c
\ \'( l r k ()r tl1c ]) C)Cl r y scil()()l.
,·ork C>I tl1c c c>llcg c; it's tl1c POETRY SCHOOL 111
·:A.11cl l)). tl1c \,·a )', l\1r. i-\ clc11\,·alL1,," sa)·s tl1c c l1a ir as lie lca \1 cs tl1c rc>c>111. " I 10111c )'()LI're Jl Ol fc>r g·c t ti11g· t() Ci() tile cog11tii\1(' tl1i11g \ViLil tl1csc [)CO [Jlc. If tl1C)' 're 11<)t l cc tr111i 1g·11<)\·V l<) vvritc a C<)llcg·c css;-1)1, )'<)Lt're 11<)t cl<)i11g )1 <)Ltr j <)l), I' rn r1<)t cl<)i11g 111·)
j<)l). T I·e
re 11<)t cl <)ir1g· <)Ur j<)IJ, l\Ir. }\ clc11,r ,1lla. Tcc1cl1 tl1c l)asic skills. I- , v<)r r v '\ C)l l're l<)Sir1g· s ig l1t <)f tl1at sc)11c1ti111sc. Cc)Q."r1iti,,c!"
,I ; \_I \_J .._, ***
I a,n here to he
lui th jJfO jJl f
I I 'hat fl.lh(J' rlon '/ Lear1l hozu lo rlo /ani ua/!'J?
TI /hat if th ') rlon·1 jJraclice hozt• lo soLve_ for,nulas?
T lt'heredo_roujind the tinze lo do this e\.'lra -curricular business?
Have i1ou revielt:ed the contract rece1zt6· the nzanual qf prorerLures
the .1 /urlenl handbook?
I I /hat .i}f" !h-r')' .<,...,If/ hit h'J11 a tar'
or /i.,.u...,h ff nin- :u,
. o-r J1ou <...1, f l hit re·i th rt laze-suit?
I I 'hat fl.the shit hits tlzr1 Jruz?
r1 /fzal lui/1tlze ltnio1, z \'([-")' !!ten?
_4bout /!,etti1zg so close to_rour studeJ'zts?
*** Frc)111: I g11a c ic) Hltr t;-tcl<) < l)c lli g c rc 11t, va r ri <)r 2()()()@ g11;1-1il.cc)111> To: j L1,1r1i \ cic11,ral la Date: ,..\1)ril 2(), 2()14 1'111SC)l'T') ' a i) C)l ll vvl1at l1a1 ) J) Cll CCi l\\'() \\"C'Cks ;-1gc>, I lc>St CC)ll t rc>l ()r 111ysclr I, fc It like l1urti11g l1i11,1S<)mC<)11c, a tl)1 <)11c, c111cl I lc)sl cc)11Lrc)l. I c1cscr,·c t<) !Jc cx1)c llc ci frcH11 schc>c>l. 1 '111tc>C> tirccl a11)·vv,1)i. I clcsc ,r, c tl1c \VC>rs t. 1'111 a cla 11- gcr tc) 111·)sclf a11d <)tl1cr 11cc)11lc, I l1<)})C tl1is did ll<)l affect yc)Lt <)r )'C)Llr class tc)<) 111L1cl1. T l1c>p c T ciich1't get a11).-C>11c i11 trC)Lil)le. D c)11' t \ \'C)r r)· ;,1) 0 L1t rr1c. I ' ll l)c fi11c. 1""'111, 11ks f<)r c vc r )·tl1i11·g)"C)Lt clicl. \ 'c) Lt're ;-1 g<)C)cl tcacl1cr. l\ ft.c r ctll tl1is 11a1)11r1cccl, I r1oticeci that I \cva.r1tccl to vvritc al)<)Llt it. I 111,,•c trOltl)le ,,vitl1;,1 lc>t c)f Ll1i11g,sc,·c11si1111.1lc tl1i11gs, l)Ltl I sec tl1al vvri ti11g· is a ki11cl <)f Lr<)Lll)lc tl1ctl I ki11cl;-1 like. >.1IY v\'RITING IS 1\ 1fc) C)sl1R c)c)111.\' ES!!!L e tte rs grc),v C)rl tl1e sa c! l1c,a, y \\'C)rlcl clcc].1 i11isclc a11cl clcc1) C)Ltt s iclc. 11 )' vvriti11g c;-1ts vvl1a1. is cl)' i11g, a J)C)isc)r1 tl1at c;-1r1 J)ltt 111c <)l 1ts iclc C)[ n1)· C)vvr1 n1i r1cl, I l1a,·c l-)ccr1- , vriti11g· al)<)Lll tl1is, a11cl I sec tl1a t 111y ,vriti11g is s111a rtc r tl1a11111c; 111y \, ·r iLi11g k11<)\VS tl1ir1gs I dc)r1't, a11cl I car1 listcr1 tc) it S<> I sec tl1ir1gs tl1at i) r c)kc frc)111 IJcir1g ir1 sc l1C)C)!; I fc·cl lik e I ca111c l),-1Ck t<) lif'e
i11 a \Va ·)·
I c a 11 clc> tl1i11gs, I '111Jl <) l SLIJ'C if
112 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE tl1;;1t's gcH)CI c>r 11c>l. I fc- c l tcrril)lc, tcacl1cr. I tl1,,111k)"<)U a11cl I l)la111c )"C>L t, l\Ir. Pr()fcss()r.I kr1()\-V ,,vc ,,vill 111cct c1g,1ir1, I k.11()\V it. PS. Hc)J)C y·c)Lt clc)11't 111i1l1icf l sc11cl yc)Lt sc)111c c)f Il l ) ' ,,vri ti11g. *** ' ' H e llo lCclcl1cr," Ig11aci() Scly·s, ,,va lki11gtl1rc)ugl1 l1is f()r111cr J)rc)fcss()r's clc)c)r, 111()rc tl1,111 fc)ttr 111()11tl1s si11cc l1is l),111 frc)n1 tl1c Ccll11J1Lts. "Cc1r1 I C()111c ir1?'' H e cl()Scs tl1c cl()C)r l)cf()rc l\Ir.•1\ dcr1,va lla , ,vl1c) l-1a.s st()J1J)ccl cl1e- \vir1g C)Il ,1 fig cc)ok.ic ir1 clis )elicf, c,111 res1)or1cl. ''Of
C()llfSC, C()l-Y.le ltl." l\fr. 1\ clc11, va lla l1as tricci t<) CC)11t,1ct l g11acic> s c, ·c r a l ti111cs, SJ)c)kc to l1is 1T1otl1cr tl1rcc ti111cs, l)ul l1as11' t ccH11111L111icatccl \Vitl1 l1is fc)r111cr stL1clc11t si11cc l1c \ \'alcl1ccl :'\atl1a11icl c;rcc11ficlcl-Ba1)tistc c111l)r,-1cc l1i111 i11tc) ;.;1 sc)l)l)i11g l1c,11). I g11aci() l1as l)cc11 se11cli11g l\Ir. Aclc11\-vall,1 a J)C)e111 C\ic r y· , ,·e e k ()r t, vc). Ig11;:1cic ) lclkes a scctl ()11 ;:1 cc)t1cl1 i11 l\Ir. Ader1vvallc1's c)fficc, , ,·l1icl1lie·s e11tcrccl fc)r tl1c first ti111e. i r. i\ cle11\,'alla 's desk sits l)cf()rc cl 1nL1ral ()Il tl1c ,,val l rcccr1tlv ' fir1isl1ccl r)). sc,·cr,11 s tL1clcr1ts ir1clt1clir1g ;\ a.tl1a11icl: a re el, ()rar1gc ar1cl l)lack i111agc of ar1 olci 111ar1 \vitl1 lor1g gra)· vvr1iskcrs. He sits 011 a r() Ck., cli111i111g C)r1c l<)C i11tc> a lake C>f nc)\VC'ri11g \\'atcr lilies. ( .'.a llig r,1 ) l1ic text fc)r111s tile lc)\\'Cr r)C>r clcr c1r tl1c 111L1ral: --·1 11c s111allcst SJ)rOLtl sl1c>vvs tl1crc is really tl<> clc a tl1." .A.gcli11sl a11c)tl1cr , ,·a ll is cl stctck c)f c;;111s 2() clcc1) risi11g l1alf, ,·;.;l) ' tc) tl1c cc ili11g. Ig-r1acic) l1,1s l)ec11 sitti11g. !()C)ki11g fc)r cl fe,,· sccc)11cls, l)tlt st;:111lcs IJclck LlJ1 le) st;;1rl l,1lkir1g. " O k, sc) I l1carcl )'C)Ll talkccl tc) 111·)111c)m al)c)ttt gi,·i11g 111c a scl1c )lc1rsl 1i1J fc)r )'C)Llr J)C)Ctry scllC)()l tl1ir1g yc)t1'rc tr )ii r1g t() clc). I s tl1at trt1c?'' '·BccaLisc I sec y·ot1'rc a J1C)Ct," Ir. 1\ clcr1\.va lla s,1):s. Ig r1ac ic> cl()Cs11' t scc111 t() register tl1c vvorcls. T l1c)· C\ ict p <) ra tc i11 111iciair. H is C>vv11 ,vc>rcls arc !) US)! !)ci11g l)c>r11 f'rc>111 tl1c cc>c>ki11g cc>CC>CHlS i11 l1is l) ra i11, a11cl tl1cy rc c1uirc all l1is ;1-t tc11tio11. Ig11acic) sits, lca11i11g fc)r,,va r cl, l1is eyes vviclc11i11g.He tl1rc),,·s cl fist i11tc) cl J)al111, CJLtic ll)', vvitl1 grc;-1t Cclrc, ,,·itl1 ct s111clll J)C)J).• \ s111lic a11cl a 11c)cl, cl rare IJttl)l)lc c)f clcligl1t risi11g ()Llt c)f tl1c l1()t a11d C()lcl r()il IJcl1i11dl1is C)·c s a11c.i l)Ltrsti11g t)ct,vccr1 l1i111 ar1cl l1is tcacl1cr. ''First ()fall, t1r1clcrstar1cl tl1at I car1't gi,rc )i()Ll ,1r1y·tl1i11g for, ,vl1a t )'Ou'rc tr)·ir1g le) g1,·c l11C. To r1cll vvitt1 ) i () l l f i11,1 i ta ti()ll." POETRY SCHOOL 11 3
1\11r. 1-\ clc· 11,\'all,1 s i ts c1 t1ic tly. " \ 'c>u !1car 111c? 'r'<>LI c!c)11' t vva11t l<> l)c· ar<>L111cl 111c·. IC y<>LI c1r c , 1'111g·c>i11g l<> gi,·c V, C)LI cl s ca re like V,
<)LI' ,1c 11, c,
c r l1ctcl i.)cfc)rc. De> \,'C)LI L111clcrsta11cl 111c? L e t 111c k11C)\\ " if \,1C)Ll L111clersla11c.l 111e <>r 11c>l.·,
I , , ,,. '·I clc>11't care ,tlJ<>Llt ,vl1,1t ,·c>Ll Scl\1! I clc>11't cc1re \\"llcll ,1r1\-l>c>cl\1 sa,1s. I c:lc>11't tl1ir1k )"C)L1'rc ar1)· gc)C>ci. i \ 11tl1csc idiots tl1ir1k y·c>L1'rc cc>c)l, l)Llt )'C>L1' rc r1c)t c c)o l. I tl1i11k )·ot1'rc jL1st ;-1 fL1cl -i11g clo-gooclcr. Do )"C)lt t1r1clcrsta11cl tl1at? I vvar1t 11otl1- i11g 111o rc tl1a11 t(> 11t111cl1 y·c>u i11 tl1c face right 11, c> V()LI arc clll Arcll) {a Q'!:t<)l. " l J <. J
,·. Yc">u k11c">,v
, ·ll)i? Bccat1sc ...., , - , ...
IC'S.
"Never rall 111·, l01 L1s c ;-12:ai11, c)r I ,vill cc)111cl1crc tc) Q'i \ i C V<)LI t l1e sc;-1rc of VC)L1r life. I vvill cc>111c l<> tl1is scl1c>c>l l<> clc> sc >111ctl1i1g1· )'<>u ,,·ill 11c,·cr e,·er fc)rgct.'' He (_ J ...... ., ,, cc>cks l1is l1cacL c)·cs sr>arki11g. "Gc>d l>le ss ) 1 <>L1, f;-1ggc)t." " R e a lly?" Ir. _L,\ c ler1,val lc1says l>la r1k.l)·· Tl1cr1 ,vitl1 a fair1t gli11t c>f cr1tl1L1sic1sn1, '· G o d r)lcss )"C>11 tc>o! It rc a ll:· 11air1s me ... " Before l1c car1 fir1isl1, Igr1,1cio vv,1lks a\.V,1); igr1c>ri11g 1r. 1\ clc11v,,1lla 's cxtcr1ciccl 11a11cl. ragi11 SC)t d !)). il1 vvl1c11 i sit CjLliCL i ca11 k110,v tl1c l)lc),,·11 LI)) i.)<>Jl<'S slc >,, · c cl LLJ1 *** <>11c f,1cc ;-1t cl ti1ne <>r1c e, ve at a tii11c vvl1at is ir1siclc n1c ir1 l)illic>r1s c)f s cc c>r1cls clicl i vv;-1stc 111,·,
l)i llic)11s c>11c l)rca tl1 at a ti111c a 11cl <">11c 111c>lccttlc i11siclc tl1at l)rcatl1 C>11c at cl ti111c· sc> tl1c1t tl1c· rage sc1i L1cc·zcs 11, 11, l1ccl\,i\1 l1carl like a s111all l1a11cl clc>cs cl 111ctc1l ca11 cl rc>ck <>r a11 irc>11 s,vc>rc1 Reel R age Rc>;-1rs cc>111cs 111) like fire! y·ot1 askir1111c tc> gi,·c sc)111ctl1ir1g ,1,,v,l)' tcacl1cr vvl1ats tl1c ])rice c>f tl1is real lc">,·c )"C>t1r tcacl1i11 vvl1ats left ()r 111C
11c>tl1i1g1 l)Lll tl1c asl1cs c)f '"l1,1t i lea r11ccl r a i11i1 c.lc>,v11 <>11 tl1c , ,·c>rl ci tl1ats 111aki11 <>11c la s t tL1r11
114 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE jL1SL 1111) s l1acl<1 , v stc1)·s l)L1r11ccl 011,
V<)Ll S() 11<)tl1i11 is , v,.1s tccl *** At cl L1s k 111r. ,-\clc11,vall,.l a11cl fi,·c stL1clc11ts sit i11 a circle i11 cl grc,ll glaclc C)f Scl\,v grass.. I\ clc)111e c)f C)1Jress tr ees l1L1r1cl1cs l)csicle tl1c111. IL is Sc1lL1r d a )' c, ·er1i11g clL1rir1g C l1rist111,1st)rcak. :\',1tl1:1,r1iel \\·,1lk.s ir1tc) tl1e n1iclcile c)f tl1e c ir cle a11lc J) la ces a l)rc) vvr1aJ)plc s11,1ilsl1cll C)11 a 111.-1t of l1arcl-,,cir1cci J)al111 fro11cls. " I 111C)L1rr1 for tl1e al)ser1ce C)f tllC)SC ,vl10 ca11't \) c l1erc," l1c says. ·'I 111c)t1r11 fc)r 1,11, father ,,·110 J)asscci a.vva,,; la s t 111c>11tl1, vvl1c> tlC\'('.r i<)C>kccl 111c 111 tl1c ,c, cs as a ; ' ; 11Lll1la11 \) ci11g. 1'111afi·a icl fc)r vvl1at 111)" life ,vill \) c \\'itll()lll C\ 1CI' l1a , ·i11g cl f 1t l1er, l)LIL l
,l i,
c it. I ,vill ,li,
c it. l..c)r ,ill tl1c lc)s t f: l111,liv 111c111l)crs, l 111c)L1r11.'' " \ \ \ : l1car )1 C)Lt," rcs1)c)11cls tl1c g rc)tq1. 1-\fte r cacl1 slL1clc11t 11,-ls s11c)kc11 a11cl lc f L cl s l1ell, C)Ile c)f tl1e111. C)llC c)f tl1c 111c)st giftecl ,rriters Ir. Adc11vvc1lla l1,-1s e,•c r fc)lt11cl i11 c)11e c)f l-1is CC)ttrscs a ci)1 slcxic J)C)l)1glc)t c)ffcrs tl1c tcacl1ir1g·. He ex1)lair1s tl1.-1t l-1c ,,vill lc.-1cl tl1c111 i11 a sc)r1g a r1cl cla r1cc. ''I rcaci at)ot1t sc)111ctl-1ir1g like tl1is ir1 .-1 l) C)C)k tl1at t he ch t1r cl1 \)a r111c ci," l1c s.-1y·s s lyl) ·. " I t's a sirr1)1lc a 11cl l) Cc1L1t if i.d 1111)s (c r y·,." l\ fl c r tl1cy lc a r11 tl1c , vc>r cls tc> tl1e sc>11g, tl1c 111c111l)crs c>C
tl1is g,-1tl1eri11g of tl1c 11oc tr y scl1<><)l c<>111e lo tl1eir i<.'cl ;-111cl start ,vl1irli11g i11 tl1c 11igl1t. ·' I el111vVC)L111cle.c,l! cries tl1c leacler. ' l\11d I a111 tl1e c)r1c , ,·l1c) , ,·c)t11c1.-!s," rcsr)c)r1ds tl1c grc)l lJ). '·I .-111 l)c)rr1," lie s,t)·s. "/\11cl I gi,1 e \)irth," rcs1)011cis the g r c)Lfl ). "I a111 t111clc r s tc><)C I!" ·:A11cl I a111 tl1e <111c ,vl10 u11clersta11cls!" ..l cl111s a,1c cl!" ' A 11clI a111 tl1e c)r1e- , vl1c) s,1. ,·es.'' 1Ir. Ade11,v,allcl's c)ffcri11g cc)111es ell tl1c c11d c)f cle1ss, l)efc)rc tl1c s tu cle11st retire tc) tl1cir slcc1)ir1g r)ags. He tl1rr1s l1is l1cad tc) tl1c dc)1nc c)f trees l)cl1ir1d tl-1c class .-1r1cl l)cgi11s t.-1lkir1g. "This is a 1)l.-1cc vvl1cre cleatl1 d.-111ccs ,,vit r1 life, . :\ lc)11g ti111c a.go, so111e cy1)rcss (recs sta r tccl gr<)vvi11g at ,vl1at is 11C>\ v t\1c cc11t cr c>f tl1is clcH11c. i\ s tl1cir lca\·cs fc·ll, <>\ ,-er 111;-111y years, tl1cy cliss<1 l,,ecl tl1e li111csl<111e l)eclr <>ck t111cler tis. 'l 'l1is is callccl ,.1 s c)lt1tic)11l1c)le, 111aclc I..)) Ll1c a ctic)11c)f clcicl, l)y tl1c i1rc)ccss c)f clc c,-l)·· Otl1er trees slarlecl g·rc)vvir1g clrC)L111cl tl1e l1c)lc. Tl1e vvetler is dec1)er i11 tl1e 111icl clle, sc) tl1c trees grcvv l1igl1er, tl1e rc)c)ts t)rc)k.c clecr)er i11tc) tl1c rc)ck.'' " T l1c 111iciclle c)f tl1is c)r1c is SC) cicc1), it cc)1ilclr1't l1c)lcl tl1c trees ar1)·n1cJr c, Sc) it's a,1oicl tl1ere, a r1icc vvatcr l1c)lc for tl1c allig·.-1tc)rs tc> CC)tnc clrir1k ir1 tl1c cir:' sc.-1sc>11. Tl1c l1<)lc '"ill kcCJ) ca.ti11g the lca\·cs." POETRY SCHOOL 11 5
l\,l r.. t.\clc11,va lla lc) c>ks clcc1 ) l)1 i11tc> tl1c cic)111c, c1> ) c11i11gtc> vvc>rcis fc) r a 111c>r11c11t. \ Vitl1 stc1rtli11g cla rit)1. l1c secs a fi g L1r c l)li11k i11to l)ci11g, a flccti11g s11a11glc c)f , vl1itc g<)lcl, a fc,v l1L111clrc cl f<:et l)c l1i1c1l tl1c lect\'Cs a11cl 11<)S. S) tc11clrils <)f tl1c air r)lc1r1t.s S <)1nctl1ir1g r Lts tlcs, stills i11t<) Ir. ,-c\:lc r1,va lla 's gaze, arrcsti11g l1i11 fc)r ,1 n1c)111cr1t tl1crc, a11cl n1clts a, ,·a·)' T l1c faceless sill1<)t1c ttc is 11rc)l) ,1t)l)' ,1 deer l) ttt 111<)\ ' C'S \vitl1 a slir1ki11gfc,1r tl1at rcn1i11cls 'Ir. 1\ cic r1, valla of a 11t1n1,1r1 t)ci11g, c>f Tg 11acio Httr ta clc>. D iel l1c, c>r sc >111cc)11c, fc>llc)vv thc111 l1c r c; l1c \ V() t l clcrs fc)r cl f1asl1. ( ) 1; is tl1is a1 ) r< jc ctic)11 l)ca111ccl i11t<) tl1c 11igl1t l)y tl1c la 1111) c>f l1is o,,·11l1c,1rt. •..
l ' l1c tre es ,-tre c,-tllccl tl1c ()\.:c r s tc)r \,1," lie cc)11ti11L1c s. " ( ; re a t 11c1111c ! ' l ' l1i11k a\Jc)t1t l1<)\\" tl1c C)\'crst<)r)· is a 111irrc)r fc)r tl1c c:l<)111c fl<)<)r." 1Ir. ,-\clc11,\·alla kcc1)s l<)c)ki11g, })Cc rs tl1rc)ugl1 tl1c sp c cklccl sr)accs c)f s l1c:1c!c)\,· l)c t,,·cc r1 trees, , vl1crc cc)11scic)t1sr1css flicl crccl, lc)c>l s J)a s t tl1c sp a ce tc) tl1c l)rtiisccl or,111eg-)·cllc), v c)f tl1c l1c>rizor1. Sc> 111a r1y st t1clc11ts, so 111,111y to cc>111c, t l1i11ks 1\fr. 1\ ci c11, va lla . He is , ,·i tl1 Tg 11a ci<)- 1I urla clc> tl1is 11igl1t. Ir. ,-:\clc11,vc1la reflects C)ll l1is cfl c)1"ts tc> lca r11 ,vl1at l)cca111c c)f I g·11a cic) after tl1c 11o c111s sto 1111c cl. He f<)L111cl clisc<)1111ctccl 11l1c)11c 11t111IJ1c r s, l c:tJJSecl c111ails, a11cl ,t se r ie s <)f rL111<1)rs, 11<)11c<)f ,,vl1icl1 C<)Ltlcl \Jc C<)Il fir11cd. H e j<)ir1cci s<>111c fa111li)· i11 Ccr1tr,1l i-\.i11e ricc:t. He cc)m 111titc cl st1icicic ir1 l1is t)cclr<)C>111. H e 's i11111ris<)r1ccl ir1 a ciiffcrcr1t st a te. He's l1itcl1l1ikir1g ,1cr<)SS tl1c cot1r1tr ,· to 1\l ask.a , ,·l1cr c a. lo r1g-lost t1r1clc tl1c ci,tv c>f !1is l)ir tl1 ,,·itl1c>t 1t a. l1c)111c. , <...
,li,
cs. Or l1c rc>a111s tl1c streets of
Debra, the essence of love in the midst of struggle
by Alyssa Hernandez
' ' l)'SS,l H cr, ri1riclcz ... Yc)ttr 11,1rtricr is Dcl)r a!'' T l1is,,·,1s tl1c n1c)111crit it ,1ll l1cg,1ri fc)r D c l1l)ic ,1rid 111e. Tlie \ \' O \ \' Ccritcr iricli, ·icluals a11cl tl1c 1fia111i Dacie C: cJllcgc stt1clc11ts s,-1t tcJgc tl1er i11 tl1c cafeteria .-111x icJt 1s, Jy a , ,·a iti11g lcJ l1car tl1eir 11a111cs c a llee!.' l' l1is ,vas tl1c cla y· CJt1r_jcJur11eys., , '( re a l)<) Ltl le) kick <)(!'! ,:\fter l1ca ri1ig· Barl)ara, C)11c c)f tlic sta(l' 111c111l.)c rs , call 11iy 1ict111e, I lia1 ) JJ il)· lit1rr ic cl tc) tl1c frc)11t \Vl1crc I 111cl D c l)l)ic. Dcl)l>i c lc>c)kccl ;,1l 111c ,.vitl1 a l)ig· c)ld smile, a11d I s111ilcd IJ <.tck. Full c)f excitcn1c1it, I , ,·c1it str ,1iglit iri fc)r a l1t1g. L t1ckil)' sl1c lit1ggcd n1c rigl1t t)ack!
Del)l)ic is a 3(1-\1car-c)ld \VC)111,1r1 , rl1C) l1as D o,.v11S\1 r1clr c)11e1. Slic is aro t1r1cl , ;
.) feet ta ll ar1cl !1as s tr .-1ig ht l) r o, vr1 hair t h,1t jt1st l1 a r c ly· r c a cl1es lier cars, a11cl vvcars reel g lctss cs ,,·i t l1 t i11)· g rcc11 l)cacls ;1: tta c l1cci tel t l1c111. \'cJu ca11 a l111c>s t ;-11,va ,·s catcl1 li e r \\'itl1 a ,valer l)c>ttlc iii l1a 11cl ;-111cl li er vvl1ite ,1 i11la 2:c , < , lc)c)ki11g (;-t1111y' J)ctck a rc>t 111cl lier vv;,1ist. S li c ,li,
e s , vitl1 lier IJ<>)1fric11cl j c)sl1 i11 tl1eir ,·cr:1 c),,v11 a J)ctr t111ci1t! Sl1e li;1:
s l, i,
c d iii 11i;:1i11i all c)f li e r life. Tl1e t,,vc) c)f tlic1n slia rc tlicir lic)mc ,vitli cl cat 11,1mcd Clicctc). \ \711ilc clc)SC to lier 111c)tl1c1 D c l)b ic orily· secs lier f,1t1lcr c)ccasic)r1,1ll)' c)ri l1c)li cla)'S or s11ccial e,1cr1ts, lik.c lier l) i r tlid a.y·.Tl1is is sc)111ctl1irig D el)l)ie a.r1clI l1a,·c i11 cc>111n1c>11. \r\
l1e11 sl1c sl1arcci tl1is i11fc1r111atic>11 vvitl1 111e, T felt
,c,
c11 111cJrc C( lll ll'( Cl ccl l c)flc11gets stt1c k1 1r c>11c)t111ci11g lier ,vc)rcls, l)ttt s l1c is 11ic)sl ccrta i11·lycaS') le) talk tc>. S li e is <>11c1i tc> c c>11,·crsc1lic)r1sa l)C>Ltt a l111c>s l a 1i)rtl1 i11g. l{ i11d a1icl lc)\'i1ig, sl1c is c1t1ick tc) l iug 1ne , ,·lic11I least cxr)ect it. .!\. gc rit1irie
-s, vcc t lie,1rt slic is. Bttt D c l)l)ic car1 ,1lsc) l)c a little l)it c)f ,1 trc) ttl)lc 111,1k.cr! L t1c k.ily' s l1c l1as lier p,11 H a r r )· to k.ccr) lier ir1cl1cck. H arr): is ,,vlia t she l1,1s 11a111ccl lier rigl1t i11ciex fi11gc r, after tl1c 011c a11ci C)11ly; I-I,,1r r v· J">c>ltc r! '
'l l1c first ti111c I fc-iu11cl cJut a l1cJt1t I-larrv vv;,1s clt11·i112·.
()tt r fi rs t g rc>Ll)1 a cti\·ity at tl1c \ '\ !( )\'\ ! l'.c11tc1: 'l 'l1c l\1DC: s lt1clc11ts ,vcrc aski11g c;-1cl1 ()f ( }
117
118 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE tl1c \ \.'( , )\\ : ( .'.c 11tc r J)a r ticiJ) c111ts a se ries c>C s i1111) lc " gc t-t<1 - l 11c>\,·" c1 L1cs ticH1s. ()11 tl1at \icrv loL1cl c.la \· i11 tl1c Ccli'<
tcria vvl1c11 it \\'els 111·\
LL1r11 Lo i11tc r\·ic,v D c l)l)it\ tl1e first tl1i11·gI clid Sa )' 111·) 11;-1111c. Sl1c s111ilc cl a11cl s;1: ic.l, " 11- 1- 1- 11)·11;-1111c is D c l )l)ic!' ' .l\ s sl1c sl1<)<>k. 111)· l1a11d, I r1<>ticcd sl1c l1c:1el lier rigl1t i11clcx fir1gcr , })<)ir1tccl LI}), sligl1t ly l)cr1t. Sl1e vv,1s s111ilir1g· ,1t 111c a11d tl1c11 l<)<)kir1g at tl1c fir1gcr. I clicl 11ot tl1ir1k. 111L1cl1 of it at first a11cl vver1t 011 a sl ir1g tl1c CJL1cs tior1s listccl o r1 tl1c J)aJ)Cr. \\'hc11 T a s ke cl D cl) l)ie \,vl1at \,·as l1er ra\·oritc 111C)\·ic, l1cr race lit LI}) a.s sl1e sa icl ' '1-I a r r y I->c>LLc r!" a 11cl SLtr<' c 11C>L1g l1l1cr rigl1t i11clcx fi1 1gc r J)C>! )J)< ' Cl <)UL c>f' l1cr clL1tcl1ccl fist. I s11i1lccl ,-111cl tole! lier l1c)\ V 111L1cl1 l l<) \1cc.l H ,.1r,r v Po tte r! l rc111c111- l>er 11<>\•V cxcitecl \,ve l><)tl1 \,·ere. Sl1c tl1c11 l<)<>kccl LI}) ;1: t 111c c1: 11lcse1icl " l1is11c1111ics Harr); t<><>!" ,ts sl1c tl1c11 l<><>keel cl<>vvr1 at lier rigl1t i11cicx fi11ger. I said, '')J<> ,v,1,·? J L1s t like H arr,.- P< ) ttc r. Is lie SJ) Cci,1 like H,1rrv Pc)ttc r?'' Sl1c s111licci ar1ci
I I , gigglecl as sl1c saicl, '·\ 'cs." Barl),1ra sl10L1tccl "'S\vitcl1!!!" ,1r1ci 111') tirr1c , va s LIJ) lc)r i11tcr\ilC'\vi11g D ct)l) ic. ,.\ftcr tl1at sl1c>r t 111c>111c11t vvc SJ) C11t tc>gc t l1c1 I k11cvv
\ VC l1it it ()fr rce1 lly \ \ "(' II a11cl tl1at H a r ry \\'aS a l)ig J)a r l ()r l1cr, l) Ltt l l1acl 11() iclccl 11()·V\ lllLICll S(). .A.t fi r s t, I tl1<>L1g·l1t H arr)' \•vas si1111Jl)' j List e111 i111c1ig11ar)' fric11cl le> D cl>l.>ic, l)Ltl I la ter lcar11cel tl1;-1t l1c is s<> 1nL1cl1 111<>re tl1c:111 tl1at. l r1trig uccl l<> k11()\V 111<>r c al><)Ll t Del)l)ic 's rc l,:1ti<)r1sl11i) , ,·i tl1 H ar1'); I asl cd ag,1i11 cllJ<)Llt l1in1 clL1rir1g <)r1c <)f <)Llr rcccr1t ,1isits tc) tl1c \ :\70 \ :\7 Cer1tcr. I t vv,1s a l1<)t SL1r1r1v cla,, as vve ,,·all"cd to tl1c ficlcl to J)la)· sc>111c kickl)all. I cc>t tlci tell D cl) l) ic clici 11c>t lik e tl1c l1cat, l)ttt sl1c ,· , \Va s s till cxci tecl LC> l)c S])C11cli11g ti111c tc>gctl1er. \ \! l1c11 it vvas c>ur tt1r1 1 tc> kick, \ \!ilso11,a stair 111c111l.)c r at tl1c \ \! ( ) \ \r C c11tcr, callee! LIS <1\·cr ii·o111 OL1tiiclcl. I lc)c)kccl ell D c l)l)ic c111c1 sa i c.L "Cc)111c C)ll D cl.)l.)ic , it's ()L1r tL1r11 le) 111c1kc cl
11()111C rLlll!" Sl1c l<)<>kcd Llp at 111c. g r;1: l>IJccl <>11l<) 111' )l1a11d fir111l)· c1r1ci l>cga11 l<> j <>g ()\·er l<> l1<)n1c J)l,1tc . •-\s- \vc vvcrc n1c1ki11g <>Ltr \·va·y <>vcr, sl1c l>c ga 11 t<> SJ)c;:1k. fr<)n1 H ,:1r l'")1's J)Crs 1)ccti,1 c. 111 ,1 sligl1t l)· clccpcr \'<)ice, l1<)ld ir1g lier rigl1t fir1ger ir1 tl1c ai1 sl1e saicl, " C o111c 011 Dcl)l) ic , l1-l1-l1L1r r )' ti})! Yc>t1'rc l1olclir1g tip tl1c ga111c!" 011cc vvc 111acic it tc> l1cH11c J) la tc, \1\' ilscH1 J)itcl1ccl tl1c kickl)a.11 C>\· c r tr> D ct)t)ic, a11cl s l1c kickccl it l1arcl c11<>L1g l1 tc> get LIS sa f<-1)' t<> fi r s t. I \,·as j)r<>Ltcl <1f' 11l)i l)L1clc.l)1 a11cl a1) 1 )a r c11lty sc) \,·as Harry! ( )11cc ell fir st l)clsc, Dcl.)l.) ic c1ga i11 S j) C) kc rr()l11 H c1rr)1's j) e rSJ ) Cc ti,,1c I tl1c11 e1skccl lier, " Dcl.)l>i c-
"G()()Cl j <>IJ D c l >l>ic . ,, \ vl1et is H arr)· t<) )' <>Lt?" Sl1c l<)<>kcel LIJ) at n1c \,·itl1 a l)it <>f c:l c <> r1fL1scel face c:lS s l1c l<)<>kcci l>ack cl<>\vr1 at H a r r , ·. Sl1c tl1er1 saici. " H a rr,· 111al"cs SL1r c D c l)l) ic l)cl1,1,1c."
l I ; I tl1cr1 a s kccl lier, "S<) is H a rr)· like a J) a r cr1t?" Bcf<)r c sl1c coL1lcl a11s, ve1 ,vc , vc rc rt1r111i11g a g a.ir1 tc) tl1c 11ext l)a sc. \ \' l1c11 \,vc caL1g ht c)Ltr l) rcath, I l)rOL1gl1t ti]) tl1c sa 111cc111c s ti <'>11 aga i11. S l1c tl1c11 tc>lci 111c, ' ' I--l a r r y is like a l) acl." It tl1c11 a ll clickccl fc->r 111c. DEBRA, THE ESSENCE OF LOVE IN THE MIDST OF STRUGGLE 119
Dcl)l)ic is Lrul·y a kicl at l1ca rt as sl1c is f1.t!l c1C i1111c>cc11cc. ,i·\ 11cl 111a)·l)c , sl1c fc· c ls like sl1e J1;;1s le) 11,,1,·c sc) 111eo11c lo s till kcc11 lier i11 c l1c c k si11cc sl1c ,li, c s <)11 lier c)vv11. Sc) 111L1cl1, sc) tl1,-1l, I IJ elic, ·e s l1e creatccl H arry le) l)c lier 1Ja rc11l, \\'l1c11 sl1c·s 11c)t ,,vit l1 lier ,1.
clLlc.ll J)arcr1ts. It sce111s clec1r tl1,.1t sl1c clc)es11't , ·ie, v l1cr se lf as ,1 cc)1n1)lc tc :',1clt1lt. '' I l)clic, ::c
sl1c is, a
va r c sl1c is still ,·cr)i mt1cl1 sc) ,1 k.ici at l1c;-1rt. I aJsc) feel, tl1c rc 111a,· l1c a rclatior1 l)ct,vccr1 H a r,r, '
ar1cl tl1c fact tl1at lier Dael is i11 i11frcc1t1e11t });-, r t c>f l1e r life. 1\ h11c>s t .1. 11 c>f l1cr cr>111111c11ts tl1rc>ugl1 I-I,1,r r )· arc tl1c1sc- tl1a t sl1c 111igl1t rccc i,1c fi ·c1111 scH1l<' s cHt c>C autl1c>rity·. \' c t tl1r<>L1gl1 H ,,1r r y, sl1c- is l1arcl C)ll l1crsclf 'l 'l1is IJcc,-1111e c,·c11 111c)rc cviclc11t ch>vv11 tl1e rc)ac.l.
i\ little 111c)rc tl1,._111l1alf \.Ve)t · tl1rc)L1g·l1 tl1c se111sele r. C)ttr j c)t1r11c)r lc)gctl1er tc)c)k a sl1arJ) tt1r11. Orie ;-1ftcrr1c)c)11 at tl1c \ \TQ \ .r\
Ccr1ter, I r1c)ticccl Dcl)l)ic \.vas ,1- c t ir1g str a r1gc. I rc1ncn1l)cr tl1is cla)' ;-1l n·1ost pcrfcctl)· l)ccatise C)f its 111ag11itt1clc. 1\ s I s;-1t r1c xt tc) l1er ir1 tl1c cafeteria,
, I rl()ticeel sl1e ,v;-1s 11o t as cl1eer ftd. Her l1ig l1 SJ) ir its scc111cci al)sc11t tl1at a ft.c r11c>c>11. It vvas as if' tl1c life l1acl l) cc 11 SL1c kccl r igl1t ()lit or lier. 'l 'l1is \'\ clS a s iclc ()r Dcl)l)ic l t) l"'(
\/i()LISly l1acl Jle \1 ( ' 1" vvit- 11cssccl. \.\'c)r riccl al)C)Ltl l1cr, 1 c1 t 1ic kly ctskec1 l1c)\V lier clct)' ,v,,1s gc)i11g. Sl1c ra isccl lier cl1i11 LtJ), l c)c)kecl ell 111c a11d tl1c11 lc)c)kcc.l l),-tck c.ic),,vr1 at H c1rr )r. Sl1c c.lid 11c)l a11svvcr 111') c1ucstic)r1, IJttt, c)l1, H a r r )· Stire clid. " D clJIJ ie 's l)ccr1 rc,11 1)-1)-l)c.tcl'' sl1c s,.tid . t1sir1gr H ,.tr r , r's ,·c)icc. ' ''v\·11)'? \ \ :11.1. t l1a1111c11cci?" "Del)l1ic saiel a l)..-1ci \ \·orci," co r1ti11ui11g i11 H a r r )·\; ,1c)icc. D e l1l)ic tl1cr1 s t1ciclc r1l).- s111ackccl r1cr C)vvr1 ha11d, tl1c ha r1d s l1c uses tc) l)ri11g H ,,1r r )· tc> life. ,.\s I gla11cccl cic)vv11 at !1cr, l1111el, I 11c>ticecl s l1c l1acl ti11y sc ra tc l1 111;1-r ks ,.1Jc1 11g tl1c l<>t) or lier l1;-111cl, s1)ccifically rigl1t 11c,-1r lier i11clex fi11gcr c>r H ,1, rr·)·' l 'c) 11c1, it ,vas ;-1l11c1)sl as if sl1c \\·,-1s g·c tti11g!Jack al Harr)' fc)r r a l li11g· lier C)Ltl. Bcfc)re I cc)Ltld cc)111111c11t <)11 ,vl1at I l1,.1c.l jt1st sec11 a11cl l1carc.l, B,._1rlJc1ra ,v,ts st,111cli11grigl1t i11 frc)11t <)f <)tlr t;1-l )lc. Barl)ara l<)<)kcd ,tt Dc\Jl)ic ,.vitl1 cl face c)f clisar)J1C)ir1tmcr1t a.s sl1c ;-1slzccl D c l) l)ic, ·'\1'\
l1.1.
t ,trc )'<)t 1 c!c)i11g l1cre? 'i7c)tt k1lO\\" )'OU ;-1rc llOt SllJ)J)OSC'Ci t() J) c1.r tic iJ)c1te t<) Cia y!" C: <) 11ft1sc cl ,vitl,1 vl1;-1t B..-1r l)ara l1ael jt1st s..-1icl, I lc>c>kc el rigl1t at D c l)l)ic s ca rc hi11g fc1r S s l1ockccl as I ,va s. Barl)ctra tl1c11 tole! Dcl)l)ic ;-111cl111c l<> s l,-l) ' l)c l1i11lc, els tl1c rest c)f tl1e g·rc)t111 \ \'C11lfc)r ,.1 \ \'ctlk tl1r<)L1gl1 tl1c JJark 11carl))r. E, ·e r ) 'C)11e lc)c)kccl ell Lts.
i\ 111illic)11 tl1c)ttgl1ts r c1ccc.i tl1rc)t1gl1 111·) l1c,.1d. I tl1<)L1g·l1t tc) 111ysclf, dicl I c.ic) c)r Sa)' sc)111ctl1ir1g , rrc)11g tC) n1)· l)ttclcly? H ,1.cl I offer1dccl lier ir1 sc)n1c \ \'a)'? I \\·,1s so ,vc)rricci. i\ s soc)rl ;-1s tl1c roo111 clc a.r e el <)t it , Barl)ar;-1 c a llee! tl1c t,ro of tis o,·cr. Barl)c1ra alsc) Cc1llc .el Jessica ()\1 C'r; a11otl1er C)llC C>f D c l)l)ic's Sll})C'l"\! iSC)rS.r r l1is 111aclc 111C
'( \0'( 11 11l()r(' \\'() r riccl! .t\s tl1c f<>Llr ()r LIS s tC)C)(I i11 tile c,-1fc· tcria , C)ll,iv
120 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE Sl1c s,-1icl, " D c l) l)i<', , ,
J1v clc)11' t \1C>L1 tell \iC>ur l) L1clcl\· 11<). , ,
\ i C>u l1a\·c l)cc11 !)<')1,-1\-1 i1ig la tely?' ' ,-\s l tL1r1i'< Ci to Dcl)l)ic, l 1i c)licccl lier face ,vas ,1l11i<)St! ) a le . D c l)l)ic .. ,. ,/ , ,vas s<) 11cr\'()Lts a11c.l ,-tfr aic.l. I rc11c111l1)er fccli11·g like a J)c1rc 1it ,vli<) l1,.1c.l jLtsl f<)Lt11cl <)Llt l i e r c l i ilcl vvas 111ilsJc ria\1 ir1g i11 s cl i <)<)l. D cl)l)ic clicl r1<)t vva11t tc) ,-1r1s,,·cr frc)111 r1cr J)CrSJ)Cc tiv·c l:)Llt i11stcad frc)111 H ,1r r \1's. J essica ar1ci Barl-)a r a. l)<>tl1 tc)lcl lier l1c>,v tl1c \· ,var1tcci tc) l1c a r frc>111 D c l) l)ie , I ,111cl 11c)t frorr1 H a r ry. Dcl-) l) ic tc)o k a lor1g J)aLtSC' after l1c,1rir1g tl1is. I CC)u lci tell sl1c ,vas rcallv str t1 t l i11r: , vitl1 c cH11i112· LC> tcr111s , vitl1 , ,·l1a t sl1c l1a.cl ci<) 11c. I ,. (J(J lJ \J
rS)) <'CI li<'r !1a11cl ,-111cl j Lts t 11c)clclc cl, els l l<>c>k<'cl 111y !) uclcly i11 tlic cy<'s. Sl1c tlic1i fi 1ia ll-y s;-1i cl ,,vli a t li;-1cl l1,.11) )) C1ic c.l: ' ' I clic.hi ' t ,va1it lo lc,-1, ·c C()lllJ)LllCrs. ., J e ss ic ,-1 clal)c)ra tcc.l C)ll- , vl1,.1t l1ctcl l1aJ) j.)C1ic c.l. " I t ,v,.1s ti111c tc) s vvi tcli frc)111C<)m J)Lttcr class t<) n1L1sic tl1craJ)Y a11d D c lJ l)ic ci. i cl r1<)t , ,·,111t l<) g c).. i\ftcr tcllir1g l ier scv·cral ti111cs tl1at it ,,v,1s ti111c t<> lca\·c, I s,1iciif sl1c cl1c)SC t<) st,1); sl1,c
,·<) ulcl l)c cl1oosir1g 11ot tc) l)c J) 21r t of tr1c l\'ID( ; J)r o g r ,1111 ail)'lTIC>rc. I C\: c r1 t<) lcl }1c r tl1a t C>11cc I lc a,,.c tl1is CCllllJ) l ttc r rc>c> 11, t l1crc, va s 11c> gc>i11g l)ack. Her clr cis icH1 ., , <> ulcl l) c fi 1ic1l. I ga,;c lier 11i;-11i y c l1a11c<'s, l)Ltl sli c s till cl1<1sc t<) stc1y iii tli<'
C() ll l J) Lll Cr f()()lll cll l C.i s l i e CLtrscc.l."
0 Ltl C)f tl1c11r c)g r,1111?! I tl1<)Ltg l1t tc) lll)'Sc lf :\O tl1c); ca1i1i <)t cl<) tlictl. C a11 tlic)·:1 Tl1c semester ,vas al11c)st <)\·er. BL1t, 111<)rc i1111) <)rtc111tl y. I l<)\:c Dcl)l)ic. I clicl r1<)-t , var1t tc) lc)SC tl1c J) r i\·ilcg·cc)f SJ)Cr1clir1g ti111c vvitl1 l1er. I tl1cr1 c c>111111c r1tecl, ·' D c l) b ic l1aci tc)lci n1c, ,vell H,1rr)i tc>l d 111c, tl1a.t sl1c s,1icl a l)c1d vvc)rci, l)Ltt I r1c\·cr l1c,1rcl al)<)Ltl ;,11 of tl1is." Ba.rl) a r a a11cl ,Jcssic ;-1 tr1cr1 111ac1c D c !-) l)ic1 )r cH11isc 111c tl1a t s l1c vvc>L ilcl l)c l1a\:c l)cttcr. Dcl)l) ic sc1 t 1c c zccl 11ry l1a11lc, l<><> kccl 111c i11 tlic eyes, a11cl t<1lcl 11ic, "l-1-1 )) l'<>111isc, I' ll l)<'lia,:c l)'< l tc r l )cca L1sc I re a ,l), l i-i-ikc \1C)LL." H e r li,11c1.ls ,,vc r c s, ,·c ,-tt\/ ,111c1 lie r f tcc vvas ft.ill c)f
I ; I
I tl1c11 cx1Jlai11ccl l<) lie r, " D cl )IJic, I lc)\'C l)cir1g )'C)Ltr IJ L1clcl);, ar1cl I ,,va11t LIS tc) l)c a})lc tc) kcCJ) SJ)Cr1clir1gtin1c t<)gctl-icr l)Ltt )'OLl l1a\·c t<) l)cl 1avc l)cttcr. If rlc>t, y·cL)1·re goir1g to t)C' rc111c)\-C:d frc)n1 tl1c J)rc)gT,1n1." Sl1c jL1st 11c_) ciclcci, a.r1cl s a ic,l,: r\ c ,1l1." B,1rl-)a r a tl1cr1 tc'Jlci D cl)l)ic tc> go to class; ar1ci tl1at sl1c , vo tilcl rl<>t l)c J)a r tici- l)a ti110h · I ti1ig lier cc>11ic l)a c k at all. SL1r1 ) r isccl a 1icl i11 ,-1 rage, Dcl)l) ic lic>llc r<'cl, " I clc>11't , ,·a 11l tc) g<) tc) class. I ,va11t t<) !Jc i11 t lic l ) f<)g·ra111!'' .-:\s s l1c sl<) 111 ) c c.l lie r riglit fc)C)t, li e r l1c,-1c.l l1L1r1g le)\\'. H er eyes ,,vcrc fi '( cttcc.l C)ll tl1c g''l C)L111d . I tc)lcl D eIJIJ ic s l1c l1c1d tc) gc) l<> c l a ss. H e r r cs 1) <)11sc, " I 'll sec yc)Ll 11cxt,, , e e k!'' ,ts sl1c s111irkccl. DEBRA, THE ESSENCE OF LOVE IN THE MIDST OF STRUGGLE 121
l)L1zzlccl, I tcJlcl l1c r, " D c l)!) ic. tl1crc 111a).: 11<1L l)c c1 11cxt \reek fc1r tis if y·cJLI clcH1't start l)cl1avi11g l)cltcr. l l1cJ1)c tl1crc \Vill l)c, l)L1t )"C)LI 11<·ccl l<) l)cl1cl\·c l)cttc r.'' Sl1c Sc:licl. " ( ) ka)·, l 11r-r-cJ111isc." \ Ve sc1: icl C)L1r g c)c)cll))'CS ,-l11cl sl1c 111aclc l1cr \'\ a )' tel class. I fcJllcJ\Vcci BarlJ,1r ;-1 Cllll elf tl1c Cctfctcria c111ci i11tcl tl1c JJark. vvl-1crc c\·cr)'CJ11c else vvas gatl1crcd. Barl-lclr ,1 arid I t)cgc1r1 tel talk. Sl1c saicl, "T l1isisr1·t tl1c S\•vcct Dcl)l)ic tl1at I ',·c l r1c),vr1 ar1d ta L1gl1t for )1 Ca r s. Sl1c is l1cl1a,·i11g v·cr)· o d cll)1, a r1cl tl1is is 11c)t tl1c first i11sta11cc. I tl1i11k sl1c 111ay 11cccl tc) l1c J)Lll C)11 1i-1cclica tic)r1. I clcJ11' t k11CJ\\' l1cJ\\" vvc ' rc fi11all)· gcJi11g tel l1,111cllc tl1is situa ticJ11; y·<1t1 111igl1t 11cccl to )) c a ss ig11ccl cl tlC\\' l)L1clcly. ''
" l\1ED I(:,-\'I'l( ) N?" l tl1c)L1gl1t tc) t11')scl1 Sl1c is jt1st l1a,ii11g a l)ctcl cla )/ r i·\.rc tl1c clisctlJlccl 11cJt c1ll cJ\•vccl tel l1c1\·c tl1cJsc? I tcJl cl Bc1rl.Jar,1 l-1cJvv I \VCJL1lcl l1atc tel lcJsc D c l lllic els a lJL1dcl)', tl1c1t I \\"els a lrc ctd )· scJ ccJriricctcd tel lier. ,,\s I ,ralkcc.i tl1rc)L1gl1 tl1c 11ark, t)L1cld)'-lcss, I l)cgar1 tel reflect CJr1 c, 1 c r)· tl1ir1g tl1at l1,1cl jL1st takcr1 J)l,1cc. If a11yo11c of LIS ' ' a l)lc cl" f)Cc)11lc clicl r1c)t vva11t tel lca,·c a11 area fc)r vv, l11tc, ·c r r c ascJ11, 11cJ 011c \VCJLdcl s c r ic>L1SI) · c c>11siclc r J) L1t ti11g LIS CHl 111cclicaticH1? I-l trailic? l\c) ()llC tries l() J)Llt LLS ()11 111cclicatic)1i fc)r tl1a,t. v11') clc) ]) C()J) l c tt1r11 t() n1cclicc1ticJ1i ;-1s a scJ lL1ticJ1i fclr clli) ' ki11cl elf risi1ig issL1c i r1,1cJl, ·irig· cl clisal.Jlcc.l i1icli ,·idL1al? I k.11cvv tl1,1t I c.iid ricJt l i,1,·c tl1c ,,·licJlc stcJry, llLtt 111' )111irid ,vas r;-1cirig. 1\.ltl1cJL1gl1 Dcllt)ic's l)cl1,1,·icJr d ie! 11c)t in111rcJ,·c ir1st,1r1tl) vvitl1 great cffcJrt, sl1c dicl CC)l11J)lctc tl1c prc)gr,1111 ,,·itl1 111c. It ,r,1s ,1 try·ir1g ti111c fc)r llotl1 of LIS, as t)Llr ,·isits frcH11 tl1crc <)r1 C>L1t , ,·e re cl1,1 )c r c)11ecl l)). l1cr sc>cial vvc>rkcr. I s,1vv a11ci s till sec D c l)l) ic J)rcJg·rcssi11g rc111c1rkal)ly. I c1111 scJ ])l' 01ic yoLt Cclr c al)<)L1t s tr t1gg lc a11cl s c)111lc10. \, l )CJ\,·c rf t1l CXJJcric1icc.
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l'C<)111ctl1r<)L1gl1 g rc ;.1l cflcJrt is ,-l Tl1c Friclct)' after Slie \Vas ca lliri g tc) let 111c k1icJ\V tliat slie li,1d i:JrcJkcri CJL1r J)rcJ111isc. 1-\. ccJLl})lc \vccks agcl, I COLtlciri' t c,·cr1 get l1cr tel cc)r1fcss to n1c ,vl1cr1 sl1,c- vas 111ist)cr1a,, ir1g. I r1 tl1c 11ast; the o r1,l): ,·a )' I vVC>Lild c,1cr fi11d C)Llt vvas tl1rot1gl1 H ,1rr )' C>r C)IlC <1f' l1c r SLIJ) Cr, · isc>r s; ;,111cl l1c r c sl1,c va s, ca lli11g 111c LC> tell 111c s l1c clicl scl111ctl1i11g vvrcJ11g. ' l 'l1is vvas a CCJL1ragccJt1s ;,1ct elf tr L1s t. I l<1lcl D c l)l)ic tl1at els lcJ11g ,.1s sl1c lc,1. r11ccl fr<)111111istc1kcs a11cl 111;.1clc cilc)rts t<) i11) r cJ,·c , tllclt it \Vas cJka)i. I ,.1skccl lier \Vl1,.1t sl1c \Vets LlJ) tel. S li c tcJlcl 111c l1cJ, ,· s li c \Vas 11icki1ig Llll tlic licJuse a11cl g cJi r1g tel ccJclk,
l 1lcr vvi tl1 lier 111c1r1. Sl1e ;.1.
lscJ tcJld 111c, licl\.Y slic real!)' lcJ\'C'd tl1c stL1ffccl a r1irria l I ga,·c l1cr C)rl CJLlr last ,·isit. \ \ Tl1c r1 D c l)l)ic askccl n1c \vl1,1t I \.vas cic)ir1g, I tole! lier ,1l)out ,rorki11g 011 SC)111e l10111e,vork. Cclir1ciclcr1- ta,l,l, tl1at l1c>111c,,·c>r k ,vas tl1is cssav.
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Grassroots leadership for the 21st Century: Leading by not leading1 = by Joan T. Wynne - - - - - - -
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1at kir1cl ir1 c d ticatic)11 tocl.:1y· realize tl1at to1)-cic)vvr1 l1ierarcl1al tl1ir1kir1g a11cl l)cl1a\1i1112·. is sttdtif,·i11!2." stt1clc11ts' a11ci tcac l1crs' i1T1a12.i r1;1- ticH1s. clisc-11- l J l J (.} I
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c;, H illia rcl, Ill ( l S)S)7), a clcc;.tclc ,-lg(), SLtgg estccl tl1,1t , \vitl1 a \Jr<>kc11,S\ 1stc111, '·r c\'<>ltiti<>IL 11<>l rcl<>r111 is 11ccclccl.'' T l1al rC\ ' <>l t1ti<>11,tr, v \·isic)rl car1 l>c sc c11i11 a ITI<>clcl c>f l caclcrsl1i1->, ft 1lly <>1->c, r 1tic>11;:tli zc cl clt1rir1g tl1c si."tics ir1 tl1c Sc>t1tr1crr1 Fr c cdc>m l\ifc>\'Cn1cr1t (S F I) ir1 tl1c "C.S.1\ ., l:)t lt l1c)1rcd ir1 c clticatio11cltirir1gtl1is r1cvv ccr1ttiry· l)): Bol) Jc)s es, fotir1cic r ar1ci 1 rcsicier1t of the i\ lgc l)ra P rc>jc ct, I11c. Grc>t111cleci i11 ;-1 J) l1ilc>SOJ) l11· c>f c ri-11)c>, vcri11g g r a ss rc>c>ts, l)o t t(Hl l-LLJ) \)r illia11cc l(> fi11cl a 11 cc1 t 1a l \ !(">ic e a lcH1gsiclc tll(>SC i11 tl1c J)C>,, · c r s tr t1c tt1r <', tl1c ,:\i c>\'C111c11t's l1istc)ry clicl 11<)l star t i11 tl1c SL'( tics. Ratl1cr, as l\ l c)scs cx1 )la i r1s, it ''ca111ic11tc> cxistc11cc \\'l1c11 tl1c first ,,\frica11 \\·,1lk ccl <>ff tl1c first sla\·c sl1ir> i11 cl1,1i11s '' ( iI <>s cs 2()() I, r> I 711). ,..\11cl tl1c>t igl1 tl1c grassr<><>ts cc>111r>c>r1cr1t c>f tl1c SF I 111c)dcl 111,1)· l)c as C)ld ,1s tl1c lc,1clc r sl1i11 pl1ilc)SOJ)l11· c>f L a c> T c:;t i ir1 7()() B.c:.:! , its i111r)a ct 011 cclt1catio11,l1circles is 01 1)· r1c)vv t)ei r1g ex,11n i11ccl. J{.escarcr1, SJ)C>11sc)rc ci l1)· tl1c l\"a tio11a l S cic11c c Fot111cla tior1, Flo r icla l11tcr11a ticH1al U 11i\;crsit)· (l I C), a11cl scH11c grassrc>C>ts <) rg a 11iza tic111s is \)cg i1111i11g· tc> i11,1cstiga tc Sl<',:\1 's cclt1catio11al ()fl s11 r i 11g·, tl1e• .\l gc l)ra Prc jc c t , as a j)(>ss i l.)ility 1 " ( ; r ass ro o ls I .r a dcrslii]> l \ \ 'y r1rH' frc>111 1 i,,1nifin'J11a fit f Lfa(!e1shijJ a11(/ l:r., /ucational Err fll e11ce: Learning ( )1ga,nicatio11s in the l nfar1natio11 .'lge I>) ' l\ I-yir1t Svvc Kh i11c a11cl Issa :\'1. Saleh, V 20 l, Sense Pt1blisl1crs. Re1)rin ted l))l ])e r111sisio r1 of tl1e 11t1l>lisl1er.
'2 Quotatio11 by L a <) Ts u fr<)l11 tl1c 'T ao ·r;, ( ,'/1i11, sugg( s ts tht· gt·11t>r a lJ )l1iloso1 )!1y()f :vlo,·<·111e nt le, H le rshi]> s tyle " ( ; <> l<> t he ])<'<> ])le., l i,·e \\·it h the111. I.e a r n li·o111 t lH·111. , l c>, ·c thcn1. Start ,,·it li vvlia t tliev, knovv. 1- uil
lcaclcrs. ,,·l1cr1 the \\·o rk is clo11c , the task accc>111r)lisl1cd , tl1c f)C<>11lc ,viii Sa)· ·\ \'c· l1a,·c clone this ot1rscl,·cs." \ \'l1ilc at H a1,·a rcl, :\'Ioscs stucliccl tl1e , ,·riti11gs of Lao TztL
123
124 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE tc> rcvc>luti<)11izc sc l1c><) I rcfc)r111, CSJ)c c ia ll)' i11 tl1c i11st ruc tic>11 c>f' 111atl1c111,1tics. \ \!itl1i11tl1c co 11tcxl <>i' J)Ltl)lic scl1c)ols, tl1c l <)\'Ct11c11t J) r a c ticc tl1at scc111s L111ic-1Ltc ir1 rcic>r111 is its i11sistc11cc c>11 \Jri11gi11gt<>g c tl1cr tl1c disc11fra11cl1isccl ir1t<> s111all circles t<> clisc Ltss, L111clcrsta11cl, a11d, tt1c11. cic111c:1r1cl vvl1al J.>C<>JJlc Sa )' tl1cy clc>r1t' vv,1r1t a C)Lta li ty· cclL1cati<>r1 ( 1! c)sc s 2()() I, J). l (1). Ir1 tl1is cl1a1)tc r, I ,,·ill discL1ss sc>111c c)f tl1c cc>111pc>r1cr1ts <>f tl1is tr a11sfc>r 111ati,·c lc a clc r s l1ir) 1,1oclc l as I ,rit11cssccl tr1c111 t1r1fold clt1ri11g l\.foscs' r1cgotiati<)r1 <)f tl1c lc, ,-ia tl1a11 c>l)staclcs tl1at sta11cl i11 l1is J)atl1 c)f clcli\·cri11g })lack, \)rovv11, a 11cl J)<>c>r vvl1itc cl1ilclrc 11fi·c>111 tll<' clis111a l clL111gcc>11s <>f i1111)<>\·<'risl1ccl scl1<><>ls. I-Iis atlril>Lttcs as a lcaclcr reflect 11<>l c>11l·) tl1c grassrc><>ls cx1)cric11ccs a11c,l visclc>111 lc a r11ccl tl1r<>L1g·l1 tl1c Sc>L1ll1cr11 Frccclc>111 l\ 1I c>\ 'C111c11(Sl Fl\1) a11cl frc>111 l1is 111c1-1 tc>r Ella ,B1kc1 l>Ltt alsc> fr<>n1 l1is cliscir)li11cd i11tcr1ti<>11 <>f dcr1yir1g ar1y· attact1- n1c11t t<> c l1ar isn1,1ticlcaclcrsl1ip. R a tl1cr, lie seems co111111tictcl t<> f<)Stcri11g tl1c lc a clc r s l1ir) cc111,1cit)' c)f o tl1crs. I c>scs s t1g g c s ts i11 Radical Equation.1 tl1is clis ti11c tic))1 l)ct,,·cc11 tl1c Lvvc> lca clc rs l11i ) st)·lcs, cl1c1r is111at ic v·cr s us g ra ssrc><) ts: " l\ I )i
l)asic sc11sc or it l1,,1s al,v,,1ys l)<'<'ll t<) get J)CC>J)l<' to Lt11c!C'rstc111cl tl1,,1l i11 tl1c lc)11g rL111 t l1c)r tl1c111scilC\ S arc tl1c <>111·) J.)r<>lccli<>11 tile)' l1a\iC ag;_,1i11st \ 'ic>lc11cc <>r ir1jt1sticc ... Pc <>J.)l c t1 a \ 1 c le> l>c 111;_,1cic t<> t111clcrstc:1r1cl tl1al tt1c)' cc:11111<>l lc>c >k fc>r s,1l\:,1tic >r1 c:1r1y,,·l1crc l>ut t<> tl 1cn1scl\1cs'' (r). 3'.3). '·111is c l1a1 ) tc r is 111c>rc cl 11ar r a.ti,·c c>r J.)C>r l r ,,1ilL1r c tl1a11 it is ,l rcsc;_,1rcl1 rCJ.)<>rl cx11lai11ccl tl1rc>L1gl1 lr,1cliti<>11;_,1l rc1>c>rli11g 11rc>l <>C<>l. ,.f. l1c stc>r ) ' l>c g i11s i11 2()()4, ,vl1cr1 FIC ir1·\itcci l\{c>scs, C i\1 il R ig l1ts lcgcr1cl a11ci 11,1c,.\rtt1L1r Gcr1iL1s Fcllc>,,·, t<> cc>111c t<> its c,1mpt1s ,1s ar1 E111ir1cr1t Scl1c>l,1r ir1 its Cc-11tcr fc>r l Jrl)ar1 Ed L1ca tic>r1 & Ir1r10,1,1tio11. H e }1ad r)ccr1 i1,
1,i t c-cl l1c-caL1sc of l1is 25
,\·cars of stc\.varcl- i11g accelerate-cl r11c1.thc111atics J)rc>gra111s t(> clisc11frc111cl1is c-cl c c>111111t11itics
acr c>SS tl1c C<>Ull l r,
v a11cl l) CCc1LI S(' ()r l1is ' ' f<>CLI S () 11 Cl' C'a t i \' (' 11l('l ll <>cls ()r tC'acl1-
i11g c111cl lcar11i11g as a s tr a tcg )' fc>r c111)<>vvc r111c11t ,111cl s <>c ia l cl1c111gc" (R a11sl))' J.). 252). Frc>111 tl1c first ti111c I c>s cs Cct11c1 le> ).!ic1111i. I }1;_,1\ ' C fc>ll c>, vcd t1in1 i11t<> cl 111·)r ic1ci <>f scttir1gs frc>m clc1ssr<><>n1 s a 11ciJ),1rc11t 111cctir1gs ar1cl academic l1alls <)f \' a r io t1s L1r1i,·crsitic-s to fc>L1r1clatic>r1 l)c>arcl 111cctir1gs ,1r1cl SL1p c-r i r1tcr1- dc11t c>fric c s i11 ii ia11i1 ar1ci otl1cr cities. ;\ s a rcsc-arcl1cr, 1,1)· c>l)sc r, ; ir1g a11cl l)ci11g· i11 tl1c>sc a.rc11a s a lo11g sicic l\f oscs l1a,.-c ! )c c 11 l)c>tl1 l1t111l) l11g a11cl tra11s lc)r111ati\1C. Sc> lo vvrit<' tl1is cl1a J) t c r as a11 c>l jc c ti\1C cyc-,,·it11css is a cl1;.:1llc 11g c l>ccaL1sc I ,vas <>l>sc r \: i 11g 11c>t j Ltsl a d if1' c r c11l 111c>clc c>f l c ;_,1 clcrs l11i), l.>Ltt als<> ,,vil r1cssi11g vvl1c1l I l.>clic \ ·c le> l>c ,t cliITcrc11l ,,·a': c>f ' ' l >c i11g" i11 tl1c ,vc>rlcl. 1\1)'
ir1tcrr1;:1l c1L1cstic>r1 l1as alvv,1y·s l >c c r1 r1<>\·V clc> I ,,·rclJ) a c a clcm ic ,,·c>rcls arc>t111cl tl1is 111L1l ti- la )·c rc cl, ir1,r1c> c xr)c r ic11c c ?
1 a ti,1c )·ct ar1cicr1t, c1L1asi " s11ir i tt1,1l" lc,1clcrsl1i11 GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIPFOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 125
\ Vl1c11( c>r11C'l \.\'C's{ ,vrc>LC i11 '.2()() I Li1at l\.[c1sc s is tl1c tc>vvc r i11g ,1cti,·ist/i11tcl lcr LL1a l c)f l1is g·c11cr a Lio 11, l1c ca11tL1rccl t,vo c1f tl1C' 111a11y f 1ccts <)f tl1is lcaclc r sl1i1) s tyle 111a11ifestccl l)y S IF lL1111i11;:trics like Ellct Baker, Fa1111ic Lc>Lt H a 11c r, Vir1c:cr1l H a r cii11ga11cl J.)rctcticcd IJ)' l'vlc)scs ir1 tl1c field c>f cclL1c:c1lic>11. Orie c>f tl1c>sc f,1ccts is l1is cc>111111itmcr1t tc) cxca,·,1tc tl1c ir1tcllcctL1al life c)f st1tdcr1ts scorir1g at tl1c l)ottC)tn 1c t 1a.r tilc of ,1ca cle111ic 111c,1s11res. ; \ sccor1c1 is tl1c soci,11 ;1: cti, ·isrr1, tl1c i11tcr1ticn1 le> ra clica ll) ' cl1ar1gc ,111 C>J)J)rcssi,-c· S)·stc111 ,(l\[ c)scs J) .'.-3) . l\1l c1sc s s t1gg cs Ls tl1a L " c 111\) c clclccl i11 Li1is vvc>rk" c1r c clL1c a ticH1 a11cl Li1c ccH1ct1r rc11L l)L1ilcli11g c)f cl clc111a11cl for11 c)s iti,·c cl1a11gc !) y J.1CC)J1l c ,.1t tl1c l)<>tlc)111 ''is tl1c iclca tl1al if )'C> Lt C:ct11 re a ll y' l>ri11g· ,1l>c>t1t clll)' ki11cl c>f c:l1ct11gc at Ll1c l>c>Ltc>111 it is gc>ir1g tc) c:l1a1g1c c,·cry' t r1ir1g'' ( \/l c>scs 2()()1, J).188). Bc>tl1 c>f tl1csc c:c>n1mit mcr1ts a.re ir1tcgratccl. ir1tc> tr1e I)l1ilc)Sc>1)l1)· ,1r1cl I)racticc c)f tl1c 1\ lgcl)ra Prc>j ect a11cl a.cl.circ ssc ci vvl1c11c,·cr loses is i11 a rc)o111 ,.vi tl1c)tl1cr pcc)J)lc. \ Vhilc c x1)lo r i11g· tl1c i11tcllcct11,1l life of st11clcr1ts or tl1cir CC)111n111r1itics, ,,·l1at c1l,,·c1) 1 S sc c 111s tc1 set l\ fc)s cs a1)art f'rc)111 C>tl1c r s i11 a rc><1111 is l1is stilh1c ss, a c1 t1a l iLy 111a11fi<·s tccl alsc) i11 111a11ySl-'.\l lcaclcrs like B,1kcr ,.111cl l-l a rcli11g·.SL1cl1 clcc1) C{Lticl li, ·cs i11 stark cc)11Lrasl le> tl1c 111c>11c)lc>g·11cs ;,,111cl clircctivcs tl1at c>11c c>ftc11 l1c ,1. rs i11 c l c:1ss r c>c)111s.sc:l1c>c>l s, c>r 111ccti11gs , ,·i tl1 111c1r1)· lcc:1c1crs ir1 tl1c C.S..\. Ir1cl.c c ci. tl1,1t silcr1cc 1)c r n1c a tcs l\ l c>sc s ' tc::1cl1ir1g_· s t\1 lc a11ci l1is J)crsc>r1a ir1 c,·cr,,
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grc)LtI) tl1,1t l1e cl,ra ,·s ir1tc) a circle. It's a str,1teg)· tl1at l1c oftcr1 creclits tc) tl1c 1nc11tori11g of Bake r (\ 1[ oscs 2()() I, cl1a1)ter '.-3). T l1c)t1gl1, I Gr1cl l\,[c)scs' J)ro fc)L111cl cah11 sc> i11tcg ra tcc1 i11tc1 l1is J) Crsc >11alit ); tl1c1L ca lli11g it a str a tcg'): scc·111s a 111is11 f11l tl1a11 a111, c>f tl1c c>Ll1crs I \Vill , ,.:r i te ::1l)c>Ltt, a 11cl c>r1c I l>clic, 1c r1cc:css;:1,r, tc> , , e1n11latc ir1 tl1e ll)'l) Cr -s c r1sc>r ) ' - Stin11l::1tccl tvver1ty-first cc r1tLlr )1. Tl1011gl1 c)tl1cr CL1lt11rcs 111<1)· n1ar1ifcst tl1is q11alit)· n1c)re \viclcl)', tl1c fast-1)acccl, efficicr1c)' c1ri,·cr1 J\ 1i-1cr ic a11 ctdtt1rc is 11c>t k11c)vv11 fc)r it. Sc,·cral ir1cic1c11ccs c)r tt1is clis c i1)li11c cl c1t1ict s ta11d ot1t i11 n,1) rcscarcl1 r1c)tcs ,1s strc>11g clc111cH1str a tic>11s 11c>L C>tl l)' c>C it s t111ic1t1c 11r1tt1rc a111iclst l1ic r c1rcl1al i11sti LL1tic>11s i11 i\ 111cricc1, !)Lil alsc> c>f tl1c J) <)s itiv·cc>ulc<>111cs rcs t1l ti11·gCrc>111 its J) l'c1C ticc. "l 'l1c first cxa11 Jlc is a 111c ti11·g\vitl1 ,l c)scs a11cl cl grc>Lq) c)f f:1ct1lt y ,vl1c) l1a d l)cc11i11,·itccl l>)' lr1c Excc:t1ti,·c Dircctc>r c>f tl1c Cc11tcr, L isa D cl1>i t, tc> cli;:1- lc>g11c ,ritl1 tl1c r1c,vl:1 rccr11itcd E111ir1c11t Scl1c>lar. Tl1c clca11's cc>r1fcrcr1cc roc)111 ,,vas fillecl ,ritl1 al)C)Llt 26 f,1cL1lt)' n1e111l)crs. 1\ ll secmcci cager to n1cct c111cl l1car frc)n·1 tl1is l1ig r1l)1 rcs1)cctccl a11cl rc1)L1tccl t1rl)a11 lcc1clcr. 1\ ftc r D clJ) it
126 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE i11trr>clucccl l\ I c>sc s a11cl a s kccl tl1c fa c Ldt)' tr> i11trc>clL1c c tl1c111scl\,.cs , :\1l c1sc s c1ui c tly ,1skccl " \ \111a t is it tl1,1l yc1L1 ,vc)L1lcl like lo ,1ccc>111 1l isl1 i11 tl1csc 11cxt t,vo l1c)L1rs?" .After tl1e C[L1es tic), 11 sile 11ce fill ecl tl1e rc)c)11.1 l\if( )ses cliclr1't s11cak. Tl1c r)rc)fessc)rs dic.l11't s1)e ;:1k. Pcc)J) lc l )cga11 le) sl1if t i11 tl1cir scats, citl1cr lc)c)ki11g clc)vvr1 c)r lc)c) kir1g arc)t1r1cl fc)r sc)111cc)11c tC) Sf) C,l k. .l\ p11rc)xi 1n,1tcl) ' fc)tlr c)r fi'\ C 111ir1t1tcs 11,s1scd,, \·l1icl1a t tl1c ti111c sc e111cel lo r1gc r, a11d l o se s rcn1air1ecl still, lc)c>kir1g str;,1ight at !1is a t1ciic11cc, a11cl s c c111ccl tl1c c>11ly c>11c i11 tl1c rc>c>111 c c)111-
fc)1tal)lc , vi tl1 tl1c cll) SC ll CC' ()r \-\/(}r cl s.
l_)rc,1,f ssc>r s c1rc <>ft c 11 , vc clclc cl l<> fi xc cl a g c11cla s, c x1 1c c ta t ic>11s <>f' lc a clc r- clc}l11i- 11atcc.l lcctL1rcs, ())'1 1rc - c.lctc r111i11ccl ic)r111als {c)r clis CLISSi()llS. ' l 'l1t1s, l)ei11gi11 tl1c rc)C)111 ,vitl1 ;:1 l e ;:1c.ler, ,vl1c) l.)elie\1 cd tl1a t tl1c vvisci. c)111 11eed ecl fc)r clf,l\ ' cffc)rt li\'e cl ,ritl1ir1 tl1e J)CC)})lc i11 tl1c rc)c)111 ar1cl l1acl tc> t111cf)lcl vvitl1 " lea derless'' di,1lc)g t1e, sc c111ccl tc> l)r i r1g tl1is set C)f profcssc)rs to r)alr)at)!c cliscc>111fort. Tl1c)· l1a.cl cc)1nc t<) t1c;,1r l1is vvisclc) 111, r1c>t tc> l)c participar1ts i11 tl1c c xca\·atic)rl c>f tl1eir o, v11. E\'C11t t1a ll y, a J) r c>f'c
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t(} a g r <) Ll ).) clc cisio 11 ()r a11 () )) ('11 C<) l l \ 1 c r sa t i<>l l a l.)( }l l l tl 1c cl1all c11gcs ( r) l) ei11g cl
cc)llcg·c c)f c clt1c a tic)11 i11 tl1c 111icsl t c)f tl1c fc)t1r tl1 la rgest scl1c)c)l clis tric t i11 tl1c r1atic>r1. L;:1te r, after tl1c 111cetir1g·, c)11c c)f n1y· c c)ll ec1gucs asked 111c, " I s tl1at silc11c c a s trclt cg )' c>f l\ Ic>sc s ? l '\·e r1c\·cr cx1) e r ic11cccl tl1,1t i11 a11 a c,1clcm ic sc tt1. 11."g.. !11 tl1c classroo111 ,ritl1 a cc>l1o r t of 9tl1 grade !\ lgel1r a P ro j e c t stt1cle11ts a11cl at a cl1t1rc l1 l) ;,1sc111c11t ,vhcrc f c1scs Ice! a clt tlt 111atl1c111atics litc r a c,)· vc>r ksl1c>1)s, I cx1)c r ic11cccl tl1at sa111c r1L1,-1lity ,-1s a 111cc111s <>f a l,lc> , · i11g lca r11c rs tll<' SJ)aC<' a 11cl ti111c LC) a11s,vcr tl1cir ()vv11 c L1c s tic)11sa l.)C)Ltl sc )l\·i11g111atl1c111,-1tic,,1l c c)11cc1 ) ts, 11c r 111titi11·gtl1e111 tc) clig clcc1 )c r i11tc) tl1eir c),,vr1 rcasc)11ir1g fc>r sc)l\1 i11gcl 11rc)IJ lc111. H is r>c d a g c)g )·,a frc1111,cv,c>r k clcs ig11ccl tc> ci. c v·clc)J) cc>11cc1Jtt1al kr1c)vvlc clg·c, r1c)t rc>tc for1111tla ic a r1s,vc r s, ir1tc11ds tc) l)uilcl st t1clc11tcc)r1fidcr1cc sc) tl1,1t tl1c \1 a,11cl tl1cir s111all g ro t11s ca 11 prot)c \v1thir1 tl1cn1scl\'es fc)r ,1r1s\.vers. , ,
H c) VVC'\' C'I it \ \·a s ,lt ()ttr firs t r)arc11t-SlltClc11t lllC'Cti11g,, v l1c r e f()SCS \ \' cl S t) c g i 11-
11i11g tc> c>r g a 11izc tl1c J)arc11ts tc> Stl])J)C>r t tl1cir st t1clc11ts' 11cvv fc1ra)· i11tr> tl1c , ,·c>r lcl of !1igl1cr lc\iC'] 111atl1c111;;1tic a l tl1i11ki11g, tl1at l1is still11css vVclS a g a i111 ) a !- 11a l.)lc a11cl rcsc)t1rccfL1l. Fc)ttr l)rc>ic:ssc)rs, s c)111efrc>111 FIC a11cl s()111c f rc)111 l\Ii,1n1i D ,1clc Cc>llcgc, ;1:
ccc)m l)c1r1icd 11c1
le) tl1c1t 111c ti11g tc) L>ccc>111c ,1 J)arl c>f tl1is cffc>rt t<> s t1st,1ir1 ar1r \ P site i11 ,1 i 1111i, \vl1crc s tt1dc r1ts J)Cr fc>r 111ri1g ir1 tl1c l)c>tt c)111-1ct 1a r ti lc of ,1ca clc111ic 111ca s t1rcs ,,vc r e t)ci11g offerccl ar1 accclcr,1ted 11a tl1crr1atics J)rc)gra111., l\ f c>sc s a 11cl this tca 111 11la11 tc> s l1c1)l1crci these stt1clc11ts fr·c}lll tl1<' J tl1 g raclc t l1rr>t1g l1 tl1c I 2 tl1 g ra clc , J) l'CJ)a r i11g tl1C'111lc)r acc<'ss tc> a 11cl SL1c cc ss i11 c o llcg ·c . .A.t tl1is 1 1a r c 11t 111c c t i11g, vvl1crc a lsc) sc)11c l.)rC)tl1crs a11cl siste rs, ,-1L111l s a 11cl L1r1cles cc1111c , Ic)ses fc)r111ecl Lts i11tc) ,-t c ir c le , cx1 )l a i11ccl tc) tl1e 11arc11ts tl1c sCC)}) C c)f tl1c f)rc)jcct a11cl tl1e11 ctskccl tl1c c1t 1cs tic)11, " \ \Tl1a t stC})S clc) )'C)Lt ,,·111t GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 127
tc> lake 11cxl tc> SLIJ)])C>rt )·c>ur stt1clc11Ls CHl tl1is fe)t1r )·car jc>t1r11c)'?" i-\g·ai11, like ll1c 111ccLi11g \-Vitl1 tl1c cc)llcgc j)rc)ft·ssors, ;-111 LlllC()Jllfc)rta.l)lc l1L1s l1 crc]Jl i11. 1l <>sc s sat c11L1iLc s ti ll a11c.l 11c\·cr tc><>k l1is C\ 'CS ;1:
,,·a \· fr<>111 tl1c circle. 1l a11v. if r1<>t 111<>s t , <>f tl1csc J)a r c11 ts l1ad 11C\' Cr l>ccr1 asked ,rl1;:1t tl1c)· tl1<>L1gl1t <>r \.v,1r1tcd t<> cl<> ,ll)c>ut tl1cir cl1ilclrcr1's cclt1c,1tic>r1. Tl1c r<><>m rc111air1cci CJLtict fc)r \vl1,1t sccrr1cci ag,1ir1 li]._c ,l \: Cr')· lor1g ti111c. E \1cr1 tl1c professors '"igglcd ,l l)it ir1 tl1cir cl1airs, \\'(HlClcrir1g ir a11y·tl1i11g C<)tilci l)C' t1sr1crcci i11 rrcH11 tl1is silc11cc. l;'i11;-1lly·, C)l}C ])c1rc11l S))<)kc, tl1c11 a 11<>L i1cr, ll1c11 c111C)tl1cr a11cl })cfc)r(' tl1c c11cl ( )r ll1c 11igl1L, tl1c ]);-1rtici1)a.11ts l1ac.l ])la1111ccl tl1c ela tes, ll1c ;-1gc11cla. a11cl ;.1 c rc>ss CLtllLtr,11 111c11L1 fc>r sulJscc4L1c11t 111cc ti11g·s, as ,vcll as a c<>111111it111c11t lcLlcr <>f SLlf)})<>rt clraftccl l>y tl1c J>c1rcr1ts t<> f)lccigc tl1cir fa111il·)· s SLl})})<>rt fc>r tl1c ,vc>rk <>f tl1c •1\lgcl)r,1 Prc>jcct. i\ ftc r tl1c 111ctir1g, ir1 tl1c 1)arkir1g lc>t , tl-1c r)r <>fcss<)r s ,111cl I cor1fcssccl to c,1cl1 otl1cr otir o,,·11 clisco111forl ,vitl1 'loses' i<)r1g· silcr1ccs vvl1ilc 111ar\·cli11g at its l)rilli;1-1 1cc, ach11itti11g that tl1is l1acl al!c)vvccl tl1c r)artici ])a11ts l(> fi11cl tl1cir vvay i11tc> sl1a1)i11g tl1cir c>vv11 clia l<>g LH' , s tr a teg ics , a11cl i11tcr , ·c11ti<)11stc> l-)L1sl1 tl1cir stL1clc11ts lc>vv;-1rcl cc )llcgc. i-\t ,-111<>tl1cr J-)arc11t/s tL1clc11t 111ccti11g. \-VC vvatcl1ccl els l <>s cs s;-1t c4Ltictl1· ;:1llc>\v i11g stL1clc11ts fiftcc11 t<> t, vc11l)' 111i1L11tcs t<> clcl>ctt,c, ·l1al ti111c tl 1C)' \\'c1r1tccl tl1cir classes t<> l)cgi11 cc1cl1 m<>rr1ir1g ,lt a11 Ll})C<>n1i r1g st1n1111cr ir1stitL1tc. Later cc1cl1
<>f t is 1,r<) fcssors, vvl1c> l1acl sat ir1 tl1c sa111c c irc le, acln1ittccl tl1,1t ,vc vv<>tilci, r1crc t<) fc>r c, h, l \ i C i111r)a tic11tl)' ir1tc r\;c r1c-cl a.11cl 1,1aclc- tl1c clccisio11 rc>r tl1c stt1- cic11ts, t111vvitti11g ly sc1 ua s l1i11g tl1cir i11it ia tiv·c a11cl tl1cir c,>,, c c ss. \ \ 1c, l(>C>, ,, ere lcar11i11g fi·<) 111 vl<>scs' lcaclcrsl1i1).
11c-rs l1i1) c>f' Ll1c ])rc> Pc)ssil)ly, tl1c 111(>St 111c111c)rc1l)lc cxa1111Jlc, tl1<)L1gl1, c)f tl1is c1L1ality L111fc)lclccl tl1c first clc,1')· <>f cl SL'( -, ,·c c k rcsiclc11tic1l SL1111111rc acctc.lc111ic i11stitL1tc tl1at i\ P c111cl
Fil ; <>1>cr,1tcd f<>r tl1is r1cvvl)· f<>rn1ecl r1i11tl1 grc1cic c<>l1<>rt a11d f<>r t,,·crll)' - t\.V<> st t1clcr1ts frc>111 a11c>tl1cr l1igl1 sc ll <) <)l i11 tl1c city. Kc>11c <)f tl1csc s tt1clc-11ts l1acl C\ 'C-r l-)ccr1 a,yay fro111 tl1cir 1)arcr1ts ror this lc11gtl1 <>f ti111c. Sc>111c 11acl r1c\1cr
})CCI) c1\\'2l\" rrcHll ll<)l11C. Tl1c stucic-11ts ca111c rrc>Jll t\VC) ri\·al sc ll CH) ls ,vl1crc fc·ar
;
()r ()llC atl<>ll1cr SL1rf 1cccl at tl1c 1)arc11t/ SlL1Clc11t i11fc>r111ati()ll 111ccti11gs l1clcl
sc1J c1ra tcly at IJ<)tl1 scl1c)c)ls ])ric>r LC) tl1is first cla )1. S L1clclc11yl· fc>r l): ' fc) Ltr lc c11-·)c ar <>lei ri\ 1 a ls ctr ri\·ccl ,it tl1c frc>11t cl<><>r <>f ct rcsidcr1cc l1c1ll n1ccti11g S})ctcc , dise111- l>arkccl fr<>111 t,vc> sc1 >a, r 1 tc l.>t iscs, carr)'ir1g tl1cir l.>cl<>11gir1gs ar1cl cr1tcrcd ir1t<> a large 111cctir1g r<><>111 ir1 tl1c l1all. Sc>111c ,.vc rc dri\·c-11 tl1crc l)). tl1cir 1)arcr1ts ,,·110 a lso ca 111c i11t<) tr1c 111cc tir1g.
J \ \'ClC<) ll l CO tl1c grc>Uf) ,vile) sat ll()isily· i11 c r1;-1irs a11cl S()ras, tclli11g tl1c-111 ll <) VV cxciLccl , vc ,vcrc tc> l1a\1c tl1c111 al };'I C , l1c>,v l(>11g ;-111cl vvitl1 ,vl1al c11tl1usias111 Ll1c s ta11· l1acl ])l,-11111ccl fc">r 111aki11g tl1cir st;-1y C>tl cc11111)L1s a gc)c)cl cx1Jcric11cc, a11cl, tl1c11, i11tr<>c.lL1cccl tl1cir i11slrt1ctc>rs, tl1cir c<>llcgc cl1clJ)Crc>11cs. a11cl tl1c c>tl1cr staIT , ,·11<> ,-vc>tild l>c ,vc>rl{i11g \\'itl1 tl1c111 fc>r tl1c SL \ \·e e ks. Tl1c studc11ts lis tcr1ccl )·ct cl1atterccl ar1cl sc>111ctimcs gigglccl clt1rir1g ir1trc>dt1cti<)r1s ,1r1cl
128 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE CCJlll ll l CJl tS f1·c)Jll ])J'C>fcSS()J'S a11cl Starr \ \!}1c11 cvcry<) Jl C e lse !1aci l)e c11 ])J'CSCJltccl, I, t!1c1,1 i11trc)CIL1cccl l\1lc>s c s \'11!1<>111 tl1c '.2'.2 11c)11-cc>l1ort SLL1clc11ts 11c \1c r l)ci<>rc l1acl 111ct.. :\ftcr tl1c i11rl<)CIL1ctic)11,l\f c)se s s t<)<)cl l)c fc)rc tl1c111 a11d s,-ticl 11c>tl1i1g1. H e stc)c)cl lc)c)kir1g· ;-1t tl1e stL1c.ic11ts a r1cl tl1eir 1;-1rcr1ts. Sc)111e c)f tl1c s tL1clcr1ls cc)r1- tir1L1ccl t<) c l1a ttc r.-1\I <)SCS st<)<)d si lc r1t. StL1cicr1ts t)cg,1r1 tc) l1L1sl1 <)tl1cr s tL1clcr1ts. l\Ioscs stC)<)Cl s ilcr1t. S<)111c st11clcr1ts tl1c11 l) cg a.11to r1c1vo11sl)' giggle at tl1c c r1s11- ir1g c1uic t. Pr<) fcssc>rs sl1iftcci frcn11 ri)c)t tc> fc)C>t. Tl1c ciiscc) 1T1fc>r t svvc lle cl. Fc>r s c \·c r a l 11i11t1 tcs, 1\'fc>s cs stc>c>cl s ilc 11t, lc>c>ki11g at e\·cryc)J1e tl1crc. I l1acl
Jl (' \ 1Cr !)cf())'(' CXJ)Cric11cccl tl1is ki11cl ()r [)a tic 11t , ,·,1, iti11g f<) J' a )'( ) ( ) Il l fi.tll ()r a 11x
ic)LlS stra11gcrs ,111lcg·ig·gli11gtee11;-1gcrs, s ta ri11gl)ack, t<) s e t tle i11tc) a r cs1 )c c tfL1l c,:1111r. f l1c r<)<)111 l)eca111e mc)tic)11lcss a11dsc)1111clless, ,-111cl, tl1c11, l1is c111ie t, cal111 '\ C)icc l)cgc1: 11 tc) tell tl1c l1istc)r)' ,11d J)UrJ)<)sc l)cl1ir1d tl1c cffc)r't tc) l)ri11gtl1en1 a ll togctl1cr ir1 tl1is 11lacc at tl1is ti111c. H e SJ)C)l"c C)f tl1cir c)l) liga.tic)11t<) l1r i r1g tl1c l1cs t tile)· l1acl to <)ffcr to the s t111111cr cx1 e r ic11cc, 11<) t j11st f<) r tr1cir c),,·11 s11c ccss, !)tt l tc> l1cl1) l) uil cl a 111c>\·c111c11t tc> secure tl1c rigl1ts c)f' all stt1cic11ts tc> a C[L tc1lity c clL1c a tic>11. H e. tl1c11, askccl tl1c111 to i11111c cli,,1tcly clcc iclc if' tl1cy ,vcrc reacl)' tc) 111a kc cl sc r ic)LlS c c)111111it111c11t LC) tl1c gc)als c)[ tl1c i11s tilL1tc . If tl1c)1 ,vere 11c)t r c a cl)·, l ie ir1c.lic,t tcc.i, tl1crc vv,-1s 11c) s l1;1:
111c;1;
tt,-1cl 1e cl tc) lc a, ·i11g. He agair1 ir1sistccl tl1,1t if r1c)t cager tl1cr1 fc)r r ig <)rc)us ac,1clc111ic J1L1rs11it, tl1cy n1igl1t C<)r1siclcr cc)111i11g t<) a SL1r)scq 11cr1t ir1stit11tc. H e cor1tir111ccl, sayir1g tl1at 110 C)11e , v,1s forcccl tc) l)c there; that it ,va s their chc) ic c, a11cl tl1cy sl101d cl 11c)t 111akc t l1;,1t cl1c>ic c Iigl1tl·)'
I-le t) a usecl a 11cl g·a\ 1 C s tt1clc 11ts tl1c C>])J) C>r tu11ity tc> lca \·c. c> 011c lcf't. 'l 'l1c rest <>f tl1c clay [) l'<>cc c clc cl. l still rc111c111l)cr sta11cli11g tl1cre i11 a , ,·c c)f tl1c cc)L1ragc a11cl CC)11fcilc11cc le) l1c)lcl c)11csclf sile11l a11cl11rc sc 11l le) e ;-1c l11n c)111er1t a11cl 1)crsc)r1f<)r SL1cl1 cl lc)11g t i111c. Tl1c i11cid cr1t ,1lsc) rc111i11c.lcc.i n1c c)f a clcscrip tic)r1 c)f l\ f<)Scs ir1 Parting the, J icite1:1" vvl1cr1 T,1)' l C)r Br;:1r1cl1 cites tl1e first 111cctir1g· l),c t vcc r1 'lartir1 Lutl1cr Kir1g,,J r. a11d l o s es, vvl10 vv,1s tl1cr1 C)11l,i t, ,·c11t, ·-fi,;c : " l\ f c)sc s carriccl ,1l1c>t 1t l1i11 tl1c s trc)1Q1·.J ) r csc 11cc c>f a 11 F,,1s t- ,,, .I ' c r11 111y·stic .' l' l1c r c , ,·a s s c>J11ctl1i11g c>clcl a l)C>Ltt l1i111, yet l1c alsc> 111a11agccl tc> c c>111111L111ica tc a sc)c)tl1i11g,S j) ir itL1c1l clc1 ) t l1'' (Bra11cl1, l )88, J) . '.12:)). l\.f c)scs 11scc1 s im ila r acts of 1 a tic11cc ,vitl1 111c. Oftc11 l1cf<)rc or after scssic)rls a t , vc>r ksl1c>1)s vvitl1 a clt tl ts c)r )'C>t 111g J)CC>j)lc, I , ,-c>t tlclf ) r c>,f'fc·
r a.11 icle a a l) c) ttt SC)Jlle C<>11tc11t c>r j)'C cl,,1gc>g y c>r ;,,1c t i,·it)I tl1at ,,·c 111igl1t l)ri11g tl1c 11cxl ti111c vvc 111cl , ,·itl1 tl1c grc)LIJ.1; a 11d l\ fc)scs, c;1, cl1 ti111c l a.skeet, vV<)Ldc.l sLtg g cs t tc) 111c tl1at , ,·c sl1<)Ltld ,vail f<)r tl1c gr<)U}) le) decide \\'l1;-1t tl1c)1 11ccclccl <)r vva11tccl. BLtl <)11 l;-1tcr c)cca sic)11s, l)cc a11sc I vvas C)Il sucl1 cl s t cc 11 learr1ir1g c11r,·c a l) <)Llt gr;:1ssr<)C)ts o rg a r1iz ir1g ,1r1d lca clcrsl1i1,1I ,,·c)11lcl f<)rgct arid ,1,sl" tl1c sa111c c11cstic>r1. f <)sc s, ,1s tl10L1gl1 it vvere tl1c fir s t ti111c l1c l1,1cl !1carci 111c ask tl1c c11t c s tio r1, J).-1ticr1tl)' GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIPFOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 129
ga\·e tl1c sa111c a11svvcr. 1-\fi.er r>11e r>f tl1csc 111rH1l('Ilts, I realizccl agai11 tl1c clc 1) t!1 of tl1e ge11erc>sit y t]1;-1t 1 1 l c)ses, a11cl J)CO]Jlc i11 tl1c l()\·c111e11l tra itl(' Ci i.)y Bake r, i.)ri11g l<) a 11·) clialc)g·L1c, cl11cl tl1c l1L1g·c J)l1il<>S<)J)l1ical sl1ift tl1is ki11cl <)f l c ctclc r sl1i1J rc vc c.tls . I l-1c1d grc>,v11 UJ.) ir1 c:1r1 1-\ 11g l<>-. 11c r i c a1 1 ,,vc)rlcl ,vl1crc a ty11icc:1l mct,11,l1c>r fc>r dcscri\)ir1g n1c)st 1,rc)ccsscs, c,s1 ccia lly ir1 c clL1ca tic) r1, ,,·as " H11rr)' 111, ,1r1cl get <)rl tl1c tra.ir1;it is lc,1\·i11g tl1c st,1tic)r1, ,1r1cl )'<)u ,,·ill l)e left f)el1ir1cl." Bt1t, l\[ c)se s ke J) t ge11tl) · re111i11cli11g 111c tr>, "Sic>,,' tl1c \)tis clc>vv11 sc> tl1c })CC>})lc ca11 get <)11." I-Iis J) a tie11t s t ilh1css i11 a ll r>f tl1csc i11sta11ces 111acle J) <) ss il)!e tl1c 2.ifi. <>f s lc>,,· i112·. tl1e l)LIS c!c), v11sc) tl1al C\''( l'\'<)11c's t,1lc11ts a11cl-
, visclc)111l1,1cl ti111c 1,.,1 (. J ,I
l<) c111crgc c:t11cl t<) jc)i11 tl1c riclc tc),va r cl c re a ti\iC r e \ 'C)lL1tic )11. 111 aclclitic)11, tl1is Cl ll ctlity·, tl1e 11sc <)f " s11c1:tll silc11ces,·. c.lc111c)r1stratcs c:l 1)rc>fc)t111cl faitl-1 ir1 tl1c , ,·isd c>n1 <>f tl1c>sc li\·i11g<)fl tl1c 111c1rgir1s, " Bla c k, L,1tir1c>, clr1cl }JC)<>r , .vl1ite st11clcr1ts ,,·l1c> ,1rc trapr)ccl a,t tl1c l)c)tt<)ITI ,.vitl1 1,risc)r1s as tl1cir 1)la r1t,1- tic)11s" ( Jc)scs, 1,. I 2). T l1c silcr1cc, 1, a tic11cc , ,1r1cl c,1hn create a. lt1x ur y c>f SJ)acc a11cl ti111c fc,r J)CC>J)ic tr> fi11cl tl1cir a t1tl 1c11tic \:c>iccs i11 tl1c 111icls t r>f c l1a c1s, <>f C()llfi.1si()Jl, c,r strL1g g lc, or cliSC()t1lfort; ti111e lo clig fc>r tl1cir \V()rcls, tl1cir ic.leas, tl1cir i11sig·l1ts; s11acc tc) 1,icce tl1e111 tc>g·c tl1cr sc) tile )· c,-111 C)\•v11 a11cl Ltsc tl1e111 t<) i11,·cr1t tl1eir c>,v11 sc)lt1tic)11s tc) tl-1c s c)111cti11c s d c:t1111i1t 1·grealities tl1e)' face ,tr1d tl1c c cl11ca ti<>r1cl1mc>11strc>sitics tl1c,\' stiffer. Baker, tc>c) , l)c'.iic\'Cd tl1,1t tl1c })C'C)J)lc ,lt tl1c l)<)tt<>111 c>f sc)cicty·'s l1icrarcl1a.l l,tcl clcr oftcr1 offcrc cl tl1c 111ost ir1gcr1iot1s icleas (R ,1r1ls) )' 2 ()( ) 7 ) . I r1 a11 tu1,vclco111- i11g c til tt1r c, as ,1c ,1cic111c l)1)ically is fc,r clisc11fra.11cl1isecl J) CC>])lc , c re a t i11g a safe C( )Jl l a i 11e r fc, r tl1e111 l() let tl1cir icleas J) ('J'C()],-1tc is lll lll Lla ll)' l)c11cficial fr>r tl1c i11stitL1tic)11 a11cl tl1c J.1CC)J.1lc it scr\·cs. l11clcccl, SL1cl1 111L1tL1alit y clc111a11cls ,l11cl sl1a1)cs i11stitutic)11al c l1a11·gc. As 1c)scs CXJ.) l a i11s it, ' a\ 11ct\.VC)rk, cl trac.liti<>11 like tl1is, i11\'C)l\' i r1g tcc1ct1crs, s t11lcc11ts, scl1c)<>l s, a11cl c c>1111111t1)·r,1iis r1c)t cs ta l>l i sl 1ccl ir1 c)r1c fel,l s ,·c>o 1,. \' c)tl g<> arc)L1r1cl it ar1cl ar<>t1r1cl it, ,1r1d )'C>u l.;.cc1, gc)ir1g a rc)ur1cl it a11d clccr)cr1ir1g it. Yo11 k.cc1, rctt1r11ir1g to it 1111til all tl1e i1r11,licatio11s of ,vl1at y·c,t1 arc ci(1i11g· l)CCC>111c c le a r a 11cl s i11k i11." ( 1fc>s cs J). 1 88)
Helping to Create the Demand
Lcaclir1gl))' r1c)t lcacli11g 111igl1t l>c a11c)t l1cr \ V, t) · tc> clcscril.>c tl1c c1ualitics tl1,1t s11rf,1cccl ,ls I follc),vcd !c)scs ir1tc) di\·crsc arcr1;.1s. T l1,1t co1111)c)11rc1t, ir1 fact, is ,vl1,1t first clr c,,v 111c tc) loses a11cl l1is 1\ lg c l) r a P ro je c t ,,·ork. I l1,1cl l)ecr1 i111111erscci i11 t1rl) crc1tic c1uality1 c cl11c1tic>11;1: l cx1)cricr1c c fc>r all <>f .t\ n1c r ic c:1's cl1ilcirc11, 11c)t jL1st
130 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE fc1r tl1c eli te ;-1s l\.[c)se s J)t1ts it , "tc> rcc c>g 11ize tl1aL ;..111 c>r tl1c c l1ilclre11 in tl1e 11atio11 arc c l1ilclr c11!r/. tl1c 11a tio11.'' (C c11tc r 2()()4). 111 l1c1> 1c s c)r ac co 1111l isl1i11g tl1is, vvc cd LtCctl <)rs l1a\·c cl1a1g1·ccl <)Ltr CL1rricL1lL1111. <)Ltr 11ccl,tg sl1i1lSt)1 lcs, scl1c)<)ls ir1tc) g r <)Ll})ir1gs <)f s111l,1l ac;:1clcn1ic,s. 1\ 'c l1,l\'C 1)ro111c)tccl tcacl1cr lc,1d crsl1i1), s l1a.rccl g o \:c r r1a r1cc, C<) lla t)<)r a tio r1, rigoro11s J)r c)fcssior1al clc \1clor)n1cr1t, rc nc c ti\1c J) ra c ticc , a r1ci lcar11i11g c c>rr11111u1itics )1 <'t still the rr1aj c>r il)' c>r 11rl) a 11 sc l1c>c>ls i11 c·\1e r )· c it) ' C<) 11ti11L1e l<) cle li'v·c r i11f'c r ic>r e clL1c a t ic>11 tc> \) l;--1c k, !)rc), v11, a11ci J) OC)r , -vl1itc cl1ilclrc11 (D r<)JJ<)Ltt i 1c tc)rics '.2( )() 7). .A.ftcr rc a cli1g1 i11 '.2()() l, Radical A1r uations:(./i vil l-?.ight.1j 1Dnz . \i i ssi1..11/J jJi to Lite A lgebra
Prqject, 11<-)\Vc \·c r. I l )cg a11 t<) L111clcrsta11d tl1c 111issi11g })iccc <)f all <)f tl1csc rcf<)rm cff<)rts. Tl1at r)iccc is tl1c " dc111,111csliclc '' <)f tl1c vV<)rk., <)r- \ vl1at 1<)scs a.lsc) calls ''c;-1r r1cclir1st1rgc r1C)'·" H c l1)ir1gtC) clc \•ClC)J) tl1a.t co111J)C)r1cr1, t ,·itl1ir1 a11y grour) is ttl(' tr a11s l<) r rr1ati\1 C lc a clc r sl1ir) r)ic cc tl1at l<) () rna ll)" or LIS c!()ll' t' <111itc t111cicrsta11ci, c>r clc>11,',t a lt1c , c>r clc>11't fc··c l ,vc l1c1\·c tl1e ti111c c>r s kill tc> c t il ti,·a tc. I·t s tl1c k11c>vvle clge tl1at l\1oscs lea r11ccl i11 tl1c s ixties \\'itl1 tl1e sl1a rccrc1> ) )1Crs. \ \' l1ilc tl1c11 tl1c g·rc>L11 , , · a s s ;-1crifi c i11g fc)r tl1c cc)11stilL1ti ,·it;-11. !c)scs C)ftcr1 r c111ir1cls tis tl1;-1t r1<), ,v; as tl-1c11, tl1crc is a pl;-1cc fc)r a cl\·c)ca tcs or a ll ki11cls cci t1c a tc>r s, la , ,'\ 1 c rs , r<) u11cl;-1tic>11s, ci\·ic lc a clc rs , c l1t1r c t1cs, i)t1s i- 11csscs, ccH11111t111i t)· agc11cics l<1 J)t1sl1 1<1r clc111c>c r a Lic rigl1ts. l3t1t ·' tl1c c>11l)i , c111c-s , vl10 c;-111 re a ll ,v clc111a11cl tl1c ki11cl of c clL1ca tio1 1 tl1c,
v 11eccl ;1- 11cl tl1c ki11cl c>f
c l1a11gcs 11ccclccl t() get it c1rc tl1c s tL1clc11ts, tl1cir J c1rc11ts, ;:111cl tl1cir c ,vl1icl1 l;:1rg c l )· rc111ai11 s il c11t<)11 i ss1 1cs like tl1is.'' ( Ic)scs, 1).1:)1) f <)l i11 tl1c a lJsc11cc <)f tl1c cc)11111111i ty·'s clcn1a11cl, tl1c C<)L111tr)· i11sists a11cl tc;-1cl1c r s l)clic \· c tl 1 a t l)la c k, Latir1c), l) C)<) r ,vl1itc st11clc r1ts ,1r1cl tl-1c i r J);-1rc r1ts d<) rl<)t ,·alL1c c d 11c;-1tio r1 ar1ci/ C)r cio r1't l1a\·c tl1c ca r)a c ity to acl1ic\'C' acadcrr1ic cxccllc11cc. T l1t1s, tll C)i )ccc>111c tl1c sca1)cgc>ats l<)r le)\\' J) Cr fc) r111a.11cc, a. l)clicr sys te111tl1;-1t al,lc1 vs tl1c 11;.;1tic>11 l<> resist l1<>lcli11g itself clCC<>L111tal)le fc>r clc li\:c r i11g "first class·· i11strL1cti()11 le) all·. 1·11c .\lgcl)ra Prc jc c t·s i11sistc11cc <)11 IJL1ilcl ir1g cl \Jase elf stL1clc11t ar1cl J)c1rc11t clc111c111cl fclr SLlJ.)Cr i <)r CL1rric L1lL1111a11cl 1)ccl,1g<)g)· is a co111111nit1cr1t a11d sk ill , ·it;1:1 fc)r a ll cclL1cc=1 ti<)r1al lcc1clcrs, vvr1ctl1cr sc r\·ir1gir1 C<)llc g c s, 11r1i\:c rs itics, C)r pL1l)lic scl1o<)ls. B11t ·' lc a ciir1g "vitl-1<)ut lca c{ ir1g, " a11 ir1tcg r;-1l 1)art or )L1ilcli11g a grassroots' cic111a r1clis a J) a i11s ta.ki11g l)i clis ciJ) li11ecl, \) a c k a11cl rc>rtl1 J)r c>cc s s, tl1at 111a11y lcacicrs l1a\·c little J)a tic11cc l<)r. l\ l c>sc s ' s l1ifl i11g la te!)· c>f tl1c la11gt1age fi· c>111 "clc111a11cl" LC> " c a r 11ecl i11st1r g c11c)/ ' (PBS) i11clic;.;1tcs l1is i11sigl1t tl1at stL1clc11ts 111L1st 111akc sa c r ific es i<)r tl1cir cclL1c;1: ti<)Il a s clicl ' 'sl1c1rccr l1c)n1cs, a11d<)ftcr1 tl1cir li\·cs) t<) dc111;:111cl t l1cir rigl1t t<) \' C)tc. If t<)Clct)i 's s l L1c{c11ts ,1rc t<-) c lcrr1ar1cl a. c11a1li ty cclucatic)r1 frc)n1 tl1c r1ati c) r1, tl1cy, l\ fc)scs c)ftc11 GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIPFOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 131
CX])la i11s, Jl l LISt !)C vvilli11g tc> take Jllc1tl1c111atics fc)r )() 111i11utcs (' \ ! C J') " cla )' fc)r ic>L1r vcclrs; sacrifice ti111c at l1c>111c Le> s tL1cly: a11cl clc \·<>tc ti111c i11 tl1cir co11111L1- 11itics as 111cttl1 litc r a C)' , ,·c)rkcrs. l<)scs' a11cl tl1c , gc\Jr,-t Pr<)jcc t's clc111a11cl <)Il tl1c s tL1d c11ts l<) J)L1rsL1c acc:1clc111ic cxccllcr1cc, 11<)t 111ccli<)crit)', is as clcli\Jcrc:1tc c:ls its clcn1ar1cl <)r1 tl1c r1ati<)r1 t<) dcli,,cr C}Lta1i t:,-' c d ucatio r1. , ' , , 111c11I tl1i11k c:l iJ<)Ltt 11)' j <)Ltr11C)' <)f l)ci11g lik e ct11 i11Lc r 11, sl1c1: ci<)\·Vi11g cl l c a clc r, g ,-1tl1cri11g clat,-1, attc1111)ti11g t<) sec tl1c j)attcrr1s <)f l c <1- clcrsl1i1.) tl1c 11L1,111ccs ,-1r1cl tl1c clirccti<)r1s, I ' m rc111ir1clccl <)f H ,1r d i r1g 's, Ho/Je a1z(/ Histo1 J'. 111 tl1c l)<)<)k, H a rcl i11g, \vl1ilc cx1)lair1ir1g "tl1c tra11sfor111,1ti\·c L1scs of l)i l1is c11cc>t 111tc r \vitl1 a \'C>t111ho·stc r c a t1ho·l1t LI]) 111 a clr t1h0· a 11cl
hoh·;-1110 · , vc>r lc, l a,
\1 C>t111h0· 111a11 ,,-11<> s1 )c a ks ,vitl1 ·'L111cc>11\·c11lic>11al \\'isclo111." Hc1rcli11g relates tl1at after l1is lc11g tl1)1 c xc l1:,t11g·c <)f clicllc)gL1cs ,vitl1 tl1is )'C>L111g 111a11, lie l)cga11 l<> rccc>g r1izc tl1c 11cccl fc>r )'<)L111g J)C<>J)lc tc> l1a\1 C ·'l1L1111a11 sig 11J)<>s ts'' ,,·11<) c,-111 l1clJ) J)<)i11t tl1c111 t<)vVc1rcl l1c,-1ltl1y \·isi <)r1s a11cl trar1sf<)rn1ati<)r1 (H ,1rdi11g, l S)S)()). ' T r1C)' r1cccl t<) sec ,1r1cl krl()\\. tl1c li\1cs <)f \von1cr1 a11cl 111cr1 vvll<) p r ()\1iclc ir1ti- 1natior1s of OLtr l1L1111ar1 g r a r1d c L1r, vvl1<) O])C11 cl<)ors l)cy<)r1cl ciark11css a11cl i111\itc us all tc>\.varci tl1e 111a g 11ific c11L ligl1t c>f C>t1r c>,v11 !)est ])C>ss il) i!itic s, 21s 111atL1rc , c c>t11J) a ss ic)1 1a tc , C\ 'C>l\·i11gl1L1111a11 l)ci11gs'' (J). lG). 111 tl1csc cla r k ti111cs i11 L1rl);-111 c clL1ca tio11 ,,vl1c rc tl1c s ta tistics <>r iailL1rc c;-111 C) \ 1 C-r \ vl1cl111LlS. i11 cl 11ati<)11- , vl1crc ,.tl l tl1c <)lei J)clraclig111s c)f s <)c i,-ll a11cl cc<) r1<)111ic j)<)liccs l1a\1 C rccc11tlr)
c c)ll,1.
1)scci, I l)clic \'C tl1c1t k11<),vi11g tl1c SLtc c css st<)r)' <)f lc ,1d c r sl 1ir) clcn1<)11stratcci l)y· 111<)Scs is cs1">c c i,1lly \·aluc:lt)lc. I( r1c),rir1g tl1at his c1L1alitics C\'Ol\rccl tl1roL1gl1 a. crL1cil)lc of darker tin1cs) fasl1ior1ccl l)y 1n c 11 ;-111cl \-VC>1T1c11 like 1\ n1zic .\,foc>rc, E. \;\'. StCJ)l<)C a 11cl Fa 1111ic I,(>LI H ,1111c r, ])<'<)])le !) t1s l1ccl tc> tl1c \''C
r )' l)c>tlc>tl l c>f' s c>c icty·'s rt111g clc c1) i11 tl1c, .\
I ississiJ)J) i S<, ) ,vl1a t arc tl1c)sc c1L1alitics tl1at I ,,,itr1cssccl tl1at sccn1 tl1c 111ost rc lc\ 1 ,1r1t to a tr,1r1sf<)r111atior1al lc a clc r sl1ir) tl1at 1T1gi l1t chg LIS OL1t c)f tl1c c1t1,1g111irc of ir1c1d c c1t1atc })ttl)!ic cclt1ca t icH1, C>t1t c>f' tl1c vast i11cc1t1itics i11 tir \) ,.11 a.11cl rt1ral scl1c>c>ls, a11 <)f 111<>ri:ll 111c)rass?
T h e p r a c t i c e of s i l e n c e : H a rd i11g SLtg g c s ts tl1,lt B<)l) 1c)scs calls it "tl1c ,v<)rk <)f ' i11tc r r1al <)rg,-111izir1g' f<)r atl)'<)11c \Vll<) seeks t<) ,r<)rk at scri<)Lts rc<)rgc1- r1iz,1ti<)Il c)f tl1c ,,vc)r lcl ar<)L1r1d llS'' (H a rclir1g J). 24). It 111igl1t L111f<)lcl fr<)n1 ,l
132 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTI CE J) r a c t icc i11 )iC>g a , c>r 111cclit 21.tic))1, <1r s i1111) l)· clc \·c lc>J) i11g a ccH11fc1r t vvit l1 still11css. \'\!l1c1, 1 vit11cssccl, it is cl 11otc11l 1c>r cc .
The d i s c i p l i n e of patience: 11cc cl l<> rt1sl1 l>cc c>111cs ir rclc,1 c111t a11cl <>ftc11 cc >t 111tc r11rc>clt1c,ti, c . I f as H a 111cr stiggcstccl, " Frc cci c>1n is a cc>11stc1r1t str uggle; 1nakc a j <>) 1 ft1l r1c>is.,c, (Rc>l>c r t s, 2 () () 4 -) tl1cr1 tl1crc is al, \-,l ) "S ti111c t C> s i r1l"ir1tc) t l1c s ilcr1ccs ar1cl vvait fc)r ' ' tl1c 11cc) J)le" l<) lca ci tl1c ir C>vvr1 str t1g g lc to, ,·arcl i11tcllc c tt1a l c r1g ,1gc11c11t a11ci rcstc)r at i,1c _jt1stice. rC)SCS, like H rtll lCl secs l1is vVC>rk a.s rt l,ifc Jc))lg _ic>tlr Jl (')"- ( ) 11c c , vl1c11 ,I va s attc1111)ti11g t<> J)c r s u,.1clc l1i111 t<1 a c cc 1) t a tc11t1rc cl l) <>s itic>11 at tl1c t111i vcrsit)·, lie ,.lskccl vvl1at tl1a,t, ·c>t 1lcl 111ca11. I l<>lcl l1i111 tl1a l 1c>r c>11c tl1i1g1, it , vc>t ilcl 111ca11 cl r c tirc111c11t1)c11sic>11 a11d l>c11cfils. H e c1uickl)' i11fc>r111ccl 111c tl1al r1citl1cr ,vc>Ltld \Jc 11cc css,l r)· l)oo ts C>11." >.1 I c) rc c>, ·e r , , .vi tl1 l\ Ic)sc s tl1c clcstir1atior1 c>f tl1c s tr tiggle scc111s ir1tc gral t<) tl1e careftd a tt c11tio11 tc) c a c l1 111c)1,1c r1t ir1 tl1e jot1r11c); a11cl tl1e 111c) me11t is 111c t ,vitl1 cc))111)lc tc i11tc g r il)i, like ;,1 clc>c tc1r listc11i11g fc1r tl1c r l1:1 t l1111s c>f' a l1c;.:1r tl)c a t.
The belief in the small and the intimate in life: .\1l o tl1cr 'l 'l1crcsa s,-ticl, " \'\!c c,-111 clc> 11<> !.?:rcctt tl1i11r:,s<>1,11, s111all tl1i11r:s vvitl1 r:rcat lc>, ·c ." l\ Ic>sc s t...J L J ; '-' '- ' cc>11sistc r1tl)' 1, 111r1ifcsts a l>c licf t,l11t crcc1ti11g s1, 111ll grc>t ir>s \ \·i tl1 i11ti1nc1 tc cc>r1- r1cctic)rl tc> c a c l1 <)tt1cr a rc>t1r1cl a sl1arcd ,·isic)11l)ttil cls strc>r1g ar1cl l) c)lc l 1110,·c- 111er1ts. He clici tl1is k.ir1cl o,f ,·ork ir1 :\ I ississi1111i; ar1ci, tl1c>t1g!-1, l1e }1as l1c c c>111e , vl1a t D_
a ,,.c
, T a , vr e11cc, a c i, ·ic lc ,1clc r i11 :\ Tia rr1i, c;-1\ls a 11a tic>11a l tr c a s t1rc, l\,l <>Sc s c c>11ti11t1c s tc, s1 )c 11cl ti111c i11 tl1c cla ssr(>
-,,
itl1 c>11c cc>ll <> rt ,-1l ,.1 ti11c1 1c)r 1c)Llr yc,trs al a li111c, lc a c l1i1g1· 111atl1c11atics l() kcc1) tl1c 111(')\Clll Clll ali,1c i11 tl1c \'C>t 111g·vvl1ilc tcsti11·gC)Ll l tl1cc>rics <>f a c c c l c r a lc cl ct1rr ic t1lt1111a11cl
I "- ' ,_, f>c,c l 1gc>g ·) · H i s l>clicf i11 tl1c i11ti111<1tc <>f life scc11s cc)ur1tcr l<> tl 1c t)1>ic,1l r1atior1al d c111ar1cl fc)r g r a r1clic)sc s c l-1c m c s; i ts rusl-1 t<) ·' sc al e t111" rcfc)r111; i ts l tist for 1:) ig r1t111l)1e rs tc> g t1 id e ar1cl s ll,1J)C tis; its clc111a r1d for ar1svvcrs vvitt1c) t1 t )cir1g , villi11g tc> I i,:c tl1e c1t1cs tic111; a11cl its cl is t,.1stc fc1r t l1e J) r c>lc>11g c cl s tr ugg·lc tc>, vc1rcl ra clic,.1 cl1a11g c . ' l ' l1crc is a11 <>r g·a 11ic 11a lt1r c l<> tl1c lc a clc rs l1i1) a 11cl vV(>rk c>f -1\! c)scs cl11cl tl1c i-\ l g c l)r a Prc jc c t . He i11sisls tl1,-1t .-\P •'is cl1 1 r c>c css , 11c>l a11 c vc11t'' (I>. 18).•-\11cl lie 11,c,
c r s c c11s1
l<) r t1s l1 tl1c 1>r <>c c ss l <> grc>\-V it !Jig- le) fc>rc c feecl its success l1is J)rc)cltict is 11c,1cr a l1c)t-l1c>t 1s c f>l,111t. L ike cl s111<1ll far111cr lie k.11, c>
,·s tl-1c s c a sc) r1s c>f cl1a,r1gc. He kr1c), vs tl-1,1 t , rl1cr1 rt1sl1cd, , rl1cr1 g r, c>
,· r1 toe>
fast or to o 1:) ig, icic a s ar1cl J) ra .c ti c es like J)ia.r1ts ca11 i)c c o111ctc>xic C>r ,-c>ici <) f a11y 11u tr ic11t c>r 111e a 11i11gf'td CC))1tc11t. Fc1r c>,·cr tl1irl i years, l.'1f C>scs l1as takc11 tl1c ,-\lgcl)ra l_)r< jc c t stc1 ) l ) y stc j) l <>,, · ,1. r cl s ucc ess. 1-Ic's , va tcl1ccl as y<>t 111g j)<'0- 11lc grcll>l.>c cl l1c>lcl c>f .-\P i11 1I iss iss i11JJi a11cl s111t11 it c)1'1 i11tc) cl cli1' 1c rc 11tclir cc tic>11 i11l<) cl "'\c)t 111g Pcc>r>lc 's P r c>jc c t (YPP), 111a11agccl IJ) " ) '<>t 111g1>c <>J.>l c fc>r )'<>1111g J) C<)l) lc, lcarr1i11g matl1c1T1,.1tics cts tl1cy scr,·c tl1cir cc>n11111r1itics li tc r a C,)'
,·c)r kcrs i11 ,1ftcr-scl1c)c)l 11rc)g r a n1s . Lil"c Bal"c1 tl1c>t 1gl1,,
l\ I c>sc s resists 11a 11i111tl;1, ti11g· YPP l<) r esc rr11:) lc l1is ,·isior1, i)t1t l1a s s tCJ)})Ccl asiclc fc)r it to GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 133
C>rga11ically grc>\r its <1vv11 lc a clc rs l1i11, clircc tic>11s, ,,111cl i11tellcc tt1a l !)c1S<'.. '\ftcr tc11 years or grc)\\"tl1, YPP, t<)O, 11c>vv l1as a larg e l'\atio11al Scic11cc l·(1L111cla tio11 a\varcl ct11cl is cle, ·e l<)J.1i11g11e,v sites clr<)L111cl tl1c C<)L111t·r)'
The personal connection: l\1<)scs c<>1isiste11tl)' i11 : vi ia111i cle111<)11strates cl l)elief iri })Crs<)1ic1lly C<)1iriectirig \Vitli ,,vli<)111e·,er lie vV<>rks., \ \ ' lie 1i lie ,vas first fc>rmir1g tl1c S)tl1 gr,1clc C<)tlC>rt, 11c ,1 isi tccl tl1c l1<)111cs of cacl1 Stl1dcr1t. Oftcr1 tl1c scl1oo l l1c1cl i11cc>r r c c t a clclrcsscs f<)r stt1clc11ts; i<)scs kcJ)t at it t111til l1c fc1t111cl tl1c l1c>111c c>f ,c,
c r )i stt1clc11t. H ,e
.-isitc ci tl1c>sc l1<1111cs c>11 111tiltiJ)lc <1cca si<111s ;-1s \ \·e ll as 111et [)a rc11ts a11cl re la ti,•cs c1t t l1e scl1<> <>l sc,·era l ti111cs a ye,1r fc1r l>rai11stc)r111i11g scssic)1is. H e ,·isi ts sick stL1clc11ts\,·l1c11tllC)' arc stLtck at l1c>111c; lie takes slL1clc11ts t<) tlie cl<)cl<)r; lie l>ri1igs tlie111 gr<)ccrics. Tliis is tlie 111c:1ri ,vli<), P r e sid e rit Barrack. Ol)c:tn1a, iii ari iritcr,rie,v ,.vitli a j<)ttr1i,1list, c,1lle ci liis " r<) lc 111c)clcl" (Lizza 2()()7, [). 3). l11 l1is l)c)c>k, l\!c)scs s,1)·s tl1at cor1r1cctir1g is ar1 csscr1ti,1l part c>f tl1c vvc)rl,;. of tl1e 1\ lg c l) ra P roj e c t: '·T J1c first tl1i11g )·<1L1 l1,a, c t<) clc> is 111a kc a [)Crsc>11al c o11- 11'<
Ct ic>11. Yc>t1 l1,a,
c tc> fi 11cl <) Li t vvl1c> it is y·c>tt arc ,vc>rki11g vvitl1.. '\II acrc>ss tl1c Sc>L1tl1 )'C)L t co L1lc.l sec tl1at i11 grassr<><>ls rL1r,,1l 1.1co1.1lc. ' l 'l1at \Vas tl1cir style. l\1iss Baker l<)<)k tl1is St)·le tc) cl s c)r>l 1istica tec.l lc,·cl <)f J.><)litical \,v<)rk' ' ( I <)ses J.>. '.1'.2).
Giving voice to the voiceless: l'vl <)ses re111i1icls tts tlictt " Yc)L11ig J.>CC)})lc firiclirig· tlieir v·c)ice iristec:1d <)f l)eirig Sf)<)l,;.e 1i f<)r is a crt1cic1l r)art c)f tl ie 1>r <) ccss" (:\ loses J). l S)). C<)r1scc1t1cr1tl)', l1c creates C)J)J)C)rtt1r1itics at cc>r1fcrcr1ccs, t111i,rcrsit)· c la ss r o o111s, ,111cl cli,·crsc 111ccti11g l1a lls ,vl1crc l1is l1igl1 s cl1<) C>I stt1- cic11ts c a 11 tell tl1cir stc>ries a11cl sl1c1rc tl1cir r11c1tl1c111aLica l k11c>vvlcclge acrciss tl1c'. C<>L t11t·r)· Lcc1r11i11g {i-<>111 B,,1kcr a11cl l1is ex1)eric11ccs i11 tl1c Sl <'l\ 1 . l1c als<) i11sists tl1c1t lc c:tc.lcrsl1i11" sl1<)L1lcl c111c rg c {1·c>111 tl1c cc>111111L111it,y grc),,vtli 1))1 grassrc)<) ts <)rgc1riizers" (1\ f<)ses, J.>. '.11 ) .
111cl l>c l1el11cl i11 its \ Vitli 1<)scs, lca dcrsliiJ) itself sccn1s c:l C<)-creati,·e J.)r<)cess, c:11,,vays 111<)\'i1ig, r1c,,cr c til111ri1a.tirig, a J) r c)ccssi<) r1 c>f J)CC) J)lc ar1cl iclc,1s cl1"1r1gir1g J)l,1ccs iri a cir cle, riot a tria,11glc. Rcsistir1g a11)· attc1111)ts at 111,1ki11g tl1c r1atior1,1l 1\ lg c l) r a Prc>jcct a cc11tcr c>f J) C>,ve r, -:\1 fc>scs ccll1ti11t1c>us ly· })L1sl1cs J,)C> ,·cr i11tc> the l1a11cls
c>f' tl1e lc>c a l site s. I-l e see ks, a11cl so111cti111cs l1cl[)S l<) crc,,1tc, l<>ca l grassr<>C>ts caclrcs l<) clc,icl<)J) a cc>11scic>L1s11css tl1a t 11c)tl1i11g \'\ il l l>c SL1s ta i11cc.l vvitl1<>Ltl tl1cir C)\-V11i1ig 1>ers<)11al leaclerslii1), ,vitl1<)Ltt C<)11s ta1itly rc-c,·alL1c1ti11g· SL1cccsscs c11icl failttrcs tc) kecr) tlicir cff<)rts flttid a1id rcs1)c)1isivc t<) tl1c crivir<)1imcrit iri \-Vliicli tllC)' li,-c: ,1r1cl tl1c pc<>J)lc ,vitl1 vvl1c>111 tllc)· ,vc>rk. Lil,_c a jazz 111tisici,1r1 ,vl1c) ''111odifics ,1111L1sical rl1,·tl1111 !-),. sl1iftir1g- tl1e accer1t tc> a- , vca k r)c,1t of tl1c l)c1r,"
,I ,I \._ I
l\1 f <)sc s J)laccs l1is c1t te11tic>11 C)ll tl1c vvcakcst ,:c> ic c s i11 sc>cict)· c111cl l1cl1)s tl1c111 fi11cl tl1cir sc>11g- ,,111cl, like I-l a111c r, tc>gctl1er, tl1<·)· 111ake a ' j <>)1f"t.1l ll<>isc." H e <>rcl1cslralccl tl1,,1t "i·azz'' cll:tai11 i11 .ALtQ'LtSt <>f '.2()()8 vvl1c11 ;-1 11<·,vlv a ss iQ'11ccl · 1. J 1...,1 _. l .J J)r i11ci11al ell tl1c lc>c ctl liigl1sc:l1<><,),l , · is C<)11sicleri11g clc>si1ig t l1c .A.lgcl.>r,1 Pr<)jcct
134 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE s ite.' lc1 ccJt111tcr !1cr attc111J) l , I s ug·gcs tccl tl1at Bell), I , a11cl cJtl1crs 111igl1t 111cc t ,\'itl1 tlic 11ri1ici11al a11cl cxt(1l tlic \·irtL1cs (Jr tlic 11rc jcc1.. Bo!) c.1Ltic tl)i sa icl, ' ':-Jc)." .... lie stL1cle11ts
cct at tl1cir scl1ool. l\Ioscs' t,vo )'Cars <),f
,·clrk ,vitl1 tl1csc stt1cci-11ts, l)t1ilciir1g thc-111 as a ccJ!1cJrt a11ci a C<) n1rr11t11i t); J) fCJCit1cc cl ,.1 clcsirc a11ci a C<)11ficlc11cc i11 tlic11i t<1 clc11ia11cl , vl1;:1t tile)· 1iccclccl.' l' li c) ' )1;:1cl c a r11ccl tl1cir i1is L1rg c 11c y.
A p ro fo u n d c a p a c i ty to li s te n d e e p ly a n d w e l l : I l1a\·c yet tel {i11cl a 1l)i <)11c ,vl1c) l1cts 1i<)t felt clcc11 l)· lic,1rcl aft.er vvalki11g <1,,·a)' fr<)111 ;,1 111ccti11g ,.vit li l\,Iclscs,. \ '\ l1ctl1cr lie agrees H e asks 11c11ctratir1g <1t1csti<)11s a11ci ,vaits 11atic r1tl)i fclr <)tl1ers t<) digest tl1c ,vc)rds ;-1r1cl rcs11or1cl fron1 tl1cir o,vr1 cx11cricr1ccs. \\'itl1c)t1t ta kir1g tl1e first r1ote ir1 111c)s t 111ccti11gs, 111or1tr1s ],.1ter l1c c ,1.11 rCJ)Ca.t ,,·l1cJ s c1ici ,,vl1a.t , ,·l1cr1. H is ca1)a c i t) ', t l1cJ ug l1, tel listc11, rca ll)i listc11, tel tl1c )'Clt111g is rc111arkal)!c tel c x1) c r i c1icc. H is 11r o c li\'ity !c1r 11r o lcJ1ig ccl si lc11cc vvitl1 tlic111 a1i cl l1is l1(Jli(·s t C L1r io si t)i t<) k1icl, , · tl1cir tl1i1iki11g ;,1ll \ '\1l1ctlicr i11 tl1c classr H is tc1r i,.11, c:11arlc s Pa ) ' llC, suggests tl1is C}l ta lil)i ()r c;-1rc-f'ul listc11i11g as ()11(' tl1at l\,l()SCS e a r l')
i11 l1is li{c ])J"( jc c tc cl: "' l ' l1c l1rcJacl ()Lttli11cs {)r tl1c l\,l ississ1i
)1) i 111<)\iC111c1tiC)f tlic sixties l1,.1cl l1cc1i l,.1icl ()Lil,11r i11a1r il)· !)ctvvc c11 a1i c)lclcr \•Va r ri<)r [Ai11zic ;I cl<)re] ,vitl1 littlc fc)r111al cd Ltca ti ,vl10 liste11,veil arc trcast1rccl. l\Ioscs sir1cc tl1c sixties, as ,1 fielei secretary· fc)r tl1e S tt1cicr1t N<)r1-vic)lcr1t Coc)r cii11a tir1g c; ()l11111 ittcc (S:KC:c:), l1as lc2tr11ccl tl1c 11c-ccssity· ()f' a l, va )',S ,·iclc r1i11g tl1c \vcl) cJf' t l1c 11cL, vcJr l l)cJtl1 lc1c;:1ll)· a 11cl 11aticJ11ally tel SL1])])<) 1t l1is , vcJr k. l11 l\,l ississ1i11 ) i, lie, ,1lc)11g , ,·itl1 local i11sL1rgc1it lc,-1clc rs, cJrg,-111izccl tl1c sl1,.1rcc r( JJ1- J1Crs, y<)L11ig J)C t1r1i,1crsitic, s fc clcr,1. l r)r ()trier S()Cial justice gr<)llJ)S ()C)'()Ild S cc ar()Ulld tl1c iSSllC <)f ,:otir1g rigl1ts. TI-1is r1et,,·c)rk 11rc)vccl i r1,1;-1l t1al)lc, for as l\Ioscs 11uts it: " \ 'Vl1c r1 l\Iississi11pi lcJc ke cl tis LtJ) , the Feels CC)tdcl set tis Cree" ( ifcJscs 2 () () )). GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 135
111 tl1e Algcl)r;:1 )l r c je c t, l1c st;:1r tccl i11 a c la ss rc) C>111 \vitl1 l1is c l1ilclrc11, tca cl1i11g tl1c111 cllgcl) ra , tl1c11 c)tl1cr 11 c c1 1 lc·s cl1ilclrc 11 i11 tl1;:1t s ;,111c classroc)111, tl1c11 c)rg·a11izccl C)tl1cr r1,1rc11Ls, f()r111cr SF '! acti\·ists, tcacl1crs ctcrc)ss tl1c CC)l111lr )·, eli te 111atl1c1natics resc a rc l1crs frc)111Cc)r11ell, I( e r1t S ta te, tl1c 1l atl1c1na tics arid Scier1cc R csc,1rcl1 I r1stitl1tc (l\1SR I), fc)ltr1cl,1tic>r1s lil.;.c >.1,1c.L\r tl1 L11 L ill)·, 0 11c11 S c)cic ty; tl1c ::.Jatic>r1al Scicr1cc FoL1r1cl,1tic>r1, tl1c C: l1ild rc r1's T r11st, 11r1i \·crsitics, })rc>fcssc)rs a11cl g·raciuatc st11cle11ts, l.-1\ v)·ers, sc l1c>c>l l) c>.-1r cl 111c1T1l)ers, c111ic)11s li ke tl1e l11cl11s trial .\ rc a s l ) u11cla tic>11,(1.\ 1;').11 c1 liticia11s, _ic>t1r1 1;:1lists a11cl tl1c)t1s,-l11cls c)r )i<)L111g11c c1) 1 lc a ro t111cl tl1c iss tH' o r clcl i,·cri11g· accclcratccl accl cle111ci
cclL1catic)11 l <) tl1c 11atic)11s· l)c>tlc>111 1c
t 1ar tilc a11cl c r c c1ti11g a 111c),·c111c11ftc)r Q t1c1li t)· E c.i11c;:1ti c)11,ts a Cc)r1stit11tic)11al R ig l1t. H is circle Sf)rc ads acrc)ss tl1c r1atic)rl frc>m L os .1\ r1g clc s tc> >.1 l i a 11i1: "T l1c CJ11es tic) r1 c)f llC)\\' ,.vc all lcar r1 tc) ,vorl.;. across s, c ·eral .-1rer1as is 1111sol,·ccl. T l1osc arer1.-1s .-1re la rge a11clco1111)li catccl .... Ic<1ll,y vc>r ki11g i11 a ll tl1csc a rc11.-1s ,viii rcc1uirc t l1a t 1t1a 11)· })C<)})lc ;:1clc>11t a 111c>rc l1c>lis t ic <>ull<><)k. tl1a11 tile)· l1a\·c C\ 1cr clc>11c l)c fc>rc " (l\1c>sc s 2()() 1, i 1 . l()). l\1c>sc s 11t1rtt1r c s tl1is cc)1111.1lcx 11c t,,vc)r k ,,·l1ilc at tl1c s,-l111c ti111c s1 1c 11cli11g '.-:I c.lct)·s cl \ \·ee k tcacl1i11g 111a tl1c11a1tics tc) l1is lc)ca l AP cc>l tc)r t. ,-:\11c.l ctl, va )·s, li, ' ir1g tl1c vVC)rd s c)f Baker tc) l:>r i r1g tl1c fa111il)· c1lc >r1g, l\lc)sc s ' circle i11clt1cles l1is fa111il); l1is ,,vifc, l1is t\
R e a c h i n g for s t r a t e gi e s to m o v e forward, instead of getting stuck in a search for blame. \ lc>sc s ' r a J)ici 111c>,·c111c11t G·cn11 pr<)t)lc111 tc> s tra te gics fc) r ,-1clclr css i11g tl1c>r 1l)' isstic s is c>f t c 11 clc111c>11str a tcci ,vitl1 sta fl c ircles c>f s t1i111c1r tc rs. 11a r c 11ts: a11cl st uclc11ts. I l1;:1\1 C oCtl'tl <)l)s c r vccl ;:11cl si lc11tli) a1111rc>, ·c cl l1is rcs11 c)11sc tc) s tL1clc11ts \\'ltc) 111igl1t 111si lJcl1a\·c. ,-\t tl1c)sc ti111cs, li ke 11c1)sl " gc)c)cl' ' lc a c l1crs, lie 111c),·cs i m 111cliately· tc) cliscc),·crir1g tl1e re;:1sc)r1 l)el1i1c1l tl1c l)c l1;:1, 1 ic>r ir1stcacl of lc)ckir1g ir1tc) iclects c>f 1111r1isl1n1cr1t; lie e li c i ts s t11clcr1t er1g ag c111cr1t ir1fir1cli r1g tl1c rc>c)t a r1cl tl1e so l11tic)r1, r1c)t 0111-y i r1111.-1tl1c111atics t)11t a lso i11 tl1cir li,·cs. IZcc c11tl) i, t l1c>t 1g l1, l1is !)fC>])C11si t)' tc> Jl lC>\ 'C i11sta11t l) ' frcn11 ])rc>l)!c 11 (<)\va.rcl s tra tcg )' st<><> cl i11 s ta rk C<>11tra st ll> 111y c>vv11. I-l e \valkecl i11tc> 111y <)fl i c c i111111(·cli a tcl)· after cl 111ccti11g , vl1crc cxi 1c c t c cl SLL]1]1 <)r t vvas s L1clclc11l)i ,vitl1clr,lvv11. .L\ f t c r 11c rc1.1c)r tcc.l tc) 111e tl1c C)lttcc)11c1 c)f tl1c 111e c ti11g, I i11sta11tl)'f ) l'C)tcstcc.L " v\ "11)1 \VC)ttlcl tl 1c,· clc> tl1at? H c>vv c;:11 tl1,c, clc) tl1a t? H c)\
I I •
>.
er1tc r t.-1i r1ir1g 1ny c)11tl)urst, 1 Ic>ses ,1skecl "' \111,1t clo )1 C)t 1 tl1ir1l.;. arc so1nc str a te- gics to rlC>vv k.CCf) 0 11,r \·or k g c>i11g ir1 ]\.Jia n·1i?" \ Iy l)rair1 t1acl s ht1t d ovvr1 vvitt1 t l1c sl1c>c k c>f" tl1c l) a ci 11c, ,\'s ,vl1ilc vf <1scs l1acl alrcaciv l) c :o--·, t111 s l1c1 r i110:--·, icica.s f"c>r / / g ,-1r 11cri11g <1tl1er SLl)) J1 C)l'l. \,\'c1ll<>vvi11g i11 l)la111c is j t1st ll<)l 11 a r t o r l\ l c1se s ' i 1s) ·c l1c. H is i11tcllcct ,-l11cl i111a g i11a tic)11scc111 a l,\·a )'S i11 gear fc) r 11C1)\' i11g crc a ti,1cl)' tc>,varcl tl1c 11cxt s tCf ). Yet, ,tt tl1e sa 111c ti111e, li e ce1r1 Sl1rre r1clcr tc) tl1e iclc,1s c>f ;1r1y g r c)Ll}1 ell l1,1r1d, CSJ)Cc ia ll)· tl1c )'<>ur1g: · if tl1c>s e ici c,1s ;:1rc cc>r1gr11- e r1t , ,·itl1 tl1e g es ta lt c)f t l1e, , isi c)rl.
136 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
Work within and against various structures: \r\ it.l1i11 111c>SL ! ) Lil)li c scll() c)l sysLc 111s tl1crc arc strL1ClL1rc s i11! ) lace ,,·l1icl1111igl1L scc111 tc> c11l1a11cc tl1c S)'Slc111, )' Cl c>ftc11da111ag·c tl1c l1L1111a11,s ,·itl1i11tl1at S') Stc11.1\•Vise lc clclc r s rccc>g r1izc tl1c>sc s t r t1c tt1rcs c1r1cl t1r1clcrstc111cl tl1c 11cccl tc> vV<>rk agctir1st tl1c111 vvl1c11 tl1cy stifle tl1c crc ;,1ti\·ity arid rclatic>r1sl1ir) l>t1ildir1g c>f tl1c S)·stcn1's I);,1rticir)ar1ts. \·Vl1ilc vVC>rki11g ir1 t1rl)a11 a.r1cl rt1ral S)iStc111s, i oscs, lik.c 111,1r1y of us, l1a.s st1f fcrecl a rca 11c r)td)lic scl1c><)I I)rC>lC>C<)ls a 11cl l)rc>ccsses. l l1c !)igger tl1e S)"Stc-111, tl1e 111c>rc r ig icl a11cl u111,i111g i11a,Li\ C tl1c rLdcs a11cl tl1c 111c>rc· L111ccn1scic>t 1s tl1c i11ti111iclatio11 ()f tl1cl ) C() [)lc it is sttt)l ) C)sccl tc) sc r \·c .• A.gai11st tl1csc 111c)11c>litl1ic S)'Stc111s, l c>sc s ' c>rg;,111ic sc11sc c>f life, lca r11i11,gc111cllcaclcrsl1i1> s tc111cls i11 sl,-trk a11d clcga11t relief His rcft1sal tc> r c r>l ic ;1, tc )'Ct c>r1c 111c>rc l 1icr,1rcl1al, c>11c-siz c fits-a.ll ir1strt1ctic>r1al ,1r1d c>rgar1izatic>r1;,1l 111c>clcl, tl1c>t1gl1, is oftcr1 n1ist1r1clcr st oocl ,1s t1r1rcalistic or so111cl10, v ir1co 1111)lc tc. l'\ c\·cr tl1clcss , cit1r ir1g str,1tcg·)· scss ic)r1s, :\ [c)s cs l1,1s oftc11 cx1)la i11ccl th,1t ,,·c
111t1st. C<) 11t i11ue tc> gc> UJ) ;.-111cl clc)\v11 tl1c l1icr;.1rc l1)' c>f tl1c S)1s tc111, Ll1c c l1ai11 c>f C(>111111a11cl, to kcc1) tl1c· s u1)! ) <>r l alive ir>r tl1c· stt1clc11ts' i11tcllcctt1,-1l clc ,;c l(!) ) - 111c11t, a11cl tl1,-lt ,vc sl1c>t 1lc.l 111a11ct1\·c r a r(>t 111cl tl1c>sc s l r t tCl Ltrc s ,vc ca1111c>l c l1a11gc a11cl crcc1tc C>Ltr c>,,vr1S)'Stc111fc>r , ,·l1c> cc>11tacts vvl1c>111 c>r1 cc1cl1 lc \·c l c>f at1tl1c>ri,t\ 1:
It is a lit tle l>it like guerrilla , va r E1re,. · o u're str ik ing. You're ]>tillin g b,1ck. \'0 11're i<><>ki11 at ,vl1erc vo11 arc. You're striki11 a air1. Yc>11'rc lc>o kir1i.- for a11 <>]) C11i11g.\'0 11·re l<><>ki11g fc>r a soft SJJOt, trying to fi11cl 011t ,,·l1crc )' Oll ca11 J)e11e tr a te. ,,.\ 11cl yo11 are ,vorking ,vitl1 a11cl agai11st ,·a ri<>LIS s tr11c t11res.You're
I.) .. \.J \. J ... , in tl1e111. hut y<>·u
r t· \Vorking aga in st tl1en1 at ,·ari<)us lc\·els.
J( >. 17) Ycl al,v,.1ys 11lc)scs rc111i1c1.ls LIS Ll1,.1t tl1c s tt1c.lc11ts cl11cl1) a rc 11st 1111s1t l )c tl1c c.lr i, -1 ir1g fc>rcc l.>cl1i11c.l tl1c s t1r\·i\1 a l c)f tl1c J) rc>j c c l 's \ · isi c>11 <>f "facir1g a syslc111tl1al dc>cs 11c>t lc11d itself tc> y·c>Ltr 11ccds ar1ci dc\·isi11g 1nca11s l>y· vvl1icl1 )'C)LI cl1('.1r1gc tl1at sy·stcn1'' (J). 1S)). Tl1c>t1gl1 1 I c>s cs c o r1tir1t1,1lly attcn11)ts tc> l>ttilcl cc>r1scr1st1s a.rlcl r1c-t,vc>r ks ,1111orlg cli\:crsc a cl\·occ1c)· grot11)s, tl1c ra clicc1l cllar1gc r1cccic cl, l1c i11sists, viii result tdti111a tc l)· frcn11 clisc11fra11cl1is c cl ccH11111u11tiics ])t1s l1i11g agai11st tl1c S)'Stc111, 11c>t fi·cn11 tl1,c ,·cll-111ca11i11g a cl\1 (>Cc1c y <>f' <)Lttsiclc agc11ts. \ \!l1c11I g·ct c.lisl1ca rLc 11ccl l) )i tl1c l1ars l1 rc,1litics a11cl i11c1 . Ltitics i11 tl1c! ) Ltl.)l ic scl1c>c)l S)·s tc111(O rfi cl cl, 2()()4 ) a11cl tl1c clc,.1rLl1 c>f lc('.1clc r s , ,·i tl1 cl \·isic>11,I tl1i11k al.>c>Ltl l c>sc s ' a l 111c>s t fift)' )' Cctrs c>f c1L1ic t rcvc>lt 1tic>r1. I tl1ir1k c>f l1is frc>r1t-li11c 1)articir)atic>r1 i11 tl1c Sc>t1tl1crr1 F r cc clc>111 Io\·c111c11tc;>f tl1c ti111cs lie ,vas l)c,1tcr1 ,1r1cl sl1c)t at; of tl1c ti111cs l1c s1)cr1t ir1 j,1il ,,vl1cr1C i\·il R igl1ts 1\ ttc) r rlc)·, .Jc>l111 D c)a r c a n·1c frcn11 D . C . l<> g·ct :\ f c>s cs C>tll C>I tl1c>sc SC>t1tl1cr r1 ja ils c111cl J)ris- <>11s. I tl1i11k a lsc> a l)C>t tl l lla Baker a11cl :1 a, 111ic IJc>u l-l a111cr a11cl :\ 111zic 1 1I c>c> rc
a11c.l tl1c tl1ot1sc111cls ()f H ;.:1r cli11g's '·l1t1111a 11sig111J os ts" \\"l10 c l1a1g1cc.l tl1c S(>L1tl1 ic>rc \ 1 Cr c111cl , ,·lie> c l1a11gc cl tl1c 11atic>11's J)C>litic;,ll S)1stc111sc> tl1at a B,1. rrack O l>a 11c11cc>ttlcl l>ccc>1nc P rc sic lc11tc>f t l1c C 11ilccl St,.1lcs c>f .-\mcrica. ,,\11cl, tl1c11, GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 137
I go a11cl siL \,·itl1 1Ic>s cs' .L\Jgcl)ra )} r c jcct stt1clc11ts a11cl listc11 tc> tl1c111 t;:1lk. 'l 'l1a L's vvl1c11 l sc11sc tl1al tl1c S)rSt'< 111 is ll<)l i11J1) '< t1<· tra \) lc, a11cl tl1at if I 11,1\·c tl1c J.1cllic11cc ;.1. 11lctl1c s till11css, I ,vill l1ca r tl1c slr<)11g· sl1ifti11g· 111L1sical r l1ytl1111 tl1at C<)111cs fr<)111 tl1c ' 'c-1c ccr1t <)11 ,-1 vvc,-tk l)c,-1t <)f tl1c 1.),-tr." Tl1c11 I k11()\\" \'vc'rc cl<.)scr tc) }1Ltl)lic sc ll <)<>ls n1,1k.ir1g frccci<>m's 'Jc)yft1l r1<>i sc . '' References
Bra11cl1,· l'. (198[-) )] arling the zualer1: -lu1erica
Y<)rk: Si1n<)ll ;..111cl Scl1ustcr. Ccr1tcr f<)r Crl)a11 Ecit1cali<)11 & I1111<)\',-tt i<)r1 (2()()1-) . ' ' I 11tc r,·ic, ,· ,vitl1 B<)IJ l'vl <)SCS.'' P r <>. 111<>ti<>r1al Harclir1g, \ . (19 9 ()). HojJe an(/ histo1J1: T- 1 ,,.f{)' zce 111u .1t s/7are the 1\ l ove111ent. :\ I,1'I)'la11cl: Or\)is Boc>ks. H c11r )1 !\ . & C: t1r r)1, ( . (2()() ()). /laron He,z,y : The .fire ever burnill/!,- . Jac ksc)11, l\,l ississ1i ) J) i: C 11i\·crsit y c>f' l\,Iississ1i ) J) i I)rcss. l l illia rcl, ,.\sa c;., III ( I )97), "' l' l1e strLtClLtre ()r \'alicl stafl" clev·el<)J) 11l(' lll."
Journal q· j
(1}.De1:elojJ111ent. S11r i 11g·. \ 'c)l. lf , Nc).2. Lizza. R. (2()()7). Ba rack () l)ct11c1t's L111likcl)' J.)<)litical cc.lL1c,ttic)11. 'T he -lgitator.
(l1t1t
):/ / ,.v,,·vv. t11r.c<)111/ cl<)c .111l1t11?i1=l
2()()7()'-.3l S)&s= lizz;-1()'.119()1)
tvl<)ffitt,.J. (1S)(1 l ) " T <) l<)<)k at a 111)tl1ir1g.'' The L, i z.i, g S'eecl. :\' c, r \ 'c)rk: Ha rc<)Ltr l Brace & Cc). : vI<>se s, R. & C: ol)l), C. (2()()1), Raclical equations: Civil r1:!r,lzts_fro111 1\ l is1.i ssippi to the
.:l(.[!,ehra PrrJjecL. Rc a.cc>rl Press: Rc)stc)11, l\,f_ j\
]\,f c) SC'S, (2()() )) " C: cn1stitt1ti ()ll cll P r <)J ) C'r ty \i('r SLIS c: c>Jl Sti tt1ti cn1al P c c>1) lc." T11 )} erry·, ' 1 , D c lJ) it , L ., l\ Ic>s c s , l{ , & \'\!)'t111c, .J. eels. QJ,1ali[r l!',rlurrtLion as a
( ,'on.1·tilutional l-?.i /11. Bc)stc)11: Bcaco11P ress. (clL1c i11 fall' ( )S)) ()rficlcl, c;., L c)SCll, D., \ Vale!, J. & S,vclllS()ll, C. B. (2()()4-). Lc)si11g ()Llr ftilLtrc: H<)\\" 111i11<)rit \' \ '()Ltr tl1 ,-trc IJci11 !.' left IJel1i1cl l)') tl1e srrc1clL1ati<)11 rate ; I ,._, \ ..J
crisis. C rl)ar1 I r1s titLltc, ,1,·ailal)lc at l1tt}): / / \,·vv'\ .v. t1rl)a11. <)rg / U r>l cl <)dcclPD F/ -1 l()93(1_ L<>s i r1gO ur Ft1tt1rc .11cfl Payr1c, C. (1 ) 3). l) z·e G'ot the L, 1:Jrlzt qf Free(lonz: T he Ol/J,aniz:.i,(g traclition an(/ the
:\.l i.1.1iss tjJJ1i_ji-eer/0111 .1/1"1t/!,!/,lr1• Rc rkclc)': U11i\·crsit) ' c>f C: a litc>r 11ia P re ss. Pa )r11e, ( . (2()()8). Sc> 111ucl1 r cfcn·111, sc> little cl1a 11g·e: l l1c J ) crsistc11cc c>f'
11il L1rc i11 Ltr l)a 11scl1c)c)ls. ( :;:11111.)r iclg c, 11.ASS: I-I a r \1a rcl EclL1catic>11 l.)r css. PART3
T h e spirit of agency / p> The spirit of agency is believing at the molecular , spiritual level that you can make a difference in the world, not by changing others, people and things, but by opening your spirit enough so that the light of others can shine through you .
-Real World Dialogue
Service to others
matters
by Debby Wynne Kelly
' ' aclcl) vvl1)r ,1rc )·c)tl \·isit ir1g tl1c J)risc)r1crs? ).1c)tl-1cr, )·c)tt arc sta)'- ir1g UJ) so late l),1l ir1g fc)r tl1c r1t1r1s. Hc)vv co111c? \ \111)·car1't I J)la)i , ,·i tl1 tl1c tC>) ·s l)cforc )i<)t1 clcli\·cr tl1crr1 tc> tl1c cl1ilclrc11, D a cie!).- \ \111)· clcH1'L tl1c>s c fc>lks y·c>t i' rc taki11g g rc>c c r ics le> l1a\·c a11y clcctricit) l'vlc)tl1cr? \ \.111)· clc) tl1c cl1ilclrc11 l1avc '·o t1Ll1c)t1sc·s" a11cl 11c) 1J,1vccl streets i11 Plt111kctl tc)vv11, D,1clclv?'' 1 , i\.i1 i11cc1t1it)' i11 tl1c 11.:t\'CS a11cl l1a\·c 11c)ts 111adc 111·)}),1rc11ts re el , a11c.l sc) tl1cy cicciicatcd tl1cn1scl\'CS tc) l1clJ)ir1g C)tlt i11 tl1cir cl1t1rcl1 a11d st1rrc)t111clir1g cc)1n rr1t111it)'· It cliclr1't n1attcr tl1,1t, at ti111cs, tllC)' s tr t1gg lc cl fir1ar1cia ll)· to n1akc cr1cls 111cct ; tl1c)· s till rcacl1ccl <)Lil tc> C)tl1crs i11 r1cccl a11ci sl1arccl ,,vl1at tl1c)r l1a.cl. 111 tl1c 5()s a11cl (1()s, lil) c r a l tl1i11kcrs ,vcrc 11c>t a ciirr1c a cic>zc11 i11 Gcc)rgia! l\1l ay·l)c , c\·c11 still scarce. Bt1t, tl1at cltH) 111aclc LI)) fc>r tl1c lac! c>f st1cl1 tl1i11kcrs. S ilc11cc i11 tl1c 111iclst c)f racist cc)111111c11ts vvc1s 11c>L g o lclc11. N<), it 111cc111t r c)11- sc 11t l<> c, tr r , · c>11 ,vitl1 st1c l1 cc>11\1 c r s a tic>11. ).,,f, JJctrc11ts \\·e re 11c\·cr silc11L. T l1c \1 ' ' ' sc c111ccl tc> c lc a rl) · u11clcr s t,1r1cl tvl LI( , J r 's 111css,1gc tl1,1t " I r1 tl1c c11cl, , vc ,vill rcn1cml)cr r1c>t tl1c \.VC)rcis c>f C>ttr c r1c111ic,s i:)ttt tl1c silcr1cc c>f C)ttr fricr1cls" (1967). 1\ r1clso 111) · ).1c)tl1cr a,r1cl D a.cl scc111ccl to li\'C ,,·l1at I rca.li7,c 110,.v ,·as a fc>r 1r1 c>f 111i11istrv; a11cl c i\ rics. i\ t sc>111c J)C>i11t I stC>J)J)cci aski11g '', vll)'" a11cl cicciclccl tc> fc)llc),v tl1cir cxa1111)lc c>f " clo i11·g.'' Sc,r, icc , it , v;-1s all al)ot1t sc r,·icc, I rcalizccl, a11cl tl1c11 clltc1111)tccl tc> c111t1latc tl1cir ;:1ctic>11s. l.;'i r s t, slt1clc11t cc)tt11cil i11 scl1c )c)l, (;irl Scc)ttl tri JJS le) l1c)s l)it,-1ls, 11L1rsi11g l1c)n1c s, a11cl \' c>t 1r1g Dc111c)cr,1ts i11 cc)llcgc tc) lcar11 l1c)vV tl1c 1 ,<\11• .\ frica11-1-\i11 e r ica n 11e igl1l)o rl1oocl i11 s c)t1tl1er n ,.\tla11ta, called a "slt1111" ir1 " G l1eLL )J r c ss . 19 7 1 , ]>. :279.
79
80 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE J)C)litical J) rc1c c ss \VC)rks. ,.:\11cl. tl1c11, I l1cc;:1111c a y·c1t111g 11arc11t a11cl ,va11tccl tc> 11ass tl1c torcl1 c)r scr\·icc t<) 111y c l1ilclr c11 as it l1acl l)cc11 11ass<·cl le) 111y fot1r sis te rs a11cl 111c. Lcac.l l))' cxcll11]Jlc, I tl1c)t1gl1t. 111 tl1c cities ,,·l1crc \•Ve l1cl\'C li\1cc.l, J,:1cksc)r1. T N , H c)LlSl<)ll, TX, Bc)st<)ll, 1\1..:\, i \ tl,,111tcl, GA, ,-111c.i,
\ \ ',1,
sl1ir1gt<)11, D C, I l1a\'C s c)t1gl1t n1c,1r1ir1gf11l s cr\·icc ir1 n1:' ciivcrsc cc)n1111t1r1itics. \ \111ctl1c r it , va s ir1 1i 1y cl1ilclrcr1's scl1c)ols, cl111rcl1 p rc)jcc ts, cc111catio11 r)rc)gr,1111s, or clclcrl)' care, I l1,a,
c trice! tr> f<>llc>vv 111')
]),,1rc11ts' cxarr11)lcs. l':;cn·, 111)' D a.cl, a l1t1g c a ch11ir c r c>f' i\1;-1r t i11 Lt1t l1cr K i11g,.Jr. i11 a scgrcgatccl ..:\tl ;:111ta, 111a1l)' a 11igl1t at tl1c c.li1111c·r tal.)lc C!Ll<)lccl lLl('s vv<)r cls : " E,·cr)'l)<)CI)' ca11 l)c g reat ... l)CCclLtsc a11yl)<)cly ca11 se r\1c. Yc)Ll d c)11't l1avc t<) l1a \1 C a C<)llcg·cc.lc g·rec t<) sc r \1 C. \ 'c) t l c!c)11't l1a\1 C l<) 111akc )'C)tlr sttl)jcct a11c.,i , c r l) ,1grcc tc) ser\·c.... \'c)t l C)11ly r1ecc.i ,1 l1c,1rt full c)f gr,-1cc. 1\ S<)t 1l gcr1cratccl l)y lc),·c '· (K ir1g, l 9()t3) . Lo\·c ar1cl gr,1cc a.r1cl s cr\1icc scc111 ccl to )c tl1c lcssc)11s 1i1y 11,1rcr1ts li\·ccl. ; \ s 111y cl1ilcirc11 l1a,·c grc>vv11. T l1a\·c ,vatcl1cci tl1c111 take 111) tl1c tc>rcl1 c>r scr\·icc C>\·cr tl1c )'Ca r s. K <1\,·, tile)' arc 1)assi11g tl1c tc>rcl1 tc> 111y g r a11clcl1ilclrc11 11)' tl1cir cxa11111lc. ()11 a rccc11t S tu1cla ) ' 111or11i11·,gl listc11ccl i11tc11tly to tl1c l1c)111ily <)f' 111y rcctc>r, R e \·. jc)l111 Bcclcli11·fgi clcl ('.2() l :)). I t- , vas all al.)c)11t sc r \·icc a11cl ,,vays t<) s cr,·c. He SJ.)C)kc c)f Q11c:tker c:111tl1c)1; Ricl1,1rc.l Fc)stc r, ,vl1c) talks alJC)Ltt se r \1icc c:lS c:l s 1)ir i t11al disci1)lir1c (1 )88). i\ 11d Fc)stcr crc,1tcd 11,1mcs fc)r ciiffcrcr1t l.;.i11cls c)f scr ,·icc. Orie l.;.ir1cl; r1c calls " l1idclc r1scr, ·icc/ ' ,.vl1crc tl1crc is c)rll)' C)rlc pcrsc)rl ,rl1c) k110, ,·s or )'C)t1r scr,·icc. Bccatisc it is l1iclclcr1, Bcclclir1gf'iclcl cx11lair1ccl, "Ov·cr ti111c, tl1crc vvill grc>,,. \vitl1i11 )"C>ll a c1 ua lit)· tl1at C>tl1crs , ,·ill l) cgi11 tc> sc1 1sc, a c1Ltc1lity <11' a clc c1 ) cr love, a 11c,v co111J)a s s io11, ;-1h11<)Sl a sligl1t a L1r;.-1. J>co1)lc , \·ill 11c)ticc tl1at ,..<)LI ,-lrc clif1'crc11t" (Bcdcli11gficl c.L '.2() 1:7>) . .A.11cl i11 l1is l.)<)<)k c:1l><)lll s11ir i tLlc:ll c.lisci1)li11e, Fc)s tc r, L1si11g· ;.-1 j.)Crsc)11.-1l s tc)r)·, f11r tl1cr cx1)lc:1ir1s tr1is kir1cl <)f s erv·i11g. H e dcscril)cs a11 cvcr1t frc)111 tl1e n1c)st r1cctic a.rid fi11al ,reek C)f fir1isl1ir1g l1is doctc)ral clisscrtatic)r1, ,,·l1cr1 a call fro111 a fric11ci ,vl10 11ccclccl tr ,,11s11orta tio r1 f<)r crr,1r1ds, t)rc)11gl1t l1i1i1 a11 u11forcsccr1 clarit)·· \ \!o rryi11g al)C>t1t tl1c J)rccic>t1s ti111c lie ,\·as lc">s i11g I)) ' l1clr)i11g tl1is f1·ic11cl, Fc>s tc r rcl t1ct;.-111tly agrcccl tc) S'<
J'\iC ;.-1s clr i\''(
r. i.\s l•c' )s tc r ,, a itccl i11 tl1c c;.-1r, lie J)tdlccl OL1t Dictricl1 Bc)11lc1)ci1c.:r 's little l)<)c)k, Lifl1 ' fo.f!e. lhe,: \ \!c all k11c)\V tc> l1cl\·e .-l l)<)<)k l1a11c.l:· , ,·l1ile ,,·c:litir1g! Oj.)C11i11g tl1c l.)c)c)k, Fc)stcr vv,-ts strl1ck l.)) tl1e , vc)r d s , :'Tl1c ... scr\'icc <)r1c sl1<)Ltlcl pcrfc)r111 fc)r c:111c)tl1cr ir1 ;:1 C l1risti,111cc)111n111r1ity is ,1cti,·c l1cl1)f11lr1ssc. Tl1is 111c,1r1s, ir1itia ll)'; si1111)lc .-1ss i s ta r1cc ir1 trifli11g, cxtcrr1al 111,,1ttc r s....N"ol)oCi)· is too go<)Ci for tr1c 111ca11cst sc r \·icc. 011c vvl10 \ VOr r ics a!)C)l lt tl1c lc>SS ()r ti111c ... is llSUa ll) ' ta ki11g tl1c 1111J)C)rta11cc ()r l1is ()\\")) c;-1rccr t<)<) sc) lc 11111yl" (l·ostc r, lS)8t1). \1\'l1ilc listc11i11gtc) ;l os tc r· s ,vorcls a11cl cx1) cri c11cc, a11 ac.l111<)11itic)11 c)f Pcc:lrl S. BL1ck Ccl111c tc) 111i11cl. S l1c sa icl, " 'le) sc r\·c is l)ea11tift1l, l)tll C)11l·, if it is c.lc)11e , vi tl1jc)y a11d ,-t ,vl1c)lc l1eart a11cl a free 111i11c.i.'' Orie c)f 111' ) s isters st1ggcsts tl1at sl1c l1as vvit11essccl C i\·il R igl1ts icc)11, Bc)I.) l\ ! c)sc s, r1C\'Cr tC)C) t)tlS)' tc) 11crfc)rm tl1c " tr iflir1g, 111c,1r1cs t sc r,·icc'' tc) , rl1c)111- ('\1cr is ir1 11cccl, cl1ilclrcr1) 11arcr1ts, tca.cl1crs, C)r collcag11cs. I ) ' J)a rc1 1ts SERVICE TO OTHERS MATTERS 81
cicli\·crccl 111ccli c i11c a11cl fc><1cl tc> 11cc>11lc ]1L1s l1ccl tc> tl1c 1,111rg i11s c>f' a co 11i' t cic r a tc sc)r icty. iy r l1ilclr c11scr\·c i11 tl1cir 11cigl1l)c1r l1c)o cls, scl1c1c1ls, a 11cl cc>111111L111itics a1 1cl s c>111cti111sc m ,-1ttc rs.
g·lc>l.>a l \1 illag·cs.
·r cs, sc r\·icc i11 s111lal \\"cl)'S , Vl1ctl1cr )1 <>l l c.trc Cl1ristic111, c>f a11c>tl1cr r c li g ic>r1 <>r r1c> rcligic>r1, I clc> l.>clic, ·c , )·c)tl c.-1r1 fi11d n1ca11i11g i11 Bcdcli11fgi clcl's l1c>1nil)': ir1 C>tl1crs' n1c)clcli11g as vvcll a.s ir1 <)tl1cr f) C'C>f) lc 's vVC)rcls. Bt1t it is tl1c s111all sc r,·ic c tl1.-1t car1 IL1cl ,1 gr.-1ssroc>ts 111C>\ ' C111c11l; vvl1ic l1 ca11 cl1a.11gc lavvs, a.11cl, t l1c r c fc>rc , c l1a.11gc ,li\ cs. I t cic>cs 11c>t l1a1 ) J) Cll i11 cl year C)l" (' \ ' (" I } ,-1 clc c a clc, !)LIl ir VV(' kcCJ) ta ki11g tll()S(' SlC J) S ()r scr \·icc, \\'C lllcl\·, i11clcccl. ()\'Cl'C() lll C. ' 1 11a11k)1<>u, l\1<>tl1cr a11d D a cie!)' ic>r tc,-lc l1i1g 111c at a11 c a rl)1 age tl1al sc r, 1 icc l<> <>ll1crs m a tte rs. Bcclcli11g iic lcL .J. (2()I :1). l l o111i{ J'. \ Vas l1i11glc>1)1 E11is cc )11a l C l1t1rcl1, 1l a rcl1 8.
D .( .: All Sot1ls l\1 l c111c1ri ,.1l Btick, PS. (1S)1'. l). 'T he goorlearth. Ne,,· \ '<>r k, \ ': Si111<>11 & Scl1t1stcr. t<>s tc r, R. J. (198[3). C',elebration c!f disc,j;/ine: The jJallz to .\jJiritual groluflt. Sctr1 Fra11ciscc>: H a r11cr Cc>llir1s. IZi11g, I. L . J r. (1967). The tru1n/Jet rif co11scie1zce, Steeler Lccttirc. :'\ <>,·cml)cr. 11t t11: / / for tis a . <) r g / !)1C> gs/ i ,, .-111- )C> o t 11c / 111.-1 rt i 11-1tit 11C' r- ki11 g-j r-11is - C>vv11-vvo r cls - r a clic a l- r c, :c>lti tio11ar)'-O})J)Osc cl-vv.-1r / 8+'.)5 I( i11g, l\ f. I,.. Jr. (I )(18). Dr1" n 1nr?for i ns/i ncl. Gcc>rgia: Scr111cH1 a t El1c11czcr B,.11t ist ( _'.l1L1rc l1 i11 ,;\ tla11ta. l'•c l1r t1a r·y- 4, IS)(>8.
Where are the women?
t's Sc) clear tl1at VC)ll l1a\'C' tC) cl1crisl1 C\1 Cr \·c)11c.I tl1ir1k tl1,1t's ,vl1,1t I g·ct fro111 tl1csc c)lclcr !)la.cl._ ,vc)n1cr1, , tl1at c\·cr,/ · SOlll is to l)c cl1crisl1cc,l, tl1at (''\ Cr \/ n()\\'Cr is t() 111<)( )111. 1\ l icc v\\1lkcr , I
, · \ \1l1c11 J J) Cr ttsc ei tl1c list ()r cssa')'S fc)r tl1is \) ( )()k (() o rg a11izc tl1c111 clJ'C)l l llel ])()S s il)lc tl1c111cs ()r " \ 1\'!1() Sj)caks ic>r_iusticc,'' cssct)i, i11 tl1c lc)11glist c)f titles, ,,·l1icl1s11<)kc SJ.1c c i fi c .-tll)1 tc) tl1c \"C)iccs c)f vvc)111c11. H c), v l1ad I 11c)t 11c)tic ccl tl1,tt al)sc11ce l1r1til tl1c last 111c)1nc11t c)f rcaclir1g ,1, 11cl arrct11gi11g tl1csc csS,l)·s? I l1ad ir1\·itecl st l1de r1ts, cc)llc agt1c: s
a c ti\' ists tc) cc)r1trii) lltC tl1cir pcrse)r1al stc)rics al)e)llt jlisticc, ir1cll1clir1g tl1c )'C)u11g, tl1c clclcr, tl1c 111a I c, t11c rcn1aIc, tl1c 11011-gcr1clcreel. )'' c t u11tiI t11is 111c)111cr1t, clicl I C\1c1111o tice tl1at ll()t C)Jl(' ])iccc CX])licitl)' CXJ) ic1rc cl _ jus tice rc>r \\'Cll11Cll ()r tl1c reality C)r vvo111c11's silc11cccl ,·<1iccs. l scc111s 11c) rcclc11111tic)11 fc)r 111c l1crc. ·r
e t I cc)11ti11l1e tc) scr;-1tcl1 111·) IJ r ,-ti11fc>r rc,,1- sc)11s fc)r tl1is C)111issci)r1. Bl1t vvl1)· l)c)tl1cr': I gl1css \Jccal1sc it's SC) excrl1ci"1ti11gl-y 1)ai11fl1l tc) acl111it tl1c 11eglcct. f\ r1clit dc)cs s11c,1k lc)l1clly al)C)llt tl1c clilc-11111"1 C)f ir1tcrr1alizccl scxis111 tl1,1t ,1 ,von1,111 ,vl10 l1as rcsc a rc l1ccl, ,,·rittc-11, ,111clSJ)c)],_c11 a l) c>t tt issues c>r jt1sticc; tat1gl1t stt1elc11ts a\)c>t1t Ella Ba ke r F,11111ic T,c>tt H ,1111cr, D ia11cl'\ asl1, .L\1111c Br,,1elc1 1, etc. a11cl a lvv;-1ys rc111c111\)crs tc1 talk al1c>ut I-lclc11 l( c llc r ;-ts cl sc)ci,1list ;-111cl a c ti,·ist, 11c·,cr 11c)ticccl tl1c cxclt1s ic)11 i11 tl1is text c>f ..-l s tc)r)· ,1l)C)l1t l1er c>,,v11ge11clcr. c>11ctl1clcss, tl1is l)c)c)k c,,11111c>t a r r i, ·c ell tl1c J1lll) lisl1cr's clc)c>r, \"1i tl1c)ll t, at tl1c , ·e r )· least, c)r1c e ss <'l) ' tl1,1t sr>eaks d ir ec t!)· al)C)lll tl1c , vc>n1ar1s' \'C)icc for jlisticc. or1ctl1clcssi vvl1ilc tl1ir1kir1g al)Ollt 111y g rc)SS C)\'Cr sig l1t, C)rlc i11ciclcr1t fro1i1 111') 11ast ciiei l)td)l)lc tlJ) ir1sieic 1ll)i I)S)·c l1c ar1cl scernccl to 111t1eiely tl1c vvatcrs c>r 111y ll llCClllSCiClllS ciisrc g a.rcl c1f' t]1c ])articttlar SlClJ')! Clf' \VCllllCll.r - l J1aL fc-irgctfi.ti11css,
l
84 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE i11 I Y72.. A, ,. ·!1itc f<· 1111i1ist ca111c tc> S])Ca k tc> c>ur f 1culty a l)c>ut scxis111, a11cl 1 t()lc.l 111y i'< Illcl.lc c c)llc;-1g L1C tl1at l ,, ;-ts11't i11tcrcstccl i11 l1ca ri11g tl1c SJJCclkcr. ()f C<)Ltrsc, 111·) C<)llc,-tg Ltc a s ked, '' \'\711)1 11c)t?' ' ,..\11cl I ;-1ttc111 1) tc c.l t<) cx1) la i11 tl1at L1r1til ,,vl1itc ,vc)111cr1 s t<)!)l)cc l r)a: 'ir1g !.>lack ,,·c)11c111s-b1,·c- , vagcs t<> clc a 11 tl1cir l1c)L1scs a.r1cl ta l.;.c c,:trc C)f tl1cir cl1ilcl rc r1;s tC)}1I)cci ir1sistir1g tl1,1t l)l,1ck ,vc>111c11 s i t ir1 l.;.itcl1cr1s ir1stca.cl c)f cii r1ir1g rc)o111s tc> c a.t alc>11c as trlC')' 11ausccl for lL1r1cl1; L1r1t,il
vhit,e
v(>111e11 i11 111a ss r1it tl1e str ee ts a11cl tl1c lcg isla tL1rcs t<) figl1t f(n· tl1c rigl1ts c>f' ))l a c!.;. vvc>111<·11 a11cl c l1ilclr c11; a11el L111t,il ,·l1itc vvc>111<·11 Cjltit f1<'c i11g t<> tl1c SLd) Ltrl )s so tllC)i CC)Ltlcl avc)i c.l sc11cli11gtl1cir stL1clc11ts le) s c l1c)ol ,vitl1 '' tl1osc J1C<)}Jlc 's c l1ild rc1,.1,
I \\·,-ts11' t rca li)' i11tcrcslccl i11 ,111)·tl1i1g1
cl ,vl1itc vV<>11;1-111 i11 tl1c S<)lttl1 l1ad t<) Sa )· ;-1l>c>l ll vV<>111c11's rigl1ts. Sc) l1crc I <111, still stl1ck., rcckc>r1- ir1g , vi tl1 n1)· sc c n1ir1g rcsistar1cc tc) tl1c sr)ccific })ligl1t c)f ,vc)mc11. B11t it is tl1c 111iclr1igl1t l10L1r, a11cl vvl1at clc) I clc)? T l1c r c is SC) 11111cl1 tc> l)c s,1icl s11c c ifica ll)· a l1C)l lt ,von1cr1 lc a ch11g fc) r j L1s ticc; \vo111cr1 fig h ti r1g for j11sticc; \VC)111c11 Sl1fl't ri11g acrc>ss tl1c glc>l)c l)eca t1sc c>f i11_justice. \1\ '<) 111a11is111,·ersus Fc111i11is111. 'l 'l1c sL111g a11cl Lt1lsL111g s l1c-rc>cs , vl1<> f<) r 1l1<>L1Sc111cls c> r y<'ars l1a,:c ;-1cl,·c111cccl tl1c CclLtsc <>f l)CclCC, clc111c)cr;;tc)·, SJ)ir i l Lta l ,-t11cl l1Lu11;-t11 rigl1ts, 111L1sic cl11c.l tl1c arts, J)l1ilc)S<1) ) l11), c1.>i s tc111c)lc>g ) r, scic 11cc, tccl11c1)l<)g)1
, ; -111c.l fa111·i'l)C cr tair1l)·, ell lc>11g las,t , c>l 11111csc)f l)<)<)k.s ,:trc r1c)\'\' l)cir1g read ;:1r1cla11t1lc)r ccl l)y a11d ,1l)<>1 1-t , vom c11 , vl1c_) 11,1 , ·c s 1 ) c)kcr1forjL1sticc dc)\v11 tl1c ages; tl1011gl1, tc>o o ftcr1, tl1c iclcas l)cl1ir1d tr1csc l)c)c>ks arc 11c)t i11 tl1c })lil)lic cliscc>L1rsc·. S till, , vh) · a111 I, a11 c clL1c a tc)1 h,a, i11g tc> ccH11c tc> tcr111s at tl1is la te elate \vitl1 111') c>, v11 c>l)livic>us sliJ) ?
\ \ !el l , tl l)i J)crs<>11al 11cglect i11 tl1is l)c><) k 111a y illu111i11<' tl1e c c>11L111clr L1111 <>f' a 11()tl1cr C.jL1cs tic)11, '·\ \'itl1 sc) 111clll)' \VC)1111c1 tcacl1crs i11 J1 Lti)lic scl1c)c)ls, ,,vl1c rc arc tl1c lives <)f \VC)1111c1i11 <)Ltr l1istc)ry,
l)<)<)ks c111cl ;-tll c)f tl1c <)tl1cr tc x tl)<><)ks?'' \'Vl1),· ,vl1cr1 tl1crc arc 84 C\-'o c)f 11s i11 }-)t tlJli c sc l1<><)ls (2()12), clc) t <)<> 111al l)' c)f 11s igr1c)rc tl1c pc),vcr ir1 <)11r 1111ml)crs tC> c,l1 tllc11gc tl1c sca.rc i ty c)f C)t lr stc)rics ir1 tl1c l) o o ks \VC 11sc tc> tc a c l1 Ol tr c l1ildrcr1? Ne) 111a ttc r tl1c rcsc a rc l1 s t11cl y cited, t l1e sta tistics c>f t l1c 1) rCJ)C n1clcr a.11ce c>f 111;1-.le ,:c>icc s ,·c rs l tS tl1c>s c c>,f' v(> 11c11 i11 c clL1ca ti<>11a l texts is still <>\'<' r \vl1<'l11111ig. :\ l a a11,1 i S i11gl1 at Nl.)lZ i11 .'\1) r il 2() I r CJ) <)rtccl tl1,1l '· ( ; c11clc r Bias Pcr\iclc.lc s· ·1 c x tl.>c>c)ks v\·c>rl cl,,·iclc .' ' \''cs , a11c)tl1cr rcasc)11, IJ c s ic.lc ID ) ' 11;-1rcissistic 11c c c.l l<) ctssu;-tgc 11)' g L1ilt , fc>r tl1c r1cccssit)' t<) ir1cl11clc ir1 tl1is IJ<)<>k ;:1 stc)r)· al)<)llt , ,·c)111,rc1- vl1c) s1:>c a k fc)r j L1s ticc. C lc,1rl)' r1c>t c r1<>L1gl1 ti1n c r c m a ir1s l)cfc)rc 111y d c a cllir1c tC) cl,c, c lc)}) ;-1 l c>r1gc r , vc ll-rcsca.rcl1ccl l1istorical saga al)o11t ,vo111cr1 arid j11st ic c. Sc), i11 a tt c11111tir1g to , vr i te 111);sc lf C)l l t c>f tl1is l) IL1r1clc r ,,·itl1 a11).- ser1sc (>f r CSJ)Cc ta l) ilit)', I ' ,·c clcc iciecl tc> s l1a re C)ll'< , ,·c)l11a11's st<)r)·, tl1c st<) I")' c>f' a yc>u11g fi g l1Lc r fc) r j L1s tic e, <'Xlra <)r cli11,-1r c! H e r 11a11c is :\1l a isl1a :\,lc)scs. Bc)r11 i11 i \ li·ic a . l)L1t r a isccl i11 Bc>s l c>11, sl1c is a grctCIL1a tc <>f H ctr va rcl v,d1c) c.licl r1c)l lc c1,·c <>11r c l1ilclrc11 l)c l1i11d. v\"i tl1 H a,r, a r c:l's d iJ)lc)11;-t c1r1lc lier l;-1tcr 1 1,ts tcr 's clcg rcc i11 111;-1tl1c111,1tsic, sl1c cc)uld 11<>vv l)c n1akir1g six fig1,1rcs i11 1,111111) WHERE ARE THE WOMEN? 85
,-1r c 11as i11 tl1is cc>t 111tr)·- Bt1t s l1c l1as cl1c>s c 11 a11>ct l1cr rc>utc. Sl1c kcc J) S i11tcllcct u all)' a li,·c, yet fi1i,t1icially slra1) )) <'CL tlirot1gli lier \\"<)rk lc,-lcli1ig tlic Yc>t11ig Pc o J)lc's Pr<)jecl, cl1i <)rg ,-t1iiz a tic)1i tlial c.le, .-c l c)J) S ) "<)Lttli as 111;-ttl1litc ra C)' ,,vc)rkcrs. I first 111et lier ,,·l1c1iLisa. DelJ)il a1ic.l I cre;-1tcd cl s i te iii :\Iia111i fc)r tl1c Yc)t uig Pe<)J)lc 's P rc)jec t, a SJ)i11-c)ff c)f tl1c 1\ lgcl)r,-1 P r c)j c c t. 1-\ t tlial tin1c lie r l)r<)tl1cr, O rne) l\Ic)se s, vvas 11rcsicier1t c)f tl1e Yc)t111g Pec)J) le 's Prc) je c t (\ t P P ) , ar1ci :\ '1a is l1a ,vas \\-c) r kir1g vvitl1 YPP l1clp ir1g to i1111 lc111cr1t a co1111c tc11c):-l1a s c c1 T ra.ir1i11g
c>f' T r a i11c r s ])rograr11 tl1a.t s l1c J)rc,·ic>t1sl)· !1acl i-1]) ])1-c·11ticccl f<-ir
,fi ,
c years vvitl1 .Ji111 Bt1r r t1ss, a r <'Jl <>vv11<'cl )) r <>i'< ss i<>11a l clc, :c l<>)) l1ic 1it C<>1is t1lta1i t. Sl1c ,1, ls<> S].) Ccl r lie,-l c.le c1 a 1ia ti<)llcll 111;,t1iag·e111c11ttc,:t111 l<) l)ttilcl tl1c lc;,tc.lcrsli1i ) <)f y<)t111g J)e<)11le as ,-1gc11Ls <)f cli,.111gc (Prc)filcs). Tli,-tt ,,vas tl1c IJ egi 1111ri1g c)f 111·) \Jci11g clra,,v11t<) tlic ,1c)ice c)f :\ l c1isl1,.1,1. 11cl t<) lier ,vc)rl . I c)ftc ri accc)11J1),111iccl lier tc) scl1c)c)ls ir1 l\ Iian1i vvl1crc sl1c ir1tc r a c tcd ,vitl1 C)ur c l1ilclrc r1 a r1cl c,:a l t1,1tcd OL1r 11rc)g ra rr1, sl1,1rir1g lier ,1cl,·ic c a ) C)tlt l,1c) v to C>J)Cr,,tc c11cl st1s ta i11C>ttr :\ l ia111i 'i'PP site. D t1r i11g tl1c>sc ti1,1cs, l1cr scrc11it y, l1c r l1t1111ilit y, l1<'r cl<'cj) list<'11i11g c1ualitics, a11cl !1c r c1ui<'t l<'a cl<'r s l1ir> st illccl a 11 <>v·cr a 1ix io t1s, o vcr-<'11crgctic 111c. Her g c11tlc1 1 rcsc 1ir c- , villi c,1cryo1ic iii tlic rc)<>111 vva s c11c)t1g l1 t<) ca l11 111y cl1igs t ctl)<)Lll tl1e elc n1e1itar y· c liilc.lr e11, tl1c l1igli scl1c)c)l 11c1i l<)rs , tl1e clis c)rclcr tl1,1. t sc)111cti11c1s cc)n1es ,,vitl1 )"C)t1r1gs ters tt1tc)ririg ,-·c)t111gsters, arid tl1c scl1c>c)ls ' t1r1cc>r1sciot1s <)p p r ess i c)rl c)f C>ur cl1ilci rc r1. i\f tc r e,·er)' m ce tir1g· vvitl1 lie r, I ,vc11t l1011c1
ar1c1 tolcl 111·)sclf tl1a.t,I
va11ct cl to t)cco111c :\ I a is l1a. Sl1c cc)111cs f'rc)111 a l ir1cagc c)f s tr o11g lc a .clc r s a 11cl l1ig h-c"tcl1ic, iir1g sit) li11gs. 'i 'c t, t l1crc is a c1ua li t)' tc> l1cr tl1<1.t scc111s a li11c>s t s t1r r c a l )·cs, s l1c's J) r c1ctic 1l , sc 11si l)lc, lc>g ic c1l- a li.<'r a l)l slic is a 111a tlic11ia ticia11- l)t1l i t is clilli c t dt LC> c a )) l ttr <' <)11 J)clJ)er lier ca1 ) ;-1c i t y' l <) cst;,tl)lis li tr ,.111c1 t 1ilil )' iii tlic 111ic.ls t C)f c:li;-tc)s. H e r acc1de111ic c rc c.lc11ti,tls, lier tcacl1i1g1 cl11c1 fi11el')l1c)11c c.l listc11i1ig ;;t11cllca cl ersl1ir) s kills arc all stcrli11g. Bt1l it is lier cc>r1tir1t1<)tts cla )·- tc>-d ct)· str t1g·glc l<> '· r a is e tl1c flc)c)r" ( Ic)sc s a r1ci C c>t)I), 2()()1) c)f a c a clc11ic a cl1ie,·cn1cr1t fc>r tl1c ciisc r1fra r1cl1isccl; t<) r1ct, \·ork vvitr1 pco11lc across tl1c cc)ur1tr)1 to st1111o1r t tl1c ccH1stitt1 ticH1al r ig·l1ts c>f c l1ilcirc11 tc> rc cc , i, c a c11t a lity· c clu ca ti<) 11; a11cl tc> tisc l<) c>ls <)f' g r a c c f i.tl y<'t fir111 J) r i11ciJ) l<' tr> l) r i11g J)<'<>J)l<' i11tc> a c ircle fi·c>111 all cttl lt1rcs, )J<)litic;,tl )) Cr s t1a s i c)1is. ,-111cl ;,tgcs, rcg·a rcllcss <>f tlic lc\·cl c)f tlic ir cc)11- sci<>t 1s11ess, l<> s t;,11c1.l fc)r j t1s tice. Sl1c l1as cl \ \"ct)' <>f L111leasl1i1g1·tlic l1t1111,-t1i SJ) i ri t l<> SJ)e a k fc>r tl1e g <><>ci , tl1e r ig·l1t, ,1. I ,vill e11cl n1y stc>r)· ;-1l )<>l lt 1a isl11,
r1cl tl1c j lts t . :\1c)scs \\'itl1 lier <>vvr1 vV<>rcis a lJ<)Llt lier , vc>r k, ,1\) c>t 1t l1, c.) , sl1c cicdic,1tcs lier life ,1r1lc" sr)c,1l s for jL1s ticc" : \,\'(' ask you11gJ )('O]>I<' l<> giv(' tli<'ir a ll('ll(i o 11 to c-ult i,·,ttin g a11cl g ro , ,·in g th<'ir in herent a bilities to lea rn, lca r k , ,·itli cacti other ar1cl tl1cir C<)111111ut1itics to i111pro,·c tl1cir n1a tl1c111taical literacy a11d to a clclrcss tl1c i11s tit11t
86 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE Sl1c fi.1rtl1cr cx1)lai11s Ll1aL tl1c , ,·clrk elf YPI"> i11Lc11cls tel C,l ]) l urc tl1c i111;:1g i11a ticJ11 c)f tl1c yc)L1Ll1 i11 clccc1)ti11g tl1cir L111ci1L1c J)C>s itio11s21s cl1a11gc agc11ls i11 sc >l,·i11g tl1c J)rc)\Jlc111stl1at tl1C)' 2111cl tl1cir cc)11111L111ities face. acts <)ft e11 r cs L1lti11·g i11 r)ersc)11al ,.111c1 cc)1nn1L111,1l lr,1r1sfc)rmatic)r1s. i\ 11c1, ,ls i111) c)rta11ll) tl1rc)Ltgl1 tl1c YPP prc)ccss, sl1c discc)\' Cr s tl1at )'C)utt1 c)ftcr1 " g r c),,· r1c,.v a11prc);.1cl1cs tC) tl1c c)l cl a.r1cl sc c11i11gl') i r1tr,1ctaJ)lc 11rc)l1l c1T1stllc)· face ir1 tl1cir scl1oc)ls" ( P r c)filcs). References l\,Ic)sc s, R. P & Cc)i.)\J, D. (2 ()() l). Raclica/ equations:Civil Rightsfro,n1.\l i ss1:\'s1j,JJi Lo
Lite r llgehrctProejct. Bc)stc)r1: Bcacc)rl Press. Prc)filcs: l\1I,1isl1a l\.Ic)sc s. ( 2 () ()( j) . T /1e Joung Peoj1le\· Prq ej ct. R c tr ic,·ccl frc)111: 11t t1): / / t)1)}1- org/})rcyfilc / 151 Sir1gl1, l\f. (?()15). Sec P riya c:ool,: Gc11clcr l1 ias J)c r, : ,1d c s tcx tt)C)o ks , vc>r lcl, viclc . ..\ PR i11 .AJ)ril. l{ c tr i,c, c ci frc1111 l1tt1):/ / \v, v,,·.11 ) r . c) rg / l) lc>gs / g c) a l s a 11cls <1 cl a / '.2 () 15/()4/ 1Y/ 4 () () 4 8 C>'.-37 '.-3/ s cc-1 ) r i ya - c <>< J k- g c 11cl c r l)i 21s1-)c
,r,
a clcs-lextl)c)c)ks-vvc)rlclvvicle
Calm down, relax; it
isn't that big a deal
by Sarah Schultz
\•vas sc,.:cr1. I l1carcl tl1ltr1dcrir1g a11d tl1c r1c)i sc C)f large cl rc)J)lc ts C)f r,:1ir1 s lasl1ir1g tl1c vvir1clc),,·s. ::\iI).- 111c)tl1cr l1acl gor1c to tl1c store tc) t)t t) · grc)ccrics. U11li kc 111.): ! ) rc>t l1cr a11cl sislc r, , r l10 , rcrc })reo cc tJt
) ic ci , ,·i tl1 tl1c tcl,c,
isic) 11
en· CC>Jl l j) tt tc r, I J) c c rc cl <>tit t l1c , ,·i11lcc) \ V a , v,,1iti11g 111') 111c>li1cr's rc l t1r11. 'l 'l1c)t 1g l1ts IJcg,-t11 to r,1cc tl1rc)t1g·l1 111,,1 111i1c1l. I·11 /z p isn·1 size hacl-.· J1 e!? J-loze·. 111ru 1 )1
(._ I.. \; - - -
ff
nzinutes does it ta/.;,e to gel groceries? TI' ha! .1-/ze ,got into a car accident? T 1/ lza! zcould I do
if 11?,J' nzother jJassed awq J'? 1\ { r fitt!ter can't coo/,.. TI'ould he re1nar1r? \.\\ tl1 C)' CS glLtc c.i tc) tl1c , r ir1dc)\•V, I CC)ttl clr1' t l1cl11 t)tlt J)rc)c css tl1c , ,·c)rs t 1,c)ssii) lc C)lttcc)111cs. l\I )' storr1acl1 cl1tirr1cd a,11cl 111)· t)rc a tl1i11g t)cca111c s l1a llovv a r1cl ).:Ct tl1is ,vas jt1s t a rc>t1ti11c tr i]) 111y 111c>tl1cr n1aclc tc> t he g rc) CCr )' stc>rc, c;-1c l1 ,vcck. l3ttl , ,vl1c11c,·cr I l)cca111c a11x ic>t1s a 11cl , ,·c>r r iccl, ])CC>J) lc clc>sc tc> 111csa ici I ,vas l)ci11g "tc)c) sc11siti\·c·. ' ' ()r " I t 's _jt 1s l 11c) t tl1,,1ll)ig of a clc a l." 'l 'o 111c·, it ,vas ,1- ·· t)ig clcc1l.'' Ye t I k11,c,v sc)11c tl1i1g1
, ,·;-1s 11c)t rigl1t. v·\
11,1 ,vcrc <)tl1cr kicls 111·) ,1gc cll)lc tc) !Jc t111c1ffcctcd IJ)' si 111ila r sit t1cttic)11s, ,,vl1ilc I cc)ttlc!.11't j)Ltr g c a 11xict)' frc)111 11)' l) r a i11? I ,,va r1tccl tc) tell n1)· f,111il)' l1c)\ \',I vas fcelir1g,·iJllt I !tad tc) \)c tl1c l1c,:1ltll)' c)r1c. ::\1I ). olclc r t)rC)tl1cr l1ad l)ccr1 cliag11c)sccl ,vitl1 Crc)l1r1's clisc,1sc, a.r1cl11)· sis ter I1- acl a r,1rc fc) r 111 c)f ca 11cc r. Sc> 111)· 11;-1r c 11ts tl1ot1g l1t thC)' l1a cl , r c>11 ll1c gc11ctic lc) tlc r)i ,vl1c11 I , va s l)c)r11. Ne> , ,.isi\) lc J) r c>i) lc111s. l xCCJ) t tl1,-1t I clich1't vvc a r 111y J) l'C)l.)lc 111scx tcr11a ll)·, l.)ttl i11ct r11a ll y. I vvas clc ,1l i11g ,vitl1 111y o , v11 r;-1g i11g stc)r111.Tl1at stc)r111vvas 11c,·cr aclclrc ss c cl t111itl 111L1cl1 later i11 111·) li fe. · A.s I c11lerccl 111') fir s t y·c,.1r c)f tcc1cl1i11g i11 2()11, I felt a11 i1111c111sc lc,1 cl c)[ J)rcs sttrc frc)111 111·) ,1cln1i1is tra tic)11, 11)'1
tc;-1111111c1tcs, ar1ci 111')stt1d c11ts l)c c a l tsc I r1clcl 1111s)clf tc) sticl1 l1igl1 s t,1r1cl,1rds. D ltC tc) f,1n1ily cxp cc tat ic) r1s, I tl1c)ttgl1t I l1acl tc) l-) c f) Cr fcct. I oftc11 fot111cl 111)·sc lf , vo r1")'ir1g a t)o t1,t ,l1a t J)co 11lc tl1o tig l1t of 111c a11,cl
vc>11clc ri11g if ,I
,·ere tca c l1i11g tl1c cc>r rc c t r11atcrial. I , vc>u lci rcrt111 scc11a r ic)s c),·c r ,-111clc), ·c r i11 111y l1c,-1cl a 11cl 111akc 111·)sc·lf' f< c l g t1ill)' if sc)111cc)11c , va s clis a1 1l 1 c)i11ct cl i11 111')
a c tic)11s. B')
l\I,,1rc l1 c)f '.2() 1 2. I l1acl 111acle 111ysclf sc) 111c11;t-1ll)1 a11cl J)l1ysicctll)· ex l1c1t1stcc.l, tl1a t I fi11all)' clcciclccl t<) seek a1 )rc )fe ss ic)r1al.
88 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE l11it i,,1ll)', I l1acl rc s is tc cl s c c i11g a J) r c>fc' ss ic))1a l l)c c a t1sc I cl icl 11<1l , va 11t le> l)c lal) c lc cl as a '' c r clz y J) Crso 1,1..
l "ro111)) rc \·ic)Lts )) Crs c>11al t·x11c r ic 11cc s, I , f<
ll t l1at I ,vc)t1lcl !Jc jt1clgccl i11cc)1111c tc11ll)') C)ll1crs if I askccl fc)r l1c1l1. I felt I , ,·c)Ltl cl l1a,·c tc) kcc1) tl1is a secret, SC) 11c) C)l lC , ,·c)ttlcl sec 111!)" crazir1css.'' O ,·c r time, 1·c1 r1c>ti c c d tl11, t tl1crc , ,·as a. stig111,1attc1cl1ccl tc> r cc c i, ·i r1g n1cr1tc1l l1c a l tl1 scr,·iccs, a.r1cl tl1at J)COJ)lc vvl1c) st1ffcrccl n1c11t,1l ill11css t}1)ic a ll)' clicl riot scc111 tc) sl1arc t he ir J)r c>l) lc 111. ;\ ccorcli11g tc> P a tr ic k ,v. C c>r r iga11 a11cl 1\111)' c:, ., \ 'a tsc)11, t,vc> rcs c ,,1rc l1c rs vvl1<1 l1a \1 c s Lucliccl 111c11t;.:1[ stig111a, "Stigr11as al)<>Lll 111c11tal ill11css scc111l t) l)c ,,·iclc l y c11clc)rs c cl l))' Ll1c \1\'cslc r11vVC)r l cl'· ('.2()()2). la11y ti111c,s111y C)vv11 1: l111l)i! 111c111IJcrs a11cl fi· ic 11cls ' " ' C)t tlcl tell 11c tl1a t I ,vas l.>c i11g clr a 111,,1tic, c111d tl1;-1t I j t1st 11ccclcc:l tc) cal111 clc)vvr1 ;1: r1c.i relax. :\ s if it ,vcrc tl1;:1t c aS)· '
zt·anted t<) feel a11xic)us.
. \ s if I , \ Tl1c r1 I t)CCc1111c diagr1c)scc, l ,·itl1 g·cr1crc1l 1\ r1xict)· D iso r clcr (C1\ D), I felt like I t1acl fir1a ll)' crackcci tl1c cc)dc as tc> , vll )' I IJcg a11 cacl-1 clcl )' fccli11g a11xio t1s a 11cl 11c r, ,.c>t1s . I t111clcrst<">C>cl ,vl1)· I vva s11't cll)lc le> le t a si1111)lc 111si ta kc gc>, c>, r , -11)' I f <· lt a 11cccl l<> a 1) <>l<">g izc 11r c>f1'.1sc ly if I l)clicvccl l l1,,1cl <>fl
'< 11clc cl S<>111cc>11c. l'\, t>
,·, tl1c)L1gl1, life slarlccl le) 111akc sc 11sc. I vvas t;,1t1g·l1t IJ)1 a tl1cra11ist le) C\ 'cll L1;1,
tc 1111) c irc t1n1sl a11ccs. If I felt ;-111xic)t1s al)C)Ltl s c)11ctl1ir1g,,I ,·c)t1lcl ;-1s k tll )'Sc lf, " ' \lc)t tld tl1is 11,1t tcr ir1 1() 1n ir1t1tc s? v·\ c)t1lcl tl1is 111attcr ir1 ;:1r1 l1c)t1r; i11 a cla)'; ir1 a 111c>r1tl-1; ir1 ,1 )' C,1r ?" I l c ,1r r1ccl to J) r a.ctice clcc1J l-)rc a.tl-1i r1gexercises tc> l1 c l1) a.llc ,·ia te tl1c J)fl),.s ic a l a s1Jects <)f tl1c a11xicty. I vv,1s s t1r1)r ise ci l)y l1c)vv 1n t1cl1 tr1csc sec111i11gly si 111) lc tl1i1g1s t111c<1 111) lica tccl Il l) ' vvc>rlci. Bci11g i11 Ll1craJ)Y l1<- lr:Jc cl 111c tr> t111clcrsta11cl lll )i tl1i11ki11g )) l'C>c <·ss , lo !)c, a va rc c)f , ,·l1c11I, ,,
a s l1a\·i11g cl J1cl11ic ;.1tta ck, a11cl tc) clc vclc:JJ1 sc)111c s kills !c)r l1c)vV le) rc111,.1i11 c a l11 i11 strcssfttl sitt1;1, tic)11s. It frcccl 111')111i11d a11cl <)11c11ccl 111c LIJ.) LC) cl r1c,v ,.vc)rl cl c)f rc1tic)r1al C)J)J)C)rtt111itics. I fe l t tl1;-1 t 111)' s lc)r111 l1acl fi11;:1ll:1 le t LlJ.), a.rid ,I ,·as a l)lc tc) cc)rltr ol 111)· a r1xic)t1s tl1c)t1gl1ts. I felt as tl1c)t1g l1 ffi)/ l)rair1 cc>t dcl fir1all)· figt1t 111y i)a .ttle c>f ,1r1xic t)· a11cl co t dcl c c)111b a t tl1c fear ar1cl ,,vc)r r ics, sc> I c c>tdcl, fc)]· tl1e first ti111c , l)c 111ysclr. :\.1f) tr t1e se lf'. I c c>tdcl gc> tc> the l)<·,,1cl1 <>11 a c lo t1cl)i cla )i, vvitl1<>L1t vv<1rryi11g if tl1c ra i11., , tl1at if tl1c rai11 c;,t111c, I cc)ttlcl c111IJ r a cc it.
<>t 1lcl co111c. I lc,,1r11ccl A gia11t lcclJ.1 ,vas 111)' l)CCC)11i11g· t111;,tsl1a111cccl)f sc c i11g ;.1 tl1cra1)ist. Yet,, , vl1c11I sl1arcd 111)' r1c, ,· fc)u11d c11ligl1tc11111c11t ,,vitl1 fa111i·l)a11d fricr1cls, I 11c)ticccl tl1c rcactic)r1 tl1,1t I ac tt1all)· c1l,v;:1)·s l1c1d l)ecr1 cxpcctir1g. Pcc) J)lc 111acle n1c feel a.s if I vvcrc 111ak.ir1g 111')
s yn11JtC>11s1
tC)C> l)ig a deal. T llC)' k.CJ) t ir1sistir1g tl1,1t if I , vc>t dcl jt1st i)c J) <)s i,ti, c, ,I
vc>t dcl l1a,·c the sa111c rcstdts as tl1c ra J.))
!)rC>t1gl1t. \ \ !itl1 tl1c ir 11cga ti,·c rcactic))lS tc> 111).: a111) rc c ia ti<">11 fc) r t l1cra11y, I vvas 11c> l<>11gcr clisa111)c)i11tccl i11 Ill )'Scl f 1.) t tl sc>rc ly clis,11.11)o i11tccl i11 tl1c rcactio11s c)f tl1c J)COJ11<' I l1acl 111c)sl lr t1s tc cl. , \ Tl 1c11 <)tl1crs tc11d le) 111akc ;-tssu111.1tic)11s,tl)c)ttt isst1cs st1cl1 els a11xict)·, clc1 ) r c s s i c)r: 1 sc l 1izc)J)l1rc11i;:1, a r1cl l>i J)C)l,tr dis<)rclc1 it c;:t11 111;:1kc a J)crsc)r1 ,vl1<> is CALM DOWN, RELAX; IT ISN'T THAT BIG A DEAL 89
s tr t1g g li11g \,·i tl1 t l1csc cc>11clit ic)11s rcfi.1sc <) r resist gc tt i11g l1c1l ) . )l r c>fcssc>r c>f
P s) ·c l1iatr y, c; rcgory 1(. 1-'r ilz ('.2()()7), i11clir ,-1tccl tllcl l " l o st co 11cc r11i11g fc)r cl1ilclr c11is tl1c f,ict tllcll il lca cls J) a rc 11ls t<> a \i()id sccki11g J) S;lc l1i1,t ric trca t11c111l tl1at c<>Lil d clra11.1: tic.1: ll y i111Jr<>\ ·c tl1cir cl1ilci's c<>11cliti<>r1'' (p. 8). Fritz f<>ur1ci tl1at " I r1 a rcccr1t stucl)· c>f I, 134 /\ 11c1rica.r1 f),1rcr1ts, fc>r c xa11111lc, ,l l)<) Ltt 3()( 1 o saici tl1C'{, \,· o t1lcl r1c>t \ra11t tl1cir cl1ilci to l)eco111c fricr1cls \\'itl1 a cl1ilcl \vl1c> l1acl cic11r ess io r1 a11cl 2 51 saici tl1c s;-111c aJ)c>t1t a cl1ilci \vitl1 1\ D H D. r\ h11c>s t 2 ()( ¼> } 1 c)f t l1c sa1111) lc c \·c11 sa icl tl1cy vvc>Ldcl 11c>L vva11l a c l1ilcl \,·itl1 citl1cr clisc>r clc r (<> l i\iC 11cx t clo o r. lZcs1)<>11scs l<> ll1c sa111c c1L1' cs tio11rcg;.lrcli11g cl c l1ilcl \,·itl1 a j)ll)'Si cal ill11css SL1cl1 as clstl111a1vvcrc 111Licl1 111<>rc g c 11cr<>Lts '' (JJ. 8). i-\cc <>r cli r1i.2: l<> ll1c rcsc,1rcl1 c<>11ciLic tccl l>\ i I r c 11c C <>\ ' c1r r L1,l>i :1s c111cl l\Icck\·L111i.2:
L 1 ,, I L 1
H .:111 (2()11), J)C<>JJlc vvi tl1 scri<>LlS mcr1tal ill11csscs ,:tls<> CXJ)c r ic r1cc clcc rcasccl q Li,1lit)· <)f l ife, fcvvc r jc>t) O})J1C>rtLir1itics, clccrca.scd Of)})<)rtLir1ities for C> )ta .ir1ir1g r1<)L1si11g, cle c rc a.sccl c1L1a lit)· of l1caltl1 cc1r c, a 11cl ciecrcasccl sclf-estccn1 (J). '.-3 1 7 ) . C)t1r c tilt ur c tc>C> c>ftc11 cic>cs 11c>t tc11cl tc> sec 111c11ta l ilh 1css ,-1s a 11 a cc <'J) ta l)lc ill- 11c-ss; ;.-111cl, tl1L1s, \·icti11s c>f tl1is ill11css arc cc>11sta11tl)· cx1) c r ic11c i11g· J) f ( jL1clicc a11cl s tc rc <>ty7) i11g·. I t is 111L1cl1 111<>rc accc1)tccl l>)1 <>Llr CL1ll L1r c l<> l1a\1c s<>111c tl1i1g1· 1>ll)iSiCclll)· c r ir>1>l i11g·tllclll S()l11Ctl1i r1g tllcll is 111c11ltla)' c r i1) r>li 11g.
T<><> <>ftc 11, tl1c 111cclia l1,1s iclc11tificd 1>r <>l>l c 111s <>f 111cr1tal l1ca ltl1 \,·itl1 })S)1cl1<>- 11atl1s a11cl c r i1n i11a ls. O tl1c rs <>ftcr1 assLimc tl1at issLics vvitl1 n1cr1t,1l l1ca.ltl1 ,1rc cittc tc> c l1ilcllil,_e J)Crcc 1)tior1s. Or tl1at tl1c 111cr1ta.ll)1 IUST l1a\iC' vvca!,_ cl1arac tc rs (C c>r r ig a11 a11,cl 1\' a tsc) 11, 2()()2). T l1c>sc })Crcc1)tic>11s rci11fc>rcc tl1c stc rcc>t)·I)C tl1al J)<' C>J) i<' s l1c) Lticl l)c afi·a icl c)f a 11yc>1-1c \,·itl111-1c 11ta l ilh1css. i\ cco rcli11g tr> Sc>ci,-1! L c ,-l r 11u1g tl1c<>r y, 11c<>11lc , , ,
J1c> 11;.-1, · c 11,c,
c r cx1 Jcric11cccl c>r k11c>,..1, 11 a11)1<>11c \vl1c> ,l1 1s a 111c11ltaill11css Lise tl1c tclc\·isi<>11,11c\YSJ) clJ.)C 1:. ;-111d <>tl1cr 11c clicl s<>t 1rc cs l<> ir1f<>r111 tl1c n1scl,·cs ;-111cl create JJcrccr)ti<)11s acc<>rcli11g t<> tl1<>sc i111ag cs (S t<>Llt ct al., 2()()4). U r1f<>r tL1r1atcly, J1C<) J1 l c vvitl1 111cr1t,1l illr1csscs l1a\'C' l) c c r1 J1C>rtraycd ir1 tl1c 111ccli,1 as vic>lcr1t a.rid arc, ir1 fact, rarcl)i rC'J)resc11tccl \.vell. Ir1 or1c s tt1Cl); P a tr ici;.-1 ,-\. Stc>t1t a 11cl l1cr cc>llc ,-1g t1cs r CJ ) C>r t tl1a t ·' ( ; tdti\·;.-1ti c)1 1 tl1c c>r ) 1 s t 1g g cs ts tl1at l1c ;.-1\ 1 ) · C'X))<>st1rc le> C<>11sistC'11l a11cl r cc L1r r c 11l 111C'ssa g cs <>11 l <,'ic ·isic>11 \,·ill ·reiterate, cc>11fi r 111, a11cl 11c>t1risl1, ' ·;.-ll Ltcs a 11cl sl1a1)c J.) Cr c c1J ti<)11s <>f s <>c i a l r c a l il)' l() C()llfc>r111 l() lll()SC1 >rc s c 11tccl ()11lclc, ·isi<)Il" (S t()Lll Cl ell., 2 ()() 4 ) . 111 tl1c JJ,1sl, T \ cl1ar;-1clcrs, tl1c 11c \,·s s t<>r ic s i11 tl1c 111ccii;-1, a11d <>flc11111<>v·ic s l1a\'C f) <>r tr a)iCd J)C<>f)lc \ritl1 111cr1tal ill r1css as \·ic>lc r1t, Lli l ,l J)J)r <)acl1al:>lc , ,1 r1cl t1r1trca tal)lc. U rl>a.11 ccit1c a t<) r L is,1 D c l11it (Delp it, I 5) SLiggcsts ir1 lier rcscarcl1 al)()t1t J)C)\\'Cr a 11cl 11 ri\·ilc g c th,1t " ' 1\'c clc> 11()t really sec tr1r c) t1g l1 c>ur C)' C'S ( ) )' l1car tl1rC)ltgl1 C)l ll' C'a r s, l) ul tl1rC>Ltg l1 C)lll' !)c!ic fs, " rr tl1c 111cclia is tile ()llly SOLlfCC \ "II (' LISC l() fc1r 111OLtr j L1clg111c11lso r iclcas ;.-111cl S<>c ial isSLICS, tl1c11 \ \' C arc cl<><>11ccl l<> l <>11sid c cl J) CrCC J) l i <>11s <>f rcality. N c\·cr tl1clcss, l>csidcs fccli11g d iscr i111i1cl1li <>11 fr<>111 tl 1c gc11crc1l J><)}>t 1la li <>11, tl1crc is als<> a sclf-s tig111c:1 tl 1c1t l<><>11s. R csc a rc l1cr s D. L. S tL1c11kcl a11cl \ 1i\·ia 11
90 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE \ \ !c)l1g, i11clica tc ll1c1t "Stig111atizcci i11cli\·iclL1a ls r11a y rcs1)<111cl tc> t l1c rcactic>11s
or ()lll('rs i11 a \ 1 a r ic t v,,; or \ \' cl VS . ' l' l 1C\i arc ()ft.c11 llllSLlJ'(' ,ll)C)Lll ll1c a Ll i l Lt( l c s ()r
; ' ; ' <)tl1crs ct11cl, tl1crcfc)rc. 111ct)· feel a cc)11slct11t11cccl tc) 111akc a g c)c)cl i11111rcssic)11. I11cli\·idt1als li\ 1 i r1!.?: ,vitl1 sti:<::,>111a c c1cl1 a11c{ c, ·c r , r d a , r c l1c><>s c l<> c.tccc1Jt sc>c ic L\ r's C>r <)tl1cr·s \'iC\\'S c)f t l1c111, <)r cl1c><>SC tc> reject <)tl1crs' cliscrcditir1g \1icw1)c>ir1ts'' L J \ ; ; ; (2 () () 9 , 11. 4 9). l\f a rl') f)C'Of)lc ,vl1c> feel sclf-cc)r1scic>t 1s a l1ot1t tl1cir n1cr1t,11 ill11css tisc str a teg ics st1cl1 as J)assi11g; CC>\ 1 c r i11g, clisrcga.rcli11g, rcsistir1g, r <: jc c ti11g, a11cl isc>lati11g t l1c111scl\1c s tc> clc f1cct tl1cir i1111cr f< c li11g,·s l l)C>Ltl tl1cir 111c11tal ill11<·ss (S LL1c11kcl & \1\0'
11g. 2 ()() S ) . ' l 'l1csc i1111cr i'<
c l i11·gs Ccltl li111il a 11 c r s <> tl fro111 sc c k ir1g l1cl1) <)r Lrcc1L111c11l. \ \111c11\VC lctl)cl a11cl calcgc)rizc 11cc)1)lc vvitl1111c11tal ill r1csscs: it c.1iscc)ttrc1gcs a11d c)ftc11 tl1,rarts tl1cir sc r1sc <)f l>ci11g c111 ;1: ccc11tcc1. l1t1111ar1 l)cir1g ir1 tl1cir S<) CiCt·) ' St1cl1 l)c l1,1\·ic)rs ir1cr ca.sc J)COJ)lc's scr1sc c)f sl1,1111cS. c)cictics a.r1cl tl1c n1c clia. create tl1esc so cia l co11str t1cts, ar1d too oftc11 i11l1il)it J)e<111le frc>111 re c c i\1 i11g tl1e care tl1a t tl1c)· 11c c cl.
l\f)' rcscarcl1 l1c l1)c cl r11c u11clc r s tc1.11cl tl1at C\1C r )· l) ra i11 clc>cs 11c>t fL111cticn1 tl1c sa111<· \Va·)· H L1111a11s arc 11ot a "cc1okic CLtt tc r" Sj) Cc ics. 111 tl1is vvo rlc l, tl1crc c1rc cli11:crc r1t i11tcllig·c11ccs, clilTc rc11l 11l1ysica l ,1l)ilitics, cli11c:rc 11t 1 c rsc )11;:1li tics, clif fi:rc11tgc11ctic 1nakcu11, etc. Pcc)1)lc <)ftc11 c.lc) 11c)t t111clcrslc111cl tl1;:1t , ,·c l1a,1 c dif fcrc11t , v,1)'S c)f t1sir1g <)ltr l>r a i r1s. NC) t,vc) l)r;:1ir1s c>pcra tc tl1c sarnc. NC)t c,·cr1 t,\·ir1s ,(l\I c c lir1a, 2() 14). l\ Icr1tal illr1css stig111as kcc1111cor)lc 111isir1for111cci abotit tl1c 11re11or1clcra11c c c>f
tl1is ilh1css 111 <1ttr \ VC>rlcl. () ftc11, fc>r 11a rc11ts , it is l1(1rcl tc> a cli11it \vl1c11 a cl1ilcl 111a·y 11cccl l1<·l1). l.)a r <'llls 111ay· tl1i11k it 111<'a11s tl1at tl1cy 11, 1,c f 1 ilccl. Ho,,·<'\'<'r, rcscctrcl1crs like (;rcgc)ry; l r itz SL1gg·cs t tl1al 1)arc11ts sl1c) L1lcl l)c J) ra i sc cl ic)r l1clj.) ir1g tl1cir cl1ilcl l)uilcl sclf-cs lcc111 IJ)1 ctch11illi11g tl1crc is a 1)rc)l)lc111, a11cl tl1al tl1crc is trc"1t111c11t fc)r tl1at J)rc)l)lcn1. O tl1cr"visc, el s tl1c J)arc11ts cl r c tl1c C)11cs ,vl1c> 111ak.c ,111 c)f tl1c leg a l clccisio r1s, cl1ild rc r1 ,vill r1c>t rccci,:c tl1c r1ccclcd sc)cial scr,·ices if th cir r)arer1ts i)c lic'\ C i11 so c ic t)·'s 111c11tal st ig111a a 11cl ig r1c)rc t l1cir cl1ilcl's c c>11cliticn1. 1;1r tcacl1crs a11cl J)arc11ts, j)Cr CC J) t icH1 c>C 111c11tal l1ca lt l1 scr,1icc is kc)·· It is i1111)orlc111l tc> LL11clc rs ta11cl tl1at 111a11y c l1ilclrc11 ell' <' 11c>t g c t t i11g tl1c 111c11ct1l l1cclltl1 relief tl1at tllC')
11cccl a11cl clcsc r,·c l)cC,lLtsc c)f tl1csc stig111as. I k11c)\,v tl1at I- \VC)ttld l1a,·c l>c11cfittcd frc)111 tl1is k11C)\\·lc clgc a11cl trcctt1nc11t clt a y<>t 111g age ...-\s a tcacl1cr, I vv,1r1t tC) J)rc>tcct cl1ilclrcr1,vl1c) CXJ)Cr ic r1cc tl1c sa111c frt1stra tic)r1. 1\l tl1c)t1gl1 tl1csc cl1ildrcr1 111,1y· rlc)t CXJ)rcss tl1cir rr1er1t,1l l1ealtl1 issL1cs C>f)e 11ly; ti le)· arc i11 r11,1r1y C)f C)ttr cl,1ssrc>CH11s s ilc11tl) · l)cggi11g fc>r l1cl1). .t\ s cl1al l<'11gi11g as it \Vc1S f<1r 111c tc> clcal ,vitl1 111y C>vv11 c111xic l y fi"
)·c>u11g age, I cc1: 11 · A..s cl C L1ltL1r c , \·V C scc111 tc) l1a, 1 c l)cc11 sc11t tl1c vvrc)11g 111cssclgc. 1l c11tal ill11css is r1c)t s c)111ctl1i11gtc) l)c asl1;:1111ccl c>f P L1sl1i11g a,,v;:ty <)Ltr 111c11lctl l1calll1 11cccls , \·ill r1c)t 111c1kc lts l:>cttc1; r1c)r l1,11JJ)icr. Bccc>n1i r1g 111c>rc <>J)cr1, , , itl 1 cx1)rcssi11g <)Llr CALM DOWN, RELAX; IT ISN'T THAT BIG A DEAL 91
f<-·c l i11gs a11cl 11c>t f'<
c li11g asl1a111ccl tc> SJ)cak a i) C>ttl tl1,c
v<1)' c1ur 1111i1cl,s
vc>r k 111gi l1t a11cl1c>r OLtr i111a g·i11a lio11s i11 !1c a ltl1y co11lcxts. 'l 'l1crc arc sc1 111,1111)l)cclLt tifLtl ll1i11g·sc:t l><>L tt l1L1111a11l.>c i11gs ct11cls<> 111L1c:l1 cacl1 1)crs<>11 l1,1s t<> <> 11'< :r tl1is vV<>rl c,l. Vl1)· vV<>Ltld, - v,c, va11t clll )' 1><>J.>L1lali<>r1 t<> l>c silc r1c:c cl i11 <>rclcr t<> c<>r1- fc>rm t<> tl1c social r1c>r111? F c c li r1g sl1,1111,c 1l><>L1t ,t cl1cn1ica.l i111IJc1 la r1cc ir1 <>Ltr t)odics sccrr1s like ,1 tl1ro,vl),1cl to Ltr1c11ligl1tcr1cd ti n1cs . 1\ s 1\ risto tlc 011cc saicl, " l t is the 111ar k c>r a 11 c clt1ca tcci 111i11cl t<) l) c al)lc tc> c1 1tc r tc1i11 a tl1c)t1g l1, t ,·itl1c>t 1t ;,1c cc 1) ti11g it" ()l }1ilc>s<1 l) lc>g , 2()1 2). S c1c ic ty 11c·c·cls lC> c l1;,1llc11gc tl1c vic, vs tl1a t tl1c 111cclic:t ! ) <>r l ra ys ,tl)<>Ltl 111c11t;,tl il l11css, vvitl1c>L1t l)li11 <)\icr, i11 scl1<><>l s, s l 1<>L1lcb1' t \ '\ C l>c c r c a li11g S}Jaccs , vl1crc all cl1ilclrc11s' 111c11la l states ,1rc accc1Jlccl a11ci gi,,e11 l1c;-1l tl1)· ;-1ttc11ti<>r1, s<> tl1;-1t t!1C') mcr1t,1l frccclc>n1 a r1cl a relief fr<>m ,1CLttc s t1ffcrir1g. References
cc:111 c x1>c r i c 11cc cl C: <>r r i g ·,1 11, P &, \ \ :';:tts<>11, ,.\. C. (2()()2). l.lnrler1·t.anrlinglite inzjJacl qf stignla 01z jJeojJl e
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D eIJ) i t , T.,. ( I ) )5). Other Peoj)/es (:hilrlre1z: (iultural ( /o f!fl.icl in the ( i/a.1sroo1n. N c,v Yc>rk: Kc,,· Press. l ·itz, c;. I( . ( 2 ()( )7 , l\'c) \! Cllll)c r ).
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o c a lcs l L1r 11 ll1c ticlc? 'l '!1c
Brc>,,v11 L11i,·c·rsil\ i C!1ilcl a 11cl ,\clolcscc11t Bcl1a,·i<>r Letter 23 (11), f1.
i
, 1 c cii11a ,J. ('.2()14 ) Brain Ru Les: \ Ta s l1i11gt<> r1,D.C .: Peer Press. Pl1il<>S<>l> l <>g . ('.2()12). I t is tl1c n1c1rk <>f a11 ec lLtCcttccl111ir1cl t<> l >c c:tl>l c t<> c r1tcr t,1i11 a tll()ltgl1t ,,vit rl()Ut acccptir1g it. Rctr ic\-C: ci fr<>m r1tt11:/ / 1)l1il<>Sil>l c)g. co111 / 2() 12 / () 3 / () 7 I it-is-t l1c-111a rl-c-c>f-ar1-cclLtca tccl-1nir1cl-tc)-t)c-a i) lc to -c11tc r ta i11-a - t l1c>t1g l1t-,,·itl1<)t 1t-,1CCC'J) tir1g-it/ S tc>u t, P ,.\ ., \ ' illcg a s, .J., &.Jc1111i11gs ' . ,.\ . (2()()4). I111agcs c>r 111c11ta l ilh1css i11 tl1c 111ccli;.:1: iclc11lif yi11g ga1 )s i11 tl1c rc sc a rcl1. . ·r1ti .?.,oj1/zrr1 1zia Bulf Plin '.1() ('1. ), - : ) '.-t1 :o, - - : ) (' )l . S tL1c11kcl D. L. & \ /i,1 ia11I(, . \!c>11g·. (2()()9 ). C'lzronic ill ness: i111j1acl and i1llervenlio11.
1 11: P D. Larsc11 & I. 1. L L1l>kir1 (E cis). S'tig,na, 7 tl1 eel. B<>Sl <>11: J <>11cs c1r1cl Bartlett.
Creating paradise
by Martha Barantovich
rcmc111l)cr tl1c n1c)111cr1t tl1,1t cl1a r1gccl n1y cd t1c,1ti()11})l1il)(SC)})l1)· c1r1cl })rac ticc as tl1c)t1gl1 it \vcrc )'Cstc rc la,):. It , \·,1s11' t. It ,vas ir1 2 () () 1. I , vas tca cl1ir1g )tl1 gr,,1clcrs i11 a11 t1r i)a11 scl1(J<) I s c tti11g. 1f). CC>ttr s c ,vas c>fTic ia lly·titlc cl sc>111c tl1i1, 1g
like, ( a r<'c r Ex1)i(>raticH1, <>r s cH11c Il(H1sc11sc. I ,v,,1s vv(>rki11g i11 a 11c,, ly lc)r111ccl ' 'sc l1c)()l ,vitl1i11cl sc ll()()l'' a11cl ,vas j)clrl C) f a tca111 ()r cclL1Cal()fS , vl1c) ,vcrc t,,1skccl\vitl1 tc,,1cl1ir1g tl1c '' l.)()ttc>11 2:)( 1/o·, ()[ 9tl1 gr,tclc r s. ;1c)st C)f tl1c stt1- clc11ts ir1 " T l1c i \ c c1:
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-c·cl l)) i SL tcacl1crs. Stuclc11ts r<>l a tc cl tl1cir cla )r ,vitl1 <)11ly LIS. \ \ '<' ,vc)rkccl as a tc a111, tl1c si. c>f Lis, a11cl J) l a 1111ccl J)ric)r tc) tl1c scl1c)c)l y·ca r a11cl c1L1r i11g tl1c scl1c)c)l year. \ \Tc n1ct rcg·t1,l1, rl)· tc) cliscttss c c)11ccr11s a11cl isst 1cs \\'itl1 ct1rric L1lt1111 ar1cl \Jcl1c1,·ic)r. \ Ve i11,·c)l,·cd })a rc r1ts ,1r1d sc r1t (>Llt n1tuti1)lc rc1)<>rts <>f ;,:1c c1clc1nic J) r <>g r css. v\· c ,·i si tecl l1c)111cs ,1r1d 1)lar1r1ccl c, 1 c r1ts tl1,1t ,vcrc ·'rc,vardir1g" to <)ttr s tt1clc r1ts. 1\ g a ir1, or1 })aJ)C'r. ,vc, vcrc clc>i r1g c,1cr)·tl1ir1g r igl1t. v·\ c l1aci iclcr1tificcl tl1c stt1- cic11,ts ,·l1c> "r1ccciccl" t<) l)c ,vitl1 tis l))' C() n1\) i11g thrc>t 1g l1 J)a g cs a11ci J)agcs c>r tr a11sc ri J) ts (>f' i11c(>1111i1g )tl1 g ra clc r s fi·(H11 a ll (>f' c>ur fe.·cclcr sc l1c><) ls. \ \'c s c l1ccl Lilccl tl1c111 a11cl lc>o kccl ,-11. clcli c i<'11cics. \1\'c sa,,· \Vll,-lt tl1c s tL1clc11ts.,, C'rc 11't clc)i11g: altc r1cli11g clclSS <>11 a r cg ·t tlctr !Jclsis, cc>1111) l c t i11g l1c>11c1,,·c>r k a11cl clc:tss,vc)rk, })Cr fc>r111i11g ,veil <>r1 sl c1: 1c1la rclizccl tests, 11c c ti11g sla 11ch-1rc ls. l>cl1a,,ir1g a l)l)r<>JJri atcly; l)cir1g " m c>clc l'' ci tizc r1s. Tc> sa) ' ,vc ,1c tt 1,1lly· kr1c, v vvr1at \ \' C ,vcrc clc>ir1g ir1 C>ur sc ttir1g vvot1lcl l)c a lie. \ \T,c- vcrc jt1st })art <>f a S)1 Stc111 tl1,1t ,vas ir1 tl1c J)r o ccss ()rJ ) CrJ ) Ctt1a ti11g tl1c l1cgcn1(lll iC ) c lic f..;; tl1a t l1, a, c c xis tc ci 111 tl1is C() llll tr y·rc)r clcc a clc s. \.r\ e l)c>ugl1t i11t(> tl1c f 1ct tl1at tl1c i._icls \\'C'r<' tl1c J) r (> l) lc111·. 1' !1cy· \ \' C'J'C tll<' CHl('S vvl1c) ,vcrc crcati11g tll<' issLH' S ;:111cl \·V<-' ,vcrc tl1crc l() sav<' tl1c111. c)l sa1,c i11 a rclig ·ic>t1s sc 11sc, l.>t1t sa,1c i11 tl1at ,,·c ,vcrc gc>i11g l<) g·ra clLtcttc tl1csc JJ<><>r sc>t tls ar1cl sc r1cl tl1cm i11l <> tl 1c vV<>r k.fc>r c c r c a c l)' t<> l>c LlJJl1c>ldcrs c)f tl1c 11(>r n 1s <>f
94 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE s <1c icLy·. \ \'c \,·ere- tl1csc 11c><1 r s t t1clc 11ts la s t grcaL l1<1J)C. As a u11it, vvc attc11clccl a
ff(st,h \'rhoofs Thal l"l,ork CC)111<:rc11cc le) gall1cr all ll1c latest a11cl greatest i111<1 c111 l1c)vv tc) 11igcc)11 l1c)lc tl1csc sl t1clc11ls i11tc) tl1c 111c)clcl c)f cclt1catic)11 tl1at \,vc vvcrc l)Ltyir1g i11tc). \ \' c l1c1d takc11 tl1c CLll)S c)f K c)c)l-,..\id l)ci11g c)ffcrccl c1r1c.i dc111,:1r1clcc.i tl1at tl1cv l)rir1e- ltS g·,:1llc)r1s. I vvas SC) v·c)c,11 ,vl1cr1 I rctt1rr1ccl tc) n1,· scl1c)C)l ir1 tl1c fall ,:1l)ot1t l1c)\V vvor1clcrft1l ottr classes vvcrc goir1g to l) c ar1cl l1c)\\" grc,1t ;-1 S)·stc111
I L I / \VC' vvcrc cstal)lishir1g for C>Ltr s tt1cic r1ts, tl1at it 11c,·cr cla.vvr1ccl CHl 111c tc> stc>11 a 11cl tl1i11k, i11s lc a cl c>f' J) ic>vvi11g sLr a ig l1t al1cacl i11tc1 a ll tl1i11gs statt1s CjLH). l'\c-\·cr 111i1c1l Ll1at tl1crc \\ as 11<> J)la11 i11 J) lacc l)C)' <111clcclt1cati11g ll1csc Sl L1clc 11ts i11 S)tl1 g·r,1clc i11 ll1is syslc111. .:\c,·c r 111i1c1l tl1at C)Ltr 11la11 ,vas 11c>t \·veil tl1c)Ltf?;l1t <)ttt. N c, 1 c r 111i11cl tl 1c1l C)ttr f1111di11g vvas lice! tc) crcc1ti11g gc)c)cl little ,,·c)rkcrs i11 cl gc)c)cl littlc cc)n1J)l,1ccr1t sc)cic ty. c,·cr 111ir1c.i tl1,1t <)Ltr J)l1ilc)S<)J) l1y· c)f scrv·icc , vas CC)ITlJ)lctc ly );-1s cc l 11[)Or1 Skir1r1cr-istic )Cl1,1,·ic)r is 111 ar1cl tic cl tc) pur1isl1- 11c 11ts, 11ot c, 1c11 r c \v.1-r cls. c, ,.c r n1ir1cl tl1at C)Ltr little a ca clc111)' ,vas 01111· J) C'r J)Ctt1ati11g tl1c l)clicf systc111 tl1at tl1csc stt1clc11ts \,·ere \)rc>kc11. ' c,1cr 111i11cl a Jl)i
()r tl1,-1t. \ '\ fc tllC)Ug·l1t, } tllOLlgl1t, tl1at \'\ ]la t \\ C \ \ ' (' !' (' clc)i11g \\',-lS jLtSl tile !)est tl1i11g c ,·c r. I lc)c>k !Jack <>11 ll1;-1t cx11cric11cc a11cl a 111 ,1. l)lc tc) clig· tl1rc)11gl1 tl1c garl.>c1gc c111cltl1c 111css a11cl iclcr1tif)i sc)111c l)C)siti,·c C)LtLC<)111cs. \ \ \: rc a ll) ' dic.i create -1:
cc)111n111tr)1 tl1c1t vv,1s s,1fc a11cl J)r <)tcc tccl matt)' c)f <>Ltr s tL1clc11ts frc)111 11r1fair cd11catic)r1al J) r a c ti cc s. \ '\Tc clicl allo\.v ccrt,1ir1 s11cccsscs, acaclc111icall)·, l)c l1a,:io r ,1ll)i, a11cl ir1tcr1) c r s c)11a lly. T'cl like t<) l) c lic,:c tr1a t \ V C alsc) rr1aclc a clif rcrc11cc i11 SC>lllC ()r C)l l l' Sl t1clc1 1t 's li,·cs I ) ) " J)J"()\'icli11g tl1c111 vvitl1 a sa f'< l1avc11. BLtl, real,ly, 1'111 c111l)a rrassccl. 1'111 c-111)la rrassccl, l)'<
Ca t1sc al tl1c sa111<' ti111c-.\ \ '< st ,-1r tcc.l ll1is11r c)g rc1111I.
vvas c11rc)llcc.l i11 111y clc)ctc)r,-1l 11rc)gra111 a11c.l \'\ els laki11g t\\"C> cc>Ltrscs: rldvcnlced 'lojJics in S'ocial Founcfations a 11cl C'urricufunl a 11cl Theo1 y ancl R esearch. UJ) u11til tl1a t }JC)ir1t i11 111)' c.ic)c s tLtd ic s, I ,,·as rc,1lly j11st r c-, ,vc t ti11g m )1 feet i11 acaclc111i,1. I s ta r tccl \,·i tl1 ;-1 stats cL:1ss l)c c ;-111sc statistics is l)l,1r1cl arid t1r1challcr1gir1g. I t1acl l:)c c r1 tc;-1c l1ir1g fc)r SC'\'C'Jl )' Ca rs ar1ci vv,1r1tcd to grc)\ \' as a thi11kcr. T ,1.k i11g tl1csc tvvc> clc1.sscs tc>gctl1cr f<1rcccl n1c i11t<"> a 1)rc>ccss c>f tl1i11k i11g tl1aL I clicli1't k11c>vv cxistccl. I \\·as 11<1l 1) rc1)a rc cl f<1r tl1c a111c>L111t <>f c l1a11g c I \,·a s gc)i11g tc) 11c1), ·c tl1rc)L1gl1, l)t1t I clicl, 11c)11ctl1clcss. I ic)L111cl 1111)sc l r s tr L1gg li11g· tl1rc>11g l1 tl1c cc>11rscs ,-111cl 1ny claily life c:ts a tca cl1cr. Nc)l l.>c c c11s1c I ,,vas11'l al>lc <)r c,lf)al)lc: l)tlt l)cca11sc I \ \',lS a J)ractitic)r1cr c)f c c.i11catic)11tl1,1t I tl1c>L1gl1t vv,1s c ffccti,1c ;-1r1cl ic lc,11, ,1r1cl I vv,1s rc;-1clir1g al)o11t tl1cc)ry· ar1d J)l1ilc)SOJ)l1y tl1at ca t1sc cl 111c to feel t1r1co111fc)rtal)lc i11 111)· cx1)cricr1ccs. I \vas }1a,·i11g a tc rril)lc ti111c rccc>11cili11g \,·l1at I \vas clc>i11g a11cl fi r111I) ' })clicv·cci i11, a11cl , ,·l1at I ,vas rc,.1cli11g a11cl cliscussi11g i11 111y CO Ltr sc s . I \\·,-1s L111a,varc, at tl1c ti111c, tl1aL I ,v,.1s l)cg·i1111i11tcg) t111clcrgc) a tr,111sfc)r111;-1tic)11 tl1at fc)rc,·c r cl1;-11g1·c cl l1c)., ,
I, ,
ic , ,·l ) Ltl) lic ccl11cc1Lic)11, 111·)rc)lc i11 l)Ltl)lic cd11c,-1tic)r1, tl1c " tr11tl1" c.tl >c>t tt 11Ltl.>lic ccl11ca tic)11 systems a11ci tl1c lil<.c. \ \ 1c SJ)cr1t C)ttr \ r e e ks 11r111acl<.ir1g c)r rc11ackir1g c>r j11s t J)lair1 J) a c k.ir1g ir1 tl1c fra111cvvc)rl,. c)f J)l1ilo sc)11l1ic,1l l)clicf S)'Stc111s tl1at fra.n1c d J)ttl)lic cclt1 c a tio11 J)racticcs. 011 tl1c st1r f,1cc, tl1c icicoi<)gy c)f cssc11tialisn1 a11cl CREATING PARADISE 95
ft .111c ticn1alis111 111aclc 111c s c1 uir111. \\'lie> l)c lic\·cci t.l1at stt1clc11ts 11ccclc cl a " c cn11- 111c>11 core (>f L111clcr st a.11c.li112·." ? \1\')10 vvc>rkccl i11 sc t ti11g:s ,vl1crc 0 111'\ ccrtc1i11 i_. J 1., k11cJ\\·lcclgc ,,.:a s clcc111ccl \lcllLlcll>lc cl11cl rigl1t? .-\s it tL1r11s <>Ltl, I clic.l. •.. \11cl tl1c mc>111c11t tl1al trL1tl-1 cc1111c f1)1ir1g al 111c , vas a cb1)' tl1al sl1c>c>k n1) · " , vc>r k'' i11 J1ltl)lic ccl11catic>11 arid 111·)1111yr)c_Jsc as a. l1un1;:1r1 c)r1 eartl-1. l'vI)·11rc>fcssc_) r; of CC>ltrse, , vas l1a vi r1g LIS rcsearcl1 ,1 tc>11ic a11d acldrcss c11es tic)r1s fi-01n tl1e 11er s11ccti\·cs ,ve \,·e re cii,1log11ir1g ,1r)c)11t. ,I vas str11gglir1g. I \.vas 0 \ 1cr
vvl1ch11ccl ,vitl1 all tl1at I vvas lc ar11i11g a11cl vva.s cxcitccl a!)c>ut C\ 'Cr )1tl1i11g. · ·1 11a11kf'Ltll') , lie l1c1cl !)cc11 listc11i11gl(> tl1c stc)rics I ,,·as tclli11g a11cl1) a ) · i 11g atlc11- tic)11 le) tl1c cliflicL1ltics I ,,·as l1,1·\i11g,i.)riclg·i11g tl1c tl1cc)ry· ;_-111cl tl1c J.)ractical. He s11ggcstccl I lc)c)k i11tc) tl1is , ,·c>n1a 11, J ca1111icO ctkcs, as sl1c \\·rc>tc al>c>11t tl1c \"Cr )' iss11es I l>rc>11gl1t LI}) i11 class. I clidr1't k11c>vv ,vl1c> sl1c , vas. I ciid r1't kr1c>vv vvl1c1t sl1c ciicl. 1\ r1ciif I ever get a cl1ar1ce tc> n1cct lier ir1 J)Crs c)rl, I ,vill tell lier 110,.v n111cl1 I C),,vc lier for hcl1)ir1g 111c fc>rg c a 11cvv 11atl1 ir1 n1y career. ( all it cos 111ic i11tcr \·c11t.icH1; ca ll it rigl1t ti111c/rigl1t ])la c e; c a ll it f 1 tc; call it vvl1atc\·cr. 13t1L I lc>r>kccl Llj)Jca1111ic ( ) c1kcs, a11cl l fc) LlllCl l1cr l) O(>k, l tf f j)ll/l !, 'Track. lil.>r ctr y (, vc vvcrc s till ,,vc)rki11g vvitl1 il c)J.).J.))
clisks tl1c11,I cc>11lcl11't c)v·c r11igl1l sliiJ.) it IJ)' 1\111zac>11), ,vcr1t l1c)111,ca11cl s lc.tr tccl rcctcli11g· it. I t cl1c111gccl 111' )life! "T racki11g is tl-1c JJrc>c c s,s vl1crcl>)' s tl1c.ic 11ts c1rc cliv·iclcd ir1tc> c;_-1tcgc>rics sc> tl1al tllC)' ca11 t)c assig11cci ir1 grc>111-1s tc) \1 a r ic)L1s k.i11ds c)f classes'' (O, tkcs, 1 )}15, p. 3). \ \111,1t? H 11l1? H o,v? J\ rc )'C>u scriC)l ts ? I co11lclr1' t rcacl tl1is t)ool" [,1st c11c>11g l1. 1\ s I rca ci 111c1rc a11cl n1c1rc, I fc"Ju11cl 111ysclr si11ki11g· cicc1)cr ,111ci clcc1)cr i11lC) a j)it ()r ch'Sj)air. J \Vas ()\'('J'CC)ll)C ,vitl1 C() ll l(' ll l J) l fc)r 111ysclr a11cl 111y s e ll()()) a11c.l 111y· cc)llcag L1cs a11cl tl1c S)'Slc111 a11c.l all c>f tl1c ic[c;_-1s tl1at I }11; cl l.)c) L1g l1t i11tc) s i r1ce I l1ctcl falle11 i11 lc)\ 'C , ,·i tl1 teacl1i11g. H e)\\' cc>11ld I l)c cl r)art c)f tl1is S') Ste111ct11cl tl1is J)rc>cess tl1c1l J)rc>clc1i111ec.l tc) l.)e cic>ir1g sc)m c tl1ir1g i11 tl1c 11c1n1e c>f 11rc)grcss ,1r1cl gc)c>d? Ye,t
,·l1c1t I ,vas rcall)' ci<)ir1g vv,1s fccclir1g ir1tc> tl1c "1J)yss c>f tl1c iclca tl1at sc>111c J)C'C>J)lc 's l"icls arc j11st J)l<1ir1 !) c ttc r tl1ar1 c) tl1crs? H e_)\\· ? I ,,v,1s cl,c \ ,1statcci. I lo \·c cl tcc1cl1i11g. I lc>\' CCI vvc)rki11g ,vitl1 l1igl1 s cl1c>r>lc rs. I lc>\·ccl ,vc>rki11g i11 tl1c sc l1cH) I vvl1crc I ,,·as. H c>vv COLtlcl l l1a\·c l.)('COlll(' ()llC ()f tl1c111? H()\V? Ugl1. l j)J'Ol)a!)ly Sj)Cllt lll()Sl ()r tl1..-1t C\1 c11i11grc,1cli11g 1-1 l1rascs a11cl SL1cl1 C)Ltl l<>11cl tc> 1111 )l111sl.)cl11cl a11cl tl1r c)\Vi11g 111') l1;_-1 r1csl llJ.) i11 tl1c air i11 cc>lTIJ)letc f1ctl>l>e rg ;_-1s lc cl11css (is tllcll e,·c11 cl \•VC>rc l?). l'vic1yl>c r1c)t, l>11t tl1,1t's wl1at I , vas: flal)l>c rg "1stcci. Sl1c>ckccl a11ci d isa r)11c)i r1tccl a11cl sacl a r1cl ,1r1g11·)ar1cl a,,·,1l"c. 1\, val"c fc>r tl1c first tin1c tl1,1t I ,1ct11,1ll)' l1acl a J)11r11c>sc. ,I ,·a s 11C)\V ar111ir1g 111ysclf ,vith tl1c k11c>,,vlc clgc 11c cc ss,1r)· to "1clclrcss tl1c i11' (Clt1 itics tl1a.L ,I vas alsc> a11 clCLi\·c J)artici1)a11l i11 j)Cr J) Cl L1a ti11g. I , ,·c>kc LI]) tl1c 11cxt cl,1·), ,vc11t tc) vV()rk, , ,·a lkccl i11to lll)i cl;_-1s s r c)()111c111cl 1)rc1)J)CCI ic)r tl1c cla y. 1c > sa )1 tl1al clll c)f 111') lessc>11 j)lct11s ,vcre tl1rc),,v11C>Llt tl1c , ,·i11cclJ\V is clll u11dcr s talc1111c1t. If ,ve l1,1cl li\ ·c cl i11 tl1e r1c)r tl1, I 1>r c>l>a l.>l)· , ,·c>11lcl'·,c set fire le> ;_-111 tl1ir1g·s tl1at l1ad l)cer1 "ciccmed'' i1111)c)rtar1t l)). tl-1c district"1r1ci111)' cc>llcag1.1cs.
96 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE l\.l y first class e11tcrc cl i11 C>11ly ,a va y· tl1a t 9 tl1 g ra clc rs c;-111 a11c1 c>11cc vvc ,vcrc cal111a11cl scttl('cl, l }1,-tcl a. l1ca rt to l1cart'" .,itl1 tl1c111'.l 'l1c\ ' a ll k11c\,· l \Va s i11 sc l1<><>l. 1 11c\1 sa \•V 111c r ca cli11r: clt1ri1112: <>Ltr ' ' s ilc 11lrcacli11r: ti111c" a11cl \\'C)L1lcl ,1sk ; ; \._.} ( , , _, al.><>L tl ,rl1c1l I ,vas lcarr1ir1g. B11l, ir1 rc c c1ll i11g tr1at cla)·, 11y1· s1)cccr1 s t'-tr tcd <>11t S<>m e tl1ir1g like tl1is: ! '111sc>rry. I o,,·c yott eacl1 ar1 ;_q1ology. I tl1ougl1t I , ,·as d oir1g tl1c rigl1t tt1i11g l>y· c 11co t1rag i11g ;.:ott all to l>c a 11art of this acacle n1y·,l>t lt it tt1rr1s ottt !'111 ,.,•ro11g·. \ '\-'l1at 1·11 ac ttia ll·y clo ir1g is buyi11g i11l<> a s:·ste111tl1at do rs11' t tl1i11k you 111a l tcr.' 'l h c sys lc111 cloesn'1 I hink you're· , ,·o r tl1J )ushing a nd ('duca ting at anythin g other than a l >a s ic / rc 111c dia l lc·, ·('I. '!' lie sch ,vc\·e l>ee11 clu1>eelic,·i11g that success lo c>ks li ke sc>111ethin g other tl1,tr1 :·ott. Bt1t tl1at's goir1g to cl1a11ge. Starti11g rigl1t no,v. Starti11g rigl1t 11ovv. I , vill clo e,·cr)rthir1gi11 n1) · 110- ,
ver to 111ake s t1re you l1a,·c tl-1c sa111c <>]Jp<>rtt1- 11itirs as all tl1r o tl1r r stt1clr 11,ts
a11cl I ,,·ill Lr a c l1 y<>u !10, ,.· t<> sta11cl UJ) for yo11rsc! C I can '1 change th(' systc·111, I can't chang(' this sch<>o l, h11t I can c li,ll H!."<' , ,· ha t I clot<> 111akc s ur(' ,.<>ll -('1a -Etir ('r clia11c(' at succccd in t?·.. .. , J 1.., , .A.11cl l '" .,a i tccl. l \Y,1itccl lc>r tl1c C[Ltcstic)11s a11cl tl1c clisct1ssic)11 ct11cl tl1c ti111c it ,vas gc>i11g· t<> take tis t<> clig c s t , vl1,1. t , ,·cts l1,1111)c11i11g. Tl1is , vc11t <>Il a l l clay fc>r t,\·c> dc:t)·s. I r1ad tl1rcc cla.sscs J)Cr c1c:l)', ,-1r1cl I ta1tgl1t 18() <>r sc > st udcr1ts ,vitl1 , vl1c>n 1 I r1ceclccl tc) 11,:1,·c tl1is co, r11 c rsa tic)r1. Sc> ,,·e ta llzecl. \;'\ c tal kccl a l-)C) Ltt , vl1;:-tt it 111ca11t for tl1c111 to l)c tr ackc cl. \ \\' ta llzccl a l) <)Ltt ,vl1at it 111car1t fc)r t l1cir !,if<· c l1c>iccs. \·\'c talkccl .-1l) c>t1t ,,·l1;_,1t ki11cls c>f cl1;-111gcs til e): \,·a11tc ci tc> sec.
\'\!c tc1lk('cl cll)o ttl tl1c ir lif< C>Ltls iclc c>f s c l1o(>l. \.\\· talkccl al)C)Lll tl1c ir li,·cs i11 sc l1c>c)l. \ \!c t1se cl lcl11gt1agc , ,·e l1acli1t' Ltsccl ct11cl grclJ.)! Jlccl , vi tl1 iclcas \ \ 'C clic111't t1r1lcerslct11lc. It ,,vets11e, , ,
t<> 111e. It ,vas 11-c,v t<> tl1c11.1I t ,,·,1.
s11cvv fc>r LlS. \ \' e l1ctc1 , vc>rk t<> do. I l1,.1cl g Ltil t I l1a d t<> a d d r ess . I l1ad t<> lcc:1r11 t<> Ltse tl1c lc1r1guc:1gc <)f tl1e tl1ir1lzers tc> s ta rt figl1ti11g fc)r Ill)' sttclc r1ts, ra.tl1er tl1ar1 11se tl1c l,1r1gt1a g c <)f the cst al)lis h111c11t to kcc r) thc 11 i11 p la ce . /\ 11cl
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css c11t ia lis111a11cl tl1c s tr t1Cl L1re c>r tl1c s t.a tt1s c1t1c>. I fc>L111ci 111ysclr clisl1ca r tc11c cl a11cl isoL-1tccl i11 till' scl1c)o l a11cl rcacly to 111akc rc,11 cl1;,111gc. So I left . I tell tl1is stc)1..y 11c)t l)ccaL1sc l 11,l\ 'C c!c)11c grc;,1t ,vc)rk. I tell tl1is stc)ry l)cCaL1sc IlC)\·V I sec, ,ls a cc)llcgc }-)rc)fessc)r i11 tl1c J.)rc-scr\·ice tcacl1cr J.)rei-) cc>urscs ell cl la rg e t1rl:>,111 t1r1i1\crsity, l1c>,v cas)· it is tc) Lt11cc>11scic)Ltsly mis-cclLtCclle c>tlr tcacl1- crs i11tc> asst1111i11g tr1c false 11otior1 tr1at tl1crc is a rigl1t/ ,,vr c>r1g t)irl.:lr)· set c)f c x1)cricr1ccs tl1.:1t s l1o ulcl n1akc ttf) cclt1c.:-1tio11 ,1r1cl classrc>o111 practices. /\ r1ci if tl1at's tl1c l)clicf. t l1e11 tl1crc arc ri tl1t/vvrc>112· st uclc 11ts vvl1c> vvill cc>11ti11uc CHl tl1cir cl1c>sc11 1) a tl1 a11cl sc r \1c· tl1c S)'Sll'111tl1aL l1as \)cc·11 crl'atccl. l\1)i ,vc1rk 11c>vv is aclclrcssi11g tl1c stattts c1 t 1c) l)y tc,-1c l1i1g1· 111·ystL1clc11ts tc> cle \.:c lc)J) ct ])l1ilc)SCl) ) ll)1 c>f cclucatic>11 tl1at clc>es11't l.>cgi11 ,vitl1, " I l.>clic, ·c ,-111 cl 1ilclr c11 ca11 le ,-1r 11 .. .''; r,1tl1cr, iclc11tifies ,,vl1at tlic)· l.>c li c,·c al>c>ut tl1cir J.)cclagc>g·)· a11ci f)l1ilc>sc>1)l1y·. 111 a clcircssir1g i11cc1t1itics .:1r1cl justice i11 c ciL1ca tic)r1, 111y· t.:1sk. r1as l)ccc>n1c r1arrc>,v ir1g tl1c O})J)c)rtt111ity· fc>r cssc r1tia lisn1 tc) gair1 rc)c)ts. I also ,va11t to CXJ)ar1cl tl1c la 11g·1ta g c tl1.:-1t tl1csc )'C>t111g tea.cl1c rs ,,·ill l)c usi11g tc> t111clcrsta11ci vvl1at is l1a1) / ( , ( , !)<·11i11g i11 tl1cir scl1c>c1ls. 11)· s tt1clc11ts 11ovv ar<' yc>t111g a clu lts vvl10 tc11cl to l)clic\1 C tl1at tc,1cl1i1g1 is ctll a\Jc)ul 111c.tki11g tl1i11gs ]Jrc tl)1 a11cl 111atcl1i11g ,111cl st1cl1. i\ 11cl vvl1ilc I cl})}-Jrcciatc tl1cir cffc>rl i11 tl1cir l>clicf tl1at acstl1ctics 111attcr, ! '111\VC>rk.i11g i11 c,1r11cst tc> acldrcss tl1cir t111clcrstar1dir1g a11cl a, va rc r1css c>f jLts ticc .:111cl to i r1crcasc tl1cir ,1l)ilit)1 to l1a\-C' a \·oicc. If I c.:1r1 l1cl1) tr1c111 get g ro t111clc cl c11c)t1g l1 SC) tl1,1t tl1c)· ca11 SJ)Cak tip for tl1c111scl\·cs, it is 111·: l1C)J)C tl1at t l1C)' c a 11 tra11sfc'r tl1at sa111c g rc>t 111cii11g tc> tl1cir stL1clc11ts. ' l l1is vvay. vvc c a 11 l1a\'C ,l collccti\•c 11;,1rrati\'C' tl1at is ai) C>Ltt c l1a11gc a11cl!) ro g rc ss ;,111cl jL1sticc a11cl a d \1 a11ci11gtl1c C>J.)J.)CJr tL111ity· c>f all stL1clc11ts. It ,,va s11·l u11til )·c a r s la te r, \\·l1c11I \Vets ctl>lc tc) cx1-)a11cl Ill ) ' t111dc rs tc111c:li11g· c)f c r i tic ctl }JCd c1gc·>g )' c.t11cl i11c1t1ir)' els ,vcll ,ls clisc c"J\ 1 C'r tl1c at1tl1c)rs a11cl tl1ir1kcrs tl1,1t l1avc ir1flt1cr1ccd Ill)' J)racticcs, tl1at I r,1r1 across tl1is c1t1otc frc)111 l)c!l l1c>ok.s, ·'I cr1tcrccl tl1c classroo11,1 ,vi tl1 tl1c C()11,·ic tic>11 tl1at it vv,,s cr t1c ial fcH· 111c a11cl C\ rCr \ : o tl1cr st t1cic11t tc> !)c a11 acti\·c J)artici1)a11t, 11c>l a J) c1ssiv·cc c111s L1111c r . . . cclt1caticH1 as tl1c' J)r,-1cticc c1f fi·ccclcH11
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A sample of texts, '' must-r e ads: ' for pre-service teachers, along with suggested videos
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*** Ig11acic> H t1r ta clc> 1/ 6 / 14 I:.::\' C I ! (J I P re )( ,-\cic11\.Vc1la D ia g r1c>s tic Ess,1.)-: C r ca tio r1S to rie s E x t rc111cl y l111) c)r ta11tNote: 'l 'l1is is l.)asccljL1st (>tl 111' )i111gai11atic)11, ,111cl l c!c)11' t 111c,1r1 it to l)c tl1c trt1tl1: I .:1111 tt1rr1ir1g tl1is ir1 as ar1 exe rc ise ir1 c rc a ti,·c ,vritir1g acc<> r cli11g <>J) t ic>tl #?, i11 y<>t tr i11str L1c t i(>t1s, l J) rc l'< r tl <> t t<> c c>tl l j) a rc Il l) ' " tr;.-1cli tic)rlcll'. crcatior1 stc)r)' tc) a11c)tl1cr (<)11ti c)r1 # 1) C)r t<) ,111,l l)' ZC ,rl1.:1t it n1c.:1r1s tc) 111c (c>J) l iclll # 2) i11 tl1is c11\·irc>11111c11t ;.-1s I f'< ) 'C) l l a 11cl c11cj-))·
cl tl1at is lc>La ll)· t111ca llc cl f<) r.' l' l1a11k
102 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
Re visin g Salvation
111 tl1is css;-1)·, I ,viii Lcll ;-1 s tc>r ) i tl1aL i<)<> ks at a 11c·\ v ,,.c rs i<>ll c>f' tl1c ( l1risti;-111 c rc a tic)11 St()r y kll()\·\'11as c; c11csis, \Vl1icl1 is cl rcl,1ti()llSl1i1) i.)Cl \VC Cll c;()Cl ;-111cl l1is S<)rl cx1) la i11i1g1 tl1e 11alLire <)f l1Li111a11 IJ c i11gs, I , vill attc1111)t l<) i11tc r1)rct tl1c Bil>l c as vvcll ::1s n1!) k11c>,\·lecige <>f C l1ris, ti 1 r1it)' tl1aL 111akcs Ll}) n1y SJJiritLi::1li t)·· Fi r s t <,)f
1:1
ir1 tl1c l)cgi.11r1ri1g, tl1c Lc)r d aln1igl1ty , r,:1s f1c)a tir1g i11 tl1c , r,1st c111J) tir1css <)f s11acc. H e f<)L1r1cl tl1e c1111t1ir1ess L1r1l)caral)lc sc> fir1all)· sc1L1c e z c cl it i11to the llrst , \·c>r ci, , ,·l1ic l1 ,,vas 1<1,: c. /\ II l1c \v;,111t c ci \Vc:'lS l<)\:c , S<) l1c 111a.clc his sc)11 tc>g c tl1cr til e),·
vc>r kc ci CHl c rc c1ti11g tl1c 1: a r Ll1 like a
,j c
,·cl f1c) c1ti11g 111 tl1c cc11tcr
()r ll1c Llll i,·crsc .
Sccc)11c,
ll1,,
tc) 111akc tl1c sk,
\1 ll1c L c)rcl a s kccl l1is SC)ll le) rL111 as fast cl11cl as f:lr els l1c C<)Lild S<) ll1e l)lLlC field s , ,·e r e l1is <)}Je11 l1ea rl, ll1c sky ,,·cts ll1e first la L1g-l1tcr. Tc) 1nakc ll1e <)cea11, tl1c Lc)rci l.>r<>ugl1t l1is S<)Il i11to cieeJ) slec11, S<) tl1c , ra te rs , rcrc tl1c>sc d r c a11s1 tl1cr1 tl1cy 11air1tcc1 tl1e gr,1sscs ar1c1 trees. T l1c)·m,1dc tl1e a.r1i111,1ls OL1t of tl1c 111t1cl. TI-1c I,1r1,ci ,·a s ra tl1er a11d so 1111I c1yi11g. Or1 the C>thcr l1,1r1cl, ,it
ras C>r1 the
,sc
·cr1tl1cia)· tl1at ,vc c;-1n1c ,1l0 11g. Tl1c T,c>rcl , v,'u1tc cl tc> res, t !)tit tl1c sc)11 \vas restle ss, !1c vva 11tcc l tc> kc CJ) J) ia )·i11g, !1c vva 11tc cl le) 111akc Ll1c vvl1c)! c s il L1a l io11 a s i1111) lc g;-1111c, l1c ,,·a11tc cl le) ll1ro,v clicc, i11 cl fit <)f crazi11css lie CC)l)ied l1i11s1clf: l1c),,·c, ·e r, i t , vas a IJ;,1cl C g <)cl, HE is SLIJJre111,cl.)Llt lie - , vas a f<)<)lisl1 s <>Il. FL1rtl1er111<>re, tl1is <)L1tr,1ge<)L1s acti<>r1 e r1ragecl tl1e L c)rcl S<) li e J)L1r1isl1ccl l1is so r1. ·'\ \)ti ,1rc a l)<)r t cc l, tl1c C>r1e , r l1c> n1a .k.cs tl1c fat,tl crrc>r." Lik e a ,vratl1fL1l 11s t the I.,o r cl's \V<)rc ls J1Ln1cr1ccl the sc>rl. H is !)rol cr1 tee th, tr1e l) lo o cl fro111 his 111c>t 1tl 1, !1is Lcar,s ,·2ttc rc cl tl1c Ea r t h, l1c la)· 111c)ti c) 11lc ss 0 11 tl1c g rc>t111cl vvit l1 tl1c J) c1i11f t.1l c111gc r i11siclc l1is tc1111)lcs. ' l 'l1c Lcars fl· ll i11t<) t l1c g rc, L111cl, all tl1c J) C)iso11 l1as l)cc11 sc)clki11g ll1c g rc>L111cl c,·cr si11cc, ,,·c tr)i le) c lc a11 <)Ltrselvcs SC) Ll1at , ,·c ::trc })Lire. 111 C<)11clLisic)11, tl1is is tl1e l)ig secre t. Tl1erc , v,1s 11<) 111agic r il) <)r frLiit tree ir1 J) a r a d is c. I t's LIS, ,vc ,1rc tl1c sir1, tl1c sc>r1, tl1c s,1111e sc>r1, l1as l)ecr1 c tcr r1,1lli) , va lk.ir1g tl1c c,1rtl1 t<) stiffer to srl<),v tis ot1r sir1 ar1cl ,,·asl1 l1is ovvr1 fro111 l1is l1a11cis.0 111)1 sc>111c <)f tl1csc 111c11 l1,a, c l)cc-11 r c111c111l)erecl, ,ve ;1-rc the 111si ta kc tl1at cc>111cs fi ·cH11 lc>, ·c , tl1at's l1c-) \ v I sc·c it \Vitl1 111v i111a2·1i1atic, 11 111 tl1is s tc>r \ '. .. ( / ,I
***
l'\ ;-1tl1cl11icl G ree11ficlcl-Ba1 )tis te l.)Ltrsts tl1r<)Lig-l1 tl1c cl<><)r <)f tl1e cl;-1ssr<)<)111 al) <>L1t l1alf,,vc1).: tl1r<)L1gl1 tl1c J)cri<)cl. .1-\ll tl1e dcsk.s l1a,1c l)cer1 J)L1sl1cd t<) tl1e , va lls, clissc>l, ·i r1g tl1c fa11i1liar fc>r, va rd -f,1cir1g gricl ir1grair1ccl l)y l 2 yc,1rs c>f sc l1c>o lir1g.1\ ror)c is s11iralecl 011 tl1c c)1 c r1eci Sf)c1cc <)f tl1c gra)· tile n<) Or 11·0 111 tl1c cc11tcr C>t1t, va rcL l\,fr. f\ clc11vva lla ca111c tc> c- L1ss I :1 111i11utcs c a.rly· tc>cla.1) tc> a r r a 11gc POETRY SCHOOL 103
"'( ) 11 Ill )' gcicl, J)lc,,1S(' tell 111c I clicli1't 111iss it!" atl1a11icl says. I-le fi11cls tvvc> g i r ls ,,vll () l1av·c !1('CC)111c l1is clcsk 11cigl1l)c1rs, J)('Cks c;.;1cl1 011c 011 tl1c cl1cck, ;:c111cl c l1c)r tlcs i11 G r i11·g,c>-
tccc11tccl S ]Jc111ils1: "Esta11 111Lt) ' 111Lt)' li11cla s 11(>·) '
Tc CJ Lticrc) mL1cl1c>!'' £\ ·c r vc>11c, i11clL1dir1!! 11Ir. ,-\clcr1,vallct, rcs1J<>11ds , ,·i tl1 c1r1 ur1cctS\' s111ilc.
I \... , ''.Jt1st i11 ti1ne, clcc1r fric11d,'' 111r. ,-\ c1er1,.v;:1ll,1. sc.rys tc> Natl1,1r1icl. 1 1I r. l\ clc11\,·alla sta11ds clt <>r1c cr1ci c>f tl1c rc>c>111 \\·itl1 l1is s tL1clcr1ts, all , vasl1cd ir1 tl1c ligl1t c>f a.11in·1,1gc projcctccl 011 tl1c ,vl1itcl)c>arcl. Grccr1 ar1cl red 11cl)ula.s risi11g i11 C<)s 111ic i) la c k11css softc11 i11tc> tl1c l)ackgrc>Lt11ci for a J)Ocr11:
E vf l) 'Onf
11 (;or/.1/Jr)akill/!-,
1 Tl1c g11c>stl)· digit,.11 le tte rs sec111 tc> n1clt ir1tc> tl1e i1111->crfcct letters tl1c stL1der1ts l1a\'C l>r;:1ir1stc>rmcd <>rite> tl1c l>c>ard lc><>1>ir1g c>r j,:1ggcd le t te rs, son1c strctcl1ec1 ir1to l1icrogl)1)l1ic t)caL1ty tl1,1t car1 c,1rry ir1cic1)cr1cicr1t 111car1ir1g l)C')'<)r1cl tl1c cri\)s of tl1cir 11a ti\:e ,vclrcls, <)r sl1rL111k i11to s l,1 r1ti11g illegil)lc tracks <)f tcxtL1al crL1111l)s, tl1ickcts criss -c rc>ssc cl ,, ·itl1 J) a tl1s i11 a vvilclcr11('SS.
J.,,rzr!lt lr )arns hozt' lo_/ J' + rotk knozcs hou· Lu sr!J1 I /ovr_you lo his rhi/rlrrn
.-lzue?nzirarlts? ?aliens? rzgua astiroirls alonzs
.Set "i,zvented''??? Q--ue? D\J jl
T he ji1st celll 0 1e/ leg 1\ f JSTERJ.
ashes to a.sizes rlust lo rlusl
.Veolo11v
hal2r 111on/-. J1 s LPal'e !hf lrff.1
.,-ij·ira - - - - - a/L the races
Grace 1\'fcH11c11l I: Great E111cr2:e11cc. Ot1t ()f tr1c 111\:stc ric>t 1s c l1a os sc)111c l '.-3.8 l)illicH1 \·c a r s a12:c> ti111c. SJ)c1cc, a11cl c11cr2:\' stal)ilizc i11t() tl1c 2.ift ()r cxistc11cc. ()L1r C 11i\·c rsc is l)c>r 11l1c)l a11cl ti11,v ... < ' ;
1,J ( / <.J
i\ \VC)111a11 i11 lier sixties, tl1c c>lclc s l s tL1c.lc11t i11 ,I r. ,-\clc11,va lla 's classes tl1is sc111estcr, flits <>Llt c>f tl1c clt1s te r. " Lista!'' sl1e sa )1s, lctki11g lier JJlacc al tl1c C>Ltl - er111<>st ca11clle. H e r s1n c1. ll, sn1ilir1g face J)L1lsc s ,vitl1 e11crg, ·) tl1crc. 111 Cul>a: sl1e ,vc>rl"cd ,1s a I(i11clcrg,1rtcr1 tcacl1cr fc>r 2:) )·ca rs r)cfc>rc i111111igratir1g to tl1c C11iteci S ta tes, ar1ci s l1c r c lisl1cs l1cr role i11 tl1is stagecraft. She's ,,vca ri11g ,1 s111art l)luc SL1it fc)r tl1c SJ)cci,,11 c>ccasic>11. ·' I l)clic\1 C it 111 tl1c Bil)lc, tcacl1c1 " sl1c Scl)·s g rc1\'('l)', "l)L1t I tl1i11k tl1at ca11 l1c tl1c sa111(' vvitl1 tl1c l.1ig l)a11g. ()k?:'
104 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE Sl1c slc) vVI) · ! )c1 1cls clc>,v11 Le> lig l1L tl1e ca11clle. i\ 11 C>J) e 11 fla111(' i11 Ll1c c la ss rc>Cllll a viola ti(>11 (>f c,11111)Lts1) o licy Ll1 ,.1t lr. Aclc1-1v, a ll,.1k11c>,,·s ca11 r('SLtll i11 SL1s1 )c 11- si()11()r e\iCll ler111i11ati()11, j Lts l like la)·i11g )'C)Ltr l1eacl clc)vv11 l() take a 11c111 i11 )' ()Ltr ()ffice. l()a11i11g c-111 ()fficc kC)i l() a st L1cle11t, ()r sr1ea ki11·g()Ut clL1rir1g tl1e des igr1atcd (>fficc l1c>t1rs J)(>stccl C>rl l1is dc)c>r fc>r ,1 CL1t),-1r1 C( )ffcc l)CJ()St .-lt tl1c cafe teria Tl1e st11lcc r1t lifts a J) ()Ster of a l)lack cr()Ss e11ge11clc r ir1g a s ky of stars, ar1 <)ra.11gc s t111, a gray 111c>c>11. ··Jr tl1e t)ig l);-111g is tl1e trt1c; tl1c11 vvl1c> cl icl it?" Sl1c 1)aL1scs, sc,-111s { 1ccs, 111akcs a11 i11ter rc1g ,1- ti,·e '·aaaaaaaaa!t?"
-- 1l y ))iClLtf(' s l01 , vs it tl1a l 111ayl)c it is tl1c Cl1ristia11 gc)cl ,vll() 111aclc tl1c !)ig l>a11g. It ca11 l>c. 11(>?" O rie c,-111cile f1,:t111e al cl tin1c, tl1c s tL1c.lc11ts lrc1cc tl1e l1istc)r, v (>f tl1e 1111i·,crse.. :\s tl1c di11()saurs gi,,c ,,·a)' t(> 111a111m.-1ls, it is Igr1,-1c i c> H L1rt,1cl(>·s tur11 l(> ill11strate c lassrc)c>111, ·c)ic c , tl1c ,,·c>r cls cc)111c C>Ltl at ,-1 lc),verccl c>c t,a, e , J.)L 1sl1cc.l tl1r()t1g l1 a st rc1ir1er. '·r\ c>Lt k11c>,, ·, 1 '111rc .-111·) tr yir1g, l>Ltl I c.lc>11't agree ,,·itl1 tl1is. I'll jLtSl tc1kc tl1c C()r1sc1c uer1ccs." H e st,-111cls \Jack ,,·itl1 l1is .-1rn1s c r (>sse cL face lc11sc. H is r1cigl1l)c>rs ir1cl1 .-1, r a ) ' tc> 111a kc a l)ttffcr. l\Ir. 1\ clcr1,,v<1l la ar1r101111ccs tl1at if Igr1acio ()r a r1),-0 r1c else is ir1tcrcstccl ir1 a r1 a l te r11a ti,·c assig1111c111t; lie clc>csr1't 111i11cl ·'r11aki11g cl clcc1I." 111 rCSJ) CH1sc, Ig11a cic,>
v,.1lks tc> c>tl1cr c11cl c>f tl1c rc>cH11, 11c>isil·y clt·a g·gi11g a clcs k, a11cl s its tc,>
,·rite. He scr,-1lclies avvay al a ft.1rioL1s )) a ce. l1cacl ,-ll111cJsl ! ) r c ssc cl clc>,v11 t c> tl1c clcsk l(>J).. -\t tl1e e11cl c>f tl1c cl;,1ss, lie i11lcrr t111tsa gr()LlJ) c>f s l t1clc11ls aski11g· Ir. 1-\ d c11,,valla c111cstic)r1s L<> drC)f) a fc>l clccl )'Cil()\,v lc g .-11-1>.-.tJ)e r r1c>tc c>11 tl1c clcsk. ''T l1at's f()r' '()Lt; ," lie sa \J·.s t)l.-1r1kl\I·. '· I felt I l1acl to ,,·rite it ir1stcacl c>[ clc>ir1g_, cos111i,c- valk tl1i11g."
tl1c
Fc>r tl1c fir s t ti n1c, f()r a SJ)iit-SCC()r1cl, l\ fr. 1\ d c11,va lla l1<1s a cl()SC lc>o k at tl1c ta tt()O Clll Ig11a.cio's 11eck. ,-\ J)i11k !) ul)! )! cg t1111l1ea.r t ,vitl1 t.vv<) claggcrs crc>ss i11g it, l)i c>c>cl clr1i) 1 ) i11g fi·o111 tl1c l) c>ll<> 111, lake c>f lire lick.i11g Ll))\varcl.· l 'l1c u111)crilccl l1c,-1rl crc)sscs ever sc> slig l1tly' c)11tc) l g11;1: cic>'s ja,,· a11cl c l1cck. St1cl1 a slc>J)J1)1 at1lc)gra11l1, tl1i11ks Ir. i-\d c1-1,valla. ()fl a c a11,·as tl1c.tt c c-111111;,1kc s11cl1 J) r cc is e J)C>clry tl1r(>t 1gl1 mir1isc11lc gestt1res. H (>vv 111ucl1 tl1at 11cccllc 11111st l1c1:,c l1L1rt (>r1 sucl1 tl1ir1 flcsl1! l\Ir. 1\ dcr1vva ll,1 1111ts I g r1c1. cic>' s r1c>tc ir1 l1is J)()Cl c t .-1r1cl \\'alks tc) l1is c>ffice, J)ay ir1g attcr1tior1 tc) tl1e cor1t<1ct <)f c<1cl1 stc11 011 tl1c g ro1111d, S()L1r1clir1g tl1e ,,vc>r cls
f ·'f /.jusl take the ron.1equence1. i11 l1is arl)c)rec1l 111i11cl C>v·cr a 11cl c>,·cr. r l1c \VC)rcls rt1s tlc like lca \''( S, flc)al c,l,c>
rC)()lS.
·11 tl1rc>ugl1 Ll1c ca 11<>J)) 1, a11cl fall a, va )' i11Lc> gr<>L111clless POETRY SCHOOL 105
i \ t l1is c1flicc l1c lc)c>ks tl1rr>L1g l1 vvl1a.t l1c tells v·isitc>rs is !1is l1ack,,·arcl , vi11clr>,, -, lc)r it <>11c1 1s. i11co11rgL1c>L1s l):1 i11tc> tll<' l)L1ilcli11g ratl1cr tl1a11 C>L tl lo tl1c l.) L1s y s tre e ts a11cl s tr i1) 11c1tlls ell tl1c cclgc c>f tl1c ca1111 L1s. H e C>CC L111ics ,-t11 i11tc ric>r c>fficc tl1.-1t c>, ·c r lc>c>ks a ,·,1.
st cc>111>1L1tcr l,11> ,,vit l-1 a ca tl1cd r,1. l - li ke ceili11g.·
He secs tl1c to11s of clc>zcr1s c)f l1c;1csi. S tL1cler1ts a.re vvriti11g sc l1c)c)l a ss igr1111c11ts, cic>ir1g l)oc>l._ r e p o r ts 011 classic 1\111crica11r10,·els, cioi11g jc>1 1r r1,1lsC)ll \.vl1,1t tllc)· lca r11ecl tc>cla ) cic>i11g Povvcr J)C>i11ts fc>r c>ra l J)r cse1 1ta ticH1s C>Jl c t1rr e11t c, 1 e11ts, cio i11g vvl1a t tll c) i' rc tc>lcl, , ,·r it.i11gCHl l 1'rtcf1 hook, c -111aili11g clista11t f 1 111il)· 111c111l)e rs , vV,-lSl i11·gSlcllC J'('S()Llrc cs , a11 1 1 l)'i11·gi<)r g c)\'('l'lllllCll t a ss istclllCC, ! ) ()Ltr i11g ()Lil !C)\" C le tte rs, l1a tc 11,-1il, 11c1>,, i11g ,-1,·c1lars i11 \iir tL1a l r cc1litics,11a ) 1 i 11g l>ill s . 11lag·ic1rizi11g a11d 1)rc>se l) · tizi11g,mc>,·i11g tl1rc>L1gl1 clin1 c11si c>r1s c>f c c>11ft1sic>11 a11d d iscc>, 1 Cr )·, reaclir1g tl1e 1\l ia nzi Herald, reaciir1g Si{/dhartlza, reacli11g Fifi_)· Sha{/e.1· qf Gr{ V, rc a clir1g T 1:i kiperfia.
1\ t tl1e tOJ) c)f tl1c c c1tl1cclr a l, tl1rc)t1gl1 t he l)t1l)l ) le of c c)1111)11tc r 11c) ise a r1cl s ta tic ele c t r ic ity a sccr>11cl vvi11c!c) \ v rc,·cals tl1c s k·)' l\'fr. i\ clc11,,·a, ll1 111t1st c r,111c l1is 11cck le> get j L1st tl1e rigl1t a11glc . He l1as l)cc·11 fi:cli11g tl1e sky-like lc>11gi11g LC>Clc1y. H e l1as l)cc11 s11c11cil11g c>11c c>f !1is 11cric>cls i11 tl1e ctirlcss 11lc1c,c, ·itl1i11.H e k1,1c> vs ,vcll ,-1 ri111)ec:l l1iclcle11 l.)leecli11g. J 11st l.>e fc>rc lie reacl1es tl1e e111>1ti11ess, tl1e c n111ti11es,s 1l>c>11t tc> cc>111c ag·ai11: lie l>11r11s a \\'cl)' c>11t, c11gL1l[s tl1e c>L1ter \.vo rlcl, cla r1cc s fire ,1rc)11r1cl tl1c rr1assivc glass a11ci steel str11c t11r cs sc,1lir1g l1i111 ir1. Tl1is is l1is d e,iC)tic>11, tc) l)t1r11i11g. H e rcacl1cs i11tc> l1is I)C>ckct fc">r I gi1a.cic>'s 11c>tc, feels 111c>ist ccH1tac,t vit l1 tl1c 11a11c r, l1is, s ,·ca t c111cl l1is st11clc11t's. lg11a c ic>'s l1ig a11g1da r lc tt<'r s , tll<' s ic kl<'cl s11i11cs, tl1c sci L1arc se r ifs feel sl1ar11-cclg c cl i11 l1is e)re s .. \ f t.e r li e r cc tcls it., l1c feels a grea t ilc>,vi11,g, ·itl1i11.H e feels s11c11t., J)arts c>f l1i111 l >r, c -1ki11g c>ff like l>rittlc f>c.lJ:>e r . \;\'c>rd s c 111crge. "I 11ecc.i tc> cic> s c>111ctl1ir1g·else,'' lie Sc.l);S ,-1lc>ucl. H e clc>sc s l1is C)'CS fc)r a. fc, r 111ir111tcs: secs l1in1sclf as tl1c>11gl1 lc) C)lzir1gtl1rC>L1gI-1 a vvir1clo,\: O r1}1is c o r1111tc1; he clicks c1 !) o x i11clic;:1tir1g tl1a.t lg r1ac ic> H 1 1r t;:1clo co1111lc)tecl l1is assi 2:1111c 1,1t vit l1 2:rc-a t 111erit tc>cl,a \ . <. } <. , ,
1
zui!lt jJeojJ/e.
· 4re u..Je allou:ed lo use I?
· 1lrelUe allolced to use outsi{le soztrces?
***
.'lre1ue allolced lo listen lo raJJ 1nu.\ic in class u.1itlt jJrostitules tlte_fzC'orrl, the n-lt'orrl, tlte h-lU01tl?
r
11
.4re zue aLLolced lo talk about scie1zce vs. religion? Do le;/zi!e jJeoJ1le rertlfp co,ztrol tfze world?
106 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE !1 it I/LO.\/ [P Lit(),]elos?
,S'o zu!to is l,fu racist here·,-vou or nie?
,s·oare_J'Oll sC{J'in.s; n J' jJe1:yonaL 4,nerican D rea!ll i.l' barf and dead?
-T· l rzo clo_J'Oll Lhi1zA·_J·o1t' re calling a slate?
,f1'f,e n anrl zt'here rlo these secret Icings ,nee! to rig this ganze qf chess?
1c ): Pre)! Aclc11\•Va l la. Fro111: I g11acio Hurt<1cio Tl1is cc)111111ttr1ic,:1tic)11 is le> i11fc)r111 )'C)lt tl1at tl1c tC)JJics yc)tt discttss ir1 )' <)Ltr cl,1ss arc \tCr )· C<'>ll l r c)v·cr s ia l, vvcll, it is c>11c 111c)11tl1 i11Lc> tl1c sc111cstcr, a11cl I cir> 11c>t tl1ir1k vvc sl1c)Ltlcl l>c t,.1lki11g al>c)Ltl gc)cl ir1 class, \•Ve l1ct'\ C l>ccr1 lc1lkir1g al.>c>ttl gc>cl c>r iclcas .-1l) <)t 1t g c>cl at least a fcvv ti111cs .-1 vvcck ,.1t least a11cl I tl1i11k it is cc)11lrc)\·crsial, 11,1'\C )'<)Lt l1carcl al.)C)ttl tl1c sc1)aratic)11 c>f c l1ttr c l1 ct11cl slate? I de) l:) c li,c \
c i11 g<)Ci l:)t1t I clo 11ot \ vis \1 to s l1arc 111')
goci ,ritl1 otl1cr })C'O})lc. I , ,·r c) tC' tl1c csscl)' ,.1!.)C)L1l Jestis. I Ltsc cl a ll 1111)crc,1ti\·it)' fc)r it. It vvas like I ,vas 11c)l t l1ir1kir1g vvr1er1 I ,vrotc it. Tr1c essay al111c)st vvrotc itself. To l)c r1011cst I felt like l clicl sc)111ctl1i11g vvrc)11g ,1it.c r ,,va r cl. ()11 l<)J) c)f ,111 tl1al )' C)L1 g a \·c 111c cl C+!!! I kr10,,· tl1is is riot tl1c real gra.clc )·ct si11cc tl1is is jttst ,1 p r a c t ice , ar1ci , ,·e l1,1\1C <1 cl1a11cc lo kccjJ vvc)rki11g 011 tl1c essay to get a rc,11 g·ra.clc; l)Ltt l clc) 11ot i'< c i CC)111fc)r t i\ r c yc>u a 11 L1sli111? I k11c>vv I l1a,·'( LC> vvc>rk C>ll 111y J)t111clt1atic>11, l)Llt a ( +?
Tl1,1t's cxtrcn1cl)· ridicLtlc)t ts a11d i11sLtlti11g. 1\ lsc>, I still clc> r1c>t tl1i11k it is rair t l1,.1t \VC l1a\·c tc) l)rir1g yc)t1r ca11s ,1s J)art c>f C)L1r ttra,clc c)r IJc s l1c:t111cclif vvc clc)11't. T l1al 111a kcs 111c \·e r \ ' a11:gi·\1 a11cl frL1s- tratcd ._ , I , _ , , l1c) J)C )'C)lt Ltr1dcrst,1r1cl tl1at I a111 j t tst tr)1 ir1g tc) clc) \\'l1;:1t I t1a\'C tc) clc) i11 c)rclcr tc) get cl clcgrC'c c111clstart 111)· l)usi11css. Sir vvitl1 all clLt(' l'('SJ)CCt yc>L1r jc>l) is just l<> tc,.1cl1 Lts tc) vvritc. \ \ )Ltr jc)l> is jttst tc) g i\1 c Lts tr1c ,vc)rk. I c1111, ,·illi r1g t<> 111akc POETRY SCHOOL 107
tl1a t sacrifice. l)t1l I a111 N ( )' l' ,villi112· tc> c c>rllJ) J'CH11isc 111·\ !)e!ic fs . De> 11c>l 2·.c t
) ( } (J
me , ,·rc)11g:, I tl1irik \'C)LI c1rc a g·c)c)cl tcaclicr, \'C)Ll crc<.tle 1111a1,· i11trig:t1irig: si l tlct- ticn1s, l)t1t I t11i11k y·c)u a re gc)i11g tC>C> f:1r. \ 'c) LI arc 111a ki11g 111c u11c cn11fc> r ta l)I e. 11)' J)C)ir1l is trlcll , ,·c ,vill talk a!J()Lll lriis clfter class 1icx t ti11c1, trial \.Ycl) ' l \ \'()li't l)c fc)rceci tc> go tc> tl1c l1igl1cr :1:-t 1tl1c>r itics ::-1t )·ot1r i11s ti tt1tic)11 i11 c>rclcr tc) rc c tif)' t_l' ,l ._, I I _., ,_., tl1is sil t1atic)1i. I aJ)C)lc)g iz c C)1ice a g ,1.
all )' \ V,1) 1, sllaJ) C, or fOr l1'1.
Igr1acio Htir ta.clc) E.:\C 11() l
i1i if I li c1,·c LlJ)Sct )'C)LI c)r )1 C)Llr slt1clc1ils iii *** T,vc) 13-y·ea r -c)ld l)c)y·s, ,l J)J)c1r c ri tly· t, viris , ,-valk tlirc)t1gli ,l la1iclscar)c c)f s, ,·cl )' ir1g, ras1)ir1,g- vaist-l1igl1 sa.vv grass. Eacl1 steJ) ir1 tl1e l1c)t n1t1ci releases ,1 111ir1- cral J)erft1111c. J\ fc)rcst o f vvhitc pole-tl1i11 sla s l1 J) i11cs rises al)o,.-e tl1c l1o r izc)r1. [ li e s t111 lies !c) \Y, sc 11cli11g tl1c l)C>),-S c>r a 11g c lig l1t tl1rc>ugl1 t l1e s,va1111) fc)rcst, 111c>rc SJ) a cc tl1a11 , ,·o c>cl a11cl lc c1L· 1·11c sky is rt1111l)l i11g, C<>, · c rc cl i11 c lc>t 1cls tl1at scc111 sl1rcclclc cl cl\ Va )· frc )111c a cl1 <)ll1cr al C<)llc)11 c clg c s. "l' l1c 111c1ss c)f gray 11ick crs vvi tl1 liwtlit. Tlic s111i is s11lcclc1,i;l, m c)c)rilit riiglit.
g·c)1ic. c1rici tlie Eartli IJecc)111cs s ilc ril iii tlie "T l1is is sc) l) c a t1ti f11,l'' ,vl1is1)crs c)r1c c)f tl1e l)c)ys. Tl1e otl1cr lc)c)ks at l1in1, a.r1r1o)·ccl. " c). Tl1is is just a \valk. Get ()Lit C)f tl1a t clo t1cl. D c)r1't l)c ar1 id io t. I c t's l1t1r r y LlJ) a r1cl get l1orr1c. I t's g c t ti11g cia r k!" "'I t's 11<)t jt1st ,1 , val k!" )·ells l):1:-c k tl1c C>tt1er. S tc>J) a11cl listc11 tc> l1c), v c111ict it is!"
--c:, 111 ' t,
\ ! () l l sec? Tl1is is l)eat1tiftd!
--'\I'( ) ll ll lcl k·c 11() SCllSC, ''
s a ys lI}(' L.VVlll I)
l()St."
i\,lr. i\ clc1i vva lla , ,·a kcs fi-<1111 tl1c clrc;.1 111, tc1kcs a j <)t 1r1 ia l fi·c>111 l1is 11igl1tst,-111cl, a11d l.)c g·i11s ,vriti11g clll c11tr )' c11titlccl " Pc)c tr )· Scl1c)c)l. '' Btit, l.)cfc)rc l1c c,.111 rc ,.111·) sa)r , ,·l1c1l tl ic , ,·c)rcis 111cc11, lie re,1. lizcs lie 's gc)irig tc) l)c late fc)r l1is first c"l1ss, ar1d s"t1r ts rc,·ic,virig vvliat r1ccds ,lttc riti()Il. Tc)ci a )7, lie rc,1lizcs, l1c SJ) c,1 l s \,vi t t1 I2·r1caic) H tirt,1cic),1ftcr class. Ho, v \,·ill lie sa,.- it? u / Tl1c cor1,·crsa tic)r1 is less tl1,1r1 1() 111i11t1tc s lo11g ar1d al111c)st to ta lI)· C)11c-sicic cl. Ig·11a c ic> stares at l1i111 t l1rc>t1g l1<) u t, s l ig l1tl)· s la c_k- ja vvc cl, c>fTcr i11g 11c> rcsist;,111cc. ( ) l.),1ic11 1s l)1, 11<1 <111c is tclli11g lg11aci<> l1c l1as LC> l )c li,c, c a111)t.l1i11g. \ 'cs, tl1c tcacl1cr cl1c)c)scs tl1c l<)J.1ic. a11cl 111ayl)c tl1is is a11 11111is11al clJ.) J.) l'C)acl1, l)11l cx1) lc)r i11g s1 ) ir i t1 ial 111atlcrs c,1.11111akc tl1c class 111c)rc 111cc111ir1gf11l. i\ 11cl if tl1c tC)JJic is tr iggcririg cliffic:11lt c111c)tic)r1s, n1ayl)c Igric.1c i c) slic)11lc.i drc)J) tlic clc.1ss.
108 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE l\.f r. 1\clc11\v,.1lla \vill l1cl1) l1i111 tra 11sfc: r LC> ;.-111<) t!1cr scct ic)Jl . BLtl , l1c c1111 ) !1a s izcs, , ,·!1,.1t if lie fi 11csl a11c)t!1cr clifl i c Ltlt or,- ,vorsc. a i.)ori11g l<)J) ic i11 tl1c 11c,v COLtrsc? () 11c tcacl1cr l)ases a l,.1rg·e J) a r t <)f lier class <)11 Sl1,1kcsJ)C,trc's trageclics, fc)r cx,1m1)le. O tl1crs <)11 cri111c ficti<)r1: f<)<)cl ctl1ics a11ic triJ)S l<) a C<)111111t1t)r·1gi,.1r clc11; ,l J) <)c ,1l y1)tic r1arrati,1cs; 1\f ric,1r1-/\r11cric,1r1\VC)111cr1 ,vritcrs, scxis111 a r1ci racis111. \ 1\To L1lcl lie prefer or1e of tl1ose classes? l\fa)·l)c, tl1e si1111lc) yet al)SL1rd rc;.1lit)· is tl1at Ig11a.cic> is stuc k \vitl1 l1i111, l\fr. 1\ clc-11\ va lla J)rC>J)C>scs. l\ fa )·})c, l1c is 111ca11t tc> i.)c i11 tl1is c la ss . -l\ l r. ,.\clc1 1vv;.:1ll ,.1 l1as 11<·vcr i.)<·c11 tl1is cl<>Sc tc> l g 11ac i<> fc)r tl1is lc>11g, a 11cl c a11't l1cl1), IJLll st,1re ell s, va tl1s ()r f 1i1L1 J) ()Ck111a rks risi11g fr()l11 tl1c llaJ)C ()r l1is 11cck, <)\·e r tl1c t::1tt<)<)ccl f1::1111cs, Ltp l)<)tl1 cl1ecks :1:11c-l i11t<) Iris tc1111)lcs. H e ll<)tices tire C<)11t<)L1rs <)f l1is tl1i11 face, e)1es set ir1 l)<)11es J)r<)trt1clir1g g<)gglc-likc, cl1cck l)c)r1es l1igl1, tigl1t sl ir1 ta1)c ri r1g tc) a sn1all full 111c)t1tl1. H e r1oticcs tl1c \Va )' Ig r1a c io 's shifty cararr1cl e)·es ca J) tt1rc )'e ll c)\V stre,1ks of lig l1t. H e r1o tic cs tl1c f 1i11t SJ) icy stc11cl1 c>f l1is \) r c a t l1 ;.-111cl svvcet traces c>f CXJ)C11si,1c c c>lc>g 11c. "'\ 'c>Ll c a11't sa tis l\· a ll c>f' tl1c J) CC>J) ic a ll c>f tl1c ti111c, clear f1·ic11cl," CC)J1cluclc s -l\l r..A.clc 11,,vall,.1. -- <) clr<)J.) J) i11g. 11<) tr,-111sfcr," l g11,1ci<) s,1y·s after a J) ,l t1sc, as if tr)ii11g l<) J)r<)ccss a riclcllc. He ,va11ts t<) kr1c),.v , ,·l1,1. t graclc lie's e;:1r11ecl S<) f,1r. Pc r l1:1:1 ) s, a B. sa)rs l\Ir. •.\clcr1,valla, ..1: dc-li r1g l1is c tist<)m ary li11c a i.)<)Llt gr,1clcs IJcir1g fig111c11ts <)f tl1c in, 1tgir1a tic)r1. '·I '111goir1g to fir1isl1 ,vl1at l1a.s l)ccr1 startccl," Ig11acio s;.1),-S. He sr1aJ)S l1is foctis ir1tc> lr. 1\clc11,v;.11la 's e,
,,es. " ls tl1a t <)k \vitl1,
,. c>u? fa \, .:l) c tl1is is 111ea11t tc> f)c. " "()k ,vitl1 111c, cle a r fric11cl," Jr .. t\ cic-11,,·,-.d l,1 S n.)' S. "1\ 11cl \) y· tl1c \Vay 1'111 11c>t a -l\ l L1s li11,1<>r .rl i11lcL1, <>r a ( l1r is, ti111, <1r ;.:111 a l l1cisL. Rclig i<>ll is a fig111c11l <>f' Li1c i111ag i11,1ti<)11l<)<). ' l 'l1is Gc)cl tl1c rcligi<)LIS fc>lks talk al)<)Ltl 111igl1t i.)c rca l- 11<)t st1re. I j t1s t , ,·ct11t t<) lear11 ctl)<)Ltt life." l\Ir. 1.\dc11v,a ll:1:
is l1c)lclir1g I g11;1:
ci<)'s 111<>11<>l <)11c a11d glazecl l<)<>k i11 l1is 111i11c-l ;.1s li e ,v,1ll s ,1crc>ss ca 111J)t1s tc> l1is ()fficc, clcc icli11g tl1,1t trttly kr1<), ,vir1g tl1is )' C)t1r1g 1T1;.1r1 is l)<)t1r1cl to l1is , ·er )' f) Ltr J)Osc . 1\ fc, r stt1clc11ts ar1cl J)rofcssors arc st;.111cii11g ,.1rc)t1r1cl l1is c!()C)r cl1atti11g a11cl J)C>i11ti11g .-1t a la rg e s l1cct <)f J) clJ) Cr tl1,.1t l1a s l) c c11 taJ)<'CI rigl1t LL11clcr tl1is 11a 111c J) ia tc . I t's a \) l<1, v11-Ll)) ()!1c>tC> <>f ;,-1 , , · c)111a11's CL1r , ·,1c c o L1s tc)rS<), CLtl <)fl' ell tl1c l1cc1cl·. ·1 11c IJ<)S()Jll is ,,·ra1111c cl i11 cl ta11k l<)]J c 111)llaz<)11ecl ,vitl1 sta rs i11 tl1e sty·le <)f V,.t11 Gc)gl1's fa111<)t1s J)c1i11ti11g·. ' 'T l1is Is H <>\•V I \ \!a 11t T<> D ie?!?!" scr<>lls ::1r<)tt11d tl1c l)<)rdcr; rc,vritte11 sc,·cr,11 ti111es ir1 tl1ick red n1arkcr. ·'It seems S<)n1C<)r1c , r ;.1r1ts tc) get <)Ltr a ttc r1- tic)r1," l1e s;.l)' S, offcrir1g· l1is l1or1cst ,1sscss111c r1t. He lc a ,1 cs tl1c s r1c)cl ,1rt 011 t11c clc>c>r. " I clcH1't ,va.11t Li1is ])lace tc1 l)c 111,· tc a c l1i11,( 2·. a 11'v111c>rc , " fr . .A.clc11vv;.-1lla sa'vs i11 tl1c C!LLiCL ()r l1is ()!lice. T1-/' **** J' clo I ta/-;,e_vour facea1id t oice !tonze zcit/1 nze eve, )' cla_r?
POETRY SCHOOL 1 09
Hoz.u clo I tell_vou what f feel as I ICf JI u1zder n J' zuhite sfteets czt 1z gf1t?
T:1
ho are_rou hehinti these poen1s and lectures?
I a,n here to hf
zui!lt }'Oil .
l hu are !lze one.
*** ="atl1a.r1icl l1cl)cls tl1c stage, rcacli11g tl1c draft C)f l1is c rc a tio r1 sto r)' cssa )' to tl1c c la ss. H is 11ail J)C>lisl1 is l)lack CHl c>11e l1a11ci to cla ); e le c tr ic l) lt1e C>11 tl1e C>tl1e r.
I l e l1as a!s(J takc11
l' tl1c ,vl1itc !)(J;1-r cl.. tl1a t ca11;\a s t1st1al,lv rcS(' r \;e cl f(Jr tl1c cliclt1111s ()f tl1c1 .1r ()fcss<)r, clr a vvi11g tl1rcc sc1 t 1;-trc l1a1) J))' i:tccs. Eacl1 l1as tl1rc c C\' CS. tl1c ()11cs i11 tl1c 111iclcllc li ke l)rcakir1tt s titcl1cs. ;\1r.•.:\c.lc11,va lla l1as lctkc r1 l1is LlSL1,1lJ)lacc clL1rir1g tl1csc rcadi11gs i11 tl1c l),1ck c)f tl1c cl;:1ss. , L > ·, ', r\
l1c r1 tl1c first Cc)r1scic)LtS11css ca111c ir1tc) l)cir1g· frc)111 tl1c
'\ C)icl, it SL1clclc r1ly rcalizecl it vva.s a ll alo11c.I a111 tl1e c)rll)· I , it s<1id , a r1cl lc)okecl ax itself: It , v<1s a great fisl1 , vi tl1 a l1olc i11 its l1ea cl, s vvi111rr1i11g ir1tc> its e lf, C)\ie r a11ci C)\·cr a g a i11, a11 ctcr11al k11cJt, QcJi112·i11sicle cJf itself a11ci cc1111i112· cJul, !cJcJki112·f(-ir s cJ111c tl1i112· ,,.,, (/ J (/ (/ a ltl1o t1g l111ot s t1rc vvl1a t. It livccl i11 i'( a r t111til it tl1c>t 1g l1t, l 11c c cl a fr ic11cl. Ir I l1a\'C a fric11cL I \.VC)11't l)c ,1,
fraicl. Sc) it Cltt itself i11 t,vc). 011c siclc,
, va s c ,-1llccl F,:tl.)ttlc)us, tl1c 111c)tl1cr c11c rg·)· Tl1c C)tl1cr si clc ,v,:1s Cctl lc cl Fierce, tl1c f,.1tl1cr cr1crgy·. \r\ l1cr1 a !)c c t,1kcs J)c)llcr1 frc)11 c)r1c J)la r1t tc) a r1c)tr1cr, it is F <1l)t 1lc)t1s tr)' ir1g to rct1r1it,c
r i tl1 Fierce. Pc<1r1t1t t)Ltttcr <1r1cl jell·y. T o111a11cl .Jc r r·)'
F,1r)ulot1s a11cl Fierce. Blanco_)' 11( !!,ro."
="atl1,,111icl l1cJlcls l1is \) l t1e J1,,111cl l)c rc-irc l1i111 a 11clJ ) r csses l1is i)la c k c>11c i11tc> it, 1 ) a lt11 l(J1 ) a! 111, as l1is vv(>r cls t111i tc 1-'a l) t d(>L tS a11cl l·'ic r r c. " E v·cr)· l)ci11g CCJ11t;-1i11s l)c)tl1; l
a l) Ltl c)Lts cl11cl }"icrcc, i11 cli('1c rc11t 1.1rC)].1C)rlic)11s .
., . I g 11clc ic) clclr ts LlJ.1 frc)111 l1is clcsk, j t1s t a fc,v C)\1c r frc)11,1 , vl1crc, l\I r . A si t tir1g, c1r1cl 111C)\·cs Llj.) t\-VC) rc ),,·s. He l)cg·i11s 111a kir1g kissir1g r1c)iscs c1r1cl ar1 c)rg, 1s1n ic 1n c)a r1." ' \111at is tl1is nzariconcito tr y·ir1g tC) Sa)·?'' l1c yells. :\<1tl1<111icl J)l <1c cs l1is })ages c)rl tl1c tcacl1cr's t \.varcl a111icl a la r111 c d " O r1 tTl)' g c)cl's!" , ,.. r\ r1a t ;,1rc )'Cllt gc>i11g tc> clc>, faggcJt?" Igr1a c ic> l1c), r ls , c rc)ss i11g tl1e c la ss r c>C)tl l .
· ' I ' 111 ll C)l arraicl ()r \, ,'() Li ! "
·' \ 'cJ u s t1r c )i(JLt c a 11 l1a11cllc ;-111 tl1is?" Natl1;1- 11icl 111cJtio11s l1is l1a11cls LI)) a 11cl clc)\'\ ll tc) c.lis 11L:l )' l1is 11c),vcri't1l 1 ll)'Sic4t1c. I g11clcic) rt1sl1cs ctt Ncttl1,,111icl, rcacl1i11g l1i11 i11 tl1c 111iclc.llc c)r tl1c cla ssrc)<)111, jLtSL as ;\/Ir.• A.clcr1,v,.1lla l1cts 111acic l1is , ,·cl)' tl1crc tc)C). Ig11,1c:i c) IJrc,.tks tl1rc)t1gl1
110 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE l1is tcacl1cr's 2:ras1) a11cl !) ca r il Ll\2:S l\' a tl1c111ic l. U11fa zc ,cl l)ctr a,1 i11Q.' 11c> clistress .. , <.J ,, i ( J
i11 t l1c sligl1tcst t\vitcl1 r>f i 1cc (>r i.)(>cly, Natl1a11icl '( X! ) Cr tl)1 lca11s l1is cl1c c k agai11st lg11,ct io 's f()r lc\1Cr a g e , J) cttic11tl)· vvrctJ)S l1is 111Ltcl1 tl1icker ar111s a r() L111cl l1is c:tl ta cker's UJ)})er t()rS(), a11cl i11terla ccs l1is fi11gcrs ell tl1e sl1()L1ld e r IJlc:tclcs. T l1c })()lis l1ccl tiJ)S 11,11kc tl1c SLl})J) lc ! ()Ck. l)c,1L1tifL1l. a.tl1ar1icl sc1)a r,1tcs a r1cl a.cljL1sts tl1c fir1gcrs for a 111on1cr1t, ,1r1cl tllc)· lc)ol.. like r1c, rly l)11clciccl vvir1glcts st rc tc l1i11g C>t 1t. Ig11a c ic> le ts o t1t a. J) la i11ti\1 C 111 c>a 11, SL1r r c 11clc r i11g, l1cacl a11cl ,.1r111s i1lli11g !) a r k li111) l·)· l'\atl1a11icl J) l ,.1ces I g 11a ci(>, vvil (> is so l)i.) i11g, (>ll tl1e gr(>L111cl like a scarce! cl1ilcl. lg11acic) S()()ll Ccltcl1cs l1is IJrca tl1;-111cl rLlllS ()Lil ()r tl1c r()()l1.1 \ \!l1e11 1l r. Acle11vvall;-1 11c1c ts ,,vitl1 l1is clc J)c1rt11c111t cl1a ir la te r tl1,1. t c-l.1)·, tl1c)1 l)egir1 tl1e !()gis tics ()f cx1)c lli11g lg11aci() H 11rtc1cl() fr()111 tl1c C()llege. S l1e SJ) c r1cls ar1 l1C)llr d()Cu1n c11tir1g cacl1 sigr1 })C)ir1tir1g tC) I g 11,1ic()'s ir1st,.1l)ili ty, J)r()l)ir1g ,vl1at n1,1y ll,l \'C 11r1l1ir1gcd l1i111 ,1r1cl o l)sc ss i11g a l)OL1t , rl1ctl1cr I,1tl1,1r1icl , va s c c>11siclc r i11g lcg <1l a c tic>11. Sl1c scolcls 1\fr. ;\ cic11,va ll<1 a l)c)Ll t 11c>t rc1)<)rti11g tl1c tl1rcat 111ucl1 ea rlier, a11cl rc111i11cls l1i111 tl1a l la s t s c111cstcr, a 111L1sic J) r c>f c· ss( >r at a 11()tl1cr ca111J)L1s \Va s i.)c a tc11 L111co11scic)L1s l)y a 111as kecl a ss ;-1ila11t. ,-\cl111i11sitr a t()rs l1a cl i11siclc i11(f)r111ati()11 tl1c1t it \.Vas a l1it, retril)L1ti()ll fc)r ,l l)acl g·ra clc . ' ' I t's cl cla11gcr()US \ \'()rlcl ()Lll tl1ere!" sl1c Scl)'S. " Y()LI ki1()\V vvl1cre ,,·e live l1erc ()})Cr1 c11r()llrr1cr1t \V()rlcl. \ \ \ :' r e all J)C()})lc l1a\'C, ir1 1T1a11)·cases, l)L,lt- vc l1c1\1e Il() icic,1 ,,·l1crc tl1csc })CC)J)lc ,1rc c c)11i1r1g fr()m, \.vl1at tllc)·'rc ca1 ),l l )lc ()f, C)r l1c)vv sc rc vvccl 111) til e)· ,1rc. \;\ 'c l1a,·c a r cs1)o r1sil)ilit)' to kcc-1) trc)Ld) lc C)Ll t."
" :\ 1f). g <'lC>c li1css , )·c>Ll cir> Iik c tc> stir th i11gs tq), 1\,fr. ; \ cic11, \'aIIa ," s11c fi 11a ll)' g r<)a 11s. " l'vI )· g t1r L1! l '\ ·c sa ici it !)efc)rc a11cl I ' ll say it a g a i11. I lik e S<)111c c>f' tl1is ' re a l , ,·c)rlcl' stLd'l )'OLI ch>, ! ) Lil i.)c ca rc ii.11. I f )'()LI triggerl ) <'C)J1 lc, yoLt ,-111cl I a 11cl
zi·e arc rcsJJ()11sil.)lc. ,.f. l1is C() ll eg c is rcs1)c)11si!Jle.'' ' '\r\
ll ')
clc) I l1a,·c tl1c fccli11·g)' ()LI're g()ir1g t() ge t LIS IJ()tl1i11(t) l)ig tr()Ltl)lc ()11c ()f tl1csc d a)rs ? \ \111at 1rc )'()ll clc)i11g t() tl1esc J)e()})lc?'' Sl1c is C()Il\1ir1cecl tl1c1t, )·ct ,1gair1, sl1c ,vill riced to pay SJ) Cc i,ll attcr1ti()11 tc) l\lr. 1\ cicr1, valla 's ,1r1tics for ,1 , vl1ilc.
1\.fr. 1\ cic 11,va lla is tc1111)tcci lc>r a 111>c111c11t, l'>t 1t clt1r i11g the cc>11\·crsa ticH1, l1c clcc icles ,1ga i11st sl1ari11g l1i,s \ is i() Jl fc>r t l1c ccJ111i11g)·ca r, tl1c ,,·c>r k t\1,.1t , ,·ill, \.vitl1 lL1ck, s,a, c l1i111 tl1is ti111c. \ \1 l1a tc\·c r it is, tl1at- , vo r k ,,·ill l1a1)11c 11 ll(>, , · l1crc 11cc1r tl1csc 11i1c1 l)L1ilc.li11gs. He , vill cl() it all tl1rc)L1gl1 l1is ()vv11 11c1c111s- 11() Gc)lcle11 .A.JJJ)lc I1111'(,)-1\ti\·e T eacl1i11g Gr 1r1t, 11)( C()lla l)()r ,-1ti()r1vvitl1 tl1e Scr\·icc-Lec1rr1- ir1g ar1ci S ust;.li r1al)lc Li\1ir1g Ir1stit11tc. Best ()f ,111, sir1ce it' " ill r1()t l)c a cc>llcgc s,l r1ctio r1ccl J) ro j c c t, l1c , vill rl()t r1cccl ,1r1yc)r1c's })Crn1issi()r1 to ir1\·itc Ig r1acio as , vcll as a tl1a11ic l tc> J)articiJ)atc. l l1is is 11c>t tl1,c
\ \'( l r k ()r tl1c ]) C)Cl r y scil()()l.
,·ork C>I tl1c c c>llcg c; it's tl1c POETRY SCHOOL 111
·:A.11cl l)). tl1c \,·a )', l\1r. i-\ clc11\,·alL1,," sa)·s tl1c c l1a ir as lie lca \1 cs tl1c rc>c>111. " I 10111c )'()LI're Jl Ol fc>r g·c t ti11g· t() Ci() tile cog11tii\1(' tl1i11g \ViLil tl1csc [)CO [Jlc. If tl1C)' 're 11<)t l cc tr111i 1g·11<)\·V l<) vvritc a C<)llcg·c css;-1)1, )'<)Lt're 11<)t cl<)i11g )1 <)Ltr j <)l), I' rn r1<)t cl<)i11g 111·)
j<)l). T I·e
re 11<)t cl <)ir1g· <)Ur j<)IJ, l\Ir. }\ clc11,r ,1lla. Tcc1cl1 tl1c l)asic skills. I- , v<)r r v '\ C)l l're l<)Sir1g· s ig l1t <)f tl1at sc)11c1ti111sc. Cc)Q."r1iti,,c!"
,I ; \_I \_J .._, ***
I a,n here to he
lui th jJfO jJl f
I I 'hat fl.lh(J' rlon '/ Lear1l hozu lo rlo /ani ua/!'J?
TI /hat if th ') rlon·1 jJraclice hozt• lo soLve_ for,nulas?
T lt'heredo_roujind the tinze lo do this e\.'lra -curricular business?
Have i1ou revielt:ed the contract rece1zt6· the nzanual qf prorerLures
the .1 /urlenl handbook?
I I /hat .i}f" !h-r')' .<,...,If/ hit h'J11 a tar'
or /i.,.u...,h ff nin- :u,
. o-r J1ou <...1, f l hit re·i th rt laze-suit?
I I 'hat fl.the shit hits tlzr1 Jruz?
r1 /fzal lui/1tlze ltnio1, z \'([-")' !!ten?
_4bout /!,etti1zg so close to_rour studeJ'zts?
*** Frc)111: I g11a c ic) Hltr t;-tcl<) < l)c lli g c rc 11t, va r ri <)r 2()()()@ g11;1-1il.cc)111> To: j L1,1r1i \ cic11,ral la Date: ,..\1)ril 2(), 2()14 1'111SC)l'T') ' a i) C)l ll vvl1at l1a1 ) J) Cll CCi l\\'() \\"C'Cks ;-1gc>, I lc>St CC)ll t rc>l ()r 111ysclr I, fc It like l1urti11g l1i11,1S<)mC<)11c, a tl)1 <)11c, c111cl I lc)sl cc)11Lrc)l. I c1cscr,·c t<) !Jc cx1)c llc ci frcH11 schc>c>l. 1 '111tc>C> tirccl a11)·vv,1)i. I clcsc ,r, c tl1c \VC>rs t. 1'111 a cla 11- gcr tc) 111·)sclf a11d <)tl1cr 11cc)11lc, I l1<)})C tl1is did ll<)l affect yc)Lt <)r )'C)Llr class tc)<) 111L1cl1. T l1c>p c T ciich1't get a11).-C>11c i11 trC)Lil)le. D c)11' t \ \'C)r r)· ;,1) 0 L1t rr1c. I ' ll l)c fi11c. 1""'111, 11ks f<)r c vc r )·tl1i11·g)"C)Lt clicl. \ 'c) Lt're ;-1 g<)C)cl tcacl1cr. l\ ft.c r ctll tl1is 11a1)11r1cccl, I r1oticeci that I \cva.r1tccl to vvritc al)<)Llt it. I 111,,•c trOltl)le ,,vitl1;,1 lc>t c)f Ll1i11g,sc,·c11si1111.1lc tl1i11gs, l)Ltl I sec tl1al vvri ti11g· is a ki11cl <)f Lr<)Lll)lc tl1ctl I ki11cl;-1 like. >.1IY v\'RITING IS 1\ 1fc) C)sl1R c)c)111.\' ES!!!L e tte rs grc),v C)rl tl1e sa c! l1c,a, y \\'C)rlcl clcc].1 i11isclc a11cl clcc1) C)Ltt s iclc. 11 )' vvriti11g c;-1ts vvl1a1. is cl)' i11g, a J)C)isc)r1 tl1at c;-1r1 J)ltt 111c <)l 1ts iclc C)[ n1)· C)vvr1 n1i r1cl, I l1a,·c l-)ccr1- , vriti11g· al)<)Lll tl1is, a11cl I sec tl1a t 111y ,vriti11g is s111a rtc r tl1a11111c; 111y \, ·r iLi11g k11<)\VS tl1ir1gs I dc)r1't, a11cl I car1 listcr1 tc) it S<> I sec tl1ir1gs tl1at i) r c)kc frc)111 IJcir1g ir1 sc l1C)C)!; I fc·cl lik e I ca111c l),-1Ck t<) lif'e
i11 a \Va ·)·
I c a 11 clc> tl1i11gs, I '111Jl <) l SLIJ'C if
112 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE tl1;;1t's gcH)CI c>r 11c>l. I fc- c l tcrril)lc, tcacl1cr. I tl1,,111k)"<)U a11cl I l)la111c )"C>L t, l\Ir. Pr()fcss()r.I kr1()\-V ,,vc ,,vill 111cct c1g,1ir1, I k.11()\V it. PS. Hc)J)C y·c)Lt clc)11't 111i1l1icf l sc11cl yc)Lt sc)111c c)f Il l ) ' ,,vri ti11g. *** ' ' H e llo lCclcl1cr," Ig11aci() Scly·s, ,,va lki11gtl1rc)ugl1 l1is f()r111cr J)rc)fcss()r's clc)c)r, 111()rc tl1,111 fc)ttr 111()11tl1s si11cc l1is l),111 frc)n1 tl1c Ccll11J1Lts. "Cc1r1 I C()111c ir1?'' H e cl()Scs tl1c cl()C)r l)cf()rc l\Ir.•1\ dcr1,va lla , ,vl1c) l-1a.s st()J1J)ccl cl1e- \vir1g C)Il ,1 fig cc)ok.ic ir1 clis )elicf, c,111 res1)or1cl. ''Of
C()llfSC, C()l-Y.le ltl." l\fr. 1\ clc11, va lla l1as tricci t<) CC)11t,1ct l g11acic> s c, ·c r a l ti111cs, SJ)c)kc to l1is 1T1otl1cr tl1rcc ti111cs, l)ul l1as11' t ccH11111L111icatccl \Vitl1 l1is fc)r111cr stL1clc11t si11cc l1c \ \'alcl1ccl :'\atl1a11icl c;rcc11ficlcl-Ba1)tistc c111l)r,-1cc l1i111 i11tc) ;.;1 sc)l)l)i11g l1c,11). I g11aci() l1as l)cc11 se11cli11g l\Ir. Aclc11\-vall,1 a J)C)e111 C\ic r y· , ,·e e k ()r t, vc). Ig11;:1cic ) lclkes a scctl ()11 ;:1 cc)t1cl1 i11 l\Ir. Ader1vvallc1's c)fficc, , ,·l1icl1lie·s e11tcrccl fc)r tl1c first ti111e. i r. i\ cle11\,'alla 's desk sits l)cf()rc cl 1nL1ral ()Il tl1c ,,val l rcccr1tlv ' fir1isl1ccl r)). sc,·cr,11 s tL1clcr1ts ir1clt1clir1g ;\ a.tl1a11icl: a re el, ()rar1gc ar1cl l)lack i111agc of ar1 olci 111ar1 \vitl1 lor1g gra)· vvr1iskcrs. He sits 011 a r() Ck., cli111i111g C)r1c l<)C i11tc> a lake C>f nc)\VC'ri11g \\'atcr lilies. ( .'.a llig r,1 ) l1ic text fc)r111s tile lc)\\'Cr r)C>r clcr c1r tl1c 111L1ral: --·1 11c s111allcst SJ)rOLtl sl1c>vvs tl1crc is really tl<> clc a tl1." .A.gcli11sl a11c)tl1cr , ,·a ll is cl stctck c)f c;;111s 2() clcc1) risi11g l1alf, ,·;.;l) ' tc) tl1c cc ili11g. Ig-r1acic) l1,1s l)ec11 sitti11g. !()C)ki11g fc)r cl fe,,· sccc)11cls, l)tlt st;:111lcs IJclck LlJ1 le) st;;1rl l,1lkir1g. " O k, sc) I l1carcl )'C)Ll talkccl tc) 111·)111c)m al)c)ttt gi,·i11g 111c a scl1c )lc1rsl 1i1J fc)r )'C)Llr J)C)Ctry scllC)()l tl1ir1g yc)t1'rc tr )ii r1g t() clc). I s tl1at trt1c?'' '·BccaLisc I sec y·ot1'rc a J1C)Ct," Ir. 1\ clcr1\.va lla s,1):s. Ig r1ac ic> cl()Cs11' t scc111 t() register tl1c vvorcls. T l1c)· C\ ict p <) ra tc i11 111iciair. H is C>vv11 ,vc>rcls arc !) US)! !)ci11g l)c>r11 f'rc>111 tl1c cc>c>ki11g cc>CC>CHlS i11 l1is l) ra i11, a11cl tl1cy rc c1uirc all l1is ;1-t tc11tio11. Ig11acic) sits, lca11i11g fc)r,,va r cl, l1is eyes vviclc11i11g.He tl1rc),,·s cl fist i11tc) cl J)al111, CJLtic ll)', vvitl1 grc;-1t Cclrc, ,,·itl1 ct s111clll J)C)J).• \ s111lic a11cl a 11c)cl, cl rare IJttl)l)lc c)f clcligl1t risi11g ()Llt c)f tl1c l1()t a11d C()lcl r()il IJcl1i11dl1is C)·c s a11c.i l)Ltrsti11g t)ct,vccr1 l1i111 ar1cl l1is tcacl1cr. ''First ()fall, t1r1clcrstar1cl tl1at I car1't gi,rc )i()Ll ,1r1y·tl1i11g for, ,vl1a t )'Ou'rc tr)·ir1g le) g1,·c l11C. To r1cll vvitt1 ) i () l l f i11,1 i ta ti()ll." POETRY SCHOOL 11 3
1\11r. 1-\ clc· 11,\'all,1 s i ts c1 t1ic tly. " \ 'c>u !1car 111c? 'r'<>LI c!c)11' t vva11t l<> l)c· ar<>L111cl 111c·. IC y<>LI c1r c , 1'111g·c>i11g l<> gi,·c V, C)LI cl s ca re like V,
<)LI' ,1c 11, c,
c r l1ctcl i.)cfc)rc. De> \,'C)LI L111clcrsta11cl 111c? L e t 111c k11C)\\ " if \,1C)Ll L111clersla11c.l 111e <>r 11c>l.·,
I , , ,,. '·I clc>11't care ,tlJ<>Llt ,vl1,1t ,·c>Ll Scl\1! I clc>11't cc1re \\"llcll ,1r1\-l>c>cl\1 sa,1s. I c:lc>11't tl1ir1k )"C)L1'rc ar1)· gc)C>ci. i \ 11tl1csc idiots tl1ir1k y·c>L1'rc cc>c)l, l)Llt )'C>L1' rc r1c)t c c)o l. I tl1i11k )·ot1'rc jL1st ;-1 fL1cl -i11g clo-gooclcr. Do )"C)lt t1r1clcrsta11cl tl1at? I vvar1t 11otl1- i11g 111o rc tl1a11 t(> 11t111cl1 y·c>u i11 tl1c face right 11, c> V()LI arc clll Arcll) {a Q'!:t<)l. " l J <. J
,·. Yc">u k11c">,v
, ·ll)i? Bccat1sc ...., , - , ...
IC'S.
"Never rall 111·, l01 L1s c ;-12:ai11, c)r I ,vill cc)111cl1crc tc) Q'i \ i C V<)LI t l1e sc;-1rc of VC)L1r life. I vvill cc>111c l<> tl1is scl1c>c>l l<> clc> sc >111ctl1i1g1· )'<>u ,,·ill 11c,·cr e,·er fc)rgct.'' He (_ J ...... ., ,, cc>cks l1is l1cacL c)·cs sr>arki11g. "Gc>d l>le ss ) 1 <>L1, f;-1ggc)t." " R e a lly?" Ir. _L,\ c ler1,val lc1says l>la r1k.l)·· Tl1cr1 ,vitl1 a fair1t gli11t c>f cr1tl1L1sic1sn1, '· G o d r)lcss )"C>11 tc>o! It rc a ll:· 11air1s me ... " Before l1c car1 fir1isl1, Igr1,1cio vv,1lks a\.V,1); igr1c>ri11g 1r. 1\ clc11v,,1lla 's cxtcr1ciccl 11a11cl. ragi11 SC)t d !)). il1 vvl1c11 i sit CjLliCL i ca11 k110,v tl1c l)lc),,·11 LI)) i.)<>Jl<'S slc >,, · c cl LLJ1 *** <>11c f,1cc ;-1t cl ti1ne <>r1c e, ve at a tii11c vvl1at is ir1siclc n1c ir1 l)illic>r1s c)f s cc c>r1cls clicl i vv;-1stc 111,·,
l)i llic)11s c>11c l)rca tl1 at a ti111c a 11cl <">11c 111c>lccttlc i11siclc tl1at l)rcatl1 C>11c at cl ti111c· sc> tl1c1t tl1c· rage sc1i L1cc·zcs 11, 11, l1ccl\,i\1 l1carl like a s111all l1a11cl clc>cs cl 111ctc1l ca11 cl rc>ck <>r a11 irc>11 s,vc>rc1 Reel R age Rc>;-1rs cc>111cs 111) like fire! y·ot1 askir1111c tc> gi,·c sc)111ctl1ir1g ,1,,v,l)' tcacl1cr vvl1ats tl1c ])rice c>f tl1is real lc">,·c )"C>t1r tcacl1i11 vvl1ats left ()r 111C
11c>tl1i1g1 l)Lll tl1c asl1cs c)f '"l1,1t i lea r11ccl r a i11i1 c.lc>,v11 <>11 tl1c , ,·c>rl ci tl1ats 111aki11 <>11c la s t tL1r11
114 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE jL1SL 1111) s l1acl<1 , v stc1)·s l)L1r11ccl 011,
V<)Ll S() 11<)tl1i11 is , v,.1s tccl *** At cl L1s k 111r. ,-\clc11,vall,.l a11cl fi,·c stL1clc11ts sit i11 a circle i11 cl grc,ll glaclc C)f Scl\,v grass.. I\ clc)111e c)f C)1Jress tr ees l1L1r1cl1cs l)csicle tl1c111. IL is Sc1lL1r d a )' c, ·er1i11g clL1rir1g C l1rist111,1st)rcak. :\',1tl1:1,r1iel \\·,1lk.s ir1tc) tl1e n1iclcile c)f tl1e c ir cle a11lc J) la ces a l)rc) vvr1aJ)plc s11,1ilsl1cll C)11 a 111.-1t of l1arcl-,,cir1cci J)al111 fro11cls. " I 111C)L1rr1 for tl1e al)ser1ce C)f tllC)SC ,vl10 ca11't \) c l1erc," l1c says. ·'I 111c)t1r11 fc)r 1,11, father ,,·110 J)asscci a.vva,,; la s t 111c>11tl1, vvl1c> tlC\'('.r i<)C>kccl 111c 111 tl1c ,c, cs as a ; ' ; 11Lll1la11 \) ci11g. 1'111afi·a icl fc)r vvl1at 111)" life ,vill \) c \\'itll()lll C\ 1CI' l1a , ·i11g cl f 1t l1er, l)LIL l
,l i,
c it. I ,vill ,li,
c it. l..c)r ,ill tl1c lc)s t f: l111,liv 111c111l)crs, l 111c)L1r11.'' " \ \ \ : l1car )1 C)Lt," rcs1)c)11cls tl1c g rc)tq1. 1-\fte r cacl1 slL1clc11t 11,-ls s11c)kc11 a11cl lc f L cl s l1ell, C)Ile c)f tl1e111. C)llC c)f tl1c 111c)st giftecl ,rriters Ir. Adc11vvc1lla l1,-1s e,•c r fc)lt11cl i11 c)11e c)f l-1is CC)ttrscs a ci)1 slcxic J)C)l)1glc)t c)ffcrs tl1c tcacl1ir1g·. He ex1)lair1s tl1.-1t l-1c ,,vill lc.-1cl tl1c111 i11 a sc)r1g a r1cl cla r1cc. ''I rcaci at)ot1t sc)111ctl-1ir1g like tl1is ir1 .-1 l) C)C)k tl1at t he ch t1r cl1 \)a r111c ci," l1c s.-1y·s s lyl) ·. " I t's a sirr1)1lc a 11cl l) Cc1L1t if i.d 1111)s (c r y·,." l\ fl c r tl1cy lc a r11 tl1c , vc>r cls tc> tl1e sc>11g, tl1c 111c111l)crs c>C
tl1is g,-1tl1eri11g of tl1c 11oc tr y scl1<><)l c<>111e lo tl1eir i<.'cl ;-111cl start ,vl1irli11g i11 tl1c 11igl1t. ·' I el111vVC)L111cle.c,l! cries tl1c leacler. ' l\11d I a111 tl1e c)r1c , ,·l1c) , ,·c)t11c1.-!s," rcsr)c)r1ds tl1c grc)l lJ). '·I .-111 l)c)rr1," lie s,t)·s. "/\11cl I gi,1 e \)irth," rcs1)011cis the g r c)Lfl ). "I a111 t111clc r s tc><)C I!" ·:A11cl I a111 tl1e <111c ,vl10 u11clersta11cls!" ..l cl111s a,1c cl!" ' A 11clI a111 tl1e c)r1e- , vl1c) s,1. ,·es.'' 1Ir. Ade11,v,allcl's c)ffcri11g cc)111es ell tl1c c11d c)f cle1ss, l)efc)rc tl1c s tu cle11st retire tc) tl1cir slcc1)ir1g r)ags. He tl1rr1s l1is l1cad tc) tl1c dc)1nc c)f trees l)cl1ir1d tl-1c class .-1r1cl l)cgi11s t.-1lkir1g. "This is a 1)l.-1cc vvl1cre cleatl1 d.-111ccs ,,vit r1 life, . :\ lc)11g ti111c a.go, so111e cy1)rcss (recs sta r tccl gr<)vvi11g at ,vl1at is 11C>\ v t\1c cc11t cr c>f tl1is clcH11c. i\ s tl1cir lca\·cs fc·ll, <>\ ,-er 111;-111y years, tl1cy cliss<1 l,,ecl tl1e li111csl<111e l)eclr <>ck t111cler tis. 'l 'l1is is callccl ,.1 s c)lt1tic)11l1c)le, 111aclc I..)) Ll1c a ctic)11c)f clcicl, l)y tl1c i1rc)ccss c)f clc c,-l)·· Otl1er trees slarlecl g·rc)vvir1g clrC)L111cl tl1e l1c)lc. Tl1e vvetler is dec1)er i11 tl1e 111icl clle, sc) tl1c trees grcvv l1igl1er, tl1e rc)c)ts t)rc)k.c clecr)er i11tc) tl1c rc)ck.'' " T l1c 111iciclle c)f tl1is c)r1c is SC) cicc1), it cc)1ilclr1't l1c)lcl tl1c trees ar1)·n1cJr c, Sc) it's a,1oicl tl1ere, a r1icc vvatcr l1c)lc for tl1c allig·.-1tc)rs tc> CC)tnc clrir1k ir1 tl1c cir:' sc.-1sc>11. Tl1c l1<)lc '"ill kcCJ) ca.ti11g the lca\·cs." POETRY SCHOOL 11 5
l\,l r.. t.\clc11,va lla lc) c>ks clcc1 ) l)1 i11tc> tl1c cic)111c, c1> ) c11i11gtc> vvc>rcis fc) r a 111c>r11c11t. \ Vitl1 stc1rtli11g cla rit)1. l1c secs a fi g L1r c l)li11k i11to l)ci11g, a flccti11g s11a11glc c)f , vl1itc g<)lcl, a fc,v l1L111clrc cl f<:et l)c l1i1c1l tl1c lect\'Cs a11cl 11<)S. S) tc11clrils <)f tl1c air r)lc1r1t.s S <)1nctl1ir1g r Lts tlcs, stills i11t<) Ir. ,-c\:lc r1,va lla 's gaze, arrcsti11g l1i11 fc)r ,1 n1c)111cr1t tl1crc, a11cl n1clts a, ,·a·)' T l1c faceless sill1<)t1c ttc is 11rc)l) ,1t)l)' ,1 deer l) ttt 111<)\ ' C'S \vitl1 a slir1ki11gfc,1r tl1at rcn1i11cls 'Ir. 1\ cic r1, valla of a 11t1n1,1r1 t)ci11g, c>f Tg 11acio Httr ta clc>. D iel l1c, c>r sc >111cc)11c, fc>llc)vv thc111 l1c r c; l1c \ V() t l clcrs fc)r cl f1asl1. ( ) 1; is tl1is a1 ) r< jc ctic)11 l)ca111ccl i11t<) tl1c 11igl1t l)y tl1c la 1111) c>f l1is o,,·11l1c,1rt. •..
l ' l1c tre es ,-tre c,-tllccl tl1c ()\.:c r s tc)r \,1," lie cc)11ti11L1c s. " ( ; re a t 11c1111c ! ' l ' l1i11k a\Jc)t1t l1<)\\" tl1c C)\'crst<)r)· is a 111irrc)r fc)r tl1c c:l<)111c fl<)<)r." 1Ir. ,-\clc11,\·alla kcc1)s l<)c)ki11g, })Cc rs tl1rc)ugl1 tl1c sp c cklccl sr)accs c)f s l1c:1c!c)\,· l)c t,,·cc r1 trees, , vl1crc cc)11scic)t1sr1css flicl crccl, lc)c>l s J)a s t tl1c sp a ce tc) tl1c l)rtiisccl or,111eg-)·cllc), v c)f tl1c l1c>rizor1. Sc> 111a r1y st t1clc11ts, so 111,111y to cc>111c, t l1i11ks 1\fr. 1\ ci c11, va lla . He is , ,·i tl1 Tg 11a ci<)- 1I urla clc> tl1is 11igl1t. Ir. ,-:\clc11,vc1la reflects C)ll l1is cfl c)1"ts tc> lca r11 ,vl1at l)cca111c c)f I g·11a cic) after tl1c 11o c111s sto 1111c cl. He f<)L111cl clisc<)1111ctccl 11l1c)11c 11t111IJ1c r s, l c:tJJSecl c111ails, a11cl ,t se r ie s <)f rL111<1)rs, 11<)11c<)f ,,vl1icl1 C<)Ltlcl \Jc C<)Il fir11cd. H e j<)ir1cci s<>111c fa111li)· i11 Ccr1tr,1l i-\.i11e ricc:t. He cc)m 111titc cl st1icicic ir1 l1is t)cclr<)C>111. H e 's i11111ris<)r1ccl ir1 a ciiffcrcr1t st a te. He's l1itcl1l1ikir1g ,1cr<)SS tl1c cot1r1tr ,· to 1\l ask.a , ,·l1cr c a. lo r1g-lost t1r1clc tl1c ci,tv c>f !1is l)ir tl1 ,,·itl1c>t 1t a. l1c)111c. , <...
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cs. Or l1c rc>a111s tl1c streets of
Debra, the essence of love in the midst of struggle
by Alyssa Hernandez
' ' l)'SS,l H cr, ri1riclcz ... Yc)ttr 11,1rtricr is Dcl)r a!'' T l1is,,·,1s tl1c n1c)111crit it ,1ll l1cg,1ri fc)r D c l1l)ic ,1rid 111e. Tlie \ \' O \ \' Ccritcr iricli, ·icluals a11cl tl1c 1fia111i Dacie C: cJllcgc stt1clc11ts s,-1t tcJgc tl1er i11 tl1c cafeteria .-111x icJt 1s, Jy a , ,·a iti11g lcJ l1car tl1eir 11a111cs c a llee!.' l' l1is ,vas tl1c cla y· CJt1r_jcJur11eys., , '( re a l)<) Ltl le) kick <)(!'! ,:\fter l1ca ri1ig· Barl)ara, C)11c c)f tlic sta(l' 111c111l.)c rs , call 11iy 1ict111e, I lia1 ) JJ il)· lit1rr ic cl tc) tl1c frc)11t \Vl1crc I 111cl D c l)l)ic. Dcl)l>i c lc>c)kccl ;,1l 111c ,.vitl1 a l)ig· c)ld smile, a11d I s111ilcd IJ <.tck. Full c)f excitcn1c1it, I , ,·c1it str ,1iglit iri fc)r a l1t1g. L t1ckil)' sl1c lit1ggcd n1c rigl1t t)ack!
Del)l)ic is a 3(1-\1car-c)ld \VC)111,1r1 , rl1C) l1as D o,.v11S\1 r1clr c)11e1. Slic is aro t1r1cl , ;
.) feet ta ll ar1cl !1as s tr .-1ig ht l) r o, vr1 hair t h,1t jt1st l1 a r c ly· r c a cl1es lier cars, a11cl vvcars reel g lctss cs ,,·i t l1 t i11)· g rcc11 l)cacls ;1: tta c l1cci tel t l1c111. \'cJu ca11 a l111c>s t ;-11,va ,·s catcl1 li e r \\'itl1 a ,valer l)c>ttlc iii l1a 11cl ;-111cl li er vvl1ite ,1 i11la 2:c , < , lc)c)ki11g (;-t1111y' J)ctck a rc>t 111cl lier vv;,1ist. S li c ,li,
e s , vitl1 lier IJ<>)1fric11cl j c)sl1 i11 tl1eir ,·cr:1 c),,v11 a J)ctr t111ci1t! Sl1e li;1:
s l, i,
c d iii 11i;:1i11i all c)f li e r life. Tl1e t,,vc) c)f tlic1n slia rc tlicir lic)mc ,vitli cl cat 11,1mcd Clicctc). \ \711ilc clc)SC to lier 111c)tl1c1 D c l)b ic orily· secs lier f,1t1lcr c)ccasic)r1,1ll)' c)ri l1c)li cla)'S or s11ccial e,1cr1ts, lik.c lier l) i r tlid a.y·.Tl1is is sc)111ctl1irig D el)l)ie a.r1clI l1a,·c i11 cc>111n1c>11. \r\
l1e11 sl1c sl1arcci tl1is i11fc1r111atic>11 vvitl1 111e, T felt
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c11 111cJrc C( lll ll'( Cl ccl l c)flc11gets stt1c k1 1r c>11c)t111ci11g lier ,vc)rcls, l)ttt s l1c is 11ic)sl ccrta i11·lycaS') le) talk tc>. S li e is <>11c1i tc> c c>11,·crsc1lic)r1sa l)C>Ltt a l111c>s l a 1i)rtl1 i11g. l{ i11d a1icl lc)\'i1ig, sl1c is c1t1ick tc) l iug 1ne , ,·lic11I least cxr)ect it. .!\. gc rit1irie
-s, vcc t lie,1rt slic is. Bttt D c l)l)ic car1 ,1lsc) l)c a little l)it c)f ,1 trc) ttl)lc 111,1k.cr! L t1c k.ily' s l1c l1as lier p,11 H a r r )· to k.ccr) lier ir1cl1cck. H arr): is ,,vlia t she l1,1s 11a111ccl lier rigl1t i11ciex fi11gc r, after tl1c 011c a11ci C)11ly; I-I,,1r r v· J">c>ltc r! '
'l l1c first ti111c I fc-iu11cl cJut a l1cJt1t I-larrv vv;,1s clt11·i112·.
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117
118 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE tl1c \ \.'( , )\\ : ( .'.c 11tc r J)a r ticiJ) c111ts a se ries c>C s i1111) lc " gc t-t<1 - l 11c>\,·" c1 L1cs ticH1s. ()11 tl1at \icrv loL1cl c.la \· i11 tl1c Ccli'<
tcria vvl1c11 it \\'els 111·\
LL1r11 Lo i11tc r\·ic,v D c l)l)it\ tl1e first tl1i11·gI clid Sa )' 111·) 11;-1111c. Sl1c s111ilc cl a11cl s;1: ic.l, " 11- 1- 1- 11)·11;-1111c is D c l )l)ic!' ' .l\ s sl1c sl1<)<>k. 111)· l1a11d, I r1<>ticcd sl1c l1c:1el lier rigl1t i11clcx fir1gcr , })<)ir1tccl LI}), sligl1t ly l)cr1t. Sl1e vv,1s s111ilir1g· ,1t 111c a11d tl1c11 l<)<)kir1g at tl1c fir1gcr. I clicl 11ot tl1ir1k. 111L1cl1 of it at first a11cl vver1t 011 a sl ir1g tl1c CJL1cs tior1s listccl o r1 tl1c J)aJ)Cr. \\'hc11 T a s ke cl D cl) l)ie \,vl1at \,·as l1er ra\·oritc 111C)\·ic, l1cr race lit LI}) a.s sl1e sa icl ' '1-I a r r y I->c>LLc r!" a 11cl SLtr<' c 11C>L1g l1l1cr rigl1t i11clcx fi1 1gc r J)C>! )J)< ' Cl <)UL c>f' l1cr clL1tcl1ccl fist. I s11i1lccl ,-111cl tole! lier l1c)\ V 111L1cl1 l l<) \1cc.l H ,.1r,r v Po tte r! l rc111c111- l>er 11<>\•V cxcitecl \,ve l><)tl1 \,·ere. Sl1c tl1c11 l<)<>kccl LI}) ;1: t 111c c1: 11lcse1icl " l1is11c1111ics Harr); t<><>!" ,ts sl1c tl1c11 l<><>keel cl<>vvr1 at lier rigl1t i11cicx fi11ger. I said, '')J<> ,v,1,·? J L1s t like H arr,.- P< ) ttc r. Is lie SJ) Cci,1 like H,1rrv Pc)ttc r?'' Sl1c s111licci ar1ci
I I , gigglecl as sl1c saicl, '·\ 'cs." Barl),1ra sl10L1tccl "'S\vitcl1!!!" ,1r1ci 111') tirr1c , va s LIJ) lc)r i11tcr\ilC'\vi11g D ct)l) ic. ,.\ftcr tl1at sl1c>r t 111c>111c11t vvc SJ) C11t tc>gc t l1c1 I k11cvv
\ VC l1it it ()fr rce1 lly \ \ "(' II a11cl tl1at H a r ry \\'aS a l)ig J)a r l ()r l1cr, l) Ltt l l1acl 11() iclccl 11()·V\ lllLICll S(). .A.t fi r s t, I tl1<>L1g·l1t H arr)' \•vas si1111Jl)' j List e111 i111c1ig11ar)' fric11cl le> D cl>l.>ic, l)Ltl I la ter lcar11cel tl1;-1t l1c is s<> 1nL1cl1 111<>re tl1c:111 tl1at. l r1trig uccl l<> k11()\V 111<>r c al><)Ll t Del)l)ic 's rc l,:1ti<)r1sl11i) , ,·i tl1 H ar1'); I asl cd ag,1i11 cllJ<)Llt l1in1 clL1rir1g <)r1c <)f <)Llr rcccr1t ,1isits tc) tl1c \ :\70 \ :\7 Cer1tcr. I t vv,1s a l1<)t SL1r1r1v cla,, as vve ,,·all"cd to tl1c ficlcl to J)la)· sc>111c kickl)all. I cc>t tlci tell D cl) l) ic clici 11c>t lik e tl1c l1cat, l)ttt sl1c ,· , \Va s s till cxci tecl LC> l)c S])C11cli11g ti111c tc>gctl1er. \ \! l1c11 it vvas c>ur tt1r1 1 tc> kick, \ \!ilso11,a stair 111c111l.)c r at tl1c \ \! ( ) \ \r C c11tcr, callee! LIS <1\·cr ii·o111 OL1tiiclcl. I lc)c)kccl ell D c l)l)ic c111c1 sa i c.L "Cc)111c C)ll D cl.)l.)ic , it's ()L1r tL1r11 le) 111c1kc cl
11()111C rLlll!" Sl1c l<)<>kcd Llp at 111c. g r;1: l>IJccl <>11l<) 111' )l1a11d fir111l)· c1r1ci l>cga11 l<> j <>g ()\·er l<> l1<)n1c J)l,1tc . •-\s- \vc vvcrc n1c1ki11g <>Ltr \·va·y <>vcr, sl1c l>c ga 11 t<> SJ)c;:1k. fr<)n1 H ,:1r l'")1's J)Crs 1)ccti,1 c. 111 ,1 sligl1t l)· clccpcr \'<)ice, l1<)ld ir1g lier rigl1t fir1ger ir1 tl1c ai1 sl1e saicl, " C o111c 011 Dcl)l) ic , l1-l1-l1L1r r )' ti})! Yc>t1'rc l1olclir1g tip tl1c ga111c!" 011cc vvc 111acic it tc> l1cH11c J) la tc, \1\' ilscH1 J)itcl1ccl tl1c kickl)a.11 C>\· c r tr> D ct)t)ic, a11cl s l1c kickccl it l1arcl c11<>L1g l1 tc> get LIS sa f<-1)' t<> fi r s t. I \,·as j)r<>Ltcl <1f' 11l)i l)L1clc.l)1 a11cl a1) 1 )a r c11lty sc) \,·as Harry! ( )11cc ell fir st l)clsc, Dcl.)l.) ic c1ga i11 S j) C) kc rr()l11 H c1rr)1's j) e rSJ ) Cc ti,,1c I tl1c11 e1skccl lier, " Dcl.)l>i c-
"G()()Cl j <>IJ D c l >l>ic . ,, \ vl1et is H arr)· t<) )' <>Lt?" Sl1c l<)<>kcel LIJ) at n1c \,·itl1 a l)it <>f c:l c <> r1fL1scel face c:lS s l1c l<)<>kcci l>ack cl<>\vr1 at H a r r , ·. Sl1c tl1er1 saici. " H a rr,· 111al"cs SL1r c D c l)l) ic l)cl1,1,1c."
l I ; I tl1cr1 a s kccl lier, "S<) is H a rr)· like a J) a r cr1t?" Bcf<)r c sl1c coL1lcl a11s, ve1 ,vc , vc rc rt1r111i11g a g a.ir1 tc) tl1c 11ext l)a sc. \ \' l1c11 \,vc caL1g ht c)Ltr l) rcath, I l)rOL1gl1t ti]) tl1c sa 111cc111c s ti <'>11 aga i11. S l1c tl1c11 tc>lci 111c, ' ' I--l a r r y is like a l) acl." It tl1c11 a ll clickccl fc->r 111c. DEBRA, THE ESSENCE OF LOVE IN THE MIDST OF STRUGGLE 119
Dcl)l)ic is Lrul·y a kicl at l1ca rt as sl1c is f1.t!l c1C i1111c>cc11cc. ,i·\ 11cl 111a)·l)c , sl1c fc· c ls like sl1e J1;;1s le) 11,,1,·c sc) 111eo11c lo s till kcc11 lier i11 c l1c c k si11cc sl1c ,li, c s <)11 lier c)vv11. Sc) 111L1cl1, sc) tl1,-1l, I IJ elic, ·e s l1e creatccl H arry le) l)c lier 1Ja rc11l, \\'l1c11 sl1c·s 11c)t ,,vit l1 lier ,1.
clLlc.ll J)arcr1ts. It sce111s clec1r tl1,.1t sl1c clc)es11't , ·ie, v l1cr se lf as ,1 cc)1n1)lc tc :',1clt1lt. '' I l)clic, ::c
sl1c is, a
va r c sl1c is still ,·cr)i mt1cl1 sc) ,1 k.ici at l1c;-1rt. I aJsc) feel, tl1c rc 111a,· l1c a rclatior1 l)ct,vccr1 H a r,r, '
ar1cl tl1c fact tl1at lier Dael is i11 i11frcc1t1e11t });-, r t c>f l1e r life. 1\ h11c>s t .1. 11 c>f l1cr cr>111111c11ts tl1rc>ugl1 I-I,1,r r )· arc tl1c1sc- tl1a t sl1c 111igl1t rccc i,1c fi ·c1111 scH1l<' s cHt c>C autl1c>rity·. \' c t tl1r<>L1gl1 H ,,1r r y, sl1c- is l1arcl C)ll l1crsclf 'l 'l1is IJcc,-1111e c,·c11 111c)rc cviclc11t ch>vv11 tl1e rc)ac.l.
i\ little 111c)rc tl1,._111l1alf \.Ve)t · tl1rc)L1g·l1 tl1c se111sele r. C)ttr j c)t1r11c)r lc)gctl1er tc)c)k a sl1arJ) tt1r11. Orie ;-1ftcrr1c)c)11 at tl1c \ \TQ \ .r\
Ccr1ter, I r1c)ticccl Dcl)l)ic \.vas ,1- c t ir1g str a r1gc. I rc1ncn1l)cr tl1is cla)' ;-1l n·1ost pcrfcctl)· l)ccatise C)f its 111ag11itt1clc. 1\ s I s;-1t r1c xt tc) l1er ir1 tl1c cafeteria,
, I rl()ticeel sl1e ,v;-1s 11o t as cl1eer ftd. Her l1ig l1 SJ) ir its scc111cci al)sc11t tl1at a ft.c r11c>c>11. It vvas as if' tl1c life l1acl l) cc 11 SL1c kccl r igl1t ()lit or lier. 'l 'l1is \'\ clS a s iclc ()r Dcl)l)ic l t) l"'(
\/i()LISly l1acl Jle \1 ( ' 1" vvit- 11cssccl. \.\'c)r riccl al)C)Ltl l1cr, 1 c1 t 1ic kly ctskec1 l1c)\V lier clct)' ,v,,1s gc)i11g. Sl1c ra isccl lier cl1i11 LtJ), l c)c)kecl ell 111c a11d tl1c11 lc)c)kcc.l l),-tck c.ic),,vr1 at H c1rr )r. Sl1c c.lid 11c)l a11svvcr 111') c1ucstic)r1, IJttt, c)l1, H a r r )· Stire clid. " D clJIJ ie 's l)ccr1 rc,11 1)-1)-l)c.tcl'' sl1c s,.tid . t1sir1gr H ,.tr r , r's ,·c)icc. ' ''v\·11)'? \ \ :11.1. t l1a1111c11cci?" "Del)l1ic saiel a l)..-1ci \ \·orci," co r1ti11ui11g i11 H a r r )·\; ,1c)icc. D e l1l)ic tl1cr1 s t1ciclc r1l).- s111ackccl r1cr C)vvr1 ha11d, tl1c ha r1d s l1c uses tc) l)ri11g H ,,1r r )· tc> life. ,.\s I gla11cccl cic)vv11 at !1cr, l1111el, I 11c>ticecl s l1c l1acl ti11y sc ra tc l1 111;1-r ks ,.1Jc1 11g tl1c l<>t) or lier l1;-111cl, s1)ccifically rigl1t 11c,-1r lier i11clex fi11gcr c>r H ,1, rr·)·' l 'c) 11c1, it ,vas ;-1l11c1)sl as if sl1c \\·,-1s g·c tti11g!Jack al Harr)' fc)r r a l li11g· lier C)Ltl. Bcfc)re I cc)Ltld cc)111111c11t <)11 ,vl1at I l1,.1c.l jt1st sec11 a11cl l1carc.l, B,._1rlJc1ra ,v,ts st,111cli11grigl1t i11 frc)11t <)f <)tlr t;1-l )lc. Barl)ara l<)<)kcd ,tt Dc\Jl)ic ,.vitl1 cl face c)f clisar)J1C)ir1tmcr1t a.s sl1c ;-1slzccl D c l) l)ic, ·'\1'\
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i\ 111illic)11 tl1c)ttgl1ts r c1ccc.i tl1rc)t1gl1 111·) l1c,.1d. I tl1<)L1g·l1t tc) 111ysclf, dicl I c.ic) c)r Sa)' sc)111ctl1ir1g , rrc)11g tC) n1)· l)ttclcly? H ,1.cl I offer1dccl lier ir1 sc)n1c \ \'a)'? I \\·,1s so ,vc)rricci. i\ s soc)rl ;-1s tl1c roo111 clc a.r e el <)t it , Barl)ar;-1 c a llee! tl1c t,ro of tis o,·cr. Barl)c1ra alsc) Cc1llc .el Jessica ()\1 C'r; a11otl1er C)llC C>f D c l)l)ic's Sll})C'l"\! iSC)rS.r r l1is 111aclc 111C
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rS)) <'CI li<'r !1a11cl ,-111cl j Lts t 11c)clclc cl, els l l<>c>k<'cl 111y !) uclcly i11 tlic cy<'s. Sl1c tlic1i fi 1ia ll-y s;-1i cl ,,vli a t li;-1cl l1,.11) )) C1ic c.l: ' ' I clic.hi ' t ,va1it lo lc,-1, ·c C()lllJ)LllCrs. ., J e ss ic ,-1 clal)c)ra tcc.l C)ll- , vl1,.1t l1ctcl l1aJ) j.)C1ic c.l. " I t ,v,.1s ti111c tc) s vvi tcli frc)111C<)m J)Lttcr class t<) n1L1sic tl1craJ)Y a11d D c lJ l)ic ci. i cl r1<)t , ,·,111t l<) g c).. i\ftcr tcllir1g l ier scv·cral ti111cs tl1at it ,,v,1s ti111c t<> lca\·c, I s,1iciif sl1c cl1c)SC t<) st,1); sl1,c
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0 Ltl C)f tl1c11r c)g r,1111?! I tl1<)Ltg l1t tc) lll)'Sc lf :\O tl1c); ca1i1i <)t cl<) tlictl. C a11 tlic)·:1 Tl1c semester ,vas al11c)st <)\·er. BL1t, 111<)rc i1111) <)rtc111tl y. I l<)\:c Dcl)l)ic. I clicl r1<)-t , var1t tc) lc)SC tl1c J) r i\·ilcg·cc)f SJ)Cr1clir1g ti111c vvitl1 l1er. I tl1cr1 c c>111111c r1tecl, ·' D c l) b ic l1aci tc)lci n1c, ,vell H,1rr)i tc>l d 111c, tl1a.t sl1c s,1icl a l)c1d vvc)rci, l)Ltt I r1c\·cr l1c,1rcl al)<)Ltl ;,11 of tl1is." Ba.rl) a r a a11cl ,Jcssic ;-1 tr1cr1 111ac1c D c !-) l)ic1 )r cH11isc 111c tl1a t s l1c vvc>L ilcl l)c l1a\:c l)cttcr. Dcl)l) ic sc1 t 1c c zccl 11ry l1a11lc, l<><> kccl 111c i11 tlic eyes, a11cl t<1lcl 11ic, "l-1-1 )) l'<>111isc, I' ll l)<'lia,:c l)'< l tc r l )cca L1sc I re a ,l), l i-i-ikc \1C)LL." H e r li,11c1.ls ,,vc r c s, ,·c ,-tt\/ ,111c1 lie r f tcc vvas ft.ill c)f
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I tl1c11 cx1Jlai11ccl l<) lie r, " D cl )IJic, I lc)\'C l)cir1g )'C)Ltr IJ L1clcl);, ar1cl I ,,va11t LIS tc) l)c a})lc tc) kcCJ) SJ)Cr1clir1gtin1c t<)gctl-icr l)Ltt )'OLl l1a\·c t<) l)cl 1avc l)cttcr. If rlc>t, y·cL)1·re goir1g to t)C' rc111c)\-C:d frc)n1 tl1c J)rc)gT,1n1." Sl1c jL1st 11c_) ciclcci, a.r1cl s a ic,l,: r\ c ,1l1." B,1rl-)a r a tl1cr1 tc'Jlci D cl)l)ic tc> go to class; ar1ci tl1at sl1c , vo tilcl rl<>t l)c J)a r tici- l)a ti110h · I ti1ig lier cc>11ic l)a c k at all. SL1r1 ) r isccl a 1icl i11 ,-1 rage, Dcl)l) ic lic>llc r<'cl, " I clc>11't , ,·a 11l tc) g<) tc) class. I ,va11t t<) !Jc i11 t lic l ) f<)g·ra111!'' .-:\s s l1c sl<) 111 ) c c.l lie r riglit fc)C)t, li e r l1c,-1c.l l1L1r1g le)\\'. H er eyes ,,vcrc fi '( cttcc.l C)ll tl1c g''l C)L111d . I tc)lcl D eIJIJ ic s l1c l1c1d tc) gc) l<> c l a ss. H e r r cs 1) <)11sc, " I 'll sec yc)Ll 11cxt,, , e e k!'' ,ts sl1c s111irkccl. DEBRA, THE ESSENCE OF LOVE IN THE MIDST OF STRUGGLE 121
l)L1zzlccl, I tcJlcl l1c r, " D c l)!) ic. tl1crc 111a).: 11<1L l)c c1 11cxt \reek fc1r tis if y·cJLI clcH1't start l)cl1avi11g l)cltcr. l l1cJ1)c tl1crc \Vill l)c, l)L1t )"C)LI 11<·ccl l<) l)cl1cl\·c l)cttc r.'' Sl1c Sc:licl. " ( ) ka)·, l 11r-r-cJ111isc." \ Ve sc1: icl C)L1r g c)c)cll))'CS ,-l11cl sl1c 111aclc l1cr \'\ a )' tel class. I fcJllcJ\Vcci BarlJ,1r ;-1 Cllll elf tl1c Cctfctcria c111ci i11tcl tl1c JJark. vvl-1crc c\·cr)'CJ11c else vvas gatl1crcd. Barl-lclr ,1 arid I t)cgc1r1 tel talk. Sl1c saicl, "T l1isisr1·t tl1c S\•vcct Dcl)l)ic tl1at I ',·c l r1c),vr1 ar1d ta L1gl1t for )1 Ca r s. Sl1c is l1cl1a,·i11g v·cr)· o d cll)1, a r1cl tl1is is 11c)t tl1c first i11sta11cc. I tl1i11k sl1c 111ay 11cccl tc) l1c J)Lll C)11 1i-1cclica tic)r1. I clcJ11' t k11CJ\\' l1cJ\\" vvc ' rc fi11all)· gcJi11g tel l1,111cllc tl1is situa ticJ11; y·<1t1 111igl1t 11cccl to )) c a ss ig11ccl cl tlC\\' l)L1clcly. ''
" l\1ED I(:,-\'I'l( ) N?" l tl1c)L1gl1t tc) t11')scl1 Sl1c is jt1st l1a,ii11g a l)ctcl cla )/ r i·\.rc tl1c clisctlJlccl 11cJt c1ll cJ\•vccl tel l1c1\·c tl1cJsc? I tcJl cl Bc1rl.Jar,1 l-1cJvv I \VCJL1lcl l1atc tel lcJsc D c l lllic els a lJL1dcl)', tl1c1t I \\"els a lrc ctd )· scJ ccJriricctcd tel lier. ,,\s I ,ralkcc.i tl1rc)L1gl1 tl1c 11ark, t)L1cld)'-lcss, I l)cgar1 tel reflect CJr1 c, 1 c r)· tl1ir1g tl1at l1,1cl jL1st takcr1 J)l,1cc. If a11yo11c of LIS ' ' a l)lc cl" f)Cc)11lc clicl r1c)t vva11t tel lca,·c a11 area fc)r vv, l11tc, ·c r r c ascJ11, 11cJ 011c \VCJLdcl s c r ic>L1SI) · c c>11siclc r J) L1t ti11g LIS CHl 111cclicaticH1? I-l trailic? l\c) ()llC tries l() J)Llt LLS ()11 111cclicatic)1i fc)r tl1a,t. v11') clc) ]) C()J) l c tt1r11 t() n1cclicc1ticJ1i ;-1s a scJ lL1ticJ1i fclr clli) ' ki11cl elf risi1ig issL1c i r1,1cJl, ·irig· cl clisal.Jlcc.l i1icli ,·idL1al? I k.11cvv tl1,1t I c.iid ricJt l i,1,·c tl1c ,,·licJlc stcJry, llLtt 111' )111irid ,vas r;-1cirig. 1\.ltl1cJL1gl1 Dcllt)ic's l)cl1,1,·icJr d ie! 11c)t in111rcJ,·c ir1st,1r1tl) vvitl1 great cffcJrt, sl1c dicl CC)l11J)lctc tl1c prc)gr,1111 ,,·itl1 111c. It ,r,1s ,1 try·ir1g ti111c fc)r llotl1 of LIS, as t)Llr ,·isits frcH11 tl1crc <)r1 C>L1t , ,·e re cl1,1 )c r c)11ecl l)). l1cr sc>cial vvc>rkcr. I s,1vv a11ci s till sec D c l)l) ic J)rcJg·rcssi11g rc111c1rkal)ly. I c1111 scJ ])l' 01ic yoLt Cclr c al)<)L1t s tr t1gg lc a11cl s c)111lc10. \, l )CJ\,·c rf t1l CXJJcric1icc.
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Grassroots leadership for the 21st Century: Leading by not leading1 = by Joan T. Wynne - - - - - - -
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123
124 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE tc> rcvc>luti<)11izc sc l1c><) I rcfc)r111, CSJ)c c ia ll)' i11 tl1c i11st ruc tic>11 c>f' 111atl1c111,1tics. \ \!itl1i11tl1c co 11tcxl <>i' J)Ltl)lic scl1c)ols, tl1c l <)\'Ct11c11t J) r a c ticc tl1at scc111s L111ic-1Ltc ir1 rcic>r111 is its i11sistc11cc c>11 \Jri11gi11gt<>g c tl1cr tl1c disc11fra11cl1isccl ir1t<> s111all circles t<> clisc Ltss, L111clcrsta11cl, a11d, tt1c11. cic111c:1r1cl vvl1al J.>C<>JJlc Sa )' tl1cy clc>r1t' vv,1r1t a C)Lta li ty· cclL1cati<>r1 ( 1! c)sc s 2()() I, J). l (1). Ir1 tl1is cl1a1)tc r, I ,,·ill discL1ss sc>111c c)f tl1c cc>111pc>r1cr1ts <>f tl1is tr a11sfc>r 111ati,·c lc a clc r s l1ir) 1,1oclc l as I ,rit11cssccl tr1c111 t1r1fold clt1ri11g l\.foscs' r1cgotiati<)r1 <)f tl1c lc, ,-ia tl1a11 c>l)staclcs tl1at sta11cl i11 l1is J)atl1 c)f clcli\·cri11g })lack, \)rovv11, a 11cl J)<>c>r vvl1itc cl1ilclrc 11fi·c>111 tll<' clis111a l clL111gcc>11s <>f i1111)<>\·<'risl1ccl scl1<><>ls. I-Iis atlril>Lttcs as a lcaclcr reflect 11<>l c>11l·) tl1c grassrc><>ls cx1)cric11ccs a11c,l visclc>111 lc a r11ccl tl1r<>L1g·l1 tl1c Sc>L1ll1cr11 Frccclc>111 l\ 1I c>\ 'C111c11(Sl Fl\1) a11cl frc>111 l1is 111c1-1 tc>r Ella ,B1kc1 l>Ltt alsc> fr<>n1 l1is cliscir)li11cd i11tcr1ti<>11 <>f dcr1yir1g ar1y· attact1- n1c11t t<> c l1ar isn1,1ticlcaclcrsl1ip. R a tl1cr, lie seems co111111tictcl t<> f<)Stcri11g tl1c lc a clc r s l1ir) cc111,1cit)' c)f o tl1crs. I c>scs s t1g g c s ts i11 Radical Equation.1 tl1is clis ti11c tic))1 l)ct,,·cc11 tl1c Lvvc> lca clc rs l11i ) st)·lcs, cl1c1r is111at ic v·cr s us g ra ssrc><) ts: " l\ I )i
l)asic sc11sc or it l1,,1s al,v,,1ys l)<'<'ll t<) get J)CC>J)l<' to Lt11c!C'rstc111cl tl1,,1l i11 tl1c lc)11g rL111 t l1c)r tl1c111scilC\ S arc tl1c <>111·) J.)r<>lccli<>11 tile)' l1a\iC ag;_,1i11st \ 'ic>lc11cc <>r ir1jt1sticc ... Pc <>J.)l c t1 a \ 1 c le> l>c 111;_,1cic t<> t111clcrstc:1r1cl tl1al tt1c)' cc:11111<>l lc>c >k fc>r s,1l\:,1tic >r1 c:1r1y,,·l1crc l>ut t<> tl 1cn1scl\1cs'' (r). 3'.3). '·111is c l1a1 ) tc r is 111c>rc cl 11ar r a.ti,·c c>r J.)C>r l r ,,1ilL1r c tl1a11 it is ,l rcsc;_,1rcl1 rCJ.)<>rl cx11lai11ccl tl1rc>L1gl1 lr,1cliti<>11;_,1l rc1>c>rli11g 11rc>l <>C<>l. ,.f. l1c stc>r ) ' l>c g i11s i11 2()()4, ,vl1cr1 FIC ir1·\itcci l\{c>scs, C i\1 il R ig l1ts lcgcr1cl a11ci 11,1c,.\rtt1L1r Gcr1iL1s Fcllc>,,·, t<> cc>111c t<> its c,1mpt1s ,1s ar1 E111ir1cr1t Scl1c>l,1r ir1 its Cc-11tcr fc>r l Jrl)ar1 Ed L1ca tic>r1 & Ir1r10,1,1tio11. H e }1ad r)ccr1 i1,
1,i t c-cl l1c-caL1sc of l1is 25
,\·cars of stc\.varcl- i11g accelerate-cl r11c1.thc111atics J)rc>gra111s t(> clisc11frc111cl1is c-cl c c>111111t11itics
acr c>SS tl1c C<>Ull l r,
v a11cl l) CCc1LI S(' ()r l1is ' ' f<>CLI S () 11 Cl' C'a t i \' (' 11l('l ll <>cls ()r tC'acl1-
i11g c111cl lcar11i11g as a s tr a tcg )' fc>r c111)<>vvc r111c11t ,111cl s <>c ia l cl1c111gc" (R a11sl))' J.). 252). Frc>111 tl1c first ti111c I c>s cs Cct11c1 le> ).!ic1111i. I }1;_,1\ ' C fc>ll c>, vcd t1in1 i11t<> cl 111·)r ic1ci <>f scttir1gs frc>m clc1ssr<><>n1 s a 11ciJ),1rc11t 111cctir1gs ar1cl academic l1alls <)f \' a r io t1s L1r1i,·crsitic-s to fc>L1r1clatic>r1 l)c>arcl 111cctir1gs ,1r1cl SL1p c-r i r1tcr1- dc11t c>fric c s i11 ii ia11i1 ar1ci otl1cr cities. ;\ s a rcsc-arcl1cr, 1,1)· c>l)sc r, ; ir1g a11cl l)ci11g· i11 tl1c>sc a.rc11a s a lo11g sicic l\f oscs l1a,.-c ! )c c 11 l)c>tl1 l1t111l) l11g a11cl tra11s lc)r111ati\1C. Sc> lo vvrit<' tl1is cl1a J) t c r as a11 c>l jc c ti\1C cyc-,,·it11css is a cl1;.:1llc 11g c l>ccaL1sc I ,vas <>l>sc r \: i 11g 11c>t j Ltsl a d if1' c r c11l 111c>clc c>f l c ;_,1 clcrs l11i), l.>Ltt als<> ,,vil r1cssi11g vvl1c1l I l.>clic \ ·c le> l>c ,t cliITcrc11l ,,·a': c>f ' ' l >c i11g" i11 tl1c ,vc>rlcl. 1\1)'
ir1tcrr1;:1l c1L1cstic>r1 l1as alvv,1y·s l >c c r1 r1<>\·V clc> I ,,·rclJ) a c a clcm ic ,,·c>rcls arc>t111cl tl1is 111L1l ti- la )·c rc cl, ir1,r1c> c xr)c r ic11c c ?
1 a ti,1c )·ct ar1cicr1t, c1L1asi " s11ir i tt1,1l" lc,1clcrsl1i11 GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIPFOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 125
\ Vl1c11( c>r11C'l \.\'C's{ ,vrc>LC i11 '.2()() I Li1at l\.[c1sc s is tl1c tc>vvc r i11g ,1cti,·ist/i11tcl lcr LL1a l c)f l1is g·c11cr a Lio 11, l1c ca11tL1rccl t,vo c1f tl1C' 111a11y f 1ccts <)f tl1is lcaclc r sl1i1) s tyle 111a11ifestccl l)y S IF lL1111i11;:trics like Ellct Baker, Fa1111ic Lc>Lt H a 11c r, Vir1c:cr1l H a r cii11ga11cl J.)rctcticcd IJ)' l'vlc)scs ir1 tl1c field c>f cclL1c:c1lic>11. Orie c>f tl1c>sc f,1ccts is l1is cc>111111itmcr1t tc) cxca,·,1tc tl1c ir1tcllcctL1al life c)f st1tdcr1ts scorir1g at tl1c l)ottC)tn 1c t 1a.r tilc of ,1ca cle111ic 111c,1s11res. ; \ sccor1c1 is tl1c soci,11 ;1: cti, ·isrr1, tl1c i11tcr1ticn1 le> ra clica ll) ' cl1ar1gc ,111 C>J)J)rcssi,-c· S)·stc111 ,(l\[ c)scs J) .'.-3) . l\1l c1sc s s t1gg cs Ls tl1a L " c 111\) c clclccl i11 Li1is vvc>rk" c1r c clL1c a ticH1 a11cl Li1c ccH1ct1r rc11L l)L1ilcli11g c)f cl clc111a11cl for11 c)s iti,·c cl1a11gc !) y J.1CC)J1l c ,.1t tl1c l)<>tlc)111 ''is tl1c iclca tl1al if )'C> Lt C:ct11 re a ll y' l>ri11g· ,1l>c>t1t clll)' ki11cl c>f c:l1ct11gc at Ll1c l>c>Ltc>111 it is gc>ir1g tc) c:l1a1g1c c,·cry' t r1ir1g'' ( \/l c>scs 2()()1, J).188). Bc>tl1 c>f tl1csc c:c>n1mit mcr1ts a.re ir1tcgratccl. ir1tc> tr1e I)l1ilc)Sc>1)l1)· ,1r1cl I)racticc c)f tl1c 1\ lgcl)ra Prc>j ect a11cl a.cl.circ ssc ci vvl1c11c,·cr loses is i11 a rc)o111 ,.vi tl1c)tl1cr pcc)J)lc. \ Vhilc c x1)lo r i11g· tl1c i11tcllcct11,1l life of st11clcr1ts or tl1cir CC)111n111r1itics, ,,·l1at c1l,,·c1) 1 S sc c 111s tc1 set l\ fc)s cs a1)art f'rc)111 C>tl1c r s i11 a rc><1111 is l1is stilh1c ss, a c1 t1a l iLy 111a11fi<·s tccl alsc) i11 111a11ySl-'.\l lcaclcrs like B,1kcr ,.111cl l-l a rcli11g·.SL1cl1 clcc1) C{Lticl li, ·cs i11 stark cc)11Lrasl le> tl1c 111c>11c)lc>g·11cs ;,,111cl clircctivcs tl1at c>11c c>ftc11 l1c ,1. rs i11 c l c:1ss r c>c)111s.sc:l1c>c>l s, c>r 111ccti11gs , ,·i tl1 111c1r1)· lcc:1c1crs ir1 tl1c C.S..\. Ir1cl.c c ci. tl1,1t silcr1cc 1)c r n1c a tcs l\ l c>sc s ' tc::1cl1ir1g_· s t\1 lc a11ci l1is J)crsc>r1a ir1 c,·cr,,
L1 , ,1
grc)LtI) tl1,1t l1e cl,ra ,·s ir1tc) a circle. It's a str,1teg)· tl1at l1c oftcr1 creclits tc) tl1c 1nc11tori11g of Bake r (\ 1[ oscs 2()() I, cl1a1)ter '.-3). T l1c)t1gl1, I Gr1cl l\,[c)scs' J)ro fc)L111cl cah11 sc> i11tcg ra tcc1 i11tc1 l1is J) Crsc >11alit ); tl1c1L ca lli11g it a str a tcg'): scc·111s a 111is11 f11l tl1a11 a111, c>f tl1c c>Ll1crs I \Vill , ,.:r i te ::1l)c>Ltt, a 11cl c>r1c I l>clic, 1c r1cc:css;:1,r, tc> , , e1n11latc ir1 tl1e ll)'l) Cr -s c r1sc>r ) ' - Stin11l::1tccl tvver1ty-first cc r1tLlr )1. Tl1011gl1 c)tl1cr CL1lt11rcs 111<1)· n1ar1ifcst tl1is q11alit)· n1c)re \viclcl)', tl1c fast-1)acccl, efficicr1c)' c1ri,·cr1 J\ 1i-1cr ic a11 ctdtt1rc is 11c>t k11c)vv11 fc)r it. Sc,·cral ir1cic1c11ccs c)r tt1is clis c i1)li11c cl c1t1ict s ta11d ot1t i11 n,1) rcscarcl1 r1c)tcs ,1s strc>11g clc111cH1str a tic>11s 11c>L C>tl l)' c>C it s t111ic1t1c 11r1tt1rc a111iclst l1ic r c1rcl1al i11sti LL1tic>11s i11 i\ 111cricc1, !)Lil alsc> c>f tl1c J) <)s itiv·cc>ulc<>111cs rcs t1l ti11·gCrc>111 its J) l'c1C ticc. "l 'l1c first cxa11 Jlc is a 111c ti11·g\vitl1 ,l c)scs a11cl cl grc>Lq) c)f f:1ct1lt y ,vl1c) l1a d l)cc11i11,·itccl l>)' lr1c Excc:t1ti,·c Dircctc>r c>f tl1c Cc11tcr, L isa D cl1>i t, tc> cli;:1- lc>g11c ,ritl1 tl1c r1c,vl:1 rccr11itcd E111ir1c11t Scl1c>lar. Tl1c clca11's cc>r1fcrcr1cc roc)111 ,,vas fillecl ,ritl1 al)C)Llt 26 f,1cL1lt)' n1e111l)crs. 1\ ll secmcci cager to n1cct c111cl l1car frc)n·1 tl1is l1ig r1l)1 rcs1)cctccl a11cl rc1)L1tccl t1rl)a11 lcc1clcr. 1\ ftc r D clJ) it
126 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE i11trr>clucccl l\ I c>sc s a11cl a s kccl tl1c fa c Ldt)' tr> i11trc>clL1c c tl1c111scl\,.cs , :\1l c1sc s c1ui c tly ,1skccl " \ \111a t is it tl1,1l yc1L1 ,vc)L1lcl like lo ,1ccc>111 1l isl1 i11 tl1csc 11cxt t,vo l1c)L1rs?" .After tl1e C[L1es tic), 11 sile 11ce fill ecl tl1e rc)c)11.1 l\if( )ses cliclr1't s11cak. Tl1c r)rc)fessc)rs dic.l11't s1)e ;:1k. Pcc)J) lc l )cga11 le) sl1if t i11 tl1cir scats, citl1cr lc)c)ki11g clc)vvr1 c)r lc)c) kir1g arc)t1r1cl fc)r sc)111cc)11c tC) Sf) C,l k. .l\ p11rc)xi 1n,1tcl) ' fc)tlr c)r fi'\ C 111ir1t1tcs 11,s1scd,, \·l1icl1a t tl1c ti111c sc e111cel lo r1gc r, a11d l o se s rcn1air1ecl still, lc)c>kir1g str;,1ight at !1is a t1ciic11cc, a11cl s c c111ccl tl1c c>11ly c>11c i11 tl1c rc>c>111 c c)111-
fc)1tal)lc , vi tl1 tl1c cll) SC ll CC' ()r \-\/(}r cl s.
l_)rc,1,f ssc>r s c1rc <>ft c 11 , vc clclc cl l<> fi xc cl a g c11cla s, c x1 1c c ta t ic>11s <>f' lc a clc r- clc}l11i- 11atcc.l lcctL1rcs, ())'1 1rc - c.lctc r111i11ccl ic)r111als {c)r clis CLISSi()llS. ' l 'l1t1s, l)ei11gi11 tl1c rc)C)111 ,vitl1 ;:1 l e ;:1c.ler, ,vl1c) l.)elie\1 cd tl1a t tl1c vvisci. c)111 11eed ecl fc)r clf,l\ ' cffc)rt li\'e cl ,ritl1ir1 tl1e J)CC)})lc i11 tl1c rc)c)111 ar1cl l1acl tc> t111cf)lcl vvitl1 " lea derless'' di,1lc)g t1e, sc c111ccl tc> l)r i r1g tl1is set C)f profcssc)rs to r)alr)at)!c cliscc>111fort. Tl1c)· l1a.cl cc)1nc t<) t1c;,1r l1is vvisclc) 111, r1c>t tc> l)c participar1ts i11 tl1c c xca\·atic)rl c>f tl1eir o, v11. E\'C11t t1a ll y, a J) r c>f'c
ssc>r l)rc>kc tl1c silc 11c,c
vi tl1 a c1ucs ticn,1
,·l1icl1 la te r g a \;c vvay
t(} a g r <) Ll ).) clc cisio 11 ()r a11 () )) ('11 C<) l l \ 1 c r sa t i<>l l a l.)( }l l l tl 1c cl1all c11gcs ( r) l) ei11g cl
cc)llcg·c c)f c clt1c a tic)11 i11 tl1c 111icsl t c)f tl1c fc)t1r tl1 la rgest scl1c)c)l clis tric t i11 tl1c r1atic>r1. L;:1te r, after tl1c 111cetir1g·, c)11c c)f n1y· c c)ll ec1gucs asked 111c, " I s tl1at silc11c c a s trclt cg )' c>f l\ Ic>sc s ? l '\·e r1c\·cr cx1) e r ic11cccl tl1,1t i11 a11 a c,1clcm ic sc tt1. 11."g.. !11 tl1c classroo111 ,ritl1 a cc>l1o r t of 9tl1 grade !\ lgel1r a P ro j e c t stt1cle11ts a11cl at a cl1t1rc l1 l) ;,1sc111c11t ,vhcrc f c1scs Ice! a clt tlt 111atl1c111atics litc r a c,)· vc>r ksl1c>1)s, I cx1)c r ic11cccl tl1at sa111c r1L1,-1lity ,-1s a 111cc111s <>f a l,lc> , · i11g lca r11c rs tll<' SJ)aC<' a 11cl ti111c LC) a11s,vcr tl1cir ()vv11 c L1c s tic)11sa l.)C)Ltl sc )l\·i11g111atl1c111,-1tic,,1l c c)11cc1 ) ts, 11c r 111titi11·gtl1e111 tc) clig clcc1 )c r i11tc) tl1eir c),,vr1 rcasc)11ir1g fc>r sc)l\1 i11gcl 11rc)IJ lc111. H is r>c d a g c)g )·,a frc1111,cv,c>r k clcs ig11ccl tc> ci. c v·clc)J) cc>11cc1Jtt1al kr1c)vvlc clg·c, r1c)t rc>tc for1111tla ic a r1s,vc r s, ir1tc11ds tc) l)uilcl st t1clc11tcc)r1fidcr1cc sc) tl1,1t tl1c \1 a,11cl tl1cir s111all g ro t11s ca 11 prot)c \v1thir1 tl1cn1scl\'es fc)r ,1r1s\.vers. , ,
H c) VVC'\' C'I it \ \·a s ,lt ()ttr firs t r)arc11t-SlltClc11t lllC'Cti11g,, v l1c r e f()SCS \ \' cl S t) c g i 11-
11i11g tc> c>r g a 11izc tl1c J)arc11ts tc> Stl])J)C>r t tl1cir st t1clc11ts' 11cvv fc1ra)· i11tr> tl1c , ,·c>r lcl of !1igl1cr lc\iC'] 111atl1c111;;1tic a l tl1i11ki11g, tl1at l1is still11css vVclS a g a i111 ) a !- 11a l.)lc a11cl rcsc)t1rccfL1l. Fc)ttr l)rc>ic:ssc)rs, s c)111efrc>111 FIC a11cl s()111c f rc)111 l\Ii,1n1i D ,1clc Cc>llcgc, ;1:
ccc)m l)c1r1icd 11c1
le) tl1c1t 111c ti11g tc) L>ccc>111c ,1 J)arl c>f tl1is cffc>rt t<> s t1st,1ir1 ar1r \ P site i11 ,1 i 1111i, \vl1crc s tt1dc r1ts J)Cr fc>r 111ri1g ir1 tl1c l)c>tt c)111-1ct 1a r ti lc of ,1ca clc111ic 111ca s t1rcs ,,vc r e t)ci11g offerccl ar1 accclcr,1ted 11a tl1crr1atics J)rc)gra111., l\ f c>sc s a 11cl this tca 111 11la11 tc> s l1c1)l1crci these stt1clc11ts fr·c}lll tl1<' J tl1 g raclc t l1rr>t1g l1 tl1c I 2 tl1 g ra clc , J) l'CJ)a r i11g tl1C'111lc)r acc<'ss tc> a 11cl SL1c cc ss i11 c o llcg ·c . .A.t tl1is 1 1a r c 11t 111c c t i11g, vvl1crc a lsc) sc)11c l.)rC)tl1crs a11cl siste rs, ,-1L111l s a 11cl L1r1cles cc1111c , Ic)ses fc)r111ecl Lts i11tc) ,-t c ir c le , cx1 )l a i11ccl tc) tl1e 11arc11ts tl1c sCC)}) C c)f tl1c f)rc)jcct a11cl tl1e11 ctskccl tl1c c1t 1cs tic)11, " \ \Tl1a t stC})S clc) )'C)Lt ,,·111t GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 127
tc> lake 11cxl tc> SLIJ)])C>rt )·c>ur stt1clc11Ls CHl tl1is fe)t1r )·car jc>t1r11c)'?" i-\g·ai11, like ll1c 111ccLi11g \-Vitl1 tl1c cc)llcgc j)rc)ft·ssors, ;-111 LlllC()Jllfc)rta.l)lc l1L1s l1 crc]Jl i11. 1l <>sc s sat c11L1iLc s ti ll a11c.l 11c\·cr tc><>k l1is C\ 'CS ;1:
,,·a \· fr<>111 tl1c circle. 1l a11v. if r1<>t 111<>s t , <>f tl1csc J)a r c11 ts l1ad 11C\' Cr l>ccr1 asked ,rl1;:1t tl1c)· tl1<>L1gl1t <>r \.v,1r1tcd t<> cl<> ,ll)c>ut tl1cir cl1ilclrcr1's cclt1c,1tic>r1. Tl1c r<><>m rc111air1cci CJLtict fc)r \vl1,1t sccrr1cci ag,1ir1 li]._c ,l \: Cr')· lor1g ti111c. E \1cr1 tl1c professors '"igglcd ,l l)it ir1 tl1cir cl1airs, \\'(HlClcrir1g ir a11y·tl1i11g C<)tilci l)C' t1sr1crcci i11 rrcH11 tl1is silc11cc. l;'i11;-1lly·, C)l}C ])c1rc11l S))<)kc, tl1c11 a 11<>L i1cr, ll1c11 c111C)tl1cr a11cl })cfc)r(' tl1c c11cl ( )r ll1c 11igl1L, tl1c ]);-1rtici1)a.11ts l1ac.l ])la1111ccl tl1c ela tes, ll1c ;-1gc11cla. a11cl ;.1 c rc>ss CLtllLtr,11 111c11L1 fc>r sulJscc4L1c11t 111cc ti11g·s, as ,vcll as a c<>111111it111c11t lcLlcr <>f SLlf)})<>rt clraftccl l>y tl1c J>c1rcr1ts t<> f)lccigc tl1cir fa111il·)· s SLl})})<>rt fc>r tl1c ,vc>rk <>f tl1c •1\lgcl)r,1 Prc>jcct. i\ ftc r tl1c 111ctir1g, ir1 tl1c 1)arkir1g lc>t , tl-1c r)r <>fcss<)r s ,111cl I cor1fcssccl to c,1cl1 otl1cr otir o,,·11 clisco111forl ,vitl1 'loses' i<)r1g· silcr1ccs vvl1ilc 111ar\·cli11g at its l)rilli;1-1 1cc, ach11itti11g that tl1is l1acl al!c)vvccl tl1c r)artici ])a11ts l(> fi11cl tl1cir vvay i11tc> sl1a1)i11g tl1cir c>vv11 clia l<>g LH' , s tr a teg ics , a11cl i11tcr , ·c11ti<)11stc> l-)L1sl1 tl1cir stL1clc11ts lc>vv;-1rcl cc )llcgc. i-\t ,-111<>tl1cr J-)arc11t/s tL1clc11t 111ccti11g. \-VC vvatcl1ccl els l <>s cs s;-1t c4Ltictl1· ;:1llc>\v i11g stL1clc11ts fiftcc11 t<> t, vc11l)' 111i1L11tcs t<> clcl>ctt,c, ·l1al ti111c tl 1C)' \\'c1r1tccl tl1cir classes t<> l)cgi11 cc1cl1 m<>rr1ir1g ,lt a11 Ll})C<>n1i r1g st1n1111cr ir1stitL1tc. Later cc1cl1
<>f t is 1,r<) fcssors, vvl1c> l1acl sat ir1 tl1c sa111c c irc le, acln1ittccl tl1,1t ,vc vv<>tilci, r1crc t<) fc>r c, h, l \ i C i111r)a tic11tl)' ir1tc r\;c r1c-cl a.11cl 1,1aclc- tl1c clccisio11 rc>r tl1c stt1- cic11ts, t111vvitti11g ly sc1 ua s l1i11g tl1cir i11it ia tiv·c a11cl tl1cir c,>,, c c ss. \ \ 1c, l(>C>, ,, ere lcar11i11g fi·<) 111 vl<>scs' lcaclcrsl1i1).
11c-rs l1i1) c>f' Ll1c ])rc> Pc)ssil)ly, tl1c 111(>St 111c111c)rc1l)lc cxa1111Jlc, tl1<)L1gl1, c)f tl1is c1L1ality L111fc)lclccl tl1c first clc,1')· <>f cl SL'( -, ,·c c k rcsiclc11tic1l SL1111111rc acctc.lc111ic i11stitL1tc tl1at i\ P c111cl
Fil ; <>1>cr,1tcd f<>r tl1is r1cvvl)· f<>rn1ecl r1i11tl1 grc1cic c<>l1<>rt a11d f<>r t,,·crll)' - t\.V<> st t1clcr1ts frc>111 a11c>tl1cr l1igl1 sc ll <) <)l i11 tl1c city. Kc>11c <)f tl1csc s tt1clc-11ts l1acl C\ 'C-r l-)ccr1 a,yay fro111 tl1cir 1)arcr1ts ror this lc11gtl1 <>f ti111c. Sc>111c 11acl r1c\1cr
})CCI) c1\\'2l\" rrcHll ll<)l11C. Tl1c stucic-11ts ca111c rrc>Jll t\VC) ri\·al sc ll CH) ls ,vl1crc fc·ar
;
()r ()llC atl<>ll1cr SL1rf 1cccl at tl1c 1)arc11t/ SlL1Clc11t i11fc>r111ati()ll 111ccti11gs l1clcl
sc1J c1ra tcly at IJ<)tl1 scl1c)c)ls ])ric>r LC) tl1is first cla )1. S L1clclc11yl· fc>r l): ' fc) Ltr lc c11-·)c ar <>lei ri\ 1 a ls ctr ri\·ccl ,it tl1c frc>11t cl<><>r <>f ct rcsidcr1cc l1c1ll n1ccti11g S})ctcc , dise111- l>arkccl fr<>111 t,vc> sc1 >a, r 1 tc l.>t iscs, carr)'ir1g tl1cir l.>cl<>11gir1gs ar1cl cr1tcrcd ir1t<> a large 111cctir1g r<><>111 ir1 tl1c l1all. Sc>111c ,.vc rc dri\·c-11 tl1crc l)). tl1cir 1)arcr1ts ,,·110 a lso ca 111c i11t<) tr1c 111cc tir1g.
J \ \'ClC<) ll l CO tl1c grc>Uf) ,vile) sat ll()isily· i11 c r1;-1irs a11cl S()ras, tclli11g tl1c-111 ll <) VV cxciLccl , vc ,vcrc tc> l1a\1c tl1c111 al };'I C , l1c>,v l(>11g ;-111cl vvitl1 ,vl1al c11tl1usias111 Ll1c s ta11· l1acl ])l,-11111ccl fc">r 111aki11g tl1cir st;-1y C>tl cc11111)L1s a gc)c)cl cx1Jcric11cc, a11cl, tl1c11, i11tr<>c.lL1cccl tl1cir i11slrt1ctc>rs, tl1cir c<>llcgc cl1clJ)Crc>11cs. a11cl tl1c c>tl1cr staIT , ,·11<> ,-vc>tild l>c ,vc>rl{i11g \\'itl1 tl1c111 fc>r tl1c SL \ \·e e ks. Tl1c studc11ts lis tcr1ccl )·ct cl1atterccl ar1cl sc>111ctimcs gigglccl clt1rir1g ir1trc>dt1cti<)r1s ,1r1cl
128 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE CCJlll ll l CJl tS f1·c)Jll ])J'C>fcSS()J'S a11cl Starr \ \!}1c11 cvcry<) Jl C e lse !1aci l)e c11 ])J'CSCJltccl, I, t!1c1,1 i11trc)CIL1cccl l\1lc>s c s \'11!1<>111 tl1c '.2'.2 11c)11-cc>l1ort SLL1clc11ts 11c \1c r l)ci<>rc l1acl 111ct.. :\ftcr tl1c i11rl<)CIL1ctic)11,l\f c)se s s t<)<)cl l)c fc)rc tl1c111 a11d s,-ticl 11c>tl1i1g1. H e stc)c)cl lc)c)kir1g· ;-1t tl1e stL1c.ic11ts a r1cl tl1eir 1;-1rcr1ts. Sc)111e c)f tl1c s tL1clcr1ls cc)r1- tir1L1ccl t<) c l1a ttc r.-1\I <)SCS st<)<)d si lc r1t. StL1cicr1ts t)cg,1r1 tc) l1L1sl1 <)tl1cr s tL1clcr1ts. l\Ioscs stC)<)Cl s ilcr1t. S<)111c st11clcr1ts tl1c11 l) cg a.11to r1c1vo11sl)' giggle at tl1c c r1s11- ir1g c1uic t. Pr<) fcssc>rs sl1iftcci frcn11 ri)c)t tc> fc)C>t. Tl1c ciiscc) 1T1fc>r t svvc lle cl. Fc>r s c \·c r a l 11i11t1 tcs, 1\'fc>s cs stc>c>cl s ilc 11t, lc>c>ki11g at e\·cryc)J1e tl1crc. I l1acl
Jl (' \ 1Cr !)cf())'(' CXJ)Cric11cccl tl1is ki11cl ()r [)a tic 11t , ,·,1, iti11g f<) J' a )'( ) ( ) Il l fi.tll ()r a 11x
ic)LlS stra11gcrs ,111lcg·ig·gli11gtee11;-1gcrs, s ta ri11gl)ack, t<) s e t tle i11tc) a r cs1 )c c tfL1l c,:1111r. f l1c r<)<)111 l)eca111e mc)tic)11lcss a11dsc)1111clless, ,-111cl, tl1c11, l1is c111ie t, cal111 '\ C)icc l)cgc1: 11 tc) tell tl1c l1istc)r)' ,11d J)UrJ)<)sc l)cl1ir1d tl1c cffc)r't tc) l)ri11gtl1en1 a ll togctl1cr ir1 tl1is 11lacc at tl1is ti111c. H e SJ)C)l"c C)f tl1cir c)l) liga.tic)11t<) l1r i r1g tl1c l1cs t tile)· l1acl to <)ffcr to the s t111111cr cx1 e r ic11cc, 11<) t j11st f<) r tr1cir c),,·11 s11c ccss, !)tt l tc> l1cl1) l) uil cl a 111c>\·c111c11t tc> secure tl1c rigl1ts c)f' all stt1cic11ts tc> a C[L tc1lity c clL1c a tic>11. H e. tl1c11, askccl tl1c111 to i11111c cli,,1tcly clcc iclc if' tl1cy ,vcrc reacl)' tc) 111a kc cl sc r ic)LlS c c)111111it111c11t LC) tl1c gc)als c)[ tl1c i11s tilL1tc . If tl1c)1 ,vere 11c)t r c a cl)·, l ie ir1c.lic,t tcc.i, tl1crc vv,-1s 11c) s l1;1:
111c;1;
tt,-1cl 1e cl tc) lc a, ·i11g. He agair1 ir1sistccl tl1,1t if r1c)t cager tl1cr1 fc)r r ig <)rc)us ac,1clc111ic J1L1rs11it, tl1cy n1igl1t C<)r1siclcr cc)111i11g t<) a SL1r)scq 11cr1t ir1stit11tc. H e cor1tir111ccl, sayir1g tl1at 110 C)11e , v,1s forcccl tc) l)c there; that it ,va s their chc) ic c, a11cl tl1cy sl101d cl 11c)t 111akc t l1;,1t cl1c>ic c Iigl1tl·)'
I-le t) a usecl a 11cl g·a\ 1 C s tt1clc 11ts tl1c C>])J) C>r tu11ity tc> lca \·c. c> 011c lcf't. 'l 'l1c rest <>f tl1c clay [) l'<>cc c clc cl. l still rc111c111l)cr sta11cli11g tl1cre i11 a , ,·c c)f tl1c cc)L1ragc a11cl CC)11fcilc11cc le) l1c)lcl c)11csclf sile11l a11cl11rc sc 11l le) e ;-1c l11n c)111er1t a11cl 1)crsc)r1f<)r SL1cl1 cl lc)11g t i111c. Tl1c i11cid cr1t ,1lsc) rc111i11c.lcc.i n1c c)f a clcscrip tic)r1 c)f l\ f<)Scs ir1 Parting the, J icite1:1" vvl1cr1 T,1)' l C)r Br;:1r1cl1 cites tl1e first 111cctir1g· l),c t vcc r1 'lartir1 Lutl1cr Kir1g,,J r. a11d l o s es, vvl10 vv,1s tl1cr1 C)11l,i t, ,·c11t, ·-fi,;c : " l\ f c)sc s carriccl ,1l1c>t 1t l1i11 tl1c s trc)1Q1·.J ) r csc 11cc c>f a 11 F,,1s t- ,,, .I ' c r11 111y·stic .' l' l1c r c , ,·a s s c>J11ctl1i11g c>clcl a l)C>Ltt l1i111, yet l1c alsc> 111a11agccl tc> c c>111111L111ica tc a sc)c)tl1i11g,S j) ir itL1c1l clc1 ) t l1'' (Bra11cl1, l )88, J) . '.12:)). l\.f c)scs 11scc1 s im ila r acts of 1 a tic11cc ,vitl1 111c. Oftc11 l1cf<)rc or after scssic)rls a t , vc>r ksl1c>1)s vvitl1 a clt tl ts c)r )'C>t 111g J)CC>j)lc, I , ,-c>t tlclf ) r c>,f'fc·
r a.11 icle a a l) c) ttt SC)Jlle C<>11tc11t c>r j)'C cl,,1gc>g y c>r ;,,1c t i,·it)I tl1at ,,·c 111igl1t l)ri11g tl1c 11cxl ti111c vvc 111cl , ,·itl1 tl1c grc)LIJ.1; a 11d l\ fc)scs, c;1, cl1 ti111c l a.skeet, vV<)Ldc.l sLtg g cs t tc) 111c tl1at , ,·c sl1<)Ltld ,vail f<)r tl1c gr<)U}) le) decide \\'l1;-1t tl1c)1 11ccclccl <)r vva11tccl. BLtl <)11 l;-1tcr c)cca sic)11s, l)cc a11sc I vvas C)Il sucl1 cl s t cc 11 learr1ir1g c11r,·c a l) <)Llt gr;:1ssr<)C)ts o rg a r1iz ir1g ,1r1d lca clcrsl1i1,1I ,,·c)11lcl f<)rgct arid ,1,sl" tl1c sa111c c11cstic>r1. f <)sc s, ,1s tl10L1gl1 it vvere tl1c fir s t ti111c l1c l1,1cl !1carci 111c ask tl1c c11t c s tio r1, J).-1ticr1tl)' GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIPFOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 129
ga\·e tl1c sa111c a11svvcr. 1-\fi.er r>11e r>f tl1csc 111rH1l('Ilts, I realizccl agai11 tl1c clc 1) t!1 of tl1e ge11erc>sit y t]1;-1t 1 1 l c)ses, a11cl J)CO]Jlc i11 tl1c l()\·c111e11l tra itl(' Ci i.)y Bake r, i.)ri11g l<) a 11·) clialc)g·L1c, cl11cl tl1c l1L1g·c J)l1il<>S<)J)l1ical sl1ift tl1is ki11cl <)f l c ctclc r sl1i1J rc vc c.tls . I l-1c1d grc>,v11 UJ.) ir1 c:1r1 1-\ 11g l<>-. 11c r i c a1 1 ,,vc)rlcl ,vl1crc a ty11icc:1l mct,11,l1c>r fc>r dcscri\)ir1g n1c)st 1,rc)ccsscs, c,s1 ccia lly ir1 c clL1ca tic) r1, ,,·as " H11rr)' 111, ,1r1cl get <)rl tl1c tra.ir1;it is lc,1\·i11g tl1c st,1tic)r1, ,1r1cl )'<)u ,,·ill l)e left f)el1ir1cl." Bt1t, l\[ c)se s ke J) t ge11tl) · re111i11cli11g 111c tr>, "Sic>,,' tl1c \)tis clc>vv11 sc> tl1c })CC>})lc ca11 get <)11." I-Iis J) a tie11t s t ilh1css i11 a ll r>f tl1csc i11sta11ces 111acle J) <) ss il)!e tl1c 2.ifi. <>f s lc>,,· i112·. tl1e l)LIS c!c), v11sc) tl1al C\''( l'\'<)11c's t,1lc11ts a11cl-
, visclc)111l1,1cl ti111c 1,.,1 (. J ,I
l<) c111crgc c:t11cl t<) jc)i11 tl1c riclc tc),va r cl c re a ti\iC r e \ 'C)lL1tic )11. 111 aclclitic)11, tl1is Cl ll ctlity·, tl1e 11sc <)f " s11c1:tll silc11ces,·. c.lc111c)r1stratcs c:l 1)rc>fc)t111cl faitl-1 ir1 tl1c , ,·isd c>n1 <>f tl1c>sc li\·i11g<)fl tl1c 111c1rgir1s, " Bla c k, L,1tir1c>, clr1cl }JC)<>r , .vl1ite st11clcr1ts ,,·l1c> ,1rc trapr)ccl a,t tl1c l)c)tt<)ITI ,.vitl1 1,risc)r1s as tl1cir 1)la r1t,1- tic)11s" ( Jc)scs, 1,. I 2). T l1c silcr1cc, 1, a tic11cc , ,1r1cl c,1hn create a. lt1x ur y c>f SJ)acc a11cl ti111c fc,r J)CC>J)ic tr> fi11cl tl1cir a t1tl 1c11tic \:c>iccs i11 tl1c 111icls t r>f c l1a c1s, <>f C()llfi.1si()Jl, c,r strL1g g lc, or cliSC()t1lfort; ti111e lo clig fc>r tl1cir \V()rcls, tl1cir ic.leas, tl1cir i11sig·l1ts; s11acc tc) 1,icce tl1e111 tc>g·c tl1cr sc) tile )· c,-111 C)\•v11 a11cl Ltsc tl1e111 t<) i11,·cr1t tl1eir c>,v11 sc)lt1tic)11s tc) tl-1c s c)111cti11c s d c:t1111i1t 1·grealities tl1e)' face ,tr1d tl1c c cl11ca ti<>r1cl1mc>11strc>sitics tl1c,\' stiffer. Baker, tc>c) , l)c'.iic\'Cd tl1,1t tl1c })C'C)J)lc ,lt tl1c l)<)tt<>111 c>f sc)cicty·'s l1icrarcl1a.l l,tcl clcr oftcr1 offcrc cl tl1c 111ost ir1gcr1iot1s icleas (R ,1r1ls) )' 2 ()( ) 7 ) . I r1 a11 tu1,vclco111- i11g c til tt1r c, as ,1c ,1cic111c l)1)ically is fc,r clisc11fra.11cl1isecl J) CC>])lc , c re a t i11g a safe C( )Jl l a i 11e r fc, r tl1e111 l() let tl1cir icleas J) ('J'C()],-1tc is lll lll Lla ll)' l)c11cficial fr>r tl1c i11stitL1tic)11 a11cl tl1c J.1CC)J.1lc it scr\·cs. l11clcccl, SL1cl1 111L1tL1alit y clc111a11cls ,l11cl sl1a1)cs i11stitutic)11al c l1a11·gc. As 1c)scs CXJ.) l a i11s it, ' a\ 11ct\.VC)rk, cl trac.liti<>11 like tl1is, i11\'C)l\' i r1g tcc1ct1crs, s t11lcc11ts, scl1c)<>l s, a11cl c c>1111111t1)·r,1iis r1c)t cs ta l>l i sl 1ccl ir1 c)r1c fel,l s ,·c>o 1,. \' c)tl g<> arc)L1r1cl it ar1cl ar<>t1r1cl it, ,1r1d )'C>u l.;.cc1, gc)ir1g a rc)ur1cl it a11d clccr)cr1ir1g it. Yo11 k.cc1, rctt1r11ir1g to it 1111til all tl1e i1r11,licatio11s of ,vl1at y·c,t1 arc ci(1i11g· l)CCC>111c c le a r a 11cl s i11k i11." ( 1fc>s cs J). 1 88)
Helping to Create the Demand
Lcaclir1gl))' r1c)t lcacli11g 111igl1t l>c a11c)t l1cr \ V, t) · tc> clcscril.>c tl1c c1ualitics tl1,1t s11rf,1cccl ,ls I follc),vcd !c)scs ir1tc) di\·crsc arcr1;.1s. T l1,1t co1111)c)11rc1t, ir1 fact, is ,vl1,1t first clr c,,v 111c tc) loses a11cl l1is 1\ lg c l) r a P ro je c t ,,·ork. I l1,1cl l)ecr1 i111111erscci i11 t1rl) crc1tic c1uality1 c cl11c1tic>11;1: l cx1)cricr1c c fc>r all <>f .t\ n1c r ic c:1's cl1ilcirc11, 11c)t jL1st
130 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE fc1r tl1c eli te ;-1s l\.[c)se s J)t1ts it , "tc> rcc c>g 11ize tl1aL ;..111 c>r tl1c c l1ilclre11 in tl1e 11atio11 arc c l1ilclr c11!r/. tl1c 11a tio11.'' (C c11tc r 2()()4). 111 l1c1> 1c s c)r ac co 1111l isl1i11g tl1is, vvc cd LtCctl <)rs l1a\·c cl1a1g1·ccl <)Ltr CL1rricL1lL1111. <)Ltr 11ccl,tg sl1i1lSt)1 lcs, scl1c)<)ls ir1tc) g r <)Ll})ir1gs <)f s111l,1l ac;:1clcn1ic,s. 1\ 'c l1,l\'C 1)ro111c)tccl tcacl1cr lc,1d crsl1i1), s l1a.rccl g o \:c r r1a r1cc, C<) lla t)<)r a tio r1, rigoro11s J)r c)fcssior1al clc \1clor)n1cr1t, rc nc c ti\1c J) ra c ticc , a r1ci lcar11i11g c c>rr11111u1itics )1 <'t still the rr1aj c>r il)' c>r 11rl) a 11 sc l1c>c>ls i11 c·\1e r )· c it) ' C<) 11ti11L1e l<) cle li'v·c r i11f'c r ic>r e clL1c a t ic>11 tc> \) l;--1c k, !)rc), v11, a11ci J) OC)r , -vl1itc cl1ilclrc11 (D r<)JJ<)Ltt i 1c tc)rics '.2( )() 7). .A.ftcr rc a cli1g1 i11 '.2()() l, Radical A1r uations:(./i vil l-?.ight.1j 1Dnz . \i i ssi1..11/J jJi to Lite A lgebra
Prqject, 11<-)\Vc \·c r. I l )cg a11 t<) L111clcrsta11d tl1c 111issi11g })iccc <)f all <)f tl1csc rcf<)rm cff<)rts. Tl1at r)iccc is tl1c " dc111,111csliclc '' <)f tl1c vV<)rk., <)r- \ vl1at 1<)scs a.lsc) calls ''c;-1r r1cclir1st1rgc r1C)'·" H c l1)ir1gtC) clc \•ClC)J) tl1a.t co111J)C)r1cr1, t ,·itl1ir1 a11y grour) is ttl(' tr a11s l<) r rr1ati\1 C lc a clc r sl1ir) r)ic cc tl1at l<) () rna ll)" or LIS c!()ll' t' <111itc t111cicrsta11ci, c>r clc>11,',t a lt1c , c>r clc>11't fc··c l ,vc l1c1\·c tl1e ti111c c>r s kill tc> c t il ti,·a tc. I·t s tl1c k11c>vvle clge tl1at l\1oscs lea r11ccl i11 tl1c s ixties \\'itl1 tl1e sl1a rccrc1> ) )1Crs. \ \' l1ilc tl1c11 tl1c g·rc>L11 , , · a s s ;-1crifi c i11g fc)r tl1c cc)11stilL1ti ,·it;-11. !c)scs C)ftcr1 r c111ir1cls tis tl1;-1t r1<), ,v; as tl-1c11, tl1crc is a pl;-1cc fc)r a cl\·c)ca tcs or a ll ki11cls cci t1c a tc>r s, la , ,'\ 1 c rs , r<) u11cl;-1tic>11s, ci\·ic lc a clc rs , c l1t1r c t1cs, i)t1s i- 11csscs, ccH11111t111i t)· agc11cics l<1 J)t1sl1 1<1r clc111c>c r a Lic rigl1ts. l3t1t ·' tl1c c>11l)i , c111c-s , vl10 c;-111 re a ll ,v clc111a11cl tl1c ki11cl of c clL1ca tio1 1 tl1c,
v 11eccl ;1- 11cl tl1c ki11cl c>f
c l1a11gcs 11ccclccl t() get it c1rc tl1c s tL1clc11ts, tl1cir J c1rc11ts, ;:111cl tl1cir c ,vl1icl1 l;:1rg c l )· rc111ai11 s il c11t<)11 i ss1 1cs like tl1is.'' ( Ic)scs, 1).1:)1) f <)l i11 tl1c a lJsc11cc <)f tl1c cc)11111111i ty·'s clcn1a11cl, tl1c C<)L111tr)· i11sists a11cl tc;-1cl1c r s l)clic \· c tl 1 a t l)la c k, Latir1c), l) C)<) r ,vl1itc st11clc r1ts ,1r1cl tl-1c i r J);-1rc r1ts d<) rl<)t ,·alL1c c d 11c;-1tio r1 ar1ci/ C)r cio r1't l1a\·c tl1c ca r)a c ity to acl1ic\'C' acadcrr1ic cxccllc11cc. T l1t1s, tll C)i )ccc>111c tl1c sca1)cgc>ats l<)r le)\\' J) Cr fc) r111a.11cc, a. l)clicr sys te111tl1;-1t al,lc1 vs tl1c 11;.;1tic>11 l<> resist l1<>lcli11g itself clCC<>L111tal)le fc>r clc li\:c r i11g "first class·· i11strL1cti()11 le) all·. 1·11c .\lgcl)ra Prc jc c t·s i11sistc11cc <)11 IJL1ilcl ir1g cl \Jase elf stL1clc11t ar1cl J)c1rc11t clc111c111cl fclr SLlJ.)Cr i <)r CL1rric L1lL1111a11cl 1)ccl,1g<)g)· is a co111111nit1cr1t a11d sk ill , ·it;1:1 fc)r a ll cclL1cc=1 ti<)r1al lcc1clcrs, vvr1ctl1cr sc r\·ir1gir1 C<)llc g c s, 11r1i\:c rs itics, C)r pL1l)lic scl1o<)ls. B11t ·' lc a ciir1g "vitl-1<)ut lca c{ ir1g, " a11 ir1tcg r;-1l 1)art or )L1ilcli11g a grassroots' cic111a r1clis a J) a i11s ta.ki11g l)i clis ciJ) li11ecl, \) a c k a11cl rc>rtl1 J)r c>cc s s, tl1at 111a11y lcacicrs l1a\·c little J)a tic11cc l<)r. l\ l c>sc s ' s l1ifl i11g la te!)· c>f tl1c la11gt1age fi· c>111 "clc111a11cl" LC> " c a r 11ecl i11st1r g c11c)/ ' (PBS) i11clic;.;1tcs l1is i11sigl1t tl1at stL1clc11ts 111L1st 111akc sa c r ific es i<)r tl1cir cclL1c;1: ti<)Il a s clicl ' 'sl1c1rccr l1c)n1cs, a11d<)ftcr1 tl1cir li\·cs) t<) dc111;:111cl t l1cir rigl1t t<) \' C)tc. If t<)Clct)i 's s l L1c{c11ts ,1rc t<-) c lcrr1ar1cl a. c11a1li ty cclucatic)r1 frc)n1 tl1c r1ati c) r1, tl1cy, l\ fc)scs c)ftc11 GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIPFOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 131
CX])la i11s, Jl l LISt !)C vvilli11g tc> take Jllc1tl1c111atics fc)r )() 111i11utcs (' \ ! C J') " cla )' fc)r ic>L1r vcclrs; sacrifice ti111c at l1c>111c Le> s tL1cly: a11cl clc \·<>tc ti111c i11 tl1cir co11111L1- 11itics as 111cttl1 litc r a C)' , ,·c)rkcrs. l<)scs' a11cl tl1c , gc\Jr,-t Pr<)jcc t's clc111a11cl <)Il tl1c s tL1d c11ts l<) J)L1rsL1c acc:1clc111ic cxccllcr1cc, 11<)t 111ccli<)crit)', is as clcli\Jcrc:1tc c:ls its clcn1ar1cl <)r1 tl1c r1ati<)r1 t<) dcli,,cr C}Lta1i t:,-' c d ucatio r1. , ' , , 111c11I tl1i11k c:l iJ<)Ltt 11)' j <)Ltr11C)' <)f l)ci11g lik e ct11 i11Lc r 11, sl1c1: ci<)\·Vi11g cl l c a clc r, g ,-1tl1cri11g clat,-1, attc1111)ti11g t<) sec tl1c j)attcrr1s <)f l c <1- clcrsl1i1.) tl1c 11L1,111ccs ,-1r1cl tl1c clirccti<)r1s, I ' m rc111ir1clccl <)f H ,1r d i r1g 's, Ho/Je a1z(/ Histo1 J'. 111 tl1c l)<)<)k, H a rcl i11g, \vl1ilc cx1)lair1ir1g "tl1c tra11sfor111,1ti\·c L1scs of l)i l1is c11cc>t 111tc r \vitl1 a \'C>t111ho·stc r c a t1ho·l1t LI]) 111 a clr t1h0· a 11cl
hoh·;-1110 · , vc>r lc, l a,
\1 C>t111h0· 111a11 ,,-11<> s1 )c a ks ,vitl1 ·'L111cc>11\·c11lic>11al \\'isclo111." Hc1rcli11g relates tl1at after l1is lc11g tl1)1 c xc l1:,t11g·c <)f clicllc)gL1cs ,vitl1 tl1is )'C>L111g 111a11, lie l)cga11 l<> rccc>g r1izc tl1c 11cccl fc>r )'<)L111g J)C<>J)lc tc> l1a\1 C ·'l1L1111a11 sig 11J)<>s ts'' ,,·11<) c,-111 l1clJ) J)<)i11t tl1c111 t<)vVc1rcl l1c,-1ltl1y \·isi <)r1s a11cl trar1sf<)rn1ati<)r1 (H ,1rdi11g, l S)S)()). ' T r1C)' r1cccl t<) sec ,1r1cl krl()\\. tl1c li\1cs <)f \von1cr1 a11cl 111cr1 vvll<) p r ()\1iclc ir1ti- 1natior1s of OLtr l1L1111ar1 g r a r1d c L1r, vvl1<) O])C11 cl<)ors l)cy<)r1cl ciark11css a11cl i111\itc us all tc>\.varci tl1e 111a g 11ific c11L ligl1t c>f C>t1r c>,v11 !)est ])C>ss il) i!itic s, 21s 111atL1rc , c c>t11J) a ss ic)1 1a tc , C\ 'C>l\·i11gl1L1111a11 l)ci11gs'' (J). lG). 111 tl1csc cla r k ti111cs i11 L1rl);-111 c clL1ca tio11 ,,vl1c rc tl1c s ta tistics <>r iailL1rc c;-111 C) \ 1 C-r \ vl1cl111LlS. i11 cl 11ati<)11- , vl1crc ,.tl l tl1c <)lei J)clraclig111s c)f s <)c i,-ll a11cl cc<) r1<)111ic j)<)liccs l1a\1 C rccc11tlr)
c c)ll,1.
1)scci, I l)clic \'C tl1c1t k11<),vi11g tl1c SLtc c css st<)r)' <)f lc ,1d c r sl 1ir) clcn1<)11stratcci l)y· 111<)Scs is cs1">c c i,1lly \·aluc:lt)lc. I( r1c),rir1g tl1at his c1L1alitics C\'Ol\rccl tl1roL1gl1 a. crL1cil)lc of darker tin1cs) fasl1ior1ccl l)y 1n c 11 ;-111cl \-VC>1T1c11 like 1\ n1zic .\,foc>rc, E. \;\'. StCJ)l<)C a 11cl Fa 1111ic I,(>LI H ,1111c r, ])<'<)])le !) t1s l1ccl tc> tl1c \''C
r )' l)c>tlc>tl l c>f' s c>c icty·'s rt111g clc c1) i11 tl1c, .\
I ississiJ)J) i S<, ) ,vl1a t arc tl1c)sc c1L1alitics tl1at I ,,,itr1cssccl tl1at sccn1 tl1c 111ost rc lc\ 1 ,1r1t to a tr,1r1sf<)r111atior1al lc a clc r sl1ir) tl1at 1T1gi l1t chg LIS OL1t c)f tl1c c1t1,1g111irc of ir1c1d c c1t1atc })ttl)!ic cclt1ca t icH1, C>t1t c>f' tl1c vast i11cc1t1itics i11 tir \) ,.11 a.11cl rt1ral scl1c>c>ls, a11 <)f 111<>ri:ll 111c)rass?
T h e p r a c t i c e of s i l e n c e : H a rd i11g SLtg g c s ts tl1,lt B<)l) 1c)scs calls it "tl1c ,v<)rk <)f ' i11tc r r1al <)rg,-111izir1g' f<)r atl)'<)11c \Vll<) seeks t<) ,r<)rk at scri<)Lts rc<)rgc1- r1iz,1ti<)Il c)f tl1c ,,vc)r lcl ar<)L1r1d llS'' (H a rclir1g J). 24). It 111igl1t L111f<)lcl fr<)n1 ,l
132 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTI CE J) r a c t icc i11 )iC>g a , c>r 111cclit 21.tic))1, <1r s i1111) l)· clc \·c lc>J) i11g a ccH11fc1r t vvit l1 still11css. \'\!l1c1, 1 vit11cssccl, it is cl 11otc11l 1c>r cc .
The d i s c i p l i n e of patience: 11cc cl l<> rt1sl1 l>cc c>111cs ir rclc,1 c111t a11cl <>ftc11 cc >t 111tc r11rc>clt1c,ti, c . I f as H a 111cr stiggcstccl, " Frc cci c>1n is a cc>11stc1r1t str uggle; 1nakc a j <>) 1 ft1l r1c>is.,c, (Rc>l>c r t s, 2 () () 4 -) tl1cr1 tl1crc is al, \-,l ) "S ti111c t C> s i r1l"ir1tc) t l1c s ilcr1ccs ar1cl vvait fc)r ' ' tl1c 11cc) J)le" l<) lca ci tl1c ir C>vvr1 str t1g g lc to, ,·arcl i11tcllc c tt1a l c r1g ,1gc11c11t a11ci rcstc)r at i,1c _jt1stice. rC)SCS, like H rtll lCl secs l1is vVC>rk a.s rt l,ifc Jc))lg _ic>tlr Jl (')"- ( ) 11c c , vl1c11 ,I va s attc1111)ti11g t<> J)c r s u,.1clc l1i111 t<1 a c cc 1) t a tc11t1rc cl l) <>s itic>11 at tl1c t111i vcrsit)·, lie ,.lskccl vvl1at tl1a,t, ·c>t 1lcl 111ca11. I l<>lcl l1i111 tl1a l 1c>r c>11c tl1i1g1, it , vc>t ilcl 111ca11 cl r c tirc111c11t1)c11sic>11 a11d l>c11cfils. H e c1uickl)' i11fc>r111ccl 111c tl1al r1citl1cr ,vc>Ltld \Jc 11cc css,l r)· l)oo ts C>11." >.1 I c) rc c>, ·e r , , .vi tl1 l\ Ic)sc s tl1c clcstir1atior1 c>f tl1c s tr tiggle scc111s ir1tc gral t<) tl1e careftd a tt c11tio11 tc) c a c l1 111c)1,1c r1t ir1 tl1e jot1r11c); a11cl tl1e 111c) me11t is 111c t ,vitl1 cc))111)lc tc i11tc g r il)i, like ;,1 clc>c tc1r listc11i11g fc1r tl1c r l1:1 t l1111s c>f' a l1c;.:1r tl)c a t.
The belief in the small and the intimate in life: .\1l o tl1cr 'l 'l1crcsa s,-ticl, " \'\!c c,-111 clc> 11<> !.?:rcctt tl1i11r:,s<>1,11, s111all tl1i11r:s vvitl1 r:rcat lc>, ·c ." l\ Ic>sc s t...J L J ; '-' '- ' cc>11sistc r1tl)' 1, 111r1ifcsts a l>c licf t,l11t crcc1ti11g s1, 111ll grc>t ir>s \ \·i tl1 i11ti1nc1 tc cc>r1- r1cctic)rl tc> c a c l1 <)tt1cr a rc>t1r1cl a sl1arcd ,·isic)11l)ttil cls strc>r1g ar1cl l) c)lc l 1110,·c- 111er1ts. He clici tl1is k.ir1cl o,f ,·ork ir1 :\ I ississi1111i; ar1ci, tl1c>t1g!-1, l1e }1as l1c c c>111e , vl1a t D_
a ,,.c
, T a , vr e11cc, a c i, ·ic lc ,1clc r i11 :\ Tia rr1i, c;-1\ls a 11a tic>11a l tr c a s t1rc, l\,l <>Sc s c c>11ti11t1c s tc, s1 )c 11cl ti111c i11 tl1c cla ssr(>
-,,
itl1 c>11c cc>ll <> rt ,-1l ,.1 ti11c1 1c)r 1c)Llr yc,trs al a li111c, lc a c l1i1g1· 111atl1c11atics l() kcc1) tl1c 111(')\Clll Clll ali,1c i11 tl1c \'C>t 111g·vvl1ilc tcsti11·gC)Ll l tl1cc>rics <>f a c c c l c r a lc cl ct1rr ic t1lt1111a11cl
I "- ' ,_, f>c,c l 1gc>g ·) · H i s l>clicf i11 tl1c i11ti111<1tc <>f life scc11s cc)ur1tcr l<> tl 1c t)1>ic,1l r1atior1al d c111ar1cl fc)r g r a r1clic)sc s c l-1c m c s; i ts rusl-1 t<) ·' sc al e t111" rcfc)r111; i ts l tist for 1:) ig r1t111l)1e rs tc> g t1 id e ar1cl s ll,1J)C tis; its clc111a r1d for ar1svvcrs vvitt1c) t1 t )cir1g , villi11g tc> I i,:c tl1e c1t1cs tic111; a11cl its cl is t,.1stc fc1r t l1e J) r c>lc>11g c cl s tr ugg·lc tc>, vc1rcl ra clic,.1 cl1a11g c . ' l ' l1crc is a11 <>r g·a 11ic 11a lt1r c l<> tl1c lc a clc rs l1i1) a 11cl vV(>rk c>f -1\! c)scs cl11cl tl1c i-\ l g c l)r a Prc jc c t . He i11sisls tl1,-1t .-\P •'is cl1 1 r c>c css , 11c>l a11 c vc11t'' (I>. 18).•-\11cl lie 11,c,
c r s c c11s1
l<) r t1s l1 tl1c 1>r <>c c ss l <> grc>\-V it !Jig- le) fc>rc c feecl its success l1is J)rc)cltict is 11c,1cr a l1c)t-l1c>t 1s c f>l,111t. L ike cl s111<1ll far111cr lie k.11, c>
,·s tl-1c s c a sc) r1s c>f cl1a,r1gc. He kr1c), vs tl-1,1 t , rl1cr1 rt1sl1cd, , rl1cr1 g r, c>
,· r1 toe>
fast or to o 1:) ig, icic a s ar1cl J) ra .c ti c es like J)ia.r1ts ca11 i)c c o111ctc>xic C>r ,-c>ici <) f a11y 11u tr ic11t c>r 111e a 11i11gf'td CC))1tc11t. Fc1r c>,·cr tl1irl i years, l.'1f C>scs l1as takc11 tl1c ,-\lgcl)ra l_)r< jc c t stc1 ) l ) y stc j) l <>,, · ,1. r cl s ucc ess. 1-Ic's , va tcl1ccl as y<>t 111g j)<'0- 11lc grcll>l.>c cl l1c>lcl c>f .-\P i11 1I iss iss i11JJi a11cl s111t11 it c)1'1 i11tc) cl cli1' 1c rc 11tclir cc tic>11 i11l<) cl "'\c)t 111g Pcc>r>lc 's P r c>jc c t (YPP), 111a11agccl IJ) " ) '<>t 111g1>c <>J.>l c fc>r )'<>1111g J) C<)l) lc, lcarr1i11g matl1c1T1,.1tics cts tl1cy scr,·c tl1cir cc>n11111r1itics li tc r a C,)'
,·c)r kcrs i11 ,1ftcr-scl1c)c)l 11rc)g r a n1s . Lil"c Bal"c1 tl1c>t 1gl1,,
l\ I c>sc s resists 11a 11i111tl;1, ti11g· YPP l<) r esc rr11:) lc l1is ,·isior1, i)t1t l1a s s tCJ)})Ccl asiclc fc)r it to GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 133
C>rga11ically grc>\r its <1vv11 lc a clc rs l1i11, clircc tic>11s, ,,111cl i11tellcc tt1a l !)c1S<'.. '\ftcr tc11 years or grc)\\"tl1, YPP, t<)O, 11c>vv l1as a larg e l'\atio11al Scic11cc l·(1L111cla tio11 a\varcl ct11cl is cle, ·e l<)J.1i11g11e,v sites clr<)L111cl tl1c C<)L111t·r)'
The personal connection: l\1<)scs c<>1isiste11tl)' i11 : vi ia111i cle111<)11strates cl l)elief iri })Crs<)1ic1lly C<)1iriectirig \Vitli ,,vli<)111e·,er lie vV<>rks., \ \ ' lie 1i lie ,vas first fc>rmir1g tl1c S)tl1 gr,1clc C<)tlC>rt, 11c ,1 isi tccl tl1c l1<)111cs of cacl1 Stl1dcr1t. Oftcr1 tl1c scl1oo l l1c1cl i11cc>r r c c t a clclrcsscs f<)r stt1clc11ts; i<)scs kcJ)t at it t111til l1c fc1t111cl tl1c l1c>111c c>f ,c,
c r )i stt1clc11t. H ,e
.-isitc ci tl1c>sc l1<1111cs c>11 111tiltiJ)lc <1cca si<111s ;-1s \ \·e ll as 111et [)a rc11ts a11cl re la ti,•cs c1t t l1e scl1<> <>l sc,·era l ti111cs a ye,1r fc1r l>rai11stc)r111i11g scssic)1is. H e ,·isi ts sick stL1clc11ts\,·l1c11tllC)' arc stLtck at l1c>111c; lie takes slL1clc11ts t<) tlie cl<)cl<)r; lie l>ri1igs tlie111 gr<)ccrics. Tliis is tlie 111c:1ri ,vli<), P r e sid e rit Barrack. Ol)c:tn1a, iii ari iritcr,rie,v ,.vitli a j<)ttr1i,1list, c,1lle ci liis " r<) lc 111c)clcl" (Lizza 2()()7, [). 3). l11 l1is l)c)c>k, l\!c)scs s,1)·s tl1at cor1r1cctir1g is ar1 csscr1ti,1l part c>f tl1c vvc)rl,;. of tl1e 1\ lg c l) ra P roj e c t: '·T J1c first tl1i11g )·<1L1 l1,a, c t<) clc> is 111a kc a [)Crsc>11al c o11- 11'<
Ct ic>11. Yc>t1 l1,a,
c tc> fi 11cl <) Li t vvl1c> it is y·c>tt arc ,vc>rki11g vvitl1.. '\II acrc>ss tl1c Sc>L1tl1 )'C)L t co L1lc.l sec tl1at i11 grassr<><>ls rL1r,,1l 1.1co1.1lc. ' l 'l1at \Vas tl1cir style. l\1iss Baker l<)<)k tl1is St)·le tc) cl s c)r>l 1istica tec.l lc,·cl <)f J.><)litical \,v<)rk' ' ( I <)ses J.>. '.1'.2).
Giving voice to the voiceless: l'vl <)ses re111i1icls tts tlictt " Yc)L11ig J.>CC)})lc firiclirig· tlieir v·c)ice iristec:1d <)f l)eirig Sf)<)l,;.e 1i f<)r is a crt1cic1l r)art c)f tl ie 1>r <) ccss" (:\ loses J). l S)). C<)r1scc1t1cr1tl)', l1c creates C)J)J)C)rtt1r1itics at cc>r1fcrcr1ccs, t111i,rcrsit)· c la ss r o o111s, ,111cl cli,·crsc 111ccti11g l1a lls ,vl1crc l1is l1igl1 s cl1<) C>I stt1- cic11ts c a 11 tell tl1cir stc>ries a11cl sl1c1rc tl1cir r11c1tl1c111aLica l k11c>vvlcclge acrciss tl1c'. C<>L t11t·r)· Lcc1r11i11g {i-<>111 B,,1kcr a11cl l1is ex1)eric11ccs i11 tl1c Sl <'l\ 1 . l1c als<) i11sists tl1c1t lc c:tc.lcrsl1i11" sl1<)L1lcl c111c rg c {1·c>111 tl1c cc>111111L111it,y grc),,vtli 1))1 grassrc)<) ts <)rgc1riizers" (1\ f<)ses, J.>. '.11 ) .
111cl l>c l1el11cl i11 its \ Vitli 1<)scs, lca dcrsliiJ) itself sccn1s c:l C<)-creati,·e J.)r<)cess, c:11,,vays 111<)\'i1ig, r1c,,cr c til111ri1a.tirig, a J) r c)ccssi<) r1 c>f J)CC) J)lc ar1cl iclc,1s cl1"1r1gir1g J)l,1ccs iri a cir cle, riot a tria,11glc. Rcsistir1g a11)· attc1111)ts at 111,1ki11g tl1c r1atior1,1l 1\ lg c l) r a Prc>jcct a cc11tcr c>f J) C>,ve r, -:\1 fc>scs ccll1ti11t1c>us ly· })L1sl1cs J,)C> ,·cr i11tc> the l1a11cls
c>f' tl1e lc>c a l site s. I-l e see ks, a11cl so111cti111cs l1cl[)S l<) crc,,1tc, l<>ca l grassr<>C>ts caclrcs l<) clc,icl<)J) a cc>11scic>L1s11css tl1a t 11c)tl1i11g \'\ il l l>c SL1s ta i11cc.l vvitl1<>Ltl tl1cir C)\-V11i1ig 1>ers<)11al leaclerslii1), ,vitl1<)Ltt C<)11s ta1itly rc-c,·alL1c1ti11g· SL1cccsscs c11icl failttrcs tc) kecr) tlicir cff<)rts flttid a1id rcs1)c)1isivc t<) tl1c crivir<)1imcrit iri \-Vliicli tllC)' li,-c: ,1r1cl tl1c pc<>J)lc ,vitl1 vvl1c>111 tllc)· ,vc>rk. Lil,_c a jazz 111tisici,1r1 ,vl1c) ''111odifics ,1111L1sical rl1,·tl1111 !-),. sl1iftir1g- tl1e accer1t tc> a- , vca k r)c,1t of tl1c l)c1r,"
,I ,I \._ I
l\1 f <)sc s J)laccs l1is c1t te11tic>11 C)ll tl1c vvcakcst ,:c> ic c s i11 sc>cict)· c111cl l1cl1)s tl1c111 fi11cl tl1cir sc>11g- ,,111cl, like I-l a111c r, tc>gctl1er, tl1<·)· 111ake a ' j <>)1f"t.1l ll<>isc." H e <>rcl1cslralccl tl1,,1t "i·azz'' cll:tai11 i11 .ALtQ'LtSt <>f '.2()()8 vvl1c11 ;-1 11<·,vlv a ss iQ'11ccl · 1. J 1...,1 _. l .J J)r i11ci11al ell tl1c lc>c ctl liigl1sc:l1<><,),l , · is C<)11sicleri11g clc>si1ig t l1c .A.lgcl.>r,1 Pr<)jcct
134 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE s ite.' lc1 ccJt111tcr !1cr attc111J) l , I s ug·gcs tccl tl1at Bell), I , a11cl cJtl1crs 111igl1t 111cc t ,\'itl1 tlic 11ri1ici11al a11cl cxt(1l tlic \·irtL1cs (Jr tlic 11rc jcc1.. Bo!) c.1Ltic tl)i sa icl, ' ':-Jc)." .... lie stL1cle11ts
cct at tl1cir scl1ool. l\Ioscs' t,vo )'Cars <),f
,·clrk ,vitl1 tl1csc stt1cci-11ts, l)t1ilciir1g thc-111 as a ccJ!1cJrt a11ci a C<) n1rr11t11i t); J) fCJCit1cc cl ,.1 clcsirc a11ci a C<)11ficlc11cc i11 tlic11i t<1 clc11ia11cl , vl1;:1t tile)· 1iccclccl.' l' li c) ' )1;:1cl c a r11ccl tl1cir i1is L1rg c 11c y.
A p ro fo u n d c a p a c i ty to li s te n d e e p ly a n d w e l l : I l1a\·c yet tel {i11cl a 1l)i <)11c ,vl1c) l1cts 1i<)t felt clcc11 l)· lic,1rcl aft.er vvalki11g <1,,·a)' fr<)111 ;,1 111ccti11g ,.vit li l\,Iclscs,. \ '\ l1ctl1cr lie agrees H e asks 11c11ctratir1g <1t1csti<)11s a11ci ,vaits 11atic r1tl)i fclr <)tl1ers t<) digest tl1c ,vc)rds ;-1r1cl rcs11or1cl fron1 tl1cir o,vr1 cx11cricr1ccs. \\'itl1c)t1t ta kir1g tl1e first r1ote ir1 111c)s t 111ccti11gs, 111or1tr1s ],.1ter l1c c ,1.11 rCJ)Ca.t ,,·l1cJ s c1ici ,,vl1a.t , ,·l1cr1. H is ca1)a c i t) ', t l1cJ ug l1, tel listc11, rca ll)i listc11, tel tl1c )'Clt111g is rc111arkal)!c tel c x1) c r i c1icc. H is 11r o c li\'ity !c1r 11r o lcJ1ig ccl si lc11cc vvitl1 tlic111 a1i cl l1is l1(Jli(·s t C L1r io si t)i t<) k1icl, , · tl1cir tl1i1iki11g ;,1ll \ '\1l1ctlicr i11 tl1c classr H is tc1r i,.11, c:11arlc s Pa ) ' llC, suggests tl1is C}l ta lil)i ()r c;-1rc-f'ul listc11i11g as ()11(' tl1at l\,l()SCS e a r l')
i11 l1is li{c ])J"( jc c tc cl: "' l ' l1c l1rcJacl ()Lttli11cs {)r tl1c l\,l ississ1i
)1) i 111<)\iC111c1tiC)f tlic sixties l1,.1cl l1cc1i l,.1icl ()Lil,11r i11a1r il)· !)ctvvc c11 a1i c)lclcr \•Va r ri<)r [Ai11zic ;I cl<)re] ,vitl1 littlc fc)r111al cd Ltca ti ,vl10 liste11,veil arc trcast1rccl. l\Ioscs sir1cc tl1c sixties, as ,1 fielei secretary· fc)r tl1e S tt1cicr1t N<)r1-vic)lcr1t Coc)r cii11a tir1g c; ()l11111 ittcc (S:KC:c:), l1as lc2tr11ccl tl1c 11c-ccssity· ()f' a l, va )',S ,·iclc r1i11g tl1c \vcl) cJf' t l1c 11cL, vcJr l l)cJtl1 lc1c;:1ll)· a 11cl 11aticJ11ally tel SL1])])<) 1t l1is , vcJr k. l11 l\,l ississ1i11 ) i, lie, ,1lc)11g , ,·itl1 local i11sL1rgc1it lc,-1clc rs, cJrg,-111izccl tl1c sl1,.1rcc r( JJ1- J1Crs, y<)L11ig J)C t1r1i,1crsitic, s fc clcr,1. l r)r ()trier S()Cial justice gr<)llJ)S ()C)'()Ild S cc ar()Ulld tl1c iSSllC <)f ,:otir1g rigl1ts. TI-1is r1et,,·c)rk 11rc)vccl i r1,1;-1l t1al)lc, for as l\Ioscs 11uts it: " \ 'Vl1c r1 l\Iississi11pi lcJc ke cl tis LtJ) , the Feels CC)tdcl set tis Cree" ( ifcJscs 2 () () )). GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 135
111 tl1e Algcl)r;:1 )l r c je c t, l1c st;:1r tccl i11 a c la ss rc) C>111 \vitl1 l1is c l1ilclrc11, tca cl1i11g tl1c111 cllgcl) ra , tl1c11 c)tl1cr 11 c c1 1 lc·s cl1ilclrc 11 i11 tl1;:1t s ;,111c classroc)111, tl1c11 c)rg·a11izccl C)tl1cr r1,1rc11Ls, f()r111cr SF '! acti\·ists, tcacl1crs ctcrc)ss tl1c CC)l111lr )·, eli te 111atl1c1natics resc a rc l1crs frc)111Cc)r11ell, I( e r1t S ta te, tl1c 1l atl1c1na tics arid Scier1cc R csc,1rcl1 I r1stitl1tc (l\1SR I), fc)ltr1cl,1tic>r1s lil.;.c >.1,1c.L\r tl1 L11 L ill)·, 0 11c11 S c)cic ty; tl1c ::.Jatic>r1al Scicr1cc FoL1r1cl,1tic>r1, tl1c C: l1ild rc r1's T r11st, 11r1i \·crsitics, })rc>fcssc)rs a11cl g·raciuatc st11cle11ts, l.-1\ v)·ers, sc l1c>c>l l) c>.-1r cl 111c1T1l)ers, c111ic)11s li ke tl1e l11cl11s trial .\ rc a s l ) u11cla tic>11,(1.\ 1;').11 c1 liticia11s, _ic>t1r1 1;:1lists a11cl tl1c)t1s,-l11cls c)r )i<)L111g11c c1) 1 lc a ro t111cl tl1c iss tH' o r clcl i,·cri11g· accclcratccl accl cle111ci
cclL1catic)11 l <) tl1c 11atic)11s· l)c>tlc>111 1c
t 1ar tilc a11cl c r c c1ti11g a 111c),·c111c11ftc)r Q t1c1li t)· E c.i11c;:1ti c)11,ts a Cc)r1stit11tic)11al R ig l1t. H is circle Sf)rc ads acrc)ss tl1c r1atic)rl frc>m L os .1\ r1g clc s tc> >.1 l i a 11i1: "T l1c CJ11es tic) r1 c)f llC)\\' ,.vc all lcar r1 tc) ,vorl.;. across s, c ·eral .-1rer1as is 1111sol,·ccl. T l1osc arer1.-1s .-1re la rge a11clco1111)li catccl .... Ic<1ll,y vc>r ki11g i11 a ll tl1csc a rc11.-1s ,viii rcc1uirc t l1a t 1t1a 11)· })C<)})lc ;:1clc>11t a 111c>rc l1c>lis t ic <>ull<><)k. tl1a11 tile)· l1a\·c C\ 1cr clc>11c l)c fc>rc " (l\1c>sc s 2()() 1, i 1 . l()). l\1c>sc s 11t1rtt1r c s tl1is cc)1111.1lcx 11c t,,vc)r k ,,·l1ilc at tl1c s,-l111c ti111c s1 1c 11cli11g '.-:I c.lct)·s cl \ \·ee k tcacl1i11g 111a tl1c11a1tics tc) l1is lc)ca l AP cc>l tc)r t. ,-:\11c.l ctl, va )·s, li, ' ir1g tl1c vVC)rd s c)f Baker tc) l:>r i r1g tl1c fa111il)· c1lc >r1g, l\lc)sc s ' circle i11clt1cles l1is fa111il); l1is ,,vifc, l1is t\
R e a c h i n g for s t r a t e gi e s to m o v e forward, instead of getting stuck in a search for blame. \ lc>sc s ' r a J)ici 111c>,·c111c11t G·cn11 pr<)t)lc111 tc> s tra te gics fc) r ,-1clclr css i11g tl1c>r 1l)' isstic s is c>f t c 11 clc111c>11str a tcci ,vitl1 sta fl c ircles c>f s t1i111c1r tc rs. 11a r c 11ts: a11cl st uclc11ts. I l1;:1\1 C oCtl'tl <)l)s c r vccl ;:11cl si lc11tli) a1111rc>, ·c cl l1is rcs11 c)11sc tc) s tL1clc11ts \\'ltc) 111igl1t 111si lJcl1a\·c. ,-\t tl1c)sc ti111cs, li ke 11c1)sl " gc)c)cl' ' lc a c l1crs, lie 111c),·cs i m 111cliately· tc) cliscc),·crir1g tl1e re;:1sc)r1 l)el1i1c1l tl1c l)c l1;:1, 1 ic>r ir1stcacl of lc)ckir1g ir1tc) iclects c>f 1111r1isl1n1cr1t; lie e li c i ts s t11clcr1t er1g ag c111cr1t ir1fir1cli r1g tl1c rc>c)t a r1cl tl1e so l11tic)r1, r1c)t 0111-y i r1111.-1tl1c111atics t)11t a lso i11 tl1cir li,·cs. IZcc c11tl) i, t l1c>t 1g l1, l1is !)fC>])C11si t)' tc> Jl lC>\ 'C i11sta11t l) ' frcn11 ])rc>l)!c 11 (<)\va.rcl s tra tcg )' st<><> cl i11 s ta rk C<>11tra st ll> 111y c>vv11. I-l e \valkecl i11tc> 111y <)fl i c c i111111(·cli a tcl)· after cl 111ccti11g , vl1crc cxi 1c c t c cl SLL]1]1 <)r t vvas s L1clclc11l)i ,vitl1clr,lvv11. .L\ f t c r 11c rc1.1c)r tcc.l tc) 111e tl1c C)lttcc)11c1 c)f tl1c 111e c ti11g, I i11sta11tl)'f ) l'C)tcstcc.L " v\ "11)1 \VC)ttlcl tl 1c,· clc> tl1at? H c>vv c;:11 tl1,c, clc) tl1a t? H c)\
I I •
>.
er1tc r t.-1i r1ir1g 1ny c)11tl)urst, 1 Ic>ses ,1skecl "' \111,1t clo )1 C)t 1 tl1ir1l.;. arc so1nc str a te- gics to rlC>vv k.CCf) 0 11,r \·or k g c>i11g ir1 ]\.Jia n·1i?" \ Iy l)rair1 t1acl s ht1t d ovvr1 vvitt1 t l1c sl1c>c k c>f" tl1c l) a ci 11c, ,\'s ,vl1ilc vf <1scs l1acl alrcaciv l) c :o--·, t111 s l1c1 r i110:--·, icica.s f"c>r / / g ,-1r 11cri11g <1tl1er SLl)) J1 C)l'l. \,\'c1ll<>vvi11g i11 l)la111c is j t1st ll<)l 11 a r t o r l\ l c1se s ' i 1s) ·c l1c. H is i11tcllcct ,-l11cl i111a g i11a tic)11scc111 a l,\·a )'S i11 gear fc) r 11C1)\' i11g crc a ti,1cl)' tc>,varcl tl1c 11cxt s tCf ). Yet, ,tt tl1e sa 111c ti111e, li e ce1r1 Sl1rre r1clcr tc) tl1e iclc,1s c>f ;1r1y g r c)Ll}1 ell l1,1r1d, CSJ)Cc ia ll)· tl1c )'<>ur1g: · if tl1c>s e ici c,1s ;:1rc cc>r1gr11- e r1t , ,·itl1 tl1e g es ta lt c)f t l1e, , isi c)rl.
136 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
Work within and against various structures: \r\ it.l1i11 111c>SL ! ) Lil)li c scll() c)l sysLc 111s tl1crc arc strL1ClL1rc s i11! ) lace ,,·l1icl1111igl1L scc111 tc> c11l1a11cc tl1c S)'Slc111, )' Cl c>ftc11da111ag·c tl1c l1L1111a11,s ,·itl1i11tl1at S') Stc11.1\•Vise lc clclc r s rccc>g r1izc tl1c>sc s t r t1c tt1rcs c1r1cl t1r1clcrstc111cl tl1c 11cccl tc> vV<>rk agctir1st tl1c111 vvl1c11 tl1cy stifle tl1c crc ;,1ti\·ity arid rclatic>r1sl1ir) l>t1ildir1g c>f tl1c S)·stcn1's I);,1rticir)ar1ts. \·Vl1ilc vVC>rki11g ir1 t1rl)a11 a.r1cl rt1ral S)iStc111s, i oscs, lik.c 111,1r1y of us, l1a.s st1f fcrecl a rca 11c r)td)lic scl1c><)I I)rC>lC>C<)ls a 11cl l)rc>ccsses. l l1c !)igger tl1e S)"Stc-111, tl1e 111c>rc r ig icl a11cl u111,i111g i11a,Li\ C tl1c rLdcs a11cl tl1c 111c>rc· L111ccn1scic>t 1s tl1c i11ti111iclatio11 ()f tl1cl ) C() [)lc it is sttt)l ) C)sccl tc) sc r \·c .• A.gai11st tl1csc 111c)11c>litl1ic S)'Stc111s, l c>sc s ' c>rg;,111ic sc11sc c>f life, lca r11i11,gc111cllcaclcrsl1i1> s tc111cls i11 sl,-trk a11d clcga11t relief His rcft1sal tc> r c r>l ic ;1, tc )'Ct c>r1c 111c>rc l 1icr,1rcl1al, c>11c-siz c fits-a.ll ir1strt1ctic>r1al ,1r1d c>rgar1izatic>r1;,1l 111c>clcl, tl1c>t1gl1, is oftcr1 n1ist1r1clcr st oocl ,1s t1r1rcalistic or so111cl10, v ir1co 1111)lc tc. l'\ c\·cr tl1clcss , cit1r ir1g str,1tcg·)· scss ic)r1s, :\ [c)s cs l1,1s oftc11 cx1)la i11ccl th,1t ,,·c
111t1st. C<) 11t i11ue tc> gc> UJ) ;.-111cl clc)\v11 tl1c l1icr;.1rc l1)' c>f tl1c S)1s tc111, Ll1c c l1ai11 c>f C(>111111a11cl, to kcc1) tl1c· s u1)! ) <>r l alive ir>r tl1c· stt1clc11ts' i11tcllcctt1,-1l clc ,;c l(!) ) - 111c11t, a11cl tl1,-lt ,vc sl1c>t 1lc.l 111a11ct1\·c r a r(>t 111cl tl1c>sc s l r t tCl Ltrc s ,vc ca1111c>l c l1a11gc a11cl crcc1tc C>Ltr c>,,vr1S)'Stc111fc>r , ,·l1c> cc>11tacts vvl1c>111 c>r1 cc1cl1 lc \·c l c>f at1tl1c>ri,t\ 1:
It is a lit tle l>it like guerrilla , va r E1re,. · o u're str ik ing. You're ]>tillin g b,1ck. \'0 11're i<><>ki11 at ,vl1erc vo11 arc. You're striki11 a air1. Yc>11'rc lc>o kir1i.- for a11 <>]) C11i11g.\'0 11·re l<><>ki11g fc>r a soft SJJOt, trying to fi11cl 011t ,,·l1crc )' Oll ca11 J)e11e tr a te. ,,.\ 11cl yo11 are ,vorking ,vitl1 a11cl agai11st ,·a ri<>LIS s tr11c t11res.You're
I.) .. \.J \. J ... , in tl1e111. hut y<>·u
r t· \Vorking aga in st tl1en1 at ,·ari<)us lc\·els.
J( >. 17) Ycl al,v,.1ys 11lc)scs rc111i1c1.ls LIS Ll1,.1t tl1c s tt1c.lc11ts cl11cl1) a rc 11st 1111s1t l )c tl1c c.lr i, -1 ir1g fc>rcc l.>cl1i11c.l tl1c s t1r\·i\1 a l c)f tl1c J) rc>j c c l 's \ · isi c>11 <>f "facir1g a syslc111tl1al dc>cs 11c>t lc11d itself tc> y·c>Ltr 11ccds ar1ci dc\·isi11g 1nca11s l>y· vvl1icl1 )'C)LI cl1('.1r1gc tl1at sy·stcn1'' (J). 1S)). Tl1c>t1gl1 1 I c>s cs c o r1tir1t1,1lly attcn11)ts tc> l>ttilcl cc>r1scr1st1s a.rlcl r1c-t,vc>r ks ,1111orlg cli\:crsc a cl\·occ1c)· grot11)s, tl1c ra clicc1l cllar1gc r1cccic cl, l1c i11sists, viii result tdti111a tc l)· frcn11 clisc11fra11cl1is c cl ccH11111u11tiics ])t1s l1i11g agai11st tl1c S)'Stc111, 11c>t fi·cn11 tl1,c ,·cll-111ca11i11g a cl\1 (>Cc1c y <>f' <)Lttsiclc agc11ts. \ \!l1c11I g·ct c.lisl1ca rLc 11ccl l) )i tl1c l1ars l1 rc,1litics a11cl i11c1 . Ltitics i11 tl1c! ) Ltl.)l ic scl1c>c)l S)·s tc111(O rfi cl cl, 2()()4 ) a11cl tl1c clc,.1rLl1 c>f lc('.1clc r s , ,·i tl1 cl \·isic>11,I tl1i11k al.>c>Ltl l c>sc s ' a l 111c>s t fift)' )' Cctrs c>f c1L1ic t rcvc>lt 1tic>r1. I tl1ir1k c>f l1is frc>r1t-li11c 1)articir)atic>r1 i11 tl1c Sc>t1tl1crr1 F r cc clc>111 Io\·c111c11tc;>f tl1c ti111cs lie ,vas l)c,1tcr1 ,1r1cl sl1c)t at; of tl1c ti111cs l1c s1)cr1t ir1 j,1il ,,vl1cr1C i\·il R igl1ts 1\ ttc) r rlc)·, .Jc>l111 D c)a r c a n·1c frcn11 D . C . l<> g·ct :\ f c>s cs C>tll C>I tl1c>sc SC>t1tl1cr r1 ja ils c111cl J)ris- <>11s. I tl1i11k a lsc> a l)C>t tl l lla Baker a11cl :1 a, 111ic IJc>u l-l a111cr a11cl :\ 111zic 1 1I c>c> rc
a11c.l tl1c tl1ot1sc111cls ()f H ;.:1r cli11g's '·l1t1111a 11sig111J os ts" \\"l10 c l1a1g1cc.l tl1c S(>L1tl1 ic>rc \ 1 Cr c111cl , ,·lie> c l1a11gc cl tl1c 11atic>11's J)C>litic;,ll S)1stc111sc> tl1at a B,1. rrack O l>a 11c11cc>ttlcl l>ccc>1nc P rc sic lc11tc>f t l1c C 11ilccl St,.1lcs c>f .-\mcrica. ,,\11cl, tl1c11, GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: LEADING BY NOT LEADING 137
I go a11cl siL \,·itl1 1Ic>s cs' .L\Jgcl)ra )} r c jcct stt1clc11ts a11cl listc11 tc> tl1c111 t;:1lk. 'l 'l1a L's vvl1c11 l sc11sc tl1al tl1c S)rSt'< 111 is ll<)l i11J1) '< t1<· tra \) lc, a11cl tl1at if I 11,1\·c tl1c J.1cllic11cc ;.1. 11lctl1c s till11css, I ,vill l1ca r tl1c slr<)11g· sl1ifti11g· 111L1sical r l1ytl1111 tl1at C<)111cs fr<)111 tl1c ' 'c-1c ccr1t <)11 ,-1 vvc,-tk l)c,-1t <)f tl1c 1.),-tr." Tl1c11 I k11()\\" \'vc'rc cl<.)scr tc) }1Ltl)lic sc ll <)<>ls n1,1k.ir1g frccci<>m's 'Jc)yft1l r1<>i sc . '' References
Bra11cl1,· l'. (198[-) )] arling the zualer1: -lu1erica
Y<)rk: Si1n<)ll ;..111cl Scl1ustcr. Ccr1tcr f<)r Crl)a11 Ecit1cali<)11 & I1111<)\',-tt i<)r1 (2()()1-) . ' ' I 11tc r,·ic, ,· ,vitl1 B<)IJ l'vl <)SCS.'' P r <>. 111<>ti<>r1al Harclir1g, \ . (19 9 ()). HojJe an(/ histo1J1: T- 1 ,,.f{)' zce 111u .1t s/7are the 1\ l ove111ent. :\ I,1'I)'la11cl: Or\)is Boc>ks. H c11r )1 !\ . & C: t1r r)1, ( . (2()() ()). /laron He,z,y : The .fire ever burnill/!,- . Jac ksc)11, l\,l ississ1i ) J) i: C 11i\·crsit y c>f' l\,Iississ1i ) J) i I)rcss. l l illia rcl, ,.\sa c;., III ( I )97), "' l' l1e strLtClLtre ()r \'alicl stafl" clev·el<)J) 11l(' lll."
Journal q· j
(1}.De1:elojJ111ent. S11r i 11g·. \ 'c)l. lf , Nc).2. Lizza. R. (2()()7). Ba rack () l)ct11c1t's L111likcl)' J.)<)litical cc.lL1c,ttic)11. 'T he -lgitator.
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.:l(.[!,ehra PrrJjecL. Rc a.cc>rl Press: Rc)stc)11, l\,f_ j\
]\,f c) SC'S, (2()() )) " C: cn1stitt1ti ()ll cll P r <)J ) C'r ty \i('r SLIS c: c>Jl Sti tt1ti cn1al P c c>1) lc." T11 )} erry·, ' 1 , D c lJ) it , L ., l\ Ic>s c s , l{ , & \'\!)'t111c, .J. eels. QJ,1ali[r l!',rlurrtLion as a
( ,'on.1·tilutional l-?.i /11. Bc)stc)11: Bcaco11P ress. (clL1c i11 fall' ( )S)) ()rficlcl, c;., L c)SCll, D., \ Vale!, J. & S,vclllS()ll, C. B. (2()()4-). Lc)si11g ()Llr ftilLtrc: H<)\\" 111i11<)rit \' \ '()Ltr tl1 ,-trc IJci11 !.' left IJel1i1cl l)') tl1e srrc1clL1ati<)11 rate ; I ,._, \ ..J
crisis. C rl)ar1 I r1s titLltc, ,1,·ailal)lc at l1tt}): / / \,·vv'\ .v. t1rl)a11. <)rg / U r>l cl <)dcclPD F/ -1 l()93(1_ L<>s i r1gO ur Ft1tt1rc .11cfl Payr1c, C. (1 ) 3). l) z·e G'ot the L, 1:Jrlzt qf Free(lonz: T he Ol/J,aniz:.i,(g traclition an(/ the
:\.l i.1.1iss tjJJ1i_ji-eer/0111 .1/1"1t/!,!/,lr1• Rc rkclc)': U11i\·crsit) ' c>f C: a litc>r 11ia P re ss. Pa )r11e, ( . (2()()8). Sc> 111ucl1 r cfcn·111, sc> little cl1a 11g·e: l l1c J ) crsistc11cc c>f'
11il L1rc i11 Ltr l)a 11scl1c)c)ls. ( :;:11111.)r iclg c, 11.ASS: I-I a r \1a rcl EclL1catic>11 l.)r css. 34 E D U C A T I O N A L L E A D E R S H I P / M A R C H 2 0 1 5
Paul C. Gorski I discussion with African American “I’m invisible,” Sean added, “but food or music, but that’s about it. I Then Cynthia, who had remained We found ourselves only a few After a brief silence, Jonathan, the them. The Multicultural Curriculum Beyond Artwork Equity FOR ALL
Schools can commit Gorski.indd 34 1/29/15 7:48 PM A S C D / W W W . A S C D . O R G 35
multi cultural programs or diversity positions like “Diversity Director.” diversity initiatives avoid or whitewash To better grasp this, put yourself in
Cynthia’s shoes. Imagine a world in © RAFAEL LOPEZ/THEiSPOT
Gorski_REV.indd 35 2/3/15 6:52 PM 36 E D U C A T I O N A L L E A D E R S H I P / M A R C H 2 0 1 5
glimmer of excitement you might feel What would it feel like, given those ticipating in celebrations of diversity To be clear, we’re not suggesting illusion of multicultural learning even What we are suggesting is that asking students and families who Overcoming the “Culture” Fetish Many of the most popular frame- cultural proficiency, culturally relevant Of course, some focus on culture Embracing Equity Literacy Key to developing equity literacy for At the heart of a curriculum that is of equity and social justice.
Gorski.indd 36 1/29/15 7:48 PM A S C D / W W W . A S C D . O R G 37
four abilities (Gorski, 2013). These n Recognize even subtle forms of n Respond to bias, discrimination, n Redress bias, discrimination, and n Cultivate and sustain bias-free and Part of the difficulty We recognize this is a daunting feel an urgency to avoid the kind of The good news is that there are Equity Literacy Resources,” p. 39). Five Guiding Principles depending on contextual factors. the inquiry approach to education frameworks, such as the Life (C3) framework. riculum for our our own skills and equity literacy, it’s useful principles in mind.
Principle 1. Equity literacy is For instance, students can develop Gorski.indd 37 1/29/15 7:48 PM 38 E D U C A T I O N A L L E A D E R S H I P / M A R C H 2 0 1 5
findings can become fertile ground for Principle 2. The most effective equity Science, technology, engineering, With guidance from teachers, the Teachers considering similar By engaging students in this way, Principle 3. Students of all ages are So when we say or think that stu- In our experience, the younger we Many initiatives of multicultural lack of sophisticated Gorski.indd 38 1/29/15 7:48 PM A S C D / W W W . A S C D . O R G 39
stereotypes and biases that feed any Principle 4. Students from all A growing body of research pro- The teachers are also compiling sometimes invite students to brag Principle 5. Teaching for equity According to Hess and McAvoy Ultimately, Hess and McAvoy con- A More Meaningful Investment Great Equity Literacy Here are some of our favorite—and EdChange (www.edchange.org/ Education for Liberation Lab GLSEN (http://glsen.org/educate/ New York Collective of Radical SoJust (www.sojust.net)
Teachers for Social Justice (www Teaching Economics As If People Teaching for Change (www Teaching Tolerance (www Zinn Education Project (http:// Gorski.indd 39 1/29/15 7:48 PM 40 E D U C A T I O N A L L E A D E R S H I P / M A R C H 2 0 1 5
as a purposeful avoidance of a more We can avoid these pitfalls by References students in poverty: Strategies for erasing Hess, D., & McAvoy, P. (2014). The in democratic education. New York: Ladson-Billings, G. (1995). Toward a Ladson-Billings, G. (2006). It’s not the Olson, K. R. (2013). Are kids racist? Psy- Sánchez, L. (2014). Fostering wide- Schultz, B. (2008). Spectacular things Swalwell, K. (2011, December 21). Why at www.tolerance .org/blog/why-our- Swalwell, K. (2013). Educating activist Winkler, E. N. (2009). Children are not Paul C. Gorski (gorski@edchange Thomas Edison State College is one of the 11 senior public colleges and universities in New Jersey, and is accredited by D E S I G N Y O U R
YO U R O P P O R T U N I T I E S
EDUCATION Master of Arts in Educational Technology Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
> Flexible ways to earn college credit experiences L E A R N M O R E : Gorski.indd 40 1/29/15 7:52 PM
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and Katy Swalwell
feel like a visitor in my own
school—that hasn’t changed,”
Samantha said, confusion and
despair in her voice. We were
at the tail end of a focus group
students at Green Hills High, a pre-
dominantly white, economically
diverse school. We had been invited to
conduct an equity assessment, exam-
ining the extent to which Green Hills
was an equitable learning environment
for all. We had asked Samantha and
a small group of her classmates how
they would characterize their school’s
two-year-old Multicultural Curriculum
Initiative, touted by school adminis-
trators as a comprehensive effort to
infuse a multicultural perspective into
all aspects of school life.
also hypervisible. Maybe twice a year
there’s a program about somebody’s
don’t see the purpose.”
quiet through most of the hourlong
discussion, slammed her fist on the
table, exclaiming, “That multicultural
initiative means nothing. There’s
racism at this school, and nobody’s
doing anything about it!”
moments later in our next scheduled
focus group, surrounded by the
school’s power brokers: the prin-
cipal, assistant principals, deans, and
department chairs. Still taken—maybe
even a little shaken—by what we had
heard from the young women and
men who felt fairly powerless at Green
Hills, we asked the administrators
about the purpose of the Multicultural
Curriculum Initiative.
principal, leaned back in his chair.
We had observed him over the past
few days interacting with students,
and it was clear he cared deeply about
Initiative was his brainchild, his baby.
Jonathan decorated his office door
with quotes about diversity and his
office walls with artwork depicting
diverse groups of youth. “We see
diversity as our greatest asset. That’s
what this initiative is all about. What
we aim to do here,” he explained with
measured intensity, “is to celebrate
the joys of diversity.” When we shared
with Jonathan the concerns raised
by the African American students,
he appeared confused and genuinely
concerned. “They said that?” he asked,
before interrupting a member of his
leadership team who had begun to
defend the initiative. “Maybe it’s time
to rethink this.”
and Celebrations
If we’ve learned anything working
with schools across the United States,
it’s this: When it comes to education
equity, the trouble is not a lack of
Lıteracy
to a more robust
multiculturalism by
putting equity, rather
than culture, at the
center of the diversity
conversation.
initiatives in schools. Nor is it nec-
essarily a lack of educators who,
like Jonathan, appreciate and even
champion diversity. In virtually every
school we visit, we see attempts at
multi culturalism: corridors lined
with flags, student-designed posters
r epresenting the national or ethnic
origins of families in the community,
anti-bullying programs, or faculty
The trouble lies in how so many
serious equity issues. It lies in the
space between what marginalized stu-
dents like Cynthia say their schools
need to do to help them feel less mar-
ginalized and what many of the adults
in those schools are comfortable doing
in the name of multiculturalism.
which, as a result of something over
which you have no control—say, your
racial identity, sexual orientation,
or home language—you’re made to
feel alienated or invisible at school.
Imagine that when you occasionally
see little shimmers of yourself reflected
in the curriculum, your identity or
culture is reduced to a stereotype—to
a sari, taco, or polka. Imagine the
about the possibility that, when the
teacher mentions Martin Luther King
Jr., a real conversation about racism or
poverty might ensue, only to find that
even he has been sanitized down to I
have a dream. Imagine experiencing
racism, sexism, or class inequality in
the present while hearing about it in
school only in the past tense.
circumstances, to be pressed into par-
while nobody tends to your alienation?
That’s what many schools’ diversity
efforts feel like for students of color,
low-income students, English language
learners, and other students whose
voices historically have been omitted
from school curriculums. Meanwhile,
this brand of multiculturalism does
little to help students whose voices
historically have been honored at
school become aware of and question
their privilege. In both cases, we’re
doing a disservice to our students.
that something is inherently wrong
with celebrating diversity. We’re not
necessarily suggesting that schools
abandon the diversity parade or the
multicultural art festival. Our concern
is that, all too often, these sorts of
initiatives mask, rather than address,
serious equity concerns. They become
distinctly unmulticultural when we
don’t offer them alongside more
serious curricular (and institutional)
attention to issues like racism and
homophobia because they present the
as they guarantee a lack of sophisti-
cated multicultural learning.
at the heart of a curriculum that is
meaningfully multicultural lie prin-
ciples of equity and social justice—
purposeful attention to issues like
racism, homophobia, sexism, and
economic inequality. Without this
core, what we do in the name of multi-
culturalism can border on exploitative:
experience these inequalities to allow
students and families who don’t expe-
rience them to grow their knowledge,
while the inequalities themselves go
un addressed. There’s racism at this
school, and nobody’s doing anything
about it!
In her article, “It’s Not the Culture of
Poverty, It’s the Poverty of Culture,”
Gloria Ladson-Billings (2006) explains
how culture fetishism undermines
education equity. “Culture,” she
explains, “is randomly and regularly
used to explain everything” (p. 104).
It’s used, in effect, as a stand-in for
race, class, language, and other issues
that aren’t as comfortably discussed as
broad, vague “cultures.”
works for creating more inclusive
classrooms and curriculums con-
tinue this culture fetish. In addition
to multi culturalism, we have
inter cultural and cross-cultural edu-
cation, cultural competence and
pedagogy, and culturally responsive
teaching. And despite the fact that
social scientists debunked the concept
in the early 1970s, the “culture of
poverty” remains the dominant
framework in U.S. education circles for
understanding the lives of low-income
students.
is warranted. Culture is an important
aspect of student experience to con-
sider in efforts to create a meaningfully
multicultural curriculum and a more
equitable school. Moreover, some of
these frameworks, including cultural
relevance and cultural responsiveness,
are rooted in principles of equity
(Ladson-Billings, 1995). The chal-
lenge is to retain principles of equity as
central aspects of a multi cultural cur-
riculum that is truly meaningful, even
if—especially if—it feels easier or safer
to home in on more simplistic notions
of culture.
In our own teaching, as well as in our
work with schools and school districts,
we embrace a framework for both
multi cultural curriculum development
and bigger efforts to create equitable
classrooms and schools. We call this
framework equity literacy. Its central
tenet is that any meaningful approach
to diversity or multiculturalism relies
more on teachers’ understandings of
equity and inequity and of justice and
injustice than on their understanding
of this or that culture (Gorski, 2013).
It relies, as well, on teachers’ abilities
to cultivate in students a robust under-
standing about how people are treated
by one another and by institutions,
in addition to a general appreciation
of diversity (Swalwell, 2011). The
idea is to place equity, rather than
culture, at the center of the diversity
conversation.
educators and students is cultivating
meaningfully multicultural lie principles
include the ability to
bias, discrimination, and inequity.
and inequity in a thoughtful and equi-
table manner.
inequity, not only by responding
to interpersonal bias, but also by
studying the ways in which bigger
social change happens.
discrimination-free communities,
which requires an understanding that
doing so is a basic responsibility for
everyone in a civil society.
with implementing a
curriculum that grows
these abilities in
young people
is that we
educators must
first grow them in
ourselves. We might
start by ensuring that
professional development
related to multiculturalism
focuses not only on cultural
competence or diversity awareness,
but also on recognizing sexism
and ableism, for example; not on a
mythical “culture of poverty,” but on
responding to economic inequality;
and not on how to help marginalized
students fit into school cultures they
experience as alienating, but on how
to redress the alienation by making
changes in our own practices and
policies.
task, and we understand the pressure
of feeling here’s one more thing I need
to squeeze into an already packed
workday. But then we remember Cyn-
thia’s exhortation: “There’s racism at
this school, and nobody’s doing any-
thing about it!” We don’t have control
over everything, but to the extent that
we do influence the curriculum, we
well-intended complacency we found
at Green Hills High.
many powerful models for what a
curriculum oriented around equity lit-
eracy looks like in practice (see “Great
Teacher-led organizations around the
United States have developed rich
databases of curriculums that can (and
should) be modified for local contexts.
Nobody needs to start from scratch.
It can be difficult to paint a precise
picture of what an equity literacy
curriculum looks like because, like
all curriculums, it will look different
What we can say is that, rather than
a list of facts or historical figures that
everyone should know (as in E. D.
Hirsch’s “cultural literacy” lists), an
equity literacy curriculum focuses on
essential questions like these: What
makes something equitable or inequi-
table? What (local, regional, global)
in equities exist? How have they
changed over time, and why? What
individual and collective responsi-
bilities do we have to address them?
These questions require both evidence
and ethics to debate. They fit well with
promoted by recent curriculum
College, Career, and Civic
As we plan cur-
students and
work to develop
knowledge related to
to keep the following five
important in every subject area.
When we teach with and for equity
literacy, we’re not abandoning content.
Rather, we’re teaching content (when
feasible) through an equity lens. One
of our favorite resources for teaching
through an equity literacy lens is Eric
Gutstein and Bob Peterson’s Rethinking
Mathematics (Rethinking Schools,
2013). In it, these educators provide
multiple examples of teaching math
in a way that develops students’ math-
ematical abilities while also helping
them see math as a powerful analytical
tool for addressing social problems.
formulas for how best to calculate a
living wage, examine historical trends
in wealth and poverty, or map income
data in their own communities. Their
rich discussions, deliberations, and
debates about the nature of economic
inequality.
literacy approach is integrative and
interdisciplinary.
It’s easy to see how equity literacy
naturally favors interdisciplinary
inquiry. As we see in the math
example above, students would
also engage with reading, writing,
speaking, history, and civics.
and the arts similarly could be tapped
as students grapple with real-world
equity issues in their communities.
Sánchez (2014) describes an inter-
disciplinary project in which teams
of students at a high-poverty school
examined challenges in their racially
segregated and economically strained
community. One group, the Park
Fixers, was frustrated “with having
insufficient and unsafe equipment
for students to play on during recess”
(p. 185). Group members were also
concerned that the children who lived
in an adjacent low-income housing
project had no place to play.
Park Fixers applied a wide variety
of skills and an impressive depth of
knowledge to address this community
challenge they had identified. The
students used video and still photog-
raphy to document the conditions
of the park. They used language arts
and math skills to craft community
surveys, distribute them, and analyze
the results. They practiced com-
munication skills by composing and
sending letters to several key com-
munity members. They even worked
with an urban design specialist who
helped them capture their vision for a
new park in blueprints. Finally, they
delivered both oral and written reports
to their teachers that incorporated all
the material they had gathered.
approaches shouldn’t feel discouraged
if students don’t see the fruits of
their efforts within the school year.
As Schultz (2008) notes, “spec-
tacular things happen along the way”
when students are engaged in this
kind of work; the process is just as
important—if not more important—
than the actual outcome of their
efforts.
the teachers modeled equity literacy.
They acknowledged what the stu-
dents knew all along—that they were
targets of bias and inequity. What
was happening to their park wasn’t
happening to the parks in wealthier
neighborhoods. The teachers also
helped strengthen students’ equity
literacy by integrating lessons about
math, writing, and other subjects with
an opportunity to apply academic
skills to redress this inequity. Culti-
vating equity literacy is most effective
when it’s integrated into the broader
curriculum rather than segregated
into disconnected activities and when
it’s a schoolwide commitment rather
than isolated in one or two teachers’
classrooms.
primed for equity literacy.
Did we mention that the Park Fixers
were 3rd graders? The most common
rebuke we hear when we talk about
equity literacy goes something like
this: My students are too young to talk
about that stuff. If you’re thinking
the same thing, consider this: Even
preschool-age children have been
exposed to socializing messages about
themselves and one another—often
even at school. Many students already
knowingly experience bias and dis-
crimination, and those who don’t often
learn that it’s impolite to mention any
distinctions. For example, researchers
have found that children as young
as three or four already differentiate
racial categories—they’re not, as we
may want to believe, “color-blind”
(Olson, 2013; Winkler, 2009).
dents are “too young” to talk about
issues like racism, it’s important that
we stop and reflect on whom, exactly,
we’re trying to protect. Are we pro-
tecting the students who are expe-
riencing racial bias by sidestepping
conversations about race, even as we
ask them to celebrate diversity?
start, the better. By integrating issues
of equity into the content at young
ages, we help all students develop
the skills and language they need to
explore complex and controversial
issues in a community of people who
may disagree about what’s going on or
what should be done about it. Equally
important, we demonstrate to stu-
dents who are the targets of bias and
inequity that their experiences matter,
and we offer them an opportunity to
challenge their peers’ mis perceptions.
As a result, they may experience
the more celebratory, surface-level
multicultural initiatives as safer and
more legitimate. Meanwhile, students
who enjoy more privileged identities
become better able to interpret the
present the illusion
learning even as
they guarantee a
multicultural learning.
misperceptions they might have about
the more marginalized people in their
communities.
backgrounds need equity literacy.
Many of the common examples of
equity literacy in action come from
high-poverty schools serving large
percentages of students of color
and nonnative speakers of English.
Un fortunately, this can lead some
people to believe that white and
wealthy students wouldn’t benefit
from a curriculum informed by equity
literacy. In fact, these students may
have the steepest learning curves
when it comes to learning about bias,
discrimination, and inequity. Tradi-
tional forms of multicultural education
that focus on celebrating diversity
rather than equity can reinforce their
misunderstandings by feeding the
assumption that celebrating diversity
is enough—that everybody is starting
on a level playing field.
vides helpful examples of how to
engage more privileged students in an
equity literacy curriculum (Swalwell,
2013). In one elite K–8 private school,
teachers meet regularly in professional
development study groups focused on
race, gender, and social class to design
curriculum and share their work.
While the 8th grade teachers have
asked their students to examine real-
world historical and contemporary
wealth gap data, the 4th grade teachers
are inviting their students to share, in
journal entries, what they know about
being rich and poor, and the kinder-
garten teacher is designing a simple
simulation of unequal distribution of
resources.
a list of formal and informal ways
that class advantage goes unchecked
at their school—for example, how
morning meeting questions can
about their material possessions. The
teachers’ ultimate goal is to help stu-
dents do more than simply “be nice”
to people with less privilege; they want
their students to understand the issues
involved and commit to working
toward a society with less economic
inequality.
literacy is a political act—but not more
so than not teaching for equity literacy.
Another common rebuke we hear is
that teaching for equity literacy intro-
duces views about social justice into
the curriculum that don’t belong in
school. But is teaching about poverty
or sexism more political than pre-
tending that poverty and sexism don’t
exist by omitting them from the cur-
riculum? How might we explain the
politics of not teaching about these
issues when many of our students
are experiencing them, even within
school? How can we prepare youth to
be active participants in a democracy
without teaching them about the most
formidable barriers to an authentic
democracy?
(2014), there’s no silver bullet for
engaging students in discussions about
important and often controversial
issues, but rather a series of factors
that teachers must weigh to introduce
these issues ethically and responsibly.
It’s important for teachers to consider
when to withhold or disclose their
personal views and how to frame
issues in relation to their students, the
subject matter they’re teaching, and
the community.
clude, classrooms should directly
engage students in answering the
question, How should we live together?
It’s a nonpartisan question like its
empirical cousin, How do we live
together? but a deeply political one
that’s essential in a diverse society
based on democratic principles and
committed to equity.
As Cynthia taught us (“There’s racism
at this school, and no one’s doing
anything about it!”), students who
feel marginalized in our schools may
experience what we thought to be
meaningful multicultural curriculums
Resources
free—resources for an equity literacy
curriculum:
multi cultural/teachers.html)
(www.ed liberation.org/resources/
lab)
resources/curriculum)
Educators (www.nycore.org/
curricula)
.teachersforjustice.org/search/
label/all%20curriculum)
Mattered (www.teachingeconomics
.org)
.teaching for change.org)
.tolerance.org/classroom-resources)
zinned project.org)
serious reality. When we invest our
multi cultural energies in surface-level
cultural exchanges, fantasies of color-
blindness, or celebrations of white-
washed heroes while ignoring the
actual inequities many of our students
face, we demonstrate an implicit com-
plicity with those inequities.
building our multicultural curriculum
efforts, not around cultural awareness
or cultural diversity, but around the
cultivation of equity literacy in both
ourselves and our students.�EL
Gorski, P. (2013). Reaching and teaching
the opportunity gap. New York: Teachers
College Press.
political classroom: Evidence and ethics
Routledge.
theory of culturally relevant pedagogy.
American Educational Research Journal,
32(3), 465–491.
culture of poverty, it’s the poverty of
culture: The problem with teacher
education. Anthropology and Education
Quarterly, 37(2), 104–109.
chology Today. Retrieved from www
.psychologytoday.com/blog/developing-
minds/201304/are-kids-racist
awakeness: Third-grade community
activists. In P. Gorski and J. Landsman
(Eds.), The poverty and education reader
(pp. 183–194). Sterling, VA: Stylus.
happen along the way: Lessons from an
urban classroom. New York: Teachers
College Press.
our students need “equity literacy” [blog
post]. Retrieved from Teaching Tolerance
students-need-equity-literacy
allies: Social justice pedagogy with the
suburban and urban elite. New York:
Routledge.
colorblind: How young children learn
race. PACE, 3(3), 1–8.
.org) is associate professor of Inte-
grative Studies at George Mason Uni-
versity, Fairfax, Virginia, and founder of
EdChange (www.edchange.org). His
most recent book, coauthored with
Seema Pothini, is Case Studies on
Diversity and Social Justice Education
(Routledge, 2014). Katy Swalwell
(swalwell@iastate.edu) is an assistant
professor in the School of Education
at Iowa State University. She is the
author of Educating Activist Allies: Social
Justice Pedagogy with the Suburban and
Urban Elite (Routledge, 2013).
the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267) 284-5000.
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