Welcome. This is my first posting. As a result of two recent incidents I have decided to create a communication facility dedicated to perpetuating the quality of life I have enjoyed for over 35 years living in Randallstown, MD. The two incidents that prompted this action both involved the local school system. The first was a casual conversation with a neighbor about the increasing signs of gang activity within the elementary and middle schools and the second involves a situation that heightened my fear that we are foolishly relying too heavily on the public school system to assist in the raising of our children, especially black males.
Let’s face it, the system as it is composed or organized today is less focused on what is best for the kids and more driven toward standard test and the impact low performance on those test have on one’s career. It doesn’t take a whole lot to solve some of the problems if we, the stable members of our community, get more involved in the creation of a fertile enviroment for these kids. Children are like plants, if you fulfill their needs they will blossom. If you don’t they will make life miserable for everyone in the community.
Here is my quicky test to determine how well the community cares for it’s young -
- Are there Girl Scout, Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Explorer Post within the community?
- Are there little league baseball, football, baseball and other activities in the community?
- Are there activities for the kids who aren’t interested in sports?
- Are the local Parent Teacher Associations functioning within the schools?
- Are community service providers (police officers, teachers, and etc) vested in the community (i.e. live within the community)?
- Do local political leaders actively participate in community activities?
- Are churches active in the community?
- Do parents participate and support after school activities?
- Do you have community activities like fairs, carnivals, cookouts, and etc?
If you can’t answer yes to each of the above questions, we have a problem. Let’s chat about what we can do to turn things around.
Hopefully this Blog will encourage you and others who are truly interested in maintaining this community and insuring the fruit of the community (kids) get a fair chance to succeed share their concerns and ideas.
rwhart