I've needed a few days before I could write about my last AMP'D meeting. I always thought I "knew" some things. I know how devastating poverty is. I know the depth of racism in this country and I know that schools are in what Bruns calls a casual collapse. I know the lives of children and youth in urban contexts like Rochester is difficult in the extreme. Truth is, I didn't know at all.
Poverty, physical and emotional abuse, terminal illness, rape, abortion, abandonment, fear, murder, hunger...and all in the past six months. And all before the age of 18. And to be successful, amazing, smart, determined, loving, political, dedicated, artistic, savvy young people in spite of devastating circumstances that would crumble most adults I know. I'm sure I'm sounding naive. It's not like I haven't had my own share of trauma. Alcoholic parents, emotional abuse, a child with severe disabilities...and more I'd rather not say. It's not the same. I'm white, middle class, and educated. And I'm 51.
I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here. I return to outrage that things like this happen to youth in this world. These kids are under the radar at school because they are successful in playing the game for the most part. There is no one to help them. How has this happened? What on earth are we doing?
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