Education Research
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.

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PART3
The spirit of agency
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
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References
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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
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Where are the women?
by Joan T. Wynne
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'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 Pcriclc.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) lIc)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. if 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 <I, teach, ancl <)rg a n izc in <)rclc r to , ,·c>r k , ,·itli cacti other ar1cl tl1cir C<)111111ut1itics to i111pro,·c tl1cir n1a tl1c111taical literacy a11d to a clclrcss tl1c i11s tit11t<i)11al o l)staclcs to tl1cir s11cccss.
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: l1I,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, lf. (?()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. lI )' 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')
lI,,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.
87
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 1111)' 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>
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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 iiC 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 lIcck·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<> l1a1c 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 l1aiC' 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<>11,11cYSJ) 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 1Ci 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). lf 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 l1c111scl1c s tc> clc f1cct tl1cir i1111cr f< c li11g,·s l l)C>Ltl tl1cir 111c11tal ill11<·ss
(S LL1c11kcl & 1 '
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. 111c11VC 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 i1 i11g tl1e care tl1a t tl1c)· 11c c cl.
lf)' rcscarcl1 l1c l1)c cl r11c u11clc r s tc1.11cl tl1at C1C 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 ,(lI 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. 1l 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"<Hll c1: 0 11ly i111,1gi11c 110 ·V clifl ic Ltll it lllLLSl l)c ic>r ll1is g·c11cr c1tio11.
)·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<l accc11t;,t11cc. ,l orc
<)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 <>'
;-1r r L1l.>ic:1s, I. & Hc1r1 ).11
. ('.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
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: T 1/irin,,g.
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 .
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Creating paradise
by Martha Barantovich
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94 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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CREATING PARADISE 95
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96 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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assista11t )ri11ci11als, tl1cir cc)acl1cs, 11cig l1l)c)rs, a11cl s tr a11gcrs. l clicl11't 11,tvc cl
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c111esti<)r1ir1g tl1c I)ra.ctice s c)f trackir1g a r1cl l1cgc110111)' arid clitis111 a r1cl
CREATING PARADISE 97
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 .
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l)clic1 C tl1at tc,1cl1i1g1 is ctll aJc)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,
! '111VC>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
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tl1at I r,1r1 across tl1is c1t1otc frc)111 l)c!l l1c>ok.s, ·'I cr1tcrccl tl1c classroo11,1 ,vi tl1 tl1c
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i11g is c.l l)lctcc , vl1crc })c.tr,1clisc ca11 Jc crcateer· (J.). 14). Herc's tc> clc1ssrc>c>111s tl1at rcsc111l>lc 1->ar,1clisc.
A sample of texts, '' must-r e ads: ' for pre-service teachers, along with suggested videos
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98 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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by Alex Salinas
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100 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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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. ' i11 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
·,·J
,n sor1 )', hill I /{fl /0.1/ fa.1i {,y·,
hf lfll.1 an ad,ninislralor .1La11rl,:,!n!, behinr/ an
il?Jhr,naLion table.
' ·l es. I /-.,nozu. ,.she .1·r{J's. "IL can be a little ove11.u/1ebning at_firs!. Big /1/ace. ·,
" 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."
k11c),,v: ' lie Scl)1 S .
I {lln here
to be
1uilh jJeoj,/e.
f·1//{y ar f )'Oll lltakill!,!, ll.' rlo this?
***
r 1 ·;?Y should lcr1 J er1 d the /1oor zt·hen the /Joor zuanl lo .1/ r{-v /Joor?
T l /{J1 r/o the /Joor leave so rnuch garbage on their .1/reets?
Ir tftis.fiJr a grade?
T 17 l J1 {/o tlzose jJeople:' hurtg7J' children wall.{lround their neig/1borlioorl1· all alone. u1zrarer.lfo1;2·1tlnerable to their Ol t 7l bullets?
r'I 7 /{y rlo ) ' OIi turn us IOl('(/ /'d evil?
i 1 1,/9
lt'oulrl zu f .1/Jar•f
.:J.riaJ11 L anza ajir1 r zt•hal h f rlirl?
I I 'l{Y does he deserve a1 J1 co111f1a.1sion cifter lchaL he dirf?
T l // J1 c/oesn'!_ )'ou-r J·llabusnzenli.01z e.v:tra credit?
T11710 {/o..rou thinf vou are a1i }'le: av?
..,, – …
***
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<l) )) ' fc)r <> rll) r g<)cl is
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 ')2 L111lit ca11cllcs ell r c g Lda r i11tc,r, a ls c1lc) 11g· tl1c lc11gtl1 c,r tl1c s1 ) ira l.
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 · 1 ;?Y not be jJoLite anrl Listen lo Hi,n?
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? DJ 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
His face in dark projector light, Mr. Adenwalla reads from his smartphone
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)clic1 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 eiCll 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 <lcross tl1c street.
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
<l crcati,,c grace n1c)111cr1t: tl1c ei()lt1tic)r1 c)f flc)vvcrs 11.:.l n1illic>r1 )·cars age). He st <1r1cls l1e forc tl1e illicit J)Oi11ts ()f light. 1Ir. / clc11,,·alla sc r1ses a11 ir1frarccl c rc>vv11 a rc>u11cl I g11;-1c ic> 1111tc l1 !)rig·l1tc r tl1a11 tl1e J) l lll ),- na111c.s'·I ,vc>tt!cl like tc> say Le> tl1is vvl1c>lc c lass l1erc, 11(> tl1,.111k yoLt l<) tl1is acti,·it)i.·, 111 l g·11a c ic>'s )) Ul.)l ic
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.
lIr. 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.-1r1klI·. '· 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!
lIr. 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 1111crica11r10,·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 1l 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 ru11 here lo be
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 ·1l / J1 arf_rou conlrar/icti.n/!, zuha! !h J1 lau,5!,hl 111f in h !!,lt srhoo/
11 ·1zere 1 allt.J{l_)l.1' lzookerf 7J !V rear/er zui!h a question?
.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?
Do corporations control the zt•or/c/?
,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 l1,11C <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<ll) lc cloir1g it <111 C)·cr agai11. ' cs I l rlC)\ I l1a·c f) rc) l) lcn1s vvitl1111y lc)gi ca l l.) r i clg c s l)Lll l a111 i.)cgi1111i11g l<> l1a ·c 11ry SL1s1) icic)11s tl1at )l<)LI ;,1rc a l1L1sli111, tl1crcfc)rc )'<>l t 11,1·c I)rc)!)lcms vvitt1 111') Cl1ristia11 f,1itl1 tl1at is tl1c rc,:11 r)rc>l)lc111!
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 <ts )''Ot1 k.110.v tl1at 111c a11d 1T1y n1c)111 <trc strtigglir1g tc) gctjc)l)s right rlc>,,·. Yc)tt sec tl1c sitLtctLic )11 is I clc c iclccl frc)111 tl1c first fc,· clc, t·s c)f tl1is class tl1at , 'C)LI tr)' to t1r1clcrstar1cl )'C)L1r s tt 1clcr1ts; )' C)lt trc<tt tl1c111 as J)co r)lc, l)ttt tl1c tl1ir1g is, 11c>vv l ,va11l tc) clc) '11c ll 11c)t ! ikc i.)ci<)rc so as yc)LI 11c)ticc 1'111tr y·i11·gt1l)i !.)CSL. 1 '111 t r)1 i r1g tc) follc),,· tl1c rules )'C)lt 11a'C ,tl)c)Ltt OJ)Crl clialc)gttC'. I kr1c),,v I car1 <tgrcc t<) clis;.-1g r c c , a11cl l k11<>vv all 111y c111c)tio11s arc ok; it's al.)(>Lll cx1)r<'ssi11g tl1c111. l
._ , 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 i1 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'()lI1cr. ·' 'I/() l l 're g.<>l llg l() gel
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. 1clc11v,.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; 1f ric,1r1-/r11cric,1r1VC)111cr1 ,vritcrs, scxis111 a r1ci
racis111. 1To L1lcl lie prefer or1e of tl1ose classes? lfa)·l)c, tl1e si1111lc) yet al)SL1rd
rc;.1lit)· is tl1at Ig11a.cic> is stuc k vitl1 l1i111, lfr. 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
-ll 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
lIr. •.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. 1clc11,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."
lIr. 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 <Jv'.(
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, lI r . A<lc11vvalla is
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<ll)lc ar1cl t<1kcs ,1 fcvv stCJ)S fc)r
.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 Ll2:S l' a tl1c111ic l. U11fa zc ,cl l)ctr a,1 i11Q.' 11c> clistress
.. , <.J ,, i ( J
i11 t l1c sligl1tcst tvitcl1 r>f i 1cc (>r i.)(>cly, Natl1a11icl '( X! ) Cr tl)1 lca11s l1is cl1c c k
agai11st lg11,ct io 's f()r lc1Cr 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 i11ti1 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 1fr. ; 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 l1c11e 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()Il1ir1cecl tl1c1t, )·ct
,1gair1, sl1c ,vill riced to pay SJ) Cc i,ll attcr1ti()11 tc) llr. 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 t1,.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'(,)-1ti·e T eacl1i11g Gr 1r1t, 11)( C()lla l)()r ,-1ti()r1vvitl1 tl1e Scr·icc-Lec1rr1-
ir1g ar1ci S ust;.li r1al)lc Li1ir1g 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 )', l1r. 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 cog11tii1(' 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, lIr. } 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 <ader1cvalla2 l 3@ g·1na il.co111>
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, lIr. 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 lIr.•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."
lfr. 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 lIr. Aclc11-vall,1 a J)C)e111 Cic r y· , ,·e e k ()r t, vc).
Ig11;:1cic ) lclkes a scctl ()11 ;:1 cc)t1cl1 i11 lIr. 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
111r. 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 Scl1! I clc>11't cc1re \"llcll ,1r1-l>c>cl1 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,i1 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.
' l11d 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 t1c 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
aJc)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 1fr. 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 1l 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,.v11S1 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<l lie r. i-t ti1i1cs, D c l)l)ic 111ay tl()t l.)e easy l(l t111clcrsta11cl, as sl1e
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 l1DC: 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 "'Svitcl1!!!" ,1r1ci 111') tirr1c , va s LIJ)
lc)r i11tcrilC'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,
'
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DEBRA, THE ESSENCE OF LOVE IN THE MIDST OF STRUGGLE 121
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Grassroots leadership for the 21st Century: Leading by not leading1
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by Joan T. Wynne
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, l c>, ·c thcn1. Start ,,·it li vvlia t tliev, knovv. 1- uil<I ,.vith ,,·hat tli ,r Y li,t'°C. 11 u t ,,·itli the best
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 Fl1) 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)' l1aiC 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 1cn1scl1cs'' (r). 3'.3).
The Story
'·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 i1 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 lf oscs l1a,.-c ! )c c 11 l)c>tl1 l1t111l) l11g a11cl tra11s lc)r111ati1C. Sc> lo vvrit<' tl1is cl1a J) t c r as a11 c>l jc c ti1C 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. 11)'
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) .
l1l 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 t1 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<J111cr, like lryi11g l<> s c 11a r c1tc tl1c clc111ccr Cro111 tl1c clc11cc. Yet, at tl1c sa111c ti111c, I k11c>, v tl1at Ll1is " s till 11css" is ,t CJLlctlit)' c>f l c a d c r s l1i].) tl1c:1t is 111c>rc J)C),vcr
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.
You must enter into the small silences (Moffitt 1961)
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·gvitl1 ,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 lif( )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.)elie1 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)l1 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 lciC'] 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
lIi,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 •1lgcl)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 r1c1cr
})CCI) c1\'2l" rrcHll ll<)l11C. Tl1c stucic-11ts ca111c rrc>Jll tVC) 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> l1a1c 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 l1lc>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,lf 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.-1I <)SCS st<)<)d si lc r1t. StL1cicr1ts t)cg,1r1 tc) l1L1sl1 <)tl1cr s tL1clcr1ts. lIoscs 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:)).
Slow the Bus Down
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 tiiC 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)<t11 s c l1c>c>l rcfc1r111 s i11c c tl1c I ) /()'s a11ci l1,-1ci l)CCCH11c cliscc>t 1r agccl, ,.1,va )·s V(>rki11g fc,r s,vc('J)i11g refc>r111, l,L1l i11 tl1rec clc ca clcs vvit11cssi11g "s<> 111L1cl1 rcfc>r111, S(> little cl1a1g1·c,. (Pa)·11c, '.2()()7 ) i11 sc l1c)c)ls. Yet l k11c>,v, as cd L1c:c1tc)r s, 11c1>s t c)f 11s l1a1c dcs1)cra tcl)' , ,·ct11tcc.l l<) l)c c:c)-crcalc)rs <)f a clc11c1)
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 <lg ) 1 , <lLtr lcaclcr
sl1i1lSt)1 lcs, <lLir tcxtlJ <l< lks, a11cl <lLtr 111;1: r1agcn1c11tS)'Stc111s. ,,re l1ct·c111aclc la rge
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 ti1c 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 rr1ati1 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 l1oscs 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<l11a l rigl1t tel 1C> tc, c111cl i11 tl1c 1)rcsc11t cc11t11ry·,,,vc str11gg·lc fc)r tl1c C<l11stitL1ti<)11al rigl1t <)fa <JLlctlit) 1 cd L1ca ti<)r1 f<)r all cl1ilclrc r1, tl-1at sa111c c111a li t)' <)f lc ,1c{ir1g ,vitll<)Llt lc a d i11g is
,·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<l1111L111ti)',
,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<l J )) Cr s' ' , ,·11<) 111c1clc s a c r ifi c e s ( ris ki11g tl1cir j<ll)s,
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 , gcJr,-t Pr<)jcc t's clc111a11cl <)Il tl1c s tL1d c11ts l<) J)L1rsL1c acc:1clc111ic cxccllcr1cc, 11<)t 111ccli<)crit)', is as clcliJcrc:1tc c:ls its clcn1ar1cl <)r1 tl1c r1ati<)r1 t<) dcli,,cr C}Lta1i t:,-' c d ucatio r1.
, '
Leadership Lessons Learned
, , 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<Jg r a1)1l)'," clcscril)cs
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> l1a1 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 li1cs <)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 i111itc 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 l1a1 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'Olrccl 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
<lc ltcl, )i<'t vvl1c> clrc,v LL])C>tl cl ·a st, l1isto ric, a11cl c c)llecli;c 1l c),·c11c1' 11t \ isclc)111 l<) 111<)L111l tl1c slrL1gglc ag·,1i1s1t r,-1cis111, l)<),vcr, ct11lc ].) ri · ilc g·c – ,-t11cl,v<)Il, tl1c11, m .-l) ' t)c ,vc c,1r1 L111cartl1 tll<)SC C}Llc1litics- vitl1i11<)L1rsc l·c s l<) tra11sfc)r111 11<)l <)1111 ) cdL1c,1ti<)r1, t)Llt als<) tl1c r1,1ti<)11.
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<l <>LIL c)r elite cclL1c a tio11 tl1at kce1)s tl1c cl1ilclrc11 <>r tl1c ,·c a ltl1ylc>st i11 a sea
<)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: i sc11sc ll1at tl1c task is 11c·,cr cc>1111l1c tc sc) tl1c
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)· <ls lie l1,1d c,1 c r)· i r1tc11tic>r1 <>f " cl)'ir1g ,,vit l1 l1is
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;-1ls 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(><Hl l , vc1r ki11g
-,,
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 <ls 111a tl1
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 avarcl ct11cl is cle, ·e l<)J.1i11g11e,v sites clr<)L111cl tl1c C<)L111t·r)'
The personal connection: l1<)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. l1iss 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
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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
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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 <lr 11<)t., lie listc11s ir1tc11tl)' t<l , ·l1<)111c'c r is SJ)cakir1g.
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<lV tl1c111 l<) J.)t1sl1 tl1a t tl1i1k1i11·gi11 11c, ,· clircc ti<)11s.
'1l1ctlicr i11 tl1c classr<l<l111 <)r i11 s cssi <)tis vvitl1 s tudc11st 11lc1r11ii11g e, 1 e11ts, l <lsc s c c)r1sis tc r1tl)' 111<)C1cls tl1is J)r<)f<)t111cl rcsr)cct fc)r ,vl1at )'<)t1r1g I)C<)r)lc ,lrc sa)1ir1g. H e c x11la.ir1stl1at, ·'It is tl1e :()ices <)f tl1e )'<)u11g pcor)lc I r1ear ever)· cla); 111c)rc tha11 ;-1 r1yt l1i11g, tl1at gi,·c-s 111c l1<)11c" (1l <)s cs 11. I ) I ).
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<lri IJt1t yc,-trs <)f ex11e r ic1 ic e figl1tir1g· l,IississiJ) JJi ,-111d a )' <)L111gcr 111a11 [Bc)l) iI <)scs] ,vitl1 scr1sc c11<)t1gl1 l<) listcr1, H a r, ·ard r1c)t,vitr1star1dir1g" (Pa y11eJ). l()6-1()7). Ir1 m<)St ;-1r c r1as, leaders
,vl10 liste11,veil arc trcast1rccl.
Building the network of relationships in communities and across the nation
lIoscs 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<lJ1lc iii tlic t<l,v11s, tlic)L1sa11cls <,)f, ·l1itc stt1clc1its fr<l111 <lrtlicr1i
t1r1i,1crsitic, s fc clcr,1. l r)r<ls cc t1t<)r s, ci<)Ct<)r s, tc"1cl1crs. J)rcacl1crs. J)<llitici,1r1s a11ci
()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 lIoscs 11uts it: " 'Vl1c r1 lIississi11pi 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 (l1SR I), fc)ltr1cl,1tic>r1s lil.;.c >.1,1c.Lr 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 " (l1c>sc s 2()() 1, i 1 . l()). l1c>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, llc)sc s ' circle i11clt1cles l1is fa111il); l1is ,,vifc, l1is t<vc) sc>r1s ar1cl t,,vc) cla11gl1tcrs ir1 tl1c ,vc)rl.;..
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;:11 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)<V s l1c>r t-si:o:,l·1 tecl.',' 1' i tl1c)t lt
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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
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in tl1e111. hut y<>·u
r t· Vorking aga in st tl1en1 at ,·ari<)us lc·els.
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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·i1 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 cl1 (>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' .LJgcl)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 D 1D. I i,1n1i , FL: F lc)r icla I r1tc r11ati<>r1,1l Jr1i,·crsity.
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'
(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
The spirit of agency
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! l1l 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>111 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<H s: a cl1angc in lht>ir outlook,"' T l'i nrl1.or .'tar, 19G 9; clescril>t>cl also in Be11jan1i11 l·:lija h la ys, /Jor11 lo ll flhf'I: 1111 1111toh,io$!.ra/1! r , .–( ht' ns, (;,,-: ' J'hc lJnivcrsity of' (;corgia
)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 li1cc.l,
J,:1cksc)r1. T N , H c)LlSl<)ll, TX, Bc)st<)ll, 11..:, 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' i1;-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 r1c. 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 l1a1 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 cr1icc 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, l1<>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.
References
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 l1 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?
by Joan T. Wynne
t's Sc) clear tl1at VC)ll l1a'C' tC) cl1crisl1 C1 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
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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,'' l sat St ll lllli11;l)· silc11t. l Sc1 ' ll ()t ()!}('
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 C1c1111o 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 ;-t111 a ,vc)111a11; i11 i tct, I a111 a11 <)lei ,vc>111a11. ! l1crc vvas 111y l1cael? 'l 'l1crc
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, .L1111c 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 i.)c li,c c , 111igl1t l1c1,·c l)cgltll- vl1c11I vvas tca cl1i11gi11 l1igl1 scl1<><1l i11 tl1c S<>L1tl1
83
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 Pcriclc.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) lIc)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
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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. if 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 <I, teach, ancl <)rg a n izc in <)rclc r to , ,·c>r k , ,·itli cacti other ar1cl tl1cir C<)111111ut1itics to i111pro,·c tl1cir n1a tl1c111taical literacy a11d to a clclrcss tl1c i11s tit11t<i)11al o l)staclcs to tl1cir s11cccss.
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: l1I,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, lf. (?()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. lI )' 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')
lI,,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.
87
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 1111)' 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 iiC 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 lIcck·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<> l1a1c 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 l1aiC' 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<>11,11cYSJ) 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 1Ci 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). lf 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 l1c111scl1c s tc> clc f1cct tl1cir i1111cr f< c li11g,·s l l)C>Ltl tl1cir 111c11tal ill11<·ss
(S LL1c11kcl & 1 '
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. 111c11VC 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 i1 i11g tl1e care tl1a t tl1c)· 11c c cl.
lf)' rcscarcl1 l1c l1)c cl r11c u11clc r s tc1.11cl tl1at C1C 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 ,(lI 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. 1l 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"<Hll c1: 0 11ly i111,1gi11c 110 ·V clifl ic Ltll it lllLLSl l)c ic>r ll1is g·c11cr c1tio11.
)·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<l accc11t;,t11cc. ,l orc
<)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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Ta s l1i11gt<> r1,D.C .: Peer Press.
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tl1c 111ccli;.:1: iclc11lif yi11g ga1 )s i11 tl1c rc sc a rcl1. . ·r1ti .?.,oj1/zrr1 1zia Bulf Plin '.1() ('1. ),
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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.
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by Martha Barantovich
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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
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94 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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CREATING PARADISE 95
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96 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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CREATING PARADISE 97
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A sample of texts, '' must-r e ads: ' for pre-service teachers, along with suggested videos
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98 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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by Alex Salinas
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100 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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fclc11vva lla , r,c, ca lir1g a c h i])])Ccl frcHll tc><1tl1 11ca.rl)1 l)!ack ,,·itl1 clc ca y·.
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()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 <>Il1ertcd 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 l1ar(' 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
[ r. 1 clc-11\'a ll,1 at c)r1c J)C>lc
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. ' i11 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
·,·J
,n sor1 )', hill I /{fl /0.1/ fa.1i {,y·,
hf lfll.1 an ad,ninislralor .1La11rl,:,!n!, behinr/ an
il?Jhr,naLion table.
' ·l es. I /-.,nozu. ,.she .1·r{J's. "IL can be a little ove11.u/1ebning at_firs!. Big /1/ace. ·,
" 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."
k11c),,v: ' lie Scl)1 S .
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to be
1uilh jJeoj,/e.
f·1//{y ar f )'Oll lltakill!,!, ll.' rlo this?
***
r 1 ·;?Y should lcr1 J er1 d the /1oor zt·hen the /Joor zuanl lo .1/ r{-v /Joor?
T l /{J1 r/o the /Joor leave so rnuch garbage on their .1/reets?
Ir tftis.fiJr a grade?
T 17 l J1 {/o tlzose jJeople:' hurtg7J' children wall.{lround their neig/1borlioorl1· all alone. u1zrarer.lfo1;2·1tlnerable to their Ol t 7l bullets?
r'I 7 /{y rlo ) ' OIi turn us IOl('(/ /'d evil?
i 1 1,/9
lt'oulrl zu f .1/Jar•f
.:J.riaJ11 L anza ajir1 r zt•hal h f rlirl?
I I 'l{Y does he deserve a1 J1 co111f1a.1sion cifter lchaL he dirf?
T l // J1 c/oesn'!_ )'ou-r J·llabusnzenli.01z e.v:tra credit?
T11710 {/o..rou thinf vou are a1i }'le: av?
..,, – …
***
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<l) )) ' fc)r <> rll) r g<)cl is
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 ')2 L111lit ca11cllcs ell r c g Lda r i11tc,r, a ls c1lc) 11g· tl1c lc11gtl1 c,r tl1c s1 ) ira l.
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 · 1 ;?Y not be jJoLite anrl Listen lo Hi,n?
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? DJ 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
His face in dark projector light, Mr. Adenwalla reads from his smartphone
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)clic1 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 eiCll 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 <lcross tl1c street.
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
<l crcati,,c grace n1c)111cr1t: tl1c ei()lt1tic)r1 c)f flc)vvcrs 11.:.l n1illic>r1 )·cars age). He st <1r1cls l1e forc tl1e illicit J)Oi11ts ()f light. 1Ir. / clc11,,·alla sc r1ses a11 ir1frarccl c rc>vv11 a rc>u11cl I g11;-1c ic> 1111tc l1 !)rig·l1tc r tl1a11 tl1e J) l lll ),- na111c.s'·I ,vc>tt!cl like tc> say Le> tl1is vvl1c>lc c lass l1erc, 11(> tl1,.111k yoLt l<) tl1is acti,·it)i.·, 111 l g·11a c ic>'s )) Ul.)l ic
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.
lIr. 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.-1r1klI·. '· 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!
lIr. 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 1111crica11r10,·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 1l 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 ru11 here lo be
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 ·1l / J1 arf_rou conlrar/icti.n/!, zuha! !h J1 lau,5!,hl 111f in h !!,lt srhoo/
11 ·1zere 1 allt.J{l_)l.1' lzookerf 7J !V rear/er zui!h a question?
.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?
Do corporations control the zt•or/c/?
,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 l1,11C <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<ll) lc cloir1g it <111 C)·cr agai11. ' cs I l rlC)\ I l1a·c f) rc) l) lcn1s vvitl1111y lc)gi ca l l.) r i clg c s l)Lll l a111 i.)cgi1111i11g l<> l1a ·c 11ry SL1s1) icic)11s tl1at )l<)LI ;,1rc a l1L1sli111, tl1crcfc)rc )'<>l t 11,1·c I)rc)!)lcms vvitt1 111') Cl1ristia11 f,1itl1 tl1at is tl1c rc,:11 r)rc>l)lc111!
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 <ts )''Ot1 k.110.v tl1at 111c a11d 1T1y n1c)111 <trc strtigglir1g tc) gctjc)l)s right rlc>,,·. Yc)tt sec tl1c sitLtctLic )11 is I clc c iclccl frc)111 tl1c first fc,· clc, t·s c)f tl1is class tl1at , 'C)LI tr)' to t1r1clcrstar1cl )'C)L1r s tt 1clcr1ts; )' C)lt trc<tt tl1c111 as J)co r)lc, l)ttt tl1c tl1ir1g is, 11c>vv l ,va11l tc) clc) '11c ll 11c)t ! ikc i.)ci<)rc so as yc)LI 11c)ticc 1'111tr y·i11·gt1l)i !.)CSL. 1 '111 t r)1 i r1g tc) follc),,· tl1c rules )'C)lt 11a'C ,tl)c)Ltt OJ)Crl clialc)gttC'. I kr1c),,v I car1 <tgrcc t<) clis;.-1g r c c , a11cl l k11<>vv all 111y c111c)tio11s arc ok; it's al.)(>Lll cx1)r<'ssi11g tl1c111. l
._ , 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 i1 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'()lI1cr. ·' 'I/() l l 're g.<>l llg l() gel
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. 1clc11v,.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; 1f ric,1r1-/r11cric,1r1VC)111cr1 ,vritcrs, scxis111 a r1ci
racis111. 1To L1lcl lie prefer or1e of tl1ose classes? lfa)·l)c, tl1e si1111lc) yet al)SL1rd
rc;.1lit)· is tl1at Ig11a.cic> is stuc k vitl1 l1i111, lfr. 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
-ll 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
lIr. •.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. 1clc11,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."
lIr. 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 <Jv'.(
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, lI r . A<lc11vvalla is
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<ll)lc ar1cl t<1kcs ,1 fcvv stCJ)S fc)r
.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 Ll2:S l' a tl1c111ic l. U11fa zc ,cl l)ctr a,1 i11Q.' 11c> clistress
.. , <.J ,, i ( J
i11 t l1c sligl1tcst tvitcl1 r>f i 1cc (>r i.)(>cly, Natl1a11icl '( X! ) Cr tl)1 lca11s l1is cl1c c k
agai11st lg11,ct io 's f()r lc1Cr 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 i11ti1 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 1fr. ; 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 l1c11e 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()Il1ir1cecl tl1c1t, )·ct
,1gair1, sl1c ,vill riced to pay SJ) Cc i,ll attcr1ti()11 tc) llr. 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 t1,.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'(,)-1ti·e T eacl1i11g Gr 1r1t, 11)( C()lla l)()r ,-1ti()r1vvitl1 tl1e Scr·icc-Lec1rr1-
ir1g ar1ci S ust;.li r1al)lc Li1ir1g 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 )', l1r. 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 cog11tii1(' 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, lIr. } 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 <ader1cvalla2 l 3@ g·1na il.co111>
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, lIr. 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 lIr.•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."
lfr. 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 lIr. Aclc11-vall,1 a J)C)e111 Cic r y· , ,·e e k ()r t, vc).
Ig11;:1cic ) lclkes a scctl ()11 ;:1 cc)t1cl1 i11 lIr. 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
111r. 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 Scl1! I clc>11't cc1re \"llcll ,1r1-l>c>cl1 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,i1 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.
' l11d 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 t1c 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
aJc)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 1fr. 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 1l 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,.v11S1 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<l lie r. i-t ti1i1cs, D c l)l)ic 111ay tl()t l.)e easy l(l t111clcrsta11cl, as sl1e
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 l1DC: 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 "'Svitcl1!!!" ,1r1ci 111') tirr1c , va s LIJ)
lc)r i11tcrilC'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!"
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DEBRA, THE ESSENCE OF LOVE IN THE MIDST OF STRUGGLE 119
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120 WHO SPEAKS FOR JUSTICE
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DEBRA, THE ESSENCE OF LOVE IN THE MIDST OF STRUGGLE 121
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Grassroots leadership for the 21st Century: Leading by not leading1
=
by Joan T. Wynne
– – – – – – –
= = =
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, 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 lifc>'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<H· tlie '.2 l st (:r ntury: I ,e, t<ling l>y : o t I ,r a d ing " l>y J o a n ' I'.
'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<I ,.vith ,,·hat tli ,r Y li,t'°C. 11 u t ,,·itli the best
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 Fl1) 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)' l1aiC 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 1cn1scl1cs'' (r). 3'.3).
The Story
'·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 i1 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 lf oscs l1a,.-c ! )c c 11 l)c>tl1 l1t111l) l11g a11cl tra11s lc)r111ati1C. Sc> lo vvrit<' tl1is cl1a J) t c r as a11 c>l jc c ti1C 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. 11)'
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) .
l1l 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 t1 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<J111cr, like lryi11g l<> s c 11a r c1tc tl1c clc111ccr Cro111 tl1c clc11cc. Yet, at tl1c sa111c ti111c, I k11c>, v tl1at Ll1is " s till 11css" is ,t CJLlctlit)' c>f l c a d c r s l1i].) tl1c:1t is 111c>rc J)C),vcr
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.
You must enter into the small silences (Moffitt 1961)
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·gvitl1 ,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 lif( )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.)elie1 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)l1 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 lciC'] 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
lIi,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 •1lgcl)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 r1c1cr
})CCI) c1\'2l" rrcHll ll<)l11C. Tl1c stucic-11ts ca111c rrc>Jll tVC) 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> l1a1c 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 l1lc>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,lf 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.-1I <)SCS st<)<)d si lc r1t. StL1cicr1ts t)cg,1r1 tc) l1L1sl1 <)tl1cr s tL1clcr1ts. lIoscs 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:)).
Slow the Bus Down
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 tiiC 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)<t11 s c l1c>c>l rcfc1r111 s i11c c tl1c I ) /()'s a11ci l1,-1ci l)CCCH11c cliscc>t 1r agccl, ,.1,va )·s V(>rki11g fc,r s,vc('J)i11g refc>r111, l,L1l i11 tl1rec clc ca clcs vvit11cssi11g "s<> 111L1cl1 rcfc>r111, S(> little cl1a1g1·c,. (Pa)·11c, '.2()()7 ) i11 sc l1c)c)ls. Yet l k11c>,v, as cd L1c:c1tc)r s, 11c1>s t c)f 11s l1a1c dcs1)cra tcl)' , ,·ct11tcc.l l<) l)c c:c)-crcalc)rs <)f a clc11c1)
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 <lg ) 1 , <lLtr lcaclcr
sl1i1lSt)1 lcs, <lLir tcxtlJ <l< lks, a11cl <lLtr 111;1: r1agcn1c11tS)'Stc111s. ,,re l1ct·c111aclc la rge
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 ti1c 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 rr1ati1 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 l1oscs 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<l11a l rigl1t tel 1C> tc, c111cl i11 tl1c 1)rcsc11t cc11t11ry·,,,vc str11gg·lc fc)r tl1c C<l11stitL1ti<)11al rigl1t <)fa <JLlctlit) 1 cd L1ca ti<)r1 f<)r all cl1ilclrc r1, tl-1at sa111c c111a li t)' <)f lc ,1c{ir1g ,vitll<)Llt lc a d i11g is
,·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<l1111L111ti)',
,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<l J )) Cr s' ' , ,·11<) 111c1clc s a c r ifi c e s ( ris ki11g tl1cir j<ll)s,
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 , gcJr,-t Pr<)jcc t's clc111a11cl <)Il tl1c s tL1d c11ts l<) J)L1rsL1c acc:1clc111ic cxccllcr1cc, 11<)t 111ccli<)crit)', is as clcliJcrc:1tc c:ls its clcn1ar1cl <)r1 tl1c r1ati<)r1 t<) dcli,,cr C}Lta1i t:,-' c d ucatio r1.
, '
Leadership Lessons Learned
, , 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<Jg r a1)1l)'," clcscril)cs
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> l1a1 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 li1cs <)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 i111itc 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 l1a1 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'Olrccl 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
<lc ltcl, )i<'t vvl1c> clrc,v LL])C>tl cl ·a st, l1isto ric, a11cl c c)llecli;c 1l c),·c11c1' 11t \ isclc)111 l<) 111<)L111l tl1c slrL1gglc ag·,1i1s1t r,-1cis111, l)<),vcr, ct11lc ].) ri · ilc g·c – ,-t11cl,v<)Il, tl1c11, m .-l) ' t)c ,vc c,1r1 L111cartl1 tll<)SC C}Llc1litics- vitl1i11<)L1rsc l·c s l<) tra11sfc)r111 11<)l <)1111 ) cdL1c,1ti<)r1, t)Llt als<) tl1c r1,1ti<)11.
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<l <>LIL c)r elite cclL1c a tio11 tl1at kce1)s tl1c cl1ilclrc11 <>r tl1c ,·c a ltl1ylc>st i11 a sea
<)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: i sc11sc ll1at tl1c task is 11c·,cr cc>1111l1c tc sc) tl1c
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)· <ls lie l1,1d c,1 c r)· i r1tc11tic>r1 <>f " cl)'ir1g ,,vit l1 l1is
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;-1ls 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(><Hl l , vc1r ki11g
-,,
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 <ls 111a tl1
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 avarcl ct11cl is cle, ·e l<)J.1i11g11e,v sites clr<)L111cl tl1c C<)L111t·r)'
The personal connection: l1<)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. l1iss 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,"
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l1 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
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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 <t11cl })arc11ts, lie SL1g g·c s tecl, sli<lLilcl , ,·r i te ,-t letter aiJC)t1t tl1cir CXJ)crie11ces i11 tl1c J)r<ljcct a11d tl1c11111cct ,vitl1 tl1c J)ri11ciJ)<1l t<) sl1,.1rc tl1e letter. Tl1C)' clid, arid tl1C)' al<lr1c 11cr st1a clecl tl1c J)rir1ci11al t<) m,:1ir1t,1i11 tl1c r)r<)j
cct at tl1cir scl1ool. lIoscs' t,vo )'Cars <),f
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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 <lr 11<)t., lie listc11s ir1tc11tl)' t<l , ·l1<)111c'c r is SJ)cakir1g.
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<lV tl1c111 l<) J.)t1sl1 tl1a t tl1i1k1i11·gi11 11c, ,· clircc ti<)11s.
'1l1ctlicr i11 tl1c classr<l<l111 <)r i11 s cssi <)tis vvitl1 s tudc11st 11lc1r11ii11g e, 1 e11ts, l <lsc s c c)r1sis tc r1tl)' 111<)C1cls tl1is J)r<)f<)t111cl rcsr)cct fc)r ,vl1at )'<)t1r1g I)C<)r)lc ,lrc sa)1ir1g. H e c x11la.ir1stl1at, ·'It is tl1e :()ices <)f tl1e )'<)u11g pcor)lc I r1ear ever)· cla); 111c)rc tha11 ;-1 r1yt l1i11g, tl1at gi,·c-s 111c l1<)11c" (1l <)s cs 11. I ) I ).
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<lri IJt1t yc,-trs <)f ex11e r ic1 ic e figl1tir1g· l,IississiJ) JJi ,-111d a )' <)L111gcr 111a11 [Bc)l) iI <)scs] ,vitl1 scr1sc c11<)t1gl1 l<) listcr1, H a r, ·ard r1c)t,vitr1star1dir1g" (Pa y11eJ). l()6-1()7). Ir1 m<)St ;-1r c r1as, leaders
,vl10 liste11,veil arc trcast1rccl.
Building the network of relationships in communities and across the nation
lIoscs 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<lJ1lc iii tlic t<l,v11s, tlic)L1sa11cls <,)f, ·l1itc stt1clc1its fr<l111 <lrtlicr1i
t1r1i,1crsitic, s fc clcr,1. l r)r<ls cc t1t<)r s, ci<)Ct<)r s, tc"1cl1crs. J)rcacl1crs. J)<llitici,1r1s a11ci
()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 lIoscs 11uts it: " 'Vl1c r1 lIississi11pi 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 (l1SR I), fc)ltr1cl,1tic>r1s lil.;.c >.1,1c.Lr 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 " (l1c>sc s 2()() 1, i 1 . l()). l1c>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, llc)sc s ' circle i11clt1cles l1is fa111il); l1is ,,vifc, l1is t<vc) sc>r1s ar1cl t,,vc) cla11gl1tcrs ir1 tl1c ,vc)rl.;..
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;:11 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)<V s l1c>r t-si:o:,l·1 tecl.',' 1' i tl1c)t lt
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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
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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
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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
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References
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l,l ississ1i ) J) i: C 11i·crsit y c>f' l,Iississ1i ) J) i I)rcss.
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: vI<>se s, R. & C: ol)l), C. (2()()1), Raclical equations: Civil r1:!r,lzts_fro111 1 l is1.i ssippi to the
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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 and Katy Swalwell
I 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
discussion with African American 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.
“I’m invisible,” Sean added, “but also hypervisible. Maybe twice a year there’s a program about somebody’s
food or music, but that’s about it. I don’t see the purpose.”
Then Cynthia, who had remained 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!”
We found ourselves only a few 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.
After a brief silence, Jonathan, the 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
them. The Multicultural Curriculum 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.”
Beyond Artwork 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
Equity Lıteracy
FOR ALL
Schools can commit to a more robust multiculturalism by putting equity, rather than culture, at the center of the diversity conversation.
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A S C D / W W W . A S C D . O R G 35
multi cultural programs or diversity 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
positions like “Diversity Director.” The trouble lies in how so many
diversity initiatives avoid or whitewash 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.
To better grasp this, put yourself in
Cynthia’s shoes. Imagine a world in 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
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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 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.
What would it feel like, given those circumstances, to be pressed into par-
ticipating in celebrations of diversity 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.
To be clear, we’re not suggesting 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
illusion of multicultural learning even as they guarantee a lack of sophisti- cated multicultural learning.
What we are suggesting is that 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:
asking students and families who 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!
Overcoming the “Culture” Fetish 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.”
Many of the most popular frame- 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
cultural proficiency, culturally relevant 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.
Of course, some focus on culture 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.
Embracing Equity Literacy 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.
Key to developing equity literacy for educators and students is cultivating
At the heart of a curriculum that is meaningfully multicultural lie principles
of equity and social justice.
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A S C D / W W W . A S C D . O R G 37
four abilities (Gorski, 2013). These include the ability to
n Recognize even subtle forms of bias, discrimination, and inequity.
n Respond to bias, discrimination, and inequity in a thoughtful and equi- table manner.
n Redress bias, discrimination, and inequity, not only by responding to interpersonal bias, but also by studying the ways in which bigger social change happens.
n Cultivate and sustain bias-free and discrimination-free communities, which requires an understanding that doing so is a basic responsibility for everyone in a civil society.
Part of the difficulty 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.
We recognize this is a daunting 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
feel an urgency to avoid the kind of well-intended complacency we found at Green Hills High.
The good news is that there are many powerful models for what a curriculum oriented around equity lit- eracy looks like in practice (see “Great
Equity Literacy Resources,” p. 39). 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.
Five Guiding Principles 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
depending on contextual factors. 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
the inquiry approach to education promoted by recent curriculum
frameworks, such as the College, Career, and Civic
Life (C3) framework. As we plan cur-
riculum for our students and work to develop
our own skills and knowledge related to
equity literacy, it’s useful to keep the following five
principles in mind.
Principle 1. Equity literacy is 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.
For instance, students can develop 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
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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 rich discussions, deliberations, and debates about the nature of economic inequality.
Principle 2. The most effective equity 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.
Science, technology, engineering, 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.
With guidance from teachers, the 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.
Teachers considering similar 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.
By engaging students in this way, 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.
Principle 3. Students of all ages are 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).
So when we say or think that stu- 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?
In our experience, the younger we 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
Many initiatives present the illusion
of multicultural learning even as they guarantee a
lack of sophisticated multicultural learning.
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A S C D / W W W . A S C D . O R G 39
stereotypes and biases that feed any misperceptions they might have about the more marginalized people in their communities.
Principle 4. Students from all 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.
A growing body of research pro- 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.
The teachers are also compiling a list of formal and informal ways that class advantage goes unchecked at their school—for example, how morning meeting questions can
sometimes invite students to brag 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.
Principle 5. Teaching for equity 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?
According to Hess and McAvoy (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.
Ultimately, Hess and McAvoy con- 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.
A More Meaningful Investment 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
Great Equity Literacy Resources
Here are some of our favorite—and free—resources for an equity literacy curriculum:
EdChange (www.edchange.org/ multi cultural/teachers.html)
Education for Liberation Lab (www.ed liberation.org/resources/ lab)
GLSEN (http://glsen.org/educate/ resources/curriculum)
New York Collective of Radical Educators (www.nycore.org/ curricula)
SoJust (www.sojust.net)
Teachers for Social Justice (www .teachersforjustice.org/search/ label/all%20curriculum)
Teaching Economics As If People Mattered (www.teachingeconomics .org)
Teaching for Change (www .teaching for change.org)
Teaching Tolerance (www .tolerance.org/classroom-resources)
Zinn Education Project (http:// zinned project.org)
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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 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.
We can avoid these pitfalls by 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
References Gorski, P. (2013). Reaching and teaching
students in poverty: Strategies for erasing the opportunity gap. New York: Teachers College Press.
Hess, D., & McAvoy, P. (2014). The political classroom: Evidence and ethics
in democratic education. New York: Routledge.
Ladson-Billings, G. (1995). Toward a theory of culturally relevant pedagogy. American Educational Research Journal, 32(3), 465–491.
Ladson-Billings, G. (2006). It’s not the culture of poverty, it’s the poverty of culture: The problem with teacher education. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 37(2), 104–109.
Olson, K. R. (2013). Are kids racist? Psy- chology Today. Retrieved from www .psychologytoday.com/blog/developing- minds/201304/are-kids-racist
Sánchez, L. (2014). Fostering wide- awakeness: Third-grade community activists. In P. Gorski and J. Landsman (Eds.), The poverty and education reader (pp. 183–194). Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Schultz, B. (2008). Spectacular things happen along the way: Lessons from an urban classroom. New York: Teachers College Press.
Swalwell, K. (2011, December 21). Why our students need “equity literacy” [blog post]. Retrieved from Teaching Tolerance
at www.tolerance .org/blog/why-our- students-need-equity-literacy
Swalwell, K. (2013). Educating activist allies: Social justice pedagogy with the suburban and urban elite. New York: Routledge.
Winkler, E. N. (2009). Children are not colorblind: How young children learn race. PACE, 3(3), 1–8.
Paul C. Gorski (gorski@edchange .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 ([email protected]) 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).
Thomas Edison State College is one of the 11 senior public colleges and universities in New Jersey, and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267) 284-5000.
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