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Friends,
Have you noticed
lately that many young people today are sporting a skull and crossbones
motif? I’ve seen the symbol on lunchboxes, on sunglasses, blazoned across
the back of hoody sweatshirts, and yes, tattooed in various places. Curious,
I asked a few people, in the under 20 set, what the symbol meant. I had
heard that this was a somewhat more conservative crowd. I was worried the
answer would be that they felt like the pirates of the world. That they were
entitled to take on anybody and ready to do it at all cost. In short, I was
worried the symbol might mean that those about to graduate from high school
might have bought the Republican line.
Instead, the
answer was worse. The skull and crossbones is sort of a universal “Mr. Yuk”
symbol. To these bright and rising stars, the world is a bleak place. They
believe that there is not much they can do about anything. Inspiring, is the
love these kids have for one another. As I watch them, I see a lot of true
camaraderie among peers. This bunch spent a lot of time in large groups
growing up. They understand and enjoy team endeavors. If we model success
for them then this up and coming generation will likely play a phenomenal
role on our societal landscape.
I think, this is
what Studs Terkel was observing when he wrote, in the April issue of the
education journal known as the Kappan. The short article is titled “A Small
Space of Sanity”. He begins:
“Schoolchildren should learn all they can about the people who stood up
for humanity against the war-makers and the powerful. I’m talking about
the abolitionists and the suffragettes, the Wobblies and labor
organizers, the freedom riders and civil rights marchers, and the
antiwar activists.”
He is right. We
have a lot to pass on to this generation and they are ready to receive it.
We must work to be heard above the din of the corporate media by being
present and active in our communities. We need to be even more obvious than
we have been.
Finally, we need
to strengthen the ties between the Democrats and every liberal organization
that we also belong to. This will increase our visibility and our
credibility in the community.
We have the
experience and the heart to take back our Country. All of our lives, we have
been dedicated to making the world a better place for the next generation.
Here they are on the brink of adulthood. It is time to be the change agents
that we have always wanted to be. Success will come as we rededicate
ourselves to our vision and include all of those working for the same
future.
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