In two days an election will occur that will ripple through
my core and bring me to tears, no matter what the outcome. If we win, my emotions will be through the roof. We owe so much to the people of Wisconsin. And so today I want to say thank you - as I grab your shoulders and look you in the eye with intense gratitude - thank you Wisconsin - my children thank you - our country thanks you. On election day I
will get on the phone and call Wisconsin voters for several hours to remind
folks to get out and vote. It’s a small
gesture, and not enough to thank those in Wisconsin who stood up for all of us
across the country in a fight to save our democracy.
I owe much to Wisconsin.
Madison woke me up and with that awakening came a roaring from inside
that could no longer be contained – years of anger with being silenced as a
public school educator – years of watching our society look down on teachers
while I smiled gracefully yet had no strategy for response – these years came
to an end.
My first blog post “Are You There, Mr. President? Madison is Calling” was shared by Anthony Cody at Living in Dialogue - and after that I
shut a door and opened another. No
longer could I sit back and watch from the sidelines. No longer could I be content not
understanding what was going on. No
longer did I blindly trust. No longer
did I assume I didn’t know enough, wasn’t smart enough or articulate enough to
speak the truth. Suddenly I realized the
power I possessed – I was a teacher – I know how to teach and I can support
others in learning how to end this madness called corporate education reform.
We teachers often underestimate our talent, skill and knowledge - and society
continues to try to keep us down.
While many called me obsessed (and still do), I recognized
that I could no longer worry about what others thought about my intense focus
on saving public education. There was no
time to doubt myself, it was time to act. It was time to be brave. I owed it to
the children of our country who were suffering and whose voices to this day continue
to be ignored.
I am often asked – has this changed me? Yes. Am I hardened and cold with hatred flashing in
my eyes? Sometimes. But mostly not. Mostly I am scared and forever in awe that
this is truly happening to our country while we continue to eat, sleep and
watch our children grow. It seems unreal.
It drives me to write and put on paper what I cannot see in the faces
of those around me – where is the urgency? Where is the face of anger and
disbelief seen on those who have been robbed?
I am told everyone is so busy. The economy is so bad. I agree. But I
also believe that if mainstream media focused on the dismantling of our
democracy and the privatization of our public schools – if they shared the
truths that education activists know – I do believe then, an uprising would be
inevitable. Every day we get closer and
every day the resistance grows.
So, I do have great hope on Tuesday. But, I admit, I am
scared. I am surrounded by many who have no interest in seeing Dictator Walker
out of office. I am surrounded by many who hate unions and teachers and who believe
this testing madness is good. It is hard
to continue this fight in an environment filled with those who do not
understand that their democracy is crumbling.
So, while I am scared, angry and forever trying to grasp this reality
that seems like a science fiction novel, I am also continually reminding myself to be patient with those who
do not understand what is happening. I will continue to educate and create
awareness.
This Tuesday, I will wait and watch, much like I did over a year go, when the people of Madison stood in the capitol chanting day and night - demanding to be heard. I watched for days on end from my computer while intermittently turning on the TV to find nothing - nothing. This memory of nothing to this day chills my soul - this country owned by corporations - telling the people of our country nothing.
Today I send Wisconsin gratitude, hope, love and the belief that together we
indeed can end the privatization of our country and the dismantling of our
democracy.
Let us hope for one step forward. Yet, if there is one step
back, I will be waiting. Ever so patiently. Please turn to
find me, and when you do, grab my hand tightly – and together - we will all walk
forward once again.
Peggy, stand tall, walk proudly, and may the "force" for public education be with you and Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you on this piece. It is passionate, compassionate, and tough...impossible to pull off without sincerity.
ReplyDeleteThe end of gave me goosebumps and shivers. It gives me hope in remembering what we have on our side reform will never have on their side.
Thanks for your support, Peggy. It's hard on a day like today to feel like the hours we put into canvassing and calling weren't a waste. Fortunately, we have folks like you to keep things in perspective and not lose hope.
ReplyDeleteHard day indeed. This quote is keeping me going today. "I am aware, that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire, to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hand of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; -- but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch -- AND I WILL BE HEARD. The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal, and to hasten the resurrection of the dead." William Lloyd Garrison, The Liberator.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for all the kind words and all of the work each of you are doing - we will carry on!