Today in Chicago, Father Pfleger led a large group of protestors to shut down the Dan Ryan Expressway in an effort to draw attention to gun violence, social injustice, and who knows what else.  The narrative seemed to evolve to whatever sounded righteous to him as more microphones were jammed in his face (shame on you, news media). As the protestors stood their ground for over an hour, demanding access to the expressway, I watched with shame and embarrassment as the Illinois State Police gave in. They succumbed to pressure from the mayor of Chicago and the city's police chief. The state police had given the protestors two lanes of the expressway, but Father Pfleger demanded more, and eventually got his way. A compromise was offered by the police, but like unruly and uncontrolled toddlers, Father Pfleger and the protestors refused to settle for anything other than what they wanted in the first place. And like bad parents, the police gave in.

So, what was achieved? Will there be no one shot by a gang banger in the city tonight? If only... Instead, it was confirmed that, if you want something, no matter how ridiculous and disruptive, make your demands and you'll get your way. Yell, scream, carry a sign, stomp your feet, block an entire expressway, inconvenience millions of innocent citizens, and you can have anything you want. There's no need to attempt a compromise; make your demands, stand your ground, and get your way. No matter what.

Here's the irony: the same people who refused to cooperate with police today will be calling upon them tonight when the gunfire starts up.

And this: I demand to live in as nice of a home as the mayor of Chicago. I deserve it. If I go stand on his front lawn and refuse to leave until he lets me in, I'll get my way. Yeah, sure...

Back, But In A Different Direction...

I’m back. Following a lengthy hiatus, seven years to be precise, I’m speaking out again. This time, however, I’ll steer more toward educational concerns in the hopes that someone out there will hear my voice (well, read my words), give credence to what I say, and use it to help improve student learning, and maybe the world as a whole. A lofty goal, but why not?

Public education in this country has taken an unfortunate turn, and in my professional opinion, many young people are being set up for failure. Students are being allowed to behave in the most abhorrent and disrespectful ways with little or no consequences. Failure rates are at all-time highs, and yet students are still being awarded diplomas by schools whose main focus is to “improve graduation rates.” Once these same students try to enter the workforce or higher educational institutions, they fail miserably because they’re unprepared. They’re conditioned to think they’ll get anything they want just by showing up.  Sometimes they don’t even show up, and yet still expect the world to fall at their feet. 

Most people want to blame the generation known as “millennials” for the problems we’re  now faced with. But how can they be blamed for doing as they were taught, for doing whatever they were allowed to get away with? Shouldn’t previous generations bear some responsibility? 

More to follow in my next blog...