Rally for the kids

I live for a time when people of great passion gather in public spaces, shoulder to shoulder with lawmakers, standing tall, one for all, to demand a quality education for every child regardless of their zip code.

What  a day that would be. But I wonder if the media would rush down to cover the story? Would all elected officials feel the need to issue statements in response?

Doubtful. That passion is for the few, the proud, the powerful.

Regardless, urban school boards across the country must contend with the greatest demand on their systems and their collective focus: fully educating children of all backgrounds for life and work in a new world.

To get there we expect to encounter the remnants of old power and tired dogmas. We know there will be challenges born of the scarcity mentality as the islands of privilege shrink for some, and the doors of opportunity open for all.

The greatest quality we can impart to our children today is fairness. In a time when a high level of cooperation will be needed to erect the next great America, we can hardly afford to suffer another moment without courage, without foresight, and without a sharp awareness of the consequences that await if great innovations in intercultural relations are not achieved. The time is now. Remember? Vote for change.

Oh, how I wish for the day that rallies are not purely for victorious soccer teams or war protests or for the preservation of privilege. The best stand is the stand together, and the best rally is the one that puts all children front and center, truly considering all of them them to be the most important generation, regardless of their past test scores, their addresses, or their birthplace.

When it comes to education, the only rally worth attending now is the one that highlights all children as the gifts from God that they are.

If I call that rally, will you come?