So...the school district had its presentation of the preliminary fiscal year 2010 budget tonight and it's not too pretty. It is no secret that the economy is down everwhere and nowhere is that more evident than in municipalities across the country. Locally, the governor announced that there will be substantial cuts to local aid from the state, and despite any hopeful economic stimulus packages (read: bailout money for schools) it's gonna get uglier before it gets prettier.
For me, I've been a bit anxious myself as all the news has been circling in terms of layoffs, recession, and such. I know several folks close to me have had to bear the bad news of getting the proverbial boot. Personally, I love my job and the variety and challenge it offers. I'd prefer if my small department was left alone to continue doing the work we do to expose students to STEM careers and opportunities. But I ain't no dummy. Everything's on the table, son. pretty.
The preliminary budget recommendation lists a reductions in staff of an estimated 917 full-time equivalents. Damn ain't even the word. Principals are stressing. Teachers are stressing. Employees and administrative staff are stressing. And students and parents are stressing as well. As both an employee and a parent, I wear two hats in all of this. We had a Parent Council meeting this morning and the budget obviously dominated the conversation. Hopefully, being such a small school will work in our favor to limit the impact on my son and his fellow schoolmates, yet risk aversion is one scary, hairy b!tch. Even with the school closings already in progress for next year, there's no telling what the future may hold. Hell, we had to do our own petitioning just to get some information about when they were going to re-open the neighboring pool. Simply doing things in silo won't work alone. Expanding the number of zones from 3 to 5 and reducing transportation costs are just the tip of the iceberg.
Anyways, I just felt the need to quasi-vent and quasi-pontificate about this economy stuff. Trickle-down economics ain't no joke, yo. I'll have the resume ready for rapid fire if I need to dust it off and holla at some folks, ya dig? Regardless, we gonna keep pushing our agenda to stimulate and capture the attention and minds of youth interested in careers in technology. They are our future change leaders who will inherit our mistakes if we don't step up our game to do right by them. Speaking of which, I ran into Sister Tina today and she did he usual wowing of the crowd with a very inspirational and motivation speech about her son and the Peace Institute. I didn't know she'd be there, but it was goood to see her as always. We spoke briefly, but essentially the young professionals have to be more proactive in addressing the issues and concerns of our community. Whether it is related to the schools, politics, business development, or public safety; we cannot afford to keep resting on our laurels. I've seen a lot of great energy lately (from friends, co-workers, and stranges alike) and I've been burning the oil on several personal projects of mine (entrepreneurship, politics, board service, education, & photography), so here's to a 2009 full of substance and impact. Word.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Praise Song For the Day
the inaugural poem
by Elizabeth Alexander
Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other’s
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.
All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.
Someone is stitching up a hem, darning
a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,
repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere,
with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,
with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky.
A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.
We encounter each other in words, words
spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,
words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark
the will of some one and then others, who said
I need to see what’s on the other side.
I know there’s something better down the road.
We need to find a place where we are safe.
We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain: that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,
picked the cotton and the lettuce, built
brick by brick the glittering edifices
they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.
Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,
the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.
Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?
Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.
In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,
praise song for walking forward in that light.
by Elizabeth Alexander
Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other’s
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.
All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.
Someone is stitching up a hem, darning
a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,
repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere,
with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,
with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky.
A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.
We encounter each other in words, words
spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,
words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark
the will of some one and then others, who said
I need to see what’s on the other side.
I know there’s something better down the road.
We need to find a place where we are safe.
We walk into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain: that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,
picked the cotton and the lettuce, built
brick by brick the glittering edifices
they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.
Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,
the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.
Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?
Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.
In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,
praise song for walking forward in that light.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
If I Was President
Not long ago, those words were merely the name of a Wyclef Jean song. Today, they hold so much more meaning.
Today was a very intense, beautiful, and emotionally exhausting day. I found myself feeling all sorts of ways throughout the day; from being hyperemotional to nonchalant to deliriously anxious to the verge of tears. Witnessing the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States is one that I will never forget.
One of the most poignant moments during the day came when my mind raced back 13 and a half years ago to October 16, 1995. As my uncle, grandfather, and I strolled the National Mall that day I can clearly recall being overwhelmed by an intense feeling of joy and excitement. It was something almost magical to bear witness to history in living color.
Fast forward to today and that same aura came back. It was truly a remarkable sight to see. My grandfather called me later in the day to shoot the shT for a bit and we spoke about how magical it all really turned out to be. And then he heaped praise upon me that I don't even think I deserve, but it means so much to hear it from him. I remember as a child hearing this one story in particular he used to tell. Having grown up on the Lower East Side, his multicultural neighborhood was always full of surprises. One day, he got sent home from school because he hadn't washed up properly. Apparently, the teacher had told him to wash his neck, but he mistook that for a simple soap remedy when, in fact, there was nothing he could do to rid his skin of its hue. With a spanish surname, light eyes, and dark skin; what was he to do? Today, was a day that will will forever be etched in the hearts, minds, and souls of millions across the globe.
Throughout the day, I kept changing my facebook status via phone to match my changing mood and/or perspective. From wondering how "shook" the limo driver must have been to secretly hoping Bush got booed, it was a great experience to see the power of technology to connect. I don't even like Twitter that much but we were definitely getting our super-twit on today. And honestly, it would have been bad form for the crowd to boo Bush en masse. But I also did secretly hope that somebody would shove Chaney's gangster a$$ down those steps as well. Oh well. I need to stop being so mean, I suppose.
Even more profound were the dozens of articles I have read from journalists on down to everyday people sharing their thoughts, perspectives, and insights on the inauguration and election in general. The part of Obama's speech that stood out to me the most: "be judged by what you can build, not by what you can destroy." It was a truly beautiful piece of simple wordplay with such a deeply compelling message of hope, leadership, and substance all in one.
Today was a very intense, beautiful, and emotionally exhausting day. I found myself feeling all sorts of ways throughout the day; from being hyperemotional to nonchalant to deliriously anxious to the verge of tears. Witnessing the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States is one that I will never forget.
One of the most poignant moments during the day came when my mind raced back 13 and a half years ago to October 16, 1995. As my uncle, grandfather, and I strolled the National Mall that day I can clearly recall being overwhelmed by an intense feeling of joy and excitement. It was something almost magical to bear witness to history in living color.
Fast forward to today and that same aura came back. It was truly a remarkable sight to see. My grandfather called me later in the day to shoot the shT for a bit and we spoke about how magical it all really turned out to be. And then he heaped praise upon me that I don't even think I deserve, but it means so much to hear it from him. I remember as a child hearing this one story in particular he used to tell. Having grown up on the Lower East Side, his multicultural neighborhood was always full of surprises. One day, he got sent home from school because he hadn't washed up properly. Apparently, the teacher had told him to wash his neck, but he mistook that for a simple soap remedy when, in fact, there was nothing he could do to rid his skin of its hue. With a spanish surname, light eyes, and dark skin; what was he to do? Today, was a day that will will forever be etched in the hearts, minds, and souls of millions across the globe.
Throughout the day, I kept changing my facebook status via phone to match my changing mood and/or perspective. From wondering how "shook" the limo driver must have been to secretly hoping Bush got booed, it was a great experience to see the power of technology to connect. I don't even like Twitter that much but we were definitely getting our super-twit on today. And honestly, it would have been bad form for the crowd to boo Bush en masse. But I also did secretly hope that somebody would shove Chaney's gangster a$$ down those steps as well. Oh well. I need to stop being so mean, I suppose.
Even more profound were the dozens of articles I have read from journalists on down to everyday people sharing their thoughts, perspectives, and insights on the inauguration and election in general. The part of Obama's speech that stood out to me the most: "be judged by what you can build, not by what you can destroy." It was a truly beautiful piece of simple wordplay with such a deeply compelling message of hope, leadership, and substance all in one.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
it's me, a monster y'all done created, i've been inaugurated
"I'ma show 'em who's the global gangster
Sentence me to four more years, thank you
I'ma make you feel a little bit safer
Because it ain't over
See that's how we get your fear to control you
But ain't nobody under more control than the soldier
And how could you expect a kid to keep his composure"
-The Roots, "False Media"
So the inauguration is a week away and the Washington Post profiled a local blogger with a nice short piece. I find it intriguing to read about the varying experiences of others who are willing to "bare all" in short to allow the world to see them in all of their vulnerability and complexity. It made for a great read. Similarly, the school district pitched some really great story ideas on its web site. I think it would be great if the local media ran with some of the ideas and did some in-depth stories or covered the events. I'm sure there's someone out there who'd wager that they (Globe/Herald/Phoenix) won't cover any of them.
Sentence me to four more years, thank you
I'ma make you feel a little bit safer
Because it ain't over
See that's how we get your fear to control you
But ain't nobody under more control than the soldier
And how could you expect a kid to keep his composure"
-The Roots, "False Media"
So the inauguration is a week away and the Washington Post profiled a local blogger with a nice short piece. I find it intriguing to read about the varying experiences of others who are willing to "bare all" in short to allow the world to see them in all of their vulnerability and complexity. It made for a great read. Similarly, the school district pitched some really great story ideas on its web site. I think it would be great if the local media ran with some of the ideas and did some in-depth stories or covered the events. I'm sure there's someone out there who'd wager that they (Globe/Herald/Phoenix) won't cover any of them.
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