First they closed 50 schools... #MarchOnWashington #CPSboycott #AdvancingTheDream #CPSbudgetcuts #MOW1963 #CPSclosings #MOW2013 #CPSboard Does anyone else get the connection? Do you see the horrific dichotomy? On the actual anniversary of the March on Washington, when Dr King spoke of the Emancipation proclamation, and the Declaration of Independence and the Arc of Justice and the fact the 'the negro' was still not free, but suffered a life crippled by the manacles of segregation and shackles of discrimination. He spoke of the the shameful conditions and the promissory note - that all, men, black as well as white would have certain inalienable rights. and America was in default on the note. Today we have a hardened and heartless bureaucracy in City hall and its minions on the Board of Education who openly taunt and flaunt that their children are entitled to a quality of education that our children don't deserve. They boast that we as parents, don't understand that they don't care, that their math doesn't add up. And even if we do, we cant do anything about it. They close 50 school in black and brown neighborhoods and tell us it is not racist as they offer deals to their for-profit charter school friends for those neighborhood populations. Classrooms of 40-50 children in our schools, no A/C, no libraries, no art, no music. And it is the parents fault that the teachers, in these conditions, don't teach and the students don't learn. It is my fault that my schools don't have enough money to run last years underfunded events, let alone what they will have to make do with this year. It is my fault because I am sitting on TIF and other funds to bankroll a campaign and a stadium and a eyelift and fingertip replacement. And it has happened, is happening, because some of us think that because my kid is in a selective admission, magnet private school, it really isn't my problem. My neighborhood school is great, not my problem. My kids have graduated! I want to do a happy dance but I know, have know that a chain is as good as its weakest link. That the quality of life in a city is dramatically impacted by the quality of life of its poorest, most marginalized citizen. The Better the Schools, The Safer the Streets, the Better the experience of all citizens. And know this. When done with the south and west side, when done with the poor, those of us who are left, will not be safe. Martin Niemöller, was a prominent Protestant pastor who opposed the Nazi regime, who spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. Germany, 1937. Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me. First they closed 50 schools....