Tell Me Something Good
More than a Protest Letter
Yesterday was exciting. We never turned on the TV. Somebody said there was a military parade in the nation’s capital. I heard it was a celebration of the founding of our US Army with educational aspects. We owe our soldiers and veterans more than can be expressed in print. Feel our appreciation.
It was also a fun and satisfying day. As the “No Kings Day” protest began in our town, the rain stopped, the crowd grew. About 500 loud residents. The variety of signs was amazing and entertaining.
Drumming and chanting began. “Hey ho, the king must go!”
Many flags on OUR Flag Day.
The crowd was energetic and diverse. Not just a bunch of old grey hairs like me. Families with kids and dogs. And the highlight for me? Our middle aged “kids” brought their kids! One of them held a sign that said:
“Alexa, please change the President!” Feel me smile with pride.
Speaking of pride, this and future letters will continue offering two parts. The first will be observations on whatever is the latest point of interest. But this second section will be something good. Something to celebrate or aspire to. Without the good stuff in our heads, the bad guys, the fascists, the nutcases, the enemies of America and our Earth will win the battle for our minds.
”Project 2026” is now official. More on that in the future. For now, I must share with you why I am so proud of our town’s school system. Students here are being taught to research, evaluate and advocate. And to CARE about something good. Please read on.
“R.J. Grey Junior High School held its annual Civics Fair on June 4 and 5, with over 400 seventh graders presenting their research and proposing ways for the public to advocate on local, state, and national issues that matter to them.”
”Students presented on a wide range of issues facing teens including the effects of social media, the dangers of vaping, bullying prevention and response, book bans, LGBTQ+ rights, school-related stress and anxiety, and the importance of sleep. Other presentations focused on raising the minimum wage, food and housing insecurity, immigration, healthcare access, the “pink tax” (charging higher prices for products aimed at women), preventing animal abuse and neglect, the environmental impact of pesticides and rodenticides, and PFAS chemical accumulation in the environment. Others called attention to the war in Sudan, the threat of bird flu, and problems with the electoral college system. Still others worked on issues local to Acton and Boxborough, such as dangerous intersections and the need for bike lanes. One student team interviewed Boxborough Town Planner Alex Wade on incentives and barriers to increasing the number of restaurants in Boxborough.”
“Student-led civics projects are now required curriculum in Massachusetts in part due to advocacy by the League of Women Voters-MA.”
Our teachers are planting seeds. They are empowering as well as educating.
This information was from an article in the Acton Exchange - a little online newspaper that reports purely on local issues and events.
TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD!
Bonus reading if you are into educational issues:
I'll tell you something good:
Builders BUILD.
Destroyers can build nothing.
Builders are stronger than destroyers.
That's why builders win.
Good one Bill. The overriding theme of the signs in a very diverse crowd here was "NO Faux King Way".