Looking at an Entire Neighborhood

Nearly two weeks ago I started a discussion dealing with violence, the deaths of some small children, and what is to be done so that the kids can get an education and escape the hardships in some of the inner city neighborhoods. Well, as fate would have it, I go a bit sidetracked with some issues dealing with charters, funding shortfalls and the like.

In essence, if you'll recall, I was talking about community civic efforts to push forward; looking for investors, sitting down with gang members, the clergy, business leaders and neighborhood constituents. All of these groups need to come together to figure out a way to break the cycle of poverty, blight, a loss of hope, violence, unemployment and the like.

Where does education fit in? Honestly, in the short term, education may not be a means to solve the above endemic issues and problems. In the long view, though, this is the only way that the maddening cycle of neglect and despair will come to an end. This has to be an important conversation piece, as a community is being built up, to ensure that positive gains are sustained and it will only happen with bright, forward-thinking people who have the education and experience to sustain growth in the various neighborhoods.

More to come on these and other critical issues.

Dick