So there are stories that show programs that succeed. These move the issue ahead. Stories that tell about the daily lives of children on their ways to school, as the Chicago Tribune did recently. These make the issue real.

What about stories that talk about the holes left behind when Ceasefire lost much of its support from the state? And what about the shrinkage of other programs that were making a difference? How is being spent today and how much was spent a year ago?

And how about stories about what it is like in the schools? In the rush to safety is something else being lost? Are there children being pushed out of the schools because they misbehave and cannot make their way back to school? The American Bar Association is holding a conference this Friday here in Chicago on the rights of children, and that is a place is learn what is happening.

Talking about what needs to be said, here is an excerpt from a column by Hermene Hartman of Ndigo. Click on the link for the whole column.

Our children have gone wild. The occurrences of random killings seem to overshadow the education that’s going on. Students are afraid to go to school, and teachers are afraid to teach. Adding more security enforcement to the school is not the best answer. Throwing money at the situation is not the answer. Educators and community leaders need to address the issue or admit that they can’t. One thing’s for sure: We have to get out of the military style resolve.

http://www.ndigo.com/commentary.asp

Stephen