In the hours before I take off for the official first day of school, I am inundated with news that smacks suspiciously of an earlier time. Chaos in the streets, racial unrest, senseless violence, looting, hatred.
After reading the umpteenth article about the violence in Missouri, and the jagged separation between the two factions, I thought to myself, This country has got to get it together. Ah, a segue…
As cliché as it sounds, if we want to fix this thing for the future, we really do need to start right where we are. I resolve this day to be an example of tolerance and peace to my students, and everyone else, for that matter. To bend a little with my opinions. To not be so rigid in my thoughts. To never bathe in schadenfreude. To listen without simply thinking about what I’m going to say next.
Fiends, the revolution’s here. I think we need to strive to make it a positive alternative.
Happy day to you all — I’m off to the schoolhouse to meet 230 of my closest friends. 
Right on Sister!
There is such an epidemic of mis-trust in this Country that it has permeated every aspect of living life here in America. The mis-trust breeds accusations which is quickly followed by resentment which gives birth to hatred and there you go.
I agree with you Ms Fink that it starts individually so I will take up your challenge…and oh yea, I trust you!
You said it, mayne. So far, I’m doing OK, but some stuff at school woke up the dragon…hahaha