This week, King's Academy was happily surprised to learn that they were the recipients of a grant from a wonderful organization dedicated to youth and non-violence. This coincided with our website going public. As a result to our public status, we have received more than a few comments via our website- not all of which were positive. I know that criticism is part of life. The founders of King's Academy have spent a lot of time thinking about who our detractors will be, and the critiques they will level. Despite this preparation, I must admit, that one of these comments hit me kind of hard. After I regrouped, I reminded myself of the work that we are doing and why we are doing it- Teaching peace in the midst of a violent world.
There are many things that schools can stand for. Of course our goal is to provide students with an excellent education, and to prepare them for employment. There is no question in our minds that inner-city Black youth can learn and achieve at the very highest levels. But, we realize that the need is much higher- much more profound. Our communities need lifting. We need greater vision, greater hope, and strength for the battles that lay ahead of us. Our goal is to not only educate young minds- but to help educate dispositions, and guide students into pro-active, positive, liberating directions.
One of my favorite artists is bell hooks. In her book All About Love, she writes that what we lack in our generation is no necessarily money, or prestige, or power, but love. She claims that we are all suffering from a "lack of love." While it seems strange to consider the idea of love in the same conversation with education, achievement, and success, I find the thought quite compelling. Love as King reminded us, is not some sentimental and weak response. Like love, peace is a force. It guides what we do, and defines how we do it. Someone can have a lot of knowledge- but peace will shape how she uses that knowledge. There's a lot of knowledge on the earth- but not much justice. Not much peace. There are so many wrong messages being told to Black children today. "Make money at all costs," is the most pernicious. How many Blacks are in jail today because they heeded this voice? Following this edict has degraded far too many individuals and has clearly destroyed our communities. We need another way- one that focuses us on community development, organized agitation, peace with ourselves and with one another. But, peace is not something that we or our children can intuit. We won't acquire more peaceful communities, or more just systems through osmosis. Peace must be taught. Peace must be learned.
I was so saddened this week to hear about the gang rape of a young girl in Richmond, California. I asked myself- how can something like this happen? What has happened in our society that young men would join in such acts- like hunters parading and boasting over their prey? But before I joined with the hoards of others complaining in their electronic posts and tweets about this reviling act (which was indeed unspeakable), I was forced to ask myself again- what am I doing to support the development of youth? What am I doing to teach children about positive acts, about love, about peace? When I consider this, the criticisms from outsiders about King's Academy fade away.
Have a wonderful week and please don't forget to Teach Peace.
