Remember the old School House Rocks videos? If you don't, then you need to stop whatever you're doing -after you finish reading this blog- and google them. Two things will happen upon completion of this little extracurricular activity: First, you will come appreciate the technological advancements thrust upon us by recent animation companies like Pixar and DreamWorks. Second, you will suddenly recall your multiplication tables while the catchiest jingles ever penned rattle around in your head the remainder of the day. You're welcome.
The anthem of these short, musical snippets brought Enlightenment ideals to every 8 year old alive in the 1970s and 80s: It's great to learn, 'cause knowledge is power! Learning was the key which opened the lock to the door of your dreams. There was no XBox or iAnything to compete with good old fashioned learning. Honestly, when the biggest distraction you face is Pong or John Travolta flicks, school work doesn't seem that bad. Anyway, the point of those cartoons aimed to show the importance of a good education was necessary for a person to start on the path to unencumbered success.
Fast forward a decade and a half and allow me to drudge up another image from popular culture. A few years ago I was watching a video by a band I like and I noticed a message scrawled across a guitar played by one of the members that said: ARM THE HOMELESS.
On the surface this pseudo militant proclamation can be very unnerving. Who wants to walk around a Kalispell where the homeless (or any population, really) are patrolling streets with a wide assortment of weapons and assault rifles? Not a good idea. So, after much contemplation and Internet research I decoded this mystical message and was shocked with the level of profundity staring me right in the face: This guy didn't want a 5th Column of homeless soldiers; he was asking for resources because knowledge is power.
The cycles of poverty that grip many of our homeless and low-income residents can be remedied by education. It is not a quick fix and it requires time and resources and funding but it is vital that doors remain open for these citizens to walk through. I am not saying education is THE answer, but it definitely improves the odds. Every day at work I see the effects of what a lack of education can produce: depression, self-loathing, boredom, feelings of insignificance...
Wanting the best for others is an admirable trait but sadly it is confined to theoretical discussions: "I wish I could help, but..." If you feel compelled to really help and you have the means, then please don't let life get in the way of another person's reality. Start a scholarship fund. Assist with after school programs. At the very least, don't get annoyed at the homeless guy in the library sitting next to you.
The anthem of these short, musical snippets brought Enlightenment ideals to every 8 year old alive in the 1970s and 80s: It's great to learn, 'cause knowledge is power! Learning was the key which opened the lock to the door of your dreams. There was no XBox or iAnything to compete with good old fashioned learning. Honestly, when the biggest distraction you face is Pong or John Travolta flicks, school work doesn't seem that bad. Anyway, the point of those cartoons aimed to show the importance of a good education was necessary for a person to start on the path to unencumbered success.
Fast forward a decade and a half and allow me to drudge up another image from popular culture. A few years ago I was watching a video by a band I like and I noticed a message scrawled across a guitar played by one of the members that said: ARM THE HOMELESS.
On the surface this pseudo militant proclamation can be very unnerving. Who wants to walk around a Kalispell where the homeless (or any population, really) are patrolling streets with a wide assortment of weapons and assault rifles? Not a good idea. So, after much contemplation and Internet research I decoded this mystical message and was shocked with the level of profundity staring me right in the face: This guy didn't want a 5th Column of homeless soldiers; he was asking for resources because knowledge is power.
The cycles of poverty that grip many of our homeless and low-income residents can be remedied by education. It is not a quick fix and it requires time and resources and funding but it is vital that doors remain open for these citizens to walk through. I am not saying education is THE answer, but it definitely improves the odds. Every day at work I see the effects of what a lack of education can produce: depression, self-loathing, boredom, feelings of insignificance...
Wanting the best for others is an admirable trait but sadly it is confined to theoretical discussions: "I wish I could help, but..." If you feel compelled to really help and you have the means, then please don't let life get in the way of another person's reality. Start a scholarship fund. Assist with after school programs. At the very least, don't get annoyed at the homeless guy in the library sitting next to you.
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