Have you heard Bob Dylan’s “Modern Times”? Outstanding!
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I read where Tiger is making over $2500 per stroke this year. At that rate, he ought to start hitting more shots each round.
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A few days ago Larry James wrote about the fundamental problem we face in politics and community life: the tendency to think and plan in terms of ME and MINE. Here are a few of his thoughts:
Reflecting earlier this week on what it would be like to wake up as Mayor of Dallas, Texas got me to thinking about the importance of looking at life as a people through the lense of “us” or “we.”
“I” or “me” or “my” or “mine” just doesn’t get it.
Here we arrive at the fundamental problem with American politics and goverance today. It’s not hard to see every day in the city. . . .
I hope we wake up soon to the truth that when all are cared for more adequately, all of us do better. Robbing children of benefits today will come back to haunt us. The tab for neglecting children who need us to be responsible today will have to be paid at some point.
I pray that people of faith would embrace their sacred traditions and speak out for all of “us.”
I think he’s right on the mark.
Recently I’ve been listening to lots of conversations about possible boundary moves in the Abilene Independent School District.
Obviously, I’d like for Chris to go to Abilene High. He’s wanted to be an Eagle since he was very young.
But this isn’t just about him. He’ll be fine, I trust, wherever he goes to school.
What’s most important is “we” and “us” — meaning all the kids of this community. The last thing we want to do is take away all the wealthy kids and put them in their own protected school where they can flourish while the others form a left-over school.
We need whatever plan keeps the gap between the economically disadvantaged and the economically advantaged (using the criteria already in place) as small as possible at all the schools. Everyone is better off. Children from wealthier families need to be in school with children from a different background. Otherwise, the balkanization of our society continues. And children from less economically-advantaged families experience some “lift” when they are with others. (This is not, of course, to deny the strengths and gifts of their own homes.)
So, my hope is that the AISD school board will find that solution that best fits the “we” and “us” mentality — which I think is already their concern.
That is just one more thing that “we” (Tiger and myself) don’t have in common.
Despite your wonderful post, I hope Chris gets to go the A-High and the AISD does what is best for the community too. Kinda that “Cake and Eat It” thing.
Of course you could always do what most of “us” (you know who I’m talking about) do and just move your family should the boundries change.
Kidding.
I don’t mean to be the proverbial fly in the ointment (or maybe I do), but I would add to Larry’s comment that we need to start with God, not us. I know that sounds obvious and maybe goes without saying among Christian circles.
However, as I’ve worked with the poor for many years and I have observed and intersected with various ministries, agencies and people-helpers, I have found that it’s easy for me to fall into a man-centered view of helping others and caring for the community rather than a God-centered view.
I want to care for the poor and disabled and homeless and others struggling through life (and in visiting minstires like Central Dallas Ministries I realize how much more they’ve done for the poor than I have or may ever do). But I want to minister to the disenfranchised not just so that their needs will be relieved but in order to reflect the glory of God and honor Jesus Christ. And to let them see that this is how God loves them. This is Jesus loving them through a bunch of stumbling, bumbling imperfect followers of Him that are trying to carry out His mandate to love the world and preach the gospel.
My daddy worried that because I went to high school with all the doctors and lawyers’ kids, I’d want all the things they had. I did, of course, but I would have anyway! What I learned was that we were all the same no matter what kind of house we lived in or what kind of car we drove. Besides, I kinda liked my ‘72 Torino!
Mike, thanks for your words about AISD. You are so right. We need more voices like yours. Larry
I understand what you’re saying, but there’s more to it.
I was harassed, picked-on, and and sometimes beat-up by kids from another part of town who were sent to our school in the name of diversity and social engineering. They were the ones usually getting in trouble and disrupting classes. They often made high school a living hell for me, many of my friends, and some of the teachers.
It has been over 20 years and I’m still looking for the “strengths and gifts” they brought.
I’m certainly not saying that all kids from economically disadvantaged areas are like that. I’m just giving my own experience. Perhaps someone else had a good experience with such an arrangement.
Maybe I’m short-sighted, bigoted and intolerant, but I don’t want my kids to go through that — I don’t think any parent would want their kids to be subject to daily abuse, fear and danger. And if it means moving to a different area to avoid it, I’ll do it.
“What’s most important is ‘we’ and ‘us’ — meaning all the kids of this community. The last thing we want to do is take away all the wealthy kids and put them in their own protected school where they can flourish while the others form a left-over school.”
{WARNING}THIS COMMENT IS DIRECTED AT THE NATIONAL “WE,” NOT AT MIKE COPE PERSONALLY.{/WARNING}
We *say* this is the last thing we want, but looking across the nation it seems largely to be the first thing we do in practice. To me that indicates an embarrasing gap between what we want and and what we *say* we want. If it is really what we want in our schools, why is it not reflected in our neighborhoods?
Mike,
Excellent thoughts.
I am from Abilene, an Eagle alumn myself and I totally agree with you that kids from wealthier families need to be going to school with disadvantaged kids. It is easy for people to say that Abilene High is the poor school from the Northside and Cooper the wealthy white school of the southside. It would be great to see that stereotypes end. I hope that Abilene’s rebounderies builds that kind of gap instead of it being Southside, Northside.
And on another note: I think this might be the year that AHS goes to state. The only team they got beat by was South Lake Carroll. Go Warbirds!
JM - I think it’s important that we be honest about our stories, so thanks. It reminds me that this isn’t easy. And I don’t really have in mind some of the failed social engineering plans. I’m thinking about how a community can seek to be a true community — not two or three communities that fear each other. Your words are important.
Ike - Fair enough!
Jim - Good reminder, dear brother.
One thing I appreciate about this discussion going on with AISD is that nearly everyone I’ve heard talking about boundaries are insisting that we think of the good of the whole community. There is disagreement, of course, about how to get there. But many seem to have the same goal in mind. “We” and “ours.”
As to the AISD boundary mess:
I have heard all of the reasons set forth by various people for the proposed changes. They sound good, but I do not believe them. This is based upon the fact that I overheard one of the main people pushing for this change discuss it with others (It is truly amazing what you can hear at a baseball field, especially one where we play, which contains multiple leagues). The real reason for the changes is … (I know this will come as no suprise to those from West Texas) … ATHLETICS, football in particular! This is all happening because of a SHOE! Let me explain., going back to the 2004 football season.
Abilene Cooper, a team that has been in the playoffs twelve straight years, is playing Midland High, an up and coming program trying to get back to the playoffs after going in 2002 for the first time in forever. Based upon the other teams in the district, this game will decide the third and final playoff representative from district 3-5A.
In a close game, Cooper intercepts the ball and returns it for a touchdown. However, the person who ran in the score is also the kicker. He does not have time to change into his kicking shoe and , using his regular shoe, misses the extra point.
Midland comes back and scores and makes their extra point and wins the game 21-20. Midland goes to the playoffs, Cooper’s string of 12 straight trips to the playoffs is snapped, and soon thereafter, by the spring of 2005, AISD begins discussion about changing the boundaries.
If the kicker gets to change his shoe, the game is tied and Cooper wins in overtime because Cooper always wins in overtime. Since they lose, suddenly people get concerned about economic balance.
Do not be fooled. This has nothing to do with economic balance. The proposal of the person who began this process does not even do that.
Sound crazy? Probably so. But remember back to the last time AISD did this. Of all the reasons set forth, the one that proved to be correct was that AISD changed the boundaries in the early 90’s so that they could get more speed to Cooper and bigger linemen to AHS. AHS had more speed, but smaller linemen and Cooper always had large linemen, but no speed. A few years later, last game of the regular season, AHS is 9-0 and ranked #3in the state, Cooper is 9-0 and ranked #5. And everyone who wanted to change the boundaries, and everyone who did not, is at the game and happy.
The point being: We are possibly about to disrupt these kids lives, cause possible another round of “white flight”, and not even solve the problem all because of a SHOE!
charlie — all I can say is…wow.
You can’t “make” wealthy families go to school with disadvantaged kids. It doesn’t matter how you stretch or contort boundaries; people with means will just move.
Little Rock tried it with desegregation, and all that happened was “white” flight. Conway, Benton, Bryant, and Cabot are all BOOMING. And not now just with white familes; upper middle class Hispanics and African Americans are leaving the Pulaski County system in droves, either to the suburbs or to private schools.
if we can not do it in our churches what chance does society have? no matter the important thing is that tiger is back.
Mike, I think an important point of your post is being overlooked: Yes, Dylan’s new album is incredible.
65 and still churning out culturally relevant music. I think I’ll listen to it again.
I grew up in a fairly wealthy (all white) suburb of Chicago. There were always people with more money and a nicer house. There were always people with less money. I planned on my children growing up in a similar environment. However, we moved to a small east Texas town of 35,000 and one high school. We have the very very rich and the very very poor. (We are neither). 52% of children in our district are economically disadvantaged. I can say without a doubt that it has been a great experience for my kids. They get it. They have learned compassion, and they have learned that they are fortunate to be able to further their education. Good luck to Abilene, I hope everything works out.
Preacherman- They may have to get by Lufkin.
I thought Abilene just went through this boundary change mess a few years back? I really do feel sorry for white kids that grow up in the lily-white planned unit suburbia-ville - they have no idea what they’re missing. When in doubt - move 12 miles further out from the “problem” areas where you really don’t want to be — whoops I think you left Jesus back there.
The Warbirds will get a stern test from Austin Westlake tomorrow - best to the black and gold.
Oh, and ditto-wows on Charlie’s shoe story. Was there really a sub-point A on the last re-do that stated “we’re moving this boundary line here to feed the big slow linemen to AHS, and the speedy dudes over here get shifted to Cooper”? Wow again if there was. I just figured it was because every retailer in the civilized planet had to be within 122 feet from the Mall of Abilene.
If only our churches were as integrated as our schools . . .
KentF:
That was the theory I proposed back in 1992. It proved to be true. Of course, there was never anything in writing, but then again, most good conspiracies are never written down.
Austin Westlake will be very tough, as will the rest of non-district. If Warbirds start 5-0, they will win state. Still could start 0-5 and still win district. That tough of a schedule.
Kent,
I hope they aren’t doing it to send the linemen to Cooper? We need them to win state.
Go Warbirds!
David,
I agree with your comment.
So, the reasoning included in your “me” and “mine, the “we” and “ours” post has implications for private schools how? If there is a pronounced benefit for the economically “haves” to be with the so called “have nots”, how would that pertain to the demarkation between private schools vs. public and, of course, to private universities? Of course, there is not the usual boundary lines of which you speak for universities, yet there is the boundary of class.
charlie.
great thoughts.
You think the boundary changes might be to make it a more even in athletics, the southsdie won’t look bad because the northside has a good team?
Charlie,
Interesting story. I also heard the Pentagon was not hit by a plane but by a missle. And Oswald was not the only shooter. And there is a secret UFO laboratory in Nevada. And Elvis is working at a gas station in Illinois. And………….
Preacherman:
With the talent going to Cooper now, along with the new coach, I think Cooper will be fine. They have had a little down period, along with a little bad luck, but I think that is behind them. At least I hope it is. I think the vast majority of people in this city want both schools to do well. After all, we go to church with people from all over town, do business with them. In fact, most of the kids on the baseball team that mike was writing about this summer, the team that made it all the way to state, will be going to Cooper. I think it is 9 of the 14 kids. (unless I can get the boundaries changed and get them all to AHS; Just Kidding!)
Charlie,
I was at Abilene High when Gary Gaines was at Abilene High. Abilene thought that they could get a great coach in and change things. AHS had their worst years during Gaines. I think you can have the best coaches in the world but what makes a team great is the players and both AHS and Cooper have them this year.
All what I have to say is I can’t wait til the Abilene High/Cooper game. It is going to a great match up just like the last few years.
beware of any conversations or comments that begin with “…I overheard…”
Sorry Charlie,
Lufkin is winning state.
Mike,
Thanks for your words!
As a new and young minister near downtown Houston, I am seeing the great effects of the “white flight” of the past few decades. Consequently, many of the churches that prayerfully decided to stay near downtown have greatly suffered.
(As for churches that have been formed in the suburbs, I pray rich blessings upon them. No hard feelings.)
What I have discovered (through Tony Campolo, Shane Claiborne, and first hand experience) is that most Christians have a care for the poor, but they just don’t know the poor. Most Christians would not consider themselves racist and they believe in integration, but they don’t have any minority friends or acquaintances.
So, people sometimes ask me if I am afraid of living near the Astrodome in Houston. My response is usually that I would be just as afraid of living in the suburbs. There is a reason to fear living close to neighborhoods where the crime rate is sky high, but there is also a great fear of living in a place where materialism and greed is lurking at every corner.
The problem I have with this entire issue is when we throw Jesus into this conversation. There is the text that disturbs me, because I have never seen it lived out and I want to join in the life of the text. In Luke 14:1-24, Jesus sets forth a new form of etiquette for Sabbath observance and for throwing parties. As for the Sabbath, it is okay to do good things on that day. As for throwing parties, Jesus says to invite those that will never be able to invite you back.
Disturbing text, but maybe it speaks to this issue!?
Mike writes, ‘I read where Tiger is making over $2500 per stroke this year. At that rate, he ought to start hitting more shots each round.”
PDUMP PDUMP TSST
Did you see what Tiger’s cadee is making? Couple hundred thousand for carrying clubs. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Before my olderst son entered junior high, we moved to the town of Katy on the edge of the giant suburb of Katy near Houston. We moved there because we like the feel of a small town and the diversity of the students. Several of the high schools in our area in the wealthier suburbs have a more elite feel to them. Regardless of where you go to school now in the Houston area, there are students from all over the world. Some great kids and teachers are in those schools, however, we felt more comfortable with the a little bit less pressured environment of a school that has rich and poor and brown, black and white.
Of course it didn’t hurt that Katy has one of the best high school football programs in the state of Texas!
Susan: I hope we get to play the mighty Panthers again for the state championship!
Katy is a powerhouse!
I live in Little Rock and work at the famous Little Rock Central High School as in the “1957 Crisis”. I grew up in Memphis during the time of MLK. I went to a private Christian high school and college. Our oldest son graduated from a Christian school and youngest from Central. The youngest still adores his high school. Compassion - he gets it. He is a senior in college and still talks about his GREAT high school. He feels like he learned so much about life at Central. Also, Central does have a wonderful educational reputation. We lead the state in national merit scholars. Don’t hear much about the suburbs of Bryant, Benton and Cabot with that kind of academic record. We have great athletics too! May not be able to compete with some of those “Texas” schools but we can hold our own in Arkansas! So much school spirit. I can tell you story after story of students reaching out to one another. In this school of 2500 we are a very diverse community and celebrate that.
I live in greater Detroit, the most racially segregated metropolitan area in the country, a fact largely due to white flight. I can tell you that the long-term effects of white flight are devastating and will require decades to heal, if even then. I know nothing about the racial and economic demography of Abilene or its school district, but if Abilene has an opportunity to prevent the stratification and polarization that has plagued Detroit, please take it! Christians need to be in the forefront on this; it is a spiritual issue.
Though it is often the reason behind such things, football was not the only reason for AISD boundary issues in 1992. The urgency was there because of a looming lawsuit. Still, I happen to be related to someone that was on the Board at the time and we had many messages that were incredibly ugly, hateful and even threatening. Who wouldn’t want to run for schoolboard?
Mike, how do some of your comments reconcile with the homeschooling movement? I am not coming at that with an agenda but it was the first thing that popped into my head as I read your comments since I have friends and family members in both camps. Any thoughts?
Sure smells like HS football is in the air, it smells like…..victory…. or….pollen - not sure which. Safe travels all.
We saw that wonderful “answering of the call” come to life in the millions of dollars, time and supplies that churches and families contributed and donated after and since Katrina. BUT (and this is a big BUT) we should never expect the government to do what we as individual Christians are not willing to do. We spend countless hours trying to get our elected officials to do the things we won’t do. We rally, we protest, we write letters, we beg, we plead, we blog, but we don’t actually do the work.
It seems to me that the modern day Christian community wants to be the “air asault” on the war on poverty instead of what Jesus would have been. We want to the the driving force behind the work, but not the actual work. Jesus gave us the example of “boots on the ground”. But, we tend to like the hype and the attention that an air asault gives. Lots of hoopla and attention on a big air asault. Rarely do the “boots on the ground” in the war on poverty ever get any attention. They just do the work, day in and day out. Jesus just did the work regardless of what the governments of the day were doing.
We expect our schools to be a lovely mix of all types of people, yet we steer away from it in our churches. We even take our children out of schools and homeschool them because of the “influence” the bad people have on them. It’s kind of two faced don’t you think.
We think the government can supply the correct mix of influences on the down trodden and less fortunate but we remove our “Christian” influences from them. We expect the government to supply unlimited resources to needy families when we as Christians will turn a blind eye and never give a dime out of our pocket because, that’s the government’s job.
I am absolutely certain that when the citizens of this United States see that we (Christians) mean what we say….”that we love our neighbor” enough to get in there, work help and be the “boots on the ground” that many problems will be resolved without government help. And it won’t even be a topic of discussion any more.
But it all starts with one. What will you do? What will I do? There is the heart of the matter.
Val and Snapshot- as one who homeschools I have to say that for many of us this is not the issue. Every child is different and some do not profit from public or private school. I admit there are several in our hs community who school their children at home because they want to “direct their thoughts” themselves, but there are many more of us who are trying to direct the children’s education, not their thoughts. Don’t think that a homeschooling family is just trying to avoid being in the world.
I find it just as racist and economically biased to insist on mixing as to insist on separation. The point is to evaluate each person as an individual, separate and apart from external indicators of status. This may mean that a parent decides that their child is at school, surrounded by individuals that are not healthy for the child, and it is perfectly permissible for them to respond in order to protect their child, regardless of if the negative influence is from those who are very different, or those who are very similar. This may mean that in order for us to surround ourselves with those who make us better people, all of our friends might just happen to be not so different from us. Then again, they might be completely different. There is nothing inherently wrong with connecting better with those who are most like you; what is wrong is avoiding those who aren’t, simply because they aren’t.
Arguing that our churches are not diverse enough is a pointless argument. Are our churches healthy? Why or why not and what can we do to strengthen them? It’s not about race or wealth or any other external factors - just taking what we do have and making it the best and most glorifying to God that we can.
The boundary issue at AISD will never be solved until the school board continues the neighborhood school concept thru middle school. Most people can afford housing within the radius of any of the middle schools. It’s a free choice question vs social engineering using demographic data that you have to be a physicist to understand. Only one thing is certain, the last study that redrew boundaries ended up serverly overcrowding Lincoln and leaving Madison and Jefferson severely low on student population. So much for studies. One other thing that many folks don’t seem to know, in December the Supreme Court is taking on racial balancing with a decision due by July 2007. Many think with the current court makeup it will be declared unconstutional. So much for lawsuits. Social engineers are now changing verbage to “Wealth Balancing”. But even that is subject to manipulation. The wealth balanced plan favored by the board has 80% of the valuable real estate going to AHS, yet the household income median is “balanced”in that plan. I think the only demographic worthwhile is the % of “stay at home moms” in any particular school. I am wrong on alot of stuff, but I believe until we go to neighborhood schools we will keed adjusting every 8-10 years. I am also for one high school in Abilene.