Holly's Blog

I had the pleasure of serving as the Mistress of Ceremonies for Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’ 18th Annual Empowerment Congress and was honored to be able to be in the same company as keynote speaker Marian Wright Edelman.

What she said in her opening remarks has resonated with me throughout this past week. Enough that I wanted to share.

Marian Wright Edelman is the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund and has made it her legacy to champion the needs of children. As CEO of Crystal Stairs, I am both in awe of her dedication and work, and consider myself a fellow soldier in her campaign for change.

So, it warmed (and sometimes chilled) my heart to hear her speak passionately and truthfully about where we stand as a state and a nation when it comes to fighting for our children.

In the state of California, the cost to care for 170,000 prisoners is the same as for 3 million college students. I still cannot wrap my mind around those numbers and that reality.

Our cradle to prison pipeline is growing and becoming stronger every day. I also find that frustrating. While I am excited about our “Education vs. Prison Pipelines: Where do our priorities lie?” Community Dialogue in June (you will hear more about this soon), I also echo the sentiments of Ms. Edelman; we need to stop the adult hypocrisy and refocus on getting our priorities right, and organizing and empowering our communities.

She shared an allegory about a herd of buffalo coming back to save a lost baby that was being threatened by lions and alligators and asked where was our human herd? Where are the adults, learning systems and safe havens, to keep the children out of harm’s way?

Now is the time to reweave the fabric of our community. Now is the time to fight the gang and video posses with our own posse – a family and community posse that is built on love, pride, respect, activity, spirituality and health.

She shared a quote from Frederick Douglas; that it is much easier to raise strong children than it is to repair broken men.

I hear you, Ms. Edelman. Loud and clear. And I am willing to do my part! Who out there will join me?

On a side note, I encourage you to visit the America I Am exhibition at the California Science Center. It is up through April 15, 2010