You can’t use a Band-Aid forever. Band-Aids aren’t useful for every kind of injury. If I break my leg open, a small adhesive Band-Aid will not take care of the problem. I will continue to remain injured until a real solution is used to make me whole again. I wish our elected officials in Springfield and Mayor Rahm’s office thought…
Category: Hall Pass
When Enough is Enough: The Political Circus in Illinois
I hate to write articles complaining about the issues because I’m usually a solutions-oriented person but sometimes, the occasion calls for a little griping. So, here it goes. I was scrolling through Facebook today and came across an article written in the Chicago Sun-Times titled, “Gov. Rauner Says Some CPS Schools Almost Like “Crumbling Prisons”. Curious to know how the…
Governor Rauner’s Latest Sickness Is Hurting Our Schools
Log onto any social media platform and search for #notaprison. Unless you are a certified Bruce Rauner apologist, one thing will be abundantly clear; the governor is suffering from a serious case of foot-in-mouth disease. Foot-in-mouth is a condition that is commonly found among leaders with some sort of visible, vocal platform (elected officials, organizational leaders, even parents). It is…
5 Questions Every Black Parent Needs to Ask Their Child’s Teacher and School
A child’s education begins at home. With that being said, it’s imperative that parent’s become actively involved in their child’s education, especially Black parents. Oakland educator, Charles Cole III, has 5 questions every Black parent needs to ask their child’s teacher and school. I spent nearly five years at a nonprofit focused on getting students in and through college. Many…
From Supportive Housing to Government Affairs: #ProofPointDay
Ann Valencia went from living in supporting housing, to being director of the Office of Legislative Counsel and Government Affairs for Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “When I came in, he said, ‘You have my respect and you will have their [aldermen’s] respect. That meant a lot for the mayor to . . . have my back in that way. He gives…
From “The Great Migration” to “First Generation” : My Story #ProofPointDay
My grandparents hailed from Mississippi to Chicago during The Great Migration. My grandfather, Robert Thompson, was a hard worker who took a job at a meat factory and also drove a pickup truck collecting odd objects he would sell along the way. My grandmother stayed at home, tending to their four boys. My father graduated from what was known as…
The One Thing Bill O’Reilly Forgot to Mention in His Chicago Rant
Bill O’Reilly forgot to mention one thing in his now viral rant about broken neighborhoods in Chicago. He forgot to talk about the schools. Violence in Chicago is out of control. And I 100% agree with O’Reilly that if this reality were playing out in the streets of richer, whiter communitties the problem would have already been solved. But, make…
Readers Attribute Discontent in Chicago to Leadership and Social Ills
When Chicagoans were questioned about their city in a recent poll by the NY Times, they couldn’t help but to share what they love about it, along with what could use major improvement. Education seems to be the common cry: “I came to Chicago in 1974 and love this city. That said, I am not deluded about its myriad problems.…