Rev. Romal J. Tune2013-05-18T09:42:13-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/index.php?author=rev-romal-j-tuneCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Rev. Romal J. TuneGood old fashioned elbow grease.Gangs or the Gospel: Competing for the Lives of Our Youthtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27427322013-02-27T12:58:57-05:002013-04-29T05:12:01-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
In 2011 the FBI released a 100-page "National Gang Threat Assessment" claiming that criminal gangs pose a growing threat in communities across the United States. Violent gangs exist in the suburbs and in the hood. Any young person, who lacks support, feels neglected, disrespected, misunderstood, alone or uncertain about their future is an easy target for gang recruitment. According to the FBI, Gang membership increased as much as 40 percent in the United States between 2009 and 2011. Nothing suggests that this trend has changed. In my personal experience working with communities it appears to have remained the same. Request for strategy sessions and workshops in suburban communities now equal those in urban centers.
In many cities I've visited gangs appear to be growing faster than youth ministries. In the Church where we are called to be a source of healing and hope, this is a reality and a problem we cannot afford to ignore. One of the critical questions that we have to answer is, "How do we compete in the market space of recruitment and growth with gangs?" In response, many churches are trying to develop programs that reach and resonate with young people in their communities.
That's problem No. 1. Gangs don't have programs. Programs come and go, they change with leadership and in some instances, may never get off the ground. What's more, they often depend on financial resources or issues related to figuring out who's going to run it that isn't already over extended or on the verge of burnout. Rather than developing programs we have to find ways to make reaching young people in our communities a part of our institutional identity to the extent that it becomes apart of who we are and what we exist to do.
As someone who grew up on the streets among gangs and now serves as an ordained minister working with religious organizations to reach young people, the biggest difference between gangs and the church as it relates to growth or recruitment lies within the strategy used to reach vulnerable youth.
In terms of strategy, we must identify the tactics that gangs employ consistently and well that we as the church can incorporate into our strategy to save and change the lives of young people. Engaging young people is something gangs do every day. They are in the community, they know the hangout spots and can tell you where every school in the hood is located. Public school students and children without siblings are two of the biggest targets for gang recruitment. When gangs recruit they know which kids are bullied and offer safety, which kids walk home alone and offer friendship, which kids need money for food or clothing, and they offer assistance, etc. What does this mean for us? It means we have to be just as committed to having our finger on the pulse of the community with the same (or greater) intentionality that the gangs have when it comes to targeting vulnerable young people.
Gangs are visible seven days a week. They recruit using social media, throw recruitment parties, post videos on YouTube, they create Facebook pages, send messages via Twitter and place pictures on Instagram. Churches in communities where young people face the daily threat of gang recruitment should consider strategies to maintain visibility in the community every day. Some churches are using the similar tools gangs are using but all gangs are using these tools. We can't allow ourselves to be outworked by gangs when it comes to reaching young people.
Gang members drive around and walk the streets; they know their neighborhood well. As the church we often recruit on Sunday morning when the "doors of the church" are opened at the end of worship. By the time Sunday comes around it's too late for many youth who are walking the streets Monday through Saturday. In order to connect with and reach youth in our communities, we have to walk outside those doors everyday letting the community know who we are and what we have to offer so they will choose us instead of a gang.
Lastly, gangs cultivate relationships with young people before ever asking them to join and they incentivize membership by meeting basic needs of food, protection, shelter and companionship. We may not like what they offer and the negative impact they have on the lives of our children, but if you were to ask a lot of kids who joined gangs why they did it, you'd hear them say, it's because they love me, they gave me a place to belong, they protected me, and they cared about me when no one else did. We, the church, have to compete against this and find ways to make our "crew" or "set" more compelling to join than their "crew" or "set."
Reaching young people in our communities has to be about more than programs. It has to be a part of our purpose, identity, and what we are known for and seek to do every day. In order to create an environment in our communities where young people see churches as a viable alternative to gangs, our strategies to reach and engage them must be just as compelling if not more compelling than what gangs offer. When we compete in the public sector of our communities for the lives of young people we will change the tide so that youth ministry growth surpasses the growth of gangs. And when we are successful at implementing strategies to target and meet the needs of young people in our communities, gangs will have no one to recruit and their numbers will begin to decline.]]>From the Block to the Pulpit: Shot Callers in the Hoodtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.25913382013-02-01T16:40:50-05:002013-04-03T05:12:01-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
Whenever I'm invited to a city to speak, the first thing I do when I arrive is ask someone to drive me around the neighborhood. No meetings. Just riding around to see what the streets can tell me about who calls the shots or who runs the block and the neighborhood. Yesterday, riding to a meeting in LA, I was able to see the signs and images of who ran the neighborhood without having to speak to anyone.
On every street corner I saw the sides of buildings tagged with the names of gangs. Every now and then I passed a church but the gang graffiti was far more prevalent than the cross. (Not to say that churches in the hood aren't doing anything, I'm sure many are.) As I passed the images of gang signs and people standing on street corners, I started to wonder if any preachers or people in the churches I drove by are considered shot callers in this neighborhood.
How does a pastor become a shot caller? Simply, they have to do it in the same way the gang leaders became shot callers. They have to earn their street cred: put in work on the block and be known first for what they do, and thereby earn the right for people to listen to what they say.
Jesus was a shot caller.
His name rang out on every block he walked. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and raised the dead. People heard about not only who he was but what he could do. Jesus built his reputation through his actions on the street and people were ready to listen to what he had to say:
"The woman had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him in the crowd and barely touched his clothes." (Mark 5:7 CEV)
"Jesus became so well-known that Herod the ruler heard about him. Some people thought he was John the Baptist, who had come back to life with the power to work miracles." (Mark 6:14)
"And when he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish leaders to ask him to come and heal the servant." (Luke 7:3)
In any urban community where you find a shot caller on the street you can also find a pastor in the pulpit. In some communities there are pastors that have earned the right to be called shot callers on the block. They earn their street cred through their actions outside the church, and their names ring out in streets because they put in work to help people.
In Chicago, Father Michael Pfleger is a shot caller. As the pastor of Saint Sabina Church his name is known on the streets because he puts in work in the hood. When Father Mike wanted to deal with the violence on the streets of his neighborhood he didn't just meet with the police and the mayor. He also set up meetings with shot callers on the streets, gang leaders and others who had power. Father Mike called on everyone to stop the shooting and killing. From what I'm told, in his neighborhood there have been no murders for months now. He gets to be a part of setting the rules for what happens in his hood because he put in work.
There are shot-caller pastors in urban neighborhoods all across the country. We just need more of them. It doesn't just have to be the pastor either. Members of churches can earn their reputations on the street by being like Jesus and putting in work on the block.
Our children are dying daily on the streets. We need more leaders willing to earn the right to call the shots so that people will listen to what they have to say. We have to earn our street cred so that people will listen when we say stop the killing, help our children, mentor a child, clean up our hood and make it a true neighborhood once again where people feel safe and proud to call it home. Who's calling the shots on your block to save the lives of children and the community? What can you do to be known as a shot caller for change?]]>Bullying Starts at Hometag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.15288982012-05-21T09:45:07-04:002012-07-21T05:12:12-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
According to definition, a bully is someone who uses superior strength or influence to intimidate another, typically to force another to do what he or she wants.
I first encountered bullying in my household. I was bullied by people who I assumed loved me and had my be interest at heart. Bullying in my home often manifested in the form of verbal threats, such as: "Shut up before I hurt you"; "Stop doing that before I hit you"; "Sit down before I slap you"; or "You better get over here before you regret it"; and "Don't make me hurt you." This is no way to talk to a child.
In fact, I want to say very plainly and clearly: Parents and adults who use threats and violent intimidation to get what they want out of their children are bullies.
Consider this: If you heard a child make these same statements to another child you would quickly label him or her a bully, and yet many adults speak to their children in this manner every day. Sometimes at the dinner table in households where resources are limited, children are intimated to give their food away or have it taken from them by adults only to have them laugh. When I was a kid my grandmother used to tell me to hurry up and finish eating before my uncles got home, because sadly she and I knew that if I wasn't done they would take my food.
Of course adult bullying isn't relegated to the dinner table. Parents and adults even bully children during play, as well as during productive times of learning. I know this all too well. The same uncles who turned dinner into a time of anxiety would create a disruption during my play time just to amuse themselves -- and no child's play time should be defined by fear.
Parents and family members who intimidate, threaten violence, and demean their children are no different than a bully in school who does the same. For some parents and families, intimidating and threatening demands and behaviors are what they believe to be discipline or teaching a kid to be "tough." But discipline need not be violent (verbally or physically) and "tough" children often turn out to be bullies themselves.
In fact, bullying is a learned behavior for many kids. When parents bully at home to get what they want, they legitimize using threats and intimidation as normal behavior for their children. As a result, kids who are bullied by parents or family members turn around and do the same to their peers. Many kids in school cafeterias and playgrounds become victims at the hands of children who just left homes in which bullying is practiced.
Parents and adults, allow this to serve as your wake up call. Please evaluate your methods of discipline and do the hard work of determining whether your child is becoming a well-adjusted individual or turning into a bully. Advocates, remember bullying doesn't always start in the school yard. As we work to end bullying in our schools and amongst our children, we must end bullying in the home as well.]]>Rescuing the Kid in the Closet: Taking the Emotional Health of Kids Seriouslytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.14986052012-05-08T15:19:15-04:002012-07-08T05:12:08-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
But honestly, all of this, I already knew. As someone who once lived in poverty raised by a single parent addicted to drugs and alcohol, the absence of equitable funding, qualified teachers, fair standardized testing or socioeconomic-conscious policies were not my primary challenge in learning at a young age. My challenge was the emotional turmoil of showing up to school trying to focus after seeing things no child should ever have to see. I know first-hand that more attention must be paid to the emotional wellness of children when addressing therapeutic healing, holistic recovery, and yes -- even academic success.
Most people can remember their most life changing moments and the saddest experience that dramatically impacted their childhood. For me, there were two. The first was the day I watched my mother make crack cocaine and smoke it in front of me. At first I didn't think she knew I saw her as I peered down the hall and watched her reflection through the mirror while she sat on bed. I found out the hard way that she knew I was there when she said, "I hope you learned something..." I went back to my room, got in the bed, cried in the darkness and said, "God, if this is how my life is going to be, please kill me." I was about eleven years old.
The second experience that changed my life is one I had mentally suppressed until recently and I'm not sure what exactly jogged my memory. It was after my mom lost her job because of drug and alcohol addiction. Everything we owned was packed away in a backyard shed at my grandparents' house. It became a symbol to me of what drugs had done to my life and my mother's life. My mother wasn't around very often. She would come around when she needed something and then disappear for months at a time.
I ended up moving in with my grandmother and for the next four years I slept on the couch or on the floor in the living-room with all of my belongings in the hallway closet. That closet did more than store my belongings -- it held my dreams, fears, and at times soaked up my tears. Since the living room was my bedroom I never had much privacy. The only place I could go that was my own was the hallway closet. When I was sad, afraid for my mom or wanted to cry without anyone knowing something was wrong, I would hide in the closet.
In the closet I'd sit on the floor with a pillow and cry, pray, dream and hope that life would get better. Sometimes I'd daydream or cry myself to sleep. Hours would go by until I'd hear someone ask "Where's Romal?" Sometimes I'd respond and other times I'd stay silent to be left alone or to see if they cared enough to keep looking for me. My grandmother was the only person who knew about my secret place. She'd come wake me up when it was time to eat or if she thought I'd been hiding too long.
The closet was a place where I found peace. It was a place where I could hide from judgment, ridicule, rejection. I could cry, dream, hope and pray. A lot of children are victims of circumstance resulting from the poor judgment or emotional frailty of adults, and like me, these kids grow up with a secret place. A place they can identify as their own and a peaceful place where they can try to make sense of their emotions and experiences.
As adults who have experienced our own childhood pains, whether it be similar to what I went through or something entirely different, our job is to look for these kids hiding in the closet, identify with what they are feeling, share our experiences of overcoming and walk with them out of those dark places.
We, as advocates, cannot begin to address academic success, prevent dropouts, or entirely close the achievement gap until we address the mental and emotional needs of the many children in our communities who are hurting. Until we begin to rescue these children, our efforts will be incomplete and many will continue to find peace in dark places and eventually giving up on their dreams.]]>Going Back to Cali: Story of an At-Risk Youth Turned Advocatetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.14691912012-05-06T10:05:49-04:002012-07-06T05:12:07-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/Student SWAG program. I also shared that I wasn't sure how this trip would turn out and was very nervous.
I knew family members would come together because I was home, although my memories of past family gatherings were not all that great. Some were good but others ended in violence or the police taking someone away. I had no idea what was to happen on this day, so I prepared myself to be happy and enjoy family and mentally be ready for any drama.
What actually took place was one of the best and most memorable moments in my life. God took a place that was the source of my pain and made it the place where I would find peace. I felt so much love from my family and heard them say how proud they are of me, something I think everyone longs to hear. They weren't just proud of me having accomplishments, I think anyone has those. They were proud because they know my accomplishments are rooted in the work of helping others. Not everyone does that.
We took pictures, ate, laughed, looked at photos from my childhood, and at the end of the night talked about coming together more often. While we celebrated the love of family I got to share my passion with others there who want to make a difference in the lives of children. Through this family gathering, God showed me firsthand how far I had come and that my life has true meaning - helping others.
The hood is still the same, there are plenty of challenges to overcome but God is raising up men and women so that the lives of children in the hood are changed. Going back home taught me something about dealing with adversity. It's difficult to go through struggles but it's a blessing to grow through struggles.]]>Because of People who Caredtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.13902832012-04-04T13:39:16-04:002012-06-04T05:12:02-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
Next month I'll return to my old neighborhood after being gone for more than 20 years. Past visits have only been for funerals. This time I'll go back to help churches working to get kids off the streets and succeed in the classroom. No funeral this time. Instead, I'll go back with two college degrees and a book deal, still President of the company that I started eight years ago and my newest venture, Faith for Change. I only wish my grandmother was still here to see me come home to do some good.
In reflecting on my past experiences, and things that I had to overcome as a child, I wanted to find ways to help children growing up in similar circumstances. I want to inspire them to believe in themselves and know that they can make it.
Recently we launched a campaign on Rootfunding.com seeking the support of people who care enough to try. We're asking people to help us grow and continue our work with kids like me by making a small donation of $5 - $10. Why are we doing this? Because I know what it's like to be a child feeling alone in the world wondering if anyone cares enough to help. I know what it's like to wonder where your next meal will come from, if you'll make it home safely after school, and if life has anything better to offer other than a life of poverty and self doubt. The answer is yes. With the support of caring people, life can definitely be better. Our goal is to do our part in showing kids like me that there are people who care enough to try; people willing to make small sacrifices that combined can change the life of a child hoping for a better tomorrow.
At-risk youth and under performing students need to be inspired, but equally as important is their need for adults who are willing to do the work of helping them succeed academically. Education continues to be our most reliable tool for creating upward life trajectories and optimal opportunities.
Faith for Change is an organization that aims to build a national network of churches and people of faith committed to doing the work of implementing proven educational strategies for improving the academic outcomes of our most vulnerable children. The end goal of our work is to encourage a culture of academic excellence in our children, families and communities through the provision of appropriate support, enthusiastic mentorship and resources. We want more young people to look back at their lives one day and say I made it because of people who cared.
To find out more about Faith for Change and how you can be involved please visit www.Faithforchange.org ]]>Is the Church Saving Souls and Losing Students?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.13688492012-03-21T12:46:17-04:002012-05-21T05:12:01-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/only 47% of black males graduate from high school in the United States, and the Urban Institute reports that only 56.2% percent of black females graduate. During recent trips to LA, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, NY, and Atlanta, conversations with education professionals have centered on how can we best intervene to keep black and brown students in school. Strategies often include developing community partnerships and organizing programs utilizing proven dropout prevention methods.
In most cases the faith community is absent from the discussion. Typically when I ask why this is the case, the answer is simple: "We aren't sure of what they can do. We know they have a role to play but it's difficult to define." Or, "We always invite the faith community but rarely do they show up."
What's tragic about these responses is the fact that the faith community is often viewed by people as the one place they feel actually cares about their well being, and when the faith community is absent it sends a message to the community that "we only care about our own." But, even just caring about "our own" is flawed logic and a poor excuse. Churches and other communities of faith in cities where the dropout rates are fifty percent or higher must recognize that students in our congregations are not exempt from this crisis. Statistics show that seven thousand students drop out of school everyday. Arguably some, if not many of these students or their parents, attend church on Sunday morning. It is very likely that on Sunday morning, as pastors preach about the power of God to change lives, being gifted to do great things, or being created for a great purpose, the message falls on the ears of students that have given up on their education or parents who are ashamed to admit their child has dropped out of school. A student can choose to walk down the aisle on Sunday morning willing to give their life over to God and then Monday morning decide to walk out of schools because they have given up on their education.
For years churches have supported back to school drives, by purchasing books, schools uniforms, college tours, and provided other forms of support to their neighborhood schools. But it is also the case that they have not been quantifying the outcomes of these efforts and their impact on student performance. They are important and needed contributions but far more must be done if we are going to keep the students that attend churches in the classroom and off the streets.
So what is the solution? The solution is multifaceted. First, non-religious institutions must treat communities of faith with the same level of respect they give other community partners. Churches are first about the business of making sure their members have a relationship with God; they are not grassroots organizations created solely for the purpose of community service. However, with proper preaching and teaching members will be compelled to act on the behalf of others, for that is in part the gospel message. Successful community partnerships are based on relationship building which means being willing to take an interest in understanding the church just as much as you want them to take an interest in supporting your organization.
Secondly, churches must take seriously the need for what we call Graduation Ministries." This is a ministry designed solely for the purpose of making sure that every student in the church is performing on grade level and prepared to graduate on time. A "Graduation Ministry" makes the church a "no dropout zone." Faith for Change has developed a toolkit for Graduation Ministries to guide congregations through building infrastructure and sustainability for a successful dropout prevention program. The Graduation Ministry Toolkit trainings teach participants how to track student performance, how to find the graduation requirements and drop out rates of each school represented in the church, inform parents of pertinent facts such as overall school attendance, standardized test performance, and the impact of education policy as a barrier or gateway to student performance. Additionally, the trainings teach ministry leaders on how to support parents, document ministry activities, and quantify their results.
Our schools are not in crisis. Schools don't have a pulse. Our students are in crisis and our teachers, parents and caregivers are in need of help. As communities of faith we are first about the work of making sure people draw closer to God. What we do to help students stay in schools will let young people know that God cares about their future. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future." ( Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)]]>The Education Gap: Lessons from Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and Steve Jobstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.10058422011-10-12T13:35:26-04:002011-12-12T05:12:02-05:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/ Lesson 1:
Vision requires not only creativity and innovation, as we saw in the life of Steve Jobs but vision also requires courage, determination and the willingness to pursue change in the midst of life threatening societal adversity. One could argue that we see these characteristics in both Jobs and Shuttlesworth. Yes, but under very different circumstances. The vision of Rev. Shuttlesworth was one who dared to stand against the social norms used to perpetuate the oppression of an entire race of people based on the color of their skin. His vision of a better society would not lead to wealth but his contribution to the fight for equality was priceless. His was a vision that required integrity and character in the pursuit of making life better for all people, those who can afford iPads and iPhones and those who cannot -- a vision that puts people and community above money, fame, notoriety and prestige. His was a vision that said we should all be treated equally, judged by the content of our character rather than by our cell phones, service provider or the income bracket that determines which device we can afford. No person is better than any other based on the gadgets they possess.
Lesson 2:
Jobs and Rev. Shuttlesworth show us the power that exists when we combine education with character and integrity. One of the issues that has been blatantly absent from the debate around education reform and the needs of our children is the conversation related to teaching young people the necessity of character and integrity in order to avoid the greed and selfishness that has ruined our economy for the majority and benefited a wealthy minority.
When these two great men passed last week our televisions were flooded with images and conversations about the contributions of Steve Jobs, and indeed he made tremendous contributions to technological advancements, innovation, and showed us what can happen when we seek to make a vision reality. However, as we saw the accomplishments of Mr. Jobs elevated and celebrated in just about every social media, radio and television outlet, we heard very little about the accomplishments and contributions of Rev. Shuttlesworth as an icon and courageous leaders in the fight for civil rights.
The underlying message I took from this is one that I believe did not pass by our children. That message is one that suggests that success and leadership are primarily defined by economics and power. It is one that does not see Jobs and Shuttlesworth as equals. One man's contribution afforded him the opportunity to make millions of dollars and impact lives across the world. The other man's contributions afforded him the opportunity to make financial and family sacrifices yet still in the end, changing the lives of millions of people in the U.S., and we could also argue across the world. But when these two men left us, we chose to highlight the successful and visionary business leaders, not the successful visionary Civil Rights activist.
Lesson 3:
The education of our children requires teaching them to be bold, visionary, innovative leaders as well as becoming people of high moral character, values and integrity with respect for all people regardless of where they come from or if they don't look like us. One leader fought for equality and the hope that all children would have a better life and quality education. The other showed us what quality education equips you to do in the workplace. If we are not careful and very intentional we will raise yet another generation of children that values one and not the other. Too often we teach our children to get an education so they can achieve the American Dream. What we sadly leave out is that the American Dream cannot be attained without character and integrity. In the absence of these essential characteristics the dream becomes a nightmare for the people you abuse and mistreat as you climb over them on your way to the top.
As we seek to change our education system in ways that make it equitable and allow all children the right to a quality education, let's make sure that we are just as intentional about teaching our children the power of character and integrity as a part of the American Dream. We must teach them that success in the workplace and the eyes of society has greater value when we also seek to treat people justly, with respect and as equals regardless of race and gender. That's the real American Dream. Thank you Mr. Jobs and Rev. Shuttlesworth for your contributions to removing barriers in all of our lives.
]]>What Are You Called to Do? Finding Spiritual Purpose In The Fieldtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.9457862011-09-24T08:10:34-04:002011-11-24T05:12:02-05:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." --Matthew 13:44
Around the age of 10, I remember adults beginning to ask me an odd question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" As a child living in poverty, to me the answer was a no brainer. "I want to be rich" was always my answer. Most of time it was received with laughter. Sadly, I think too many young people start out life thinking about what they want to become in life based on what they want have in life. Rarely do we say that we want a life and a career that will allow us to have joy, peace, fulfillment and balance. We typically think about a career that will allow us to buy things that we hope will give us joy, peace and fulfillment, and then we later learn these items can't be purchased.
Over the years I've learned that there are many adults living the kind of life I once lived. One that follows an educational and career path that, if lucky, will yield the social and monetary results that will buy you the things we define as making up "the good life" -- a life driven by the pursuit of things and the public perception of success. And like me, many of them, even with all of their success, still will feel like something is missing, like there is something more they should be doing. For a fleeting moment they may even get a glimpse of what that thing is -- the thing I call true purpose -- but when they catch a glimpse of it, other emotions kick in: fear, doubt, concerns about whether they can really do it. As a result of not having all the answers many suppress the desire to pursue this sense of purpose and continue the life they have been living because it's safe.
Fifteen years ago I gave up the pursuit of the good life I thought I would find if I became a doctor and chose instead to accept a call to ministry. After I preached my first sermon, the pastor quoted Matthew 13:44: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." He said, "Romal, your assignment is to find that field." I had no idea what he was talking about at the time, but about a year ago it hit me like a ton of bricks.
For years I spent my life searching for the treasure, using my gift and talents in the pursuit of success. But with every accomplishment and every goal achieved along the way, there was still a since of frustration and feeling unfulfilled. I never thought about finding the field; I was focused on the treasure. It was always there inside of me, waiting to be realized, but it was buried beneath selfish ambition and concern about public opinion.
All that changed in September 2010, when I attended the Fund for Theological Education Vocation Care Conference. The reflections, group discussions and questions raised, and spending time with people courageous enough to help each other pursue deeper meaning and purpose, changed my life. It gave me the courage to try. To look fear and doubt in the face and refuse to let it keep me from finding and cultivating the field that possessed my treasure.
When I left that conference, I had found my field and decided to start cultivating it until the treasure revealed itself. With the help of friends, I started writing the plan for a new organization that would seek to connect churches across the country to implement strategies that will improve the academic performance of under-performing students living in poverty and attending high needs schools. With the help of friends courageous enough to try something new, we created Faith for Change. Faith for Change launched seven months ago and already we are working with churches, children and schools in eight cities.
The Fund for Theological Education is preparing for the Calling Congregations Conference under the theme of Awakening the Courage to C.A.R.E. I'm deeply indebted to FTE for what the VocationCARE conference inspired in me. ]]>What Does Hip-Hop Tell Us About Faith And Society?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.9420382011-09-02T08:11:20-04:002011-11-02T05:12:01-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/An Odd Future for Faith In Hip-Hip." In the piece Rev. Waters asserts that "I am increasingly troubled by certain contemporary moves in hip-hop culture that embrace the occult and make a mockery of faith." I would agree with Rev. Waters that the lyrics in some hip-hop songs are vulgar, misogynistic and violent. But like Michael, I love hip-hop. Particularly, I love gangster rap. Not because I believe in the message of violence, but because as someone who grew up on the streets I can relate to the pain, anger, frustration and disappointment expressed in the lyrics.
Just like Rev. Waters, I am concerned about the approach some rappers take toward God and faith. But I'm also concerned that too often in the faith community we hold only the rapper accountable for the lyrics and not ourselves for the things we do to make the larger community feel like God or the church does not care. Like most people, rappers wrestle with understanding God, Christianity and their own personal faith.
Rap music, and even gangster rap, can tell us something about how rappers view the church, the power of faith in daily life and how the artist wrestles with the hope that God will step in and help them overcome challenges versus the desire to take life in their own hands due to the uncertainty of God showing up. It can also give us a window into how people who live in forgotten, crime-ridden neighborhoods and face numerous challenges in life relate to God and the church. Lyrics tell us something about how rappers, and the viewpoint they represent, view the church, Christians, God and society. But they also should cause us to look at ourselves and ask if there is something more we can do to reach out to the hopeless and frustrated.
In Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" he says, "Jesus can't save you life starts when the church ends."
This line suggests that what happens in church is either not real life or is disconnected from life in the broader society. This is not only raised by artists like Jay-Z but by others outside the rap community, who question the church's relevance when it comes to dealing with "real life" or day-to-day struggles facing those in poverty.
The other underlying message here is that a person of faith may be rendered powerless against societal pressures and norms once they leave the confines of the church. The question for the church to ponder is, "How does it make spirituality relevant in a way that connects and provides answers to practical life experiences?"
In his song "Pray to the Lord," Lil Wayne says,
Yeah and every time I see the sunshine
I drop down and give thanks at least one time
Feel like I'm living on the front line
I'm feeling like every second is crunch time
I've had breakfast, will I make it to lunchtime?
And I ain't joking, so don't be looking for punch lines
Will I be the next victim of a gun crime?
I don't know the answer, that's why I brung mine.
Lil Wayne asserts a belief in God indicated by his desire to pray. His prayer is then followed by the tension of believing and waiting for God to answer his prayer while he prepares to go out into the world where he will have to find a way to overcome the dangers on the streets. This is no contradiction but a concern as to whether God will protect him or will he have to protect himself.
It's a question of what do we do while we are waiting for God to show up. For the church, rather than shun young people like Lil Wayne for their actions, we must ask ourselves what will we do to offer a counter reality to violence as an alternative, practical solutions to conflict and relevant life alternatives for young people, be they members of our churches or not.
In his song "Jesus Walks," Kanye West says,
They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus
That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes
But if I talk about God my record won't get played Huh?
Well let this take away from my spins
Which will probably take away from my ends
Then I hope this take away from my sins
And bring the day that I'm dreaming about
Next time I'm in the club everybody screaming out.
Kanye West tells another side of the story, one where he sees himself as a rapper trying to make a living working for the corporate money driven record industry forced to choose between what will sell and what he would like to create as an artist. Not unlike the choice made my many of us in our work lives choosing to make a living rather than the risk of embracing our passion and what we really want to do.
He expresses the hope that writing a song that mentions Jesus may not be commercially popular and might not get played on the radio but will somehow alleviate the burden of the wrong that he does: "Well let this take away from my spins/Which will probably take away from my ends/Then I hope this take away from my sins."
Rap music and rappers are responsible for the language they use and the actions they provoke other young people to take because of them. But the same can be said for the depictions of violence, greed and misogyny depicted on television and in general how we treat one another every day.
If the church chooses to hold rappers accountable for their words and actions, then the church must also listen to the stories conveyed by rap artists and understand there is a need for them to play a constructive role in the lives of people who live in poverty and in strife. A better approach to addressing the issues we are concerned about in rap lyrics is listening to what they are trying to tell us about life, learning about what young people are dealing with and then creating positive, practical alternative life choices for them without being judgmental, thus enabling these young men and women to live up to their true potential. ]]>Hedge Funds and School Reform: A Bad Mixtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8868282011-06-29T14:03:32-04:002011-08-29T05:12:01-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
When we hear business leaders who made their profits from hedge funds and companies that have laid off workers due to the recession now saying they are starting non-profit organizations to help under-performing students and schools, it should be a cause for concern, sirens should be going off to alert teachers, parents and communities that big business is now coming for your children and community.
New organizations focused on school reform are being started by CEOs of hedge funds. Not parents, teachers, community leaders, or others on the local level concerned about the needs of their children and the neighborhoods in which they live, but CEOs.
These are the same CEOs who weathered the recession by laying off hard-working men and women (parents) in order to keep their businesses afloat. And while profits are back up instead of hiring and creating more jobs these same CEOs adamantly oppose raising taxes for the wealthy while working families fight to make ends meet.
In the midst of the worst recession in our lifetime, when unemployment hovers around nine percent, some CEOs from hedge funds now want a shot at doing for schools what they did for the economy and jobs. It's as if they are saying "I don't know anything about education but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night."
Under-performing schools may be bad for our children and communities but they could be good for business. In fact some of these new organizations, like those started in New Jersey, say they want more charter schools (even though they are not out-performing public schools) and legislation that would allow private companies to take over public schools. Schools are big business. Contracts for school lunches, contracts for building maintenance, contracts for construction, contracts for technology, phone service providers, window installation contracts, heating and air conditioning installation and maintenance -- the list goes on. Millions of dollars could go to these private companies and their friends.
These new organizations started by corporate giants and founders of hedge funds vow to spend millions on advertising their efforts. They will raise large sums of money without having to disclose who their donors are (red flag.) They plan to hire lobbyists to make their case before federal and local governments. They want testing to be the primary indicator of success for students and teachers despite the research and evidence that disproves this approach and they also contend that teachers make too much money (yet they are millionaires) and want get rid of collective bargaining so there is no voice for those working in the classroom. Not only is this the goal for New Jersey but they are pushing these policies nationwide.
If corporate CEOs want to spend money to help children succeed give the money to the schools that need it rather than trying to close them and build new ones. Help schools and school districts that are facing budget cuts and being asked to do more with less. Take that money and give parents their jobs back so that they can provide for their children. Identify schools in need of better technology and fund innovation so they can compete with the school that your kids attend, especially since you want them to meet the same testing standards. Or perhaps pay capital gains taxes and let that money go to support school districts in need of adequate resources.
There is a place for businesses leaders in helping our children, schools and communities succeed but it's not as the arrogant corporate millionaire who thinks he or she knows more than everyone else. It's as an equal partner, with an equal voice, willing to share ideas and collaborate with others who have a vested interested in the success of children in their neighborhood.
The place for corporate partners should be one that values and respects what others bring to the table, especially those working within challenging educational environments. Treat the parents, teachers, children and community leaders with the respect they deserve and be humble enough to sit at the table as an equal, rather than someone who likes to point out that they bought the table and boast about how much it cost.]]>Teaching to the Test and Calling It Success Is Like Landscaping Ghettos and Calling Them Condostag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8814272011-06-22T14:12:20-04:002011-08-22T05:12:02-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
Just because a child passes a test doesn't mean he or she has become a critical thinker, understands how processes work, is creative or able to conceptualize ideas. It simply means they passed a test. It assumes that if it looks good then it must be good. In the end, we may very well be doing nothing more than using the proverbial esthetically appealing garment of good test scores to cover up the unsightly fact that our children are not excelling inside or outside the class.
If we're not careful, the only problem teaching to the test will have solved is the desire to look as if we're attacking the problem when we are instead ignoring the root causes. It's like someone who exhibits symptoms of being sick, never goes to see a doctor because they are afraid of what they might hear, the symptoms dissipate and the person assumes they must be okay.
Suggesting that improved test scores mean children are learning and significant progress is being made to change the academic trajectory of children and schools is no different from dressing up buildings in poor communities to be more appealing to the eye then labeling them condos.
Most of the schools targeted as failing or under-performing are in the inner city. This approach of finding a quick fix or a way to cover up the problem rather than address the root of it is happening in these communities.
Neighborhoods deemed poor or ghettos are viewed as unsightly because the buildings are dilapidated, there's litter on the streets, and the communities look unkempt. The quick fix is to paint the buildings, pick up the trash and add nice landscaping to the grounds and change the name so that it's no longer associated with negative stereotypes.
These things are nice and helpful on a very surface level but they do nothing to solve the problem of poverty. We only end up with landscaped, esthetically appealing projects or ghetto. The same violence, substance abuse and crime still take place and poverty still exists. The only difference is that on the surface the community doesn't look like it.
The same holds true for this over-emphasis on test scores as the primary indicator of a student's ability to learn and a teacher's ability to teach. Scores may very well go up but in the end, test performance is not at the core of addressing a child's ability to learn, conceptualize problems, think critically, and imagine greater possibilities for his or her future.
If not incorporated into a more holistic strategy that includes other tools students and teachers need to excel, good test scores will be nothing more than nice landscaping that does nothing to keep kids out of poverty and compete in a global economy. Poor kids dressed in their nice school uniforms will continue to walk back home to their now-esthetically appealing ghettos but society will no longer have to look at this unsightly problem now covered up by better test scores.
Those who champion testing as the solution will feel good about themselves, thinking they have achieved their goal, when in the end the symptoms lay dormant but the cancer of our children not being prepared to compete in a competitive global job market will still exist.
Just as it is unrealistic to alter the veneer of a poor community then suggest that it is as safe a place to live as one that has never faces the same problems, it's unrealistic to make test-driven accountability the standard for teachers and students while ignoring issues of equitable funding for schools, cutbacks in aid and class size.
We can't expect schools that do not possess equal resources to produce equal results. Learning is multifaceted, complex and some of the issues impacting a child's ability to succeed academically are beyond the teacher's control and in some ways, beyond the child's control, because they are rooted in broken families, poverty and unsafe communities.
Test scores should be a part of a larger solution that includes wraparound services, community involvement and sound policy that has the best interest of children in mind. To get an accurate diagnoses of what ails our schools and the performance of teachers and students, we must consult with a variety of experts in their fields including teachers, parents, political leaders, scholars, students and other service providers. Together we can come up with a treatment that addresses every aspect of the problem and enables children to thrive in a healthy environments inside and outside the classroom.]]>Our Children's Education: Who Will Stand in the Gap when Politicians Act Like Absentee Dads?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8775692011-06-15T13:52:10-04:002011-08-15T05:12:01-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/Huffington Post piece by Elise Buik, President and CEO, of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. I could not agree more with her statement:
"Education is a basic right for every child, regardless of race, religion, the street on which they live, or family dynamic. Not only is education a basic right, but it is a key pathway out of poverty, crucial to helping prepare children for further education and the workforce."
As someone who grew up in poverty, there were three essential factors that changed my life: education, community, and exposure to life outside of my neighborhood. The support of community is the key to changing the circumstances of children who live in poverty, providing them with the relationships and resources that we know are important to improving their opportunities for academic success. Yes, we need engage politicians as part of the community dedicated to doing what's right for children but this process takes time; it takes months and oftentimes years. As a resident of Washington, D.C., I am surrounded by people who think that policy is the solution to eliminating poverty and economic disparities. Policy is a significant factor but policy alone will not eliminate poverty nor will policy alone help kids succeed in academic setting. It can, however, help to even the playing field by giving schools and children the resources that they need so that they are not at a disadvantage. Policy can legislate what training is required for teachers to be excellently prepared to provide each child who enters their classrooms with the best possible education. Policy can help to shift our national debate on education.
In his book Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?, Michael J. Sandel said, "To ask whether a society is just is to ask how it distributes the things we prize -- income and wealth, duties and rights, powers and opportunities, offices and honors. A just society distributes these goods in the right way; iot gives each person his or her due." Our political leaders should do what is right for children simply because it is right, just and what they need and deserve in order to be good future citizens. What is best for children is also what's good for our country and communities; the welfare of children is certainly a better use of political resources than checking poll numbers or the opinion of a deep-pocketed lobbyist who most likely knows nothing about growing up in poverty or attending an underfunded school. Sadly, the needs and concerns of children and schools are less subject to justice than to political election cycles. As a result, education bills often have content that does not meet the best needs of students -- Texas' removal of Thomas Jefferson from their history texts is one such example on the state level.
In Congress, bills tend to be debated for months that can turn into years, All the while, the youngest poor students, energized with the excitement of youth have no idea that they are not learning in a way that will adequately prepare them to meet the needs of modern society. By the time they reach 4th grade, failure may have set in. A 2004 article in the Washington Post reported that "correctional facilities a higher spending priority than public and secondary education, according to the Justice Policy Institute. In California, correctional officials reportedly look to the percentage of children who never make it past the fourth-grade reading level to help them gauge the number of future prison beds to fund. Like the children who endure the discouragement of absentee or abusive fathers, political leaders who believe like the California legislators are also abusive. Politicians whose talking points include any statement about making America strong again must step up and play a an active role in crafting an exceptional and equitable education system that meets the needs of all students.
We must address the harsh reality that while some politicians are content to play political games with the futures of real people - children and their futures are on the line. They don't have the luxury of debate; they are in need now, they question if a better life is possible now, they are on the verge of giving up now. They need change now.
If we are truly going to do something to help children and families rise above the circumstance of poverty, it is critical that we help kids succeed in the classroom. It is also critical that we work to equip parents with the skills necessary to help their children succeed. We cannot assume that parents should "know better." People only know what they are taught. This is where community comes in.
As a person of faith, community is at the core of everything I do and believe. God is about community. In every religious tradition you will find God working to bring people together in ways that allow them to work together for the good of everyone in the community. Elise, makes a key point in this regard, though I don't think her point was to talk about the role of religion. Her point is was that, "education is a basic right for every child regardless of religion or religious affiliation."
Over the past year I have been working with a group of religious leaders and people of faith from across the country to create an organization, Faithforchange.org, that will organize communities of faith to engage more intentionally with communities and schools to implement practical, proven strategies to help children succeed inside and outside the classroom. Why are we doing this? Because like Elise, we believe that improving our schools is a moral imperative. We are not about moving a religious agenda, but as people of faith we believe that God cares about all children whether they are inside or outside the church. Our faith in a compassionate and loving God compels us to stand up and do something rather than to sit on the sidelines and complain about what others are not doing. Faithforchange.org is not about prayer in schools. We respect schools as non-religious institutions and believe in the separation of church and state. We believe that if you pray and ask God to do something then you better get ready for God to give you something to do.
Just as policy alone will not eliminate poverty, by itself prayer will not eliminate poverty. If we going to help children succeed we have to work together - communities of faith, educators, political leaders, business owners - all of us. We have to show up in schools and show up in communities, providing the services and resources that our children need. What Elise said about Los Angeles holds true for cities across the country, it is up to adults and I would add people of faith, who are willing to do the right thing working together on providing the highest quality education for all of our students, making way for fulfilling careers, stable lives, and a strong overall workforce.
]]>Can the Faith Community Impact the Academic Success of Children?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8759622011-06-15T11:42:49-04:002011-08-15T05:12:01-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
While sitting at my desk at the pharmaceutical company one day I came to an important realization; I was good at my job but what I really loved was helping people in need.
What I really wanted to do was work on improving the plight of the oppressed. Months later I quit my job, accepted a call to ministry and went off to divinity school.
That was the beginning and I thought I had found my passion. For the past twelve years I have worked with organizations that create empowering opportunities for our society's most vulnerable children and communities.
Just over one year ago I attended a retreat sponsored by the Fund for Theological Education. During the retreat we were encouraged to look at our lives and to find a personal story that captured the essence of what led us to our particular ministries. That exercise led me to reflect on my childhood, growing up in poverty, attending a different school every year, walking to school with cardboard in the bottom my shoes because the soles were worn out, wondering how I was going to eat, lacking school supplies at times, and as a child dealing with the stress a single mother who was a substance abuser.
Because of things I endured and had to overcome as a child, that exercise helped me tap into my real passion. I wanted to find ways to help children growing up in similar circumstances. I wanted to inspire them to believe in themselves and know that they can make it.
As someone who was not raised in the church and became a Christian in my mid-twenties, the church became my source of inspiration, taught me to dream big and to believe that God had gifted me to do great things. My gifts, I knew, were not for use in a selfish way to gratify myself; instead, they were to be used for exactly the reason I had quit my pharmaceutical job - to help others.
As a minister, I wanted to inspire others in the same way that many clergy and lay people had inspired me. Experience has taught me that inspiration is motivation perceived by others; faith, on the other hand, requires that we each allow God to use our voices to encourage others.
At-risk youth and under performing students need to be inspired but equally as important is their need for adults who are willing to do the work of helping them succeed academically. Education continues to be our most reliable tool for creating upward life trajectories and optimal opportunities. Houses of worship are more than places where people come in search of a deeper relationship with God; they are also places where people go to find deeper connections with their communities and the possibility of using their gifts and talents to help those in need.
All these forces together are what compelled me to act on an idea I had over a year ago; to call on friends from across the country to create Faith Leaders for Community Change.
Faith Leaders for Community Change is an organization that aims to build a national network of churches and people of faith committed to doing the work of implementing proven educational strategies for improving children's lives.
In cities where people of faith are currently supporting public or charter schools, they are respecting the separation of church and state and do not seek to impose their belief systems on students, teachers or other education professionals. The end goal is to not to convert but to encourage an ethic of academic excellence in our children, families and communities through the provision of appropriate support, enthusiastic mentorship and resources.
Faith for Change will connect communities of faith with the Coalition for Community Schools implementing the Community Schools Strategy. This approach allows communities of faith to work in collaboration with non- religious organizations invested in the academic success of children in order to strengthen their efforts towards this common goal and quantifying successful outcomes.
Similar work is already taking place in communities of faith across the country. In New York City, Abyssinian Baptist Church has the Abyssinian Development Corporation; in Chicago, Lily Dale Baptist Church is supporting a high school just across the street from the church. In Cleveland, Ohio, a group of pastors led by Rev. Timothy Eppinger recently came together to work with teachers on improving graduation rates at a local high school; in Decatur, Georgia, Dr. Cynthia Hale, Pastor of Ray of Hope, is providing support for BaSix Knowledge Academy, a school for 6th through 12th grade students.
Communities of faith are either running or providing support to successful schools and helping children inside and outside of the classroom. This model isn't new. As we know many of our higher ed institutions like Moorehouse and Spelman colleges were started by religious denominations.
Faith for Change started as a question as to whether people of faith would answer the call to serve their communities. And the answer we found was that they already had. We hope to be a partner in this work that elevates these efforts and creates national and global models of success. I invite all of you along on this journey. Because the work is too important to do it alone.
There are children in communities across the country waiting for someone to believe in them, support them, provide them with resources and champion their causes. And we will not be guilty of abandoning our children when they need us the most.
To find out more about Faith for Change and how you can be involved visit www.Faithforchange.org
]]>Is the Military a Good Alternative for At-Risk Youth Looking to Get an Educationtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8687012011-05-30T08:55:21-04:002011-07-30T05:12:01-04:00Rev. Romal J. Tunehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-romal-j-tune/
I would find myself conflicted about their recruitment efforts. After all, I was one of those kids at the age of eighteen who saw the military as perhaps my only way out of poverty, selling drugs, homelessness, or gangs. I didn't do well in high school, just enough to get by since I was a half way decent athlete. But when the time came to graduate and most of my friends were talking about college I had no idea what was next for me. I had not taken the SAT (actually fell asleep on the PSAT), my grades were poor and therefore my options were limited.
After my father informed me that after graduation I had to leave his home, which was understandable given my behavior and attitude. My options were either go back to California or live in Jersey City with friends. Both options would have definitely led to a life of crime. I decided to join the Army.
In hindsight it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I remember getting my ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) scores back and wanting to take any job that would allow me to leave as soon as possible, because I was living on the streets hanging with a group of people involved in crime. But the recruiter wouldn't allow me to take just any job because she said my scores were too high. I remember her saying, "trust me, you'll thank me later."
Scores too high? I found that odd given that I was never considered smart, often told I was stupid and wouldn't amount to anything. I never tested well and now here was someone telling me my scores were too high to take just any job. I listened to her, held off for a few months and later went through Basic Training at Ft. Bliss, Texas then off to training in Ft. Sam, Houston preparing to join a medical unite. Basic training was the place where I heard those unfamiliar words again; I graduated as Solider of the Cycle and had to give a speech, a Drill Sargent walked up to me and said, Tune, you're smart as hell..."
All of that was the easy part. A word of advice to any young person who sees the military as an escape from the challenges and difficulties of life, it ain't that simple. If you think that enlisting in the military is how you want to pursue getting a college degree, you better read the small print.
When you join the military, basic training is preparing you to become a soldier. MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) training is preparing you to do a job, a job that helps you to serve your country. You do not enlist in the military to get an education, you enlist to become a soldier. The pursuit of higher education is in your hands. The opportunities are available on just about any military base in the world. But here's the thing, do not expect someone to guide you to those opportunities or for someone to come and tell you when and where to sign up for college courses. That's your responsibility. Simply put, it's just like being a civilian. You must be focused and discipline yourself to get everything out of it that they make available. Military bases are a microcosm of broader society. There are people who pursue education and those who don't. There are those who get paid, party and spend their money frivolously and those who don't. As a young person, the military doesn't change you but it will give you the tools to change. You can choose to use them or not.
I was two years into my enlistment before I took advantage of the educational opportunity afforded me at practically little or no cost. While in the military, I enrolled in classes and went to school at night and on weekends. After Desert Storm, I made up my mind that I wanted to get out of the Army and attend Howard University.
I worked hard to get a 3.8 GPA, found out from a military lawyer that if you get accepted to a college, served three years of a four year commitment, then the Army will let you leave for school. I got accepted to Howard with only 10 months left on my enlistment so they let me out five months early to start school that summer. Four years later I graduated with honors and received numerous awards.
By all definitions I was an at-risk teen when I went in the military and in fact during the first two years I was still acting like an at-risk teen, only in a uniform. The military taught me to believe in myself, people told me I was smart, encouraged me to succeed. But it was my choice to become a disciplined young person willing to get what I wanted or I could have chosen to remain angry and blame everyone else.
I believe joining the military is all about what you make of it. You can go in thinking you want to get an education but never take the initiative to pursue it. The encouragement, positive reinforcement and support I received came from more seasoned soldiers.
I don't believe at-risk kids should have to join the military to get an education or gain access to opportunities. But for kids like me it can be the only path out of a bad neighborhood and into a better life. As we celebrate Memorial Day -- we can honor the sacrifice of those who fought for their country, while also realizing that the military shouldn't be the only path of opportunity for those with few choices.
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