Today was a day of action, a call to service.
I was honored to work alongside some amazing men, women and pretty cool kids as we donned our work gloves and masks and cleared out the old Risely School.
I am new to the area and admit, I don’t know any of the history of the old Risley School. What I DO know is that this old school lies a few streets and a world away from where I live.
Where I live is filled with cool coffee shops and bars with live music.
Where I live you can grab a scone or a quiche and eat outside while lazily reading the Sunday paper and doing the crossword puzzle in ink at your leisure.
A few streets over (past the So-Glow line) is a different world. In this world, the porches are not so grand, not so genteel.
In this world, the porches and people sag under the weight of generations of oppression and marginalization.
In this world, which to some might appear blighted, there is a fierce pride. There is a belief that the best is still yet to come.
In this world, lies the Risley School.
The school, at this moment, needs a bit of help. Help to get it from abandoned and forlorn to the thriving vision those in charge see for it. There is talk of a learning center for children, a culinary school, an organic garden, an art center. There is talk of a bright future, a lifting up of the people who have made this area and are now, somehow, being left behind.
Today I saw city leaders and everyday folks, people who a few days ago were crushed by disappointment when our town did not make “the cut” to be on the TV show, roll up their sleeves and get back to doing the work necessary to revitalize this town.
Let’s face it. Being picked for a “makeover” on a TV show is great. But….it is only great in that moment and only great for a select few.
REAL change is not manufactured for 15 minutes of fame, with commercial breaks to plug sponsors.
REAL change is organic. REAL change, change that is sustainable and long lasting, has to come from within.
Within the hearts of the people and from within the community.
Real change is what I saw today.
Real change means we are all one community.
Real change means we are in this together.
Real change means we leave no one behind.
Real change means together we rise.
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A few streets over, the porches sag
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Sweet Tea The Narwhal And Me 