Remarks from Steve Joel

East Campus pillars at enterance

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast

January 13, 2017

On behalf of Lincoln Public Schools and the Lincoln Board of Education, I would like to thank you all for coming this morning. I thank all our partners in this venture: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the city of Lincoln, and Southeast Community College. We are grateful to Hank Bounds for such a meaningful message for us today. I add my congratulations to recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarships for well-deserved honors. 

I believe this breakfast serves as a moment of reflection and unity in recognition of the amazing life and legacy of Dr. King. But I believe it also serves as a catalyst to reflect upon our own community - an annual gathering that brings us together, grounds us, and reminds us what it really means to be citizens of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dr. King noted: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” 

And I am continually amazed at how our own Lincoln children understand this so well. Each year I have the opportunity to read all kinds of letters from the young people of Lincoln and this time of year they often write about the impact that Dr. King had on their lives. This week I was particularly impressed by a letter from a Schoo Middle School eighth grader .... a young man wise beyond his years ... writing with advice on the cusp of 2017. 

He starts by sharing his pride in his community, says he plans to graduate from high school in 2021 and hopes to move on to college. But he cautions us with these words: “You need to know we have an educational and opportunity achievement gap in our state: 97,000 plus children do not know where their next meal may come from, some of our peers are bullied, and although people are employed, many are under-employed and struggling to make it.”

This young man offers us some sage advice...and I quote: “It is very important that you think about those who are counting on you, and to do what is best for all – not just one. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said: ‘People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”

This young man reminds us that his generation is counting on us to do what is best, as he says, not just for one – but for all:

  • For all 41,000 students at LPS.

  • For all 500 LPS students who are homeless.

  • For all 18,000 LPS students who live in poverty.

  • For all 6,800 students in our schools who receive special education services.

  • For all 3,200 immigrant and refugee children who attend our school district, children who have often fled war and violence to come to a safe place. 

This young man underlines the mission of public education: That not only do we as educators need to educate, we need to respect and care for every single student who comes through our doors. Each student. All students. And, may I respectfully remind you, all means all.

I believe Lincoln Public Schools has done great work in facing up to the educational and opportunity achievement gap. Over the past decade, we have seen steady increases in statewide assessment scores and graduation rates for all of our diverse groups of students. The 2016 graduation rate at LPS for sub groups has steadily increased and improved.

Yes, we have come far, but we have far to go.... We are not there yet.
As Dr. King observed: “I choose to give my life for those who have been left out ... This is the

way I’m going. If it means suffering a little bit, I’m going that way.”

I recently visited Lincoln North Star High School to talk with a group of refugee students, and I was particularly moved by one young woman whose parents had fled the Middle East. Her parents owned a business in their former country and could have survived, but their daughter would never have experienced something they saw as essential: An education.

This young woman had tears in her eyes, when she spoke of the sacrifice her mom and dad made. Today they get by on little money in Lincoln, they are working for minimum wage, but they know they are making a greater investment: their children are going to school.

I’ve seen fear and pain in the eyes of families before - people who are seeking a better life. They recognize education is the great equalizer, but they have made great sacrifices to make sure their children have a better future.

The history of Lincoln Public Schools is the history of schools that are welcoming and accepting – even as our population grows richer and more diverse.
I’m here to tell you:
That does not change today.

Undoubtedly we live in troubling times...uncertain times...this morning I want to underline a few things I believe are certain.

I am certain our Lincoln citizens roll up their sleeves to do whatever it takes to make this a better community. I am certain our Lincoln citizens, everyone in this room this morning, will pull together for people in need – for those who have been here for generations...and for those who are brand new.

I am certain this is what it means to be a Lincoln citizen. This is the Lincoln I know and love.

Dr. King told us: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Yes, we are all in the same community...some of the same struggles...the same boat.

The mission and essence of public education is about opening our doors to all children who come to our schools – making absolutely certain our classrooms are safe places to build better people. I assure you: Lincoln Public Schools will do everything we can to protect our children and their right to an education.

Each child. Every child. All children. And I promise you this: All means all. 

 

 

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