I went to this extra credit lecture last night for my education class. It was the 20th anniversary of this lecture series, started by Benjamin E. Mays in 1988. The guest speaker was Mrs. Marian Wright Edelman, an amazing woman who founded and is president of the Children's Defense Fund. She was the first black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar and worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Poor People's Campaign. Mrs. Edelman gave a very moving and intriguing lecture which I thoroughly enjoyed. She was so inspiring that I have decided that I want to start a Freedom School in Atlanta. Freedom schools started in the 1960s as "temporary, alternative free schools for African Americans mostly in the South. They were originally part of a nationwide effort during the Civil Rights Movement to organize African Americans to achieve social, political and economic equality in the United States." Today, CDF Freedom Schools are summer programs for about 50 students led by around 6 college student interns and 2-3 adult supervisors. Its a school program where underprivileged kids of all races come Monday through Friday, 8am-3pm to learn. They read higher level books, have a more interactive classroom, sing and dance every morning and have teachers who are so passionate about what they are doing and helping these children to become the best they can be.
After finding out that we don't have a Freedom School in Atlanta, Ga..really..ATL?! I decided that I want to try and get one started here. However, it takes about $58, 000 to start and run one of these schools for 5-6 weeks. I have to find a sponsor, or co-sponsors. Eva had the brilliant idea of asking Coca-Cola to sponsor it, since they obviously have a ton of money, have a commitment to education and children, and have their headquarters in Atl. However, if you know of anyone who might be interested in sponsoring please let me know. And if YOU'RE interested in helping me, let me know. I'd love to have to you!
Obviously I am aware of the fact that this will take a ton of work and is probably very far-fetched. Who knows how far I'll get with this...but I really want to try. Our country's youth are so important, we have to do everything we can to give them a step up in the world. For starters, we need elected officials who are in office based on morality and not only because of fear tactics and connections. We need people who will vote for children and their best interests. Heres a little fact: Obama voted for children about 87% last year, Biden: 86%, McCain: less than 28%
This election is so important for children if nothing else.
Anyways, getting off my little soapbox... if you want to find out more about CDF and Freedom Schools, I've posted the link below.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageNavigator/Freedom_Schools
