By Patricia Morris
Transparency is a word being heard more and more in the political arena. People across this country are bored and tired of the politics as usual, and more and more younger people across this country are becoming registered voters - something that is necessary if positive change is to be evoked.
We can no longer afford to see the politics of old stay in place, because doing so would mean keeping in place what has not worked in this school system for years, and continue to cause our students to remain in a school system destined for failure. The students deserve so much more. As we traverse across this parish, remnants of the past is beginning to surface in how the politics is played in this parish. Things range from, do not let the NAACP speak at your functions, to conversations of how "Pat Morris" has ruined the school board. It is so much easier to admit you have failed, and need to evoke positive change, than it is to continue to make unsuccessful attempts to destroy the messenger's credibility.
What is in place is not working, and will not work as long as the games of old continue to be played. The ones who will hurt the most is the children.
Very pleasant visits are now being made with people who now see the facts for what they are, and who is being truthful, and who is not. While elated to see this happen, it is yet realized there is yet a long way to go with the current administration. Positive change MUST happen in the Fall, for the sake of the children. It has never mattered if a child is black, white, yellow, brown or red, they all deserve the best education that can be given to them. Is it safe to say that black children have been the underprivileged and underfunded in this school system - yes it is, but we place responsibliity where it should be placed, and that is starting from the home, the church and into the school system and community. We are all to blame in one way or another. Is it safe to say there are parents, pastors, church members, teachers and some administrators who genuinely care for the well-being of a child - yes there is, however, their abilities to help many children may be limited because of the constraints placed on these individuals. What will cause this to change for the better - a changing of the guards in the leadership.
On a closing note, when this case was returned to court, a lot of turmoil and energy was utilized to destroy the messenger, but God and perserverance emerged victoriously. We can pay now, or we can pay later. It is up to us to decide in October which one will be done, and for how long.