First Start with Self

I recently watched #SKIN the film. Based on a true story about a skinhead who changed his perspective & his life around. You may wonder why I chose to watch this, but I believe the other side must be dissected to find a remedy.  I wondered, "where does this hatred come from?" With regard to recent events it is imperative to dig at the root. The film told a story about his mother passing away - an alcoholic. His father - even worse. Child protective services removed him from the home where things got worse. He didn't finish school, he was homeless. His "saviors" were white supremacists. They gave him a home, a job, an identity, a "purpose" in his mind.  He was led to believe that they were his only hope and that he owed them his life. After being jailed for a hate crime, he began to feel his soul change. He realized that the family whom he believed was his family was nothing, but an entity recruiting him & others. They intentionally sought out the lost, poor runaways, neglected, abused children to miseducate and use as tools. A unified front. He witnessed others like him being recruited in the same fashion.  No matter what your circumstances are there is always choice. This is what the young man in the movie decided for himself, & he had help aligning with the African American in the community determined to get involved & change his mindset. I wonder about the bigger picture everyday in my role at work. When online booksellers process orders in bulk for the lowest price, Educators view our role as Vendors, as   order takers and they stop communicating. As an lover of books, a mother, a wife, an educator and an author I thoroughly understand community and village. Barnes & Noble's recent acquisition will bring more investment in the community.  We all have the opportunity & the responsibility to create a future of citizens who empathize & understand culture & differences.  I am empowered.  I want to do more.  I will not stop pushing diverse books in the classroom. I will continue to call on & encourage educators & administrators to be more open minded. I will encourage parents to partner with your schools, to be more active in the role of educating their children & helping them to retain information that is taught. I will continue to encourage Early childhood literacy & write books that entertain as well as educate so kids can enjoy reading. Administrators, when you ask questions and look for feedback in your research, it says you want a solution & want better for the students in the district. It says you are in that position for more than a check, & you want to make a difference.  Take advantage of your local book stores and connect on a human level.  I am a mother. I am a wife. I am a teacher. I am a business manager who loves books. We are book sellers and we are Barnes & Noble.  You will not find anything on the internet like us. If you want to help your students, visit your local Barnes & Noble location & include real book people in the conversation. Gandhi said, "in order to change the world, you must first start with yourself" - what will you pledge to do  today?