File puptcrit/puptcrit.0606, message 208


Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 20:56:23 -0400
From: Sandy Barton <sandbar-AT-wowway.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] EDUCATION


Alan Cook wrote:

>There are many problems in our lives which can ONLY be solved working together, whether in a puppet Guild, on a chatline for puppeteers, workiung in a town, a State or a Nation. If we turn a blind eye to the needs, we perpetuate the problems. I know what Jesus would do--he worried about feeding the hungry and housing the poor.
>  
>
Alan, 

First encouraging thing I've heard you say.  Acknowledging that the 
Constitution says nothing about education (and that the US Dept. of 
Education website actually says that education is the responsibility of 
those at the local level not the feds) does not mean that we should be 
turning a blind eye.  To the contrary, it means that we should all be 
using our skill and talents to help fix the problems around us.

I've done community theatre, served on boards, etc. all gratis.  I saw 
the opportunity to make a difference in the community and I 
volunteered.  I've done puppet shows and career days at inner-city 
schools and community centers and never expected payment from them.  
Other gigs carried me through.  Call it paying it back or paying 
forward, whichever, but I got some breaks when I was young and I'm 
trying to give some breaks as well.

I'm a firm believer in cultural literacy, so I tell the familiar 
stories.  That's why I'm a puppeteer.  Check out www.johnpatrick.ca/ for 
more on what cultural literacy can do for a community.  But telling 
stories, whether through theatre or puppetry is one way I try to affect 
the little corner of my world.  Homeschooling and homeschooling support 
are others.

I may not be able to reach the millions of hurting, but I can reach a 
handful.  And I can reach a new generation with my children and their 
friends so that they can reach even more.  I mentioned to Alan privately 
that my sons do outreach work:  one to the homeless and poor of New York 
City, the other to troubled teens at a residence camp in Arkansas.  What 
is it they say, "Each one, teach one?"  Well, I've got two sons planning 
and doing bigger things so much earlier in life than I ever dreamed of 
doing. 

So, while we're fussing and bickering over the possible demise of PBS 
(for which I, too, would mourn), I'd like to encourage that we each one 
teach one instead of expecting Uncle Sam to take care of the problems we 
see around us.

Sandy
SDG
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