Not to say that everything has been all red carpet-gala status over in my school’s neighborhood, or anything.
But this week has been another hustle-and-bustle-busier-than-you-can-believe type of week. Giant grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and the Mayor (second time in a week to be w/in 20 feet? not to say I’m a fan, but whatever… dude’s important)… new rooms, new purchases for new rooms…
But then little things remind me of how broken our world is.
After treating myself to sleeping in and getting breakfast in Crenshaw, I picked up a few things and took the street route down South to Watts. I passed by Darby Park on the way. Part of me wanted to go in, park, walk around, see what’s come of the place. But I shuddered as chills ran down my spine and I ran away, driving as fast as I could from a square of green in Inglewood.
And then, when I sat down at my desk, I checked my email, only to find heartbreaking news. One of our students, shot and killed over the Summer. It’s not that I knew the student, because let’s face it… I did not. It’s not that I didn’t expect it to happen, because let’s face it… I did. But those factors do not matter one bit. I did not prepare myself to have to let this settle in so soon. I shouldn’t have to. This morning, amidst the stress and fanciness of this week, amidst finding myself falling in love all over again with my school and the staff and the handful of students and parents I’ve met… I mourned the wretchedness and evil that surround us.
