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Being Ruthless for Children
December 31, 2008
The imagination is the secret and marrow of civilization.
-Henry Ward Beecher
-Henry Ward Beecher
James Squires, PhD., past President of the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education, offers these words of inspiration...
Ruthless
For those amongst us who sincerely care about children, the time has come to be ruthless.
We must be ruthless against the poverty that causes children to go to bed hungry and awaken to barren cupboards.
We must be ruthless against bureaucracies that cause children to be denied basic medical and dental care.
We must be ruthless against politics that promote unconscionable inequities in educational opportunities for children.
We must be ruthless against the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children.
We must be ruthless against businesses and consumers who benefit unfairly from the labors of children.
We must be ruthless against media that glorify violence, hatred, and intolerance for children to model.
We must be ruthless against industries which profit from weapons that blindly injure, maim, and kill innocent children.
We must be ruthless against governments and groups that turn their children into warriors.
We must be ruthless against forces that pressure children beyond the breaking point, robbing them of their childhood and extinguishing all hopes and dreams.
We must be ruthless against our own ignorance, arrogance, and indifference.
For if we are not ruthless, we have truly lost our compassion.
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Comments (8)
Displaying All 8 CommentsCAP
United States
I don't disagree with any of the statements in this piece; however, it's just such an overwhelming task, where do we begin?
United States
Jim, I appreciate your passion and clarity! It feels like after all those years of holding your tongue and being soooooo diplomatic, you can now say what you really think to a wide audience. Congratulations for sharing this with us at long last,
from a friend in VT
OMEP-USNC
Washington, DC, United States
Carol Murray makes a point: To be ruthless is to be 'devoid of pity or compassion'. Perhaps the words we seek instead are verbs that speak of strength and commitment, and founded on fundamental human values: All of Dr. Squires's words of inspiration are embedded in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), enacted by the UN in 1989 (20 November is Universal Children's Day), and ratified to date by 193 nations. The United States is one of two nations yet to ratify the CRC. The other nation? Somalia, the nation of 21st century pirates and no central government.
United States
Jim's passion for our work continues to inspire - Having seen the movie "Doubt" last night, ruthlessness on behalf of children is an incredible act of bravery in a dangerous time. thanks, Jim!
Astha Children care Home
Kathmandu, Nepal
This articles is too fantastics and realistic. I am too much inspired and too much attracted because this article includes all the actions that we should have to take against the exploitation of children. I will put this article in my organisation so that all children can know about different child evils. Thanx James
United States
This is one of the most thought provoking statements I have read! All I can say is "Amen!". I'm going to post this article in my center.
DCC
Poughkeepsie, NY, United States
I get the point, but the word "ruthless" bothers me in this context. I am proud to work on the behalf of children in every way I can. I want to be a positive and productive force and I want to stand for what I believe in - rather than fight against the things that I don't believe in.
Hildebrandt Learning Centers
Dallas, PA, United States
If we are not ruthless, who will be? Why is it that issues dealing with young children demand a behavior that the word "ruthless" brings to mind?
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