Just watch any news program and you’ll see endless stories about the high crime rates, a lot involving minors. We do live in a culture overall that has a lot of “free time” on our hands, especially in the US.
The overscheduled kids in the suburbs is a whole different conversation. I’ll save that one for later.
Today, I’m reading up on “Train of Thought” chess program creator/CEO, Damen Fletcher from Compton, California area. His story is one about his finding the game of chess and falling in love with it, as a young inner city teen.
Chess for Schools | Train of Thought (chesstrain.org)
He thanks the game for teaching him valuable, irreplaceable life lessons as a youth. After going to college, he returned to Compton and started teaching the kids in his old neighborhood about the game. As reported in multiple interviews, he’s truly changing the lives of these young “kings” and “queens.”
California man uses chess to teach students how to make the right moves in life – CBS News
Our children aren’t facing imminent dangers from centuries old wars, involving daily bombs or the real chance of absolutely no opportunity. I’m not saying we don’t have these problems at all, but rather that it’s not a common challenge for kids in America.
What is a huge problem is the lack of equitable level of education, between the wealthier suburbs and the low income country and inner city populations.
It’s changing my own perspective, for the better, when I purposely go looking for the “helpers” out there. The people who are actively trying to influence and teach positive, life sustaining skills to our kids.
Live, Laugh, Love with everything you’ve got while you still can! 💜✨ Thank you so much for stopping by. I truly appreciate and value you all.
