Extreme Make-over: Systems addition

So, there are some things in this world that seriously need a systemic make-over!! To be completely rethought, and redone! Today i was pondering a few of these:

• Highschool and middle school education (especially urban): It is just a teeming whirlwind of DRAMA!!! I overheard a conversation coming home today ofhighschool students "she told my girl i was cheatin on her, or wait... maybe it was that i had gotten her pregnant."
• Foster care: so often families do it for the money from the state, but don't treat the kids any better - and often abuse and cause further damage. Lots of girls that get caught up in sex trafficking come from foster care. or are in someway "System involved"
• Homeless intervention programs: Especially the way all the "checks" (Social Security, Disability, Welfare..) come in on the 1st of the month, and everyone partiesit up- and the next day are broke for the rest of the month. Shelters and outreach program seem to be perpetuating this pattern. And, there is usually a threshold of money you can save before they cut off the checks, which is far lower than the amount you need to pay rent... so folks get caught in the loop of relying on the system, and not able to get out ontheir own. Also - when folks get housing, often they are isolated from their communities - so end up back on the street to be with "friends" or invite others to their place, against the rules, and get kicked out. There is a lot more to being homeless than not having a home.
• well, government. the way in which nations are led and governed: yeah.
• and there are so many other structures and systems that could use serious help...

But, the thing is, it is really easy to make lists of whats wrong in the

world, and to point out weaknesses and loopholes.

The challenge is to come up with solutions, and to actively engage in making positive change. This is a challenge we MUST rise up to - and let's start with loving our neighbors.

thoughts?

What do you do with her number?

walking home tonight i passed a group of guys standing by their motorcycles outside a club, and one asked one of the girls near by for her number. She laughed and said "yeah - you can have my number." i walked on and didn't hear anything else... but then this song formed in my head for the rest of the walk home down Shawmut Ave - and as often happens, it seemed great as I was signing it through, but then when i tried to start from the beginning again i could only remember pieces. So, here are some of the words- attempting to recreate.

What do you do with her number?

upon waking up in the morning?

A random collection of 6s and 2s, a 7 a 9 and a 1.

She was sexy with long hair and straightened

A skirt less than mini and heals.

Do you even remember which girl's is this number,

and which number belongs to which girl?

She's young and she's scared to be no one.

She longs to be known and adored

But she does not know where to find this

So she masquerades made up with make up

A smile smeared on her lips.

She laughs at your jokes with a toss of her hair

she drinks all the drinks that you buy her

but is she empty? she's lonely

you missed when she brushed back that tear

What did she wish on her birthday?

Back when she turned 3 years old?

What ever happened to that girl in the pink dress

and bows?

Now she is buried beneath not enough clothes

a mask of mascara and a stud in her nose.

Afraid of being no one

so hiding to make you see

her body as a thing you want to take.

What do you do with her number

when you wake up from your bed in the morning?

Do you remember where she went when you left her

stumbling down the street

her heals getting stuck in the bricks?

Do you even remember her name?

do you even remember her name?