I've been having soul-searching conversations with my five-year-old, Mikko, lately. He'll talk about anything (and, boy, does he love to talk), but he's become interested lately in even bigger issues than whether he can have chocolate milk or why stop signs are red.
He's been noticing people who need help, such as the people selling Real Change (the homeless newspaper) outside our grocery store. I always give him a dollar to buy it, and he loves the privilege of running up and making the exchange. Due to some recent budget constraints in our family, we've gotten to talk a bit more with him about privilege, and how we're still blessed to have a roof to live under and food to eat, even if it's not always the kind and amount we want. He's been learning — through hearing and not experiencing, thankfully — that not all children have parents, that some people are sick and everybody dies, that some relationships and marriages break up, that bad people can hurt others, that natural and human-made disasters can strike.
In short, he's become aware, at this young age, about suffering. And he wants to know what he can do about it.
As I said, I'm happy that his forays out of extreme innocence have been through story rather than through living it. And while I don't want to overdramatize any concerns these new pieces of information have brought him, I also don't want to discourage his childlike inclination to help.
I was so pleased to see the trailer for this new Fox Pictures movie, Won't Back Down. Coming just after I'd watched a documentary about the U.S. public school system and how the children in our poorest neighborhoods are being, quite literally, failed, I was primed to feel energized and fighting-ready at the thought of organizing to take action.
Here's the trailer so you can see for yourself:
Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal play two determined mothers who will stop at nothing to transform their children's failing inner city school. Despite opposition from an entrenched bureaucracy, they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children.
I'm passionate about my children's education, which is why we've chosen a homeschooling path. I'm also realistic that most people will not or cannot make that same choice, and I desperately want our public schools to be a safe, quality place for our nation's kids — no matter their income level — to get a solid education and be treated with respect.
I hope that Mikko continues to ask his questions — and to seek how he can engage in relieving some of the suffering he sees. I know he has a compassionate nature, and I'm sure we'll have many opportunities as he grows to stand beside him and help him fight for what he believes in.
This movie could be the catalyst for getting our family involved in helping our own local schools. I'd love to consider with my other local friends about where the needs are and how our whole families might pitch in.
SEE IT!
I'm really looking forward to seeing this film when it comes out Friday, September 28. The movie's cast is impressive. Davis and Gyllenhaal, along with costar Rosie Perez, are all Oscar Nominees, and costar Holly Hunter is an Oscar winner.Get a group together, and you can buy group tickets through the Facebook page! Take your PTA, church, or homeschooling group and go be inspired together.
Be sure to like the Facebook page for more updates on the film, and share the link with friends. Let's be the change we want to see in the world!
WIN IT!
For a chance to win one of two $40 Fandango gift cards to help fund your movie night, answer the prompt question in the comments.Answer one of these prompts for entry: How can you be an agent of change in your community? What gives you courage?
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47 comments:
I deeply identify with this movie. I know it will bring back many memories of the struggle to get my child the education she needed in a system where some students are not adequately served. I think what gave me courage to keep "fighting" was my sense of responsibility to get her to where she needed to be and to reach her enormous potential.
tweet
https://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/243419254102315009
if you see something you'd ilke changed, start with your county council
Its things like this that have me looking at all the options for my daughter, and keep me worried about what will be.
You can be an agent of change in your community by speaking your mind and sticking to your guns, by going to the people in charge and letting them know your want change and you want to help get it.
would love to see this! my husband and I both got into the education field for reasons like this. plus I love Viola Davis.
How can you be an agent of change in your community? What gives you courage?
I try to be an example for how I think people should live. I make ethical choices. I used to be able to teach others and get out in the community more but for now I can just take small steps and hope the amount to something in the long run. People fighting for quality education for children (both teachers and parents and other educators) give me courage. So do those who have overcome other obstacles.
Start with the appropriate elected official... and I find courage if I don't have to stand alone.
thanks
kmassman gmail
If something isn't being done right then speak up about it. Nothing will change if no one says anything.
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
TWEET-https://twitter.com/CrazyItalian0/status/245177417889619968
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
Volunteer, be informed, participate. Get to know my neighbors!
Find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer
Find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer
I gain courage by making sure my kids grow up in a crime free neighborhood by being a part of the neighborhood watch
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/247919260410736640
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
We need to be informed and participate! If we want something changed, we have to take it to the right person, and keep going up the ladder, until we get that change. I get courage from my family and friends.
Tweet- https://twitter.com/saltysailors1/status/248118777999392768
I can be kind to those around me, even when I'm not treated well
tweeted
https://twitter.com/MelindaJoy926/status/248130906630541312
i find courage in standing up for what's right
karinaroselee at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/karinaroselee/status/249262171366756352
karinaroselee at gmail dot com
Wanting to do what is right gives me courage.
rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/249427374968545280
rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
I can volunteer more and inspire others to do the same! That will promote good for the world. Seeing others take action and stand up for what is right gives me courage to do the same.
tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/249925640499904512
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
Change starts when one person realizes that one person can make a difference. It just takes getting involved and getting the word out any way you can.
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/lilydom76/status/250058831948812289
lilydom76 at msn dot com
What give me courage is blogging, and the whole blogging community. We feed each other. We change each other. We inspire each other.
chambanachik@gmail.com
My children are the ones who give me the courage to do what needs to be done.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com
Volunteer. You can give all the money in the world, but sharing a few minutes of your time with someone who really needs it is worth so much more.
Courage is only a word. Being the change you want to see doesn't take any.
kytah00@yahoo.com
2nd entry tweet https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/250872502723686401
I can help the community by acting instead of ignoring the negative things that are going on in my neighborhood. My children give me courage.
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
My husband gives me courage! sweepmorey at gmail dot com
tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/252191095298093058
I sing with the Raging Grannies and we try to change hearts and minds through humorous songs.
Thanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
blogged:
http://slehan.blogspot.com/2012/09/win-40-fandango-gc-from-blogher.html
slehan at juno dot com
I've taught my almost 3-yo twin boys to say a few phrases including "It's my body, you may not hurt me; I don't like that, please stop; you hurt my feelings when you ___ (yell, antagonize, ignore, mock) me." I hope that their example of doing this will be a good example to both the children they are talking to as well as the adults that overhear. They are encouraged to say these things to me and daddy as well.
We try to stay informed and involved in politics on a local, state, and national level. In our first year in our new house, my husband and I have been on the local TV news and quoted in the newspaper several times talking about an ongoing issue with our local school board!!
Tweet - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/252480267015581696
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
Keep informed, stay engaged and pursue the most important issue to my family.
Looking at the faces of my children gives me courage every day.
Seeing others fight for those less fortunate inspires me to courage.
I care about my family and community so I try to pursue issues that matter the most to both.
hlee99 at gmail dot com
How can I be an agent of change in my community? What gives me courage?
I am passionate about birth and my newest passion for my community is pushing local hospitals. They are all dropping VBAC services one by one, but I'm betting they all still use Cytotec, which is contraindicated and kills mothers and babies. I am still working up the courage and the how to, but I hope I do find a way to be an agent of change in this department. I know I have friends in the birth industry that will be willing to back me.
God gives me courage by volunteering and getting others involved with their ideas to help make our community better.
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/252515892611665920
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
This movie looks good! I can be the change by settling an example and making a difference. I would like to volunteer more. My family gives me the courage to stand up for myself.
mwong241 (at) gmail (dot) com
tweet https://twitter.com/mw2314/status/252542612785987584
mwong241 (at) gmail (dot) com
my son gives me courage, cause i want things better for him...i just started volunterring at his school and joined the pto
nannypanpan@gmail.com
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