The Face of the Conversation

I normally refrain from social commentary when posting on professional sites like LinkedIn but I am going to change my conduct, at least for today.

The picture below is my daughter Adele, taken about 25 years ago.  Adele will be 30 in a few short months and is my reason for getting up everyday, even now.   Being her father is a privilege as it is a privilege for each of us to be a parent.  I still have a responsibility, even today, to influence Adele in positive ways.  I know that even as she continues to mature, how I respond to things will have an influence on her and I take that responsibility seriously.  

Claudia Apolinar and her partner are also someone's daughter and son.  I can't imagine the horror that they felt when learning of the life threatening injuries inflicted upon them by the criminal that tried to murder them.  They instilled values in them that lead them to a career of service to and protection of others.  As I read of the attacks and continue to think about them this picture of Adele comes to mind, the innocence and the happiness.  I pray for her to have that today and everyday as I am sure that the parents of the deputies do for their children.  

The upheaval we are experiencing is not due to racism, it is due to the destruction of the nuclear family.  The absence of a mother or father from the home creates an imbalance in discipline, teaching of values, reinforcement of positive behaviors and the lessons taught by spending time together everyday when the children see how we react to everyday challenges.  Regardless of the teachings of the social justice movement none of us are limited in the United States by anything other than our own beliefs, attitudes, talents, skills, education, and effort.  Am I saying that racism, ageism, sexism and other isms do not exist?  Certainly not!  I am saying that those prejudices are overcome with performance.  That is the message that our young people need to hear.  

Our conversations with our children should never include our negative limiting beliefs.  Our duty is to drive them to levels of success insuring that they obtain the education that they need, develop their skills and talents and understand that regardless of their limitations that they can persevere with their efforts.