The school year is wrapping up and it’s a relatively joyous time. My son, along with many children near and far are counting down the days until the last day of school. There’s a flurry of activities we find ourselves rushing off to with excitement. End of the year celebrations, school concerts, preparing for summer camp and gathering lists of summer reading books are all on the agenda. Let’s not forget the obligatory self-care moments we squeeze in between work, managing a household, balancing a budget and keeping connections with friends and family. Last week I made an effort to find time to attend my son’s end of year celebration. Kindergarten is on the horizon, and I held back tears of pride as the preschool children sang and danced their end of year songs to a crowd of delighted parents and family members. It was a joy to see. I must admit there was also a pang of guilt that showed up when I least expected it to. As I sat and watch the children sing their hearts out, all dressed in their Sunday’s finest I couldn’t help thinking about the children that won’t be able to sing and dance in celebration of a school year ending. There will be no summer plans, no birthday parties, no plans for summer camp or lazy weekend mornings. Splashpads, beach trips, museum visits, along with sidewalk chalk, painting, drawing, popsicles and ice cream sundaes are all not within reach for so many children.

What else?

The complicated and layered greed of a few have categorically ruined the lives of many. The genocide that’s happening in Palestine is heartbreaking to say the least. Much needed medical and food supplies are not getting to the innocent children who are literally starving to death if they are not being buried by rubble. Those with the courage to stand up and still show up as medical professionals are hard at work saving lives as their own families are being murdered. The devastation is unimaginable. It’s hard to fathom this is happening and even harder to digest the fact that mainstream media is not covering these atrocities in the way they should. Along with children being starved to death in Palestine, there are many lives affected in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. War crimes are running rampant as killings and rape has been a main occurrence as far back 2022. What is being done? Who’s lives are meant to be saved and who’s aren’t? How can we make a change or difference? I will be the first one to exclaim that I do not have all the answers. I am not well versed in the geopolitical complexities currently being played out on the world stage. However, I know one thing to be true. Children, no matter their age, race, ethnicity or religious background deserves a chance at a life not filled with bombs, rape, starvation and abandonment. It’s always a travesty when the most innocent of us all suffer the most.

The unjust rule of man’s power is also impacting us here stateside as well. It doesn’t take long to see the pain that is being inflicted on many communities across our country as we see the impact of this current administration’s stance on immigrants. There’s the recent travel ban that was enacted as early as last week has impacted the following countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It also imposes heightened restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela (no surprise here as we note these are mostly African and Middle Eastern nations). In addition to the travel bans, many immigrant communities live in fear of ICE raids. Our children’s schools have become a space that has been infiltrated with ICE agents. We can look to the City of Los Angeles. L.A. is currently in a state of turmoil as citizens of various status and backgrounds clash with boarder agents.

What else?

I cannot even imagine what the end of summer will look like as we barrel towards what should be a happy and laid-back season. What are your thoughts dear reader? How are you preparing for summer and what if any thoughts on the current social and political climate?