A House Divided Cannot Stand

On June 16, 1858, Republican delegates met in the Springfield, Illinois, statehouse for the Republican State Convention to choose Abraham Lincoln as their candidate for the U.S. Senate, running against Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. Speaking to his Republican colleagues Lincoln uttered the words "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

Lincoln, was paraphrasing the scriptures ("And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand"—Matthew 12:25) in that now immortal speech, making a point that resonates even today.

We are, in the shadow of the public school system we fund and support, a house divided. No, not into red and green zones, but into those allowed into the inner sanctum and those who must clamor at the walls to be heard. Those that must pay suitable penance, approach on bended knee, and those that need not.

Yet, when it come to accepting our tax dollars they make no such distinction.

For thirty-years, yes, I said thirty-years, we have tolerated GT education that MCPS now admits, is unevenly implemented.

Parents with children needing Special Educational interventions struggle single handedly to get their children what they need. Just last month a parent spoke to me about her struggle. It affected me more than I realized. It affected my family too. We can’t simply dismiss these individual struggles as “not our problem,” and expect to call ourselves a community.

We discuss strategies that work in ensuring that our kids get the educational interventions they need. Surely, we see that it is wrong? Getting your child the appropriate education should never be a matter of luck or your ability to pay appropriate penance.

As I suggested the idea of making April 16, a day to stand up for our children, many asked about preserving anonymity for fear of retaliation. We have become a community in fear of our school system. This is a stark reality that we seem to unhesitatingly accept.

When it comes to MCPS, are we willing to become a community of Stepford Wives? Remember the conversation, “We ought to try at least. Let’s talk to those hausfraus; there must be some of them who resent the situation a little. What do you say? Wouldn’t it be great if we could get a group together-maybe even a NOW chapter eventually—and give that Men’s Association a good shaking-up? … it’s not going to change unless it’s forced to change; fat-cat organizations never do.”

So, on April 16, get some take-out food, get in your preferred from of transportation, and head over to the Men’s Association,oops, I mean MCPS, at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Directions are found here.

There is free parking and take it as an invitation to fill the huge lot. Make it an opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of someone new, perhaps someone who looks a little different.

Bring a poster or two, maybe even three, highlighting an issue close to your heart.

If you feel brave enough drop by Room 127 between 6:30PM and 9:30PM and say hello to your duly elected BOE members meeting with the top secret AEI Advisory Committee, please do so.

More importantly, demand transparency, accountability and broader community participation in the decision making that affects your child’s education. Reject divisive politics.

Let us not be a house divided. Remember, MCPS is "… not going to change unless it’s forced to change; fat-cat organizations never do."