The world brims with voices clamoring for our attention. And unfortunately, most of the loudest voices come from those in power. The ones who have the margin to write, the platform to speak from, and the computer to pen words with before sending them into the world. We originally put together this video for our mentor training, thinking it would be helpful for our mentors to get a perspective on the schools and neighborhood that formed a context for our kiddos lives. But once I heard Ashton's thoughts, I said: people need to hear this. Ashton shrugged and I asked if I could share his voice with y'all, assuring him of course that you are kind and would treat him with respect and love. I realize the video runs nearly ten minutes, which infringes dangerously on the time and space of a culture and lives that brims supremely busy, but let me reiterate: you need to hear this.
**Ashton is one of my very favorite people in the whole entire world, practically family. So in responding to him, let's follow my mom's favorite rule: if you can't say something nice, say nothing. I always want to leave room for discussion and I post many-many-articles and things that involve voices I don't always agree with. That said, remember Ashton is a human-being. Thanks.