Unmarked Streets

Written by a young teacher in London who has worked with the youth that are currently rioting. She talks about the 13-20% of youth in the UK who are uneducated, unemployed (and unemployable) and have nowhere to go in their lives besides jail, or to the streets. 

She talks about the hair line crack between the 20th and 21st percentile of young, poor kids. About the tiny difference between a child who is forgotten and one who is given a chance. About the small things that mean the difference between jail and college for kids on the margins. There is a world of difference between being handed a meal and being provided with training to be able to find a job. But sometimes that difference comes from one teacher, one mentor, from the strength in knowing that somebody believes in you and expects more from you than a society who habitually ignores you.  

She talks about London, but her words are true for every country all over the world. Whether you are talking about a marginalized 13-20% in London, or the marginalized 70% in Guatemala, solutions come step by step, and child by child. And those people who are at the margins, those without opportunities, they determine the difference between civil society and violent riots. 

Reblogged from the lovely Grace, so important to harness the power of tribes and community, especially in the socent scene. 

hungrygrace:

It began innocently enough.

Unbeknownst to either Erin or myself, our cataclysmic friendship, sparked at a Chicago Acumen Fund event, helped thread a memorable gathering of social entrepreneurs + changemakers. With the generous support of Brandon and Emily helping host the event in their lovely…