My 1000 Small Steps

Perspective and Hope

It has been overwhelming to listen to the news over the past month – immigrant children cruelly separated from their parents at our border with Mexico, decisions by the Supreme Court, and the resignation of a Supreme Court justice that opens the door for the president’s next appointment. This justice will likely make decisions…

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Commit to Making Change

By Kathie England, inspired by Barack Obama At the end of the Obama Foundation Summit late last year, President Obama closed the event by holding up a commitment card and asking attendees to answer this question: What action are you going to take to make concrete local change in the next few…

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Truth and Trust

“Ranting is not journalism!” Those were the words of Ann Curry, an American journalist for the past 30 years and the final speaker at TEDx Portland on April 21, 2018. Journalism, described by Curry as a “noble calling,” is about truth and trust. The motive of journalism is the public good. An informed citizen has the responsibility…

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“Revitalize Citizenship”

What does it mean to be an American? Eric Liu, who served as speechwriter for President Clinton and was nominated by President Obama to serve on the board of directors of the federal Corporation for National and Community Service, asked that question. In 2014 Liu launched the Aspen Institute Program on Citizenship and American Identity to…

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“Stand Up for Something”

“I’ve always believed that I wanted my political representatives to have been the ‘smartest kid in the class.’ And Bryan was! You see I was his fourth-grade teacher, and I have that rather unique perspective.” These are the words my sister, Judy Caforio, recently wrote to celebrate the 35th birthday of her son, Bryan Caforio.…

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Be Bold, Be Brave, and Raise Your Hand

“I’m 10. And I Want Girls to Raise Their Hands.” That’s the title of the October 31, 2017 op-ed piece in The New York Times by Alice Paul Tapper. When she was on a fourth grade field trip, Alice noticed that all the boys stood in the front and raised their hands while most of…

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