Built To Last

Every urban city can be identified as and called "a tale of two cities." On one side is the tale of a city where residents are doing well, businesses are thriving; Main street is looking good, healthy neighborhoods, safe streets, great restaurants and plenty of entertainment.  However, on the other side is a tale of a city where residents are living below the poverty line, unemployed, homeless, surviving on social services and a permanent underclass. 

Throughout America’s history the growth and expansion of urban cities continue to be the key cornerstone to ongoing economic growth for a region and state.  These centers of economic growth are seen as hubs of influence, unique blending of cultures and a great place in which to live, work and play.  In another twist, these urban cities are also places in which many residents struggle to find affordable housing; deal with stop and frisk, limited access to quality health care, no livable wage employment, high crime, and local confused politics and where some lives don’t matter. 

In the view of many, civic, business and industry leaders they always want to promote what is “positive” about the city and what it has to offer, rather than what is “wrong.” There is always a need to put our “best foot” forward and that is understandable.  Presenting what is happening and going well in the city is just a part of a larger narrative of how to keep new business coming and that keeps the economic growth wheel turning.   Any “bad” news or too much of it helps create another image of the city and may become a reason why a conference, new startup or company expansion does not occur.        

No matter how things go and what happens, Urban America is not going anywhere.  Over time, the characters have change, but urban America has always been and will continue to be a place in which improvement is always possible.  For all its uniqueness, fascination and creativity and a “tale of two cities”, Urban America remains a place in our heart with its success stories, waste, pain and hope. 

The greatest question for us in this new age and for this new generation is how can we help bring about the change we so desperately seek?  How can we help all residents in urban America feel a sense of value?  Are there any quick fix solutions to the multifaceted problems in urban America?  Are people willing to come together to address various problems?  The answer to these and other questions is still out... and we will see.  What do you think?           

Secure The Children

I don’t know if you are aware or not, but there are a lot of people who are in the business of providing, educating, treating or dealing with children in one form or another.   Many should not be in any business at all, especially with children.  It is not the children and positive outcomes that they seek to help or are interested in, but rather they are only in it for what they can get out of it... mainly money and job security. 

Sadly, each day reports from all across the nation are told by the media of children becoming victims in an endless cycle of gun violence, beatings, abandonment, bullying, harassment, intimidation, incarceration, drugs, gangs and cruelty.  It is one thing to be raised in poverty, homeless, no medical care, lack of education and a dysfunctional family, but to deal with other conditions and people who have an ulterior motive is something else.          

In 2013 and after decades of research, the Annie E. Casey Foundation report, “Giving Kids a Foundation for Lifetime Success,” is a call for change and action.  This Kids Policy report (up to age 8) highlights the best way to ensure a successful workforce in the future is to invest in early childhood development... now!  This report also cites the best way to provide early learning for needy kids is by coordinating family, school and community efforts.  Additionally, this report is calling for policy change and that policymakers need to take a serious look at what needs to be done to address the issues and challenges in helping children to develop.   

With over 36 million children under 8 years old in America and with over 17 million (48%) living in low-income homes, the alarms bells are ringing.  According to the report in Wisconsin, there are 644,576 youth under age 8, with 265,000 (42%) living in low-income homes.  It is a fact that many of our children are in need of help, support, therapy, better schools, communities and homes.  Our children also need to have caring adults around them for inspiration, mentoring, guidance and acceptance.  They deserve the opportunity to excel and to live in a world that allows them to grow to their full potential.  The true wealth of any nation, city and community is how it takes care of its youngest residents.  If we fail to provide and secure the children, our future is at risk and the America you know of as today will turn into a place of what was, has been and what a shame.  What do you think?             

Living From Silos

I know that I am not along and you hear it every week... “We need to be more transparent!” But in reality all we see are people who are operating and doing their business from a “silo”... so much for that idea, of transparency.   Believe it or not, people working from and within a “silo mentality” have been around a long time.  It’s nothing new and as long as it has value and is useful the concept and practice will continue.  Transparency and getting people, a company, agency, church or organization out of a set mode or way of doing things is hard to achieve.  Just trust me on that one. 

I attend a lot of meetings, and believe me... and it all seems the same, people are present and only a few ideas, a question or too... if any emerge.  It is as if people have been briefed beforehand not to say anything, given a day off to attend, part of their job description, learned how to play the kind of game or brought in only to make the meeting bigger than it really should be.  Then it dawns on me that nearly all ideas that come to light are coming from people who live, work and play in a particular “silo.”  Then I hear those words... we want all people to share their thoughts and be “transparent” today!  Then it comes to me... “How can you ask people to be transparent... when everyone here is from a “silo”? 

Although the term is more related to a facility or building that if part of a farming operation.  On a farm a “silo” is where grain or silage is stored for future use in feeding farm animals or to sell to other producers.  The silo is also a place to protect what has been produced on the farm from outside elements.  So the term “silo” offers a clear contrasting picture of what is happening each day in our communities and cities.  People are operating from a “silo” mentality.  When you think of it in terms of a company, business, agency, organization, or governmental service, it is how we develop and protect our ideas and values.  It is a way to protect the brand and to keep the details of the company business from being stolen by competitors.   

So I don’t say I am going to a meeting where innovation and new ideas are going to be flowing like “milk and honey” out from everywhere and everyone... but I say I am going to a meeting of “silo” thinkers, who are more interested in keeping the system like it is, rather than improving it for the future.  It is hard to break away and become transparent, when all that is being done is coming from those living and earning a living from a “silo.” Getting out of a “silo” way of thinking is harder than you think or believe, and if you are outside those “silo” systems then you are really in for a rude awaking.       

What do you think?