A Graduation Shout Out and Scream.

 

A Graduation Shout Out and Scream.

“New York hates you” the crowd screamed in front of Trump Tower.

Mark and I were at Bijans when he got a call from Caroline, with news. 

Holy shit, 34 counts, guilty.
Wow.
It had been a wild few days, graduation from classes, etc. 

We’d gone to the beach. It started as a quiet day at the beach. Across town, in Foley Square, 12 jurors did something I never thought was possible, these New Yorkers agreed on something...  pointing out that no one is above the law. Trump is guilty. The three other cases are more consequential. And powerful forces support his delay tactics. But this case lays the ground, setting the forces in motion for Jan 6th, for the documents case, and stop the steal. Regardless he is a criminal. And a convicted abuser. And the party of law and order, the evangelicals love him. Project 2025 needs him to support their "Christian Nationalist " vision. The corporations who don't want climate regs love him. Putin who doesn't want opposition in the Ukraine or NATO loves him. He loves us destabilizing the post-war order. Bibi Netanyahu  loves him.  It's up to us to stop him.

The night before, students in our department had graduated. We held a small ceremony for those who dropped by with their parents and friends. Irma Cruz, a one-time DACA student from our department gave a speech to the students, reminding them they could do anything, but also to be aware there were forces opposed to them. They had to know that. Students from years past dropped by, finally earning their degree after years of struggles with health issues, financial strains, pandemic era isolation, on and on and on. 

They all deserved praise for getting through their battles with the student to get to this finish line. I addressed those who had made it. 

To all those who communities from the Bronx and the depths of Queens to find out class was canceled,  I see you. To those couldnt get anyone to help them make the technology work,  I see you. To those who still dont know who their advisor is or what classes you are required to take,. I see you.  To those who lived with their abuelas and their kids in one bedroom apartments, I see you, to those who had to re take statistics, I see you. To those who lowered the grade average for their classes, I see you. To those who waited in line only to be turned away for not having the right signature,  I see you,  To those who understood C is passing,  I see you; To those who never won an award, but had compassion for those we work with,  I see you.  To those who listenned who worked with people who didn't speak, I see you.  To those who worked with drug users or kids, or gave immigrants food, I see you. To those who lost credits transferring or who struggled with getting the gen ed credits, or had to stay for one more term for that final liberal arts credit, I see you. To those who stayed out late instead of studying, I see you. To all the human services students who suffered four years or more with the wild bunch, thinking about gerontology and community org, narratives and childhood development, internship after internship, year after year, I see you. And I say congratulations. Don't forget human services workers are change agents; don't forget the little people, the homeless, the immigrants, the grandparents being gentrified out of their apartments; go out and be advocates And don't forget to think of us every now and then, or better yet drop by and say hi, tell us about your triumphs and tragedies, the thrills of victory and agony of defeat. We can commiserate and celebrate.

And celebrate we all did.