{"id":3037,"date":"2022-01-07T16:47:38","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T16:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/?p=3037"},"modified":"2022-09-27T14:34:57","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T14:34:57","slug":"an-american-ideal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/an-american-ideal\/","title":{"rendered":"An American Ideal"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_section  avia-builder-el-first   container_wrap fullsize' style='background-color: #22222222; background-image: linear-gradient(to right,#000000,#00aeef); '  ><div class='container' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3037'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ky4c1589-0b8a739dede6e936bc786b82b81ce94d '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">An American Ideal<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_2'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-no-padding avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section   av-arrow-down-section container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3037'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<div  class='flex_column av-i5wg1p-929d6553fe7c25d0f07b41bd3d508796 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-3  el_before_av_two_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4cceu6-11be670e4945dc7cda8bd8358fb09111\">\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4cceu6-11be670e4945dc7cda8bd8358fb09111 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4cceu6-11be670e4945dc7cda8bd8358fb09111 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-ky4cceu6-11be670e4945dc7cda8bd8358fb09111 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-4  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-3041 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3041 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Cindy-Simpson-and-Chris-Purdy.png\" alt='' title='Cindy Simpson and Chris Purdy'  height=\"616\" width=\"1104\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Cindy-Simpson-and-Chris-Purdy.png 1104w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Cindy-Simpson-and-Chris-Purdy-600x335.png 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Cindy-Simpson-and-Chris-Purdy-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Cindy-Simpson-and-Chris-Purdy-1030x575.png 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Cindy-Simpson-and-Chris-Purdy-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Cindy-Simpson-and-Chris-Purdy-705x393.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1104px) 100vw, 1104px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-fmcmct-058ec9cb6650fc9b6e141ee1ede403c6 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4de6ew-0cab5488cbbbe24495fd2193daef1e2e\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-ky4de6ew-0cab5488cbbbe24495fd2193daef1e2e{\nheight:50px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-ky4de6ew-0cab5488cbbbe24495fd2193daef1e2e hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-6  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ky4cs19v-05794a52961c768201d222849815f6df '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>By Cindy Simpson, Deputy Director of Children and Family Services for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lirs.org\/\">Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service<\/a> and Chris Purdy, Director of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vfai.org\/\">Veterans for American Ideals<\/a> for Human Rights First and welcome council member of <a href=\"https:\/\/welcome.us\/\">Welcome.US<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><div class='av-extra-border-element border-extra-arrow-down'><div class='av-extra-border-outer'><div class='av-extra-border-inner'  style='background-color:#ffffff;' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_3'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section   container_wrap fullsize' style='background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.06);  '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3037'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<div  class='flex_column av-cswcvh-e107f6385ec21452e340588fd90830c1 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-9  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-b5xsu5-6cfbd43893f6ae987498030845c184e8 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>In the 234 years since our constitution was ratified, America continues to evolve towards a more perfect union. Children of color are now the majority of students in our public schools, our suburbs and rural areas have become increasingly diverse, and landmark legislation has been signed into law, such as the legalization of gay marriage in 2015.<\/p>\n<p>And of course, within the last two years alone, change in our everyday lives has developed at almost warp speed. The pandemic, the killing of Black Americans which sparked worldwide protests and resistance, and our own American political division have all amplified the social inequities inherent in our system. It\u2019s also seemingly made us louder, angrier, and more prone to extreme counter-narratives, regardless of topic.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-98aarx-20afb755577e59671e4467e8c510c6b8 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_two_third  el_before_av_textblock  flex_column_div  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4d57bn-f9a17fc25ac1dacfae83f9a4e7493f18\">\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4d57bn-f9a17fc25ac1dacfae83f9a4e7493f18 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4d57bn-f9a17fc25ac1dacfae83f9a4e7493f18 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-ky4d57bn-f9a17fc25ac1dacfae83f9a4e7493f18 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-12  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-3040 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3040 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_167351445_3dJ3rvUUutPsIVb4IZgAIUF5lzzr6Ubz.jpg\" alt='' title='1000_F_167351445_3dJ3rvUUutPsIVb4IZgAIUF5lzzr6Ubz'  height=\"667\" width=\"1000\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_167351445_3dJ3rvUUutPsIVb4IZgAIUF5lzzr6Ubz.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_167351445_3dJ3rvUUutPsIVb4IZgAIUF5lzzr6Ubz-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_167351445_3dJ3rvUUutPsIVb4IZgAIUF5lzzr6Ubz-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_167351445_3dJ3rvUUutPsIVb4IZgAIUF5lzzr6Ubz-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_167351445_3dJ3rvUUutPsIVb4IZgAIUF5lzzr6Ubz-705x470.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4dlqhz-4a9d8089f637ece0ef8e69630feff39b\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ky4dlqhz-4a9d8089f637ece0ef8e69630feff39b .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\ntext-align:justify;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ky4dlqhz-4a9d8089f637ece0ef8e69630feff39b '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The next generation of Americans will look very different from the generations that have come before it.\u00a0 We know this.\u00a0 We also know that change is not coming easy for us as a country. There is a tug of war between where we stood and where we now stand, not made any easier by the current media landscape. And given where we stand, those of us who work with children, youth and families would be quite foolish to not recognize that our approaches and methods must also adapt to the current state of America today.\u00a0 And this adaptation must now include added amounts of trauma care for many students, families, and educators who are all experiencing trauma in real time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_4'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_section   container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3037'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<div  class='flex_column av-85cjt9-c5511e43e2947b0717ceb83b3efd0d2d av_one_third  avia-builder-el-15  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class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-3061 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3061 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-300x200.jpeg\" alt='' title='Elementary school kids sitting around teacher in a lesson'  height=\"200\" width=\"300\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-scaled-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-1030x687.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-1500x1000.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/AdobeStock_104937741-705x470.jpeg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4ljhwr-ad361d14fe1f205d8b745064759267cb\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-ky4ljhwr-ad361d14fe1f205d8b745064759267cb{\nheight:50px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-ky4ljhwr-ad361d14fe1f205d8b745064759267cb hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-23  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_image '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4l1im5-0965fa8c23c3c3b39798e4e36071ab89\">\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4l1im5-0965fa8c23c3c3b39798e4e36071ab89 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4l1im5-0965fa8c23c3c3b39798e4e36071ab89 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-ky4l1im5-0965fa8c23c3c3b39798e4e36071ab89 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-24  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_hr '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-3048 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3048 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Afghan-Refugees.jpg\" alt='' title='Afghan Refugees'  height=\"240\" width=\"320\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Afghan-Refugees.jpg 320w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/Afghan-Refugees-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4ljs0h-fd045ec3117bf650eeab4e04b348d9dc\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-ky4ljs0h-fd045ec3117bf650eeab4e04b348d9dc{\nheight:100px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-ky4ljs0h-fd045ec3117bf650eeab4e04b348d9dc hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-25  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_image '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4l53ze-d0265c4501b7e1d1db9282d83059d32d\">\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4l53ze-d0265c4501b7e1d1db9282d83059d32d img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4l53ze-d0265c4501b7e1d1db9282d83059d32d .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-ky4l53ze-d0265c4501b7e1d1db9282d83059d32d av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-26  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-3046 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3046 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_122895044_v7ci5pRf0yPncrx51StxWAFyvAlF1m4m-300x204.jpg\" alt='' title='1000_F_122895044_v7ci5pRf0yPncrx51StxWAFyvAlF1m4m'  height=\"204\" width=\"300\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_122895044_v7ci5pRf0yPncrx51StxWAFyvAlF1m4m-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_122895044_v7ci5pRf0yPncrx51StxWAFyvAlF1m4m-600x407.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_122895044_v7ci5pRf0yPncrx51StxWAFyvAlF1m4m-768x521.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_122895044_v7ci5pRf0yPncrx51StxWAFyvAlF1m4m-705x479.jpg 705w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/1000_F_122895044_v7ci5pRf0yPncrx51StxWAFyvAlF1m4m.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-6evyql-38c33d8d156d74630ab2d7c3ff8a3fad av_two_third  avia-builder-el-27  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div  '     ><p><section  class='av_textblock_section av-ky4e0py9-7dac5c9c2b13b09ade72365bd9d1f1e1 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The good news is there is much we can do to navigate these seismic shifts we are all feeling in early 2022. Our children and youth most especially can benefit if we recognize that they are living through much uncertainty and anxiety about all they are seeing, hearing, and experiencing.\u00a0 There is no question they must have robust supports today if we expect thriving adult citizens of tomorrow.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4edoub-66cfe810c42a13cb2a24ed9e908e177d\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-ky4edoub-66cfe810c42a13cb2a24ed9e908e177d{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-ky4edoub-66cfe810c42a13cb2a24ed9e908e177d .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-ky4edoub-66cfe810c42a13cb2a24ed9e908e177d .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-ky4edoub-66cfe810c42a13cb2a24ed9e908e177d av-special-heading-h4  avia-builder-el-29  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><h4 class='av-special-heading-tag'  itemprop=\"headline\"  >A few things that we believe are needed on a broad level:<\/h4><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ky4e8y10-d1a14127115521698e1fc8e0b08260cf '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><ul>\n<li>One area that needs more widespread traction and understanding is the mental health issues that is now recognized as a youth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf\">national crisis<\/a>. But beyond the therapy needed for individuals, we believe that hand in hand with therapy adequate training of adults on these issues cannot be overlooked. Training of teachers, training of parents, training of the community must continue and even expand.\u00a0 Of course, there has been much talk of trauma and trauma informed care these days, but do we know what those terms mean?\u00a0 How do you spot it, deal with it, move beyond it when possible?\u00a0 Yes, therapy and more therapists to deliver the supports are absolutely needed (we are also big believers in the concept of mental health mobile units to support this work!) but without adult training to understand what they are seeing in their schools and communities, we are missing an opportunity to effect more holistic and lasting positive change down the road.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Coupled with this, we as do many others, see an increase in violence happening in our schools. The boiling points just seem so much closer to the surface as our students have re-entered school buildings, some for the first time in a year and a half with scattered conditioning and support to help manage that transition. To counteract this, it is critical that the explicit and embedded lessons grounded in social emotional academic development continue. Students must be given the tools to understand their trigger points before episodes occur, so that small problems don\u2019t escalate into bigger problems and so that students can learn, and teachers can teach.\u00a0 Teachers and administrators are working very hard to ensure that students stay in class but dealing with violent outbursts should not be a norm for an educator. They need the tools and the language and systems to support all their students and our students need the tools, language and systems that will lead them to better understanding of self and others. A social emotional academic learning approach in our schools and districts is foundational to success and should be the norm for American schools everywhere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Of course, our youth would say that they also must be a part of the conversation. Are we listening to what they are saying or are we offering platitudes in areas that have no real impact?\u00a0 Are we having ongoing, deeper conversations with them in our communities to find out why the violence seems to have ramped up, to dig in and examine how they are feeling and why? One approach to supporting these ongoing conversations is through a deeper collaborative approach among our many youth serving organizations.\u00a0 We both understand the competitive nature of organizations working on similar goals and funding to support more wide-spread collaboration is always a barrier, but so much good could come through a more coordinated approach to the work, at all levels. Both with youth voice and addressing community needs overall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Our nation must welcome and integrate those who come here by traditional and non-traditional means. Over the past decade, we\u2019ve seen significant migration out of conflict zones caused, in part, by the actions of our own government. From the Syrian refugee crisis to the central American outflows to our southwest border, to Afghans who feel betrayed by American promises, the world looks to us to honor our commitments. Our government must welcome these individuals, respect our asylum laws, and grant refuge to those who seek it. But it is more than our government\u2019s responsibility. Our communities and schools must live up to the warm welcoming spirit that they\u2019re known for. And we must prepare these institutions to work with populations of children traumatized by conflict who now find themselves in our midst. We know that trauma can linger for children and youth as they grow into adulthood when they escape violence from their home countries, as detailed in the recent documentary <a href=\"https:\/\/participant.com\/film\/flee\">FLEE<\/a>. We as a country can have significant impact in helping children such as FLEE\u2019s young Amin escape the horrors of their past by living up to our highest ideals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>And finally, our last point that connects where we began. We are a diverse country.\u00a0 Change is happening at a rapid pace; when you look at the 2020 census, you see the diversity beyond our American cities and how it is happening across rural parts of our states.\u00a0 It is here. As a White woman and a White man both living different lives and experiences in this great country we call home, we both also understand that, for many people who come from our community, the first reaction to changes in the social order can be fear.\u00a0 Anything new and different can be frightening if you have never unpacked your own personal belief system and worked through any anxiety and fear you may have about others who don\u2019t look, sound, or think as you do.\u00a0 It\u2019s a reaction that has played out numerous times over the centuries of our republic. But as educators both in the traditional and non-traditional sense, the current ugliness around teaching the true version of America\u2019s history, all within this rapid change happening is not only perplexing, but disturbing. We are parents (and one of us a grandparent) and it just feels wrong.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- close content main div --><\/div><\/div><div id='av_section_5'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-31  el_after_av_section  avia-builder-el-last   container_wrap fullsize' style='background-color: #eaeaea;  '  ><div class='container' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3037'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<div  class='flex_column av-3nhv0d-35ffe69bcf0bc2170910ace52674cded av_two_third  avia-builder-el-32  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4mda6a-5aedb01f03f5be2db7744f5d1fef8d8a\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ky4mda6a-5aedb01f03f5be2db7744f5d1fef8d8a .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:17px;\ntext-align:justify;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ky4mda6a-5aedb01f03f5be2db7744f5d1fef8d8a '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>We believe that students, no matter race, identity, class, or culture should know the truth of our history. They need to know the very good things we\u2019ve done as a country, but also that the US has been responsible for bad things as well. We are a country built on aspirations, not perfection, and our nation must constantly strive to be better while honestly dealing with its failures. We need to show our students the way a great country responds \u2013 through acknowledgement of both ends of that continuum so our students understand that a mark of being a powerful and great country is one who atones for past sins and looks ahead to solve the issues created from those sins. That\u2019s true learning for the good and a model for individual behavior. Yes, such acknowledgement provides educators an important avenue for teachable moments about the contributions made and tribulations suffered, but also importantly, teaching full history can also go a long way in supporting a holistic trauma informed care approach by giving our students a sense of belonging and of being seen and valued for the skin and identity they live in.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-2xa58t-1a4f19ccb7c46229b3a233ff7f3114e6 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-34  el_after_av_two_third  el_before_av_textblock  flex_column_div  '     ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4mho73-518ebbc38c4be3c0ba1cb4f8cfd992d1\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-ky4mho73-518ebbc38c4be3c0ba1cb4f8cfd992d1{\nheight:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-ky4mho73-518ebbc38c4be3c0ba1cb4f8cfd992d1 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-35  el_before_av_image  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4nf24v-9bee951d613d6b287f8da2fe6d74c0ce\">\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4nf24v-9bee951d613d6b287f8da2fe6d74c0ce img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4nf24v-9bee951d613d6b287f8da2fe6d74c0ce .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-ky4nf24v-9bee951d613d6b287f8da2fe6d74c0ce av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-36  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_hr '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-3042 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3042 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/240_F_331483696_9p9Uhax3OUNoRFXHFIoyw0sBr3yipyCo-300x113.jpg\" alt='' title='240_F_331483696_9p9Uhax3OUNoRFXHFIoyw0sBr3yipyCo'  height=\"113\" width=\"300\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/240_F_331483696_9p9Uhax3OUNoRFXHFIoyw0sBr3yipyCo-300x113.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/240_F_331483696_9p9Uhax3OUNoRFXHFIoyw0sBr3yipyCo-600x227.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/240_F_331483696_9p9Uhax3OUNoRFXHFIoyw0sBr3yipyCo.jpg 635w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4nfybm-ad83434d5b7d6ee336f231ed67a9c555\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-ky4nfybm-ad83434d5b7d6ee336f231ed67a9c555{\nheight:10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-ky4nfybm-ad83434d5b7d6ee336f231ed67a9c555 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-37  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_image '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4mg1mo-950431a1b58487d03ad10fb1c7f72e48\">\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4mg1mo-950431a1b58487d03ad10fb1c7f72e48 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-ky4mg1mo-950431a1b58487d03ad10fb1c7f72e48 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-ky4mg1mo-950431a1b58487d03ad10fb1c7f72e48 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-38  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-3059 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3059 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-300x200.jpg\" alt='An American Ideal' title='shutterstock_305607704'  height=\"200\" width=\"300\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-scaled-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-1030x687.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-1500x1001.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/nycsel.com\/defining-us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_305607704-705x471.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ky4mizbi-93750de2d865be049c0821c19b9aa2bf\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ky4mizbi-93750de2d865be049c0821c19b9aa2bf .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:21px;\ntext-align:justify;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ky4mizbi-93750de2d865be049c0821c19b9aa2bf '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>We acknowledge this work is not easy.\u00a0 We see it firsthand in each of our current responsibilities working with immigrant and refugee children and families. But it is time to get education off the political platform and get it into reality.\u00a0 Our children and our future have no time to wait.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Guest bloggers Cindy Simpson, Deputy Director of Children and Family Services for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Chris Purdy, Director of Veterans for American Ideals for Human Rights First<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":3059,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>An American Ideal - 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