Edison Middle School CHARGE

Parents, Faculty, Administration, and 8th grade students I count it a special privilege to address you today.  I have been called upon to submit a charge to our 8th graders before they take their first steps into high school.  My first words must be that I love you guys.

Many of you are what convinced my wife and I that West Dallas should be where we call home.  Several  of you come by our home and share meals around our table or have taught me how to dance or broken all of our lamps during epic wrestling battles.  I think you 8th graders are incredible people and I am thrilled to watch your future unfold.  

Before I send you on your way I come bearing a charge from those who have gone before you. In my 5 years here in West Dallas I have spent a lot of time with people just a few years farther down the road than you.  And I come bearing a message from them.  I could put 50 people on stage that would share this same message.

Choose a different road.  I have watched as guys just can’t find a job anywhere.  I have watched as girls try to hustle to find money to feed their newborns.  I have watched as guys get handcuffed and put into police cars.  People have come to me and said, “if I just would have paid more attention in school.” Or “if I just wouldn’t have started hangin’ with those guys.” Or “if I just wouldn’t have let him kiss me.”  I spend a lot of time with a lot of people who have regrets.  People who had big dreams but made small choices leading them in the opposite direction of those dreams.  My charge comes from them.

Choose a different road.  Giving your absolute best effort in school is one step down that different road.  But you can be the smartest kid in the class and still go to the pen for dealing on the corner.  You must choose to live for something more than money, something more than sex, something more than popularity or cars or your swagger.  That is the road almost everyone is choosing.  May I and those that have gone before you urge you to choose a different road than what you’ve seen before.  Try something new.  Our neighborhood needs you.  Those younger need someone to look up to.  May you have the courage to rebel against what is normal and stand on your own two feet.  Few men and few women have ever been that brave.