On Rebellion and Revolution

The Egyptian people are back in the streets, chanting "Tantawi is Mubarak and Mubarak is Tantawi", and resuming their struggle for democracy and just society. Egypt continues to be a shining example of the people making government and civil society work for them. The intentional movement-building during their uprising - between students, labor, religious institutions, even. elements of the police and military. They inspired people all over the world by coming together and forcing Hosni Mubarak out. Much love and respect to the people of Tunisia too.

Mow Egyptian protestors face a military dictatorship that promises open elections but flexes their muscles to repress and silence. The Egyptian military forcefully removed protestors from Tahrir Square a couple days ago, killing at least one and injuring 70 more. Heads high in the face of state violence, the people are still there. Regime change is a gigantic first step. but the path is long and regime change is no revolution - revolution takes time and intention. economic, political, civil and social structures need to be reimagined and rebuilt. But although installing a new model for society will be a learning process, the Egyptian people appear to be ready to get their hands dirty in the rebuilding of their nation.

The people in Egypt are conscious that their struggle is not limited to them. But that they are connected to liberation struggles throughout history and all over the world. below, an Egyptian protestor gives a nod of solidarity to Wisconsin workers.

Similarly, chancellor of education Cathie Black resigned/was fired thursday, after embarrassingly low approval ratings in her 3rd month on the job. Despite her blatant lack of qualifications, this was not about Cathie Black. After 9 years of mayoral control over public education, New Yorkers are fed up. Public schools in low-income communities of color are chronically underfunded and over-policed - standardized tests, teachers restricted by curriculum, overcrowded classrooms, outdated and too few books, and metal detectors haven't left with Ms Black.

Many tough questions remain for us who are committed to education reform: what lessons did the higher ups at the department of education learn? How can we most effectively position ourselves? What kind of education do we hope for our children and what systems do we need to put in place to realize those hopes? And how much are we willing to struggle to build these new systems?

If community control was restored to public education, we would be have space to create the curricula and programs we need. If students, teachers and schools were free from standardized tests, we would be well on the way to inspiring and nurturing teaching and learning. If funding was equitable, we would be equipped to address the causes of low attendance and high drop-out rates. We need to realize that education reform isn't happening on by school, school district or even by borough basis. We need to organize across neighborhoods and across issues to challenge power at its source. And we need to have a shared vision for our schools and our education system.

I close by saying this: