The Parade

This past weekend we celebrated River City Days in Red Wing and like all small, mid-western summer celebrations, we had a parade.  We had politicians shaking hands, beautiful girls in tiaras, riding on shiny floats, waving their white gloved hands and high stepping, baton twirlers throwing sparkling wands into the sunshine.  There were horses and dressed-up dogs, fire trucks and classic cars and overgrown boys called Masons in go-carts.  There were clowns and kids and giant ducks. Almost every unit passed out treats of some kind, most throwing candy to the curbs for the children to grab and save in the bags they brought along for just that purpose.  The weather was perfect and the parade was great. I enjoyed sitting next to a five year old friend and making sure she got her share of treats. 

When the parade was over, we cleaned up the trash around where we had been sitting and strolled back to our car.  After every parade I attend  I can't help but remember a story a friend of mine shared with my family a few years ago.  Jim is African American, about 62 years old and from small town Alabama. He has the most beautiful, spellbinding speaking voice and is a gifted story teller.  However this story he tells very quietly with downcast eyes. This is Jim's story.

" I remember being a little boy and attending the 4th of July Parade. I knew that I wouldn't be able to see much of it because I had to stand in the back with all of the other "people of color" but I was excited anyway. Because I was little, I could sneak around and threw the legs of the adults in front of me and see the parade that way.  I watched the candy being thrown, and the white children scrambling for it and picking it up and boy, did I want a piece.  Then a miracle happened. A piece of candy skittered and bounced across the pavement and came to a stop right at my feet. I couldn't believe it, candy for me! I watched for a moment and no one else seemed to have seen it, no other children were reaching to pick it up. I couldn't believe my luck. I bent over and reached out my hand and just as it closed over the piece of candy a boot ground my hand into the pavement. A booming voice said "That ain't for you boy!"  I released the candy and watched the boot crush it into dust in the pavement." 

Today, in 2012, we all gasp at the end of the story and shake our heads, so relieved to know that this kind of prejudice has been vanquished and little children are no longer victims of a cruel and hurtful society.  But has it been?  Sure, it is no longer acceptable to treat some one differently based on race, that much is true, but little children are still suffering.

The Annie E. Casey Foundations reports the following:

• In Goodhue County 11.5% of our children live in poverty. 
• In Wabasha County 10.8% of our children live in poverty.
• In Pierce County, Wisconsin the number of children living in poverty climbs to 19%.

For many of these children the parade is marching by, and unless we step in to stop it, that parade will continue to march by for generations to come.

In Red Wing the United Way is partnering with other local leaders to stop the process of leaving kids in the dust. We are excited about our initial work and will be filling you all in as it progresses. Until then,

Stop and think about those little ones and lend a hand when you can.

Thank You

 Maureen Nelson

Thank You

to all of you who have donated food over the summer. You make our lives easier and children's lives so much better.

Associated Bank

Used Book Sale to Support 

Packing for the Weekend

August 20-31

Associated Bank Lobby

Hard Cover Books $2

Paperback Books $1

To donate books or for more information contact

Sue Ellen

651-385-1678