Waiting on the ghost of Tom Joad President Elect Trump

Dear President Elect Trump, just want to put you on notice that I am stepping up my activism. I planned on being a pit bull for equity and justice in our public schools and our communities. It's not personal, it's not political, it's a man on a bridge thing.
On the campaign trail you said your support more charter schools, vouchers, and school choice. All three education reforms that have failed Black, Brown, and Poor children, their parents, teachers and local public schools. 
I will not afford you a honeymoon period. I am already standing on that bridge of hope. Already working with my brothers and sisters from SOS March, BATs, United Opt Out, Moral Mondays, Black Lives Matter, NAACP, and progressive union caucuses across the nation.
The plan is to be in the face of inequity and injustice not only in our schools, but in communities.
When you look left, we'll be there,
When you look right, we'll be there,
When you look up,we'll be there,
When you look down, we'll be there,
When you turn around, we'll be there,
We'll be everywhere living the words of John Steinbeck's Tom Joad
" I'll be ever'where - wherever you look.
Wherever they's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there.
Wherever they's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there.
If Casy knowed, why, I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad
An' - I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry an' they know supper's ready.
An' when our folks eat the stuff they raise an' live in the houses they build, why, I'll be there.”
 
We'll be marching everywhere, everyday, and trust on this youll hear us coming, see us coming, and we will wear the wheels of hatred, injustice and inequity down.
We are the people at the bridge of justice,
Jesse The Walking Man Turner

If you are wondering what this man on a bridge is listening to on his morning walk its Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello "The Ghost of Tom Joad" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzRbeHyIomk

Just VOTE!

James Baldwin said: "I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

My love for America is bigger than who wins and who loses on election day. I have been voting for over 40 years now. I am not one of those people who if their candidate doesn't win they are moving over seas. I am an American, and my love for my nation runs deep enough to fight for those aspirations found in our Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

So I'll be staying right here fighting for my people regardless of who wins on Tuesday. I'll be voting on Tuesday, and Wednesday fighting for the right to vote. I'll be fighting for voting rights again in Selma Alabama in March at the Selma Jubilee. Like James Baldwin I insist on the right to criticize America, because I love my nation. I plan on criticizing America, and fighting for my people until like the Scripture said: "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5:24)

voting until justice rolls down like waters,
Jesse The Walking Man Turner 

If you like to listen to the song that inspired my walk today...its the Freedom Singers at the 63 March on Washington singing we shall not be moved.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duvoETGVvYU 

After next Tuesday I'll still be talking, walking and marching for equity and justice

Some people wait on polticians for change. My thinking is that too long a wait for justice. So I'm talking, walking and marching my way to change.  Last night after a little talk about public education I gave some one asked me how do we change this mess?
Trust me activism is healthy. In Spring 2010 I found myself tipping the scale at 272 pounds, demoralized on education reform policies that made me feel like to succeed as a teacher I would have to commit education malpractice. I began putting on the weigh as soon as No Child Left Behind became law.
I fought as hard as I could against this reducing our nation's children, their teachers and public schools to test scores.

Phildelphia 2010 at NCTE, (National Council of Teachers of English) I presented with others our stories of resistance. Our stories opened up an emotional storm. Our audience not only shared similar stories of resistance they expected us to lead the resistance. For some crazy reason I said we can walk, every one needs to walk, every needs to tell our nation's legislators that children are more than test scores.

So I started walking, a half mile day, a mile, 2 miles, 3 miles, until I reached 10 miles a day to prepared for a 400 miles 40 day walk from CT to DC. I lost 50 pounds, and found myself motivated, engaged, and moving toward change. My activism helped me to be a better teacher, husband, father, and human being. By the end of that 2010 walk I tip the scales at 220. I kept that weight off, and I plan on walking Connecticut to protest these education policies that still harming our children and public schools this spring. Wanna bet I lose 20 pounds, and stand taller after my walk. My point is not about walking really, but in rejecting helplessness, silence, and apathy.

Here is a link to Anthony Cody who inspired my 2010 walk in his Teacher Letters To Obama. He covered both my walks, and has become a leading voice of resistance. http://www.livingindialogue.com/jesse-turner-still-walking…/
Rev Barber from Moral Mondays called all Americans to take this fight for justice to our state legislators. I plan on starting my walk in April, and fishing my walk at the Connecticut State Department of Education on Monday May 1, 2017. Consider walking the last mile with me this May Day?
Come spring 2017 I say lets every American walk to their state capitols,
Jesse The Walking Man Turner

If you like to listen to the song I listened to on my walk over the mountain this morning in the rain...its the late great Mahalia Jackson singing "I'm going to live the life I sing about in my song" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9S-KgYfvKg