Listening for Sounds of Hope From a School System

by Ernie McCray

Like a bat
responding to vibrations
from its echoes,
I listen
for feedback
from those whom
I’ve asked
to try seeing matters
through the eyes
of Lallia Allali
who says that what she’s seeing
is a lack of support for
Muslim students
who, due to
strongly held attitudes
relating to the war
between Palestinians and Israelis,
aren’t feeling comfortable
in their schools.

Yet all I hear regarding my plea
is the sound of silence,
save a friendly but non-committal reply
thanking me for my “insights,”
the silence saying loudly
that our community
is still okay
with quieting,
rather than
helping a woman heal,
a woman whose
proven passion and leadership,
when it comes to Islamic concerns,
is so much needed today.

But, oh, I so wish
that sounds will soon
rise out of the silence,
echoing vibrations
that imply
that we
are ready to join hands
and minds
to solve this human relation problem
in a spirit
of love and understanding –
with an eye truly on
taking care of all students’ needs,
modeling for them,
at the same time,
how citizens
in a free society,
when they act responsibly
and decently,
can make wonderful things happen.

So, I will continue to listen
for sounds,
sounds of hope
that imply that we’re about
creating a better world
for our children.

Shouldn’t be too much to ask
of a school system.