Cleveland hosts a Community Conversation with Marian Wright Edleman
On Wednesday, October 1, Cleveland Facing History and Ourselves hosted a Community Conversation with Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children's Defense Fund and best selling author. Through discussion of her newest book, The Sea Is So Wide and My Boat Is So Small, Edelman spoke thoughtfully about how to create a safer world for children. The event was held at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in conjunction with the exhibit, Race: Are We So Different? The exhibit explores race and racism in the United States from the perspectives of science, history and the everyday experience.
With over 400 students, teachers, and community members in attendance, the program kicked off, with an inspirational welcome from Allstate Field Vice President, Tom Clarkson, who spoke personally about how important the series of Community Conversations hosted in Cleveland have become to him and his family. Mark Swain-Fox, director of the Cleveland Facing History office, then introduced Marian Wright Edelman, connecting our mission with the work Ms. Edelman does every day. Mark Swain-Fox, described Ms. Edelman's as "She was inspiring and her figures on child poverty are stunning. She made us uncomfortable in the most comforting way. She talked about creating an outrage in our nation around advocating for children in a passionate and thoughtful way - the way she does. After Ms. Edelman spoke, a Facing History student at Shaw High School encouraged the audience to each do their part in addressing issues facing children today.
