A Quote from the President of the Children's Defense Fund

Taken directly from the source.

“Never before have we exposed children so early and relentlessly to cultural messages glamorizing violence, sex, possessions, alcohol, and tobacco with so few mediating influences from responsible adults. Never have we experienced such a numbing and reckless reliance on violence to solve problems, feel powerful, or be entertained. Never have so many children been permitted to rely on guns and gangs rather than on parents, neighbors, religious congregations, and schools for protection and guidance. Never have we pushed so many children on to the tumultuous sea of life without the life vests of nurturing families and communities, caring schools, challenged minds, job prospects, and hope.
Never before have we subjected our children to the tyranny of drugs and guns and things or taught them to look for meaning outside rather than inside themselves, teaching them in Dr. King’s words ‘to judge success by the value of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality of our service and relationships to humanity.’
As we face a new century and a new millennium, the overarching challenge for America is to rebuild a sense of community and hope and civility and caring and safety for all our children. I hope God will guide our feet as parents-and guide America’s feet-to reclaim our nation’s soul, and to give back to all our children their sense of security and their ability to dream about and work toward a future that is attainable and hopeful.”

-Marian Wright Edelman
President, Children’s Defense Fund, Washington, D.C.