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This letter goes out to Norwalk Public School children:
With all of the bad things you are witnessing, and that are being reported in this world, I would like to take a few minutes to focus on the good things about all of you.
My name is Akisha, and I have been a single parent here in Norwalk for the past 12 years. My children are 19 and 17 now. They attended Marvin Elementary School, Nathan Hale Middle School, and recently closed out their public school education at Norwalk High.
There is no question that being a single parent, and your childrens’ sole, functioning supporter, takes a great deal of parental resilience, emotional and mental strength, and a really great sense of humor! But being a single parent in Norwalk has made all the difference in the world between my children falling into the negative stereotypes surrounded by being raised in a single parent household and being high functioning, emotionally stable productive members of this great community and beyond.
I want to personally thank all of you. Thank you for being there for and teaching my children the rules of society, which started on the playgrounds. Thank you for asking them to attend local functions and including them in most of your super-fun outings.
Thank you for helping me encourage them to try out for football, track, lacrosse and soccer. I’d like to thank your parents as well, for teaching you and encouraging you to be so well rounded, caring, intelligent, accepting and compassionate. Thank you for challenging my children, as to teach them everything will not go their way every day and sometimes they have to accept what is. And thank you so much, for being consistent with it all. I know now more than ever, that racism, sexism, ageism, etc. are behaviors that are taught and not behaviors that you are born with.
No one sets out to be a single parent. Not on purpose. But for those of us who have accepted our responsibility of raising our kids alone, you children have made being a single parent that much more bearable. You certainly helped me get through my darkest hours by helping me focus on work and not worrying about my kids while they were in school.
Please make sure that whatever you do in life, you always keep that diverse attitude, continue to not judge people by the color of their skin, or their ethnic backgrounds and beliefs, work hard, study hard and keep the faith in whatever religion you so choose to practice. Make sure you are aware of what is going on in politics, what politicians are doing to make our community better at the local and city levels, because they have more power over your community than the President does.
Make sure you think very carefully before making a life changing decision and, just as importantly, make sure to work with whoever you can in government to change the economic dynamic of Norwalk, to make it much more affordable for other families just like mine to live here.
You may not be able to change the world, but you certainly can plant a seed in the brain that does. Thank you Norwalk, Conn. for investing in this single parent household. Your support and encouragement will not go unnoticed and will get paid forward. Guaranteed. We are lucky to be a part of this wonderful community! Akisha Cassermere
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