This is not a political statement—and I would appreciate it if we could keep the comments classy. Whether or not you are a fan of JD Vance, it must be said he has a unique life experience unlike any other American politician. I have not experienced these particular life challenges personally. I do however recognize them. As an educator in urban America and a former student in blue collar rural America, I have seen the words on these pages play out time and again.

If you don’t have time to read the whole book, chapter 15 is likely the most insightful. Pages 246-247 below jump out at me. Regardless of the outcome of this election, we must do something for our children. Their knee jerk responses to events and lack of positive decision making as emerging adults is directly related to what we have modeled for them. While we cannot change the family structures of the youth in our lives we can be present as a supportive adult. We can be present as a positive role model. We can be mindful of how and when we speak and always speak in love.

Love y’all, Marla