Mr. Sykes
9.4.09
On July 28, 2009 the world lost a great contributor. Mr. Jimmie Travis was a leader,motivator and a humble being. In the 60's, as a young man, Jimmie took the bullet that ultimately saved the life of Bob Moses. Had that bullet traveled in any other direction, this blog may never have existed. There would be no Algebra Project or YPP, no Omo to call for advice, no Maisha to call for an encouraging word. What Mr. Travis did for us we must do for the world. We must absorb the bullets that are intended to destroy our communities( inadequate education; restricted, if any, access to quality healthcare). We must be the bearers of burdens not intended for us as well as those that are. All of this has to be done in the spirit of selfless sacrifice. We all are intended to contribute something to this world which is greater than us: that outlives us. We are only drops in the stream that must become a lake of unity,a reservoir of fairness and justice, a river of peace and eventually an ocean of harmony. YPP is a place, for many of us, where that began and our communities and the broader world is where it must be sustained. One bullet, caught by an unintended target, is what made our work possible. For what Jimmie Travis and others like him have done for us, YPP moves and lives in eternal gratitude. Thanks Jimmie!!!!
