New Haven Independent

June 14, 2006

Tonight I graduated from school. No cap and gown, no pomp and circumstance. Just a certificate of achievement, a cotton T shirt branded with my name—and of course the token graduation speech.

State Rep. Toni Walker was the guest of honor this evening; her passionate words roused the crowd. She admitted it’s hard to keep a politician to just 20 minutes. She recalled that she can still remember the crosses burned on her family’s Southern lawn when she was 3 years old. She explained that she’s a pushy broad who reads everything—and votes along party and conscience lines. She said that adult jurisdiction for kids who get arrested needs to be changed from age 16 to 18. And she admitted that sometimes even she’s not sure how to best help the homeless.

As I sat there listening, I wondered what I might say for my own graduation speech. What lessons had I learned over the past six weeks? What advice would I pass on to future graduates?

Well, I’d signed up for Democracy School for two reasons: to learn more about my New Haven home and to talk the merit of politics with my dad. I managed to accomplish both.

As for dad, I emailed him my first diary post and he responded like so: “Your Dad is proud of you even if you’re in politics or not. I do admire you understand your shortcomings and are trying to overcome. Believe me as you extend yourself, it will become easier. You’ll meet some jerks but you’ll also meet some interesting engaging people. Don’t bow your head to any one of them. As I have told you you’re not better than any one else but you certainly are their equal!”

Then he said if he’s mentioned in a posting again, he’ll expect some hefty cash. Priceless.

As for the stuff I learned about the Elm City: I learned that there are active Republicans in 10 of the 30 wards. I learned that 30 percent of folks own homes in New Haven, while 70 percent rent. I found out that no one ever calls the tax collector’s office to say thank you. I discovered that the animal shelter was a hot budget item and most of our old parking meters lack replacement parts. I heard about moonlight kayaking at Lighthouse Point and that the 911 response time in New Haven is three minutes. I learned about the legal needle exchange program and heard debates on school lottery. And I discovered that public officials don’t always make great public speakers.

But school’s as much about people as process—and over the six weeks, I learned a lot about new democracy friends too. For instance: Emily despises chicken and rescues tiny cats. Mary frequents Koffee? and her husband loves Fort Ticonderoga. Joan always roots for the political underdog and her Irish skin blushes just as easily as mine. Richard spent years in the military and Theodore loves to visit hometown fairs. And John still hopes to tackle the Democracy School hand-outs on a rainy afternoon.

So what’s my advice to Democracy School 4? Eat a snack before you arrive. It’s hard to pay attention without a full stomach—and though food is provided, they sometimes run out. Ask lots of questions—that always makes for the most interesting discoveries. And talk to your classmates every chance you get. That’s when you learn the most about your home.

Six weeks later, there’s a lot about the Elm City that I still don’t know, and probably never will. But no reason to stop trying now….

Class dismissed.

(To read the previous installments of Kara Arsenault’s Democracy School diary, click here, here, here, here and here.)