Can Pasadena become a 'city of justice?'

by Patrick Briggs [courtesy of Blog for America]

We often hear that we should think local in our politics. Pasadena resident, Peter Dreier (proud to say he lives on my block!), has an important essay out on the centrality of affordable housing, an involved citizenry with their city council, and a good public education system, to a socially just Pasadena community. Please read these links to find out more:

http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/print.php?id=18365

Here is a link to a report commissioned by the Pasadena Educational Foundation. It was written by Richard Kahlenberg, an educational consultant. The report pointed out that Pasadena has more world-class institutions colleges, museums, theaters, hospitals, and science-based businesses -- than any other city its size. If these institutions and the broader community got behind our public schools, there's no reason that PUSD couldn't be a first-class school system.

http://www.pusd.us/article.php?story=20060606114711995

Peter Dreier also recently wrote a feature story for the Pasadena Weekly titled, "Separate and Unequal: Nowhere in California is the gap between rich and poor greater than in Pasadena" Please give this a read. All three of these links get very specific about our community's challenges and hopes.

http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/article.php?id=5087&IssueNum=89

If you feel moved to get involved or are already involved on this issue, please contact us. Our leadership would like to involve YOU to take action in support of a more socially just Pasadena.

Regards,

Patrick Briggs,
Pasadena DFA Chapter Leader