He sees the steam bellow from the smoke stack. He knows the steel wheels are rolling. All he wants is for Tampa Bay to climb aboard.
Diversity has become a locomotive. When it comes to cultural mix, this is one of the nation's top areas, and Kaplan is convinced we're moving forward - even if we had the highest number of hate crimes in the state; even if Florida is second in the nation in verifiable hate groups.
"There's a reason for this. We're one of the top five areas for diversity," Kaplan said. "It's a challenge for some people. Rather than accept and value change, they want to turn back the clock. But the train has left the station and we're moving into the future."
This is part of the message Kaplan and the National Conference for Community and Justice delivered Thursday night at its Silver Medallion Humanitarian Awards Dinner. The group is dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism. The fight is as important today as it was 40 years ago.
How that train moves into the future may depend largely on the success of the NCCJ's mission. As it rightfully points out, nobody is born a bigot.
If we pepper the next generation with lessons of hatred, the pathway of the future will continue to be littered with incidents such as an African-American student having a noose placed around his neck, or the desecration of an exhibit designed to promote coexistence.
Can the NCCJ stem the tide of intolerance? Kaplan looks at a session he held at Tarpon Springs High after the school became embroiled over a Confederate battle flag debate, and says yes.
He and his staff sat about 30 students in a circle and had them set the rules for the debate. On one side were students with worn T-shirts bearing the flag; on the other, the blacks who were offended by the fashion choice. Each took turns respectfully baring their opinions.
There were crass words, angry accusations, heartfelt denials and streams of tears.
"Some of the things that were said in that room were amazing," said Kaplan, who has used those statements and others to create a book, Failing Grades, How Schools Breed Frustration, Violence And Anger and How To Prevent It.
After 21/2 hours and four boxes of doughnuts, each student spoke of what had come from the day. Those who wore the Confederate shirts apologized in their own way. You may still find the battle flag on shirts at Tarpon Springs, but largely gone are the truly offensive T-shirts featuring black caricatures picking cotton.
We can't ever expect to evolve if we don't demand that our kids treat people with dignity and respect. Yet funding cuts are making it more difficult for NCCJ to deliver its message in meaningful ways.
For more information, go to NCCJtampabay.org. We don't want to risk derailing the train.
* * *
ROBINSON READS BEGAN as a mantra to promote greater literacy at the South Tampa high school. Now it's become a cheer for a collaborative effort that's going to result in the school receiving a renovated library.
On Friday, the school celebrated the Revitalizing School Libraries Grant it received from the New York Life Foundation through the Public Education Network and the Hillsborough Education Foundation.
For a lot of students, Barnes & Noble and Starbucks have become more inviting than the school media center, but the grant, which totals nearly $300,000 thanks to matching efforts from the Council for Educational Change, should go a long way in bringing Robinson's center up to par.
In addition to the renovation, some of the funds will go toward expanding the book collection and technological improvements such as wireless laptops.
George Nichols III, New York Life senior vice president, gave an inspiring speech, the band played New York, New York, and the event proved to be a showcase not only for the project but for the whole school.
It's nice to see South Tampa's other high school get some deserved attention.
