When We Don’t Speak Up, Others Speak for Us

A moment with Mayor Ed Gainey reminded me why parents can’t stay silent.

Last year, I met Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey very briefly after a speaking engagement. It was a quick exchange — a handshake, a few words about schools and opportunity. But it stuck with me.

Here’s why:

He truly believed he understood cyber charter schools. He spoke with conviction. But as the conversation went on, it became clear he’d never actually fact-checked the information he’d been given — and he’d never met with anyone from “the other side.”

That moment was more than frustrating. It was eye-opening.

It showed just how easy it is for even well-intentioned leaders to repeat talking points that sound right… without ever hearing from the parents, students, and educators living the truth every day.

This kind of echo chamber is exactly what I wrote about in my recent Candy Apple blog:

👉 Echoes in Harrisburg: Three Letters

When politicians only listen to one narrative, we all lose.

Our kids lose.

Our communities lose.

The reminder here is simple: we have to engage our politicians — directly.

Shake hands. Send the emails. Make the calls. Set up the meetings.

Because if we don’t tell our story, someone else will — and they won’t tell it right.