Dartmouth College honored H. Carl McCall '58 with the distinguished Nelson A. Rockefeller Center Public Service Award on Friday as supporters gathered in Hinman Forum to welcome back a man who has dedicated his life to public service.
McCall's resume includes such roles as President of the New York City Board of Education, New York State Senator, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights and Ambassador to the United Nations.
McCall credits his achievements to the exceptional liberal arts education that Dartmouth offered him over 40 years ago. He believes that every child deserves a comparable opportunity, an idea he presented in his lecture, "Reflections of a Liberated Mind " Public Service and the Quest for Quality Education."
Amidst all the concern about a war 8,000 miles away, domestic problems such as unemployment, soaring health care costs and corporate scandals, there is one cause that is closest to McCall's heart: the education of the country's children.
"Millions of children across this nation walk into schools each day that are ill-equipped to provide even a basic education -- let alone a better life," he said. "Nowhere do we need vision more than in the area of the education of our children."
As a former Democratic candidate for the Governor of New York in 2002, Mr. McCall strives to close the gap between the "have" and "have not" children. Schools in suburban communities do not have to worry about funding new equipment or expansions.
In contrast, students in crowded, inner-city classrooms lack computers and books because they lack the political clout necessary to get adequate funding. McCall envisions the creation of a better world where a good education is not dependent on one's address or household income. His political strategy has focused on the inequitable public education system, and he encouraged people to become more informed and politically active to help change and reform policy.
McCall advocated what he calls "leveling up." Under this plan, districts would not see any decrease in the amount of money they receive. Rather, the poorer districts would receive much more money while the wealthier suburban counties would see a slight increase in funds.
In regards to affirmative action, Mr. McCall believes that "affirmative action is a program by which we can systematically include those who were systematically excluded in the past. It is a hand up -- not a hand out. Affirmative action has made the difference for millions of Americans -- it, more than any other program, is responsible for the creation of the Black middle class -- and much of the economic and social progress made in America over the last 30 years."
McCall reminded the audience of the importance of properly educating our children. As he explained, "My Dartmouth education gave me nothing less than my liberation -- it was the equalizer I needed -- the key to every door that I have walked though. It is time to liberate our children."
