Ruszkowski is one of the good guys
I’ve known Christopher Ruszkowski, New Mexico’s secretary-designate of education, from the very day he arrived in New Mexico. Since then, we’ve talked at length about many things, especially his work in education here. I have asked him countless questions over many hours, wanting to understand him and his passion for his work.
Thus, I find the characterization of him to be somewhat unbalanced regarding who this man is as a person and a leader (“Education chief ’s talk of Manifest Destiny draws ire from pueblos,” Dec. 23). As someone who knows him well, addressing recent concerns, I can say unequivocally that Secretarydesignate Ruszkowski does not have so much as a racist fingernail, the last person who would ever need “anti-racism training.”
In early December, he mentioned Manifest Destiny during a 30-minute speech referencing many periods of American history. He unfortunately mentioned that term as historical fact, neglecting to clarify that it is a concept and a practice that he considers both wrong and reprehensible. He immediately made efforts to rectify this error, as is his way. He is one of the few people I know who readily admits and takes responsibility for his mistakes.
In the bigger picture, Secretary-designate Ruszkowski has a long-standing background as a progressive, has been traveling the state celebrating schools and educators for the past six months, appeared in front of the United States Congress representing New Mexico’s highly regarded state plan and traveled to Aztec (site of a recent high school shooting) with deepest concern three times in recent weeks. I believe it’s a gross mistake to blow up the errors that are already in the process of being rectified, and miss the man, who is one of the finest, most dedicated, most openhearted people I have ever had the good fortune to know.
And I know how deeply he cares about the enormous task he has taken on, and how much he cares about the quality of life of every single student in public education in New Mexico.
Secretary-designate Ruszkowski is one of the good guys, people, exactly the sort of tireless and passionately committed human being who can make a difference.
Lisa Sarenduc is a native of Connecticut and has lived and worked in Santa Fe for 32 years.