THE CEDU STORY
More than 30 years ago, a successful merchant in Palm Springs, California initiated a conversation with the youth of his community. This conversation continues today and is the core of CEDU's emotional growth philosophy.
In 1966, CEDU founder, Mel Wasserman, noticed a growing population of young men and women gathering on the steps of the Palm Springs Public Library. Casualties of the "tune in, turn on and drop out" movement, these young people were clearly alienated and disengaged.
Mel's compassion and curiosity were stirred and he began to talk with these youth as he passed them on his lunch breaks. He discovered that they hungered for connection and were eager to share their passions, opinions and feelings. Mel offered his home as a forum for what he sensed these young people needed most - a safe place to connect and be heard. Mel invited the group for coffee and conversation on the condition that they respect his home, come clean and sober, help with the preparation of food and clean-up, and refrain from violent or destructive behavior.
Within a short time, the Wasserman home was packed several times a week with thirty or more young people eager to participate in these open conversations or "raps." Mel saw the profound need for a safe haven for many of these young people that would go beyond these evening visits.
In 1967, Mel sold his business and purchased a ranch near Riverside, California. This was the beginning of his vision to create a place where young men and women could find value in community, work and relationship. He believed that education included helping children find themselves in the educational process, not get lost in it. The term "CEDU" was created to reflect a guiding principle: "See and Do" or "See yourself as you are and do something with it."
Wow.... I mean, just fucking
wow!
You know, I always used to doubt that origin story, and it's obvious that it's withholding vital information, but after reading this again, I'm seeing it in a whole new light.
This history, or at least what we are seeing of it, is most likely true.
Why?
Because it is the quintessential template for the beginning of a full-blown cult.A guru takes alienated recruits into his home, indoctrinates them, and then forms a compound for them all to retreat to, and recruit new members. Remember how the old cedu survivor a few days ago posted about how they used to have to
go and fundraise for the program?Looking at it this way, there is also the possibility that he sincerely did have good intentions.... at first. Then, like all good cult leaders, he succumbed to greed and power. This is all pure speculation, of course. But I'm willing to bet the farm that I am right.
Another interesting tidbit of information/proof, which perfectly exemplifies that Mel may have not ended up believing his own ideology in the end...
A prior staff told me about the "here forever" staff workshop, which took place in 1989, while I was there. Like the I&Me, there were a few pre-workshops before the big one. In one of them, Mel, sitting in his chair, bellows "We plant our sword! Here forever!" and he makes a fist and brings down his arm, pretending to thrust a sword into an imaginary stone.Then he nonchalantly stands up... mimes to grab the hilt and yank the sword out, turns his back, and says "...until we take it out."
