I have discussed several topics on this blog and mentioned a few subjects that surrounds the upward mobility of the African American community. I have been quite busy lately working on a few projects or at least trying to get some of them off the ground which is why I have neglected to write anything as if many people cared. But for the ones who care a little, read a little further.
We all perceive the world differently and our issues are not the same. What are some of the issues that you face or some of the issues that you would like to discuss?
Recently, Chicago was struck with a wave of violence that deeply saddens me to the very root of my essence. It is not as if murders amongst youth are abnormal or a novel issue facing America as of late, but the massive casualties on this April day is a far cry from the sanity in which man proclaims to have. Whether the issues are gang battles, turf wars, or rebellious victims of an emotional prison within the constructs of a social outcast, the rapid rate at which children are dying is beyond alarming.
On April 20th, there were 38 victims of shootings and stabbings. Nine of the incidents were fatal and 13 of the total number were students. America is fighting a war abroad to cease the violence in the streets of Iraq, while the war and violence at home is growing more and more prevalent. Additionally, in South Carolina, a high school student was caught planning a Columbine-style attack on his fellow classmates before his parents were lucky enough to thwart his intentions. It is almost the commonality of today whereas high school students, and in more recent cases elementary students, are bringing guns, knives, and drugs to school. A place that used to be a safe haven for our youth is rapidly becoming a home to murder and mayhem.
The rising cases of death amongst our young, Black, White, Latino, Asian, and other races are becoming more of a threat to our existence than any terrorist action. Overcoming this perplexity is a major hurdle that we have yet to overcome, and with the rapidly changing and generational gaps where parents are even farther removed from their children’s upbringing, our futures and those of our children may be shorter than we realize.
I recently visited my hometown, school, and community speaking with youth of all ages vying to inspire them to achieve their goals with committed aggression. Most of our interactions were positive and constructive, with their faces all aglow. They were waiting in anticipation, participation, and engaging in active communication. The main issue that most of the teachers and community leaders stressed was the lack of inspiration. They felt the children needed to be motivated to succeed. I had a lengthy conversation with one instructor that stated how the children of today needed to be given incentives to perform well in class. My concern is what do we do to improve the relationship with our youth and how do we keep them motivated to succeed? It is so easy to fall prey to negativity. So how do we keep our youth involved and on the right path?
