I wrote this a long time ago...don't know why I never posted...
After a week of Black in America on CNN. A week were we learned or relearned what we already knew about our state here in America, without an answer or step-by-step plan on how to fix it we need to learn, search & step outside of the box.
Our present generation (& I would go as far back as the children born in the early 80's) have become an "I want it now", "You need to do for me because I won't/can't or have no interest of learning how", "I do not have to listen to you" or "Education is stupid" generation. Now, I realize that this is an over generalization. There is a large portion of society (present generation) who do not believe or think like this. But let's be real. The media will never portray this percentage consistently. NEVER.
I have always been employed in civil service. I know an antiquated term, but it fits. Besides high school all of my jobs have been in government. And I am not speaking of management. I talking about the down and gritty...meeting the people face to face, seeing all the war damage, listening to how food is not available, don't know where Ma is, never met Dad, can't read past the 3rd grade but 19 years old. In my short years I have seen a lot. Never will say it all because all I have to do live another day.
I am always questioning what can I do? Can I do more? What can my family contribute? My friends? I worked with a youth program for 4 years. An average of 110 kids per year. I am still in contact with probably 45% of them. While sometimes I want to pull my hair out with the issues they walk into, I feel the need to be there. Guide them still. Only because they deserve the chance, opportunity, and vision of what they can become. But sometimes I have to pull back and ask when are they going to stand up on their feet and let me walk behind instead of beside? Shouldn't they want to do that?
Unfortunately, more often than not they don't. I cannot tell you how many young men I come in contact with who cannot answer a simple question about themselves without turning to their Mother or girl. "What is your SSN?" ***Turns to look at girl...she answers*** Wouldn't you as a man want to be capable of answering this? "When was the last time you worked?" "What is it that you want to do in life?" "Can you use a computer?" Time and time again I run into MEN who cannot answer these simple questions.
The crux of the problem is it is not about your station in life. It is about your vision for your future.
Yeah, I can say all this because I come from an middle class family. I never wanted for food, shelter or clothes. But I had my issues. I still have my issues. However, the 1 thing or constant that was always in my life was the want to not live in the same station. Grow. Become more.
After a week of Black in America on CNN. A week were we learned or relearned what we already knew about our state here in America, without an answer or step-by-step plan on how to fix it we need to learn, search & step outside of the box.
Our present generation (& I would go as far back as the children born in the early 80's) have become an "I want it now", "You need to do for me because I won't/can't or have no interest of learning how", "I do not have to listen to you" or "Education is stupid" generation. Now, I realize that this is an over generalization. There is a large portion of society (present generation) who do not believe or think like this. But let's be real. The media will never portray this percentage consistently. NEVER.
I have always been employed in civil service. I know an antiquated term, but it fits. Besides high school all of my jobs have been in government. And I am not speaking of management. I talking about the down and gritty...meeting the people face to face, seeing all the war damage, listening to how food is not available, don't know where Ma is, never met Dad, can't read past the 3rd grade but 19 years old. In my short years I have seen a lot. Never will say it all because all I have to do live another day.
I am always questioning what can I do? Can I do more? What can my family contribute? My friends? I worked with a youth program for 4 years. An average of 110 kids per year. I am still in contact with probably 45% of them. While sometimes I want to pull my hair out with the issues they walk into, I feel the need to be there. Guide them still. Only because they deserve the chance, opportunity, and vision of what they can become. But sometimes I have to pull back and ask when are they going to stand up on their feet and let me walk behind instead of beside? Shouldn't they want to do that?
Unfortunately, more often than not they don't. I cannot tell you how many young men I come in contact with who cannot answer a simple question about themselves without turning to their Mother or girl. "What is your SSN?" ***Turns to look at girl...she answers*** Wouldn't you as a man want to be capable of answering this? "When was the last time you worked?" "What is it that you want to do in life?" "Can you use a computer?" Time and time again I run into MEN who cannot answer these simple questions.
The crux of the problem is it is not about your station in life. It is about your vision for your future.
Yeah, I can say all this because I come from an middle class family. I never wanted for food, shelter or clothes. But I had my issues. I still have my issues. However, the 1 thing or constant that was always in my life was the want to not live in the same station. Grow. Become more.
