IMPORTANT! MUST READ!  The content herein does not reflect the opinions of any particular group, organization, or individual. Rather, it is a reflection of all that needs to be 'said' relative to this 'epidemic' WE now face.

Here We Go Again! (PART I)

(In this text the term “WE” is used with reference to ‘community, ‘parents’, ‘ youth’, and ‘the individual’)

Once again WE are in a situation where an epidemic is upon us. It’s not the Flu, Bird Flu, or any other ‘natural’ or biological epidemic.  It is, rather, the taking of a Human life by another “…with deliberately premeditated malice aforethought, or with extreme atrocity or cruelty, or in the commission or attempted commission of a crime…”.

 In other words WE have allowed ourselves to be in a position where:

·        Parents are burying their children

·        There is no longer any respect for life, as life is, by our young people

·        WE turn a “blind eye” to ALL that is causing the untimely demise of our children, our community, and ultimately ourselves

·        Despite what we may hear, or have heard, there is no respect

·        WE, young and older alike, seem to believe that we have the right to ‘Demand” that someone respect us.  And the majorities who maintain this way of thinking don’t even know what “respect” is. Which leaves the unanswered question “How can you demand someone respect you when you have no self-respect?”

·        It is believed that all the “glitter and money” supersedes anything concerning ourselves, our families, or our community

·        WE no longer know how to relate to our young in order to ensure that the old saying “It takes a village to raise a child” is a mainstay within our own communities

·        WE have allowed government, public and private agencies, and different mediums to become the mothers and fathers of our children.  And have allowed these entities to dictate to us how to raise our children

·        WE are unsure as to how to approach our own children

·        We have allowed what is splashed across the screen or blasted over the radio airways to influence our young and allow then to make decisions that are ultimately killing them

·        WE have accepted the weak argument “Why should I work at McDonald’s….”

·        WE have to take an honest look at ourselves and ask, “Where have WE failed?”

·        WE have allowed ourselves to fall into a false sense of security

·        WE believe that if it has not happened directly there is no reason to get involved

·        WE, who need to address this epidemic, have allowed ourselves to remain silent “out of fear…”

·        WE have not really communicated with our young people in a manner that expresses ‘truth’ based on ‘fact’

·        WE have to realize that not all of us can spend the same amount of time with our children and must not use this as an excuse…”It’s not always the quantity… it’s the quality”

There is no denying that issues such as the economy, education, health care, and others are affecting us all.  These are issues that are addressed (and have been addressed) over long periods of time.  While, in the meantime, WE suffer from this epidemic.  There MUST be a method put in place that addresses this issue NOW!  What makes anybody think that WE can hold on any longer?  If we wait, we will continue to be forced to bury our children. This is common (or will become so) in ALL communities. If you truly believe it when you say "I never thought it could ever happen here..." it is strongly suggested that you STOP fooling yourself!

WE better communicate with our young people with a “no-holds-barred” mentality.  Using “real life” comparisons and not simply continue telling them “you know what you’re doing is wrong…”, “you better not be doing this or that…”, I know my child would never….”.

Tell those who are out there on the corners selling the drugs that they are running the same game as is run in, for example, Prostitution.  It simply comes down to the issue of “supply and demand”.

For simplicity’s sake, let’s call it a business.  Prostitution is the business of a CEO (Pimp) supplying the product (Prostitute) to those who demand (Customer/John). The customer pays for the product.  The monies are given to the company CEO.  The “worker” is then paid a salary, or other stipend (whatever the CEO thinks the worker should have).

Drugs are the business of a CEO (Supplier) supplying the product (Drugs) to those who demand (Addict/User). The customer pays for the product.  The monies are given to the company CEO.  The “worker” is then paid a salary, or other stipend (whatever the CEO thinks the worker should have).  What’s the difference?

Oh, the fact that there are guns involved?  How do you think the CEO in the first example protects his “product”?  I will admit there is one major difference.  In the first example I have not been able to find examples (locally) of the “product” killing each other over foolishness.

Does the fact that the funeral parlors in our community have been doing a robust business preparing our children for burial bother anyone else?  Why? Because one wears one color, or comes from a different neighborhood, or looks at another “the wrong way”?

Here We Go Again! (PART II)

This one has been labeled “the loss generation”.  WE better take long, hard look at that particular ‘label’.  If this one is lost, what effect will all of this madness have on the “next” one?”  WE have allowed ourselves to become disconnected!  From our community, from each other, and from ourselves!  So disconnected are WE that it is inevitable that young people from one neighborhood will have a “beef” with young people from another.  That “beef” will result in another needless death and when the time comes for the funeral services those who are responsible will learn that the young victim happens to be a relative.  How many times have WE gone to a family reunion or cookout and saw someone familiar to us from our own neighborhood and later learned he or she is a cousin, etc.  WE MUST send a message to our young that will attract their attention!  WE are witnessing a slow, methodical destruction of our next, current, and older generations.  They MUST be made to realize that there is greatness in them and that is why WE are so adamant about saving them.

The vehicles driving our young generations toward this destruction are as plain as the nose on your face, including the hidden messages;

1.      Chemical dependency

2.      Guns

3.      Lack of respect

4.      Mistrust

5.      The psychological and subliminal messages being fed to our young through various mediums.

6.      Lack of Knowledge and History

As far as WE are concerned “chemical dependency” should be looked at as more than someone being addicted.  WE need to amend the definition to include anyone who “depends” on drugs in order to generate income.  If you supply and/or sell it, you suffer from a chemical dependency.

WE know all about the manufacturing of, the right to, etc.  What WE need to communicate and realize is the FACT that having one DOES NOT contribute to ones manhood (or womanhood).  All this does is create a false sense of security!  It fools many into thinking that they will attain immediate respect and that people will “fear and respect them”.

Repeating a statement already made: WE, young and older alike, seem to believe that we have the right to ‘Demand” that someone respect us.  And the majorities who maintain this way of thinking don’t even know what “respect” is. Which leaves the unanswered question “How can you demand someone respect you when you have no self-respect?”  We have allowed ourselves to reach the point where it is an accepted practice to refer to each other in a manner that was used as a method of self-degradation for centuries.  You see a young female walking down or across the street and make some kind of animal call to get her attention.  And when she does not want to converse with you she’s no longer that “fly looking thing” and now becomes a “bitch” or a “Ho”.  If that were your sister or cousin and someone disrespected her in this manner….how would you feel?

“Make money fast and get all the things I ever wanted…jewelry, clothes, cars, etc.”  WE have to tell the truth, not only to our young people, but also to ourselves.  The end result from this madness will always result in mistrust.  You may obtain some of these things but know this; you will be looking over your shoulder all the time and sadly, as a result, so will your mother, father, sister, brother, etc.  Sure, you’ll have “friends” hanging around you, wanting to be seen with you.  But always remember, there is always someone waiting for his or her chance to take your place and jealousy always rears its ugly head in one form or another.

WE have allowed ourselves to reach the point where it is an accepted practice to refer to each other in a manner that was used as a method of self-degradation for centuries.  WE listen to lyrics that totally degrade our girls and women, our families, our self-esteem, and our spirits.  And have the nerve to know every single lyric by heart, but cannot even remember what was trying to be taught in a classroom, how to properly create a resume, or how to prepare for a job interview.

WE watch programs on television where our young men and women are disrespected simply by depicting what “thug life” is supposed to be.  Exposing parts of the anatomy, flashing large wads of money, driving expensive cars, wearing expensive jewelry, in prison, in the neighborhood carrying guns, etc.

It is time that WE stop allowing others to paint a picture of what life in our community “appears to be” and use our own paintbrush to paint a picture that depicts positive progress, advancement, and the fact that “It takes a village to raise a child”.