More often than not we hear the opposite - "I am NOT my brother's keeper." Why is that? Why have we gotten to the point where we feel no responsiblity for those around us? Should I just feel responsible for my own children? For my immediate family? For my team? For just myself?
A lack of responsibility is one of the main reasons why our youth struggle today. Now there is a whole list of others but I feel as if we could teach them to start taking pride in looking out for the next man rather than tearing him down, we would get a lot further a lot faster. Our young men have been conditioned to think that society looks down upon them and their options are limited unless they have reached the superstar status as an athlete or entertainer.
The problem is that we don't have enough "regular" men stepping up and taking responsibility for their own and those around them. We're leaving it up to the athletes and entertainers who, for the most part, don't want the job. I'm not asking every man to start a program dedicated to the cause but what I am suggesting is that we take just a little time to drop a little knowledge on our young brothers whenever we get an opportunity. You never know how what you say to that young man might change his life. And lets not just talk the talk. It is proven that our young men learn best through doing and observing. We have to BE the men we need them to be for those they will one day lead.
The bottom line is, their failures are our failures. Think about how it would feel to stop talking about how bad this generation is and actually take action to do something about it. Lets turn their successes into our successes.
"I AM my brother's keeper" - how about you?
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This is excellent Son! I'm not sure you know how proud I am of you. As an "old head" Bortha now and as a Father, in particularly YOUR Father, it does my heart good to know there are young Brothas out there like yourself that are truely working to make a difference in the generations to follow. I remember when you were a kid I often wondered what you would be like as an adult. You have become quite the Man. No Father could ask for more in a Son. We do need to come together Mike. The problems we face each day in our communities are well documented and too often repeated. Continuing to talk and complain about the problems will never bring about REAL change. If we each carry ourselves like MEN, true, strong, accontable and responsible Men, there is no issue we can't face and no problem we can't overcome. The barriers are are own. We built them, we have to break them down.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike! This is FANTASTIC! I too am so proud of you and your endeavor to reach out and impact the lives of young black men our communities. Tamarra sent the link for your blog to us (her friends) and I thought I would check it out! I'm so glad I did...This is a phenomenal undertaking and I anticipate great results! Keep up the good work and let Karl and I know if there's ever anything we can do to help...besides of course taking the time to reach out and help the young brothas we know. Keep up the great work! God Bless~ Christi
ReplyDeleteMike, This is great. Someone is taking a stand for the young brothas. Just follow your heart. If God bring you to it he will take you thru it.Just a few words of encouragement. Keep going forward and don't look back. God Bless You. Jay Mom.
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