Me...Black in America

Last night I left the television on to fall asleep, thinking CNN would do the trick; the broadcast was on Black in America: 2 hosted by Soledad O’Brien.

The first story was about Malaak Compton-Rock and her program Journey for Change. She selects 30 kids ages 12 to 16 (middle-school to high-school) from Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY and travels with them to Africa so that they can see how other parts of the world live and become global citizens. It was a very moving story – highlighting 3 of the thirty children all with different obstacles and each making choices or the lack thereof to become a more influential member in their own lives. I cried as I watched and listened to their stories, as I saw the “homes” of the African people and my heart went out to the children who wanted to do some much for the families that had so little. I smiled at the young lady who became a voice for those who couldn’t speak and for the young man whose confidence was brought to new heights in a matter of days. And for the young man who has yet to understand his full potential my prayers are with him.

The second story highlighted a principal, Steve Perry, Hartford, Connecticut, who started a magnet school to ensure that one hundred percent of the students went on to attend college. He discussed the low parent involvement and how if he and the teachers didn’t show many times no one showed up for the kids. I cried and rejoiced with the young lady who was accepted to three different colleges after the emotional and personal rollercoaster her life had taken.

I didn’t grow up in the ghetto, we lived below the poverty line, but for most part we didn’t go to bed hungry and we had clothes to wear, nevertheless I felt emptiness as I was drawn into the broadcast. I didn’t participate in many extracurricular activities, I didn’t volunteer in my community, I didn’t know of anything that was going on outside of my “bubble.” I don’t like politics and prefer to immerse myself in a fictitious world when I can relax and unwind. I realized that I was raising my son to be the same way. I read in the paper about adolescents achieving awards and doing great acts of community service and wonder how did they get involved? I realized it was my responsibility to expose my children to things that I wasn’t exposed to. To broaden their horizons and let them know to reach for the farthest star because it is possible to grasp – the result – YOU ARE A SHOOTING STAR that someone can coming along and wish upon. As for my personal aspirations, I am thinking what I really want to be when I grow up; my legacy is not just left to my children, but to many people in the society who I can make an impact upon, just one small act at a time.

Hopefully, this is not just a phase and I can start by directing Rico’s path as he is reaching a milestone in his life and that Keilana will see this at a very young age and it become ingrained in her as she grows.

I am now seeing God’s vision for this world He created.

Lord, my heart is not proud,
Nor are my eyes haughty.
I do not pursue great things,
Nor matters too lofty for me.
Rather I have stilled my soul,
Calmed it like a hushed child.
Like a child in a mother’s arms,
So is my soul within me.
…from Psalm 131