I try to teach my children everyday to be proud of who you are. We are Black and I love my history and all the accomplishments my ancestors have achieved. But sometimes I feel like a hypocrite, because lately watching the news and reading the paper, I want to cover my skin and shake my head shamefully.
I really started to think of this yesterday. Iwent to the African American Day Parade in New York. I have been attending this parade for years. This was the 39th year and I am 33. I have been going since I was a little girl and let me tell you "my have times changed" I took my children and met up with cousins and aunts and even my dad came to meet us there ( I didn't grow up with him, and it's always good to see him). Now let me first start by saying that I do not live in NY anymore. I moved to Connecticut five years ago so it was avery early morning for me( I had gone to The Big E the day before). Anyway, I get to Ny at 9:30am with three very hungry and tired children. We sat for hours waiting for the parade to start (it started at 1:30) I love this parade and make the trip each year because I love to see Black fire fighters and police officers and other professions. I want my kids to know that they can be everything and everyone was represented. I love the marching bands and the children displaying their various talents. I felt good to be black....... until
Behind us at about 6:00 trouble began. Groups of young men ( mostly in red) started trouble. Hadn't they felt the same pride I felt. These kids are what I call the lost. They have grown up with out supervision and guidance. I thought where are the parents. What would give these kids the idea of such savage like behavior. Here we are all blacks, struggling against all of these outside forces, trying to get one of our own in the white house, and these "kids" and I use that word so that that I don't sound too harsh, making all of us look bad. Is this the perception they want the world to see. I have a teenage son who loves red, but has no gang affiliation. He has loved red since he was very young. I had to advise him (and good thing I did) that there would be gang members out there and I didn't want any problems. How sad is this. My son works hard to earn money and can't even wear clothes that he has purchased his self. As I watch people old and young scramble to clear the way, I wondered why? I had gotten up early in the morning and spent the day with family that I rarely saw and it was all destroyed by these lost children. The saddest part is to watch cops of other races watch them fight each other, on this day, at this venue. I thought of all the groups thats sole purpose is to be against black people and here they are helping them.
Politicians beg for our vote and promise so many things, but what about these children. What about Gangs. Growing up in Harlem myself, I never knew these dangers. I was raised by just my mom, but was taught right and wrong, and trust me you didn't want to do wrong. Where did this malfunction in raising children come from. I struggle everyday with my children and school, and work and volunteering, but I am here for my children and make sure they are well rounded, well respected kids. I want the best for them. I want to have a reason to say "I 'm Black and I'm Proud!!!"
I believe that it really takes a village to raise a child and the village really needs to start working together to save these kids and their kids before it is too late. Morre youth programs need to be started, they need guidance and self esteem work. They need to find a reason to be proud and follow that.
Needless to say that after getting back on the train, I thanked God for my small town. It is not the best place on Earth, but my children are safe here and don't have to fear their own. In fact in this small town, which is why I stay here, my children have friends of all colors and don't think of the difference. My 5 year old daughter tells me that everyone is the same color, just different shades. I love that.
