Tonight is not about "research" or "political correctness"...I'm just talking to the fam.
I volunteer....especially if it helps young ones, consequently I've made my way to ALL of the community centers in the Haute, worked in North, South, & Even WEST Vigo High Schools (much Love Leadership Wabash Valley...you all broadened my horizons),and I gain as much as I give...but something that irks me. (Overly sensitive folk go look at my latest pictures or something)
I get pretty doggone tired of being either "the ONLY one" or One of Two.
I frequent a center that boast attendance of anywhere from 75 to 125 kids on average & many of them look like me. The ironically tragic side to that is that MANY of them are young "Brothers" who NEED to see POSITIVE BLACK MEN IN those centers...but if we get 3 we're praise dancing!
But I KNOW that there ARE many men of color with something to give...knowledge...advice....admonishment...But where y'all at??
Before you get all defensive, think on this...
Remember back in the day, when women like Mz. Mozene & Ms. Cheryl, Mother Nolan, Sis. Baker... would serve us breakfast in the center,have us come to their homes to learn to cook, or be out there trying to teach us, play with us, ect. Yes, we were grateful...BUT whenONE Black man would come into the place & work with us, how both the girls And boys would flock to him...listen to HIM...and give him a LEVEL of RESPECT that us sisters don't get, even though we are "respected"...A level that not even those who run all those centers for OUR kids get.
Now this is not to take from those who DO for others, seeking nothing in return, regardless of color, caste, or intellect...I appreciate them...but keeping it real, it BOTHERS me that "they" have to take care of OURS, because we are "Too Busy", "Too Self Centered", so quick to say "I Mind my own business", "I take care of my household, others should take care of theirs".
Do We Not KNOW That the kid you IGNORE in the Hood, is the one most likely to jack you or better yet, influence YOUR child/nephew/kin?...But we are so content behind our privacy fences that we don't even know who lives in our hood, do we?
Whats so "interesting" to me is that the people (you know who I'm talking about) who DO volunteer are typically some of the most notable, busiest people in the community, but when "WE" move on up like the Jeffersons our excuses become plenty.
WE talk about "staying humble" & "Remembering where we come from"....yet somehow it SEEMS as if we have to make it Ray Allen big before we are willing to "give back". (I was gonna say Kobe but I Love me some Ray...LOL)
So Lets talk about the catch phrase, "giving back."
The other day, I was asked about scholarships offered by the African American Cultural Center, so I asked & was informed me that WE have NONE?!! Hmmm, but I know MANY successful, "upper middle class" ISU Black Alum...maaaan the Black Alumni Network boast over 1300 members...who must have a computer right? Many of whom Have DEGREES (with a "S")...if all 1300+ came up off 10 bucks a Year the center would have enough funds to give away a few scholarships (with a "S")...say to the children of alum....or to children who have interest in African American Studies..whatever.
The POINT is most of us degreed, suburbanites WASTE ten bucks, and can STILL make the vacation, give to our church, organizations, ect....but will we help the Center that gave YOU refuge on a PWI?
Probably not...but I bet we will be the 1st to complain if ISU doesn't do us right next week during homecoming....things that make ya say Hmmmm....
But check This out...
My daughter was able to get a book scholarship...from "the other man" because her mom was an alum.
Oh Thats right, she could have waited on US to have yet another lame meeting to banter back and forth about trivial matters (mainly power trips) that still prevent us from coming together...Nah Boss...my kid used the scholarship well...too bad it wasn't from us.
Let me point out that I see us when we TRY to "give back".
Every once in awhile WE step to the plate with our specific organizations....but you know what?
Its not the same as YOU stepping up to the plate because someone mentored you...gave you a hand up...gave YOU the Hook up. Whether we like it or not,
- There are students who have NO HELP from Home.
- There are kids in these centers whose parents ARE Doing the BEST they can yet STILL NEED HELP.
- There are some who have parents "who just ain't parents", & all the commentary about them needing to do right will not help those children.
That annual event your organization does, to help the needy (or photo-opt your group- lets be honest) does not put you in physical proximity to the child you needs to see Black Folk "getting the job done"...YOU...Your Presence...GIVES THE VILLAGE HOPE....ESPECIALLY when you are MALE (yes I said it)
We NEED the BROTHERS, EN MASSE out in these centers NOT just for the boys, but so the girls SEE what a GOOD MAN Looks like in action!
Think I'm trippin? Last week ISU did TWO community sevice projects...One in Chicago, the other in Indy...Now the Turner bus was filled to the Chi...so how many of US went?
3...2 sisters....1 brother. I hear that some of us were in Indy...wonder if the ratio was the same?
Sadly enough some of you will read this as Val on her soapbox....but you Miss the fact that what I'm actually doing is saying that I am PROUD of your accomplishments & think your have something of worth in your spirit...Thas why I am practically begging US to GET INVOLVED in our community...the centers...OUR Cultural Center on the regular ...Whats Regular? Try once a week, 60 minutes...
Not much huh?
Oh But it IS...because you will be giving some kids something they've Never seen... consistency...and that breeds trust.
Church folk, I know you know that taking care of the poor & the widowed is Biblically mandated...you Do know that right?
Point Blank...We NEED US to Help US. I guess I do believe in a litte Marcus Garvey theory eh...WE can Teach us, We can Feed & Clothe Our Village...Yeah...Thats What I'm On tonight....and even tho I know some of y'all are about to tie me to the stake for airing our dirty laundry, & others are going to talk about all the good they do in the community, I'm not backing down, because if I wasn't talking truth you wouldn't be ticked....Ooh Boyee!!
Final Thought: On 2nd thought, those of you, who DO make that difference in our village, SPEAK ON IT....Maybe you will spark the minds of those who have thought about it, to the point where they'll quit talkin about it and BE About It.
Alrighty Then...I'm ready...FIRE!~
