So you know that things are crazy out here and you know that the youth of today really need guidance and help but when it hits home it really bothers you...
so yesterday evening I get a call from my brother who is a Security guard at a PG High School that will remain nameless, and he says that he has gotten suspended from work, and here is why:
....he was trying to break up a fight and this little youngin threatened to kill him literally and then actually tried by lunging at him with a knife...he has a scar/slash across his face...my brother spun around to avoid the little boy and got cut and grabbed his arm...my brother ended up breaking the little boys arm and fracturing his jaw...so he is suspended with pay and has to go to counseling because they want him to be alright (which I agree with)...
but what's crazy is that the boys parents were at the school yesterday when my brother got back from the hospital (they made him go and they wanted to keep him because his pressure was up but he wouldn't stay) the boys parents, specifically his father, were up in there acting like fools wanting my brothers address and personal information so that he could "take care of this myself"
and we wonder why the kids are off the hook, look at the parents...
instead of looking at their child who tried to not only stab another student but an adult and threatened to kill him and saying ok I need to deal with this, my child, they want to come after my brother...totally UNBELIEVABLE!
these kids act as if its cool to be crazy, its cool to be violent...I am so convinced it’s the videos, games, movies and all of that stuff that makes getting money by any means necessary a cool lifestyle...what's even worse is the fact that they don’t have people breaking stuff down for them...like its just entertainment, this is real life...and its not like high school isn’t in a nice decent area...they want to be from the hood...that ain’t cute
In a totally unrelated event...
a mentee of mines boyfriend's father (I know I know, but you all get it) was shot last Friday the 13th. Two 16 y/o boys tried two rob him and ended up shooting him. The bullet didn't hit any vital organs and was just shy of hitting his spine. However, he developed a blood clot where they bullet was lodged. The bullet moved and nicked is bawl causing him to bleed internally. He had to be rushed into emergency surgery yesterday. So pretty much things are very dangerous right now and are just up in the air.
So here you have two fathers (my brother has 3 daughters and a son) who have been affected by totally uncalled for violence from young African American males...I don't know what to do or what to say...I would say that they need father's in their homes, but like I said the one student had both parents up at the school, acting a pure de fool...
Do I really want the black family to come back together if they are going to be off the hook like this? What is happening to our youth who have no respect for life, for themselves, for each other, not even their elders? What is going on in the world man...
I am totally disgusted, dishearted, and of course concerned....talk to me people I am all ears...
what can we do to be apart of the solution?
8 comments:
"Do I really want the black family to come back together if they are going to be off the hook like this?"
The sad thing is: without the family coming together, it only gets worse. I think it's a matter of the family not only coming together, but learning from "sins of the fathers." People pass down all thses destructive ways of thinking.
I have what I call "Spider-Man Syndrome." I want to save Mary Jane, Aunt May, Harry, and Jay Jonah Jameson all at the same time. I'm learning to accept that you can't though. What you can do is save individuals who can in tern save others. You're doing what you need to be doing, Tiff. You're providing youth with knowledge, encouragement, love, and the leadership skills they need to contribute to change. Stay up, homie. You've got a lot of light around you in those youth, and you've got a lot of light in you with the Almighty and you just being you! :-)
Peace,
Kep.
Ignorance begets ignorance with these kids and their parents. When adults aren't mature enough to handle their anger, who do kids have to look up to when it's time to see how they should handle theirs? Ignorance begets ignorance.
And I say it all the time. Education is the key to solving alot of our problems. People don't think education can solve the problems of violence. But how many college educated bruhs are going to think twice before they do some violent shyt? Most! How many educated bruhs are going to go up to their child's school and try to find a way to "handle it himself"? Not many? Why? Because people are educated enough to realize that they have a shitload to lose if they do that. And even though we all do stuff out of anger and other emotions, most times if we are educated and given time to think about it, we'll make a decent (if not wise) decision. So as I've always said, education, financial empowerment, and family values are the keys to unlocking the "solution".
Kep, you touched on family values. But at the same time you sound like my man Lionel when it comes to Spiderman Syndrome. I can understand you guys' perspective, but imagine if it was you and we were trying to figure out a way to save you even though you may not have known you needed to be saved or you may not have wanted to be saved? It's tough though because it is some truth in that some people are not savable. But there are people out here who never give up and I applaud them.
It's a sad state of affairs for our youth out here, not just in PG County or DC but everywhere. There’s no level of respect for adults/elders anymore. I wish I would’ve ever frowned my face up at a teacher or sucked my teeth at an adult who tried to school me back then. Now kids are not just being violent, but they’re killing each other and innocent people. They curse like sailors, tote guns and dare someone to say something 'disrespectful' to them for fear of ‘retaliation’. It’s crazy.
First let me say that it really feels my heart with joy to see that the brothers have stepped up and are the first to respond to this post...Thank you!
@Kep-you know I still believe in the black family...that is the core to our community...and like all families some will be a little disfunctional, and that's why it is also important that we have the village...we have to all step up where our community is involved...
@MC-I totally agree education and financial empowerment is the key...but if educated brothers like yourself don't pass the knowledge back...the youth won't get it...these young people don't understand the importance of or even value education...and there is but so much influence I, as a female, can give to a black male...like you said ignorance begets ignorance...so sometimes those in the village have to step up and be roll models for those who don't have them at home
@gmo-you are right there is no more respect...for anyone or anything, not even themselves...WE have to step up for them and show them the way....
@brilld-yeah I agree that pop culture is part of the problem, parents not talking to the kids is also a part of the problem...we have to talk to our kids and help them to understand the difference
thanks for the well wishes for my brother...he's a tough dude...and he got US (the family) has his back...
Nice Blog
WOW! What you spoke of is a sad reality of what is happening daily in society. What's worse is that the girls are almost equally violent. Our children don't respect adults because so many adults aren't acting or behaving like adults. Grown ass men/women are acting like they're their kids best friends; talking and dressing like them too. NOT COOL! In addition, the unity is all but gone. Parents are letting siblings raise each other because they have to work etc. While I understand the plight of working parents, is there NO ONE they can entrust their children with?
The cycles of anger and violence is perpetuated in song, movies, games etc., with no productive outlets, the children are emulating what they see. We really do need to come together and give back where we can and hopefully we can make a positive change for the future of our children.
what can we do to be apart of the solution?
First realize there’s a HUGE problem. It starts at home. The parent(s) should be more involved in their children lives, and stop letting t.v, video games. and society raise their kids.
Kids today have no respect for adults (like Blu said). They don’t understand the importance of having an education and responsibilities. They believe in the “fast life” and taking the short cut through life. Kids today are growing up way too fast and not understanding that once they hit the real world, no one owes you a damn thing.
It’s important to keep kids involved in extra curricular activities and organization. For starters, they have way too much time on their hands.
@juicy-Thanks!
@Blu-yeah there has been a break down, parents are so concerned with just trying to work and provide material things (which they do have to do to a certain extent) that they have forgotten about the more important things, like being there to guide the kids...providing a spiritual base and love (even if its via fear to get respect at first) my mother was my friend but I didn't know it until I was a freshman in college...
@awotm-we do have to see that there is a HUGE problem and its up to our generation to start being apart of the solution by giving these kids an alternative to look up to, other than 50 and Jay Z....In terms of parents and respect I never had to dislike my parents or "hate" them because I just knew that there were certain things that I HAD to do and certain things there were NOT acceptable and that was it...if I had tried to stab an adult...broke arm or not my mother and father would have been dealing with ME and MY issues and not the adult...I would be the one dead wrong....by the time you reach high school you know right from wrong period! And these parents have to stop pacifing them and make them deal with the consequences of their actions...because if they don't learn now they never will...but that would require the parent sitting down and explaining that there are consequences for your actions the choices you make....
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