Now Is The Time!!

The world is boiling, a boil which has hit a point of no return. For the African American, there is no return to normal, for this our society in general, there is no return to normal. What COVID-19 hasn’t ripped up, systematic racism has. It has placed us at a fork in the road, one which is exhausting, frustrating, and outright painful; while at the same time exciting, full of life, and opportunity for both change, and advancement.

As I begin to better understand the cultural divide between White and Black people, I recognize the parenting styles of African Americans causes more youth to respect their parents, however in doing so these youth loose, or forfeit opportunities for advancement because of parental fears. I believe one of the reasons our White counterparts have avoided these losses is due to a difference in parental respect views. White Parents are not as controlling as Black parents; White parents do not shield their kids as much as Black parents, therefore White youth have more room to grow than blacks. Now before anyone believes I am pushing for black kids to revolt against their parents, STOP.. Respect for our parents is arguably the only thing we have going for us at this moment; But if we would encourage our grandparents and parents, to see the positives of this our new society, I believe this will trickle down to our African American Future. I believe we do this, by creating an environment for Mom and Dad, by Mom and Dad, where they can comfortably learn where this world is going, exploring the opportunities that are before us, and discover hidden truths which I believe will give new insight, and enthusiasm for who we are, and who we can be as a people.

There is an old saying, Strike while the iron is hot. What does this mean? I am so glad you asked? In the construction world one would during the building of structures have moments when iron bars had to be bent into place. If you just attempted to outright do so, the iron bar would more than likely snap, so to prevent this, they’d cook the iron bar. Once hot, the iron bar would move anyway one needed, without causing permanent damage. The world is right now that iron bar, cooked to the max, and more flexible than ever. This is the time when we can move this nation, this world, in the right direction without bringing permanent damage to our democracy.

No one will stop us now, if we talk about the African American education system. No one will stand in our way right now, if we call for the rebuilding of Black Wall Street. Who would stop us if we rebuilt the black community socially and economically. Who would stop us if we called for a revival of cutltual events which supported African Americans by African Americans... (i.e. in Norfolk Amfram Fest..) Who would say anything? If February was truly an month to celebrate THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE of African American People.

COVID-19, has the world at a stand still. Jobs are dropping, businesses are collapsing, the way we live our lives is forever changing. This is a great moment to begin to strategize. While we are in a rebuilding phase, while we are forced to self isolate, and have limited access to opportunities, while at this moment, we are uncertain of what our lives look like ahead, I say we decide that now.

Which as I prepare to leave you, brings me back to my original thought. We are different, our styles are unique, our way of approaching life same, which makes for a great time to TEACH. TEACH. TEACH. REBULD. REBUILD. REBUILD. CHANGE. CHANGE. CHANGE.