By NIA AKUA D GREENE
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16 Sep, 2023
" For my second writing on 'INVESTING IN AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTHS', I would like to cite a quote from the honorable ancestor, Frederick Douglass: " IT IS EASIER TO BUILD STRONG CHILDREN THAN TO REPAIR BROKEN MEN". His quote fits perfectely with my topic of investing in our youths. Some readers may get this quote instantly while others may struggle with trying to understand its meaning. Basically, the quote is saying that we need to make an investment in our children from the very begining of teir birth. We must nurture their tender hearts, and minds with genuine affections, and not view them as a burden or interference in your life. By investing in our yoths lives at an early stage with consistency not only will we be preparing them to become productive individuals, simulanteoulsly, will be deve;oping their character, confidence and a healthy self-esteem that will allow them to value themselves , their race and community., something that is currently missing in our children, our community and race. The absence of the BLACK VILLAGE has proven that ' IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD'. There are no perfect races in this world, however, the African American race apppear to be lagging far behind other races and ethic groups who apppear to have a closer relationshi0s with their children and extended members than African Americans. this is very obivious in the numbers of shootings and killings of 'black-on-black crime which occur on a daily basis within the Black community; and sadly, it done with nosame of the one's who committ them, and for the parent(s) who allow their child to bring illegal weapons into their apartments. The Africian Americans and other members of the black race should be enraged about on-going "black on black" shootings and killings that has become so prevasive and normalized in our race and community . We have allowed our race to become the laughing stock of the United Snakes of America. Yes, I am aware of other killings in other race (white) who are the most notorious serial killers of all time; having said that, the responsibility rest with the African American community to correct this behavior amongst our youths and adults, starting now. The solution, as I see it is making an early investment in our children during their toddler and pre-K school age. This is done by practicing the old adage 'each one teach one' ; lean a helping hand to a single parent whose working long hours, and appear to have little time to spend teaching her child(s) or helping with homework. Give s/he some tips on communicating with her child minus the shouting, loud-talking or unnecessary physical punishment. If you have some free time on the weekend, volunteer to babysit for a few hours to give the parent a break to catch-up on their rest or house chores without being interrupt by the child(s). Keep in mind that these children development is as much our responsibility as it is the biological parent. IT TAKES A VILLAGE. If the parent cannot make a PTA meeting due to work schedule, and you have a free time, volunteer to stand-in for her (this would mean a great deal to s/he & child). This was the role of the BLACK VILLAGE when it was in operation from the time African Americans were allowed to read and write. Unless, we are willing to contribute to solving the problem , then we (our race) will continue to suffer at the hands of our children, while simulanteously producing children who are unprepared to provide for themselves or for any children they may create. And we can only blame ourselves. This problem is fixable, but it will take a concrete and structure plan. Everyone is capable of contributing something to saving our youths and our race from additional stain and shame. This is 'suppoose' to be a quote from renowned martial artist, Bruce Lee: " INSTEAD OF BUYING YOUR CHILDREN ALL THE THINGS YOU NEVER HAD. YOU SHOULD TEACH THEM ALL THE THINGS YOU WERE NEVER TAUGHT. MATERIAL THINGS WEARS OUT, BUT KNOWLEDGE STAYS". Regardless of who wrote the quote its meaning is quite profound. The best way, in my opinion to instill healthjy values in our children is through first teaching discipline; which is a prequisite for learning anything. Next would be that of teaching PRINCIPLES that will serve as the foundation for developing confidence, courage, healthy self-esteem , committment, and discipline. These are the ingredients necessary to develop a chil into 'well rounded', intelligent and productive individual; combinded with practicing the KWANZAA PRINCIPLES AKA NGUZO SABA PRINCIPLES. Please visit my website: positivemindofniartcreations