Youth Empowerment

“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result”

Mahatma Gandhi

Just came back home from a Youth Development and Empowerment workshop and feeling a bit put off.  I mean we had very good intentions in developing this workshop for the community of under served youth who are far too often ushered into the criminal justice system.  Sad to say, for me anyway, the turn out was quite sparse.  It seems like for young people to come out to anything these days, you have to put the likes of Lil Wayne, Rhianna or Nicki Minaj as headliners.

Sad because the parents that I know, who don't necessarily ascribe to my apolitical positions or my spiritual philosophies, are the parents that I was groomed to be like.  In that sense, anything that is to uplift oneself, anything that is directed to the betterment of oneself and the community as a whole, you best believe my caretakers made sure we were present.  However seemingly insignificant it would have appeared to me at the time, my butt would have been in the seat.  Maybe next time we invite some "celebrities".  At least I may advocate to place their names on the fliers.  

 

Where has the spirit of unity gone from the African in the Americas?  Talk about whining up your waist and "skeeting" on a Woman or denigrating her by throwing money at her, and the place would be ram.  I pray this is not the world that I leave for my grandchildren.  I really hope and pray that this is not what I leave behind.  Something better must come.

 

Let me not forget my manners. I give thanks for the efforts and love those who presented and participated.  They truly came with love in their hearts for the youth and the few who attended I know took away much.   Again, something better must come.