ISSUES #22: MAY 2016
The Black Family
JULY 2015
Quineka Ragsdale & Vernon R. Heard
This article is a patchwork quilt of several newsletters from a great writer and messenger Quineka Ragsdale. They merge very well into a cohesive statement about the Black community and bears repeating here in Positive Black Images’ Black Family column.
The premise is based on the statement “it takes a village to raise a child”. There used to be a time when a whole neighborhood looked out for the kids that lived there. You were as likely to be chastised by a neighbor as you were your own parents. You might get three whoopings for acting out. One from Mrs. Jenkins, the neighbor lady, one from your Mom when she got home and Mrs. Jenkins told her what you did and the last one from your Dad when HE got home. That kind of oversight also ensured respect for your elders and a consciousness to carry yourself a certain way when you are outside the house. The village spoke in the old days.
We have it within our power to define that modern day village when it comes to our community. What do we want to see in it? Who do we want to see in it? How shall it look? Who shall we look to for leadership? Most importantly, how do we incorporate the community members into a combined, voting-registered, politically aware entity that actually shows up to vote? Who is responsible? Well, you are. You can take the task of cleaning up and cleaning out your community. You can help get rid of the riff raff. You can help physically clean up the streets or plant a flower or a vegetable garden. You can vote out the city council members, mayors, police chiefs, aldermen, sheriffs and others who don’t support positive action or reaction that impacts your village. Don’t wish for that village, BE that village.
SET THE EXAMPLE:
The greatest influence on the children around us, is us. Yes, the media has a strong hold, but ultimately, the children around us follow our actions. If they see that we are, or accept being loud and belligerent in public, they will think it’s okay. If they see that we are, or accept being docile during pertinent times, they will follow. If they see that we don't clean the areas around us, they will think they are supposed to be dirty.
I have often heard people talk about "those" kids. "Those kids are bad", "Those kids are disrespectful", "Those kids don't listen." If we could simply replace "those" with "our" we would feel more inclined to be a part instead of being a bystander. Has it ever occurred to you that "those" kids may be loud and belligerent because enough people haven't told them not to be. Could it be that "those" kids are disrespectful because the last 100 adults they passed said nothing to correct them, otherwise?
Although you may not know the youth around you directly, you have a huge influence on them. Step up and guide them. It's easy to say, "Could you please not use that language so loudly?" or let them see you doing positive things in your community, because it needs to be done, not because you expect something from it. If everyone shaped themselves now into the persons they would like to see in the future youth, we will have more viable options to look forward to.
We eventually have to pass the torch. Do you want to pass it to the youth who embody the best of your traits or the display of traits that are your worst?
REDEFINE FAMILY:
When we say family, the first thing that comes to mind is the people that we are biologically connected to. Some will extend the term to encompass the friends who have been around them forever, but now may be the time to reconsider the term. There are many people who have some of the same obstacles that we have and require the same support that we do, yet we don't think of them as family.
Extend your understanding to that stranger who may have upset you. Extend your guidance to that child you plan to misjudge. Offer encouragement to those familiar faces, that have no names. Sometimes an extra hand is what each of us needs and if we began to see each other as an extended family member that extended hand may be easier to give. This may seem like a small feat, but if it catches on, think of the impact it will cause in our communities, in our respective countries and worldwide.
No doubt, there are many problems within our neighborhoods and communities, but if we spend most of our time talking about those problems instead of working towards solutions, progress will be short formed. We have strategized, analyzed and over thought our situation for many generations, but one obstacle that we face is that there are far more of us talking than acting. The time is now. That hero that you have been
waiting for is yourself. Use the skills that you already have to support your community today. Some of us are great organizers, some great gardeners and some great teachers. We have those with the gift of gab, those who are scientist and those who are builders. No matter what your gift or skill is, use that to help your community today. There should be no more sitting around waiting on the next leader, because you are it and you have plenty of work to do, so stop reading and get to it!
IMPROVE ON YOUR ENVIRONMENT
It's easy to feel out of touch with your community. We all pay taxes and tend to think that the city or county will take care of our neighborhoods. On the contrary, it is the inhabitant’s job to make sure their neighborhood is taken care of and that the city or county does their part to help.
Take actions to make sure your neighborhood is safe and that the children feel comfortable coming outside to play. Make sure to develop a good relationship with the people around you, so that you will feel comfortable looking out for each other.
Keep your area free from trash and debris, then encourage others to do the same.
The best looking neighborhoods look great because the neighbors work to ensure that they do. Make sure that yours gets you excited to call it home. No matter if you live there six months or six years.
Ron Finley speaks on the urban gardening movement he's launched in South Central Los Angeles.
SUPPORT YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM OR CHANGE IT
We have become highly critical of our leaders. At times we ridicule our past leaders and pin them against each other like sports team. The work that needs to be done in the community is not a sport or a game. There is no competition and we should not ridicule each other when their heart is in the right place. If someone is trying to help the community, but you think they're going about it all wrong, lend a hand. If that is not an option, do your part, but whatever you do, do not spread gossip.
There are some people within our communities whose sole job is to disrupt well-meaning groups and organizations, by spreading disrespectful gossip, you will become one of them. The best way for you to help your community, is to become involved yourself. If you have an expertise, use it to improve your community. If someone else is doing the same thing that you are doing, don't look at them as your competition, because we're all in this fight together. Don't look at the next community celebrity as your leader because you are your leader. If that person is failing you, that's fine because you should be advancing yourself. You are the hero that you have been waiting for, now go out and save your community.
DEMAND IMPROVED EDUCATION IN YOUR AREA
One of the things that has stunted the education growth of African children is the lack of representation they receive in their normal schooling. The western educational structure purposely abandons the significance of Africans in the world. Surely self-knowledge has taught us that the contributions made by Africans around the world is the reason for such advancements today, but this is still not successfully recognized.
If we disregard the educational system, we will look around and see in media, politics, entertainment, etc, the advancements of Africans are also disregarded. Sure, we built pyramids, but we also contribute greatly to technology, to the internet, and the advancement of the world today.
This is your challenge.
You obviously seek knowledge regarding world history as it relates to the African diaspora, because you have access to the Demarcus Jones series, but why not do more? Actively seek more resources for African children. Find ways to impact their lives by reinforcing the positive African images that they will see through you. Choose your words wisely when referring to other Africans around African children. As with all children (as well as most adults), they emulate what they see, therefore take the time and choose the option to show them positivity.
I'm doing the challenge too. Check out a few options that I have found.
http://www.gofundme.com/Support-The-Uhuru-Academy
http://www.greatschools.org/texas/dallas/14104-Africa-Care-Academy/
I’m aware that a lot of these “self-help” articles can sound a little preachy after a while but there is merit in the message. No matter what you believe about the messenger, the delivery or the medium, the fact is nothing in our community will change without action. The day of the armchair activist is already over and armchair activism has been recognized as a ‘thing’. If all you will ever do is post your objections to your community standing and political importance online (and your oppressors realize this) what motivation do elected officials have to take action on your behalf?? If you won’t get out and vote, or ensure that those around you are registered and have access to the polls on voting day, how else do you expect the politicians that don’t support you to be removed
from office? Quit? How else will the educational opportunities in your village be upgraded? Public officials have to feel that they have something to lose. VOTE. CARE. SHOW IT. TEACH. IMPROVE. RISE. SHINE. REPEAT.
Be the village.
