There
she is, strong and bold yet weak and meek. She came through so much that many
wouldn’t know. Her life started young and she became old before her mature
years would have begun.
There
she sits, WOW! Who would have known she would have been my superhero as I would
grow? Even now I want her to rescue me – heck! I am grown, but never to old;
never to old to be rescued by mama; so strong and bold yet weak and meek, but
now old.
I
have seen her make little much and make that more than enough. She was a
creator of many master pieces, our home she decorated with what others own.
Never compromised who she was true to herself she belongs.
Days
were long, and nights were cold; she struggled to give us our own. More and
more difficulties would come, but superheroes always overcome.
Mama
wasn’t complete, but she understood she couldn’t cry defeat. She had young eyes
looking, gentle ears listening, she had delicate minds not understanding; so,
she covers and protects she loves them the best.
Mama,
when Papa left way too soon never owning us and no just do. Mama became
everything bread winner, caregiver, protector and punisher too; she is that
superhero the unsung story never told, strong and bold yet weak and meek –
Black Mama you’re worth more than the rarest fine gold.
Sam
and Jeff sat together on the stoop thinking and laughing. They were thinking
about the times when they were young and energetic and full of life. Not that
their life was anything less than that now, but now older fellas in their
seventies, their life was just a little slower. Their energy took a little
longer to a ignite.
As they sat there, they talked about how long they have been best friends. Well over sixty year, since they were eight years old and things started back then. Who would have imagined a friendship, but also a brotherhood? Sam and Jeff friends like no other. They have seen their lives shape and form, fall apart and be mended back together again. They have seen and felt pain and uncontrollable laughter. They have been through everything together – marriage and children, graduations and celebrations. Who would have imagine their lives would be so amazing? Graduating from high school and college together, establishing their practices and businesses together, taking risk together; but most of all winning together.
See,
their beginning was nothing at all. Small and poor, poised to be a statistic
according to society’s rule. Two young black boys would and should have never
made it through middle school. Back in that day, school was made only for them
and them; but opportunities would only happen if they made it happen. Creating
their own path and way.
Sam and Jeff played around yes, they did, but they also settled down so what they grew up around would not keep them down. They thought beyond their house walls, their street corners and even the invisible wall that were placed in front of them to keep them from success and all.
Mannnnnn
Sam said to Jeff. “We did it we conquered it all!” “Our fears, the negative nay
sayers, the doubters and the blockers it wasn’t easy, but we stand tall.” Jeff
said, “Yeah Man!” “We canceled the calls that wanted to take us and create
nothing out of us and treat us like slave dogs.” “We made our success with the
blessings of God’s best!”
“Thinking
back and looking at it all, I wouldn’t change a thing, no nothing at all.”
Well, maybe one thing Sam said to Jeff. Jeff said, what?? “Really, what would
you change?”
Sam
said, “I would change time and ask it to give us more time to create and cause
more of an impact on this generation after mine.” “See their struggle is a new
form of slavery, but they don’t possess the bravery to reach beyond the walls
and conquer it all.” “So, just a little more time if time would be so kind I
want to teach what life was like and talk with them if they could only imagine
a world beyond their street corners and invisible walls.” “You know their
blinded to it all!”
Jeff sat and looked at Sam shaking his head and said, “Yeah, that sure would be nice to show them how to really fight.” “Fight with education and not bullets and physical altercations.” “Locking forces with their brothers creating an educational army of degree soldiers who can impact communities through political, financial and educational artillery.” “Now, that’s power and control!” Sam replied, “sure is, but for now I am going to sit, sip my lemonade and pray.”
They
both laughed and said, “these young cats have a long road ahead!”
Question? How do we decrease the number of African-American juveniles who wear the “orange jumpsuits” to wearing business suits?
The average African-American male today from ages 9 years old to 17 years old has never worn a suit. They have never been taught how to tie and wear a tie; nor have they been taught how to act or respond like a gentleman. Sadly, they have been taught how to wear the latest Urban gear, and to buy Michael Jordan sneakers in the color(s) that will coordinate with their shirts, jeans and baseball caps. Times have truly changed! We have lessen our pride to wearing pants down below our behinds. We have lessen and cheated our self image to over sized t-shirts and bagging pants. How do we move from the Urban stereotype and the prison mindset to an educated, well-groomed and entrepreneurial mindset?
Jeremiah 29:11 will be working to decrease the number of African-American boys incarcerated to increasing the number of African-American boy graduating and being educated.
Fact or myth black people don’t read! The answer will be different with who you talk to. It is known that many black people will not invest in education or read or take courses for self development. We will invest in materialistic things and microwave moments rather than knowledge that CAN NOT be taken away.
One of our greater writers in history says, “One of the great needs of Negro children is to have books about themselves and their lives that can help them be proud.”
~Langston Hughes
Jeremiah 29:11 Foundation believes that reading and education is the key to self empowerment, community development and generational wealth.
Read, grow and be strengthened!
Good Books: To purchase “Morgan and her Mirror” (African American Children’s Book) email us at jones1990br@gmail.com
Portion of sales will be donated to Jeremiah 29:11 Foundation. Thank you!
Jeremiah 29:11 Foundation 