Today I faced a shocking truth. Today's young, mostly African-American youth could care less about Presidential candidate, Barack Obama and are more interested in the likes of Lil Wayne, Elton Brand and Myspace.com.
I'm spending the month of July working at a Basketball, Computer and Reading camp at my high school. I work in the Computer room, since my basketball skills have vanished, just like my 8th grade style. But back to the topic at hand. I gave one group of kids an assignment, which I do daily. In an attempt to open their eyes to more than basketball and hopes of making the NBA, I am embracing their dreams but trying to show them reality. Reality for them, statistically, is to not graduate high school, let alone go onto to college. Most of them sadly, will end up in jail or living a life of crime. I don't believe in statistics and in my four week time I am trying to show them more than the NBA, more than Myspace.com and show them the great men that are paving the way for them right now like Barack Obama.
I told a camper to go online and research John McCain and Barack Obama, he responded rudely with "I don't want to look up that crap!". Crap? I responded with a very attitudinal, "That's how you feel? Barack is crap? and what would you rather look up Lil Wayne?" I left no time for response, I had to make an example of it him, and I find myself doing that with each group of campers. I stopped all of them and said, " Is Barack not important to you guys? This man could be the first African-American president, he has already made amazing strides for males and African Americans as a whole, and you say he is crap? I am sorry for you, because you don't know anything about who you are, and what you can become, and instead of being extraordinary you rather be ordinary, a black "ball player" who knows nothing about anything but that."
I leave camp everyday with my cheeks burning, and my face hot. Sometimes I just want to scream because they just don't get it. I have been very privileged and like the other counselors am taking my time out to help them. But you can't always help everyone, most people will never appreciate things or understand. I just hope that in the midst of me screaming or laughing with them, teaching them how to type, or laughing at a missed lay up, they understand that mainstream is not the only stream for them, they do not have to be cookie cutter black males. The have amazing role models dead and alive, and the NBA draft and roster, should not be the only thing they understand. The NBA is not the only way and neither is rap music.
Love.
Jess
4 comments:
Love this post Jess..so true..it's alarming how the youth really feels, or should I say doesn't feel about politics. I must admit I was pretty uninvolved with politics until I went to college which is a long time to not know what's going on..but better late than never right? I think we should do something to try to get the youth more involved in important issues after all I am a firm believer in the "Don't talk about it, be about it" clause..yes I just made that a clause lol.
haha you definately just made that clause up, but me and you will take over the world, like pinky and the brain but actually make a change.
Obama '08
I really agree with this
the generation of kids today is quite corrupted. Which is crazy because they aren't too far behind us. I think that its good that you try to help because that is what is needed more than ever. These kids get so bored wit politics because of how they are taught it in school. They think that its a boring subject. BUT I can say that I was really surprised when I came home this summer and saw that my 12 year old sister and all her friends were rooting for Barack. And not just because he was black. She understands what McCain represents and what Obama does as well. When it comes down to it, it comes to the parents. The school systems are too busy teaching other non important things than to actually educate these kids on the now. My parents helped my sister understand what's going on in the world because they know she won't get it all at school.
It is sad though, but even your small contribution can do HUGE things. Kids talk to each other and they learn. Once you get one on your side, the rest will follow.
Thanks for your comment love, I appreciate your insight. In the case of your sister she only proves something the majority of kids her age lack, a stable home base with supportive and informed parents. She is really lucky. I feel for the youth these days because most of them aren't getting any help from home and are also being failed at school. I think it is our duty as young adults that are in the know and making things happen in our lives to try to bridge the gap in hope of changing the current conditions.
Jessica
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