The
neighborhood is considered a special place for those who grow up in urban America. It is the place that defines you and helps to
shape your character, values, faith and to gain a perspective about life itself. There is nothing more rewarding than for an individual to acknowledge from where they have come from and what has helped developed their belief system. If it has been a great experience, then there is a future with unlimited possibilities standing before you…“There is some good in the hood.” If it has been a bad experience, then there is a future with difficult days and ongoing challenges…“These are some mean streets.”
Take
a Look
One
of the greatest social challenges over the past century continues to be the
breaking of generational “curses.” These are the bad habits and lifestyles that have
passed down from one generation to another generation without a change. Breaking a generational bad habit takes a lot
of effort, faith and perseverance.
Without a doubt, any habit can be replaced with another habit once a
person gains a better understanding of what is at stake.
From
a societal point of view, America has enough generational bad habits to go
around, including disenfranchisement, prejudice, poverty, violence, injustice
and intolerance…to just name a few. On one hand, a bad habit is difficult to
break… on the other hand; a good habit… requires a change of
heart and action. However, it is easy
to give up a good habit, than a bad habit.
The
Road Ahead
The
American experience continues to be made up of the life stories of people from
diverse backgrounds on an unbelievable journey together. It is the journey that continues to define each
of us, gives us the inspiration to push forward, to endure the hardships and at
the same time enjoy the ride. There
is nothing like it…
All
great societies have good people who are interested in making sure that all
people in the community are treated fairly, decently and with mutual respect. These are the advocates for and of
change. Proactive advocacy continues to be a challenge in the 21st
Century. In order for change to occur,
good people must step forward, speak up, and take on the causes of their
generation.
The
fight for equal rights, fairness, opportunity and being treated by the content
of character and not by the color of skin is ongoing. With so much at stake, any society that calls
itself “great”…needs to
always to be sure that its house is in order… before asking others to clean up
their act… Self-examination is always a safer bet than for others to tell of
your misdeeds…
In the words of Mahatma Gandi: “You must be the change you wish to
see in the world.”
So… let take a look in the mirror?
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