Something Has To Give

It seems that we have gone back in a time machine when things were just as confusing in the 1960’s as they are today.  In the words of some it has gotten “crazy out here,” but this time it is with a new and younger generation feeling the pain.  The old Jim Crow policies and practices of the last century and a half have reemerge and been remixed to create new red lines in social justice, class and by race.  And this new upcoming generation seems to be fed up with how things are going and willing to take it to the street and across social media.      

The laundry list of what is happening out here is reflective of the ongoing struggle for equal rights, equal pay, equal justice, equal treatment, equal education, equal health care and equal opportunity.  The short list includes a number of things that are “out of sight and out of mind,” including black on black crime, gangs, domestic violence, policing policies gone awry, shootings, abuse, white and blue collar crimes, political side stepping, exploding prison population, widespread drug use, and high rates of poverty, endless world conflicts, affordable health care, poor housing, and high unemployment.    

What is happening today is creating a new generation of community, family, and youth advocates that are entering the workforce with a new sense of urgency and passion to see things beyond today and to work toward common goals with meaningful outcomes.  For them this is a different world from what they have envisioned for themselves, their generation, neighbors and the world.  However, what this generation is waking up to is the reality that what they are seeing and experiencing is something that is deeply rooted in the makeup of America and its big business. 

In the eyes of this upcoming generation, this is an outcry.  Not only is this generation inheriting a lot of national debt, but also a lot of social baggage that includes outdated political physiology and strategies.  Believe me this is not a figment of your imagination, these are real issues, affecting real people, with real costs and “right now.” Let’s put it this way... It is going to take all that we have to turn things around, all hands on deck to do the right things and to find ways to level the playing field so that all of us can enjoy the best of what the America Dream was, is and can be.  It is my hope that this new generation also takes it to the polls and vote when the time comes.  What do you think?