A Moment to Reflect

I'd like to take the observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day to discuss my mom's experience in Wilmington, North Carolina. In the late 60's as my mom sat in New Hanover High learning history with no account of her African American history, a follower of Rev. Ben Shafer entered the classroom. With great intensity he shouted, "Get out of class, come and march. There is a revolution going on!" My mom recalls jumping out of her seat without hesitation. My mom and several classmates joined Rev. Ben Shafer and his followers (I believe they were known as Wilmington 10) in a march against injustices of Blacks in Wilmington. They went from the streets to the church. The protest was interrupted when shots were fired from a car. The protesters shot back letting the racists know that they were not going to stand down and watch while their brothers and sisters and children were being destroyed.

Over the years I loved to hear my mom tell this story. She said it was always the youth who helped to bring about change because they were fearless. The older populace were set in their ways and they didn't want to 'start trouble' by marching and challenging the status quo. So it was her generation at the time who supported Martin Luther King Jr.

The unified voice of people of color has lost its steam. In today's society, the youth are taking advantage of what our parents had to fight for. They are embodying too much of the individualistic mindset that this society promotes. Please reflect on the purpose of Martin Luther King Jr's dream. His dream was one of uniting a nation for the improvement of humanity, not just for self-improvement through monetary or material gain.

Old Man Magnet

I find myself asking, why is it that old ass dudes are always attracted to me. I have a friend who is the opposite, she's older and adores the young guys. Then I compare our personalities. She's a very out-going people person. On the other hand, I am more reserved (except at a party) and to myself. I find myself telling her to calm down sometimes. I have my Nana's spirit in me big time. I often hold my finger to my mouth and tell grown ass folks 'ssh' if I feel they are speaking too loud.

Aside from the personality, I do not have a geriatric swagger. What the hell is wrong with these men, I would not want to try and talk to someone who was just learning to walk while I was in my junior year of freaking High School! Another thing is the older guys have a been there done that mentality whereas they try to suck the youth out of you and make you just as old and miserable as them but without the fun.

I hope this year is a year of new beings in my life, who if I say 'I don't believe you, you need more people', they don't turn and look at me like, 'what? who are these people you speak of'.