Sunday, January 19, 2014

"They can't BE who they can't SEE."

"They can't BE who they can't SEE." 
Compelling quote I saw on the blackboard in the background of a photo.

It was intended to encourage students at Howard University to join Teach for America because we need more Black teachers. Come Black America. There are many ways we can positively influence our youth and set good examples. 

The classroom is just one way. Our behavior is another. We need to watch our language around young people. We need to stop encouraging little girls to twerk. Don't ever let your child see you inebriated.Do not bad mouth your child's other parent in front of your child. We need to read to our child.

We need to Pray for and with our children. TAKE YOUR CHILD TO CHURCH. Be conscious of how you handle conflict in front of your child. Check over your child's homework. Don't send your child to bed. Take your child to bed and pray with him/her. Tuck your child in and then share a piece of Black History with him/her EVERY NIGHT. It will take five minutes of research on your part. Google it.

TELL YOUR DAUGHTER TO ACT LIKE A LADY. Then you act like one. TELL YOUR SON TO ACT LIKE A MAN. Then you act like one. Women, be mindful of how you let a man treat you, and be mindful of how you treat a man. Men, be mindful of how you let a woman treat you, and be mindful of how you treat a woman. Surround yourself and your child with people doing and saying positive things.

STOP MAKING EXCUSES.

I do not have children, but there are young people in my life. I have to heed my own words that I share with you today. I have goals in mind pertaining to this very topic. I am actively working on them. I hope you will too.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.