Take the Time!
Every day I try to understand why negative things happen with our youth. Why have they become disassociated with society; why have gangs been allowed to form and stay strong? I sit and try to find the answer by reading or even “Google’n” on the net to see if I can comprehend what is happening outside my front door.
I got off the subject for a moment and ran across a music video of the Black Eyed Peas Where is the love? I must be getting old, because I couldn’t understand one single word those young men were “rapping.” Its music and words went so fast that I felt like I was on a roller coaster. Now mind you, I get this occasional feeling to watch some music videos and sing along with the artist. After I look up the lyrics and my very own private jam session begins. Life is explosive for me at that moment because I am on stage as the artist. I feel the lights, the electrifying crowd, and cheers in front of me. Most of what I listen to is Waylon Jennings, ZZ Top, Charlie Daniels Band, Willie Nelson, Beach Boys – the later 60s, all of the 70s and 80s genre of music. But tonight, I really listened to the Black Eyed Peas.
I fell in love with some of their music after reading many of the poetic words. I wanted to sit down and cry in anger. What have we as a society done to our children? We have allowed too much trauma (it matters not how we define trauma) into the world of our youth. Children having sex (at such a young age) without parents being more nurturing is a trauma. According to the song, “Do we practice what we preach?” It seems that we pray in church for our selfish reasons but do we actual pray for someone else in general – our children and help with their guidance? Is the love and human respect actually gone? Do we really have no time to give for the help of one another in the next backyard over? I had to sit and think very hard about all of this.
The children actually see no heroes any more. They see their parents being self absorbed with worry; guilt about not being able to provide because the economy is still so very soft. They hear excuses of why they can’t have a new pair of shoes or someone else may pick on them because their house is not as nice as it once was. They feel ashamed because they are without a stable home. Instead they hear stories of “John Q Public” having his children taken away because the shelters are full; the only place left to live is in their car with little “Johnnie and Susie.” “John Q Public” lost his job and the benefits have run out. [And] for the past 30 years we as a society have swept under the rug our future problems; drank our wine and entertained as if tomorrow wouldn’t exist—because the good life would never end.
Now it is the generation of my children and grandchildren. I am the generation of what our parents were 40 years ago. I see things a little differently and although I continue to be optimistic, I am not so sure. I am scare that when the education of the 18 year old ends in the 12th year of school or when the college is over with and the degree has been completed what will be left? Let’s look at the facts.
Our economy is in shambles. Our ecology is no better. Our overall society spirituality is really unstable. People are too self-centered on their “individual [I] rights.” Are there no longer any community commitments to help and support one another? The only thing can change all of this now is our adult children, we the parents and we grandparents who are still with us. Get involved and stand strong! The future is hear and it is really scary!
