Based on the things that have affected our community, I am very upset about how we are treated in the world we live in. From the beginning of slavery to now, it has only been a rocky road for all of us. Scars were placed on our skin for eternity. Many things in our history created battle scars within the African American community. As the years go by, no one has yet to realize that we need to become better. In order for us to become better as a whole, we must stop doing the same bullshit that defines us in negative ways.
For example, other people would say we are always seen on a street corner. Based on that statement, it is actually true. Growing up on Long Island, I would see various African Americans stand on corners for hours.Those who do this would not do anything each day. People who stand there even complain on why they stand in the same spot on the daily basis; even they are aware that it is an issue. Instead of staying focused, they chose the path that can lead to bad positions. The streets consist of negative individuals who did not make it further in their lives, but rather turned to drugs, criminal offenses, and other things that can cause an impact of putting your own life on hold.
To all my African Americans, we must stay away from those corners and put our heads in the books. There's more than just standing on the corner of a liquor store or neighborhood delicatessens. We do not all need to be the stereotype many see us to be, and many of us are not. Education is the major key in our lives because it can lead you somewhere further than you expect. From my perspective, I've kept myself busy from the dangerous streets. Like my father once said, "Once you run the streets, you won't find your way out." From watching some of my friends who were predominantly African American turn to the streets for answers, I've had assistance to help guide me to another route. With the guidance of God and my wonderful family, I would not be here attending Cazenovia College as a Junior. Without education, we won't be able to seek the quests of what this world gives us. In the world we live in, we have so many opportunities to obtain. Are you tired of being classified as people who couldn't even read? Are you tired of being called harmful racist words that we've been called for over a hundred years? For those of you that don't know, slaves were whipped for trying to read books. With that being said, we must remain educated and stay focused on what's important instead of running away from what we think we'll be shamed for. We need to focus on helping each other and standing together as a community. Malcolm X was killed by an African American! Shockingly, its depressing how even people of the same community can kill one another today. Instead of trying to kill each other, we need to set our focus on helping one another. That guidance that you provide for that person could stir a change to another and lead to many more contributions. Those contributions of helping a fellow can lead to making the African American community stronger!
Stop planning on stepping over one another brother and sister when they are trying to contribute to a change! As a member of the African American community, I'm always willing to help improve my brothers and sisters! One final thing that we need to work on is giving back to our communities. Communities contain groups of people who have similar beliefs and values. One of those values can be improving on the neighborhood. Compared to other neighborhoods, some African American neighborhoods aren't in good standings. All we have to do is be more willing to help improve our standings in those communities. Specifically, to help better the youth. Proving guidance to youth is important because we want to them to be put on the best path their life could go on. Although we need to improve on a few things, I will pray that everyone will stay on the right path! All we need to do is work together to help end the stereotypes and improve the community.
