His mom yanked him by the hood of his jacket unto the train. She sternly pointed at an open seat demanded he rest himself in it.He casually flung himself into the seat not noticing that his backpack was disturbing his seat partner.At the next stop, the passenger beside him disembarked . As I took her place, I decided to try an experiment.
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Could I in some way spark a positive response from this boy who looked to be around 10?
I opened up my Kindle and started to read. I glanced up at the response of the woman sitting across the isle from us. The sternness she had shown before was melting into the warmness of a motherly gaze. She had seen what I was about witness, a heart encouraged in a new way.
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His eyes were as large as saucers as he discovered the electronic ink of the E-reader. I asked him if he had one of these in school. He nodded no, but shared that longing wish.
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I was about to let him “take the machine for a test drive”, when the train arrived at his stop. He longingly sauntered off the train with what I hoped was a new perspective for learning and a spark of the possibility.
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I share this story to say we do not know how our small action may engage a young mind with new possibilites. The video link below tells the story of how an Eddie Murphy movie changed a life that has a multiplying , positive effects. Invest 8 minutes, and I guarentee you will be inspired.
You have as much star power as a Eddie Murphy. Just be open to the possibility. This is the logo that encouraged my engagement with that young man this week.
It was her birthday, and I wanted to affirm my friend on her special day. She however was excited about something far different. Her nephew had successfully been accepted in a local university and had joined the rich tradition of her family of making college an imperative. This was the third generation of college attendees for this family. Her family would be doing everything within their power to support family members to escape the vortex of male drop out of the education system.
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On any given day, nearly 23 percent of all young Black men ages 16 to 24 who have dropped out of high school are in jail,
prison, or a juvenile justice institution in America, according to a disturbing new national report on the dire economic and social consequences of not graduating from high school.
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Dropouts become incarcerated at a shocking rate:
23 of every 100 young Black male dropouts were in jail on any given day in 2006-07
6 to 7 of every 100 Asian, Hispanic or White dropouts suffer a similar consequence.
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While young Black men are disproportionately affected, the report found that this crisis cuts across racial and ethnic lines.
Male dropouts of all races were 47 times more likely to be incarcerated than their peers of a similar age who had graduated from a four-year college or university.
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There has been a dramatic worldwide decline in the number of men in colleges and universities. Here is the troubling fact.
Percentage of men in college in 1949 - 70%
Percentage of men in college in 2006 - 42%
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This could have been just another passing tragic headline, but we still have leaders that cannot allow such items to be tossed upon a pile of unsolved crises.
Rev. Bertram Melbourne, PhD.
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Dr. Bertram Melbourne is no ordinary leader. His motto gives some insight into his life philosophy.
“I believe in leading by example.”
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“He works easily with students and models what he expects from from them.”
George E. Rice, PhD.
Dr. Melbourne clearly understands the dire implication of this issue remaining unchallenged, and so in August of 2009, began to formalize an initiative :
Help to make college graduation a life goal for boys and young men.
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He and several colleagues gave birth to College Educate Our Sons (CEOS), an interfaith organization. These pioneers formulated an architecture that individual and community organizations can use to encourage, motivate boys and young men to achieve academically and be prepared for entrance into colleges and universities.
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It is now October, 2009, and this concept is taking root like wild fire. it has been adopted in all 50 states in the United Sates, and in 22 additional countries around the world. I had the privilege in conversing with Dr. Melbourne about CEOS.
The recognition of the spectacular performance of our athletes in Berlin began last week.
Our global star is being honored with a lofty title and and a highway being renamed in his honor.
Usain Bolt & Prime Minister Golding
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Both these honors certainly affirm Bolt’s standing in the local community. However, Bolt is clearly the driving engine behind the global brand. The current posture does not allow much leverage except for social proofing.
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There is another means of exercising additional leverage. Here goes:
Make Hon. Usain Leo Bolt an ambassador at large with specific portfolio to China.
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Ambassador-at-Large is a Diplomat of the Highest rank and/ or a Minister who is accredited to represent his country. But unlike the Resident Ambassador (who is usually limited to a country)and/or embassy, the Ambassador-at-large is entrusted to operate in a Region or sometimes a seat of international organizations like the United Nations . In some cases an Ambassador at Large may even be specifically assigned a role to Advise and Assist the Government in particular issues. Historically, Prime Ministers have designated special diplomatic envoys for specific assignments, primarily overseas but sometimes also within the country as Ambassadors-at-Large.
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Why China?
Jamaica needs to develop an Asian presence given the diminishing tourism dollar from the west.
Bolt already has star power in China following his Olympic historic performance.
Yellow yam could find a ready export market.
Mandarin patois would be funny as hell.
Seriously, the Chinese youth are looking for ways of busting out of their rules-based, regimented country. Jamaica’s expressive culture could provide an alternative to the suspected American culture.
The internet provides an inexpensive means of building bridges between both cultures.
This service would give Bolt a new platform to conquer and a more diverse global network.
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So do to think that is out of the box idea is for the bird. So what is your idea?
More than our pocket books are affected during our season of economic turmoil.
A recession of the spirit can blanket our psyche. Our personal pain tend to lead us to become tight-fisted and closed-hearted.
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It take strong leadership to challenge us to see beyond our personal circumstances and practice a spirit of abundant living.
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I was privileged to meet such a leader at the Independence celebration a few Sundays back.
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As I was leaving the event, I was met at the door by a gent passing out a colorful postcard. It was an invitation to a Jamaican play that will be benefiting the fight against polio. My curiosity got the better of me and I needed to find out more, so I exchanged contact information with the card giver.
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Turns out that this civic promoter was Mr. Horace McCormack, president and CEO of HGM Management and Technologies Inc. This is an award winning company that provides businesses with the capabilities they need to effectively compete in the 21 century. This Jamaican giant practices the ethics of deep social engagement as he is also the district Governor of many rotary chapters in Northern Virginia.
He is spearheading the presentation of a block-buster Jamaican cultural event on Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30. It will be held at northern Virgina Community College,( NOVA).
Take special note of the high caliber of the writer, producer , directer, and cast.
We are all excited about the Herculean feat of Usain Bolt in the great showdown in Germany.
On August 16, 2008, he blazed to an Olympic record of 9.69 sec.
Well, on August 16, 2009, he turbo-charged his performance to 9.58 seconds that puts him in the league of the immortals.
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We need to celebrate this marvelous performance, the new Berlin Express.
However, is our hearts and minds large enough to give a powerful affirmation to the Honorable Marcus Garvey, an extra ordinary national hero?
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August 17, 2009 marks Honorable Marcus Mosiah 122 nd. birthday.
His vision and perseverance gave millions of people a sense of unified purpose that still have practiced principles that can resurrect and knit together our scattered communities.
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It was indeed our privilege to have a conversation with several of the leaders of the Marcus Mosiah Garvey Institute.
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They shared some key insight to this giant of a man.
Do yourself and your youngster a huge favor. Pour a tall, cold glass of lemonade, or iced tea. You will certainly be inspired and get a new sense of the possibility!
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A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
Celebration without contemplation leaves one giddy and moor-less.
So I have made as a part of my annual Independence day happening, attendance at the Service of Celebration held at Dunbarton Chapel on the campus of Howard University.
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The chapel is usually enveloped with the sounds of the best in choral and instrumental renditions that Jamaicans can offer. This year was particularly superb with a rich variety of soloists, giving new meaning to freedom songs that swell the heart with gladness. We were indeed blessed from the music of meditation to the postlude
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I was however particularly struck by the speaker of the day, The Right Reverend E. Don Taylor, Vicar Bishop for New York and Rector , Kingston Parish Church. I was struck by his determined humility. He struck a cord by placing his message within the context of a frustrated leader, the prophet Elijah. Elijah needed divine refreshment to complete the mission.
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47 years of unrealized hope that was given birth on that magic midnight can become dis-heartening. When you think about it, it only took the Israelites 40 years to make it to the promise land!
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Until we realize that for Jamaica to complete her journey to the goal of greatness, she will need to rely on divine power to afford a successful journey.
Sure economic development is important, however it has to be set on a solid foundation of faith.
The Right Reverend E. Don Taylor
“I believe in Jamaica has to be superseded by I believe in God “
is a summary statement of his superb sermon.
To that, I say amen!
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Words are relatively cheap if not bolstered by strong action, and this is what give me even a greater hope in Reverend Taylor, in addition to his thundering prophetic voice. Reverend Taylor has a heart for social justice. After establishing successful parishes in New York city that included the revival of his denomination in some blighted urban settings (my description), he answered the call of service to the parish in the heart of Kingston.
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Without the promise of an earthly reward, and the enormous social challenges that are holding sway in Kingston, he like Abram answered the call to serve this demanding parish. He clearly has a transformative vision for Kingston. I pray that this prophet will find honor in his home community, and not just be remembered as the lad that was stoning the neighbor’s tree for mangoes.
. This type of sacrificial modeling for those of us in Diaspora could just triggered a new era of giving that could infuse Jamaica with additional energies to allow her to realize her true destination.
The Jamaican national motto is ‘Out of Many One People’, based on the population’s multi-racial roots. The motto is represented on the Coat of Arms, showing a male and female member of the Taino tribe standing on either side of a shield which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples. The crest shows a Jamaican crocodile mounted on the Royal Helmet of the British Monarchy and mantling.
The aspirational tone of this motto may have given us the false sense that we have arrived at the kum ba ya era of heaven-bound maturity. However, recent criticisms from a chorus of global voices have given me pause to reconsider how well we have practiced the call of this motto in an evolving and demanding 21 st. century global community.
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We have initially pushed back calling the criticism unfair, and un-warranted. However, is this a teachable moment that we are missing that could propel us into a future that gets us into fuller alignment with our motto?
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Let me raise some discussion regarding the two most prevalent concerns that I have heard. These are regarding:
Homophobia
Second class service of African-American clients
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We can deal with these perceptions in several ways.
We could vehemently deny them.
We can bury our heads in the sand, and install the code of silence.
We can muster the needed courage and address the issues square on.
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I am choosing the later, and invite you to do likewise. The timely addressing of the tarnishing of our brand will have implication on our moral development and economic future whether we like it or not.
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Our brand value is what others perceive you possess. It is also something you can develop, shape, and control. Branding is what makes you unique — and better than all your competition in the marketplace.
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So, who are the shapers of our brand that would create such a growing negative perception?
How do they get employed for such an important function?
Who preserves and defend the wealth of the culture ?
How do we create tools and mechanisms to transmit the best and discourage the worst in the culture within the constraints of the constitution?
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Dance hall musicians have been tagged the leading cultural pied pipers and they are clearly holding a heavy sway over the hearts and minds of our youngsters.
Henry Wotton made this infamous statement many moons ago.
“An ambassador is an honest man sent abroad to lie for his country”.
Well, Wotton did not consider the positive impact on a honest woman such as April Jackson.
In April of 2008 April Jackson captured the title of Miss Jamaica Universe, and have used this platform of being a global Jamaican ambassador with much relish and integrity.
April Jackson, Miss Jamaica Universe 2008
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Her career as an ambassador started as Miss Jamaica UK. This post enabled April to show the pride she has for her country and be a positive role model for many.
Some of her best moments that you may be aware of include:
Modeling for couture designer Adebayo Jones.
Participating in Lambeth’s celebration of the bicentennial year of the abolishment of slavery .
Being of the front cover of Positive People Magazine with a four page spread.
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April also had major impact on the local Jamaican scene.
April has contributed to positive change amongst youth as a member of the board of Denham Town High School
April is founder of Give Children A Future (GCAF) Foundation.
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She has overcome obstacles to include her mother leaving abruptly without word when she was in her late teens. Consequently she has a passion for children in homes and raises funds to adhere to the needs of foster homes through GCAF.
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April considers delivering motivational talks and spending time with young people a priority as she aims to inspire them to achieve great things despite the troubles they may face.
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In the coming Fall she will be attending Columbia University to pursue her academic aspirations. The Big Apple, New York City will assist her in pursuing her interests in the modeling and media.
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I had the distinct privilege to have April reflect on her year as a Jamaican ambassador.
It offers us a connectedness that brings folks closer than ever before. One of the marketing genius of Facebook is to plum the power of the word “friend”. Who would deny being a “friend” request especially when a mutual “friend” is leveraged?
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So folks boast about the thousand of “friends” that they have and thus our societal consciousness of the contrast of acquittance and friendship is blurred. High tech is good, but high touch is better.
Those who have been seasoned by the challenges of life know that true friendship goes way beyond sharing sweet nothings, but having each others back in the trenches when the going is tough.
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I say all of this to remind us of the principle of “the survival of the knitted” regarding immigrant social networks.
When we are networked, we pool our knowledge and creativity to develop strategies to advance our common cause. We will need this attitude more than ever in the post economic 9/11 world. The ground is still shifting, while we are engineering a future hope in the diaspora community.
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So, the meeting of the national Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO) in Atlanta , July 16 - 19, 2009 takes on added significance. This is the 32th. meeting of this organization. The overarching theme is :
“Facing the challenges: Uncovering the Opportunities”
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This organization has been recognized as the most influential Jamaican umbrella association as they are powered by dedicated, patriotic persons willing to give back in a sacrificial manner.
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Jamaica’s economic development will hold center sway. The accompanying issues of education, health-care, and security will be discussed. His excellency Anthony Johnson, Ambassador to the US will get the occasion started. Her most honorable Portia Simpson-Miller is slated to speak at the opening luncheon, and his most honorable Bruce Golding is slated to deliver the keynote address.
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We are planning a reflective interview with the organizers to get the inside scoop of this event in the coming weeks. Check out this organization again.
Here we are on the threshold of an event that will surpass the magnitude and scope of Princess Di’s funeral.
I remember her funeral well, as I found myself in London the day after Di’s funeral, and the swell of emotion was just overwhelming. Mother Teresa has also died that same week, and I was perturbed that her recognition was swamped by the media spotlight on the Princess.
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So, I approach this post within that context, as I am not one taken by celebrity allure. I was actually poked to express my thoughts regarding the last 12 days of global reaction to Michael’s death.
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Communication technologies were on the verge of meltdown after the TMZ story was released. Even the “omnipotent” Google experienced challenges in satisfying the 4.2 million visitors per minute tying against all hope to dismiss their unbelief. Well, his death is real, and today he is memorialized. There is planned an extravaganza that will dazzle our eyes, but will it satisfy our hearts?
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Given all the tragedies surround Michael’s life, I am choosing to remember Michael through the principles of parenting. My youngest daughter has a means of giving me feedback when my interaction with her falls short of expectation. She simply say, “Disrespect!”
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She thus grabs grabs my attention and challenges me to evaluate and correct my attitude and communication.
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The privilege of parenting is such an awesome responsibility, and that is the theme that I will remembering beyond this memorial day. The critical difference or the contrast in parenting provided to Michael seems to lurk around his life’s story.
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So, I am using this post to remind us of some of the essentials that our kids need from us to be able to grow strongly into adulthood.
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My child needs to feel Loved.
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My child needs to feel accepted.
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My child needs to feel important.
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My child needs to be recognized.
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My child needs to feel independent.
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When we become effective in influencing our children in a healthy way, they will truly be kings and queens.
