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Today, I learned a proufound lesson of life, and it took the tears of a child to bring it home to me. It matters not that you know his name. He could be any child, anywhere, in any element of society. But the fact is, he is my grandchild. For the entire month of February ( Black History Month ) he had battled the racist acts of students who had their own cultural celebration at his school, while his teacher virtually ignored his plea for her attention. As the month drew to a close, he and I sat down to discuss how things were going for him. He tries so hard to be tough, to be strong. He has the reputation of being a fighter. But, this day, this hour, the burden of racism was just too large for him to bear. His jaw quivered, as he fought back the pain, but to no avail, Tears of relief flowed out of his beautiful blue eyes and ran freely down his cheeks. And then, the Dam had burst, and his small body shook as he sobbed in my arms. I openly cried with him as I hugged him tightly to me, and felt, really felt, the depth and meaning of his hurt. My tears to some degree, but especially his own, washed away the film that distorted my perspective of the world around us. As we cried together, I thought of how easy it had been for us to close our eyes to the pain that racism causes in little children. And how easy it really is to view it from a safe distance, and to have the luxury of retreating and pretending that it doesn't exist A child has no such luxury, and no release, except for the tears and the hope of a better tomorrow, where there is a celebration of all cultures in his little world known as SCHOOL. His tears must remind me every day that I cannot turn my back on this issue. For me and for you, it is no longer an option. I must fight the evil which overwhelms this child. I need to be so uncomfortable with the pain and so angry with what caused it , that I will lash out against this evil with every resource available to me---regardless of how unpopular it may be, or what consequences it might bring. Later, as we sat under the magnolia tree in our back yard, I was reminded of what Ghandi had once said: "If we are to reach real peace in the world, we shall have to begin with the children". For me, it began with the tears of a child. His dream for tomorrow is my task for today. As you read this and say to yourself, "I'm glad this little boy had someone to reach out to him and protect him and fight for his future, please look in the mirror and ask yourself, Is this me? , Is this my child? What and when am I actually going to do something about it so that I can write my own story, and learn my LESSON FROM A CHILD? Folks, let's do everything within our power to make 1999 the very last year that the divisive and racist subject of "Black History" is taught in our public schools. Please take it upon yourselves to monitor what goes on in your child's school and if you don't agree that it is something you want taught to your child, let them know about it !!! Please let us know what the school's response is, and if it does not satisfy you, we will publish it in our newsletter, and also follow it up through proper channels. We will, of course need proper documentation, and parent approval and participation. (We do not want to set ourselves up for libel of slander charges.) Contact us by E-mail or Postal Mail
Po Box 37504 Jacksonville, Fl. 32236 Or E-Mail Or call (904)786-0973) |
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