By Cheryl Smith
Texas Metro News
https://www.texasmetronews.com
Lately I have received a number of queries from folks who are totally oblivious when they hear “Black Press” mentioned.
What I won’t do is use these pages to blame the victim or cast aspersions because collectively we have not done what we need to do to educate our people.
After all, we are supposed to be the teachers, the educators, the leaders and mentors. Aren’t we?
Well, it’s time to get down to business.
If our children don’t know, I’m going to take responsibility for those I come into contact with and have the opportunity to pour into and nurture.
Recently, I heard someone say, in a public forum, that our elders need to go home to the house and play with their grandchildren.
Well, while that statement was prefaced with the disclaimer that they weren’t trying to be disrespectful, many said they found it to be “very disrespectful.”
I was disappointed because the rest of the speaker’s message was on point. It was well thought-out and very insightful.
But that one statement. Well, it became an issue.
I agree that there are some people who need to go home, who need to retire and who need to move out of the way and let younger adults step up and do their thing.
Now one thing I can’t accept is the ageism.
Black people have had to deal with so many isms in life, this is one Black woman that is “sick and tired” of yet another ism.
Not all young people are tech savvy, methodical, focused, ethical, full of energy, possessing a fighter’s spirit, analytical, articulate, and prepared. Likewise, not all so-called old people are suffering from amnesia, dementia, incontinence, hearing loss, fatigue, stamina, impotence, flatulence—you get the picture.
It is unfair to dismiss people because of their age. We must value everyone and if given the right guidance and leadership we can make a difference in the lives of so many.
And we need so many people at the polls in November.
So let’s stop with the disrespect. Look in the mirror for solutions instead of looking at others and finding ways to devalue them.
If we don’t realize where we need to focus, then that time for blaming will be upon us. Malcolm X urged us to focus on issues and not personalities/individuals so we won’t be distracted and can do the work that needs to be done!
