Settling For What One is Rather than What He/She could Be
by
Lytasha Blackwell
Growing up in a world full of violence, sex, drugs, money, deceit and immorality and still being able to maintain your sanity may seem like a tough task for any youth. Everyday we are faced with peer pressure and the desire to be accepted by society and our peers as a whole.
I have lived in an urban neighborhood all my life. Over the years I have seen many of my friends fall into the stereotypical roles of children who grow up in urbanized areas. Many of them were just looking for somebody to love them and accept them but they went about it the wrong way. We are so consumed by our image and appearance on the outside that we lose ourselves on the inside.
I have seen people begin to sell drugs just to be able to purchase the latest pair of Jordan's. Girls who try to be like images of sexy women that they see on TV and in magazines just to get attention from boys. Neither of them realize who they are on the inside is better than anyone they can try to be on the outside. If these youths had proper guidance and support they would be in a better condition than they are now. They say it starts in the home, however, I’ve also heard that it takes a village to raise a child.
There was a boy that I met during my senior year of high school; he was constantly in the office and getting suspended. One day I took the time to talk to him and I started walking him to class and trying to help him get on the right foot. A lot of times he didn’t want to go to class but the fact that someone else cared enough to even take the time out their day to make sure he did made him make an effort.
A few weeks later, he unfortunately was suspended again, but I made it my duty to collect his work from his teachers so that he could work on it during his suspension. One of his teachers gave me a hard time and she kept telling me that he doesn’t do any work so it’s pointless for me to take it to him. I insisted that she give me the work, and I would make sure he completed it. As I walked out the classroom the teacher said to me, “The world doesn’t like people like him; that’s why they make jails.” I just stared at her in shock. This woman, this educator of children, this “role model,” and this leader in society told me that one of her students is bound for jail.
How can youths ever be expected to elevate themselves when we have people doubting us rather than encouraging us to do better? We as people tend to look at the bad rather than the good in things. The worst part of this situation was that this teacher was an African American.
With a little motivation and determination youths can achieve great things. All we need is a helping hand, someone to reach out and say “I am here for you, not because I have to be but because I want to be.” It is time for us to come together and realize our true potential: there is a doctor, lawyer, activist, and politician, etc., on every street corner, and they just haven’t realized it yet.
“Legends are born everyday but not all fulfill their legacy. They settle for what they are instead of striving for what they could be” --Me
