Three days before Americans went to the polls to vote, I had the honor of serving as a volunteer for Barack Obama’s Campaign for Change. When I arrived at his Morgan Street headquarters in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, I was amazed at the number of people who decided to sacrifice their time and talent to get out the vote by making telephone calls and canvassing neighborhoods. But what I learned most from this experience is we Americans have finally awakened to the fact that we all have been called to be change agents.
I still recall canvassing one neighborhood in particular with a man that I didn’t know when the day started, but came to know quite well as our service came to an end six hours later. As we passed out pamphlets offering details about the early voting process and polling locations, I could sense that people we encountered, mostly black and brown Americans, were excited about the prospect of having a black man in the White House. But I also sensed that many of them were oblivious to what will be required of them if and when Barack Obama becomes the American president.
As persons of color, we must find a way to raise our game to a whole new level. We have to stop blaming white Americans for things outside of our control. What does this mean? It means we parents should demand nothing but the best attitudes and behaviors from our children. They need to know that they alone are responsible for engaging in activities that help them establish stable foundations for success. Does that mean we encourage them to forget America’s racist past? No. But it does mean we will teach them how to move forward and upward by forming authentic relationships, establishing realistic goals, and making righteous decisions.
Being a change agent also means we adults, especially the ones who are spiritual, will increase our involvement in local missions. I think it is wonderful when we Americans fly over to Africa to help the poor and downtrodden Blacks there, but there is plenty of poverty and despair in our own backyard. With the graduation rates for black males at an all-time low (well below 50 percent in many states), we need to do more to encourage more of them to stay in school to secure their high school diplomas or GEDs. As a former TRIO Upward Bound Director, I would also suggest that we talk with them about the benefits of a postsecondary education.
Lastly, being a change agent means developing your own not-for-profit organization if you have the resources to do so. I established one of my own, PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS Nonprofit Services Division (www.practicalwritingeditingconsulting.com), last year, and I’m currently in the process of increasing our capacity to deliver services in the areas of parent education and support and postsecondary advising and planning. The road hasn't been easy. But that hasn't dissauded me from "promoting functional families through my words and deeds." By giving children, youths and adults the right kind of information, I'm doing my part to create a true community. In this community, we parents are inspiring our children to do great things for themselves and others.
What do you think? What are you doing to bring about change in your community?
I look forward to reading your responses.
Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
The “FIRM…but fair” TOWN HALL MEETING
www.firmbutfair.connectplatform.com
Posted By: J. A. Faulkerson
Wednesday, November 5th 2008 at 11:12AM
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