My Charge for Change: Reflection for February 6th
As the nation reflects upon the contributions of Coretta Scott King, younger generations are charged to make the visions of our predecessor’s realities in our lifetime. What must we do as a generation to ensure that those visions manifest?
posted by Ms. Thompson at 2/08/2006 11:26:00 AM
15 Comments:
The generation that I represent is in some cases referred to as the “X Generation.” Now to some this would appear to be a negative stigmatism, but to me I look at this expression as the root of opportunity. My generation is a body of people that are open-minded, free within an individuals own right, powerful, intelligent, gifted, creative, idealistic, and optimistic. With qualities like those all I feel that we must do as a generation in order to make our predecessors visions manifest themselves is come together as one collective body. Once this unity is formed amongst ourselves, then we can and will begin to make those visions a reality, because like the saying goes “…together we stand, divided we fall…”
4:08 PM
Educate, Educate, EDUCATE!!!!!! I can't stress that enough, we as a generation have lost the fight that our ancestors died for us to have. Why did I have to COME to Spelman College to LEARN about the African Diaspora and it's influence in our lives? Why wasn't this taught in grade school? How come my little brother does not know why it's so important to vote, to stay in school, to remain politically aware, to know what's going on in the world? As a generation we have fell off, but I am doing my part now to make my predecessor's visions a reality. I am in a place to become educated, so one day when I obtain my degrees, I may make the vision of affordable healthcare in the disadvantaged communities of Washington, D.C. possible. I am educating myself on how to become an unpstanding citizen in my community. I am educating myself so that I may go back to my community with something to offer the younger generation, hope and motivation. It may seem that I am jumping from point to point but the bottom line is this, I'm very passionate about the education of my people and their advancement, and education gets your foot in the door of a world of opportunities. Our predecessors paved the way for the opportunity to gain an education in this country and our generation needs to be aware of it, they need to digest it, and take FULL advantage of it. Education is one of many visions that we must manifest.
4:42 PM
I don't believe that with the state of mind that this generation is in now that we can make a great change in society. We as the "lost" generation have lost the fight that our ancestors had. During the period of the Civil Rights Era their was blatant discrimination against the Black race and they were told that they could not do certain things....with those limitations that were set upon them gave them that drive to come together as a whole- something that this generation can't even conceive of- and fight for the right of equality. Because discrimination is not as blatant as it was during the time of Reconstruction and up to the Civil Rights Era blacks today have become complacent with where we stand in society. At this point in time we feel that we have nothing to fight for and that we are as close to being "equal" with the white race as much as possible. In order for us to make an effective change we must first eduacate ourselves and then we can spread that knowledge that we've learned to our peers and members of the younger generation following our footsteps.........you never know what impact you have in someone's life and the next generation may be the one that makes a great impact in society....
11:35 AM
My generation is currently powered by technology. I think that this somehow has made the generation very lazy and dependent on technology. To ensure that the visions of the ones before us are manifested I first believe that the generation as a whole must come together by a people. Many people are now isolated because what computers and virtual games have to offer. Many people have to get up and get out start making changes in the world. With this baby step I believe that the current generation would be making a positive step in ensuring the continuity of civil right leader’s visions.
2:09 AM
The legacy of those who were on the forefront of creating change should be taken as an example for the new generation, but not relied on as a crutch. My peers have become stagnant in how society developes. In order to continue the aspirations of those before us, it's necessary to assess what has and has not changed. From that point young people can take steps toward forming their own movement instead of "pigg-backing" on that of the 1960s movements.
12:44 PM
I am a firm believer that you are the product of your enivironment. In order for our people to advance we need to clean-up our envirnoments. We need to put money in our education system, and not by just putting computers in the school but also better libraries. They say the best way to hind something from us is to put it in a book. To me, I believe that statement is true indeed for our whole generation. Technology is so advanced that nobody takes the time to research in books. This goes in hand to make our generation lazy, dependable on others, and not make them want to actaully go out and learn. In my opinion the only way our generation will ever be able to advance or live the dream is if we come together to uplift and educate one another. Everyday we oppress our brothers and sisters, whether by making comments about their clothes, financial situations, or not taking the time to just to help one another. In order for Mr. and Mrs. King's dream to manifest we need to start as a community, society, then world to educate and uplift one another. Without the proper knowledge and people progressing together, we will never succeed as a people.
2:18 PM
The legacy and visions our ancestors have established before us has been known only by rememberance. This is only one way that the legacy and vision will be manifested. Another way is through action. By coming together as one, as a generation, we will be able to manifest the dream through action because we have the power of speech. If our generation would keep the dreams alive of what our ancestors have done, then we will be able to keep the legacy going.
11:59 PM
As a member of the youth generation who better know as the “loss” generation. I believe that in order to ensure that the visions of equality, and justice from our prominent civil rights leaders we must dispel ignorance. We must become experts in our history---past, present, and future. We must go beyond the standard teachings of African American culture and realize that we are not just a confined race in the United States of America, but rather a Diaspora of different cultures, religions, and morals who have much to offer. We must learn and teach the world that we will not continue to settle for just “ordinary” but yet we want more and that we will do whatever it takes to achieve equality. Dispelling ignorance, I believe is the only way for us to continue the manifestation of vision of equality and justice because you cannot dispute what you do not know. In conclusion, we must begin to learn that in order to achieve equality and justice from our “different” counterparts; we must accept our uniqueness and love each other in the Black community first.
2:19 PM
The younger genration of today, in order to successfully continue the fight for equality and liberty that Dr. and Mrs. King fought so hard for, must eliminate the huge cloud of fear that oftentimes leads to the nonchalent attitude that most have in making a change. I honestly think that until we as a generation can come together to perform liberties that we are already granted such as voting, we are not going to have those pioneers or leaders emerge like a Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther KIng Jr. Until one can unite and overcome small obstacles how can we move to tackle the enormous obstacles that we are faced with today.
4:41 PM
As apart of today's younger generation, I know that it is important to continue the work and dreams of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Marcus Garvey, Malcome X, and others who set out to change the world as blacks and whites knew it. As this has been instilled in me, I feel it should be in others. To continue these visions our generation must be educated in the ways and the teachings of these leaders who have come before us. We nust be able to use the zeal for life we possess; we must unite towards the goal of furthering these visions. To do this we must come to understnad that each of us is different and it is these differnces that make us who we are. With an accepting of this we become the realization of one vision that will help further the fulfillment of other visions, while creating more. Our generation must truly work togehter in order to do anything.
2:54 AM
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1:10 PM
The people in our generation, which includes myself, need to take hold of our opportunities that we are given and use them to accomplish the visions, goals, and dreams of those before us. We have all been given alot and certainly more than our predecessors had, we have numerous resources, boundless education, and limitless career choices. We need to stop taking these things for granted and use them as stepping stones for a greater future for everyone!
1:12 PM
this blog rules!!! good to see the bonners doin such thoughtful work, and to see such passionate dialogue
3:01 PM
Because of the opportunities given us by such leaders as Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King, our generation is both charged with and priveleged with the ability to focus our services on the specific needs within our community. The Kings envisioned social equality among the races: there is much more opportunity to meet this goal, but some are gaining at the expense of others. This generation can now focus not on the African American community as a whole, but on specific needs within our community, for instance the importance of education, the spread of AIDS, the persistence of violence.
9:55 PM
Hi
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3:07 AM
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