tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010473.post-6472489788047318192008-03-07T07:23:00.000-08:002008-03-07T07:23:00.000-08:002008-03-07T07:23:00.000-08:00Liz,<BR/>Thanks for sharing this. <BR/><BR/>My belief (because I really can't wrap any other explanation around my mind) is that this is all part of a painful journey. Hopefully, very soon, this painful boil on society, which is now very infected and puss filled ( excuse the analogy, but it is how I feel) will soon burst. This is an excruciating history. We as black American people are not immigrants. We did not migrate here. We were assaulted, kidnapped, our ancestors raped, lynched and mutilated. Most Americans forget that. As a result America will ultimately have to endure the consequences. We fail to group hug and realize we are ALL in this together. Some of us did not come here for a better life. Somehow I feel we are owed something for that sacrifice. <BR/><BR/>Inner cities suffered surburban families migrating to the suburbs...leaving them to implode with lack of equal education, violence, guns and drugs during the 60-70's. Now they sit with egg on their face(as I am sure most suburbia is beginning to face), their pristine lives dragged into the fray of inner city life as their kids drive into the city, in the family Mercedes, to buy crack cocaine. Fix the problem, not run from the "scary" ethnic people whose ancestors were FREE labor! All created equal, right?<BR/><BR/>What you shared about your sons resonated so deeply with me. Many people just can not fathom when we say we have young men that are so adorable now ~ but will grow up to be feared. It is SO painful looking into their innocence and knowing that you have to slowly burst that bubble and gently bring them to a reality that marks them walking targets. It is not a question. It is a fact. They will be hunted, they will be ostracized, rediculed, and exploited. <BR/><BR/>I just had the converstaion with my 12 year old, who had a "missing assignment slip" advising him of the harsh reality that he has to be at 150%, unlike his classmates who will be promoted, accepted, squeezed in and supported based on alot of characterisitcs which he does not have. All we can do is raise them to react in a way that ensures their survival.<BR/><BR/>Thinking about young women of color is an another rant entirely!<BR/><BR/>At this juncture, all we can do as human beings is put our best forward, and you always do, and embrace, educate and pray that one day, when this evolves and we make it to the other side, history will thank us for our sacrifice! Wow, I try to not think about this too much, but thank you for reminding us that we have to stay in this, and remain vocal. Keep these conversations going, we will all experience the birth of righteousness one day, together.Houseonahill.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08047144806524705807noreply@blogger.com