Fighting for the Lives of Our Children

Scenario: Both of my children are honor role students. Sometimes, their behavior doesn’t exhibit something to be honored but I continue to own up to my role as their mother. Recently, my 7 year old son was told to leave the building where he attends school at Bouchet Elementary. Yet, he and some other children decided to sneak back into the premises, with the idea of confiscating a toy that had been taken from them. When it was all said and done; only my son was documented and this incident led to a five day suspension. Additionally, the police were called and the incident was acknowledged by his teacher as burglary.

My heart skipped a beat, when the assistant principal called me at work and gave me the news. At first, I was angry because; only a week or so before, my children had come home with bruises after being jumped by several bigger boys…nothing was done. However, I didn’t want my anger to be confused with a parent who only wanted to see her child’s side of the story. My son was wrong for being disobedient. My anger was, more or less, directed at the fact that so many children are quickly crucified because there are countless parents who don’t care to rear their children in respect. In my case, I accepted responsibility for my children from day one with the hopes that they would accomplish things that their imaginations aren’t currently big enough to contain.

At present, many of our school systems paint a picture where educators, while feeling deprived of simple provisions (monetary and otherwise); are giving up. It becomes easier to fail the children they stand before on a daily basis, because teachers find themselves fighting against generations of half-rearing. So many parents today are either non-present or sending a message that propels their children into less than mediocre ideals of excellence. In many cases, because mom and/or dad exemplify less than a proper vision, children are led astray into the arms of defeat. Parents operate out of displaced loyalty, trying to be more a friend than a guardian. Many children find themselves wrestling against negativity at home and abroad, as their parents are the local drug dealers or gang bangers and their teachers find it hard to break through the ever-growing wall that is strengthened with each disappointment.

I wish I could get to the heart of the matter, when I observe children, barely old enough to dress themselves, as they are drawn in by grown-up things. Fed the likes of gang initiation, prostitution, drugs and other things which poison the pure; children suffer the blows that their parents aren’t willing to shield them from. So many people claim to want better for their children, but their definition of “better” isn’t always driven by education but ignorance to why the world exists as Hell on earth for so many people. I challenge parents to stand strong for their seeds and operate from a place of utter devotion for the bloodline that deserves to know better and want better.

If only we would take on the responsibility to send our children to schools where they have a head-start, because we have initiated greatness�accelerated them to believe in surpassing the status quo and moving towards something we never imagined possible.

Why are so many parents giving up without a fight? Are we blaming ourselves for little Johnnies’ addiction to heroine at the age of 12 years of age? Are we baffled at the fact that our daughter’s are learning to house promiscuity between their burning thighs and thirty something imaginations? So many parents have failed their children, because they have removed themselves from a place of authority. Parents have stepped down; for fear of being held accountable of the catastrophies they have created.

As a mom of two boys, I look at them and see the making of a new generation. I pray that they will one day grow into men destined for greatnessâÂ?¦journeying over terrain untouched by societies closed hand and assumed failure. I find myself so dedicated to their overall success in life that I feel as if I’ve failed them, when they go astray. I understand that mistakes and failures are both a part of life’s struggle but find it impossible to say “I give up.” To me, throwing in the towel would be one of the greatest defeats a parent could ever agree to.

For so many parents, the ability to keep fighting; until the wall comes down, is a challenge we must accept. The admission of failure to our children is one area in which we must throw our pride to the wind. Though our children are destined to go astray sometimes, we must purpose within ourselves to leave them with lasting impressions of why they must find greatness within. No matter what the cost, parents must stand up and accept their role for what it was intended to be. In the end, our children should be able to boldly proclaim that mom and dad made the difference of a lifetime�a difference that became the blueprint of an individual excelling towards never ending perseverance.