It Can Be Done

     Since my last blog post, I've continued to study possible ways and means by which I can lead the way in formulating and carrying out a comprehensive plan to improve the quality of life for residents of Our Ward. At the same time, I've met some young Men and Women who had marginally compensated employment, and asked them what careers they would choose if "anything was possible".

     In a capitalist society, as the name implies, capital rules the day. Those who have the financial means have tended to set policy, shape legislation, structure their educational system to their benefit, direct the investment and expenditure of public funds, and overall, live prosperous and fulfilling lives, over multiple generations. An ironic paradox to this societal model, is that even though the 6th Ward has one of the previously mentioned assets, financial means, it lacks the sense of being an effectively cohesive community, and as a result, has tended to be buffeted about like a ship in a storm whose steering apparatus has ceased to function. Although I'm aware that the majority of 6th Ward residents have achieved a high degree of educational and career achievements, there are still thousands of our neighbors who are either struggling on a daily basis, or who have not been able to pass along the sense of purpose and work ethic that made this community a place that one can be proud to live in. We in the 6th Ward do command a respectable degree of financial wherewithal, but I feel that we have not been as successful in sustaining our successes, by close coordination of our efforts as a way to truly maximize and multiply our accomplishments over multiple generations. I conducted a review of African American owned banks, and found that there were 54 in 1994, but in 2014 only 21 still exist in the entire United States of America. A strategy must be formulated, supported, and carried through that fully supports these critical institutions, while still holding them accountable for the long term  maintenance of prosperity for 6th Ward residents, which will make it possible for these banks to stay in business, and continue to expand and diversify their investments in our community.
     As consumers, we rightfully expect to get the best possible value in the products and services that we pay for. To that end, it would be wonderful to see local retailers successfully compete with similar businesses outside of the 6th Ward, but to do so would take imagination, innovation, daring, and a commitment to solicit and respond to feedback from local consumers. Retailers who are not 6th Ward residents, and have no intention of supporting positive initiatives in the Ward, really need to take their business elsewhere. Local institutions will need to somewhat subdue their inherent need to be proudly independent, in order to make it possible for us to multiply our assets, and not be satisfied with islands of relative prosperity surrounded by a sea of apathy and benign neglect.
     When 100 6th Ward Residents live in relative poverty and turn to crime, drug abuse, and violence out of sheer frustration, it causes 1000 residents to watch their backs at all times, not let their children play outside, stop casually enjoying each others company outdoors, and just hunker down and bemoan the fact that "things aren't the way they used to be". No, things are not the way they used to be, but with a spirit of community and a commitment to one another, things can turn around, and be better than they ever were.
     When I've asked young adults of various ethnicities what they'd choose for a career if anything they desired was possible, some chose working with youth, others wanted to become photographers, physical therapists, entertainers, police officers, and entrepreneurs, but the saddest and most soul destroying thing a young woman did when I asked her that question, was to look up at me with the most blank, "I don't have a clue" look that I've ever seen. She literally had no dreams for herself whatsoever. She aspired to nothing, and as long as that attitude is held firm, that's exactly what she will get out of life. We have to collectively and individually touch base in some sort of way with each and every child that is born into the 6th Ward, and make sure that they understand that the only way to have some sort of meaningful life, is to find something that is self rewarding, and share that gift with everyone around them. If so many of us continue to exist largely as someone else's worker, someone else's sports fan, someone else's liquor, clothing, food, and music consumer, far too many of us will wake up one day in the ruins of what used to be an educated and prosperous community, angry and frustrated, knowing only separation from others, and self hatred. We cannot allow this current trend of societal breakdown and chaos to continue.
     When I entered the Army at 19 years old, I was placed in charge of my platoon, partly because I had prepared myself for the military by attaining the rank of Major in high school ROTC, but mostly because I exhibited the type of leadership skills necessary to get the job done well. One night, a guy approached me and said, "I heard that you know karate, is that true"? I told him yes, that I had some experience in martial arts. He proceeded to ask me to shatter one of his kneecaps for him while he was asleep, so that he could get out of the Army. I agreed to do that for him, but had no intention of carrying it out. When he later asked me why I hadn't broken his kneecap, I told him that it wasn't necessary for him to carry out such an extreme act upon himself. I told him that thousands of young guys like us go through this kind of abuse every day, that the rest of us were not better or stronger than him, and that if we could survive the ordeal, so could he. Upon graduation, he was recognized as being the most improved trainee of our cycle, and I was recognized as the highest achieving trainee of the cycle.
     When we believe in ourselves, no accomplishment of true value can be withheld from us, and nothing of true value can be taken from us. As long as we believe.