Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The 20Something Year Olds Challenge


Prelude: At first, I was going to try to make this poetic, catchy and deep but then I realized that the issue that I am about to discuss deserves more attention than just a rhyming sequence; An issue that hurts my heart and is evident in everyday news that this issue isn’t getting any better. My biggest concern is that we, the 20somethings, are ignorant to the fact of our importance and relevance in what is going on in today’s society and without awareness, it will only get worse, making it even harder to fix.

OUR YOUTH NEEDS HELP FROM US, THE 20SOMETHING YEAR OLDS…PERIOD. THEY ARE VICTIMS OF A LIFE AT RISK DUE TO:

WORKING PARENTS NOT AROUND, STRIVING & STRUGGLING TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY IN THIS RECESSION

ABSENTEE FATHERS

YOUNG PARENTS

PARENTS AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE ABUSE

AND THE LIST GOES ON…….

It is not our fault nor is it our obligation to be there for them, when no one else can be BUT it is our responsibility as the future leaders we all want to become, to acknowledge what is going on in our community with our youth and to take action. We put statuses up on Facebook and Twitter, distraught, sad and angered by what we hear on the news about another “unfortunate situation” with another young teen. In the midst of the hype, we are vocal and opinionated about what is going on in the streets with our youth. We come together, in agreement finally, as young adults to state how we feel and how distressing it is. And it is not until when the news, the politicians and the activists quiet down and forget that we begin to quiet down and forget…..that is until the next act occurs.

As a 20Something yea old, we need to stop acting as a HYPE man/woman, emphasizing our opinions when it is convenient and accepted but to take it to that next level. Our generation gets scared when we hear the term, “GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY,” but it’s not as hard as it sounds. Encouraging, mentoring, spending time with, acknowledging and empathizing is all it takes, whether it’s the young girl down the street or your Aunt Whatsherface’s 14 year old son. We are caught up in the “I” but it’s time to get caught up in the “WE.” WE are too self-centered to notice anyone else in the same room with us, someone who may be crying out for help…

Be proactive within your surroundings and maybe we won’t have so many retroactive frequencies in the community.

This is my challenge to YOU, the 20Something Year Olds, as well as MYSELF…..Ready? Set….GO!

BY MONISA

2 comments:

  1. Very true. But like you said, so many of us are caught up in ourselves. Hopefully some people will see this as a wake up call and take some type of action.

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  2. I could not have said this better myself.
    I have plenty of volunteer opportunites for all who would like to do something.

    Thanks,
    Jtbillups

    ReplyDelete