In November and December 2016 in a series of blogs I wrote on my website, www.daviddivine.co relating to youth crime and violence and the 11 gun killings in Nova Scotia in 2016 by the time of writing one of my blogs, six of whom were Black, I explored what I believed was the core of the problem. ‘How we see ourselves, our intimate honest opinions of how we are as individuals, our assessments of our personal self worth are critical as a first step in moving forward. Who am I? What do I have to offer, to myself, to others? One of the most painful experiences and indeed one of the most frightening, is to be in the company of someone, who feels worthless, unloved, unappreciated. The outcome is rarely positive. Supporting one another, helping to lift each other to a higher plane, should be our goal.’ (Authentic Celebrants: Rise-Part2, December 19th 2016)
It is note worthy that Kardeisha Provo, aged 17, in the Halifax Metro newspaper of Thursday February 8th 2018, is interviewed by Yvette d’Entremont, on her recent 18 day learning tour of Uganda and the lessons learnt, stated that ‘I look at myself, I fix myself, and if everyone does that, then only good can come from that…When we have community meetings it’s usually about the issues that are in our community or the things that we need to fix, but we never really get the space to just be quiet and talk about things that wouldn’t come up in our everyday conversations.’
Borrowed words and actions from others-some known to me personally, some not, have made a profound impact on me that lingered, made me think, caused me to reflect on my own conduct and the words I use to communicate with others. Their actions and words became part of me, altered me. I acknowledge the debt I owe them. In time I will repay that selfless offering without any anticipation of repayment, by my own actions and words and the impact they may have on others who cross my life pathways.
In my last two blogs I highlighted the impact of two world-class football players who tried to reach out to others and connect in ways that had profound positive effects on others. Individuals making time to reflect on their lives and use the insights gained to seek to reach out to others. (‘Nothing to Something’, January 29th 2018; ‘Maximum Respect’ January 21st 2018).
On a larger scale in terms of claiming some connection to those living and working around us, a sense that we are part of something together, that we have something in common, is creatively brought to life in a major initiative currently underway in Forth Wayne, Indiana, on preventing violence amongst youth. Homicide is the leading cause of death in Black males ages 10-24 in Fort Wayne. Leaders in the communities of all ages, races, but driven and managed by Black people, have dedicated themselves to addressing this toxic issue destroying young lives, families, communities. The start is to reach out and make contact with one another. Create the space, the safe environments, to talk to each other about matters that ordinarily do not come up -or are not allowed, in our day to day conversations. In the words of the initiative itself:
‘WHAT IS FORT WAYNE UNITED?
Fort Wayne UNITED is a Mayoral initiative that places two national efforts, Cities United and My Brother’s Keeper, under one umbrella. It is designed to answer the call to enhance opportunities, advance youth advocacy and help create a safer city for all, but more specifically for black men and boys. By bringing together a group of passionate and committed leaders, the initiative will educate, inform and engage the community in an effort to make positive change one neighborhood at a time.
VISION
Every black male in Fort Wayne is respected and valued and has the opportunity to achieve his full potential.
MISSION
Advocate for and implement policies, practices and procedures to ensure equity and opportunity for black fathers, brothers and sons at home, work, school and in the community through collaborative efforts.
‘Our new video to raise awareness on preventing violence in Fort Wayne. Watch it here’: http://bit.ly/2kWHUSf #couldabeenme
The vision is the key, the starting point. I value you. Can we connect? The rest will flow from there. Let us invest further value, hope and opportunity in one another. From the personal one to one contact, there is the prospect of connecting other individuals to others, neighbourhoods to other neighbourhoods, communities to other communities. It is an acknowledgement that as a global citizen we are connected to one another. Have something in common with one another and in a sense belong to one another underpinned by communication technologies, transportation, information that at times drown us in connections. This claim to global citizenry comes with rights, responsibilities and duties. This needs to be learnt amongst the youth in Fort Wayne in ways that are safe, respectful and empowering. Those of us who are older need to use our words and actions wisely to make the necessary impact. We need to be mindful in the words of Ta-Nehisi Coates in his intimate letter to his adolescent son in ‘Between the World and Me’, that in respect of Black life, ‘The ground we walked was trip-wired. The air we breathed was toxic. The water stunted our growth. We could not get out.’ (PP 27-28)