By:Deric Muhammad
Previously Published in the
African-American News&Issues
A wise mentor of mine used to tell me that there is no such thing as a “new” year if you do the same things you did the year before. It is just a continuation of the same agenda, schedule, way of life and way of thinking. In order to classify January 1st as the first day of the new year, you have to do something “new.” If the only thing that changes in your life is the number on your calendar, we may as well wish you a happy “last year.”
If we reflect on 2008 and realize that it was a near mirror of 2007, then it was not quite a new year. If we’ll be honest, many of us have not had a new year in many years. The current social and economic challenges that we face in this country should force us to step outside of our comfort zone, challenge our fears and do something to better our condition.
We can all agree that the old way of doing things has failed us. The year 2008 was highlighted by something that was new to us all. Barack H. Obama became the first Black president of the United States of America. If that cannot be classified as “new” then nothing else can.
Our brother sang the timely song of change all the way to the oval office and we all became filled with hope and a new spirit. On January 20, 2009 he will take his inaugural oath, but, according to Obama, if we don’t help him to dig America out of the ditch that she is in, he will not succeed. This means that we must take an oath right along with him.
Before the Black community can help anyone, we must first help ourselves. Here are 10 New Year’s resolutions that I believe will help make the Black community a strong community.
1. Stop Black On Black Violence and Murder.
2. Learn the difference between spirituality and religion. Strive to become a more spiritual community where neighbors pray together as much as they party together.
3. Eat to Live. Improper diet is generational and so are the illnesses that kill us as a result of our diet. Our forefathers ate certain foods on the plantation, because they had no choice. Why are we still eating the same foods 459 years later? Healthcare starts at home.
4. Each ONE Teach ONE (Mentor Neighborhood Youth). We have to mentor based on the talent and interest of our young people. Link Black professionals with young brothers from the hood.
5. Natural Disaster Preparedness. Every year we are caught off guard during hurricane season. We seem to always be at the end of the line for government assistance after a natural disaster. This year we must put ourselves at the front of the line. The way to do that is to be better prepared.
6. Build and patriotically support Black-owned businesses that supply the needs of our community
7. Save your money. Stop spending money on unnecessary luxuries that you cannot afford. Mr. Gucci says you have to pay him hundreds of dollars in order to wear his name on your purse. He makes billions and sends his children to get the best education so that our children end up coming to them for a job.
8. Develop a political agenda. Support local, state and federal candidates that pledge allegiance to that agenda and politically punish them if they fail to keep their word.
9. Study Black history year-round. Make sure your children know who they are and where they come from.
10. The Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated.
These are just a few thoughts that, if executed, could equal a truly “new” year for the Black community.
No comments:
Post a Comment