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Parents Notebook

Parent's Notebook: A Tribute to Artists Who Left Guidance for our Children

As we celebrate Black History Month, the contributions made acknowledging and appreciating our youth by musicians (now deceased) are remembered. Being artists, they captured with music and words the promise of youth –reminding us of our duty to them. But then that is the awesome ability of artists – to illustrating and transforming analysis and actions needed for life-changing results. And on this Black History Month in 2013 with thousands of our children being jailed and killed yearly, we sorely need to commit to change actions in order to change the results.

Whitney Houston, in the song “The Children Are Our Future”, the lyrics “I believe the children are our future – Teach them well and let them lead the way – Show them all the beauty they possess inside – Give them a sense of pride to make it easier – Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be–Everybody searching for a hero –People need someone to look up to–I never found anyone to fulfill my needs–A lonely place to be- So I learned to depend on me.”

Statistics show our children are in trouble. The question is can we stop depending on others and take responsibility for making a difference in their lives. The home is the place where the potential power is groomed. What are you willing to do as an individual?

Marvin Gaye in “Save the Children.” “When I look at the world it fills me with sorrow – little children today are gonna suffer tomorrow- oh what a shame, what a bad way to live – All who is to blame, we can’t stop livin’ – live, live for life – but let live everybody. Live life for the children.”

The message reiterates the fact that the children are the future and obviously we are responsible for saving them – thereby saving their future translates to saving the world. And adults taking responsibility for our lives so we can pass that on is essential to our youth. So join the Parent’s Notebook in the quest to reclaim responsibility for our lives and claim the power that comes with that so we can save our children.

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Michael Jackson in “We are the World” “We are the world, we are the children – we are the ones who make a brighter day – so let’s start giving – There’s a choice we’re making – we’re saving our own lives – It’s true we’ll make a better day – Just you and me.”

While the song was created in a humanitarian project for Africa, the need is here today in this country, in our state and on our blocks. And it rates high on the list of reminders that more is needed from us as individuals, parents, family and community. In the coming weeks, we will look at some key hurdles that we (as a people) need to confront and resolve so we can heal and create powerful relationships for our sake and for our children’s sake. We’ll start with healing our relationships. Ideas and suggestions are welcomed. Send to parentsnotebook@yahoo.com.

PN Alerts!
*** Deadline Feb. 25, 2013 – Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is giving 43 scholarships at $2,500 to students studying medicine, engineering, technology, nutrition or another health-related field and have financial need. Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates or current postsecondary undergraduate level students; etc. with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. For more details:
www.scholarshipsonlikne.org/2013/02/congressional-black-caucus-general-mills-health-scholarship.html

***Other Scholarships available in 2013 – visit www.ScholarshipsOnline.org

***Roots Revisited launches its 29th year of celebrating Black History Month with its annual College Tours – Students 4th through 12th grades are eligible. For info on February tour and further information call 718-773-0246 or 718-574-5482.

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*** Free Open House Weekend 2013 at the Apollo on Saturday, Feb. 9; Sunday, Feb. 10 12 – 5pm.
Featuring live performances, a Family Instrument Making Workshop, film screenings and other family workshops. Address: 253 W. 125th St. 212-531-5337

***A Call for all to help provide better opportunities for our youth now! Sign an online petition supporting The Youth Depot – a place that’ll bring together, and make more accessible, various Youth Service Organizations to equip and provide teens with the information, activities, sports, services and tools to become productive dynamic adults, and it WILL PRODUCE JOBS. It is the reformation of the village that is needed to raise our children. For further info on The Youth Depot contact Dr. Jackie at codycares@hotmail.com.

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