Commitment
Posted by caclarkfrieson on June 2, 2006
Recently, I have observed many of the events that are impacting black neighborhoods and communities throughout East Alabama and West Central Georgia. As a result of my observations I have found one common thread that runs throughout our communities.
What many black individuals are lacking is a sense of commitment. Thus many of our communities are suffering.
When one raises questions regarding the declining state of affairs within black communities, and among black adults, and youth, the common element is a gross lack of commitment.
Why are so many of our historic institutions dwindling in membership? Why is there such a lack of interest in the institutions that have long been pillars of the African American way of life…such institutions as the Prince Hall Masons, Eastern Stars, N.A.A.C.P., our Political Caucases, and in many instances, even our organized churches.
Again, the answer looks me squarely in the face… We are not as committed as our forebears were. This leads me to ask, why? What happened? The only way I can answer this question, is in light of our slightly improved social status during latter century, we became quite relaxed in teaching and passing on to our youth the virtues and values that once undergirded our entire race: COMMITMENT to our collective cause and general well-being, was a major character attribute that most of us were taught. Now-a-days, our younger blacks are committed only to themselves, and their personal interests. There is no commitment to community; no commitment evident – not even to the personal relationships (thus the steady increase in the divorce rate, and single-parenthood).
What does it all mean? We need to get back to basics, and again, emphasize the teaching of commitment. This teaching must begin at an early age. Otherwise, the only people who will have the interest and commitment to preserve our historic institutions – those strong bridges that have brought us across the troubled waters of black life in America, will be those who remember and value commitment.
