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When I reflect on the incredible energy that powers the world, young people are at the heart of everything. Cleveland, also known as The Land, is a unique city where so many young people crave opportunities to rise and shine. Although The Land is not alone in this pursuit, I’ve had the first-hand pleasure of witnessing the most creative young minds, filled with genius. However, I often wonder how I can prove more instrumental in serving our young people better.
Imagine a school community’s gymnasium filled with youth, families, neighbors, and school staff, engaging in a ritual of rhythmically stomping and clapping, stomp – clap, stomp – stomp, clap… As the volume increases, you can feel the power getting stronger and stronger. The amazing base is amplified, reverberating throughout the entire space. The vibrations are felt beyond the school. You can’t help but to clap and stomp harder and harder, forming every beat from the core of your soul. Feeling the fierce potential of brilliance, untapped. The intensity is undeniable. You feel the pulse, the beat.
The energy in the space is magical. Every smile, laugh, and movement, adds to the beautiful collective frequency of the school community. Harnessing this energy is one of the most important undertakings in the universe, but adults often miss the opportunity to reinvigorate our young people. Without ample preparations and expectations to serve every youth well, we default to a state of constant resuscitation for too many young lives. The youth are the heartbeat, and they deserve the best chance to flourish and thrive. Adults must align every intention and action to youth rhythm, not the other way around.
Young people are leaders of our world, but too many adults neglect to holistically embrace them as such. To prove impactful, we must begin by accepting this calling. Urban youth in The Land, similarly to urban youth throughout inner cities, have historically been marginalized and disenfranchised. When does it end? How is this just? Young people did not create these conditions, they were delivered into it. Adults not only delivered them into it, but adults also continue to shame and blame them through it. Too many of us move through a typical day as if this is an acceptable oppressive state of the so called normal.
At the beginning and end of each day, our urban youth’s futures are on life support. The status quo is a crisis, a catastrophe. When will we demonstrate actionable stances to eliminate the rampant indoctrination and miseducation, community disorientation, and mass incarceration? We can no longer willingly submit to the systemic pipelines, feeding our children from the cradle to prison and cradle to early graves. We must unwaveringly advocate for youth humanity and remain consistent with lighting their paths to prosperity. Urban youth represent the muscle of every generation, prime of health and strength, center of courage and promise, and extraordinary architects for innovation. In the words of the king, LeBron James, “When you believe in something and believe in your community, no one can stop you from creating change.”
