Truer Words Were Never Spoken
The following is a guest column by 18-year old Lauren Roscoe. She is a student at the University of Indianapolis. I met her at the Indiana Black Expo news conference this week on the creation of a task force to address public safety and youth violence.
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Since when did our people become the beholders of violence, hatred, ignorance, and arrogance? Since when did we become the race known as drug dealers, gang bangers, uneducated good for nothing jailbait? Since when did we start thinking it was okay to walk around like we own the place, “cuz we strapped,” when unbeknownst to us, we are thought of as one of the lowest minorities to exist.
What I want to know is why must we betray our ancestors and destroy every single building block of opportunity that was built in order for us to be able to walk, talk, and live in the ways we do. By the ignorance and arrogance of being able to have freedom, our generation has taken for granted the sacrifices of past generations. If it weren’t for our ancestors, we wouldn’t be able to have a Summer Celebration, Circle City Classic, or anything else we have today for that matter.
I’m sick of being considered a Black statistic. I will not be defined by what the “experts” say I am to be. Too many of our people think they’re too good for hard work and can handle their lives on their own. We are getting left in the dust and being dragged by the stereotypes and limits society has tried to put on us and tell us that we will be nothing more than drug dealers, gang bangers, jail bait, and pregnant mothers.
The only hope for success they’ve given us is to be an athlete or a musician; aka a rapper. Very rarely do we see our people promoted as doctors, lawyers, judges, senators, artists, dentist, psychiatrist, entrepreneurs, and business owners. That is because not only does the world not believe we can be more, but the African-Americans that have succeeded in these areas have given up on us too. Do you know why?
Apparently, we are too big headed for our own good. All these kids think they’re grown; out here running around acting foolish trying to “make some paper” and trying to protect some street, some block that can’t do a thing for anybody. But for what? People are out here dying because of a street, a hood. What is “your hood” going to do for you? Except be in the same place. It sure can’t get up and say, “I’m going to protect my citizens.” That street has been there in that same place and nothing’s going to be any different about that street or that block after you’re dead and gone. And yet, all these people think they need to go out and get a “glock” to protect some object that can’t do a single thing for them.
The real question is since when does having a gun or killing somebody else make you a stronger man or woman? Since when were you given the right to take somebody else’s life? You aren’t God and you never will be. If you think that you have the right to kill somebody just because of some random reason; that means someone else has every right to take yours. And who says none of your lives have value? To me, that is complete arrogance and ignorance. We are looked down upon because of childish and cowardly acts like Saturday night. We are still treated like inadequate and uneducated, clueless people.
We’ve got to come together and put an end to the destruction of our own generation because we are growing weaker and weaker. We’ve got to make a stand and make a change. We need to band together and be stronger instead of being worried about our own personal interest. It’s time to make a move and show youth that there’s more to life than what has been made visible. Education is the key to our success.
My request is that we develop a city-wide forum, for all high schools: administrators, faculty and staff, students, police departments, politicians and clergy, inside Lucas Oil Stadium to inform all students that education is important and unity must be present in order to be successful. By coming together, we can change the negative mindset and begin to reach our full potential. We are our brother’s keeper and it’s time for change.
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:57 am
The young Ms. Roscoe not only says it well, she actually does speak for most citizens of Indianapolis; her community, our community.
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Very well said. The main issue with Black Expo every year is that the events for the under-21 crowd end waaaay too late. Combine that with the fact that many parents book hotel rooms for their kids downtown creates a situation where you have hundrends of teens loitering around with nothing to do(this practice goes back at least ten years!). As the old saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil's workshop.” I would like to see:
1. The “Teen Bling” events held mid-afternoon vs 6 or 7pm at night.
2. Also move the events to the fairgrounds, where there's essentially one way in, one way out.
3. I also agree with Ms. Roscoe's idea of having teens from all hs's in Indy create a forum with police, city officials and IBE so that we have a platform to have our concerns heard.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
There are many reasons for the break down. One is the break down in the family. As I understand it some 70% of black children today do not live in the same house as the father. Maybe I am wrong with that figure but I know it is high percentage. The breakdown of the family unit is the major cause of the problems that we have here today and I am talking of all races. When both parents think they must be out in the work force to “make it” and call their children on their cell phone to see what they are up to, this to is part of the problem we face today. When the “professionals” tell us not to correct our children by applying counseling to the bottom of the pants, then this to is a big part of our problems of today. When mothers (or fathers) are to busy to see that their children on out on the streets when they should be at home doing school work or in bed asleep, there will still be problems with our teens of today. I put the blame of 90% of parents of today
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Young people are now waking up to the fact that some of Indy's old school “community leaders” have failed them. They now realize that some are just preying upon the community for their own personal profit.
It's time for the new generation of educated black leaders to rise up and set things straight.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Well said young lady. My advise to you is to stay true to your convictions, and become a voice and force to change the type of leadership that has taken usurped what the civil rights movement was all about.
King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” However, today children are being judged by the content of their character. When you dress, walk, talk and act like a thug or prostitute you are showing the content of your character.
I have heard young people today so often say, “Don't judge me” yet they do nothing to present themselves as respectable, honest individuals. They draw attention to themselves and then complain when the police “hassle” them. The disregard and fight with authority figures, and complain when they get the butt whipping their parents SHOULD have given them five years earlier.
Young lady be a force and voice for change in the community, and not just in the African-American community, but all of Indianapolis. Push to hold accountable those in positions of authority, and the parents of today's young people. It will be folks such as yourself that can and will lead a revival within the African-American community and the community at large.
Godspeed!
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Lauren gets it.
Rev. Clay, Rev. Benjamin, Amos Brown are still fighting the 1960's struggle which they won and didn't notice the game has changed in the past 40 years. They are actually the ones keeping the black person down by setting the standards way too low.
Dr. King expected equal rights and the same opportunity for success, not separate but equal rights and expectations of success without hard work and determination.
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I'm not so sure the message isn't applicable to all youth, of all races and backgrounds. The IBE image is tarnished…perhaps another entity could convene.
The dark of night brings out the worst in too many folks. Among the smarter solutions I've heard this week are two:
1. Haul in those portable construction lights–everywhere. Light up downtown. It's be expensive, but then, our image and the lives of young people are valuable.
2. All post-dark IBE events should be adult-only or family-only.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Lauren for Mayor.
The kid is on it. A lot of what she says applies to ALL of us in trying to try to preserve what civilization we do have. This is priceless:
“We’ve got to make a stand and make a change. We need to band together and be stronger instead of being worried about our own personal interest. It’s time to make a move and show youth that there’s more to life than what has been made visible. Education is the key to our success.”
Amen.
“…our generation has taken for granted the sacrifices of past generations.”
“Too many of our people think they’re too good for hard work and can handle their lives on their own.”
“Apparently, we are too big headed for our own good.”
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Not only have so-called community leaders failed them, Nick, so also has the Democrat party. Ever since the Dems hijacked the civil rights movement, the message has been to the black community that the government is the answer to their problems.
Their problems have not been solved. Arguably, they've worsened. Our post-racial (HA!) President's goal is to grow the primary source of those problems–government. The invariable result will be more Americans receiving government assistance, not fewer. And as is the case with most social-dependence programs, the black community will be disproportionately hurt. A dependent constituency and guaranteed vote is more important to Barry and the Dems than is the 'welfare' of our citizens.
If Lauren, and those like her, choose the right leaders (of any color) to emulate, things should improve in a generation or two. Until then, there are just too damn many politicians, activists, etc. who are making a living maintaining the status quo.
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Damn, now you are really starting to scare me….you are spot on. I also suggest that we put this young lady on the IBE task force. She has it going on.
July 22nd, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Believe me the game wasn't won back in the 60's. It is a best out of 7. We might have one 1 or 2 games but the series drags on.
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:01 pm
The young lady is right on! You all might check USA Today and see the US House of Representatives has charged a member with Ethics violations. Maybe Indiana and the State and Federal officials might follow suit with a few adults in Indiana that flaunt their “bling” around and laugh at everyone for their control of the media, the courts and the elected and appointed officials.
All of what this young lady says goes far beyond the everyday people. Make an example of some of the “wealthy” folks who flaunt their bling around and maybe the kids would get the picture and the laughing would stop.
There does not need to be Lucas Oil Stadium meetings. There needs to be taking back the streets and the court rooms, the elected halls of the State capital and the City County Building.
This young lady wants a chance to lead. Indiana get off your butt and do something about it!
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Lauren is right on!
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:18 pm
“I'm not so sure the message isn't applicable to all youth, of all races and backgrounds.”
I don't recall seeing any problems when the FFA 'youth' is in town.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Make her the Deputy Mayor — she's much more articulate than Olgen Williams.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
You consistently want to “go there,” don't you? You're kinda sick, ya know it?
By the way it should, be “youth are”.
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:52 am
She's wise beyond her years!
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:12 am
If the people who need to hear this message actually do, she will be pilloried ala Bill Cosby, and nothing will change. If they don't hear it, nothing will change.
Still, good on Lauren.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:18 am
Facts suck sometimes, huh??
Do you have something against the Future Farmers of America? Or, does it stick in your craw that they are a bunch of well behaved 'youth'?
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Truth is that the 60's struggle was mostly a fight for external and structural changes, while the struggle now is an internal cultural struggle of educated professionals that know what it takes to get themselves and their family ahead socially/financially and the uneducated activists that spin stories of past fights and fail to see the fruits of 50 years of educational gains/progress/opportunities has produced people smarter than themselves and they don't want to lose control to younger leaders that are more integrated in society.
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Do you really think that your people don't know that there is better way of life?
Do you really think that by “coming together”, what ever that means, that you are going to change the criminals that your culture has bred?
I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen.
Why?
Because when “The Man” comes into your neighborhood looking for someone you know, then you're not going to do a thing to help him.
Look at the 15 year old criminal that got smacked around by “The Man” because he was making threats and trying to intimidate the police when they were arresting his brother for robbing his neighbors.
(Oh yeah, this can't get any better…)
So your community brought in Al Sharpton and made a bunch of noise to the media, which resulted in a police officer being fired.
All because some criminal got what he deserved.
If he had been white, you can bet that the officer would still be on the job.
But we can't police the black community.
Its clergy and people are too busy protecting their criminal sons and daughters.
The same ones that will rob from them and kill their brothers and sisters.
Yeah, the black community needs to “come together” and start acting like civilized citizens, and not putting your trash out for everyone else to take care of.