Recently I participated in a Clothing drive... and it was interesting for me to see just how in need people really were... just for socks even. There were men... who were getting women's jeans as long as they would fit. It helped me to see how it could take two missed checks and anyone could be there.
I brought the seeds along so that they could see how fortunate to have what we have... though it may not be much... it's ours. At any chance I get I try to make sure that they understand where we came from and where we are trying to go. Whether it be donating to salvation army, food and clothing drives or volunteering at a nursing home.
So I ask... what are you doing to teach your children about building within your community? How do they see it? Are they resistant? Do they come with new ways to help?
Peace
Q. Civilized Zag
1 comment:
"So I ask... what are you doing to teach your children about building within your community? How do they see it? Are they resistant? Do they come with new ways to help?"
Peace,
Here in Atlanta we have a "Seeds Cipher Activity" every month. Last November our seeds cipher was a "meeting of the minds" when we brought the youth together to find our what activities they'd like to partake in. One of the young Gods wanted to have a "feed the homeless" day. So we did that back in June, and because we have rallies/parliaments out doors 8 out of 12 months a year, they interact with the community each time and learn about poverty and homelessness... and partake in community outreach, feeding the people, just being kind and the many aspects of humanitarianism. We just took them to a Black Panther Reunion and Arts/Culture Conference at which they learned about the sacrifices our elders made to garner us some of the freedoms we have now... and also learned how much more work THEY have left to do to secure a better future for those who come after them.
The youth out here are always present at our planning meetings - be it planning the next seeds cipher, Earth cipher (there were about 10 young Gods/Earths at the last one), or community outreach activity.
Currently, we're planning a "Poets 4 Political Prisoners/Free Troy Davis" benefit for which all proceeds will go to starting the Troy Anthony Davis Scholarship Fund. We have "Healing House Parties" quarterly in which we teach the community and youth about various aspects of health and wellness (the youth always perform and have activities). At our Mental Health and Financial Wellness Seminar our young Queens (ages 11 to 20) babysat the youth in a hotel suite and just in doing that they learn how it takes a village to raise a child... and we garnered about $80 in donations to give to the Queens for their services (and also gave them some dope gift bags full of goodies) which teaches them the value of currency and barter/trading.
Our youth are always amped to add on to our community endeavors... one of the reasons I just LOVE Allah's Garden!
Peace,
Eboni Joy Asiatic
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