elders
To The
Dear Elder:
Several years ago I was at the movies watching a fantastical account of imaginary adventures filled with beautiful lessons about life and growth. The story was compellingly inspiring, and I thought to myself, ‘what an amazing thing for youth to be able to look to something as positive and fulfilling as this and see themselves there in the story itself and relate to the main character enough to want more for themselves.’ Leaving the theater I then began to consider, “What amazing stories do my young brothers and sisters have to look to? Who do they relate to that could inspire them to want more and believe that they can be whatever it is they wish to be?” I had very few positive answers.
You see, the truth is, that our Black youth have plenty to look to; however, many more negative influences than positive ones. They have the rapper who idealizes material wealth over integrity. They have their peers who are watching the same powerfully influential negatives as they are. They have their parents, many of whom are on a single parent income with little to no time to be the parents these youth need. Instead, the cycle is perpetuated, and dreams of becoming the next big rap star, basketball player, or NFL number one draft pick are seeded and our Black youth begin to believe, that while these are amazing aspirations these are also the only options available to them. Let us not forget however, that when all else fails, many of these children then turn to drugs and petty crime, and do not make it to adulthood. Those that do, often end up behind bars.
Have we ever wondered why this is? Why is it that while our children are fed nursery rhymes about 24” rims and club hopping, as if that is all they can be or do, the rest of America’s children are taught through daily reinforcement of the positives, that they can be doctors, artists, musicians, lawyers, professors, presidents, etc? Is it not a moral crime to see this and do nothing to stop it?
I have been too blessed to remain silent any longer. It is for this reason, and with this intention in mind that I began and finished THE BEANSTALK. I realized that no other group of people will write these stories for us; it is up to us to create them and to support our fellows in the process. The story has been created. It is that of a young Black youth living in Chicago who climbs a beanstalk, and embarks on a magical journey leading him back home filled with growth and possibility. Because I believe in this story, I have made very strong efforts to share it to the youth who need it most.
The story has a copyright. It has been submitted to over 15 different agents and publishing companies; however, to no avail. There seems to be few markets for Black literature in a predominately White mainstream arena. As well, I have done reading programs with the youth with whom I work at several recreation centers around the City of Atlanta. I am currently working on a curriculum for the story, and have begun selling the novel in episodes much as Langston Hughes and Gabriel Garcia Marquez did with many of their earlier works. In addition, plans are being made for local readings at bookstores and open mic events around the city. My main intention is to get the story out to the people who need it most, and who are represented within its pages.
I know that if one not only has faith that what is right will be done, but also puts forth his or her own truthful effort into what they believe, then accomplishing goals and manifesting destiny is all that can come as a result of those efforts. This story needs to be heard. It must be published and read; I have already begun working on its sequel in a series of three.
Give Thanks