What Happened to the Village?

Over a decade has past when Hillary Clinton told the nation that it takes a village to raise a child. While this ancient African proverb got national recognition, it wasn't new to the African American community. This begs the question of, "What happened to the Village?"

After forging through the civil rights era and continuing the struggle to gain strides in the workforce through the 80's, African Americans seem to have fallen to the "I" and "Me" concept of life. Many of us have gone on to be successful in our careers and have forgotten about their brothers and sisters who mentally remain in the struggle. In turn, our children no longer respect their elders or authority figures and they are fearless. This means that our future generations are destined to a path of self -destruction if we don't collectively come together to work out the kinks.

There is a great need for change in the African American community and it is not going to come from a government handout or a philanthropic gesture of kindness. It can only come from those who know and understand what it is like to be black in this American society. I can only hope that African Americans will one day come together and build a society that is as close knit and prosperous as the Jews.

Peace and Blessings