It Is YOUR Duty!

TODAY is Election Day - here's what you can do:

1) Get up, out and vote;
2) Volunteer to take an elderly or disabled person to the polls;
and
3) Remind others to get out and vote. Be heard and let everyone else know that their vote counts, too!

A Modern Day Genocide...

After attending the Plainfield’s Promise: Speaker Series this past Saturday that featured Director, Writer, Film Maker Alrick Brown, a haunting thought has been a constant drumming in my spirit. Are we responsible for a modern day Genocide? By definition -- Genocide -- is the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group (our city’s Youth).


Are we responsible for systematically killing a generation’s HOPE for a better life and world?

Has the pervasive presence of mediocrity in our pedagogy, parental involvement, leadership and community support destroyed the potential of this city’s children?

Death of spirit and self-worth is far more catastrophic than death of the body!

We are a fractured community, and just as a fracture bone cannot perform its function effectively – neither can a fractured society.

How committed are we in finding out what is eating at the spirit of our children?

An Awesome Afternnoon -- RIGHT HERE in Plainfield!

Yesterday afternoon, myself and (4) of my lady princesses from Tiaras To Crowns had the opportunity to hear from, preview the work of, and speak one-on-one with an up and coming rising star – one of Plainfield’s very own – Director/Film Maker Alrick Brown.

The film covered a very tough topic – Genocide; specially as experienced in Rwanda. More notably, however, he shared his concerns with regard to the lack of awareness in America’s schools and in African American homes to share these stories from generation to generation. As we full know; “those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.” He gave poignant examples of how Jewish families ensure future generations know about the holocaust tragedies, and how Japanese and Chinese teach their young about their culture’s past and rich inheritance, to drive home his imperative points of "knowledge sharing" to the audience.

The genuine warmth that emanated from this young man was as fresh as a mid-summer’s breeze! I commend The Youth Exposure program organizers and P.A.L. for pulling this enlightening afternoon together!

This is PLAINFIELD Folks, despite all of the negative press, the random shootings – yes this is happening here – BUT – there are awesome stories among the citizenry that deserve front page billing and community support.

We will not acquiesce to the influences of depravity and destruction. We WILL overcome by committing to be a part of programs that provide our children with not just alternative outlets, but examples of Plainfield Students who have moved on to become productive engaged citizens.

I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon out with the lady princesses and hope we as a community will continue to create awesome opportunities for our youth to see Plainfield in action – the success stories.

They need us and quite frankly WE NEED THEM!!