Our Voice

Most recently, I went to an informal meeting of young leaders within the Rochester community, that discussed ways in which we can make this community better for us and most importantly for future generations. As I listened respectfully and intuitively, there were things that I learned that I didn't know and perhaps that others within our community didn't know about mayoral candidates Tom Richards and former mayor Bill Johnson. I learned a little bit more about what our city has to offer and what our city can offer but doesn't. One thing that I learned which for me is the most important, was the fact that our voices are needed to be heard in order for change to take place. As a people, we must speak out against what is wrong. We, and myself included, must take action and voice our opinions and concerns about what is going on in this community which does not benefit us in order to at least put things on an even playing field. No, this isn't a white vs black issue but it is a right vs wrong issue. When we as African Americans get mistreated, misinformed, & misjudged because of our skin color we have to do something about it. The question we must all ask ourselves in such situations is, who will take on the responsibilities to bring about change in our community? Our ancestors took on the social responsibility to take the lead in order for us to have the opportunities that we have today. Why has that changed so much? Why haven't we as a people took on those responsibilities of sacrificing for the generations to come like our ancestors did? Are we afraid of prison and death? Why, when the fact of the matter remains that our ancestors died for us to be here today and to have the luxuries that we have. When I say luxuries I am not referring to cars, clothes, and jewelry. Luxuries such as education, health care, jobs & equal rights, to name a few. The luxuries that we so often take for granted.
So, lets start to take a stand, speak out, & voice our concerns for what is going on in this community so that we can have a better tomorrow for not only ourselves but for generations to come.