I was at Salem Baptist Church one Sunday when my pastor, Marshall Mitchell, simply stated, ‘Sunday school.’ Some of the congregants clapped. At that time, Pastor Mitchell asked if the ones who clapped would be available to assist in the work that needs to be done in Philadelphia. When we accepted Pastor Mitchell’s statement, we were all called to order and informed that we would be contacted when it was time to help the city’s youth to construct their futures and deal with their current mental state.
His call to order was intended to push people outside of their comfort zones, and to hold accountable our community, youth, neighbors, and everyone else we encounter on a daily basis.
A call to order is desperately needed to help young people. Are you aware that young Black boys dressed in black with ski masks walk the streets on a daily occurrence? There is a proposed bill by City Councilmember Anthony Phillips to issue fines for the wearing of ski masks. There are many young Black boys that will soon become Black men who are lost and turned out, and they will listen to any voice, especially one that is negative. Vulnerable boys like these are drawn to gangs and gang warfare. We’ve got to step into positivity, empower our youth, and encourage them to see the possibilities in their lives.
As adults, we must call ourselves to order to help ourselves. It is no longer acceptable to walk in fear, uncertainty, or in the ‘I choose to do nothing’ mode. There are killings every day in the city of Philadelphia. There are mind-blowing occurrences that are happening in the city of Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, racism continues to be a problem. City-owned school buildings laden with asbestos continue to pose a constant threat.
My call to you is to stand in solidarity with me as we begin to work together for the future of our youth. You are needed, I am needed, and work needs to be done.
How does that work begin? How do you get involved? Where do you start? There are local churches that I can name — Salem Baptist Church and Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church — that are ready to get to work. Get in touch with individuals you know who attend those churches and ask your pastor how you can help so that you can get involved. I am aware that this is a heavy topic, but we’ve got some heavy stuff going on in this city, right now, at this very moment!
Our call to order can address the burdens of that heaviness. I would like to invite you to walk with me today, to take part in creating that new space that we are so far behind in achieving. We are all responsible for our future, as well as the children. The future of our children will falter without us at the helm. Pick them up, show them love, support them, and point them in the right direction. For a child not to falter in this call to order, you must be a parent.
Question them, challenge them, reprimand them, and then take them to church. Show them the way of God because the enemy has a stronghold on our youth today. Let’s do better than we have in the past. Until next time…PEACE!
cj is a poet, educator, motivational speaker, and inspirational writer who resides in Philadelphia. If you were moved by this piece, shoot cj a “like” or comment at: [email protected].
Leave a Comment