Theres all this talk about doing something in the Black community. Mentoring is high up on the list. So, let me share something. At my former job I used to regularly see my White co-workers leave at lunch time and go onto a bus. I wondered what they were doing. I found out they were going to read to children in Minneapolis public schools. I immediately inserted myself into the situation. I was the only Black person that went. Anyhow, I was given a [Black] boy that was difficult, unkempt and if Im honest, didnt smell so good. Nonetheless I made every effort to connect with him, not just read. I could tell he needed a mothers love and nurturing. Fast forward, Im at work and I hear a Black woman cursing and yelling at someone. I look out and I see the boy with his mom. (She is there for a court ordered drug test along with her boyfriend). I go out to greet the boy and his parents. He hugs me. The mother tells me that the teacher couldnt stop talking about how much the boy took to me. (Apparently, no one wanted to work with him so he was dumped on me). I smile but Im sad. I could pat myself on the back for being a bright spot in this boys life once a week during the school year but he has to return home to that mom and that step-dad.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 18:26:22 +0000