Wednesday, October 29, 2014

ELDER'S TALK: contrasts of courage to be a parent today


Speaking as a parent to parents where does the substance of our children's adult lives come from? How deeply can we influence them as adults? 

Coming up Russia was always depicted in movies and novels as gray and lifeless when I was a child. The rigid life Russian citizens shared with each other was bleak in comparison to ours here in the States. These images were persuasive and dominated the times. Now things have changed and the image of Russia has everything to do with crime, social disorganization, political corruption and the women, who now appear vibrant and beautiful. Beauty never thrived according to the old Russian propaganda we received. So, many older men are admiring these turn around, but sadden because Russian women are showing up increasingly on the internet as brides for hire or women for the night! It is part of a business shift in Russia I imagine from Communism to Capitalism. 

Well, my original questions come to the forefront because we are a human family. How has parenting changed in modern Russian and other formerly communist countries? Way over here in the US of A. how do we participate in their transitions? Even closer to home down south along the border of Mexico and the States are major dilemmas for families on both sides of the border with the rise in drug related violence! How do we help their lives? These are fundamental questions to ask our awareness.  If our awareness is alive it has spiritual responsibilities. What are yours and what are ours? 

The biography of a Russian model, Julia Semenova, gives a glimpse into the business of modeling steps past the starting gate. I wonder what it feels like to somersault through auditions and land on your feet professionally with the lumps and bruises of rejection finding hiding places within the body, just behind the facial expressions as one prepares for the new job. Modeling and searching for work are dances that require acting skills and resilience.But, in contrast there are factors of a child's substance and foundation not considered in trivia pursuits of adults today.

For Black American parents I'd like them to consider a creative and intellectual approach to the struggles of esteem many of our daughters are going through today. Marcus Garvey wrote about a perspective I'd like to be considered as a parent. Race does not matter. Knowledge of who we were influences who we are. Listen to the substance:

The Black Woman


Black queen of beauty, thou hast given color to the world!
Among other women thou art royal and the fairest!
Like the brightest of jewels in the regal diadem,
Shin’st thou, Goddess of Africa, Nature’s purest emblem!

Black men worship at thy virginal shrine of truest love,
Because in thine eyes are virtue’s steady and holy mark,
As we see in no other, clothed in silk or fine linen,
From ancient Venus, the Goddess, to mythical Helen.

When Africa stood at the head of the elder nations,
The Gods used to travel from foreign lands to look at thee
On couch of costly Eastern materials, all perfumed,
Reclined thee, as in thy path flow’rs were strewn-sweetest that bloomed.

Thy transcendent marvelous beauty made the whole world mad,
Bringing Solomon to tears as he viewed thy comeliness;
Anthony and the elder Caesars wept at thy royal feet,
Preferring death than to leave thy presence, their foes to meet.

You, in all ages, have attracted the adoring world,
And caused many a bloody banner to be unfurled
You have sat upon exalted and lofty eminence,
To see a world fight in your ancient African defense.

Today you have been dethroned, through the weakness of your men,
While, in frenzy, those who of yore craved your smiles and your hand
Those who were all monsters and could not with love approach you
Have insulted your pride and now attack your good virtue.

Because of disunion you became mother of the world,
Giving tinge of robust color to five continents,
Making a greater world of millions of colored races,
Whose claim to beauty is reflected through our black faces.

From the handsome Indian to European brunette,
There is a claim for that credit of their sunny beauty
That no one can e’er to take from thee, 0 Queen of all women
Who have borne trials and troubles and racial burden.

Once more we shall, in Africa, fight and conquer for you,
Restoring the pearly crown that proud Queen Sheba did wear
Yea, it may mean blood, it may mean death; but still we shall fight,
Bearing our banners to Vict’ry, men of Africa’s might.

Superior Angels look like you in Heaven above,
For thou art fairest, queen of the seasons, queen of our love
No condition shall make us ever in life desert thee,
Sweet Goddess of the ever green land and placid blue sea.

By Marcus Garvey

These are my thoughts today. Use them wisely.

- Gregory E. Woods,
Keeper of Stories 10.29.14

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