A Message from the Youth to Elders

Today, August 16, 2018, we lost the legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin. I am a woman who recently turned 21 in February. I am considered a youth in this year, and I want to be the first to say that we have a problem. We are getting further and further apart from understanding and associating with each other as humans. Technology and smartphones are leading us away from human interaction and having actual conversations. I honestly think that American millennials do get a bad rap overall for being very aloof and socially deviant. But, what generation that comes before another hasn't been considered more and more scandalous? I have had the experience of having a close relationship with my mother, and the older generations including grandparents and elders; for me it is easier to have bonds with older folks then people of my generation. I am usually steeped in music from the 90s, and below. I love history, classic movies, and the grace and regal ages of America. We truly learn how to stand and walk in dignity into a room when we know where we have come from. For some cultures it takes more digging to find the exact roots of our histories, but we all generally have pride in who we are.

But, we still have a lot of misunderstandings. Carelessness and the wasting of time online versus in person is an epidemic in my opinion. We need to get simple again. Sitting and listening to each other is a lost art. We cannot learn if we are just wanting to take, and gain versus give and listen in order to elevate our understanding. That is why I think I love music. It is a universal, unchanging with time, force that moves us innately. As I listen to "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" today to celebrate Aretha Franklin, it is reminding me of the days that my dad would take me to church at Morning Star Baptist church in Catonsville, Maryland. Although I was not 100 percent committed to the faith and all of its principles, the church has always been ours. It is supposed to be a place where we have comfort and community in its core. All generations come to sing, dance, and give thanks for life and God. Again, it's this notion that we are not blocked by screens we are having a communal experience of all ages that transcends the physical form.

Boldness and wanting to improve yourself at any age takes guts. For me as a millennial we are shown to be more self-absorbed, focused on gaining likes and popularity on social platforms, and for some that is empowering and for others this feeds insecurities. What I have learned by being an observer is that you should use your life to serve in a greater purpose to keep moving yourself forward. It my case this is Family. Family comes first in my life, then God, then love, then music, then education, writing etc. The simple fact that we understand and define our own values is something that seeps down from our generations past. One way that I can describe what elders have taught me is to be sure in your words. You may not always say the right thing, or be correct, but if your words have dignity behind them and are true to how you feel then you will surely be liked and understood. Be a giver, take the time out, make the phone call, take time out for the eye-to-eye moments that were so common in the past. Get outside and smile at somebody, hold the door, be aware of how you are in relation to others. Don't tear another person's energy down, seek to lift up people that are surviving and co-existing with you. We all want the same things: love, understanding, care, and security. And most importantly as a woman, give other women your honesty, and lift up your sisters whenever you can <3

I have elders in my family that thrive in speaking and collaborating with other people from all walks of life, wealthy business owners, city, country, international, but what they love about each other is hard work, quality conversations, TIME, kindness, concern, dignity, and honesty. We are shown a lot of messages from the current President Donald Trump and his administration that we should feel tension towards each other, freely attack each other, or disrespect each other for our own personal agendas. But what my elders have taught me is to think completely opposite to these selfish ways. We do not have to give ourselves away to each other as slaves to another person's happiness, but to do one or two selfless things a day for an elder that has seen many moons, and has endured many losses here on Earth, that respect should be law. I know that we have some hip elders that read Vocal posts, and if you are reading this, millennials do value you. We value your wisdom, we have good intentions, and we will not forget you. We belong to you.