In My Write Mind

Let them know that you want them in your space. Let them know that you care about them at an early age. Draw them close, make them aware that they’re important, that they play a role, fill a void, that they’ve carved a niche.

Mentor them. Make them understand that reading is not only fundamental, it’s critical to accomplishment in life — regardless of what they’ve heard. Pull them close and assure them that the thought of aborting black babies as a solution for eradicating crime is only the thinking — hypothetical as it may be — of a cruel, conniving, twisted mind that needs not have an outlet to millions of impressionable listeners/followers.

Remind them that it doesn’t matter so much what the president thinks about black people as it does what they think of themselves. Make it clear to them that while others may be off and on with their love for them, loving themselves is the most important thing. Make it clear to them that you love them for who they are, but for what they do as well.

Exhort them that being the best possible citizens they can be — even when no one seems to be looking — will go a long way in life, that cheating even that one time may come back to haunt them when they least expect it. At the very least, it will eat away at their conscience while they sweat out the process. Pull them close and tell them to be… whatever they want and the value of hard work.

Whatever you do… if they’re young and they need you, pull them close.
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