For quite some time now, I have been researching the origin of family reunions in the United States. I know this may mostly affect Black Americans but fill free to joint in if you are not of this persuation but a participant to some degree of this tradition. What I have found out has been revealing. There has been such a downward spin to the purpose of these get-togethers that they really have lost the elementary reason for which they were started.
Adherence to misguided contemporary and hip hop culture has helped to erode the values that had strengthened the relationship of a family; between a husband and wife and children. These values that included discipline, morality and faith in God were gradually replaced by tolerance for recalcitrance. Children no longer are treated as who they really are. The proper use of language is being raided by a cheap form of parlance that has its benefit limited to the street corner in which it originated. Surprisingly and since this has been accepted by several adults, some of these gibberish are being included in everyday official settings.
Generations are no longer linked and served by those simple traditions that were handed down from parents to children and so on. Our attitude toward grand parents and the old in general has made it harder to maintain our individual identity.
This is a crisis that requires immediate intervention. I surrender to the notion that not every one will yield to a waive of positive change and so I conclude that for some, hope is lost at least from a human stand point.
Like combating every aspect that forces the human element to want to show its head and take-over, those who see my point must stand up and speak of this decaying of the culture.
We will continue!
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Family Re-unions (part 2)
I know that this must be one of those issues some would rather not deal with. We are passive when we have found a comfortable habit however destructive it may be. Family will always be important and raising children well is the one aspect that ensures continuity in heritage and tradition. In speaking with one man, I wanted to know what really took place during their family re-unions. His reponse was that relatives assembled and there was great consumption of food, music and games. I do not condemn his reponse but question why nothing is mentioned of speaking with the grand parents, great uncles and aunts and other senior relatives. Why have the older generation yielded to the radical changes that have affected the meaning of these get-togethers?
Those who remember how things were, is anyone able to say that where we are is good enough? I understand the underlying factors that led to this collapse but also believe the past can be revived.
A few suggestions that are bound to yield good fruit are: Raising boys to become godly gentlemen.
Raising girls to become godly ladies. We must cure the system that has caused professed Christians to become so invloved and connected to worldly things (the kingdom of thingdom) so much that it has jaded their christian walk. What ever happed to the communities of yester years; when people dealt with each other respecfully understanding that we were to depend on one another? Hardly do we find children who are raised to understand the biblical principles of living this life. The IDEAL way that is! I am pleased to say that way has not changed. Turn the television off and talk to one another; cook at home versus eating out seven days a week. This is not a new cry but should be sounded over and over until we see the results.
Remember your parents, grand parents and other senior family members. They are the global positioning system without which your destination is not clearly defined. God placed you in their lives for a reason. LISTEN TO THEM. Selah!
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