By Barbara Morris
When my sister and I received a pretty flier, designed by Alethea Moses, announcing a July 27 block party on the 130-228th St. block, I checked my calendar and saw that the Rosedale Civilian Patrol meeting and get-together already occupied that spot. Last year something similar had happened, but I did have an opportunity to see a lot of the people enjoying themselves as the party was winding down.
This year again there was a pretty canopy tent, umbrellas here and there, barbecues producing what must have been delicious additions to the salads and other dishes that were being shared.
I was told there was music, laughter, basketball, badminton, biking, and games. The 105th Precinct Police Auxiliary stopped by several times to make sure everyone was happy and state Assemblyman William Scarborough, (D-Laurelton) (whose determined efforts to improve our area started the Local Development Corporation of Laurelton, Rosedale and Springfield Gardens and got the funding for resurfacing of Merrick Boulevard), also stopped by for a visit.
I was glad to hear that everyone was happy that the sun stayed hidden behind the clouds and there was at least a little breeze to keep everyone from sweltering. Even a few minutes of drizzle didn’t phase anyone at that party or at the 224/225th Street party according to reports.
As the neighbors who belong on that block packed up their things and got ready to turn in for the night, some young people, (mostly males) decided to stay on, They congregated at the corner for so long that one of the ladies on the block told me she was going to chase them if they didn't leave soon. She did not get a chance to do that before one of the males shoved a young woman down onto the street. Since I was nearby, I went over to address the situation so that it would not get further out-of-hand.
Although they did get out of the street when I suggested strongly that they do that, they let me know they were not pleased with my intervention. One of them stood next to me and ridiculed what I had been saying, substituting four-letter word orders for those I had offered.
I was not happy. I was particularly unhappy that some of these young people had been among a group I had shown a brochure on the Board of Education’s Vocational Training Program, and one had asked me to get a copy for him, which I did. He did not, however, come to get it and has since decided, he told me, he wants to do other things. I hope the “other things” do not include hanging out with peers who throw young women, or anyone else for that matter, into the street.
Rough-housing in public at any time is not acceptable and throwing someone down onto a hard surface is a serious offense that could result in severe injury – or worse.
At a recent meeting, the guest speaker was discussing the topic, “Why Black Children Succeed.” I personally would have chosen to talk about “Why Anyone Succeeds.” Of course, the definition of success is important. If success only relates to the amount of money one may acquire or the position in life that may be attained, that is one thing.
If, on the other hand, the aim is respect, there seems to me very clear rules. Discipline means adhering to those rules. To gain respect, you give respect, If you are to be somewhere at a specific time, you do that or have a very good reason and an appropriate apology for failing to do so.
You keep your promises and you keep trying to improve yourself mentally, physically and spiritually. You are loyal to your faith, your family, your country and your friends. If your friends become unlawful, warn them and then walk away. They are no longer worthy of friendship and could (and probably would) pull you down with them.
I had hoped to have a bit of a dialogue with the gentleman who spoke about black children succeeding, but unfortunately that meeting started late and we were told the meeting had to end before I could do that. Maybe it was just as well anyway because he probably had made up his mind before the discussion was started.
Let’s all hope these youngsters, who sometimes worry us with their seeming lack of stability, will somehow walk in front of some magic wand that will sprinkle some seeds of responsibility and wisdom along with a bit of good luck their way.
