THIS is what it's all about
so yesterday we took the girls from femtech to a day full of activities celebrating martin luther king's birthday. we started off at an southern christian leadership conference youth symposium dealing with poverty, education, and the juvenile justice system. it was dry and we were bored, so we left that borefest for a youth summit taking place at the mlk center. it was about devising non-violent strategies to handle violent situations. it was very engaging and the girls were active participants. i was so proud of them!
after the summit, there was a writing workshop for kids, so one of the girls (her name is karrie) and i stayed for the workshop. she learned techniques on how to keep her words flowing when she felt as though she was coming down with writers block. she really enjoyed the workshop and i enjoyed being there with her.
after the workshop, we headed to a poetry slam which was a continuation of the workshop. the room was filled to capacity and folks were getting up and reading poems about all kinds of things. karrie decides to add herself to the list of poets on the open mic list. i asked her was she sure and she said "yes, miss anika. i really want to read this poem."
so when it's her turn to get up, she walks up hesitantly to the stage. the mc introduces her and talks to her a bit. he was amazed that someone so young (she's twelve year's old!)had the courage to walk up and do a poem in the middle of a room full of adults. she appeared unfazed which totally blew my mind!
she begins reading her poem entitled "soul sister". she talks of how she's got a soul sister who's powerful, a woman who makes her feel like she's the brightest star in the universe, someone who inspires her and encourages her to believe she can do anything, someone who she feel is her kindred spirit and has taught her how to be fearless.
then she ends the poem with "who is my soul sister? my soul sister is YOU!"...and proceeds to point DIRECTLY AT ME!
WHAT DA FUCK? she was talking about me the whole time! i burst into tears and almost ran out of the room. she got a standing ovation for her poem and then everyone turned to me and started clapping. the mc told the audience that i was her mentor and karrie told the audience that i was the inspiration for the poem!
it was at that very moment that it all came full circle for me. it wasn't about her writing a poem for me. it was about instilling her with self-esteem and empowerment. i realized then that she got it. she got why i spent so much time with her and the rest of the girls. she understood how important her well-being was to me and that i believe in her.
you know what? besides the moment dex and i became man and wife, that was the best moment of my life. the moment i realized that my girls are absorbing all the hope, courage, strength, and wisdom i have to give. they inspire me to continue doing what i'm doing.
having them in my life is a priceless gift. thank you god.
after the summit, there was a writing workshop for kids, so one of the girls (her name is karrie) and i stayed for the workshop. she learned techniques on how to keep her words flowing when she felt as though she was coming down with writers block. she really enjoyed the workshop and i enjoyed being there with her.
after the workshop, we headed to a poetry slam which was a continuation of the workshop. the room was filled to capacity and folks were getting up and reading poems about all kinds of things. karrie decides to add herself to the list of poets on the open mic list. i asked her was she sure and she said "yes, miss anika. i really want to read this poem."
so when it's her turn to get up, she walks up hesitantly to the stage. the mc introduces her and talks to her a bit. he was amazed that someone so young (she's twelve year's old!)had the courage to walk up and do a poem in the middle of a room full of adults. she appeared unfazed which totally blew my mind!
she begins reading her poem entitled "soul sister". she talks of how she's got a soul sister who's powerful, a woman who makes her feel like she's the brightest star in the universe, someone who inspires her and encourages her to believe she can do anything, someone who she feel is her kindred spirit and has taught her how to be fearless.
then she ends the poem with "who is my soul sister? my soul sister is YOU!"...and proceeds to point DIRECTLY AT ME!
WHAT DA FUCK? she was talking about me the whole time! i burst into tears and almost ran out of the room. she got a standing ovation for her poem and then everyone turned to me and started clapping. the mc told the audience that i was her mentor and karrie told the audience that i was the inspiration for the poem!
it was at that very moment that it all came full circle for me. it wasn't about her writing a poem for me. it was about instilling her with self-esteem and empowerment. i realized then that she got it. she got why i spent so much time with her and the rest of the girls. she understood how important her well-being was to me and that i believe in her.
you know what? besides the moment dex and i became man and wife, that was the best moment of my life. the moment i realized that my girls are absorbing all the hope, courage, strength, and wisdom i have to give. they inspire me to continue doing what i'm doing.
having them in my life is a priceless gift. thank you god.