Monday, February 23, 2009

differences

Racism is a big thing out here because of the large black population. There are many community and city wide organizations that want to eradicate it completely. I, in a weird way, believe that they are actually promoting it rather than eliminating it. They are so much into black rights, education, jobs, etc... that it seems to be causing a bigger line between the races rather then erasing it. From what I have witnessed those who want to succeed do it and those who don't want to put forth the effort don't. It doesn't matter what color they are. I think the real problem is the home life that the kids are coming from. Young single parenting is all the rage here in Muncie, for both white and black. These kids of kids are being raised with low expectations and rotten examples. There are so many programs in place right now to help people in the lower socio-economic class, 21st Century scholars pays for 4 years of college! All the kids have to do is basically graduate high school with no felonies! There is free tutoring everywhere. Now I know that some people are born into better circumstances. I was very blessed to have been born into a home that was semi-normal:-) And some of these kids have much to bear because of the sins of their parents. I just feel like there's a better way.
I bring this up because I'm delivering a talk in a couple of weeks about being parents to a child that is 'different' from the norm. When Enoch was first born I was almost ashamed to have given birth to a not perfect child. What had I done to have a baby that had special needs? Enoch didn't have strong Down Syndrome features, so most couldn't tell he was different. Now I want his differences known! I tell anybody who will listen about how lucky I was in the baby lottery (1 in 800 chance) to have won this little angel. I want people to seek him out and find out what makes him different, not treat him the same as everyone else, he's better than that.
These are the thoughts whirling around and around in my head as I try to settle them into a 20 minute talk to young men and young women between the ages of 12 and 18. I'm sure there are insights and opinions out there that would help me greatly! I have already pestered some, so I do expect replies by email or on my comments!
Thanks!

3 comments:

JoEllen said...

I seem to recall 4 single, YOUNG women in my birthing class there in Muncie who attended with some other member of their family. I agree with what you have to say: people will succeed if they work hard to do so. They will falter without effort (and then blame the government for not taking care of them. Oh - did I just say that?)

Enoch is a blessed little boy to have such a great family. I'm sure your talk will be awesome!

Wendy said...

I agree...Enoch is a blessed little guy.

I'vee been thinking about your call for comments and I'm not sure this is exactly what you're looking for but you get my $.02 anyway!

I had big plans for how my life was going to turn out as a young women. I knew how many kids I wanted, how old I would be when I married, etc. However, Heavenly Father's plans weren't the same as mine. My family was built differently than many, and it's numbers are fewer than I dreamed they would be. However, I have learned that different is good and Heavenly Father blesses us beyond belief when we have faith to go along with his plan!

TheQueen@TerrorsInTiaras said...

I just saw in the March Ensign that the church has this new website up:
http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/ I have no idea where and when you are talking to the kids, but it might be something you could look at or bring to their attention.

David

David
Real cool guy!

Tawnymara

Tawnymara
Here is beauty!

Harrison

Harrison
Hunky boy!

Eve

Eve
Green eyed goddess

Aurora

Aurora
Perfect in every way

Danielle

Danielle
Princess angel girl

Enoch

Enoch
Nobody is more loved