It
just came out…it was like something took a hold of me…I felt like I was exiting
my body…I was empowered to ‘parent’.
Grandma
was not having too much difficulty with Bryson and Brandon, a set of five year
old twin black boys. They were busy…needing attention. Happy to be with Grandma
at the grocery store, and excited about: “Look, Brandon we can sit at the table
like we are businessmen.”
I was
two feet away from B and B. We were in the Starbucks section of Kroger. The
restroom is adjacent to the seating area with tables. I share this space with
men and women from all walks of life. Homeless…mentally ill…non-English
speakers…the hungry who wait for the ideal moment to steal a prepared meal from
the refrigeration case…aspiring entertainers…writers like me…job hunters like
me…and pretenders pretending to be important.
Today,
in that very moment I was with Brandon and Bryson the wannabe Entrepreneurs.
Grandma was wondering what to do with Brandon and Bryson when she entered the
public bathroom which by the way need to be thoroughly sanitizes. She asked,
“You two gonna be okay while I am in here? Yall gonna behave?” Their thoughts
matched mine when I was a rambunctious kid that was on the verge of being left
alone in an intriguing place. My place of exploration was Winston Street Laundromat.
They
responded, “Yes, Grannie.” Liars…as I was three decades ago! The moment Grannie
turned her back Bryson and Brandon were preparing to get up and explore…they
were up. The black boys who had just told a white lie began to set-up a game of
musical chairs.
Then it
just came out…it was like something took a hold of me…I felt like I was exiting
my body…I was empowered to ‘parent’.
“Boys,
sit down. Feet on the floor and hands on the table.”
Grandma
heard me…she confidently giggled and went to relieve herself.
When
Mrs. JoAnn (grandma) exited the restroom Brandon, Bryson and I were online
looking at a map of the United States as a result of Bryson asking, “Where are
you from?”
Not
sure why, but this late afternoon occurrence was immensely more meaningful to
me than doing extremely well during a panel interview for a promising job
earlier today. I need a job, but in that moment I was elated. Happier than I
have ever been while in the Rat Race of work!
Black
men, we have to step-in from time to time…even when the children are not ours…too
many of our women, young and old, are raising inquisitive –not future pant
sagging hoodlums - black boys alone.
Thankfully,
my Parental Instinct kicked in…it was not me doing a good deed it was the
parent in me - and an overwhelming desire to break the cycle of neglect and
abandonment that leads to the Demise of Young Black Men.
Brandon
and Bryson have no idea how much they MADE my day!
Black Rebel
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