I just sent an email to one of my Aunts. She's very active in the struggle...and if you have to ask what the struggle is...hmmmmm...that's another blog (smile).
But in a nutshell, she fights on behalf of the innocent, who have never truly been found guilty. She stands by those who have been treated unjustly. She works tirelessly in the community to help make this world a better place for all. Well, that's my Aunt Jamala who is the chair for the Organization for Black Struggle (OBS).
So why the title, "The Preacher's Kid?" Well, I certainly didn't grow up in a religious family - although before my father met my mother he was about to become a Catholic priest. The first time I visited a church - my mother kissed us goodbye and quickly ran back because she wanted to give me eleven cents. "What's this for?" I humbly asked. "Put it in the collection basket," she replied. My response - "You have to pay to go to church?" So there, didn't grow up in a religious family. So again, why the title, "The Preacher's Kid?"
Well, usually the preacher's kid is the one "messing up." They are usually the ones who go astray. Now no judgment. It is actually a fact. Maybe the preachers were too busy to reach their own household with the message. Maybe the preacher's kid saw the flaws of the preacher and lost faith. There could be many reasons why. I would love to know what you think...but back to me...
I grew up in a "Black Nationalist" household. Love your Black heritage. Power to the people. Be proud to be Black. We learned so much about Black pride. We loved watching "Black Music Videos." We loved watching "Star Search," and would simply root for the Black people to win. We were part of the youth organization, OBS Youth Group (later to become Youth Council for Positive Development), and we were proud to be Black. Did I mention we were proud to be Black? (smile)
But what happened in my household? You would think that we would become the chief helpers in the struggle for the freedom of Black people or for those treated unjustly. Out of the five of us who grew up in our household... one is a proud father and successful bartender...one is a member of the Nation of Islam...one is a founder of her own marketing company...one is a vegan health consultant......and one is in and out of jail - fighting a drug habit. What happened?
Four of us are doing something positive with our lives and greatly affecting others' lives with our works...but none of us are truly principally involved in our parent's organization, fighting for the freedom of our people - marching in rallies...writing letters on behalf of Reggie Clemons...speaking about all of these issues that affect our people. What happened? Are we the "preacher's kids?"
I couldn't help but wonder why "the preacher's kid" is the one who most times go astray from his father's work. Our parents were far from saints and we surely saw and witnessed firsthand their many flaws. So now, it's really unfair for me to speak for the other four...so let's just deal with me.
Why am I so uninvolved? Now, I'm getting better...but I know that a huge part of my struggle is and has been...viewing the flaws and sometimes hypocrisy from the very people who are running an organization. Now don't mistake my honesty for a contempt, because the very people with whom I struggle....I truly love and respect them...and know that we are family. But I also know that I must get over the "let down," especially since I know it's unfair to judge (I am a parent now.) But as unfair as it is...it is still hard for me to let go. No, I am far from perfect...but I am just being in this moment trying to understand myself and why I am unable to act to the fullest of my being in the struggle.
Are you feeling me? I really am studying this to better study myself. Is it just a part of life? Or can we truly raise a family full of children who will follow our works? How will they receive my flaws and acts of hypocrisy?
What do you think?
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Hmmmmm, I've wondered the same thing because I've witnessed the same thing growing up in an urban Mississippi community where 9a.m. Sunday school and 11-1 church service was a Sunday ritual. And attending Vacation Bible School was the proper way to welcome summer.
The "preacher's kid(s)" WERE often the talk of the neighborhood/church/school. The girls were fast (unrestrained conduct) and the boys were "out there" (unrestrained conduct too). But the odd thing was that they weren't ashamed of being the center of negative attention.
None of my family members were "preacher's kids," but I do have two nephews whose parents are deep into the church. They go to morning and evening Sunday service and they attend Wednesday night service. My younger nephew rebelled. He had no part of the church once he turned 17 years old; he said he was tired of their rules and all the talk about God's laws and commandments. He left home and started a life his parents/family never dreamed he'd encounter. We prayed that he'd graduate from H.S. and he did. Unfortunately, he's still "out there" -- finding his way. We constantly pray and urge him to get himself together before it's too late.
I wonder how many "preacher's kids" watch "Run's House," the reality show. The one's I grew up with and have seen were nothing like the children on "Run's House." I wonder how many reverends can relate to "Rev.Run's" parenting/preaching style.
I guess it(going against the grain) was their way of rebelling; showing parents and anyone else who noticed, that they weren't going to be like their folks. No way, no how! We've all done it (rebelled), but it's more noticeable when it's the "preacher's kid(s)" 'cause we don't really expect it to happen. But it makes sense that the reverend's children would go against the grain and present nonstop trials since preacher's are expected to meet a higher standard. And since no teenager likes to be preached to, I can imagine growing up in a preacher's home has more trials - especially when the child is trying to prove that he/she is "cool" to peers.
I wonder how does Rev. Run and his wife keep it together and make it look so easy (other than the obvious-- editing). They seem to keep it together without the over the top "preacher's kid(s)" drama.
Like my brother and his wife who pray daily for the return of their prodigal son, I only hope that the lessons my husband and I teach our children will stay with them-- even as they rebell. Realizing that they might stray from what's right-- out of curiosity, we pray that they'll remember and incorporate the morality and the family values that we're trying to instill. As they make mistakes and find their way back to what's right, we pray that they'll remember what they've been taught.
Probably many of us reading this blog will agree that we come from households that preached slogans such as "Black Pride" and "Stand for Something or Fall for Anything." I believe that those of us who don't participate in rallys and marches are just as much a part of the struggle, especially when we are actively teaching our children about the struggle and about their heritage. All of us won't be in the forefront all the time. For those who are out there in the forefront rallying for freedom and justice, keep it up! You are a torch, AND we who are on the sidelines are also beacons as long as we inform our children and encourage them to become thinkers and leaders. I believe that this makes us "chief helpers in the struggle...."
Parenting-- it's a tough job no matter what your title is!
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