Whew! My work life has finally slowed down enough to respond....
I think it is important that we all remember that people come to this forum with a diversity of experiences, values and opinions and, as a result of that diversity, that differences will occur. Just because I disagree with something does not mean I am attacking YOU personally or because I feel that something is wrong that I think I am GOD or perfect or 'judging' someone. God has given His believers a discerning spirit and has also told us that if we see our brother doing something wrong we are to let him/her know.
That being said, I think it is important to realize that with every action comes consequences--and responsibilities. And sometimes those consequences mean that we can not parttake in everything that we would like to. My moral code says it is not o.k. to be an unwed, teenage mother. As I stated earlier, society (particularly AA society) has for too long said it was o.k. to participate in behavior that should not be o.k. Children are disrespectful to their elders and folks think it's cute, sisters come to church looking that they just came from, or are on their way to the club with the attitude "At least I'm here!" and yes, young folks are having unprotected sex without giving any thought to making a lifelong commitment to their partner, much less how they are going to raise said child.
Those things are wrong and as long as we continue to quote the Bible out of context these issues will still be at epidemic proportions in our communities. Do you realize that hetrosexual Black Women are contracting AIDS at a much faster rate that any other demographic group?
I realize that these are emotional issues and I probably should have addressed Left out? directly instead of bringing c & c's Line sisters in the picture since they did not ask to be involved. For that, I appologize. But we must realize for every positive situation that you gave about a teen mother who is making good now, there are 100 other stories where they did not finish their education, are working menial jobs or on welfare, etc. As educated Black women we must show the ones that are coming after us that there is another way!
Left out? I commend you on the positive changes that you have made in your life. I wish you all the best in the future. The wonderful thing about God is that what satan meant for evil, He meant for good. (Romans 8:28) Bottom line, what I say, or anyone else on this board for that matter, does not really matter (unless someone is a member of the sorority of your choice at your school)--what matters is what the people who will be voting think.
[This message has been edited by Eclipse (edited June 27, 2000).]
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