The problems of America read like poor fiction, Susan L. Taylor told a diverse sold-out crowd of 1,400 at the 21st Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Awards and Scholarship Banquet held Friday at America’s Center.
“We are the most privileged black folk in the world,” Taylor said. “We’re doing things that our ancestors couldn’t even imagine, and here we are with 57 percent of our folks illiterate.”
The editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence Magazine and founder of the National Cares Mentoring Movement gave a stirring message about building bridges of hope and love to the younger generation that moved many attendees to their feet.
With her signature gap-toothed smile, tightly knitted cornrows and colorful, flowered dress, the 62-year-old Taylor apologized to today’s young people for dropping the baton and not putting in place the strong morals, values and visions that had been handed down to her generation. She quickly encouraged them that “we are on our way.”
“We’ve lived through harder, harsher times than these,” said Taylor, referring to slavery, Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement. “The only thing we can do is love each other.”
She urged young blacks to register and vote in this critical election year.
“Brave black folks fought and died for us to have the right to vote,” she said, adding, “When Barack sits in the White House, he won’t be able to save Black America. That’s our job.”
She expressed the need for all people to work together to fix America. She encouraged middle-class blacks not to “bar the door” from their poor brothers and sisters but to invite them into their homes, churches, schools and businesses. Likewise, she called for faith communities to link arms with larger outreach efforts.
“Don’t shun the challenges you have. Poor people of every color are in a crisis in the richest country in the world,” she said. “We are the leaders we’ve been waiting for.”
She said education is the lifeline that will bring sinking youth to safe harbor. She added that St. Louis American publisher Donald M. Suggs understands that in organizing the Salute to Excellence in Education Banquet, which recognizes individual African-American educators who have made extraordinary contributions to their students and the community.
She challenged black adults to secure young people that very lifeline. One way is through her National Cares Mentoring Movement. Her critical call to action asks that every able black adult put a guiding hand on a vulnerable young person’s shoulder and help guide them to wholeness and self-sufficiency.
Taylor noted failing schools – with no textbooks, no chalk, no computers and no running water – have become the pipeline to prison. When we fix public education, she said, the disproportionate rates of incarceration and homicide among black males will improve. It’s a matter of getting black children to understand and appreciate the history and strengths of their ancestors.
Taylor said, “When black boys really understand who they are, they will pull up their pants and help run this world.”
To sign up to be a mentor through the National Cares Mentoring Movement, visit www.caresmentoring.com.
