A Young Black Man In America!

Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of a Loving God

My name is Jason Lebrun. I am currently a sophomore. For today’s prayer, I would like to tell you what it’s like growing up, as a young black man in America.

So then I was born. Born into a world with hatred, violence, judgment, labels, prejudices, and many more. However, my coming into the world is different from others. While growing up, I was taught at a young age to follow directions, do what you’re told, and don’t talk back. Seems normal for a parent to tell their kid growing up. However, I was given another set of directions to follow. This time it was more serious than ever. At a young age, I was taught to always respond to the police nicely and never with an attitude. To always finish my sentence with yes sir, use my manners, don’t give an attitude, and always be polite. As I was taught this, I didn’t really understand why I had to know this and perform this act but growing up, I soon realized that my mother was trying to protect my identity, which is a young black man in America.

Black history month banner design on white background, vector illustration. | CanStock

George Floyd, Breona Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Yvette Smith, Tamir Rice, Shereese Francis, and more, and more, and more. These people lost their lives due to police brutality. These weren’t just people. They were also Americans. Americans that, also have rights just like anyone else, however, their lives were cut short because of the color of their skin. Seeing people like me dying due to police brutality on the news day after day after day, makes me realize, “Will I be next?” “Will I end up on a T-Shirt?” “When will this all end?” “When will we finally be equal to one another?” During Black History Month, we say their names who have lost their lives due to police brutality and who are failed by the justice system in America. We also take this month to realize the black excellence and the black culture that America likes to hold us down on. Black History Month shouldn’t be just once a month. It should be taught and educated for what all black people have done, not just in America, but for the world.

 

Let us pray. In chapter 12, verse 14 Hebrew it says “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” God made us in his own image, nor did he make a mistake creating us. He didn’t create one to be on top of another, but for one to love and care for each other.

 

Saint John Baptist De La Salle – Pray for us

Live Jesus in our hearts – Forever

Morning Prayer: February 18, 2022

Mental Health Awareness from a Young Age

Let Us Remember That We Are In the Holy Presence of A Loving God.

Black History Month has been celebrated annually since 1926. Each Year, Black History Month has a theme. The theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing birth workers, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, throughout the African Diaspora.  The Black Community has suffered from a long history of health care disparities. In the Black community, mental health issues are often compounded by the psychological stress of systemic racism. As a result, African American adults are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than other races. Beautiful People: Black History Month Tribute Ride 405 – …it's all about Studio Cycling!At the same time, there is a stigma on mental health awareness. Seeking mental health care is often viewed as a weakness, running counter to the survivalist mentality born from systemic oppression and chronic racism. “Much of the pushback against seeking treatment stems from ideas along the lines of, Black people have survived so much adversity and now someone is going to say that there’s something wrong with us. Hopefully, this year’s theme can help us raise awareness surrounding mental health from a young age, we can break stigmas and shape this generation to approach mental health in a new, positive way.

Gracious and loving God,

We thank you for being our companion as we journey.

through a world where there is a great deal of indifference.

We thank you for welcoming us just as we are.

We pray that you will transform us and make us the people you want us to be.

We lift up and thank you for our Black brothers and sisters who have shaped history.

We thank you for the opportunity to learn and reflect particularly at this time, here and now.

We pray that the learning happening in schools, homes, and workplaces will be meaningful and deep-rooted.

We pray for open hearts and minds,

And spirits willing to learn and be transformed by you.

May this month be a time of curiosity and sharing,

Conversations and celebrations,

Challenge and encouragement.

Heavenly Father, help us to dig deeper,

Look closer, and think bigger.

 

St. John Baptist de la Salle – Pray for us

Live Jesus in Our Hearts – Forever

Alan Murray ’23 LSA – presenter

Padre “Pio” P Shabani ’22 LSA – writer