A Blessing For The Men of Color Initiative at Wagner College

A Blessing for the Men of Color Initiative at Wagner College Spring 2020:

“There has never been a better time to be young, gifted, and black. ...except for your cousins who helped elect Barack Obama President of the United States of America; ...and your Parents who saw the Williams Sisters, Tiger Woods, and Micheal Jordan change athletics forever; ...and your aunts and uncles who saw Spike Lee, Kool Moe Dee, and Basquiat innovate film, Music, and art.

Come to think of it Alvin Ailey, Ntozake Shange did too... as did Miles and St. John Coltrane.

The same way Sister Dorothy Height changed the laws of our nation, Thurgood did that.

So maybe it’s always been the best time to be young, gifted, and black.

There is a resilience you know and your cousins know, and your parents know, and your aunts know, and your grandparents know that remains elusive to those who do not also know struggle.

Because let’s be real; you did not come to this moment of accomplishment without struggle as well; without pain, and tears; and doubt.

And you did not make it on your own.

So we give thanks to God; great God almighty who has stretched a sovereign arm of grace and mercy wide we enough to hold you and loose enough to let you wander.

Wherever you wander; wherever you go: “Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;”

God bless you class of 2020. You are young, gifted, and black. That’s a blessing unto itself; and if your family speaks Tagolog or Hindi; and if your family is from the Caribbean or from South or Central America; and you aren’t “black;” but are American; well, you are part of a family that welcomes with open arms all those who struggle and especially those who celebrate. Bendiciones; bénédictions; pagpapala. The celebration of black Americans is your celebration and blessing as well.

Amen?

Amen.