The next generation

A friend sent me this letter that just broke my heart and made me feel good at the same time.  Enjoy, and be sure to send Charles some  words of encouragement @ rhaygood@naacpldf.org.

Charles

18 June 2008   Friends,

As you know, last Friday I accompanied Charles, one of the teens from our youth group in Newark, to Morehouse, where he began the College’s Pre-Freshman Summer Program. 

It was his first time on an airplane, and he spent most of the two-hour flight peering out of the window.  He wondered aloud how long it would take, given the rate of speed and angle at which the airplane was traveling, to ascend to 35,000 feet.  He also looked at New Jersey below, commenting that he never imagined he’d see his home from above, certainly not above clouds.  

Once he got comfortable on the airplane, Charles confided in me that he was experiencing other emotions, too.  He was at once very excited about going to Morehouse and consumed with guilt about leaving his family behind.  Now 18, Charles has been the man of the house since 11, when he first began to shoulder adult responsibilities.   

In his mother’s and father’s absence, both are addicted to drugs, his grandmother raised him, his younger brother and sister, and three cousins in a two bedroom apartment – on $14,000 a year.  Charles was particularly worried about what his absence would mean for his brother, Ishmael, who, ironically, is the same age Charles was when he became the man of the house.  He explained that his brother wept the previous night when he was packing his suitcase.  Charles said he promised to return soon, and urged Ishmael to study hard in school so that he too could attend Morehouse College.

Charles said he also felt like he was being selfish.  For the very first time in his life, Charles was about to put himself – and his education – first.  Reflecting on his high school experience, Charles explained that in order to secure a quiet place to do his school work he was regularly the first student to arrive at Science High School and the last student to go home.  He’ll have the opportunity to focus his attention on his studies at Morehouse in a way that was impossible before.   

We arrived at Morehouse a few hours later, and were welcomed by some sharply dressed, articulate young Black men in the Admissions Office.   One of them, who had also come through the Pre-Freshman Summer Program, was, like Charles, the first in his family to attend college.  The other young man was on pace to become a third generation Morehouse graduate.  He aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps and practice law. 

Both young men literally embraced Charles.  

They talked about how rigorous, and occasionally downright grueling, the course work is at Morehouse.  The academic standards are set very high, they explained, and students are expected to achieve academic excellence.  “You now represent a brotherhood,” one of the young men told Charles.  “It’s no longer just about you.  It’s about a tradition steeped in greatness.  Dr. King.  Spike Lee.  Me.  You.”  In a sobering tone, one of them explained that not everyone was made to be a Morehouse man.

On our way to the car to collect his suitcases, Charles looked at me, with the seriousness that often characterizes his demeanor, and said, “this is exactly where I am supposed to be.” 

I left, reluctantly, and made my way to Alabama (where I was to attend a conference).  I wanted to stay with Charles to make sure he’d be alright. I wanted to give him a few more words of encouragement, pray with him again, print out some Scriptures, and make sure he had enough hangers for his clothes. 

But Charles is ready.  He’s ripe for college.  He’s ready for the Morehouse experience.  It will, no doubt, be the most challenging experience of his young life.  He’ll be stretched and pushed to the limits.  But he’ll also grow, flourish and succeed.  He’s been waiting for this opportunity for 18 years.

I checked in with Charles yesterday.  He told me that, true to the admonition that not everyone was made to be a Morehouse man, one of the students had already dropped out of the program. It was his roommate.  He told Charles that with the classes from 8-6, including weekends, coupled with the College’s high expectations, “they were trying to change me.” 

I asked Charles if he’d also thought about quitting.  “That first day was definitely tough,” he said.  “But they are helping us to build our character and become scholars.  I have a tradition to uphold.  I’m not going anywhere.” 

Charles will be home from the summer program in late July.  Charles has asked me to tell you that when he gets home, he will personally express how grateful he is for your prayers, encouragement and generous financial support.  Without it Morehouse would have remained a dream for him.    

I’ve attached some pictures below of Charles in front of his home with his family the night before he left for and after he arrived at Morehouse.