OHNABCJ Presidents Message

Our young ladies' bodies are being portrayed in music videos as hot and sexy instead of a gift to be valued.
As adults we struggle to find figure out what to do to help our children overcome external labeling that penetrates their spirits like methane gas that leaks into a building. If the deadly infiltration of methane goes unchecked, an explosion and loss of life is inevitable. As criminal justice professionals, it is imperative that we work with others in the community to open the windows so that the methane gas can dissipate and avoid an explosion. I am encouraging you to become assertive with your local school board and any other bureaucratic system that continue to define our youth as such an undervalued commodity. How do we make a difference? I believe that we can initiate change by using the tools (weapons) that we are familiar with such as attending school board and city council meetings, sending letters to media outlets that demean our children, and taking a stand for what is right!

In closing, I truly believe that we can learn a lesson from the story of David's victory over Goliath. I am encouraging to consider the following action steps:

• Volunteer as a mentor.
• Apply for positions on commissions and boards.
• Support parents who need help in navigating bureaucratic barriers.
• Hold elected officials accountable for their campaign promises.
• Become actively involved in activities involving our youth (i.e. attend sporting events, participating in Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), etc.).
There have been and will continue to be times in our lives when we are faced with challenges as monstrous as Goliath but if we reflect on our past accomplishments, incorporate familiar tools, expect accountability and understand what faith means, we will also be victorious!

May you feel empowered,