Superman's Helpers

I came to the conclusion that Sharon was operating at a lower level of effectiveness because she was wishy washy. Some days she was stern, other days she just gave up and let them run her program. I gathered that she was upset, maybe because the kids fell in line with what I wanted. Or maybe because they didn't give me any problems and usually did what I asked within a reasonable amount of time.

That first day, when the kids realized Sharon was not coming, they naturally began to test me. Cell phone use in the middle of me talking. "F-bombs" flying around. No one participating. And one student Alycia, had brought her child to class who was running over everyone and everything. I began to panic and think to what would be my next move. I refused to be their Sharon. I stopped the class. Everyone sat lazily on the couch and gave me blank stares.

"Why do you come here? Every single day you come for three hours. Why do you waste your time and my time? No one every wants to get anything done, all ya'll want to do is sit around and play spades. So why come here? You can do that on the corner."

The look on their faces was priceless. They were shocked that I told them straight up and down that they were wasting my time. After their initial shock, one by one I made them answer.

"I come because its fun," one said, " I come because it give me something to do" another replied. And that's when I realized why I come. It was clear as day to me that winter afternoon: I go because they need me, whether they realize it or not, I go because my being there, helping run this program gives at least 16 black kids an alternative to being victims of these streets. I go because it seems like death comes easier than anything else to these kids. It can and does happen anywhere. Street corners, bus stops, alleyways and bedrooms easily penetrated by bullets.

Looking back, I still grapple with the fact that I questioned why I go- even after my car was junked and I had to take two buses there and back. At times it seemed hopeless, like I running up an endless hill with 50-pound weights tied around every limb. But now, I can honestly say that I go because in the end, however inconsequential these black children are to our government and system- this program literally saves lives. We may not be superman, but our little non-profit surely could give him a run for his money.