Destiny Awaits
Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt, Columnist
I remember a heartbreaking story that aired on a local news channel aired a heartbreaking story about a newborn baby girl found abandoned in a park. I wondered what happened to the nameless baby left in the park as discarded garbage.
Parallel to seeing the aforementioned story, I was working in a leadership development program for youth heralded as one of the best in the country. We helped young people learn to think critically about policies and the social and political issues shaping their lives. I still remember an intense group conversation focused on how young people thought they were perceived by mainstream society. One young man known for speaking bluntly said, “They see us as garbage.”
There are many young people of color across the country treated like garbage. How else can we explain condoning or ignoring the wretched conditions under-resourced youth must endure? The list of negative indicators for youth of color is long: more likely to be a victim of homicide, increasing rates of suicide, attending grossly inferior schools, poor mental and physical health options, and overrepresentation in the child welfare system, juvenile detention system, jails, and prisons.
As a public theologian and leader within the faith community, God has called me to tell young and old alike that no matter their birth circumstances, Divine Destiny is inside of them. No one was born to be a corner warmer, hopelessly addicted, a baby machine, or a sneaker pimp. My calling is to declare that your destiny is not to spend your life locked up. Your destiny is not to be invisible, helpless, hopeless, or poor for the rest of your life. Your destiny is not to kill, rob, or destroy.
Do you talk destiny talk to young people? Do you tell youth in your charge (and family) that their destiny is a gift and one must be willing to fight hard to keep and develop? Be honest> Do you see young people with their pants sagging, their mouths cussing, their assets exposed, pocketbook snatching, the same way you view garbage?
I met a troubled young girl some 15 years ago. She had worn out several mentors by the time our paths crossed. Yet, for some reason, I stayed with her. I experienced firsthand the rollercoaster ride that was her life. I recall our intense conversation after she saw that I was not leaving. While I knew she was adopted, I never asked about her birth. One day she told me she was left in the park when she was a baby. Her adoptive mother saw the story on television and went to the precinct to claim the discarded child as her own.
Recently, I received a call from the young woman mentioned above. She was so excited. She told me that she achieved her lifelong dream by completing medical school. She was making rounds at her assigned hospital. The lead doctor told her that since she handled the patients so well that he would allow her to proceed the rest of the way on her own. She also mentioned that she bought a house. She was, by all measures, a “garbage child” in the eyes of mainstream society, born with every reason to fail. A heartfelt thanks to ALL of her mentors, even the ones who dropped out, for you knew deep inside destiny awaits.
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
