I should really make this title: “OF DREAMS AND DRIVES AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT”, since it highlights the importance of parental involvement in young children’s lives. This column deals with two black female attorneys and their two kids; and in both instances these kids were raised in single-parent households. Too often these types of situations are frowned upon; but I always caution folks not to stereotype: you will be surprised or contradicted quite often.
I know both parents involved here. They are both good friends and are also politically active. They have devoted their lives to developing their kids properly. They have also invested extraordinary amounts of time, effort, energy and money in their children’s overall development. Their combined goal has always been to maximize the potential in these kids. They both need to be commended. Maybe some organization could jointly award them the “Mother of the Year” award at some event, later this year.
On any given day in this naked city (New York) you can find hundreds of negative stories coming out of the ‘hood. Stories about some young black male or female being shot and/or killed; some other(s) being sentenced to some long jail stretch for something or the other; or some others contracting the HIV virus; or some others caught up in the drug-world; and others being homeless with no place to go. Stories like these (and others) are commonplace in the inner-cities where significant black and Hispanic populations reside.
As a very public person, as someone deeply involved in the happenings of communities of color, as an educator, and also as a political activist, I have heard more than enough of these types of stories: believe me.
And then there the stories you hardly ever hear about: the ones that don’t bleed. You see, in media, “if it bleeds, then it leads”; especially if it emanates from the ‘hood. The bloody stories become headlines in the newspapers; and the lead-in stories on television newscasts; and the opening words for radio news; and so on and so on. It’s a shame: but it is true (ask Farai Chedeya).
Please go find the story I wrote almost two years ago (04-11-2008), entitled “Of World Class Fencing and Brooklyn Politics”. It’s in my archives here. In that column I highlighted the efforts of a Brooklyn-born young lady, who had emerged as the number one fencer in the world -in the under sixteen age category. Her name is Nzingha Prescod. The hopes are high that this young woman will capture a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. Her mother (Marva Prescod) is a Brooklyn attorney who has worked many years in Family Courts.
Today I want to highlight the successes of another young lady (under sixteen) who was born in Brooklyn also, named Darrian Robinson, who plays chess on a level only dreamed of by many grown-ups.
Many of you who regularly read my columns know of her mother: her name is Cinceria Edwards. She too is a well know Brooklyn n attorney. Two years ago I wrote a few columns about her run for the New York State Assembly in Brooklyn’s 56th Assembly District; there she challenged long-time incumbent Annette Robinson and found the going to be real rough; real tough.
During the campaign, Ms. Edwards was subjected to many indignities: too many indignities. The list is long: stones were thrown through the windows of her home; human feces were left at her door step; intimidation and threats followed her supporters/campaign workers; and so on and so on. Beyond all this she had to spend loads of time, and lots of money, in the state courts, trying to make the ballot -even though she came in with about four times the required signatures needed to qualify. Her strength, fortitude and perseverance left everyone impressed. She ran a credible race and has since been recruited to head up the Brooklyn Chapter of the National Action Network.
Darrian Robinson is already an expert in chess. She is ranked #3 in the under 16 category (females) in this country. She has represented the USA in at least half a dozen tournaments in different countries of the world. She has travelled many times across this land of ours, playing chess tournaments; sometimes she gets into the adult tourneys with decent success.
Her coach is a young man named Maurice Ashley. He was the first Caribbean-American to become a grandmaster in chess. He was born on the island of Jamaica and came to New York as a youngster. It is said that he was also the first black grandmaster ever. I remember first meeting Maurice when he was a teenager. He would come to various parks in Brooklyn to play with us grown-ups. Everyone saw the talent. He worked hard to achieve his title. At one point I used to travel to various tournaments with him. He spent years and years developing his talents. Eventually CNN recruited him to cover televised tournaments and big international events. He has since written a few books on the topic.
He must be a very good teacher; word is that Darrian has the potential to become the first black master or grandmaster. We all hope that she has the fortitude to stick with the game -given its fluctuating fortunes. It’s all up to her now.
In high school, Darrian is in the tenth grade; and just like Nzingha Prescod, she too is doing well with her studies. Maybe one day, when chess is returned to the Olympic Games (it should have always been there), both Darrian and Nzingha will be representing the USA in different sports, at the same time. That would be something to see; won’t it?
Stay tuned-in folks.