You told Harpo to beat me...It's not just Sophia's problem

Reposted from my new blog on Tumblr... brandirichard.tumblr.com 

Also check out the new Young Professional Advocate blog... theypadvocate.tumblr.com 

 

At the age of 10, my mother allowed me to see The Color Purple with one of my friends and her mother.  It was one of those movies that a young girl “needs to see” to prepare herself for womanhood.  Or at least that’s how I see it in hindsight.

I’ve since seen the movie many times, read the book, took my Mom to see the stage play (nice…) and even introduced my daughter to the film.  What strikes me as I see it again today is the misery and love inflicted on the characters in the midst of extreme lack.

Mr. beating Ms. Celie, in the midst of the house falling down around him and kids running wild, is at the very least counterproductive.  And while I do not want to analyze this beautiful literary work to death, it reminds me of the world we live in today.  Those who are the most impoverished and overlooked are sometimes engaged in the most self-destructive behavior.  Whether the depravity of their situation produces this hopeless behavior or the lack of tools/resources to address the problems, it is beyond unfortunate.

So while movies aren’t being made about Keisha getting bloodied by her boyfriend in the upper east side while their house is falling down around them and their kids are running wild, it is happening.  And though you don’t have to look at it each day, it will eventually spill out of the east side and we all will have to deal with it.

Because unfortunately the love doesn’t always win out.  Ms. Celie helping Sophia with the grocery list does not always overcome the years Sophia spent in prison.  And Shug won’t always be there to remind Ms. Celie to stay the knife at Mr’s neck.

I don’t want Ms. Celie telling Harpo to beat me, or Mister schooling his sons on the art of managing my daughter.  Nor do I want Ms. Celie or Sophia medicating their sorrow and running me off the road.  We are all far more connected than you think.  And you won’t be able to build a brick wall tall enough to protect you and yours from the effects.

…Get active…Do your part…Support or volunteer for a cause that will improve the lives of those in your community.

What You Can Do

Support the Domestic Violence Hotline  http://www.thehotline.org/

Support the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance  http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home

Support Programs for Disadvantaged Communities:  Find an Urban League Near You  http://www.nul.org/in-your-area/affiliate-map