I just finished reading Hill Harper’s best-seller, Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny and felt compelled to write about it. I commend Harper. Throughout his successful acting career, he has remained devoted to being a “silent” mentor to many young brothas around the country who need his guidance and wisdom to help them through the journey from boyhood to manhood. Unfortunately, far too many young brothas are forced to travel this journey alone, with no positive male role model to motivate, encourage, and uplift them when difficult times arise, or even to give them simple advice about girls and answer questions about sexuality. His book serves as a beacon for all those young males (particularly African American) who seem lost in the wilderness of peer pressure, gang lore, promiscuity, and academic underachievement. I like how he follows up his advice with his own personal struggles and mistakes he’s made. I’ve learned personal testimony makes good for the bonding experience, within certain parameters, of course.
He takes it a step further in giving them a sense of belonging by writing to them as if each and every one of them is a permanent addition to his extended family. He calls them “young brothas” which I find ironic in a sense that I call my little guys my “young b.r.o.t.h.a.s.” I took that term, “brotha” and made it epitomize everything I set out to do and embody in my personal life: Building Roads of Opportunity TogetHer Avoiding the Stereotype”. I don’t think there is a need to elaborate on the stereotype; we all know what that is. Anyway, that is what makes his book that much more meaningful, at least to me. I am definitely going encourage my young brothas to read this. Hopefully, I can scramble up enough money to purchase them all a copy. Or maybe, I take on the task of writing my own book for young males???
By: Mr. Jermaine Shakespeare
After reading your review, I look forward to reading Hill Harper’s book Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest your destiny. It’s imperative that men in the community step up as mentors to young boys who may not have a positive male role model in their life. I think you are doing an amazing job of setting an example for the young men at DMS. You inspire, encourage and lead by example. I think you should definitely write a book for young males.
ReplyDeleteMs. Tiffany Whitlock
Very insightful. I have heard about this book. He also has a book entitled Letters to a Young Sister that I hear is good as well. You are doing a great job with your mentoring group. I knew it would be a success. Stay motivated to help them no matter what difficulties you may face. They need you. Oh and I will be on the look out for your book you can do it.
ReplyDeletePia C. Williams
Very interesting readings son. Great job on taking the initative to work with future "young brothas" of America. I wish you were in Andalusia as a mentor to these young men too! Anyway, how much is the book you want to purchase for the guys? How many books you need? My donation to the "young brothas". Let me know. Love Mother
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