You Matter by Sandy Davis

I wanted to post the speech I had given last month to a group of teens (ages 12 - 17) in a level 6, residential group home that I volunteer at as a mentor. I hope you enjoy it as much as they did. 

You Matter

I'm here to speak with you today about the recent events going on right here in this country.  I remember when I received the call the other day requesting my attendance at "Group", I was asked to share my thoughts and provide some words of encouragement, or as Mr. B. eloquently stated "shed some light on the situation".  The words "shed some light" haunted me because I was looking for some light to be shed on my own as well.  You see, the feelings of sadness, anger & fear flooded my soul the same way in which it did with you. Like you, I want answers. Like you, I want justice and like you, I want change. I am horrified and shocked at the images posted on the social media sites of the events that are happening right here in our country.

I sat for a few hours trying to come up with something logical to say to you that would make sense; but unfortunately, there is just no way to make sense of the senseless. I had to tackle some of my own questions of "why" and "how" can we justify the killings of unarmed, young black youths. The ultimate question still remains with everyone and that is "when is the change going to come?"

There was a 20 year old white male who shot and killed 27 people (20 of those victims where children) at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut over a year ago.  He was apprehended, alive.  The media, masterfully painted a picture of a poor young man with an emotional disorder in hopes of manipulating the audience to feel some sort of empathy for this murderer. They wanted to make you believe that we needed to help this young man and not crucify him or those like him.

The same media also painted a picture of a teenage boy who was shot and killed as a violent and dangerous young black man because he wore a hoody and looked suspicious. Think about that for a minute. The media's intention was to plant that seed of fear over an article of clothing such as a hooded sweat shirt. There have been countless young black men who were killed and portrayed to be looked at as an immediate threat or a menace to society all by the way of how they looked or what bad decisions they have made as a teenager. They even went as far as to find a picture of a young black man that may come off to appear as "thuggish" and took the hand symbol of the "peace sign" to make you believe it was gang related.

It was at that moment that I realized that many of us are undervalued by some in society. Then there's also the fact that some of you undervalue yourselves. Why is that? It breaks my heart to know that "we" don't collectively hold value in ourselves and in our own communities but expect others to value us. Do you even know your worth?  Why don't we matter to others? Why don't we matter to ourselves? 

The other night, while struggling to come up with something to say to you guys today, I happened to come across a post on Instagram that simply stated "You Matter". It was posted by a very inspiring and motivating brother who grew up in Inglewood and had similar, if not the same, trials and tribulations that you have of growing up as a black male. Today, he is a successful motivational speaker, actor and creator and staring in his own talk show on youtube. He wanted everyone to know that "You Matter." It didn't matter if he knew you or not, he simply wanted you to know that "You Matter."

How many of you feel like you matter? Raise your hands. Now, look around you.  You see that?  There is someone next to you, in the same room as you that doesn't have their hand raised. This is a major issue that we need to fix if we want any change to come to better this country and this world. Each and everyone one of us has a responsibility and duty to correct this.

I need for you to pay very close attention to what I am about to say.  Are you ready? Every single one of you matter. You see, you are the future. The next wave. The heir to the throne. The world will soon be yours and you know what? You matter. 

Right now, you are being groomed to take the lead. You are right now, being taught, trained and influenced to take over this world.  You matter. You are the next generation of writers, actors, singers, athletes, producers, artists, fashion designers, model, author, poet, philosophers, scientists, inventors, educators, investors, doctors, lawyers, politicians, law enforcement, military, mothers, fathers, husbands and wives. All of which are sitting right here in this very room.  You matter.  People will look to you to change the world. You can be the next one in the White House, the Senate, Congress, you are the next generation whose voices will be heard where you will have the power to change lives and laws to make this country a better place.  You matter. The next time you see a fire truck racing down the street to save lives, just know, that will be you or a family member, a teammate from high school, someone from your block who will be on that fire truck in the next few years.  That opportunity will be there with open arms because those same individuals you saw today riding in that fire truck will retire and will be looking to you to do what they used too but even better!  You matter.  You will be the next one to stand here and mentor kids who have experienced the life you are living now and guide them to greatness. You matter.   

Now, if you grow up in life still believing that you don't matter, then there is a future for you as well. It will be filled with struggle and despair. You see, when you feel like you don't matter, then human life doesn't matters either.  This world doesn't matter and therefore, you want to destroy it. Those who go through life thinking that they don't matter will steal because it doesn't matter how hard the next person had to work to purchase their car, clothing or jewelry because nothing matters to them. They feel entitled to have and will "take it" instead of "earning it." Those that feel like they don't matter may turn to drugs just to get high enough to feel like that matter for a moment.  Those that don't feel like they matter will tell you that you don't matter because they don't want to be alone in misery.  Those that feel like they don't matter will find comfort in being ignorant because the more knowledge that they attain, the more that they may realize they actually may matter and want to change. 

Your faith and how you feel will determine which direction you go.  I don't want anyone in here to believe or feel like they don't matter because I'm here to tell you that you do. I can tell you every day that you matter but in order for it to actually be effective and hold weight, "you" need to believe it and feel it yourself.

You matter.  Education and knowledge is important for your growth and you need it to prepare you for this world. The more you know, the better you will be able to come up with solutions on how to make this world a better place. You have the power to do it because you are the next generation to run it, to nurture it, heal it and create in it. You will inherited this world whether you like it or not.  Make the most of it so you can groom your own children and grandchildren to make this world better.  It's all one big cycle and it will be your responsibility to embed into their souls that they matter too.

I stand here today to let you know that you are valuable and worthy. I love you and believe in you. I have faith in you because you matter.  Turn to the person next to you and let them know that they matter. Tell your friends and loved ones that they matter. Every time you look in the mirror, I want you to say out loud to the face staring back at you "You Matter!"  The next time you see a friend or loved one getting ready to hurt someone or themselves turn to them and let them know that they matter.  Let them know that you want the very best for them because they matter. I want the best from you and for you to be the very best version of yourselves because you matter. If there is someone who has lost their way or faith, let them know that they matter. If you need help, ask for it because you matter.  If you see someone in need, help them because they matter.

I want you to scream out "I matter" as loud as you can so the folks in the streets can here you. Make them hear you. Scream it out. "I matter!" Believe it in the very depths of your soul. Say it out loud again, "I matter!" Get on your feet, raise your head up high and say it again. "I matter!"  I want you to feel it! Believe it! Now, look at the person next to you and say "You matter." Turn to the person behind you, in front of you and say "You matter." Hug them. Give them dap. Let them know that they matter. You matter! You matter!

When asked to speak to you and shed some light on the situation that is happening in the world today, I realized at this very moment that you are light. My light is slowly dimming as time goes on so it's my mission to make sure that I pass on all the knowledge, inspirations and motivations that I used to get me to where I am today to you.  It all starts with two simple and yet very powerful words and that is YOU MATTER.

Now, I'm going to ask you all again.  How many of you feel like you matter? Raise your hands. You see that? Look around. Every single one of you have your hands up.  We are off to a wonderful start. Give yourself a big round of applause. Thank you and God bless.