“My Brother’s Keeper” Seeks to Save the Lost
By Renee G.
A few weeks ago, my upper level students launched into a 1920’s research project and narrowed in on the term “Lost Generation” referring to the generation of young lives seeking to find themselves after a turmoil of war. Men in particular began to pour their lives into partying, women, and anything to avoid looking at their natural face in the mirror. “For once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was” (James 1:24 NKJ). The innocence of America was vanishing leaving behind a generation of young men with a blurred vision of truths and morals they once abided by.
The coined term began my wheels turning into news presented late last week by President Obama. The President introduced “My Brother’s Keeper”, a plan to give young minority men who lack a father figure for direction the same opportunity as those who grow up in a more nurturing and safe environment. According to Obama, “No matter who you are, or where you came from, or the circumstances into which you are born, if you work hard, if you take responsibility, then you can make it in this country.”
Almost a decade has passed since Gertrude Stein recognized the prophetic loss of innocence, yet I argue that we are still lost. Living in an endless supply and demand society, unlimited choices of self-gratification have driven the men even farther from who they are called to be. Whether it be meeting the incessant need to be noticed –henceforth the invention of the Selfie, or a constant plug-in to all people at all times via Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter,—How can one even think in all of this fast paced, self-righteous chaos and confusion?
So does the President have good intentions in attempting to save the current Lost Generation? Yes, but will it work? Only if he will guide them back to their heavenly father who knows how they are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14 NJK) and created to be on guard, standing firm in the faith; men of courage (1Corintinans 16:13 NIV). Until then, good intentions and all, the program will fail and the search will continue.
Very good insight! It’s true that no amount of money or good intentions can change the heart or ways of mankind. The problem stems from within the inner person and only Jesus has the solution to every need we have.
Many times the gadgets, media attractions, and seeking after alternative resources to gratify the flesh serves as a way of drowning out the troubles and hurts that can plague the populace.
Even Obama admitted that he was angry not having a dad in his life. I guess he was trying to say that he could identify with this group but he didn’t state any spiritual help that he received that could also benefit them in their personal struggles.