Yesterday I attended the Abu Unity Festival in Newport News, VA. This is a free annual community event which promotes peace and unity and leadership through the use of performing arts. The setting was beautifully positioned in a local public park surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay. This year's theme was Celebrating Fatherhood and it was a delight witnessing families, including fathers, in the park for fun and fellowship.
As I observed to the young artist sing, rap, dance and model, I pondered over what impact the arts may play in their lives and in youth around the world. It was obvious that they were enjoying themselves; at least for that moment in time they were free to express themselves. This positive energy was transmitted through the intergenerational crowd as we sang, waived our hands and danced together. On the stage, each youth was a leader, a spark of hope, a catalyst for change.
Every year the National Arts and Humanities Youth Awards recognizes 12 outstanding out-of -school arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's youth. Click this link to see the top 50 finalist and identify if there is an outstanding program in your community. The final 12 awardees will receive a trip to the White House and a $10,000 grant presented by First Lady Michelle Obama. Applications for 2014 awards will be available in February 2014.
There is debate as to whether children in the arts do better in school. In 2004 the Dana Foundation conducted a $2.1 million dollar project to answer the question: "Are smart people drawn to the arts or does arts training make people smarter?" The study concluded that the arts can train a child's attention which in turn improves their ability to learn, but there was no conclusive evidence that the arts makes you smarter. Some experts don't believe we should make these analogies at all because no one asks the reverse question: if taking math will make you do better in music. Jessica Hoffman Davis, a cognitive developmental psychologist and founder of the Arts in Education Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, wrote "We have been so driven to measure the impact of the arts in education that we began to forget that their strength lies beyond the measurable." Case in point, Entrepreneur and rapper Jay-Z is clearly smart, however he did not graduate from high school. So which came first the chicken or the egg?
Putting research aside, it is evident that the arts provide a temporary outlet for youth to express themselves when under typical situations they might find it difficult; due to being shy or a lack of self esteem. Additionally, the arts provide a venue to communicate and articulate one's feelings, set task and goals to completion and improve attitudes. It does enough. All of these skill sets are neccessary for our youth to matriculate through collee, apply for jobs and ultimately be successful in life. So if your child escapes through some form of the arts, encourage them and all their creativity to flourish.
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Dr. Dee Carter
So what's the Big Deal about getting Angry? We all get angry from time to time, it is a normal emotion; a way our subconscious mind releases mental and emotional pressure. There are three types of anger: "hasty and sudden" which occurs when you are scared and seek to defend yourself, "settled and deliberate" is premeditated and intended to harm someone and thirdly there is "dispositional" anger and it is related to a person's traits.
In addition, anger can be expressed Passively or Aggressively. When passive anger is demonstrated a person tends to do things under the radar; for example gossiping or harboring resentment. To the contrary, aggressive anger is seen through bullying, threatening behavior and refusing to forgive.
It is helpful for us to understand all types of anger in order to recognize what may be the primary cause of it in youth today. Our youth are carrying "emotional baggage" based on their personal domestic situation instead of books and dreams. Despite this "baggage" most of our youth demonstrate a profound amount of unrecognized strength.
Many of our youth would benefit from some type of therapy/counseling to identify and cope with the root cause. If this is not an option having a positive role model/confidant in whom they can confide will make all the difference in how they choose to deal with their anger.
The mere fact that some of them have experienced enormous hardships in their life time before the age of 16 is a testament to their resilience and tenacity. It takes adults in their common surroundings to instill in them their value and strength. In doing this we will help them in redirecting their anger into positive areas. Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could be influential in channeling a young person's anger into a creative idea like the multimillion dollar Angry Birds phenomena?
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Dr. Dee Carter
As a new school year begins, this is a good time to emphasize the importance of mentoring a young person. Mentoring does not have to be difficult but it does require dedication. Mentors have the ability to change a young person's life for the better.
Here is how mentoring can positively impact the life of a young person you know:
-Mentors let the young person know that there is someone who cares about them
-They keep students motivated and accountable to do complete school work
-Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers
-Help to improve self-esteem
-Mentors assist with college or career choice
-Being a mentor provides emotional support and stability
Simply said "Mentoring Works!"
In a 2013 study "The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth and Varying Risk Profiles," the results showed a consistent reduction in depressive symptoms while grades and social skills for youth with mentors improved. The decrease in depression among these youth is impressive when you consider that one in four teens have issues that cause them to worry extensively.
Eighteen (18) million young Americans need or want mentoring, but only 3 million are participating in quality relationships. The means that more then 15 million young people have an unmet need creating a "Mentor Gap."
If you have time to change just one person's life get in the "Gap" and help shape America's future.
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Dr. Dee Carter
