Greetings Brothers,
My name is Joshua Wilson.
This upcoming school year I will
be serving as the Tau Psi Chap-
ter’s President. I would just like
to introduce myself by giving
you all a little bit of general
information and my goals for
our chapter this upcoming
school year. I am a 21-year-old,
junior majoring in Graphic De-
sign. I am a native Tennessean,
and I have lived in Arlington,
Tennessee my entire life.
My top priorities for the chapter
this year are to improve our
grades, increase our participa-
tion in community service
events, and improve the quality
of the extracurricular activities
available to students at Martin.
Also, we hope to improve our
connection with the Mu Beta
brothers. I hope that we can
collaborate with older brothers
in an attempt to obtain valuable
knowledge, ideas, and insight
on how to properly function as a
chapter.
Feel free to contact me for any
updates or further information
concerning the chapter. We
have open minds to any advice
that is meant to impact the
chapter in a “positive” way. I
hope to hear from you all.
Sincerely,
Bro. Joshua Wilson
T A U P S I C H A P T E R W E L C O M E S N E W P R E S I D E N T
B R O T H E R J O N E S R E C E I V E S C U N N I N G H A M A W A R D A N D
A T T E N D S T H E A L P H A L E A D E R S H I P A C A D E M Y
Brother Calvin Dexter Jones (Spring
2010—initiate) of the Tau Psi Chap-
ter recently received the Cunning-
ham Award for Outstanding Fresh-
man. The Award is given to an out-
standing freshman student that has
exhibited strong leadership quali-
ties , involvement in campus activi-
ties and exhibited academic excel-
lence.
Thanks to a generous donation
from Brother Warwrick Scott
and his wife of $750.00,
Brother Jones got the opportu-
nity to attend the Alpha Leader-
ship Academy in Baltimore, MD.
He says that it was an amazing
experience where he learned
about leadership development
and the corporate structure.
KN
OW
LE
DG
E I
S P
OW
ER
J U L Y 1 7 , 2 0 1 0
V O L U M N E 2 ; I S S U E 3
T H E R O S E O F A L P H A
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
C L E N N O N
S A U L S B E R R Y 2
R E G I N A L D
W I L L I A M S
2
J A R E D N E W S O N 3
B R I A N W A L K E R 3
C E L E B R A T I N G
A N N I V E R S A R Y 4
B E L L Y F A T I N
M E N 5
A R E B L A C K
G R E E K S S T I L L
R E L E V A N T ?
1 2
Joshua Nehemiah Wilson
Senior—Graphic Design Major
S P E C I A L P O I N T S
O F I N T E R E S T :
Awarded the Cunning-
ham Award for Out-
standing Freshman
Received a $750.00
donation from Bro.
Warwrick Scott to
attend the Alpha
Leadership Academy
in Baltimore, MD
People don't sign up to teach school to get rich, but
this week at Kirby High, a $10,000 check has been
cut for the principal and another $2,500 awaits every
teacher, coach and librarian. For the second year,
Kirby has placed in the big money for remarkable
gains in achievement in a contest run by New Leaders
for New Schools, a New York nonprofit group focused
on improving school leadership. Checks will be dis-
bursed today and Friday.
The money is part of $1.4 million in federal Teacher
Incentive Funds split by 648 staffers in 13 Memphis
City Schools this year. Five of them are gold-gain
schools, including Ida B. Wells Academy -- in the
money for three years -- Cordova Elementary, LaRose
Elementary, White Station Middle and Kirby. At the
others -- A.B. Hill Elementary, Dunbar Elementary,
Hamilton Elementary, Kingsbury Middle, Ridgeway
Middle, Hollis F. Price Middle College, Douglass High
and Westwood High -- principals will get $7,500 and
teachers $2,500. Kirby's teachers and principal,
Reginald Williams, will showcase what makes
them successful as one of the top scorers in videos
available to teachers nationwide via epic.nlns.org.
"For a school this size, this is monumental," said Wil-
liams, breathless not from the win but from a job that
demands he be both inspiration and hall monitor for
1,850 students in a school even he says had a bad
reputation. Kirby joined the city system in 2000 after
the city annexed Hickory Hill. When Williams arrived
mid-term in 2006, he was the third principal in five
years, inheriting a staff that was stable partly be-
cause expectations were so low, he said.
In that time, the number of English-as-a-second-
language students has more then doubled, adding
challenges to a school that already has a large
special education population and 20 percent of the
student body is over age for grade.
"When I got here, I made sure we had teachers who
cared for kids," Williams said. "Once we had the
turnover, we got some stability. That's when test
scores started going up." Kirby science teacher
Lamarcus Calvin says the difference is palpable.
"We're constantly striving to make gains from year
to year. Our expectations don't go down. It does
make a difference," said Calvin, who plans to spend
his $2,500 "relaxing and getting refreshed for the
upcoming school year."
The awards are part of a five-year grant awarded
public schools in Memphis, Denver, Washington
and charter schools nationally, said Cheryl Green of
New Leaders for New Schools. "Over the three
years, Memphis City Schools has received approxi-
mately $2.7 million," she said. The work is part of
research into what individual teachers do to
achieve academic success. "MCS shares the data
with us and we pass it on to Mathematica (Policy
Research), which tosses it all into a value-add
model," Green said.
-- Jane Roberts: 529-2512
Clennon Saulsberry Jr. is a native of Memphis and graduate of Fairley High School. He went on to receive his
Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity Incorporated in the spring of 1990. He later received his Masters degree in Curriculum and instruc-
tion and his Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Nova Southeastern University
in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. He is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership. Clennon
Saulsberry has served in education for 15 Years. He has enjoyed every moment of teaching elementary, and
middle school Mathematics, and serving as a high school Administrator. Rev. Saulsberry serves as an associate
minister at the New Nonconnah Baptist Church in Memphis. He feels that his greatest accomplishments are
his wife Cindy, and his children Catherynne, Elizabeth, Kevin, Jarietta, Daija, and Taylor. If there is one thing that
I could really express it would be that” God has truly blessed me and I am thankful to him every day for all of his
blessings.” His mark that he would like to leave with the world is his own personal quote that expresses how he
approaches his life’s calling.
T H E C H A N G E T H A T K I R B Y N E E D E D : R E G I N A L D W I L L I A M S
G R O O M I N G G R E A T N E S S . . . S P O T L I G H T I N G O U R B R O T H E R
Williams and members of
his staff, including
teachers, coaches and
librarians, will earn
bonuses from federal
Teacher Incentive Funds
for achievement by
students. A total of $1.4
million is being distributed
among 13 Memphis City
Schools this year.
Page 2 T H E R O S E O F A L P H A
Bro. Reginald Williams
Kirby High School Principal
Bro. Clennon Saulsberry
Professional basketball player graduated
from University of Tennessee at Martin in
2006 Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree
in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Graphic
Design. Jared has played in Germany, Po-
land, Australia, played for Dallas Maver-
icks, was on the Memphis Grizzlies and
Dallas Mavericks summer league teams.
He crossed November 29, 2008 in Theta
Theta Lambda Chapter in Frankfurt, Ger-
many. His line name is Stone Cold, and he
holds down the (4) club. He is currently
pursuing different business adventures
and traveling the world in the offseason.
Lambda Chapter in Jackson, TN. He cur-
rently teaches through the Memphis City
School System at Raleigh-Egypt Middle
School.
Bro. Walker divides his time amongst his
friends and family. He is often found mentor-
ing youth and doing various community ser-
vice opportunities in the community.
Brother Walker, the brothers of the Martin
Alpha Alumni Network salute you.
The drive to constantly better his life is what keeps
Bro. Brian Walker pushing to continue his educa-
tion. He grew up in Memphis, TN and graduated
from Trezevant High School.
He entered the University of Tennessee at Martin in
2001 and received a degree in Graphic Design in
2006. He acquired his Master’s Degree in Educa-
tion from Union University and is currently pursuing
a Doctoral Degree from Freed-Hardeman University.
Bro. Walker is currently active with the Beta Upsilon
L I V I N G T H E D R E A M . . . H I G H L I G H T I N G J A R E D N E W S O N
B R O . B R I A N W A L K E R . . . K N O W I N G T H E V A L U E O F E D U C A T I O N
I M M O R T A L S M A K I N G M O V E S
I would like to personally say con-
gratulations to the 4 of the Immortal
Sons of F.A.T.E. for graduating from
the University of Tennessee at Martin
this past Spring.
Brian Bougard - “Prodigy”
Lepold Phiapalath —”Marvel”
Myron Driver - “Philosopher”
Clifton Ford - “Legend”
Moving on to bigger and better things
in life. I am proud of you all.
College Days
swiftly
pass...imbued
with mem’ries
fond and the
recollection
slowly fades
away...
Page 3 V O L U M N E 2 ; I S S U E 3
1 5 T E N A C I O U S T I T A N S O F T U T :
C E L E B R A T I N G 2 0 Y E A R S O F A L P H A D O M ! CONGRATS TO THE 15 TITANS
1. BRIAN STEVENS
2. WESLEY JOHNSON
3. DEXTER BATES
4. WALLACE CUNNINGHAM
5. ADAM CAVINESS
6. MARK NEWBILL
7. ERIC HUBBARD
8. GERALD GREER
9. DERRICK FIELDS
10. ANDRE COLE
11. CLENNON SAULSBERRY
12. DWAYNE OSBORNE
13. ROBERT EASLEY
14. MARCUS JOHNSON
15. WARWRICK SCOTT
Page 4 T H E R O S E O F A L P H A
T H E D O M I N A N T D U O O F D E S T I N Y :
C E L E B R A T I N G 2 4 Y E A R S O F A L P H A D O M !
CONGRATS TO THE DUO
1. KEITH THORNTON
2. RONALD DAVIS
Why is belly fat a concern for men? People who gain belly fat are at greater risk of
serious health problems than are people who accumulate fat in other areas — and men are
more likely than women to gain weight around the waist. Having a large amount of belly fat
increases your risk of:
Heart disease ; Stroke; Some types of cancer ; Type 2 diabetes ; Insulin resistance ; High
triglycerides; Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol ; Metabolic
syndrome; Sleep apnea
How can you tell if you have too much belly fat?
Your waist size is a good indicator of whether you have too much belly fat. Although measure-
ments that compare your hip and waist circumference (waist-to-hip ratio) or compare your
height and weight (body mass index) are more precise, your waist size alone can give you a
good estimate. For most men, the risk factors for heart disease and other diseases increase
with a waist size greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters).
To measure your waist:
Place a tape measure around your bare abdomen just above your hipbone. Pull the tape meas-
ure until it fits snugly around you but doesn't push into your skin. Make sure the tape measure
is level all the way around. Relax, exhale and measure your waist — no sucking in your belly!
Does age play a role in gaining belly fat?
As you age, you lose muscle — especially if you're not physically active. Muscle loss can slow
the rate at which your body burns calories. In turn, if you don't limit your calories or increase
your physical activity, you may gain weight.
Is belly fat inherited?
Your genes can affect your chances of being overweight or obese, as well as where you carry
extra fat on your body. For most men, however, the problem likely has more to do with lifestyle
than inherited traits.
continued:
Can you really get a beer belly from drinking?
Drinking excess alcohol can cause you to gain belly fat — the "beer belly." However, beer alone
isn't to blame. Drinking too much alcohol of any kind can increase belly fat, although some re-
search suggests wine may be an exception. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Limiting
yourself to two drinks a day will reduce the amount of calories you consume and help you avoid
gaining belly fat. It's also better for your overall health.
How do you get rid of belly fat?
Whether you're trying to lose
belly fat or trim fat from another
part of your body, weight-loss
basics remain the same:
Reduce calories. Reduce your
portion sizes. Replace your
usual fare with healthy foods
that contain fewer calories.
Increase physical activity.
The Department of Health
and Human Services recom-
mends adults get two hours
and 30 minutes a week of
moderate aerobic activity or
one hour and 15 minutes of
vigorous aerobic activity, in
addition to strength training.
You may need to do more to
lose weight and keep it off.
After you shed excess pounds,
maintain your weight loss with a
healthy diet and regular physical
activity.
Can you reduce belly fat
with sit-ups?
Sit-ups help make your ab-
dominal muscles stronger,
but spot exercises alone
won't specifically reduce
belly fat. The best way to
shrink your waist size is to
lower your total body fat
through healthy eating and
exercise.
Belly fat in men: Why weight loss matters Belly fat is unhealthy. Find out what causes belly fat, the health risks it poses for men and what you can do to lose the extra pounds.
Page 5 V O L U M N E 2 ; I S S U E 3
Michael Jensen, M.D.
S I G H T I N G S A N D S E R V I C E
Page 6 T H E R O S E O F A L P H A
Bro. Walker organized a service
project where the brothers of
Beta Xi and Tau Psi taught
young boys the fundamentals
of MANHOOD.
Congrats on graduating Brian Crawford: Brother’s this is
an artist’s on the rise!
<——Bro. Don Chapman
making big moves!
Bro. Jared Newson sign-
ing autographs! ————->
Page 7 T H E R O S E O F A L P H A
A R O U N D T H E W O R L D W I T H T H E S C O T T S
“For my part, I travel not to
go anywhere, but to go. I
travel for travel’s sake. The
great affair is to move.” –
Robert Louis Stevenson
Page 8
T H E S C O T T S O N T H E
C H A M P S E L Y S E E S O N A
C O L D D A Y
T H E S C O T T S A T
T I A N A N M E N S Q U A R E
T H E S C O T T S O N T H E
G R E A T W A L L
T H E S C O T T S A T T H E
A L B U Q U E R Q U E B A L L O O N
F E S T I V A L
T H E S C O T T S A T T H E
C O L O S S E U M
Brother Warwrick &
Mildred Scott have
traveled the world
and experienced many
things that many of
us dream about. They
recently made a con-
tribution of
$1.500.00 to Bro.
Calvin Jones and Bro.
Clifton Ford for the
Alpha Leadership
Academy and College 2
Corporate Program!
Thank you from the
bottom of our heart!
W A R W R I C K & M I L D R E D
S C O T T A N D T H E I R T H A I
F O S T E R K I D S
Page 9 V O L U M N E 2 ; I S S U E 3
W A R W R I C K & M I L D R E D
S C O T T A N D T H E I R P E T
E L E P H A N T L U L A
W A R W R I C K & M I L D R E D
S C O T T - T H E V A T I C A N
W A R W R I C K & M I L D R E D
S C O T T - I N T H E A M A Z O N
W I T H P E T M O N K E Y C O C O
W A R W R I C K & M I L D R E D
S C O T T - R I D I N G
E L E P H A N T I N T H E J U N G L E
W A R W R I C K & M I L D R E D
S C O T T - I M P E R I A L
P A L A C E B A N K O K T H A I L A N D
W A R W R I C K &
M I L D R E D S C O T T -
T E M P L E O F T H E S U N
G O D - B E L I Z E -
G U A T E M A L A
W A R W R I C K &
M I L D R E D S C O T T -
R I D I N G E L E P H A N T
I N T H E J U N G L E
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Tau Psi Chapter
University of Tennessee at Martin
Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant
October 22, 2010
Souvenir Booklet Advertising
2010 marks a milestone year for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Tau Psi Chapter being a viable,
contributing organization at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Since the reintroduction of Al-
pha to this campus and community, the chapter has exemplified our mission statement; to
“develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and ad-
vocacy for our communities.”
Many brothers have joined this illustrative organization since chapter inception in 1975 through
the Mu Beta Chapter and currently through the Tau Psi Chapter. Presently, many members are
now dispersed throughout the world impacting positive change. We shall gather October 22, 2010
in Martin, TN to renew old friendships, strengthen our fraternal bond and cast a vision for the fu-
ture as we celebrate one of this fraternity’s most cherished events meant for the betterment of col-
legiate women. You too can contribute to this historic event.
Advertise your business and at the same time support the community service/scholarship fund for
Alpha Phi Alpha. The members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will make every effort to pro-
mote your business to our members, sponsors, and supporters. Souvenir booklets will be distrib-
uted during our Miss Black & Gold Pageant. Advertise on a full page or an image of your business
card can be placed in the program. You can also place a special message to a designated pageant
participant, chapter or the organization as a whole. Ads range from $10.00 to $100.00. (See at-
tached price sheet)
If you have any questions, contact any active member of Tau Psi Chapter
W H O W I L L B E O U R N E X T Q U E E N ?
K N O W L E D G E I S
P O W E R
T H E R O S E O F A L P H A J U L Y 1 7 , 2 0 1 0 V O L U M N E 2 ; I S S U E 3
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
University of Tennessee at Martin
Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant
Souvenir Booklet Ad Order Form
Name ________________________________________________________________________
Title _________________________________________________________________________
Company _____________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________________
Phone ______________________________ Fax ____________________________________
E-Mail Address: _______________________________________________________________
Ad Size (check one)
__________$100.00 (Full page) __________$50.00 (1/2 page)
__________$30.00 (1/3 page) __________$25.00 (1/4 page
__________$10.00 (Business card or Patron message)
Signature of Advertiser _________________________________________________________
Date of Payment __________ Form of Payment (check #) __________ (No Cash Please)
AD LAYOUT ATTACHED (check one) _____________ YES _____________ NO
MESSAGE OR TEXT
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
(4 lines with a maximum of 25 words)
Person Selling Advertisement _____________________________________
Seller’s Phone #_________________________________________________________
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(Make checks payable to: Tau Psi Chapter or Alpha Phi Alpha)
Return all checks, completed order forms, ad layout or business card and/or message/text to:
Ryan Allen Lanier
Tau Psi Chapter Treasurer
P.O. Box 235
Martin, TN 38237
Since the inception of Sigma Pi Phi, or Boulé, in 1904, by a group of Phila-
delphia lawyers, pharmacists and physicians, black achievers have sought
fellowship with like-minded souls. The desire for acceptance and recogni-
tion, in the midst of racial discrimination and denial of civil rights, drew
black men, then women, to such organizations, where they found a safe ha-
ven to discuss and implement aspirations for themselves and their communi-
ties.
Shared goals of community service, scholastic achievement and cul-
tural preservation continue to attract both collegiate and professional movers
and shakers to historically black fraternities and sororities all over the United
States.
The predominately black Greek-letter organizations founded by collegiate
students are often referred to as the Divine Nine and make up the National
Pan-Hellenic Council. In order of founding, they are:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 1906, Cornell University
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 1908, Howard University
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, 1911, Indiana University
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, 1911, Howard University
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 1913, Howard University (of which the author
is a proud and active member, as is her family tradition)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, 1914, Howard University
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, 1920, Howard University
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, 1922, Butler University
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, 1963, Morgan State University
Are black sororities and fraternities still culturally relevant?
Houston Black Culture & Traditions Examiner Sharon Watkins Jones
K N O W L E D G E I S
P O W E R
T H E R O S E O F A L P H A J U L Y 1 7 , 2 0 1 0 V O L U M N E 2 ; I S S U E 3
Each organization can boast of many famous and acclaimed members within its ranks. Each
organization has contributed much to the communities they serve through scholarships, leader-
ship development, social action and philanthropic endeavors. Unfortunately, each organization
can also lay claim to its share of shameful activities, including thuggish campus hazing, elitist
membership selection practices (i.e. selecting or refusing membership on the basis of skin
color or hair texture), and misuse of organization funds for personal gain.
The recent charges of misappropriation of funds leveled by some sorority members against the
national president of Alpha Kappa Alpha for, among other things, the commissioning of
a $900,000 wax figure of herself (www.suntimes.com/business/1690163,CST-NWS-
aka29.article), serve as a basis for self-reflection for all members of the Divine Nine. There,
but for the grace of God, goes any of our leadership, without the due diligence of rank and file
members.
Our abilities to effectively network socially are, indeed, still intact. However; are we still
achieving the goal of giving back to the community? Have we continued to make a difference
in the lives of black Americans, both privileged and not so much? Are the dues-paying mem-
bers of these organizations supporting the causes to which they have pledged, or merely filling
inappropriate coffers?
Perhaps the questions are best posed to individual frat brothers and sorority sisters. Are you
merely wearing your t-shirt to the picnic or are you working in the trenches? Have you demon-
strated the significance of your organization to a young person by your actions, or are you sat-
isfied to just sport the colors and symbols? Are you writing a check or writing policy? Are you
participating in social action, or just socializing? When was the last time you attended plenary
sessions at your regional or national conferences and contributed to the budgetary discussions?
Would you just rather complain about what they decided in your absence? Did you review your
organization's national platform or did you merely peruse the vendors’ hall for new parapher-
nalia?
Perhaps the question should not be whether or not black fraternities and sororities are still cul-
turally relevant, but should be….are you still a relevant member of your fraternity or soror-
ity? What have you done lately to make your founders proud?
The brothers of Tau Psi maintained a cumula-
tive Grade Point Average of 2.77 from this
past semester .
Brother Clifton Ford received his acceptance
letter into the Master of Science Accounting
Program at the University of Memphis!
<———-Brothers collaborated with Taylor and
Taylor Non-Profit Organization in the Health
Fair in Trezevant, TN
Brothers, treat your wife or significant other to Gigi’s Cupcakes
4709 Popular Avenue, Memphis, TN 38157
Phone: 901-888-2253; Fax: 901-888-2254
(Mon-Sat: 10am—7pm, Sun: CLOSED)
Bro. Donald Chapman with Mu Beta Charter Member
Bro. Willie Davis, Jr.
The Golden Girls concept was initiated to identify young women on campus that were doing positive
things in their personal lives and also acknowledge the ladies that have helped us in our crucial early
stages of development. On this day, we salute two of these Golden Girls: Miss Whitney Maxey and
Miss Sharnae Smith for achieving a feat that many only dream...They Graduated this past May from
the University and we wish both of you QUEENS nothing but prayer, support and love.
A LEGEND was born into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, In-
corporated when the Tau Psi Chapter inducted Brother
Clifton Ford as one of it’s Charter Members in 2009. Since
the chapter’s inception, Brother Ford has served as presi-
dent. The things that he has done to lead this chapter and
cement it’s future have been nothing short of LEGEN-
DARY. Brother Ford recently submitted some parting
words for the brotherhood as he has since graduated:
Greetings Brothers,
I hope that all is well. I just wanted to touch basis with eve-
ryone and let them know how I was doing. For brothers who
I may have not met before, my name is Clifton Ford and I
am the past president (2009-2010) of the Tau Psi Chapter of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. I am from Memphis, Tennessee
and recently was a Magna Cum Laude Graduate of the 2010
Class at the University of Tennessee at Martin. I received my degree in Business Administration with a con-
centration of Accounting. As all might assume, I had my ups and downs with being the first president of the
chapter, but my role helped to enhance my work ethic and leadership skills. Credit of the success with the
chapter in it's first year also goes to the advisors and all chapter brothers. We made a very strong impact on the
campus for our first year.
I also was selected as a participate for the College To Corporate Life Program with Alpha Phi Alpha Frater-
nity. Even though I expected more from the program, I enjoyed talking with my mentor and attending the we-
binar sessions. This fall, I will be attending Graduate School at the University of Memphis working on my
Master's degree at the School of Accountancy. I want to focus on Public Accounting as a full time career so
that is why I pursue to learn as much as I can within the field. Ultimately, I hope to attain my Certified Public
Accountant (CPA) License in the state of Tennessee once I meet the requirements.
I am excited about furthering my education and my outlook on the future. I just want to be successful and re-
membered as someone who was a hard working, caring individual.
Take care brothers!
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
TO PROTECT OUR YOUTH
By: Brother Anthony Prewitt
These eyes tell a story that many
choose to ignore.
My life has been altered and I don’t
have the heart to cry anymore
Who will fight for me...the child who
was never given a fair chance to live
Who will try to heal the heart in which
I don’t have much to give.
Know that the battles and the struggles
may be hard for you to see.
You can never tell the fear I had when
older ones raped me
I do well to hide the marks and scars
those times when I’ve been abused
And when I develop in my life, I grow
up lost and confused
Who will love the child that never
knew love or was never taught how to
be free
Who will hug me and kiss me and show
me the love...The love that I wanted to
see
I know that life keeps all pretty busy,
but maybe if I could scrape up a dime
I’d give it to anyone who’s willing to
listen, to just have a piece of your time.
My story’s more complex than what it
appears, I’m a grown up trapped in a
child
I’ve given my all to change my life, but the climate is getting
too wild.
Believe me when I say, I cry more for you...than I could ever
cry for myself
Because you forget that a child like me exists, as you bask in
prosperity...in wealth
Well live well with your life, but I just need a favor...a promise,
I need you to make.
Make a pledge to give back to the world that you know, go
head...there’s not much left at stake.
You can turn a blind eye and look all around and make it a life
that you miss
But don’t pity the fool and go on with your life...pretending that
I don’t exist...
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