To whom it may concern,
To our fathers: teach your children to respect you by living respectably. For in doing so, you will ultimately teach them to respect themselves. Respect their mothers because if they only respect you, they will only halfway respect themselves and others. Teach them to respect those who came before and made sacrifices yesterday in hope of a better tomorrow. Show them how to value what is theirs and that which does not belong to them, for one day they might inherit it. Lead them to freedom, for if misled, they will certainly follow you into bondage.
To our mothers: teach your children to respect by respecting yourself. Teach them to love by loving yourself. Then, teach them to love and respect others like their fathers by you doing the same. Teach them to answer to the name given them and none lesser. For in doing so, you will impart value and worth. Value yourself. -Your mind, your body and your spirit -All that you are, but not all that you do. There is a difference. If you do not know the difference, learn it so that you may impart it upon them.
To our sons: Learn to respect your father and mother for it is one of the keys to longevity. Obtain knowledge while garnering wisdom. Learn to discern between the two. It is a key to understanding and being understood. Follow those who lead selflessly and righteously for soon enough it will be your time to do the same. Learn that while you will always be someone's son, you are also someone's brother and will likely become someone's father. Live your life in full knowledge of this, in order to make the transition that will inevitably come.
To our daughters: you are precious and powerful. Embrace this early because the world into which you were born will seek to rob you of this and invalidate it most of your lives. Learn what it truly means to love and respect. Then, learn to love and respect -your mother, father, and yourselves. By doing this, loving others will not necessarily become easier but worthwhile.
To our brothers: much is expected of you. Much will be taken from you -The respect you desire, the love your require. Don't stop living; Don't stop giving -the love and respect the world denies you. Don't get caught doing the same -Denying your father, your mother, your son, your daughter, your sister or your brother. For by doing so, you rob them and yourselves in a world already filled with robbers and thieves. For many, you will be the only source of love and respect that your brother will know, the only source that your sister will know, the first example for your son and daughter and the only recipient for a mother or father. Give before you get. Build before you destroy. Love before hate. Brothers unite!
To to our sisters: teachers, students, comforters, nurturers, pillars, jewels, mothers, daughters. You are all of these and more. Then why settle for anything less? Why respond to any lesser name? Why limit yourself to anything less? Learn your self worth. Love yourself in order to love others. Respect yourself in order to respect and be respected by others. Give don't take. Learn your full value before you negotiate or compromise. Value what you offer in order to avoid regret and waste. You are our inspiration. Sisters ignite!
"What I say to you is for me 'cause it passes my ears first". -Dante Smith
Exodus 20:12 "Honor your mother and your father that your days may be long..."
Matthew 12:48-50 "Who is my mother..."