Raising a Child in an Economically Challenged Community
An Interview from East St. Louis
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Marshata Caradine-Randall is a Commentator, Writer, Education Advocate, Parent Educator and the mother of three. Staff for Forest Of The Rain Productions was honored to have a candid and honest conversation with Ms. Caradine-Randall about the challenges of raising a family in the economically challenged area of East St. Louis, IL.
FOTRP: What is the biggest challenge facing families raising children in an economically deprived community?
Marshata: The biggest challenge is sifting through the falsehoods of those who claim to have our best interest. I am a lifelong resident of the city of East Saint Louis, IL. I chose to move back home after obtaining my degree. I wanted to educate, empower, and expose our children in the East Saint Louis, IL school system to the wealth of knowledge I obtained. I had no idea about the "game. The fact is I had been “schooled. I had no idea about the "deep roots of politics within our community. Those in leadership positions don’t lead us; the residents any place but downward. We have placed our hope and trust in those who don’t have our best interest. The biggest thing now is the trust factor and the engagement of our residents. We must understand the power of engagement and enlightenment and it starts with acknowledging that we don’t know.
FOTRP: In 2013, East St. Louis was ranked number 1 deadliest city in America. Share some of the challenges parents have to overcome to ensure their children not only survive, but can thrive?
Marshata: Our biggest challenge is to get those who run our city to care about the city and its residents. America has generationally failed poor African Americans as I am learning. It wasn't enough to spark an outrage from America that children in our inner cities are gunned down daily like it is normalcy. In "YOU PEOPLE" community, gun violence is normal and our children are numb to these atrocities and actually think and feel that it belongs here. It is a challenge to be unable to raise your child with the opportunity to make a mistake like so many of us were allowed to do. It is a challenge to live in stress daily, because once they exit the door you never know who they are with and what they are about. It is a challenge to embrace the fact we literally live in two Americas and we are still cashing checks in America which have returned marked INSUFFICIENT FUNDS?
FOTRP: Why did you move back to East Saint Louis, IL? You went away to school and earned your degree; why move back to an area filled with economic, social and infrastructure challenges?
Marshata: I never thought twice about not returning home. I thought that was something everyone did. I was under the impression it was my responsibility to bring the elevator back down and elevate those within my community to higher order thinking and self-sufficiency. I desired to teach them how to change the negative language into the positive aspects of their lives they have already perfected.
FOTRP: What are you and your husband telling your children about their future when they see crime, blight, and a public school system with a history of lack-luster progress around student achievement? The high school graduation rate according to the Illinois State Board of Education 2013-2014 Illinois Report Card was 73%.
Marshata: Since I understand my family has choices and we are not bound by the status quo; we tend to take advantage of programs that will propel our children forward and make them well-adjusted and prepared to compete in this global world. We attempt to incorporate world languages, music, and other activities in their life outside of the school system. They are more than test and we are not raising robots. We are raising brilliant, resilient, and socially conscious children who are full of love and empathy for mankind.
FOTRP: What are a few ways you and your husband keep your children safe and focused on doing well in school and preparing for a successful life as an adult?
Marshata: We keep them busy. They are a part of the 21st Century program in school. They are active members at the Christian Activity Center; we expose them to enrichment activities on the weekends when we can. One of our daughters wants to become a Pediatrician and the other aspires to become a Veterinarian. So, we are now preparing their summer curriculum and it involves the St. Louis Humane Society. We are starting them now in their chosen professions by teaching medical terminology, watching videos, etc. If others can, they can also.
FOTRP: As a mother of an African American male, what are the fears you have for him in East St. Louis?
Marshata: My biggest fear is that his life will be swiftly taken, given this current climate in America, where the zip code does not matter. An African American young man can be murdered by police officers as likely in the suburbs as in the inner city. A dialogue is needed from mother to mother regardless of race, we all love our children the same. But as African American mothers, we must love ours a little more, because after they close the door, he may or may not enter back in.
BIO:
Marshata Caradine-Randall wears a plethora of hats. Yes is a wife, mother, education advocate, writer, parent educator and an agitator for ridding education malpractice within our inner cities. "My goal is to use my power for parents who feel they are voiceless and invisible; to understand their power and might. It is when I empower, educate, infuse, and inspire others through what I have learned that together we can uplift our future. I have a loving husband and three beautiful, talented, and educated children. I have been a devoted substitute teacher for the past 9 years. I am a graduate of EIU (Family and Consumer Science) B.A., and Lindenwood University where I majored in Education M.A.Ed.
FOTRP: What is the biggest challenge facing families raising children in an economically deprived community?
Marshata: The biggest challenge is sifting through the falsehoods of those who claim to have our best interest. I am a lifelong resident of the city of East Saint Louis, IL. I chose to move back home after obtaining my degree. I wanted to educate, empower, and expose our children in the East Saint Louis, IL school system to the wealth of knowledge I obtained. I had no idea about the "game. The fact is I had been “schooled. I had no idea about the "deep roots of politics within our community. Those in leadership positions don’t lead us; the residents any place but downward. We have placed our hope and trust in those who don’t have our best interest. The biggest thing now is the trust factor and the engagement of our residents. We must understand the power of engagement and enlightenment and it starts with acknowledging that we don’t know.
FOTRP: In 2013, East St. Louis was ranked number 1 deadliest city in America. Share some of the challenges parents have to overcome to ensure their children not only survive, but can thrive?
Marshata: Our biggest challenge is to get those who run our city to care about the city and its residents. America has generationally failed poor African Americans as I am learning. It wasn't enough to spark an outrage from America that children in our inner cities are gunned down daily like it is normalcy. In "YOU PEOPLE" community, gun violence is normal and our children are numb to these atrocities and actually think and feel that it belongs here. It is a challenge to be unable to raise your child with the opportunity to make a mistake like so many of us were allowed to do. It is a challenge to live in stress daily, because once they exit the door you never know who they are with and what they are about. It is a challenge to embrace the fact we literally live in two Americas and we are still cashing checks in America which have returned marked INSUFFICIENT FUNDS?
FOTRP: Why did you move back to East Saint Louis, IL? You went away to school and earned your degree; why move back to an area filled with economic, social and infrastructure challenges?
Marshata: I never thought twice about not returning home. I thought that was something everyone did. I was under the impression it was my responsibility to bring the elevator back down and elevate those within my community to higher order thinking and self-sufficiency. I desired to teach them how to change the negative language into the positive aspects of their lives they have already perfected.
FOTRP: What are you and your husband telling your children about their future when they see crime, blight, and a public school system with a history of lack-luster progress around student achievement? The high school graduation rate according to the Illinois State Board of Education 2013-2014 Illinois Report Card was 73%.
Marshata: Since I understand my family has choices and we are not bound by the status quo; we tend to take advantage of programs that will propel our children forward and make them well-adjusted and prepared to compete in this global world. We attempt to incorporate world languages, music, and other activities in their life outside of the school system. They are more than test and we are not raising robots. We are raising brilliant, resilient, and socially conscious children who are full of love and empathy for mankind.
FOTRP: What are a few ways you and your husband keep your children safe and focused on doing well in school and preparing for a successful life as an adult?
Marshata: We keep them busy. They are a part of the 21st Century program in school. They are active members at the Christian Activity Center; we expose them to enrichment activities on the weekends when we can. One of our daughters wants to become a Pediatrician and the other aspires to become a Veterinarian. So, we are now preparing their summer curriculum and it involves the St. Louis Humane Society. We are starting them now in their chosen professions by teaching medical terminology, watching videos, etc. If others can, they can also.
FOTRP: As a mother of an African American male, what are the fears you have for him in East St. Louis?
Marshata: My biggest fear is that his life will be swiftly taken, given this current climate in America, where the zip code does not matter. An African American young man can be murdered by police officers as likely in the suburbs as in the inner city. A dialogue is needed from mother to mother regardless of race, we all love our children the same. But as African American mothers, we must love ours a little more, because after they close the door, he may or may not enter back in.
BIO:
Marshata Caradine-Randall wears a plethora of hats. Yes is a wife, mother, education advocate, writer, parent educator and an agitator for ridding education malpractice within our inner cities. "My goal is to use my power for parents who feel they are voiceless and invisible; to understand their power and might. It is when I empower, educate, infuse, and inspire others through what I have learned that together we can uplift our future. I have a loving husband and three beautiful, talented, and educated children. I have been a devoted substitute teacher for the past 9 years. I am a graduate of EIU (Family and Consumer Science) B.A., and Lindenwood University where I majored in Education M.A.Ed.