Urban roots helps build the roots of the community.
Every Thursday, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission hosts a special event called Urban Roots. It’s a very great summer program for community organized by Tali, a resident of Rainier Beach. Tali is an amazing and strong role model for our community. Tali teaches us many life lessons. His teachings are real because he doesn’t sugar coat anything. For example, he always encourages us to achieve at a higher level.
He encourages us to make change, in school and out of school. He challenges us to take what we learned then act on it in our community; to build our community from the ground up. Many of us are hiding from the community because some say community is a waste of time. Tali teaches us that we are all here in the community for a reason- so do something with what you have. If you look at the roots of your community and know what’s urban about your community, this will teach you more lessons about life.
The most surprising thing we all heard was that Tali has been through so many challenges in life. The most controversial thing I heard was when Tali called out the community for not stepping up. Many of us want to do something about our community, but nobody is stepping up to the plate. Tali lets us know that there is somebody that cares about us and wants us to do something- so step up to the plate, hit a homerun and help build the community back up. What this means for the Rainer Beach neighborhood is to step up and claim a prize. Don’t be scared to achieve or put down the community. If you want to succeed then you have to try because you never know what will happen to this community we live in. Expect the unexpected, because if you believe in something or want something done, do it; don’t hold back.