Black People : What is the role and duties of an Elder

Istari

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Question: If someone is over a certain age does that constitute them to carry the title of Elder/leader/counsel in our community (other than just being old) if their character and lifestyle says otherwise?

Question: What are the responsibilities of an Elder to his or her community?

Some so called elders are just old, mean and nasty! should they be looked apond with respect too?

What are others take on this?

From the SHAPE Community​

"The old of our people are the Elders of our race and must be listened to, must be looked after, must be given meaningful work, must be loved and cared for, and must be treated with the highest level of respect. The Elders of our race are the reason that we are here." ... Madhubuti
"Their shoulders have been our elevation factor." ... Deloyd T. Parker, Jr.
Who qualifies as an Elder of our people, and our community?


You must be know in the village/community.
You must be a long time resident of our village/community.
You must show evidence of self-determination.
You must have respect for all ages, gender, and ethnicity.
You must have African-centered values and behaviors.
You must be able to discern the needs of our people.
You must be committed to improving community conditions.
You must be a spiritual, trustworthy, and moral person.
You must be willing and ready to serve the people/village.
You must be 50 years or older.
What are the categories of Elders?

There are two categories of Elders in our village/community:

A) Elder in Training: 50-57 years old with the above qualities and who is still developing, learning, and evolving.
B) Certified Elder: 58 years and older with the above qualities and who is still learning and evolving.

“Let him/her speak who has seen with his/her eyes.”
African Proverb

What are the duties and responsibilities of our Elders?


1. Advise and give guidance about activities of the village.
2. Serve as an extended family member to youth and families.
3. Serve as a role model for youth and families.
4. Serve as advocates for youth and families.
5. Share “the story” of the community and culture.
6. Play a major role in all African-American celebrations, especially Rites of Passages for our Youth.


http://www.shape.org/EldersInstituteOf%20WIsdom.asp
 
Question: If someone is over a certain age does that constitute them to carry the title of Elder/leader/counsel in our community (other than just being old) if their character and lifestyle says otherwise?

Question: What are the responsibilities of an Elder to his or her community?

Some so called elders are just old, mean and nasty! should they be looked apond with respect too?

What are others take on this?

From the SHAPE Community​

"The old of our people are the Elders of our race and must be listened to, must be looked after, must be given meaningful work, must be loved and cared for, and must be treated with the highest level of respect. The Elders of our race are the reason that we are here." ... Madhubuti
"Their shoulders have been our elevation factor." ... Deloyd T. Parker, Jr.
Who qualifies as an Elder of our people, and our community?


You must be know in the village/community.
You must be a long time resident of our village/community.
You must show evidence of self-determination.
You must have respect for all ages, gender, and ethnicity.
You must have African-centered values and behaviors.
You must be able to discern the needs of our people.
You must be committed to improving community conditions.
You must be a spiritual, trustworthy, and moral person.
You must be willing and ready to serve the people/village.
You must be 50 years or older.
What are the categories of Elders?

There are two categories of Elders in our village/community:

A) Elder in Training: 50-57 years old with the above qualities and who is still developing, learning, and evolving.
B) Certified Elder: 58 years and older with the above qualities and who is still learning and evolving.

“Let him/her speak who has seen with his/her eyes.”
African Proverb

What are the duties and responsibilities of our Elders?


1. Advise and give guidance about activities of the village.
2. Serve as an extended family member to youth and families.
3. Serve as a role model for youth and families.
4. Serve as advocates for youth and families.
5. Share “the story” of the community and culture.
6. Play a major role in all African-American celebrations, especially Rites of Passages for our Youth.


http://www.shape.org/EldersInstituteOf%20WIsdom.asp



Question: If someone is over a certain age does that constitute them to carry the title of Elder/leader/counsel in our community (other than just being old) if their character and lifestyle says otherwise?

Question: What are the responsibilities of an Elder to his or her community?

Some so called elders are just old, mean and nasty! should they be looked apond with respect too?

What are others take on this?

If their character and lifestyle says otherwise then NO a certain age would not constitute Eldership.

The responsibilities as outlined on the S.H.A.P.E. website are sufficient to qualify as such.

If Elders are just "old, mean and nasty" keep in mind they are still Elders rather than simply "old people" who are mean and nasty. Which is to say respect them even if they have problems with their behavior and disposition.

I have some Elder aunts and uncles who fit this above description but I give them proper respect, even though one uncle in particular is always starting with me. I figure trying to keep peace is better than giving him an old-school beatdown ONLY because he is my uncle. Fortunatly he has not attemptied to physically "bully" me in about 30 years.

Peace,
Baba Omowale [Elder-in-training]
 
NO!! Implicit here is that indeed some come here and simply do just grow old. They don't even have to necessarily be mean and nasty. The key is to determine to what level they have absorbed and actually learned from life and history, so as to move in a healthy and fruitful direction by not repeating mistakes. It's a dangerous premise to believe that because someone reaches a certain age that they are automatically deserving of the title of "elder"; that's an EARNED title--not simply given. Most certainly, you have devious older folks--many of whom will use their age egotistically and/or with the clear intent to manipulate certain favoritisms (?). Respect can be read different ways; I can issue out a certain amount of respect to anyone just because they are human; that does NOT mean I have reverence for their character and what they stand for. I think that is the distinction. I can certify without hesitation that there are PLENTY of folks who've missed that 58 + mark.

Thoughtful thread...




Question: If someone is over a certain age does that constitute them to carry the title of Elder/leader/counsel in our community (other than just being old) if their character and lifestyle says otherwise?

Question: What are the responsibilities of an Elder to his or her community?

Some so called elders are just old, mean and nasty! should they be looked apond with respect too?

What are others take on this?

From the SHAPE Community​

"The old of our people are the Elders of our race and must be listened to, must be looked after, must be given meaningful work, must be loved and cared for, and must be treated with the highest level of respect. The Elders of our race are the reason that we are here." ... Madhubuti
"Their shoulders have been our elevation factor." ... Deloyd T. Parker, Jr.
Who qualifies as an Elder of our people, and our community?


You must be know in the village/community.
You must be a long time resident of our village/community.
You must show evidence of self-determination.
You must have respect for all ages, gender, and ethnicity.
You must have African-centered values and behaviors.
You must be able to discern the needs of our people.
You must be committed to improving community conditions.
You must be a spiritual, trustworthy, and moral person.
You must be willing and ready to serve the people/village.
You must be 50 years or older.
What are the categories of Elders?

There are two categories of Elders in our village/community:

A) Elder in Training: 50-57 years old with the above qualities and who is still developing, learning, and evolving.
B) Certified Elder: 58 years and older with the above qualities and who is still learning and evolving.

“Let him/her speak who has seen with his/her eyes.”
African Proverb

What are the duties and responsibilities of our Elders?


1. Advise and give guidance about activities of the village.
2. Serve as an extended family member to youth and families.
3. Serve as a role model for youth and families.
4. Serve as advocates for youth and families.
5. Share “the story” of the community and culture.
6. Play a major role in all African-American celebrations, especially Rites of Passages for our Youth.


http://www.shape.org/EldersInstituteOf%20WIsdom.asp
 
Wisdom Love sharing and caring,

and the ability to inspire the same

tha ability to go anywhere and relate to people anywhere

To have stored within themselves the inner energy of of altruism

so that their image and presence expands and shines like the sun, rather then contracts and only reflects like the moon

to have an apearance and aura that puts young children at ease and
restores the spirit of the opressed, by it's warmth and compassion

and give energy to the depressed, and hope to the downtrodden,



without speaking a word

Look at a photo of George Washington Carver for a few minutes, and tell what kind of vibration you feel!!!!!!!!!!

or a photo of Sojourner Truth, look at her eyes, you can still feel the love after 200 years


The Sages of every area of Africa, and Native America where like that for 30 thousand years

, and there are many that are still like that!!!!

Any one can just get old, but Elder is a title, and Sage is an honor
 

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