Orion Scott…
“I wouldn’t say encourage, but every child as they grow up will make their own decision on whether they want to join the military or not. I will always have their back no matter what decision they choose to make. If they want to join I’ll always give them one thousand percent, I’ll have their back no matter what, I will give advice, which avenues to take. If they choose not to join, it’s ok, you can see the world in other ways.”
Imunique Carter…
“I believe that a family should be supportive of whatever decision that person chooses. There’s benefits either way.
Euhania Bulter…
“We are Americans first and if our land needs to be protected then someone needs to protect our land. So yes I think we should encourage our young people to go into the service, but I think we need to guide them, they can’t just go in and listen to everything the recruiter says. They’ve got to learn from people who’ve been in the system, how to save their money, to know what do when their on leave. There’s a lot of things young men and women who go into the service don’t know, that people who’ve been in the service need to share with them. Just don’t let them go in there blind.”
Isha Aroni…
I don’t think we should send our children to the military because their lives do not matter. Even the President is promoting taking Black people’s lives, you know what I mean? He goes to different countries and takes people’s life. He does not care because they are not his kind, so no, I do not support that idea.”
Sheryce Wiley-Taylor…
“I have three boy and I really encouraged my oldest son who is 20 to join the military at one point. But in this day and time, the way things are right now, they will kill us on the street. We have no value and we’re fighting for someone else’s freedom when we’re not even free. So how am I going to give you freedom and remain caged. So that’s my opinion on why I would not encourage my boys to go into the military.”
Ahmia Smith…
“I don’t think you should encourage or discourage children one way or the other, but if they want to do it you should fully support your child. My family is Army, my brother, my mom and dad so I can see the benefits as far as providing for your family. As far as doing it for patriotism or protecting this land, that I don’t see as a reason for Black people joining the military, simply because your dying to protect a land that really isn’t protecting you. But if do it for the “come up”, speaking in hood term, yeah I can definitely see it, just do what you have to do to come home.”
Rochelle Stewart…
“I do not believe that African American children should be encouraged to join the military due to the fact that it’s not our war and it’s killing people, people of all races. I believe our job is to teach our children to be empowered and give them Black history to build on so they can be empowered and successful in this society.”
Images by Aaron Allen
