Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 kjv

At every church in America there are elders who serve as “mothers” “deacons” or people who are living proof of how good God is. These elders give testimonies about the many ways that God has brought them through lives up’s and downs. They share their stories of how they prayed and asked God to show up and show out when times were hard. They impart lessons learned from their parents to members in the congregation. Elders are the people who have earned respect because they have life experiences that provide wisdom and guidance to others. They’ve been there and done that. Many times the elders in our communities are put aside because they no longer matter and their old school way of thinking is not necessarily a good fit for today’s fast paced life style. This has been to our demise as a nation because in many cultures around the world, elders are still uplifted and honored. These elders are given the respect that they deserve.

When young people no longer respect the sage advice of their elders, they lose critical lessons about their own identity and history. The elders of America built this nation. It was their blood, sweat and tears that won wars and created the industrial giant that we are today. The trials and tribulations of the elders in America, especially minority groups, can provide valuable insight into what it means to have character and to be a positive member of a community in the face of adversity. The youth of today would not have any of the freedoms that they exercise had it not been for someone before them securing those rights.

The simplest way for young people to learn to interact with someone older is to expose them to our elderly. Our youth must become humble and learn to practice manners; however teaching manners starts at home with the parents.
Again, parents are the child’s first and most important teachers, when responding to elders; young people should be taught to make eye contact and say, “Yes or No.” Far too many young people answer an adult with words like, “yea, huh, yup, or naw” if they respond at all. These responses not only further perpetrate a lack of correct grammar and poor communication skills, but they show disrespect. Young people have devised their own way of speaking to one another through text and instant messaging, but they should be required to speak properly given the context of the conversation. In other words, young people need to know when to switch their game up and how to communicate effectively with people who expect them to show respect. Demonstrating respect for an older person helps a young person practice self-awareness and self-respect as well. Parents are being called to action and can no longer allow their children to behave in ways that are counterproductive.