What If You Had No One to Rely On?

Losing a parent young can shake the foundation of your world. I lost my mother when I was just 19, and with my father absent, I was abruptly thrust into adulthood. Sink or swim; that was the reality. I navigated my way through by necessity, not choice. I was lucky in many ways: I was never homeless, always had something to eat, and I found a way forward. But that doesn’t mean the transition wasn’t harsh or full of difficult lessons. 

Watching a light-hearted video about a young person’s dismissive or dependent behavior, it’s easy to laugh it off. But beneath the humor lies a serious question. For many young adults, especially those coddled or overly sheltered, the lack of real-world responsibility can leave them woefully unprepared when life abruptly changes. It made me wonder: have we asked our sons and daughters, particularly our young African American children, what they would do tomorrow if no one were there to care for them?

This isn’t a conversation meant to instill fear but rather to prompt reflection. At 19, you're legally an adult... and society, especially the law, will hold you accountable as one. There’s no buffer for inexperience or unpreparedness. While some may still be figuring things out, others don’t get that luxury. Young African American men and women, in particular, are too often forced to grow up quickly, sometimes without guidance or a support system, and are still expected to succeed under extraordinary pressure.

So instead of sparing someone from struggle, ask the hard question: What would you do if you had no one to rely on tomorrow? That simple thought exercise might spark the self-awareness and resilience needed for a lifetime. Because the goal isn’t to frighten... it’s to enlighten.