Beech Tree News Network

In Chris Rock’s latest Netflix show, “Selective Outrage,” he talks about how everybody in today’s world thinks they are a victim.  “We have emergency rooms full of people with paper cuts,” he says.  He offers us a view into the life of a person who was an actual victim, but didn’t view herself as such, in contrast to the whining and moaning people who sit down, because they were wronged.

The person is his mother, Rosalie Rock.  As a Black woman born in South Carolina, during the 1940s, Rosalie faced tremendous prejudice.  In that era, if a Black person needed a tooth pulled, they were not allowed to go to a White dentist.  If there were no Black dentists in the area, they had to go to a Veterinarian.  Rosalie rose above that kind of prejudice to raise seven children (with her husband, Julius), become a teacher, and author two books.  She works on issues in her community, is a motivational speaker, and has even been the guests of US presidents.  She credits her parents for the inspiration for her books, MAMA ROCK’S RULES, and the sequel, STILL RULING.  Rosalie’s parents taught her that children deserve security, respect and love (news.amomama.com).

Why do some people “sit down and are of no more account,” in the words of Oswald Chambers, and why are there some people who make something of themselves, come Hell or high water?  I understand there are variables of nature and nurture, but the older I get, the more I believe that the people who overcome adversity are those who have someone who shows up for them, no matter the situation, be it big or small.  I think loneliness is one of the driving forces that can cause a person to feel like a victim.

On Sunday, Garey, Natalie, Sabria and I attended Bowling Green Rock Band Academy’s winter showcase.  One of our friends’ kids was performing.  They held the showcase at Warren Central in Bowling Green, and it was a packed house.  The little boy we came to see is ten years old and plays bass.  There were kids and instruments everywhere.  Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends were all over the place, with phones and tablets recording it all.  The atmosphere was electric.  I mention this venue, because it isn’t a sports arena.  I am not dissing sports, and I will never dis sports.  Sports parents and family members, on the whole, are super supportive, but not all kids are good at sports, and I believe it’s important to show up for your kid, even if it’s at the Spelling Bee.

A few weeks ago, Sabria played her violin in the Plano Elementary talent show.  Garey, Natalie and I were in attendance.  Sabria selected the song, “Jingle Bells,” for her performance piece.  The talent show was in March.  “Jingle Bells” wouldn’t have been my choice.  I didn’t say a word to her about maybe selecting another piece, but I silently wondered how her song would be received.  I needn’t have worried.  The audience of her peers sang along to the chorus, then offered thunderous applause when she finished.

  When I was a kid, it was my oldest sister, Marsha, who was there for me.  In middle school and high school, I had a tight group of friends.  In college, it was the head waitress, Pinky, who took me under her wing at the restaurant where I worked.  For the last forty-seven years, Garey has been right beside me, and my children and I have been one another’s greatest cheerleaders.    

I understand that every victim’s story doesn’t have a happy ending, but I love the story Chris Rock shared about an episode in his mom’s life that happened recently.  Rosalie Rock flew to Paris, France, to have coffee with her granddaughter, Lola.  This is the same woman who, as a child, had her tooth pulled by a Veterinarian.   Now, that’s redemption.

Rosalie Rock is not a victim.