Anthony, YUC senior and burgeoning psych major recounts that “All water is important, to bathe, to drink. Water is important for all people, all animals and all life.” “Water is the most basic level of human necessity. A water bill is almost inhumane because you’re putting a price on something that all life needs to survive.” Anthony, calling in the system of capitalism taxing all humans who utilize water. Furthermore, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, marked Philadelphia’s 29th-straight day without any measurable rainfall (sprinkles don’t count), NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Bill Henley said. That streak of 29 rainless days tied the record — set way back in 1874 (Stamm, 2024). The impact of rainless days has a trickle down effect on vegetation and water access in the long run for people who do not have access to genetically modified water source. A resource that persists as an anomaly globally.
Anthony goes on to state that “It’s very important to take care of your body and mind because it can affect you in the long run and those around you.” Leaning in further to how the weather and resource conditions within the city of Philadelphia does not only affect climate but those who exist within the sphere of existence. Anthony, reiterates that ”It’s important that you’re capable of being around people and understanding empathy and sympathy. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you may not show the level of empathy for others that you should.” It is clear here that the YUC youth take hydration and water access serious. The adage that suggests “You must drink water and mind your business” goes beyond a saying people say to be cool or to look hip. It is a real life necessity to have access to water. Some do not know that drinking water alone is considered a privilege.
We spoke with our Youth Leaders, Kaylee and Anthony, about the significance of water and mental health in their lives. These conversations made it clear that we cannot pour from an empty cup. The Youth Leaders emphasized how we each must take care of our mental health and wellness for the betterment of our community overall. They also noted how we need to embody a spirit of fluidity to adapt to new environments, particularly for our seniors preparing for their next stage in life. As they leap into these unfamiliar waters, they will need to keep an eye on their North Star.
Kaylee shared the following on preparing to attend the University of Pittsburgh: “There’s a different type of cultural shift compared to Philadelphia. So I just have to maintain who I am, and my morals, and my black excellence that I was raised in, and bring it over there and still manage to understand different cultural shifts, but remain strong in who I am in my own authentic sense. For example, I know there are a lot of white people and they have their events and I’m able to participate in their events, but I don’t have to participate in everything they do.”
Focusing on the topic of mental health and wellness within the Black community, Kaylee noted the prevalence of generational trauma and how we are doomed to repeat harmful cycles unless we take accountability and work to do better.
“Mental health as a black person is very important; there’s a bunch of generational trauma from my ancestors that’s just carried down into our bloodline that we had to heal from, like, each black household. One thing I’ve been talking about a lot is how black mothers don’t apologize. They’ll do certain things as an apology instead of just taking accountability and saying it; they don’t do that. Generations grow into thinking, I don’t have to apologize, just give me something, that’s unacceptable. That’s a big thing because it lets generations know what’s acceptable or not, and how to express themselves, because we feel big emotions but don’t know how to express them, or knowing how to put them into certain things without the right direction, is kinda like what are we gonna do?”
Life’s waters can be tumultuous, but our Youth Leaders are here with a life raft. A reminder, to be fluid like water, remember the importance of care, and being true to ourselves. It is through nurturing these qualities that we can blossom in any environment.
