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Teen To Adults: Give Respect If You Want To Get It

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

"Think of us as rocks, precious rocks that need polishing" Tariq Sharrieff says of his fellow youths. "We will come out as the diamonds you knew we were."

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By VALERIE KALFRIN

vkalfrin@tampatrib.com

Published: February 21, 2009

TAMPA - Fourteen-year-old Tariq Sharrieff doesn't understand teachers who try to be friends with their students.

Or worse, mothers who seem to be "in a competition with their daughters over who has the best Apple Bottom shorts."

Wearing a sharp blue suit and a tie, Tariq today told an audience of about 100 adults – including Mayor Pam Iorio, Police Chief Stephen Hogue, State Rep. Betty Reed and his parents – how to be good role models.

"You talk about respect. Last time I checked, you got to give respect in order to get it," he said to applause.

The teenager was the keynote speaker at a Black History Month celebration at Middleton High School organized by municipal, educational and law-enforcement groups known as the Florida Governmental Collaboration Organization.

"Believe it or not, I have some friends who tell their parents what they will do and what they won't do, and basically run the home," he said. "If you adults don't see this as your responsibility … then society as we know it will cease to exist."

The Jesuit High School ninth-grader won first place last year in an oratory contest from the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs. He also won a slot this year on the Mayor's Youth Corps, which develops leadership and participates in community service.

Tariq framed his remarks around the theme of today's celebration, "It takes a village to teach our youth: We are the village."

He said he wondered, "Who is the village, and what would make them want to help raise me?"

His parents and grandparents have told him how years ago, teachers and neighbors took it upon themselves to reprimand youngsters in trouble – or tell parents about misbehavior.

"Every single person had their eye on you," he said. "I'm not sure when the village changed. …. Somewhere along the way, things got a little twisted."

Tariq noted how President Barack Obama has spoken of the people in his life who saw his potential and pushed him to do his best.

Be that guiding light, even if the response you hear is poor, he said. Tutor someone in math or science, or volunteer as a mentor.

"Us kids, we really don't know what we want," he said. "Think of us as rocks, precious rocks that need polishing. We will come out as the diamonds you knew we were."

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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