The Jack and Jill Club

The Jack and Jill Club of America, Inc. is an organization for African- American children to experience social and educational activities. Mostly, the organization wants to remind them of the African culture. It was founded in 1938, a time when black people weren't allowed in places like restaurants and libraries. This organization isn't for everyone, only the children of middle and upper class families can be a member. You can forget about getting your children in because...you have to be invited first.

I was surprised when, in April of this year to read in our local paper, The Post Standard, that there was a local chapter in Syracuse, New York. I was raised middle class in a working class family. My parents took my sister and I to parks, the museum, the public library, the (then named) Burnet Park Zoo, and many other places growing up. Our home was always filled with books, the best music albums(I am talking Disney, educational, religious, musicals, classical, etc.)and a variety of musical instruments-which we played, or were learning to play. The instruments were never just there to be looked at. We had an encyclopedia set, even though it was old, from a second-hand store. The very first computer I had was a TRS-80. We couldn't afford the best or newest, but my parents did the best for us with the little they had.

The article talked about children who live in North Syracuse, Manlius, Camillus, ect. that do not live around black people, that are a part of the Jack and Jill Club, so they can be exposed to other black people. So, the smart thing they did was to move the Jack and Jill club to Syracuse, New York(what?!) in an area where it is predominantly black, and where many inner-city children are. Back then, maybe the are was alright to live in, but now, there is more violence in the Syracuse South Side areas. I see two major problems with the Jack and Jill Club.