The bushas cooked, cleaned and took care of the children, as the parents both worked to achieve the American dream of buying a home and sending their kids to college.
The most important aspect of the bushas, was that they were the busy bodies of the neighborhood. They knew who belonged and who was a stranger. The kids were safe as they played in the streets. There were no worries that a stranger would grab and molest one of the kids. Criminals and gangs shy ed away, knowing these bushas and their sticks and canes would dispense there justice.
You wouldn't dare tell your parents that you were a recipient of a crack or two if you were caught misbehaving. The parents knew that you deserved it.
They believed in being strict, but tempered it with kindness as they baked those special cookies and breads and always seemed to have it at the right time to bring a bit of sun shine into your life when you were down.
They seemed to be everywhere as they walked to church and local stores.
Then as the suburbs sprung up, it was easier to ship grandma off to a nursing home or one of those senior homes.
Day care centers sprung up, it was a lot easier to have kids in a structured environment, then enjoying themselves playing outside with their friends.
So have we really gained anything, by letting these bushas disappear?
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4 comments:
Ask Jane -- the 2 most institutionalized populations in our country are young black men and old white women.
Poor Busha!
Easier to put Busha away then let her live out her life usefully.
Hey, don't forget...I AM a Busha! I love carrying a stick...I want to be around to crack people with it. Pete, figure out a way, please. Jane
I know you are, and just as soon as I get the judge to sign those papers, you will have a nice big home, trust me.
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