Genesis 12:1 "...Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee..."The military has boot camps in which the new recruits are taken away from their families and friends and taught the ways of their particular institution to ensure the best results.
From Noah, to Shem (the father of all Semitic peoples), to Abram (Abraham), to Moses to Jacob, to Daniel, to Christ - the Bible is filled with stories of people who left the familiar confines and expectations of their kindred in order to pursue their own greatness (at the ultimate benefit of those who were left behind).
If ; Cullen Jones had played football, Venus and Serena had played basketball, Oprah had been a maid, Tiger Woods had chosen baseball and Barack Obama would have stayed in the 'hood and become a plumber - what difference would they have made?
True progress doesn't come from someone succeeding in what is generally accepted - but in excelling in ares that are unexpected. In professions that are outside of a prescribed existence.
Some of those mentioned above may have still had an impact and been successful in their chosen fields - but what difference would it have made?
Micheal Jordan's legacy won't be that he changed the way the game of basketball is played (that would belong to Wilt Chamberlin) but that he changed the way that the game of celebrity marketing is played. Before Mike, athletes were pitchmen. After Mike, athletes (and entertainers) seemed to have learned the importance of branding.
Rappers seem to have learned this best, many have become owners rather than employees.
Keeping It Real - But Doing It Wrong
Columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. writes - "Success is like a pyramid, broad at the bottom but narrow at the summit; the higher you go, the fewer people go with you".
Everyone knows the story of "Crabs in a Bucket".
Most Black people have been either the one pulled down by his own people
or one of the many pulling one who is climbing higher back down.
Maybe there is a real need to get away from the other crabs.
Maybe there is a need to seek a change of environment.
Maybe it's our familiar confines that end up holding many of us back.
Maybe our inability to accept that someone else might know more or be better than ourselves is what keeps many of us from making progress.
Maybe it's the common desire to retain one's ghetto pass.
Maybe it's our fear of being seen as "acting white".
IMO - The racist limitations put on Black people (by other Black people) does more harm than the racist limitations put on Blacks by racist whites.
The need for a lower class
I'm not saying that Blacks are the lower class predicated on race. But I am saying that our society has a need for a lower class.
But by what criteria?
Education (either formal or empirical) is a good measure of one's social class.
Would an uninformed, xenophobic moose hunter be a good pick for the Vice President of the United States? Nope (well at least not for the benefit of the majority of our country). Would it be fitting for an Ivy League educated Black man, who overcame the struggles of single-motherhood, poverty and time spent helping in the 'hood, to be a janitor?To anyone other than a racist, nope!
There is a real need for some sort of social as well as intellectual education.
Being informed doesn't make one smart - being able to use that knowledge in a profitable manner does.
Money is another good measure of one's social standing and success. But money without knowledge and experience and social skills often lead to failure.
How many former athletes failed to adopt the mentality of their new social and economic class but instead retained their 'hood values? Most failed to realize that success doesn't change who you are - the benefits and resources of success add to what you already are.
In a perfect world, those who worked the hardest and the smartest, those who helped others and remained humble would be rewarded and receive most of the benefits of our society.
Those who complained and made excuses, those who were lazy, selfish and contentious would have the least.
The world isn't perfect.
How do we expect to benefit when doing less than is required in a perfect situation?
Race is a false measure of one's class. But race is the one measure that most racist whites and frustrated Blacks buy into.
Not everyone is qualified to do all things. "Cousin Pookie" probably deserves his lot in life. "Shanaynay" can't handle a position of responsibility. Let them be responsible for their desires. We need janitors, fruit pickers, ditch diggers, garbage men and dishwashers (which was my first real job in the restaurant industry).
Our society couldn't function with a population of billionaires who sat abound waiting to be served. I'm not promoting a Metropolis type of society.
Our society needs every level of separation that exists.
Our problem isn't separation.
Our problem is the fair access to the next level.
But what next?
ESL - Contrary to popular belief, white people don't pop out of the womb speaking Standard American English. Learning SAE isn't "talking white". There is no such thing as "talking white". French, German and even Spanish are European languages. Does knowing these languages qualify as "talking white"?
Knowing how to properly conjugate a verb, understand syntax and tense should be standard. Expecting every Mexican in America to know English is the same as businesses expecting Blacks to know SAE.
It's not about you.
Contrary to most prosperity church teachings - Blessings are not the first lesson in the Bible.
If you believe that all you have to do is pray; Luke 12:31 "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God : and all these things shall be added unto you." There is a level of responsibility that first has to be met.
If we desire equal authority with the country's dominant culture - an equal responsibility and accountability is required.
Stop Flossin' I like nice things. I like to go to nice places. But I hate to show off.
When I'm around people who have the same or more than myself, I can relax. When I'm around those with less than myself, I'm more subdued.
Our current financial situation was caused by too many people trying to appear as though they had more than they actually possessed.
I'm in favor of segregation (by class).
Segregation reduces resentment.
Segregation creates stability.
But prolonged segregation limits progress and creates fear and insecurity.
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