I struggle everyday to be the example of the achiever and the role model that I want my son to model his life afterwards. The thoughts, ideas and suggestions of being “less than” that I and others are bombarded with each day can wear you down if you allow it. I remind myself that I have to walk be faith and not by sight, remain encouraged and optimistic throughout the lowest valley of your life experiences. I remind myself that it’s not about me, but who will come after me. I have to be the leader that I want to follow.
I hug and kiss my son before I leave each day and when I return for multiple reasons. Because it’s not about me, but about who comes after me. It doesn’t matter how frustrated I am with my job, who or how much I owe, who may disagree with me or what I don’t know how to do. What matters is the example that I offer to those around me. By reminding myself to stay encourage and to be optimistic in spite of the circumstances.
This is more for me, but if you can get something out of this then I guess I have done my job for today.
Feel free to email me your thoughts or comments.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
AM I BLACK ENOUGH?
When I first heard this question a few weeks ago my mind raced back to a Rap song that was released in 1989 titled, “Am I Black Enough For Ya” by Schoolly D. When I realized that the question was directed towards Senator Barack Obama it actually made me mad.
What other qualifications does Barack need to run for President?” Isn’t Liberty and Freedom the concept America prides itself on. We have the most diverse selection of presidential candidates to choose from ever. We actually have a Black, a Woman, a Hispanic, a Mormon and White Man running for president in 2008. So why is there a need to single out the Black guy? If we ask this question, maybe we should ask the same question to all candidates. Is ______ Brown enough? Or Is _________ White enough? Or Is ______ Religious enough? You wouldn’t do that, because the first thing people would say is, “it’s not about color”, although the question was raised about Obama.
I can’t believe that people are actually raising the question, “If Senator Barack Obama is Black enough?” If you think about it, this question is absolutely ignorant. I wondered if people understand the history behind this question. I recommend you begin by reading the history of the “One Drop Rule”.
Although I understand the question, I can’t understand why it should be asked. A person actions and tendencies will answer this question. If you’re Black in America and you look back as far as you can at your ancestry I’m sure that you will find some White in there. You’ll probably find some Cherokee or Navajo in there too. So are you Black enough for what you do or want to do? That’s like asking Senator John Edwards if he’s White enough. If you take time and look at his background you’ll find some similarities to Blacks or your ethnic background. So is he Black enough? Judge Clearance Thomas is Black, but has consistently had to answer this question. The real question is, “Do you agree or will you support my interests?”
During a political campaign the candidates put their best face on, rather that be a White face, Black Face, Brown Face, Religious Face, Business Face or Tough Face on. Look at the person for who they are and not what they do for a living.
SOURCE OF REFERENCES:
• You can learn about the “One Drop Rule” or “One Drop Theory” by following this link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-drop_rule
• TIME Magazine article by Professor Orlando Patterson “The New Black Nativist” can be found at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1587276,00.html
• Senator Barack Obama http://www.barackobama.com/
• Senator John Edwards http://johnedwards.com/
• Professor Orlando Patterson http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/soc/faculty/patterson/
• MC Schoolly D http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,159619,00.html
What other qualifications does Barack need to run for President?” Isn’t Liberty and Freedom the concept America prides itself on. We have the most diverse selection of presidential candidates to choose from ever. We actually have a Black, a Woman, a Hispanic, a Mormon and White Man running for president in 2008. So why is there a need to single out the Black guy? If we ask this question, maybe we should ask the same question to all candidates. Is ______ Brown enough? Or Is _________ White enough? Or Is ______ Religious enough? You wouldn’t do that, because the first thing people would say is, “it’s not about color”, although the question was raised about Obama.
I can’t believe that people are actually raising the question, “If Senator Barack Obama is Black enough?” If you think about it, this question is absolutely ignorant. I wondered if people understand the history behind this question. I recommend you begin by reading the history of the “One Drop Rule”.
Although I understand the question, I can’t understand why it should be asked. A person actions and tendencies will answer this question. If you’re Black in America and you look back as far as you can at your ancestry I’m sure that you will find some White in there. You’ll probably find some Cherokee or Navajo in there too. So are you Black enough for what you do or want to do? That’s like asking Senator John Edwards if he’s White enough. If you take time and look at his background you’ll find some similarities to Blacks or your ethnic background. So is he Black enough? Judge Clearance Thomas is Black, but has consistently had to answer this question. The real question is, “Do you agree or will you support my interests?”
During a political campaign the candidates put their best face on, rather that be a White face, Black Face, Brown Face, Religious Face, Business Face or Tough Face on. Look at the person for who they are and not what they do for a living.
SOURCE OF REFERENCES:
• You can learn about the “One Drop Rule” or “One Drop Theory” by following this link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-drop_rule
• TIME Magazine article by Professor Orlando Patterson “The New Black Nativist” can be found at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1587276,00.html
• Senator Barack Obama http://www.barackobama.com/
• Senator John Edwards http://johnedwards.com/
• Professor Orlando Patterson http://www.wjh.harvard.edu/soc/faculty/patterson/
• MC Schoolly D http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,159619,00.html
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