How to "Make It" in America

nationalcenter.org ^ | January 2004 | Geoffrey Moore

[stainlessbanner]

Black America has a growing problem that needs to be addressed. It is, in my opinion, the most persistent problem facing us as a race in this country. Despite what "our" media-appointed black leaders tell us, this problem is not racism, reparations, affirmative action, President Bush or the Confederate Battle Flag. It's attitude.

Overall, we have terrible attitudes. If we want our situation to change, our attitudes will have to lead the way. Many of our so-called leaders would like us to believe that we as individuals have absolutely no control over our lives. They want us to think that the only way blacks will escape from our predicament is to continue to support them and let them maintain their bases of power. It's in their financial interest that we continue to view ourselves as powerless victims.

I want to tell those willing to listen that the described situation need not be the only outcome. We all have the power and ability to take control of our lives and indeed make it.

I have thought hard about these things, and share the steps that will all-but-guarantee one can make it:

Go to school. Getting an education is essential to any success one can achieve. Working hard in school, however, is something that has been demonized in many of our neighborhoods. Beginning in elementary school, pay attention and acquire the most basic skills necessary to succeed. What amazes me is that - less than 150 years ago - our ancestors faced death if they tried to learn to read. Today, with education open and encouraged, some of our children act like they would rather face death than learn to read.

Get a job. It seems some lower-level jobs are beneath many of us. I've heard it said that people don't want to work for minimum wage. What many don't realize is that a minimum wage job is not supposed to be permanent. Once one acquires skills and experience, they will naturally work themselves above a minimum wage level job. Very few people become millionaires overnight.

Plan your family. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention data, nearly 70 percent of black children are born out of wedlock! Children from single-parent homes are more likely to live in poverty, drop out of school and spend time in prison. That's no way to give your children a head start. Kids raised in two-parent households generally do much better. While it's no fault of the children, more often than not, they bear the brunt of bad situations. Furthermore, having children at an early age can put a hurdle in front of your own goals. Women who have children in high school are more likely to drop out and have less earning potential.

Be fiscally responsible. Whether it is a home, 401(K) retirement plan, stocks, mutual funds or just a basic savings account, one should learn to save, sacrifice and invest. It saddens me every time I see poor parents struggling to buy their kids the latest pair of $90 shoes or $50 shirts. We need to break the mentality of keeping up with the Joneses. We don't need the newest car, the flashiest jewelry and weekly hair and nail treatments. This leads many down the road to overextending their finances, and it can create credit issues. Just because one has the money right now doesn't mean it has to spent right now.

Follow these steps and you will see that it is not that difficult to succeed. I'm not saying it's easy, but a little discipline, a positive attitude and hard work will take you far.

We need to take control of our lives and stop relying on people who are for more of the same programs that have done tremendous detriment to the black community. We need to stop being victims. This formula transcends racial, gender and religious lines.

[stainlessbanner]

Suggestion: Add "Learn a trade" to the list

[stainlessbanner]

fyi

[cyborg]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1072912/posts
I had a thread devoted to this very issue of attitude and misplaced priorities based on a run in with a very angry man. Attitude is everything! I had a wonderful customer (God rest his soul I think he may have passed on) a 90 yr old man from North Carolina, a black man. The attitude towards life was like night and day.

[cyborg]

Learning a trade that will enable one to be a 'self made man' is essential. I know I cry when the car has to go to maechanic shop. An honest, fair minded auto mechanic will have a very secure future. That's why I'm running to study nursing before my boss decides competing against GNC and Vitamin Shop isn't worth it.

[jwh_Denver]

Attitude is everything!

One of the prevailing attitudes I've seen with lower class blacks it the take take take attitude. Always looking to receive while giving as little as possible. That has got to be one miserable way of living. What goes around comes around is a law of life.

[Unassuaged]

Sounds like good advice for all people.

[stainlessbanner]

The "take, take, take" attitude is becoming pervasive in America: prescription drugs for the elderly, jobs for the illegals, social programs and meals for kids before and after school.....it's coming from all races, all ages - funded by taxes.

[cyborg]

That's good old fashion government welfare conditioning at work.

[sneakers]

My niece's boyfriend needs to read this. He has a bad attitude, whines about 'not being treated right', can't hold down a job, has gotten my niece pregnant, can't pay the bills but can afford to buy cigarettes, is a know-it-all loudmouth and is on the sure path to being another parasite on the system - and he's only 22! And no, he's not black - he's white. I just want to smack that boy upside the head!!

Rant over!

[TASMANIANRED]

Accepting status as victim is a guarantee of failure.

Responsibility is empowering. When you start accepting responsibility for the majority of things that happen to you in your life, you come to the realization that you have power over them.

[stainlessbanner]

A phone call from Dr. Phil might help....http://www.ebaumsworld.com/drphil1.html

[The Mayor]

bump!

[sneakers]

Exactly!

[PFKEY]

It's attitude. Overall, we have terrible attitudes.

willing to listen

Go to school.
Get a job.
Plan your family.
Be fiscally responsible.

a little discipline, a positive attitude and hard work will take you far.

Great advice for everybody!

[cyborg]

that's a good website LOL

[Frank_2001]

Good article.

[alisasny]

HIP HOP idolization has got to go. After Janets stunt I wondered why no outrage over hiphop videos? She made them look tame. PIMPS and WHORES in every video, money all over the place. No complaints.

[jwh_Denver]

That's good old fashion government welfare conditioning at work.

"And the home of the free.........and to enslave all we can"

[cyborg]

Motto of the democrats 'keep them stupid, we need our voting base'

[jwh_Denver]

'keep them stupid

The only thing I would add to that is to keep them thinking they are victims. But when I think about it, keep them stupid goes along with feeling not thinking they are victims. Good job Maestro!