It is interesting that equality still eludes us. What is more interesting is that it is due to the oppressed becoming the oppressed. It is perhaps ironic that African-American culture has become split into two,and that each side sees itself as the correct one. It has been said that a house divided against itself cannot stand; that applies moreso to a race than just a mere political establishment.
Many things divide the groups, and economic status is hardly the only one. There are also beliefs in the degree of racism facing African-Americans, whether or not education is good or if success is even desirable, and even the sort of music that is listened to.
Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
There will always be racism to some degree. This is deplorable, but nonetheless unavoidable in a society that depends on freedom to express themselves, and where opinion has value. Ignorance is something that will always be among no matter the effort to stamp it out, and nothing is louder than a fool who believes that loudness is better than being right.
However, there is a form of racism that is more pervasive and must be avoided at all costs. This is the belief that someone else is racist, and the need to look for proof of that racism. No one must be seen as racist without proof, and that looking for that proof is to be judged a racist yourself. You cannot look at another person without seeing yourself, and to look for his flaws is to see your own. The Bible warned about looking for ye shall find; if you look for racism you shall find it, whether or not it actually exists. You have already judged the person, and once judged a person cannot escape that judgment without tremendous effort from the person judged. Why should a person put tremendous effort into proving that he isn’t something when he isn’t that in the first place? It’s not just unfair, but it’s the same unfairness of which you should be trying to avoid.
Wisdom Gained is Invaluable
Education should not be the issue that it is. It should always be pursued, inside the classroom or outside. Knowing just one fact more than your another man gives you a large lever against him, and yet too many prefer ignorance. Worse, they assume that their own opinion is of greater worth than that of the acquired facts of others and, in fact, that those facts are worthless because they contradict their own experiences. An ignorant person should not be allowed to wallow in their own ignorance like a pig in mud. It’s just a matter of time until they are slaughtered.
Even worse are those that stop others from pursuing education. Education needs to always be reached for as it is always within one’s grasp. Too many potential students look for bumps to throw them off, and so handicap themselves further down the road. You should always reach for what you think may even exceed your grasp as you never know if the distance is real. Only an ignorant person shold let their reach limit them, as poles can be used to increase one’s reach.
Staying Inside Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Far too many African-Americans are fearful of success. This is especially deplorable as they then do their level best to prevent others from succeeding as well. A person should never surrender just because they feel that there is some sort of glass ceiling; it’s too easy to forget that glass can be easily shattered with application of the appropriate force. This is without argument one of the best excuses to use an attorney. If even a virtuous man tried in the court of public opinion will lose every time, imagine that force used against an employer with secrets.
The problem is that the fear of success becomes a hatred of success and the need to tear it down if it is not attained through a specific means. Worse, if the person wants any of the trappings of that success then he is subject to an intense campaign of harassment until he decides to relent and sin back down to the level of his attackers. You should always to strive to succeed no matter what others say. A house in a safe neighborhood, furniture that isn’t worn down and scratched, and the equipment to enjoy life should be a possibility for anyone to look forward to, not to dread. Yet too many inner city families dread success because it means that they will be humiliated if they come within a few steps of success. Just remember that if your friends are not willing to succeed than they are not truly your friends as your true friends will support you regardless of circumstances.
Harps Can Be As Bows
It is important to remember that you can control your environment, and that your environment can affect you. Just as the amount of fertilizer and its sort, temperature, light and water can determine how well a plant can grow, you can also determine what those factors are. It can be thus argued that what yo listen to can affect you even without your realizing it.. Bear this in mind when you choose something to listen during the day. If there are lyrics, pay especial attention to them so as you may discern if they are lyrics that you would feel proud if someone else were to overhear them. If the lyrics treat others with disrespect, prefer women to be harlots, and preach that any race is inferior to any other, then the music should probably not be listened to by any intelligent person. This is not to imply that you should listen to only music that is popular or government-licensed, but do try to listen only to music that does not degrade others.
Dream to Heaven and Not Hell
In conclusion, you should not force limits on your dreams that make them impossible. You should always dream and seek to make them possible, not limit them to the point that they will not come to fruition simply because of the limits that you have placed on them. Bear that in mind when you plan your future and you should succeed.
Post a Comment