How much is too much for you future?

So I still in Hampton, VA for reasons passing understanding and I’m walking over the bridge into “downtown”, heading towards the post office to finally send of this CLEO thing that has been sitting on my disk since before April, and of course I was thinking….

I am in a struggle to scope up the money to fully pay for everything I need to do in what will be my last year of undergrad. I took a look at my account and it reads that I have 65,000 paid to Hampton University with a balance of zero…65 thousand…

I said to myself, with everything that I know now (hinds sight always being 20/20) there is no way that I could have seen myself going to a more expensive school. No way could I see it being worth it from where I sit now. What could possibly be worth that much more? How much better is the education that it could have been worth double the amazing amount of money I have already given. I don’t feel as if I have 65,000 worth of anything, whether it be experience, knowledge, fun, or network. So what if I was at this point and I was at NYU 120,000 in, or Rutgers 90,000 in, or University of Pennsylvania 145, 000 in. How would I feel?

Right now at this moment I cannot imagine what those schools would have given me that would have been worth that much more. What would have been worth committing that much more money if I could have? IDK

Now, some of you all went to my High School and we have been majoring in things since 11^th grade. Some of you don’t go to HBCU’s and pay “real school” money for what I consider same school education. Some of you are on full ride, whether that be an academic or an athletic scholarship. Some of you have just graduated, and are entering the real world. The New World Order and your perspective on this is somewhat different.

My question is this: What do you know now 1,2,3,4 years in (or done with) your Higher Education experience  that a High School Senior doesn’t? I’m not asking what your best advice is, I’ve heard that before. I’m asking is there anything that you can point out that is concrete that you can say is worth the 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, you (or someone or thing on your behalf) has given to your institution of higher learning? Thinking back to your senior year of High School if you can…..What do you know now that you didn’t know then that was worth the time and money you have invested? Dollar for Dollar, hour for hour.  Can you identify that 45,000 piece of knowledge?

Now some of you have/had majors that you couldn’t really get into until you got to college. Business majors never really studied business on this scale in most places. Public Relations majors never had the practical tools that a college atmosphere gives you. But I swear as far as I know I was learning the same things in AP Government as a Junior in High School that I studied in Public Policy as Junior in College. High School was free, that class cost me $250 per credit hour. I got a 5 on my AP, a B+ in that class.

65,000 dollars later I know I’m somewhere. I know I’m closer to my goal..that is Law School. But besides that I know I’m somewhere..I just can’t tell you where. After 65,000 dollars I can’t put my finger on what that has brought or what seeds have been planted…..

What do you know now that you didn’t know then that was worth the time and money you have invested?

Just something to think about……

Black Women & The “Independence” Complex…..

By Bernard Bond

Before I begin to write about this pressing issue, I want to let it be known I am NOT a male chauvinist by any means, I love women and respect women especially black women more than you could imagine, but I see a pressing issue within the new subculture of black women which is in effect HURTING not helping the black community as a whole.

Myself, as well as a friend of mine had a very in depth conversation yesterday about what is holding the black community back from developing economically. Some may say the inherent problem of racism, preditory lending, foreclosure, etc, etc, etc. Yes, this may be true to an extent, but what many African Amercans do not realize is that African Americans make up only 13% of the total population in the United States, yet spend 1 trillion dollars a year, the most of any race collectively. To me, that seems very odd, how is it we can spend 1 trillion dollars a year, yet be the most undeveloped race in America? They say money buys you power, well clearly together we have the buying power to change our status, so where is the problem? Now, there are amongst many other reasons as to why we have not developed and will possibly never develop anytime soon. I mean look at what African Americans thrive at Pop culture and sports..where are the thriving black businesses? We do not have BET anymore lol The Black Banks? There is no black bank in america that has more than 1 million dollars. But this in not what I want to discuss here, I went on a tangent excuse me lol

The independence complex

This is an idea that is diametrically opposed when comparing between male and female. A mans idea of independence is that of financial security with the realization and understanding that being self sufficient is wonderful yet there still needs to be a backbone or rope we must hang on to in case all that we worked for is gone in a second, we set up security nets for ourselves and still rely on others for support or help. Females on the other hand believe independence is doing everything on your own and basically burn your bridges that you they have made to get where they are. Independent successful black females believe in career first, family second. Thats good and all, but when your 50 and financially stable and decide to have children what are the chances that you’ll be able to have any? When your 50 and financially stable what do you have to show for yourself besides your successful careers?

This is where the problem lies in the black community. Look at the wealthiest black women in the United States. Oprah is a billionaire with NO children, Mariah Carey is a millionaire with no kids, Condelezza Rice former secretary of state with no kids, Janet Jackson is a millionaire with no kids, and various others (there are plenty more as well but no need to write this list to get my point across) But when you compare to the wealthiest white “Independent” women in the United States you see things like J.K. Rowling author of the Harry Potter Series millionaire with 3 kids, Madonna famouse artist with 3 kids, The Walton sisters between them 5 kids (richest women in the world), Abigail Johnson head of Fidelity Investments had 2 kids, Barbara Cox Anthony daughter of Cox Cable founder has 2 children. So when you compare across the board white women can be successful, and independent without sacrificing the family aspect of their lives. Whereas with the black women sense of the “Independence complex” believe career first family later which in effect hurts our community.

How does it hurt our community, look at it this way if Oprah had 1 child he or she would inherit her fortune right, if he or she inherits her fortune he or she could for one keep the money in the black community, use the money as groundwork for their success to continue the cycle of wealth and financial security within that family, then could have children who inherit Oprahs money as well as the new money Oprahs child could potentially make. Her family would be set for life, and the money stays in OUR community. But as of now Oprah has no next of kin so if she were to die tomorrow (god forbid) where would her money go? Same with the rest of the successful independent black womean listed above, WHERE WOULD IT GO? Its funny to see how african americans mainly african american females get upset when they see Sandra Bullock adopting a black baby or Angelina Jolie adopting a black baby yet these are the same females with no kids and do not wish to have children until they have their “Independence”. Yet, the females who are having these children are the black females who arent financially stable at all. We are perpetuating a cycle of regress rather than progress. Teen pregnancy kills the African American community. These teens have no foundation for development or anything to pass on to their children so these kids start of with nothing, but the women who do have the stability are reluctant to have children because of “FEAR”

The African American community has always been at a disadvantage to develop because we have never had anything to pass on to our children. i.e. PROPERTY! We wonder why other races make so much more than us and have so much more than us. Maybe its because they build wealth and pass it through generations. We as african americans build wealth and keep to ourselves or give to charity lol

Now Im not saying that black men do not have an independence complex as well, there are many issues within the black community that hold us back collectively, but this new movement of “Independent Black Woman” will do more harm than good in the long run. Because if the successful black women do not reproduce success, then where does that leave the rest of african american community who are unsuccessful and reproducing? Yes, everyone has the opportunity to be successful given whatever background or circumstance you come from in America, but there will be more considerable barriers and road blocks for those of unsuccessful black women compared to successful black women. For example, children born to teen mothers are 80% likely to be a teen parent as well. So when a black women has children at 16, that child is already at a disadvantage immediately given the mothers status as well as the fact they are already expected to get pregnant before they can even walk or talk.

Black women I am not saying you need a man or anything like that, but what I am saying is have some damn KIDS!! lol we need to perpetuate a cycle of success rather than regress. Please become successful black women but also realize that if you are a billionaire with no children you just add to the variables which hinder our community as a whole. So again HAVE SOME DAMN KIDS!! lol

Project 2019

Racism In The 21st Century

Racism is no longer “the” problem. If black Americans are to ever reach total equality in America, we must realize that fighting racism can no longer be our number one priority.

150 years ago, boundless racism resulted in tens of thousands of innocent black Americans being lawfully “whipped” or “beaten” by slave owners each and every day of the year. In the year 2000, in spite of allegedly committing several felonies prior to being “punched and kicked” by police officers, Thomas Jones may well end up a millionaire as a result of his NAACP sponsored lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia.

100 years ago, black Americans were often dragged to death behind the thundering hooves of horses ridden by sheet-covered Klansmen who were considered heroes in their white communities. In the year 2000, the men who dragged John Byrd to death behind the wheels of a pickup truck in Texas were quickly punished to the full extent of the law.

50 years ago, dozens of black Americans were being shot, lynched, or mutilated by men who were not afraid to openly brag about their gruesome crimes to their friends and families. In the year 2000, the “possible” lynching of Raynard Johnson has launched investigations by the state of Mississippi and the federal government. There is little doubt that if the FBI finds evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Racism has always existed in America and, as long as there is ignorance and hatred, racism will continue to exist in America. While it is undeniable that past racism is the source of all the problems that afflict black America today, black Americans must look toward the future.

The amount and the nature of racism that exist in the year 2000 cannot prevent black America from reaching socioeconomic equality with the rest of America. On the other hand, even if all racism were completely eliminated from the hearts and minds of every American today, 95% of all black Americans would be no better off tomorrow than they were yesterday.

In the year 2000, it is not racism that is holding black Americans back. In the year 2000, black America’s most debilitating problem is the lack of education and knowledge. Based on percentages of population, white Americans earn twice as many college degrees as black Americans. 83% of white Americans graduate from high school versus only 74% of black Americans.

Black Americans are dead last (behind whites, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics) in reading proficiency, math proficiency, and science proficiency. In the technologically based global economy of the 21st century there is no need to discriminate against black Americans based on the color of our skin.

“De facto educational discrimination” will work just as well -and it is legal. It is unfortunate that this message gets pushed further and further into the background every time a racist act results in death or injury to a black American.

Black America will never attain socioeconomic equality with white America until black Americans reach educational equivalency with white Americans. Based on this truism, “Project 2019″ challenges black America to accomplish this task by the year 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of Slavery in America. Reaching educational parity is a necessary task, it is attainable, and it is one of the most positive goals ever established for black America.

Because racism has been “the” problem for more than 90% of our time in America, it is easy enough to understand why most black Americans believe that eliminating every vestige of racism is the only way that blacks will ever succeed in America. This is also the reason why most black leaders are more willing to discuss past, current, and future racism in America than they are willing to discuss concepts and challenges like Project 2019.

However, as we continue our journey into the 21st century, black Americans must be made to understand that knowledge is power.

Black Americans must also understand that as long as our legacy of being the least educated and least knowledgeable people in America continues, black Americans will continue to be the people with the least amount of power and, therefore, the least amount of success in America.

Bamboo vs. Oak Seed

Bamboo vs. Oak

Up at 4am and I have a lot on mind…there is always a lot on my mind but this particular night it is causing a particularly bad case of insomnia during what is suppose to be my vacation……

Dealing with “Summer Disappointment” that comes with having nothing but time to reflect after being busy 24/7 for the last 7 months and having no time at all. The urge to Monday morning QB hard to fight off, and the uncertainty of the future attacks like a sweet dream that quickly turns into a nightmare right before you wake up…

I can’t help but think of this metaphor that came up when I was having a conversation in Honors College Office earlier this week..ironic that since High School I have had more friends that are teachers, faculty, and staff than students…ironic cause I’m the one known as the Radical that is always down for the fight..against the system…

The question was would I rather have all I wanted and achieve all I dream at 20 or 45? In reaction to my frustrations about not seeing the “seeds” of my hard labor currently….

They tell me that the Bamboo is the fastest-growing woody plant on Earth. Measured surging skyward as fast as 121 cm (48 in) in a 24-hour period.

When you plant the Chinese bamboo seed, you can expect to wait about FIVE years before seeing ANY resemblance of a plant breaking through the ground. During this five years, the seed grows an extensive NETWORK of roots underground. The strongest network of its kind. All this growth is out of sight.

During that five year time span, it is crucial to water and fertilize the seed on a regular basis, despite the frustration of NOT seeing anything happen. Then all of a sudden, after about five years, the seed gets it and breaks through the ground to grow 90 feet tall in a matter of only six weeks. Taller in SIX WEEKS than other Trees grow in FIVE YEARS.

In contrast the Oak Tree grows right after the seed is planted. It is mighty and beautiful. You don’t have to wait for the Oak Tree to rewarded the work you put in to plant it, and it doesn’t take that much work. Months as opposed to years, immediate strength as opposed to measured patience. The Oak tree also stands on its on. It does not have the extensive NETWORK of roots that the Bamboo grows.

The difference: TWO seeds planted at the SAME time; five years later the Oak Tree will not grow and will never have the potential to grow nearly as high as the Bamboo Tree. Also, 7/10 times, while the Bamboo tree is exploding to its massive full potential, the Oak Tree planted at the same time is no longer there. The Oak Tree provided its planter satisfaction but doomed him/her to plant again in the near future, while the Bamboo tree, initially frustrating, provided is planter security and sustainability.

SO….WHICH ONE WOULD YOU RATHER BE THE BAMBOO OR THE OAK TREE????????????????