African Americans: A Look in the Mirror, Part 2Written by Bret Searles
“For if any be a hearer of word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” James 1:23-24The black community has many success stories. Condoleeza Rice, PhD is National Security Advisor and Colin Powell is Secretary of State to current U.S. president. Thurgood Marshall was a judicial giant on U.S. Supreme Court fighting for greater liberty and against injustice. Bob Johnson, founder and former CEO of Black Entertainment Television and Oprah Winfrey, television talk show host, producer and CEO of Harpo Productions have been bright and shining examples of what African Americans are capable of achieving. Not everyone can do what these people did but we can look to their example of perseverance and triumph against long odds. Some of greatest role models overcame abject poverty, racism, child abuse and neglect. They had excess baggage they had to shed to get to their respective goals. The book, The 7 Simple Secrets to Building Wealth: An African American’s Guide to Wealth Building in 21st Century and Beyond, will give you some strategies you can use immediately to more elegantly overcome your personal challenges and confidently reach your goals. On other hand, statistics show that our success stories are far outnumbered by cold reality that our people are in a struggle for survival. We have a growing middle class of African Americans that are becoming increasingly separated from rest of black America based on education, income stability and family life. As some African Americans push ahead, many are falling further behind creating an inequity between two. Only 13.6% of African Americans reported an annual income over $50,000 according to recent census data. That compares to 27.5% of whites reporting annual income over $50,000. We have only half percentage of high income earners then whites do. We have twice high school drop out rate as whites. Also, 16.5% of African Americans get a college degree versus 28.1% of whites. 32.5% of African Americans are married compared to 56.8% of whites. Finally, 44% of African American families are headed by single moms compared to only 12.7% of white families that are headed by single moms. We have an amazingly uphill battle but we must look even more closely before we can get to our solutions. African Americans make up 13% of population while African American men make up 66% of prison population. Based on Justice Department crime statistics, racial differences exist, with African Americans disproportionately represented among homicide victims and offenders. African Americans have highest violent crime victimization rates then any other group. We are six times more likely then whites to be murdered. We are seven times more likely then whites to commit homicide. And majority of murders are intraracial. African Americans killed a whopping 94% of African American murder victims. Furthermore, Justice Department goes to report that based on current rates of first incarceration, an estimated 32% of African American males will enter state or federal prison during their lifetime; whites (5.9%). These are depressing figures. The family is place where these statistics will be turned around. Respect for life, discipline, hard work and respect for women are lessons and values that young Black boys learn best from their dads. They learn from our words, our example and through leadership we provide in home. If we fail in this, our greatest responsibility, we will fail an entire generation that fought to secure our freedoms so we could realize our full potential. We will put on chains of slavery of poverty, prison and lack of purpose without a whimper of resistance. The second preliminary step we need to make is taking personal responsibility for our lives and that of our families. The only way we can begin to shape future and change our destinies is to accept our present circumstances as a fluid and temporal reality that can be changed and is never permanent however, very real, so we must take action to affect our reality.
| | Got Envy?Written by Kenia Morales
Are you feeling jealous of success, beauty, intelligence etc. of a friend? Do you find yourself wishing you were as lucky as him/her? Is it possible that unconsciously you may wish them wrong, look for faults in person in order to feel better about yourself and worst yet, do you find time to give them unsolicited nasty feedback? If you can relate to any of feelings or actions that I mentioned above then I will just be honest: YOUR BEHAVIOR NEEDS TO STOP. Not for your friends sake but, for your own good. The green eye monster hurts most person that possesses it. I will explain why: While you are busy worrying about what next person is doing, they are busy pursuing their own life. They maybe chasing after their dreams, concentrated on a strict beauty regimen etc. So what is outcome of this situation? While they get results they want in life you are still standing there bitter. Wow, is that self destructive or what? Since, I am certain that this is not way you want to live I will Give you some tips that will help you zap green eye monster out of your life: *Take time to get to know your self better. Once you know your True emotions and desires less you would want anyone else's life, success etc. *Work continuously to improve yourself. Contrary to popular belief people are not born perfect or superior to others. But, successful individuals have ability to stay open minded and acquire or enhance their skills. Plus more you are focus on yourself less time you have to engage in “petty envy”.
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