The Black Challenge-Get in Where You fit in!

Dr. Glover, THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! I will continue to work with the youth in my community. Either it be basketball and workshops (consisting of lifeskills or educational assistance). I will try to increase the number of participants in my community base program from 10 to 20 student-athletes this coming year, and 10 each year from then on. I will continue to provide encouraging words to the children in my charge (school & community) and provide any finanicial assistance to families who might have had an unfortunate house fire. I'll start there.

With all due respect, brother, how is cleaning out "somebody's" garage going to help change the current state of Black America? While I appreciate your noble intentions, we need real solutions.

Blacks in America have been led far too often by lost leaders. The only way we can make it is through dedicated self-improvement. It's going to take the "talented 10th" to educate and inspire the other 90% who either don't get it or just don't give a damn how they are perceived by others around the globe.

As an employer, I often times don't even hire my peeps b/c they haven't taken time to even learn to communicate "during the interview" on a first or second grade level. I'm not lying. If you listen to MOST Blacks, they will marry a singular verb to a plural subject and vice-versa. I cringe when I hear it b/c they represent moi! Now, don't you think others notice it, too and don't hire on the same basis?

I implore you to implore others to PROOFREAD what they send anywhere. (Like resumes and e-mails!) THINK about how they sound. (Pronunciation means a lot.)THINK about how they look. (Image is everything.) Before we can begin to complain about our sorry state of affairs in this country, we must first look in the mirror and make every effort to better ourselves. Then ensure that our offsprings stand a better chance in the future. I know mine is waaaayyyy ahead of the game and WILL compete -- if not dominate.

Case Story: After hiring a college-graduate to work in sales a few back, I noticed that she didn't master the English language. So, I didn't quite know how to tell my sista what she needed to know, so I bought a 5th Grade English book and left it for her to discover. You would've thought she would've been pissed crazy mad, but she smiled, knew that I wanted to help her better herself, and LEARNED to MASTER the goddamned langauge! She now even corrects others' grammar usage and does my public speaking -- and she will tell youthat it all improved w/her working w/me.

Forget cooking "somebody's" lunch (messing w/you on your spelling, bro :) ); these activities are fine if you live in a commune. We don't. We live in a dog-eat-dog-world -- a capitalists society -- and if we don't start equipping our loved ones properly -- with self-dignity, self-respect and encourage them to commit to constant self-improvement -- nothing will improve. In fact, our coutnerparts are widening the gap. Yet, what they tell you is "figure out yor own mess". More inspired communication on all levels is key.

Thanks for the edits...I type way faster than I think...

Some folks define clinical insanity as: to do the same things over and over but expect different results. While I can appreciate a good proofreader or editor that is just one of our many issues. If you are a master of the langauge...then that's where you fit in. Do you!

Help is Help is Help. Cutting grass, cleaning a garage, openning mail, walking a dog...all these things show that WE CARE about the current state of us.


I am asking you to do something that doesn't effect your personal bottom line. If you can't do that...no bother...just move out of the way so somebodie:) else can help.

"I respect a man who knows how to spell a word more than one way"...Mark Twain.

P.S. Einstein was a horrible speller

Mozell,

In my humble opinion, action is needed at the grass roots. Organize at your level. Plant the seeds in your community: big or small. Sure we could write some grand future plans or elaborate long-term strategies...but our folks need us today. Do whatever you can now to make a difference...but rest assured that folks are formulating larger plans.

Thank for you whatever you can do ....or whatever you can encourage others to do:)

I love your heart in this blog. It is similiar to mine. I do believe that it takes action to implement corrections. Within ourselves as well as within the communities/networks we are associated with. There is a pool of our people that are doing well for themselves and have the power to show those that may be less fortunate something other than the chaos that may surround them. I am a firm believer in community. I believe that our culture has lost the true essence of community that we once had. People have become consumed with self-gratification and self-edification. I could go on and on about this topic because it is something that I am very passionate about. However, I will stop here and just say thanks for the blog. Rest assured that you are not the only one who tries their best to reach out to re-build and strengthen our communities. Even if it is inspiring one at a time.

Gotta agreee with the doc. help is help, and if you help Mr &Mrs.with cleaning their garage, you might get to know them, and show them that someone, anyone really cares about them, and not their material possessions. And if you're so upset that so many can't or WON'T speak proper AMERICAN (cause Engilsh is spoken in England) TEACH A CLASS! Don't tolerate slang and "gethoisms" from the people around you! I don't know where we got the idea that being Black meant fracturing the language! And most importantly, ir we work together to help each other in a positive light, what a gerat example we set for our youth, who see such cohesieveness only after they get "juped" into a gaing! Siow the love in helpign and volunteering and they won't seek it in a gang, or s*x out of wedlock, or drugs... hello?