We often talk about what’s wrong.
Let’s try talking about what’s good. © 2017
Booker T. Washington once said, “We must not allow our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.” He was definitely “spot-on.” We, as a group, often complain about what we don’t have, but we rarely talk about what we do have. Let’s “flip the script sometime.
The Vote:
We fought for and won the right to vote, which can bring about enormous changes. But community organizers constantly have to remind us to register to vote. Then, they have to beg us to actually get out and vote. When we don’t vote, we cannot make changes, and we cannot complain about the outcome.
Economic Potential
We have a combined annual income that exceeds $1 trillion dollars. That’s a really, really good thing. Yet, we have not organized to make improvements in our lives and in our communities. One trillion dollars is not “chump change.” With that kind of money and organization, we could:
• Fund our own high-quality schools.
• Fund entrepreneurial incubator programs.
• Create parental centers.
• Create math and literacy programs.
• Buy hotels.
• Buy housing properties.
• Start businesses.
• Fund the right political candidates.
Instead of thinking economics and pooling our money, we spend a good portion of that money on things that are not even necessities:
• Fast food
• Lottery tickets
• Alcohol
• Cable
• Drugs
• Weaves
• $400 sneakers
Rev. Jim Holley once uttered a lasting truth. He said, “We buy everything we want, and we beg for what we need.”
We’ve been waiting for others and the government to step in and rescue us. But we have the means to “rescue ourselves.” However, we can’t do that if we continue to permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.
Our brothers and sisters from Africa often come to this country, and they see a glass that’s half-full rather than half-empty. They see what’s good rather than what’s bad. They will often make education a passion, and they excel.
We used to be that way until “poverty pimps” led us down the wrong road.