As an eighteen year old recent high school graduate who will be entering Howard University in the fall, I am delighted, overjoyed, and simply relieved to see the posts of so many intelligent, thoughtful, knowledgeable(sp?) young Black men and women. I live in what used to be a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and I am so hurt and disappointed by my peers, fellow young Black people who resign themselves to meaningless and ignorant existances. I often wonder, "Is this all there is to my people?" I look at the way we act, the way we dress, the way we speak, the way we treat eachother, the way we spend our money, the way we spend our time, and generally, the way we spend our lives and I wonder just what our communities and our race is coming to. What kind of future do we have when the only "role models" that our children inspire are rappers, athletes, and half-**** women in videos? I wonder, why are we not teaching our children the value of education instead? I know thats this is a problem in the Black community nationwide, but it seems especially worrisome here in the South, where people usually see us as stupid, ignorant, country hicks anyway. Why are we perpetuating this stereotype, and many others. But hten I came to this site, and I read your posts, and I realized that there is hope for us yet, because there are so many of you right here that understand what matters in the grand scheme of things and what doesn't. A degree matters. A Chevy with a system in the back on 24's doesn't. So I just want to commend you all on being Black people who I can look up to, and who I can be inspired by. I hope one day that our entire race realizes what I realize, and what you all realize, that education really is the key to everything.
You are very right and a book could be written on your post. In fact many books have been written about what you just said, and you know black people don't read so we need to reach them in another way. I think it's really going to take a global catastrophe like the US economy collapsing or a war on US soil, or a terrible weather catastrophe (Day after tomorrow type) to wake people up not just blacks, but like you said it is so much more obvious in that community.
When you get to Howard you are gonna feel a little better I bet because you will then see first hand the aspirations of other intelligent blacks and that will encourage you. It did for me when I started Morehouse back in 02'. Wonderful School **** in the projects it's wild!
Yea you know what when I first entered this site I said the exact same thing. I am too impressed with MOSt of the things that are said in this think tank. I too am a entering freshman at Howard University, hope to continue this think tank at HU.
congratulations on getting into Howard!! I agree with you, I love to see intelligent black men and women wherever I am, but where I live it seems to be a rarity. That is one of the main reasons why I decided to go to a black college. 8)
I'm pleased to see that another intelligent young black female is coming to HU in a couple of weeks... We need to continue to load up the arsenal, cuz you never know when we are going to need those accomplished people to be role models for our children...
I'll see you in the fall...
