Every now and then I'll come across an debate about education among some of my black peers. I always get the argument that it's a "debt sentence," a waste of time, doesn't guarantee you a job etc. I'm sure you heard those and others.
One person brought up Henry Ford. It made me think, do black folks that don't attend really think that all black people go to college just to get rich?
I always had the dream as kid that I would go pro in sports and get my mother a big ass house and she would never struggle again. One day I realized that wouldn't happen and I changed that aim and decided that I would go into business and become this big time CEO and stunt on everyone whoever picked on me in school and throughout my life. I always wanted to be rich and successful out of spite and not of the sense of accomplishment for the greater good. After about two wasted years in college I took a course that changed my whole outlook on life.
Black Women in America taught by Dr. Margaret Jones forced me to take critical look on oppression on black women. Not only did it make me appreciate them, but all oppressed groups around the world. I realized that to get the top people never focus on the people you have to climb over. While CEOs are pulling in millions, their are millions of people at the bottom working for them barely making sustainable income to provide for the families. Sometimes I like to think as them as "the forgotten." What's the point of climbing up when you refuse to bring others up. A million dollars sounds nice, but is it worth it at the end of life if that's all you're remembered for? Money is nice to have, but to be loved and respected for who I am from others means more.
I changed my major to education and sociology in hopes of becoming a guidance counselor for secondary students. I wanted to be the one that motivated those who have every going against them and it would be understandable if the gave up, even it was one child that that caught on to the idea of self educating or institutionalized education was the the way to go. I believe in the "Reach 1, Teach 1" theory. You help one and he will help others which in turn will turn into a domino effect.
A year ago I went to Chicago for a couple weeks and participated in a Project Clean-up this project went to different violent projects and neighborhoods in the city and showed children alternate lifestyles, registered adults to vote, and provided mentoring to some of the young children in hopes that they wouldn't fall into traps that poverty in America can bring (drugs, gangs, violence etc) but if you want to find a way to get racks, on racks, on racks then maybe invest that "debt sentence" into something with a higher payout.
If you read through all of that hopefully you understood my view. School wasn't a way out of poverty, it's gives more than a degree and thousands of dollars in debt. It gave my mind a different direction, it made me more tolerant of people that I deemed different, and introduced me to part of me that I've never met.
"As you grow older you will realize that you were born with two hands, one to help yourself and another to help others"
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