Community Wealth Creates

I have been taking a class in this semester titled African American Family. I wasn’t sure how this class would be because I knew it was the first semester that this class has been offered. There are many aspects that have resonated with me but one thing that we covered that really caught my attention was when we went over wealth in the African American community. It was interesting to me because I have been, in the last year or so, looking for ways to increase my families’ wealth not just the income. I have gotten involved with a couple businesses that encourage training and changing the way we think about obtaining wealth.

One thing that really stood out to me was this idea: To obtain individual wealth, it requires community wealth. I had even asked one day in class why was it important to that African Americans “reach back” when they become successful and then something was explained. The reality is somebody who has become successful did not do it without the help of someone or many people. An example that was given: If Tom, a successful Caucasian CEO, has a position available within his company, he will most likely tell his family and friends before he tells a stranger or even releases it to the public. But if James, a successful black CEO, has a position within his company, he is more likely to release it to the public so that a complete stranger will have the opportunity to get the job before someone he knows will. At first, I was a bit offended by this statement but when I sat down and really looked at this objectively it turned out to be true. Of course, not in all situations but it occurs quite often. Why do we (African Americans) feel that it is not appropriate to help our own?

Do we think it is showing favoritism? Tom is not worried about how it appears so why should we? Why not give someone you know the opportunity to better themselves or provide a better living for their family? I mean really is that so wrong? I don’t know but I can be honest and say that I have thought sometimes about not helping someone in my race because I felt that they wouldn’t appreciate it or capitalize on the opportunity. That is so wrong but I can honestly admit that I have thought it.

So I know its cliché, but I am going to say it. I am starting with me. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” So I am making the effort to volunteer and work to actually improve my community and not just complain about the problems. It is easy to sit and say that there needs to be some improvement within the community but it would make more sense if I contributed to the solution. I am not real sure how I will do this but I do have some leads and will make the effort to improve my community and not just my immediate family. I want to be an example and provide my community with a true role model.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!

 

 

2011 The Year of NEW

2011 was the year of NEW for my family and I. We did so many new things that it really surprises me. I mean we are a laid back group of people and kind of just go with the flow but last year we tried some new things and it proved to be an awesome year.  We started off the year getting a new vehicle and that was great. It was awesome to get a lower car note. We then began planning our first family vacation – New York. This was very new for us because the farthest we had gone as family on trips was to my family’s hometown in Louisiana. It would be the first time that my kids would fly and I was truly worried about that but it turned out they did much better than I thought they would. They were really unimpressed it seemed but they did enjoy seeing the clouds from above. Before the vacation though, we found out that we were pregnant and even though it was kind of planned, it still surprised us. I felt like because I was ten years older than what I was when I had my first two, I thought it was going to be much harder to get pregnant. So on our family vacation we were four and half because I was five months pregnant. That was also new thing traveling while pregnant. I will say I was worried for nothing but it was a bit uncomfortable being a plus size woman.  That is a whole other post though.  So right before I had our third son, we moved into our first house. There is nothing like your first house. We don’t have to worry about any body above us or below us. It is quite nice. And then the major finale of 2011, me giving birth to our 10 lb 9 oz baby boy after Thanksgiving. So wasn’t expecting him to be such a big guy. So that was a quick overview of the year we had last year. I can’t wait to see what this year holds for us – me and my crew.

  

Real Mothers

Okay so I have not made a post in awhile. I will be working on improving that once the semester is over. I wanted to address this topic though so I wouldn’t forget.  I admit that sometimes I waste my time and watch Teen Mom and Pregnant at 16. They are really a shame to me that these girls continue to have children at such young ages. But I don’t understand is them making it harder than they really have it. Now not all of them have true family support but most do. On Friday on Good Morning America, I watched them salute a mother who begin being a mother when she was 18 to her brothers and sisters after their mom passed away. Her mom asked her to keep the family together and I believe that it was a total of nine and then she got married and had six of her own. That would be a total of 15 children that she raised and did without a whole bunch of money or anything out of the ordinary.  I watch as these girls complain about everything from not being able to go out or something petty and I think really? You are getting paid to allow cameras follow you around and yet you still complain about petty crap.  I know motherhood at a young age is hard but you guys are ahead of the game by getting paid the amount of money it takes most of us years to get to and at 16 you are getting paid for not making good choices.  I really would suggest these girls really take time to look at their situations objectively and realized how blessed they truly are.  Motherhood is not an easy job by any means but you laid down knowing what could come of it so stop whining and do what you have to.  I am now stepping down off my soapbox and would like to wish everyone a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

Good Can Win

A few Saturdays ago was supposed to be just a family day and it was but we also ended up being part of a beautiful thing. We went to a comedy and magic show at the Improv. They said that they were taping for a DVD but it was too many cameras. As we were walking in, the bus from Extreme Makeover Home Edition was driving up. I didn't think anything of it. We went in and went to our seats and the show began. There was a family sitting down from us that I took notice to because they were all natural. The mom had a beautiful fro with an orange flower, the father had some long dreads and each of the daughters, five in total, all had sets of dreads that were beautifully styled. As the show started, the first act came out and did his set. I was continuing to think that there were way too many cameras for a DVD. After the first act was done, the host came out to introduce the next act. He said where ever this next act goes they always bring the house down and out comes Ty and the gang and of course it is for the beautiful family in the front. They then showed their story and exactly why they were chosen to get their house built by the show. They are family counselors for the community they live in. They also would take the kids in the neighborhood out to a theme park on their own dime so they could have a day of fun. It was just nice to see a family so deserving getting their just due. Very encouraging to see kindness being rewarded.

http://www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/07-25-10-no-joke-goodhope-street-home-revealed-as-extreme-makeover-houston-rebuild-choice/