Thursday, May 3, 2007

Making a Living

"The greatest indictment of such education as Negroes have received, however, is that they have thereby learned little as to making a living, the first essential in civilization." by Carter G. Woodson.

This quote is of course from the masterpiece, The Mis-Education of the Negro. Mr. Woodson was rendering a critique of what he called education under outside control. However, I would like to focus on his clear statement regarding the essential nature of "making a living" and its very basic relationship to civilization itself.

The statement speaks volumes and is a direct hit on those who today refuse, for any reason, to acquire the necessary education (skills, knowledge,training, etc) to take care of your own basic needs.

The United States faced by Mr. Woodson in 1933 is vastly different from the one we encounter in 2007. Opportunities are greater than at any time in our history. To be sure, African Americans continue to face problems, and race is certainly one of them.

But, in my view, neither race nor racism represents our biggest problem as a people today. I will not lecture or engage in further blame. My purpose is to challenge and encourage. Look deep within and learn the virtue of perseverance. You already have the gifts and abilities. Now use them if for no other reason than simply to....make a living.

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