Wednesday, February 22, 2006
We Shall Overcome?
by Eric of http://freemantalkin.blogspot.com
We Shall Overcome has been the theme song for the civil rights movement for over 40 years. Although the words of this song may have once had significant meaning, now it is time to finally face reality. We shall overcome? I seriously doubt it. Some have overcome, some will overcome, and some will continue to make excuses. Which one are you?
Despite 40 years of progress, some wouldn’t believe that they have overcome, even if Dr. Martin Luther King presented then with a parchment certificate proclaiming, "Congratulations, You have Overcome."
Here are a few examples of those among us who have overcome: Oprah, Michael Jordan, Gen. Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg, Barac Obama, Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Clarence Thomas, Janice Rogers-Brown, Tiger Woods, Lynn Swann, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Shaquille O’Neil, Bill Cosby and too many others to name. Even those people like Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton, whose financial livelihood is based on telling others that they can’t overcome because of racism and without handouts, have for the most part overcome themselves.
Don't get me wrong; I am not discounting the accomplishments or the struggles of the past. However, you don't reach your destination by walking in circles. It is long overdue that we claim the victories won, and not continue to constantly fight the same battles. It is long overdue that we accept the reality than not everyone has the desire, will or determination to put forward the effort required to succeed and overcome life’s challenges.
Success, accomplishment, victory, triumph, achievement and overcoming are not based on handouts, social programs, blaming society, or the removal of obstacles. Success and overcoming is based on a desire to succeed, excel, and achieve success despite the obstacles that life places in our path. It is the faith, and strength gained while overcoming obstacles that forms the character that allows you to keep what you get after you have earned it. It is up to each of us to look within ourselves to determine if success is in our future.
We Shall Overcome has been the theme song for the civil rights movement for over 40 years. Although the words of this song may have once had significant meaning, now it is time to finally face reality. We shall overcome? I seriously doubt it. Some have overcome, some will overcome, and some will continue to make excuses. Which one are you?
Despite 40 years of progress, some wouldn’t believe that they have overcome, even if Dr. Martin Luther King presented then with a parchment certificate proclaiming, "Congratulations, You have Overcome."
Here are a few examples of those among us who have overcome: Oprah, Michael Jordan, Gen. Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg, Barac Obama, Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Clarence Thomas, Janice Rogers-Brown, Tiger Woods, Lynn Swann, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Shaquille O’Neil, Bill Cosby and too many others to name. Even those people like Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton, whose financial livelihood is based on telling others that they can’t overcome because of racism and without handouts, have for the most part overcome themselves.
Don't get me wrong; I am not discounting the accomplishments or the struggles of the past. However, you don't reach your destination by walking in circles. It is long overdue that we claim the victories won, and not continue to constantly fight the same battles. It is long overdue that we accept the reality than not everyone has the desire, will or determination to put forward the effort required to succeed and overcome life’s challenges.
Success, accomplishment, victory, triumph, achievement and overcoming are not based on handouts, social programs, blaming society, or the removal of obstacles. Success and overcoming is based on a desire to succeed, excel, and achieve success despite the obstacles that life places in our path. It is the faith, and strength gained while overcoming obstacles that forms the character that allows you to keep what you get after you have earned it. It is up to each of us to look within ourselves to determine if success is in our future.
How do you know if you are to be a part of the We that shall overcome?
You may have overcome if...
- Pat and Charlie have been replaced by Benz and Lexus.
- You have spent more on a pair of shoes, than your grandparents spent on a set of tires.
- The last time you sat in the back of the bus, it was a chartered bus going to your favorite HBCU football game.
- You leave work and then go workout to get exercise.
- You have ordered food thru a window by choice.
- You are able to make a phone call without going to your neighbor’s house.
- You have ever bought clothes because it is faster rather doing laundry.
- Your work clothes and your "Sunday Best" are some of the same clothes.
- You have eaten in a restaurant, and more than one person at the table had enough money to pay the bill.
- You have had a beverage, or eaten a meal that wasn't brewed, 'stilled, grown, harvested or killed by someone you know.
- None of your glasses has ever been a container for peanut butter.
You may be on the path to overcoming if…
- You were not deterred by the unkind comments when you wore yesterday’s jeans with last year’s sneakers.
- You have asked your parents for new shoes, and were told the story of the man with no feet.
- You have left work to go to class, left class to go to work, or have done both on the same day.
- You know first hand the definition of “sweat equity.”
- You have changed clothes at work to get dressed for your other job.
- You have had Ramin noodles for more than three consecutive days and didn’t complain
- You have eaten left over pizza without the luxury of a microwave, and were thankful that it wasn’t Ramin noodles.
- You have gone to work on Saturday morning as others in your dorm were coming in from their Friday night.
- Spring Break and Christmas Vacation meant you could get more hours on the schedule at work.
- The food you eat on your lunch break has been determined by the amount of tips you receive on that day.
- You have had to make a choice between paying for car insurance or books and tuition, and you chose the books and tuition.
- You have walked or pedaled more than a mile or more to go somewhere you had to be at certain time.
- You have been the only person in an office with a college degree, but got paid less than others because they have been doing the job longer.
- People who never spoke to you in school, speak to you at the reunion.
- The ex-girlfriend that kicked you to the curb takes mean looks at you and your wife.
- You have the discipline to make it from paycheck to paycheck without spending everything you've earned.
- You know the difference between receiving dividends, and paying interest.
- You purchase items basic on their potential to appreciate.
- Your 401K contributions take full advantage of the employer matching contribution.
You may NOT be on the path to overcoming if…
- You are waiting on reparations for slavery from people who never owned slaves
- You expect and feel you are entitled to reparations for slavery when you were never a slave yourself.
- You have never gone to a library just for the fun of it.
- It takes multiple DNA test to determine who's the father.
- You believe what you read in the paper, and see on the news.
- You think the stock market is a greater risk than the lottery.
- You believe that you are entitled to money or property that you didn’t earn or purchase for yourself.
- You blame all act of unkindness on racism.
- You think that Hate Crimes are a problem, but Black-on-Black Crime isn't.
- You have ridden in the back seat of a police car while wearing handcuffs.
- You can't afford a computer, but have a Xbox 360.
- You can't afford Internet access to advance your career, but you can afford cable or satellite TV.
- You think the politicians that visit your church every 4 years, really cares about anything other than re-election.
- You make decisions without any consideration for the financial or moral cost of your actions.
- You vote for politicians because of what they promise to give you, and not because of what they promise not to take away from you.
- Your life is bad, and it is everybody’s fault except your own.
# posted by Eric : 11:50 AM
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Hey Paul. I wrote it based on personal experience. Most of the examples sited are from my life. I am am glad you like it.
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