I’d like to remind those of us who are of the darker hue of one thing this Black History Month: Success goes to the prepared, period! This is the sign that hangs over Real Town, USA. It is ultimately the responsibility of the parents to make sure a child grows up to be a successful member of society, with one, single weapon at their disposal.

     It’s called: ‘The Mantra’. And, yes MY parents had different forms they used!

     I KNEW that I was not only GOING to college, while I was growing up; I KNEW that I was going to graduate in the four year time period. This was thanks to ‘The Mantra’: that short, powerful and constant ‘phrase of focus’ that BOTH of my parents told me, repeatedly--in one form or another--since elementary school. “Never mind about the money--we’ll get the money, but YOU’RE going. END of discussion.” Thus, in the words of one comedian from the Old School: “I didn’t have a choice BUT to graduate, because BOTH of my parents would have buried me in the back yard, IF I didn’t.”

     Now, to put it bluntly, my parents knew that a college degree was ‘optional’ for white people, BUT a matter of SURVIVAL for Black people. Sure, there were programs for young Black folk who were skilled in blue collar professions. However, the social and financial route to the top for Black people involved a four-year stint at the ‘college of your choice’. And, yes, thanks to those three animals called ‘work-study’ and ‘summer/winter employment’ and ‘determination’, I got my degree with ZERO student debt. So, you’ll excuse me for being more than a little bit irritated when I meet a young Black man or woman who ‘drops out’ of college after ONE term…or, doesn’t bother to put forth the effort to focus on bettering themselves PAST high school. There’s only ONE reason for this: Their parents have forgotten to speak and use their own version of ‘The Mantra’.

     Why do I blame the parents and not their children? It’s simple. Parents are responsible for RAISING a quality child, not creating a casualty along the side of the road, nor a bunkmate sitting inside of someone’s Department of Corrections. A child is only going to go as far as parents are willing to teach them and sacrifice for them. Excuses aside, it is NOT the responsibility of the church, school, or government to make sure that your child is successful. It is the parents.  I've noticed that the spirit of this age has parents going for THEIR advanced degrees...but doing NOTHING for their OWN children!

     And, it begins with ‘The Mantra’…which, in its simplest form means the following: “We didn’t bring you into this world to be anything other than successful! Now, get your chores done, get your homework done and get your mind ready and right to go to college--AND graduate with MINIMAL debt!”  Parents, stop being selfish and weak.  Raise your OWN children.  The village...has SPOKEN!

      Mike Ramey, a Minister, syndicated columnist, book reviewer and Modern Street Gangs Specialist, lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. To correspond, drop him an email at manhoodline@yahoo.com. © 2017, 2019 Barnstorm Communications.

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  • Europe

    For those of you who don't know my background, I attended a community college for 1 year, then dropped out for what would become 20 years, but eventually regretted not having graduated, so returned to college and graduated and entered UCLA as a Junior in 1984.

    By that time the Trilateral Commission had been formed which was in 1973. I would have never learned about that nefarious organization if I had graduated in the 4-year time span. I also would not have met the 3 people who taught me top secret history if I had graduated in the 4-year time span.

    Going on to do a master's degree in library science, I graduated and got a job as a reference librarian where, one night in 1993 learned the biggest cover up of the 20th century, an crime so massive that it betrayed the entire world of decent people-the Kennedy assassination. One of my students who hails from the Dominican Republic blurted it out to 4 of us standing in a circle. My first thought was Holy Cow, how much luckier can I get not realizing that it was God who wanted me to know this information because He knew I would disseminate it to others.

    Now, that information is absolutely free on my site at the icon that says Magazine.

    Peace,

    Arlene Johnson

    Publisher/Author

    http://www.truedemocracy.net

    True Democracy
  • West

    Definitely!!!

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