I just love my Soror sooooooo much for posting this info!!!
I have seen myself as gradations in the described vingnettes. My critique of the author's essay is "we have to lift, as we climb" and I would add with forward, proactive and positive movement!!! I admire those who have succeeded in the midst of what seems like "failure". Also, my motivations--other than that of my Sorors--have always been in the back of my mind. I just knew I could do it and I just have to prove it to myself.
However, another critique I have that the author's essay neglected is the strong influence of the Spirit in the African American community--be it God or Allah, Jesus Christ, Buddha or the Ankh and the Metu Neter. Without my strong grounding in the Creator and Spirit, I would be nothing more than noise... Life would mean little to me without God... I think my devotion to God and Christ in prayer and supplication was and still is the main enabling and driving force for my numerous blessings. Although my heritage in my family was a strong force for my successes, it only came second to my Spirituality...
I also think that it was because our ancestors of Afrikan descent and our elders were so spiritually grounded that they truly DID succeed in civil rights, which was merely the start of dismantling racism and discrimination. Without our ancestors and some of our current enlightened elders difficult work, trials and tribulations, the current generation would truly be destituted...
I apologize for the length, however, for those persons that are contemplating the sessation of their academic, scholarly and professional pursuits, I would like to share what has perpetually kept me motivated by a traditional African American spiritual I recite when low:
I am no ways tired...
I've come too far from where I started from...
Nobody told me that the road would be easy...
But I won't believe He brought me this far to leave me...
Thank you for your time.
In the Spirit with Sisterliness,
AKAMonet
Dr. GLMoore
Ph.D. Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology
Fall, 2001
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter by way of
Sweet Mu Pi
Spelman College
Aesop's Fables
Spring, 1989