Every African American should __________

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by tld221

im waiting on shinerbock, Kevin, and/or sockpuppet2

I was thinking more along the lines of black people who think we should (insert stereotype).

Another one....

All black people should know that we don't have to conform to a certain way of doing things.

[MIDWESTDIVA]

Every African American should learn to speak english fluently, and at least one other language.

[NinjaPoodle]

..should teach our children that disrespecting women of all races (videos, MTV BET, derogatory comments, etc..) is NOT acceptable. Period.

..should teach our children that we are more than just basketball players, football players, rappers/entertainers. We ARE MOTHERS, FATHERS, teachers, lawyers, CEO's, religious leaders, accountants, artists, political leaders, brothers, sisters and friends.

[BlueReign]

Should know that Africa is a large, diverse continent comprised of many different countries and cultures.

[1browngirl]

...Should teach their children fiscal responsibility. Teach them the value of owning their own home and investing and saving for those rainy days.

If parents don't know how to be financially responsible, as a family take a class or make an effort to learn more about finances.

[ziasha07]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

I'm talking about pre-college, especially in the elementary years. Not just sending your child to a private/parochial school, but also purposely moving into an all white (or almost) school district. I hear one horror story after another. I understand that some schools provide more educational opportunities, but because of the isolation that many kids may experience, I'm not sure if it is worth it.

I agree with this statement completely. I have attended predominately White schools my entire life. Not necessarily because of my parents choice but just because of zoning. I definitely feel isolated at times. It is hard for students like myself to fit in, in social situations with African-American or White people. As much as it pains me to say it, I find it hard to identify with some of my African-American peers. On the other side of that stone, they don't want to deal with me because I act too White or I speak too proper or some such statement. Yes I have African-American friends but sometimes there is a barrier. Being identified as "gifted" doesn't aid either because in most of my classes I tend to be either the only African-American person or 1 out of 4 or so.

Originally Posted by BlueReign

Should know that Africa is a large, diverse continent comprised of many different countries and cultures.

Yes! Africa is a beautiful continent! There is more to it than what people see on the "Feed the Children" commercials. Unfortunately I know a lot of people who don't realize that.

Every African-American should: Travel outside of the US at least twice.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by ziasha07

Yes! Africa is a beautiful country! There is more to it than what people see on the "Feed the Children" commercials. Unfortunately I know a lot of people who don't realize that.

go ahead and fix that miss... im sure it was a typo

Every African-American should: Travel outside of the US at least twice.

shoot, every black person should travel off their BLOCK at least twice (a week)!

[PearlRuby]

Originally Posted by ziasha07

Every African-American should: Travel outside of the US at least twice.

I totally agree with this! Travelling outside of the U.S. can really broaden one's perspective. Among other things, you learn that there is SO much more out there than being Black, or even being American.

Originally Posted by Dionysus

think twice before sending their child(ren) to an all white school.

While I understand the sentiment behind this statement, I disagree with it. I went to a predominently white school, and my son currently attends one. Just as my parents did, my husband and I provide other opportunities for my child to form bonds with other Black children (church, community and extended family activities, etc.). We also heavily emphasize Black history and culture in our home. Our goal is that my son learns how to adapt to being a "minority" in this country, while still not losing touch with who he is. As is the case with many Black professionals today, it is very possible that our children will grow up and be the only, or one of few Blacks at their place of employment or in other situations, so I believe it is vital for them to begin learning how to adapt to this early on.

As a side note, my son's teacher sent me an email the other day, complimenting my husband and I. Apparently during a science experiment on electricity, after the teacher reminded the class that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, my son reminded his teacher that, "Lewis Howard Latimer, a black man, invented the filament within the light bulb that causes the bulb to have light." Talkin' 'bout a PROUD momma moment!

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by ziasha07

I agree with this statement completely. I have attended predominately White schools my entire life. Not necessarily because of my parents choice but just because of zoning. I definitely feel isolated at times. It is hard for students like myself to fit in, in social situations with African-American or White people. As much as it pains me to say it, I find it hard to identify with some of my African-American peers. On the other side of that stone, they don't want to deal with me because I act too White or I speak too proper or some such statement...

Ditto!

...Should teach their children black history at home. They sure won't learn enough of it at school!!

[Educatingblue]

Embrace diversity...just because that is the way your family has always thought/done/reacted, does not make it correct. We need to broaden our horizens and challenge our way of thinking.

[PhDiva]

....view ourselves as survivors and no longer as victims.

....should establish a savings account even if it is to save $5 per month.

.....let go of the materialism that gives way to intergenerational poverty.

[Still BLUTANG]

Originally Posted by PhDiva

....view ourselves as survivors and no longer as victims.

....should establish a savings account even if it is to save $5 per month.

.....let go of the materialism that gives way to intergenerational poverty.

YES YES YES to everything you just said!

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by Educatingblue

Embrace diversity...just because that is the way your family has always thought/done/reacted, does not make it correct. We need to broaden our horizens and challenge our way of thinking.

Originally Posted by PhDiva

....view ourselves as survivors and no longer as victims.

....should establish a savings account even if it is to save $5 per month.

.....let go of the materialism that gives way to intergenerational poverty.

Amen and Amen!!!

Stop discriminating against EACH OTHER. There's enough people out there trying to play "divide and conquer" with our people without us doing it to each other. It doesn't matter if I'm light and you're dark, or if I'm from Cali and you're from DC, or if I shop at Wal-Mart and you shop at Macy's. Our great great great grandfathers were probably seatmates on the same ship, so it really doesn't matter.

[Educatingblue]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Amen and Amen!!!
Our great great great grandfathers were probably seatmates on the same ship, so it really doesn't matter.

When you put everything into perspective, it makes some of the things we fuss and argue about completely irrelevant.

[Luckie1922]

Give me $20.00

I just thought I'll throw that out there...lol