Millionaire

I believe that wealth is not whats in the bank, but what is your mind. If you ask the average twentysomething what he or she looks forward to by the time they reach age 25, they probably will say I want to be a millionaire. If you ask me, I would say I want to be administrative staff at an urban elementary school, or I want to write a book about the injustices among people of color in America, the last thing on my list is to be a millionaire. It would be nice to not have to struggle with finances, but as Biggie said in '97, the more money you make, the more problems you have. I would like to live a debt free and comfortable lifestyle, I have come to the realization that I am rich. Besides who am I competing with in terms of money? No one, I believe that far too often young people of color has to feel adequate by whats in their pockets and not in their minds.

It is now nearing the end of April, Spring is beginning, but most of all finals are here! Throughout this semester, I have learned alot of vital and wise information to last for the rest of my life, and it also helped me to approach college differently. The most important fact that I have learned in many forms is that "Education Is Key!" It was not too long ago that women and and people of color were not afforded the same opportunities as their Anglo-Saxon male counterpart in the education realm. I am overstanding the fact of education in many forms is vital to one's being. It is very often that many people such as, "Blacks", Latino, Native Americans, even Asians, and women are discriminated at one point regarding education.
Let's examine this point of discrimination of education, in the mid 1980's Jonathan Kozol(my favorite authors of all time) wrote a book entitled "Savage Inequalities," this book examined the quality of life, health, and education in America's poorest cities. The one chapter that stood out to me was "Children of a City Invinicible." He touches on the Camden City school district at that time, lack of resources, dilapidated buildings, and the feelings of students attending those schools at that time. Needless to say it was sad to read, then he discusses how only 5-10 minutes away in Cherry Hill, students have the best of everything compared to Camden students. Things that make you go hmmmmm? Why is that a collective cities in the same county have different takes on education. This is the part when I get on my soapbox, Education Is Key, Education Is Key, Education Is Key. It is one of those keys that can and will unlock many doors. It does not matter if you are black,white,brown, yellow, green, whatever. If it wasn't meant for the greater good, whatever your belief in a higher power, mine is GOD, he would have not ordained himself. It took education to create the bible, and to read it. But when the lack thereof is presented, then the ending result is illiteracy, violent crime, and poverty come into play.
A true example for me of education collaborated with determination and ambition, is my mother. She was the first in her immediate family to attend college away from home, it wasn't easy, of course not life without adversity would be boring, but she did all that she had to, to at least say that she attended college. Even though she did not finish at IUP, she did obtain an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, but she gave the baton to me. Without that knowledge of how education is critical, then I would still be employed at Domino's pizza at 23, stagnant. I have nothing against the common job, because it is better than no job, but being in the trenches of school, and trying to work "it" out on the stafford scholarship(loans that is LOL). When the smoke clears, I will be able to tend to my calling, which is an Elementary/Special education teacher, and pass all my wisdom along to the future leaders of America. In the end, the path was not easy for any members of a "non minority status" to be in position of power. It took will, passion,determination, and strength; most importantly dedication and education to make it from the plantation, to the leader of America: The great nation. Hopefully, anyone that believes education is not important, I want you to examine two very important details in America. 1. Poverty and crime in this country 2. Nov. 3 2008. If I can't make a believer out of you in this respect, then I recommend Europe to live.