We all have that fear. What if we don’t succeed? What if we are just wasting our time trying to be a writer, poet, blogger, entrepreneur, etc. Its the fear of failure that drives us away from pursuing our dreams. Meanwhile, time is ticking and opportunities are passing. For those of us who are dreamers, we can’t let this happen. If we really want something, we have to go after it. If you want to be a writer, write. But write like its the only thing for you in the world.
Put your entire spirit and soul into it and never give up. We all become afraid sometimes but left fear stifle you or hold you back. So let the fear be your motivation and push through it. You never know what you might accomplish if you never really try. The last thing you want to do is waste 30 years of your life doing something that is not your passion and wondering “what if?” And if you have already spent years doing something that is not fulfilling you, know that it is not too late. As long as you are still breathing, there is an opportunity for you to follow your passion. Just do it!
Jessica Ann Mitchell has a M.S. in Public Relations and a M.A. in Pan-African Studies. Mitchell specializes in multicultural outreach and communications. She also writes on her personal blog at OurLegaci.com. To reach JAM email her at mitchelljessicaann@gmail.com.
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Welcome to Women’s History Month! So often we African Americans complain that the preceding month of February, Black History Month, is the shortest month of the year. That may be, but I love this time of year since it gives me an annual excuse to celebrate Black women in history for both February and March. Yes, I know Black History and women should be celebrated 365, but historical markers created to celebrate special people are just the American way.
The 2012 National Women’s History Month Theme is ‘Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment.’ This year, I am lifting up the African-American women on whom I focused in my children’s book, Nappy. Each week, I will share a list of 5 books you can read to educate your selves about these empowering women in our history. I will also share a 1-minute video – a Nappy Narrative – with a few quick and interesting facts about my “Nappy Ladies.”
This week we kick things off with the fiery orator Sojourner Truth who fought against slavery and in favor of women’s rights. A little known historical fact about Sojourner is that she made history by winning two court cases against prominent Whites. One of those cases ended the practice of segregated streetcars in Washington, DC almost a full century before the famous Rosa Parks bus ride!
I’ll leave you this week with five inspiring books about Sojourner Truth.
Narrative of Sojourner Truth (Penguin Classics)
Black Abolitionism: A Quest For Human Dignity. (Bishop Henry Mcneal Turner/Sojourner Truth Series in Black Religion) By Beverly Eileen Mitchell
A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth (Picture Book Biography) by David Adler; illustrated by Gershom Griffith
Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Pinkney; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Great Speeches by African Americans: Frederick Douglass by James Daley (includes Ain’t I a Woman?)
Charisse Carney-Nunes is the award-winning author of several children’s books,a social entrepreneur, a literary advocate, and the Executive Producer of The Book Look a webseries airing on the African American Literary Book Club site and elsewhere.
http://www.TheBookLook.com is your online TV source for celebrating books and events relevant to the African American community. This week’s episode features The Wealth Cure by Hill Harper.
TheBookLook.com says HAPPY HALLOWEEN! This special spooky episode features My Soul to Take, the latest in the African immortal series from black science fiction master Tananarive Due. A special appearance by Hill Harper makes this Halloween episode especially sweet.
This week The Book Look highlights “Peace From Broken Pieces” by New York Times best selling author Iyanla Vanzant. Topic Question: What would you do if you were best friends with Oprah, and she suddenly ended the friendship?
“If you don’t have a job and if you’re not rich blame yourself.” Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain stated these words in a recent interview discussing the Occupy Wall Street protests. He also goes on to state that people should not be jealous of others’ success. According the Cain, if you didn’t succeed in life its all your fault. I understand that Cain is trying to get people to be more accountable for their own actions. There is some truth to his statement. At times we blame others for our own misfortunes instead of taking into account our own mistakes. However, when discussing the big banks of Wall Street and how common people have suffered in the recession, it is unfair to dismiss their strife as “jealousy”. What about the oppression, elitism, and discrimination that has plagued America for centuries? These definitely affect the socio-economic statuses of many Americans, especially African Americans.
One documentary in particular, unknowingly highlights this. Born Rich is a documentary that has interviews with the people that we would call the 1% (the wealthiest people in the world). Throughout the course of the interviews, it’s easy to see that many of the rich families became wealthy during time periods that African descendants were forced to work as slaves, sharecroppers and low-wage workers. While the children of the wealthy families inherited the wealth (centuries later) without having worked for it at all; the children of the poor families inherited the poverty at no fault of their own. Its not a simple matter of who works harder. Many times its a matter of who was born into the “right” family, race, gender and economic class. Thus the effects of inequalities are passed on to new generations. Its kind of like a cycle. These type of cycles can be ended but it takes a very very long time. This is a fact of society that can not be ignored or disregarded.
Though we are born with various inequalities, the goal is to make society better for the whole, not “privileged” parts. Because of the historical privileges allotted to wealthy corporations and banks, many people are feeling disheartened as they struggle to pay their mortgages, find a job and put food on the table. I think this is the crust of the Occupy Wall Street movement. It is not about being “jealous” or “envious” it is about desiring a better life and pressuring the government to stop catering to certain privileges that are costing common citizens hundreds of millions of dollars. To a degree, I do understand Cain’s sentiment. Hard work should be valued and does help with achieving success. However, preexisting inequalities are highly relevant and should be taken seriously.
J.A.M.
Jessica Ann Mitchell is the founder of Black Bloggers Connect. Mitchell specializes in multicultural outreach and communications. She also writes on her personal blog at OurLegaci.com. To reach JAM email her at info@OurLegaci.com.
If you believe in the power of people. Please share the link to this article on Twitter and Facebook and let us know about it. We will give you a shout-out on our next article and we’ll link to your blog or website.
Khawuleza by the legendary Miriam Makeba, known widely as Mama Africa
Opening: Khawuleza! Khawuleza is a South African song. It comes from the townships, locations, reservations, whichever, near the cities of South Africa, where all the Black South Africans live. The children shout from the streets as they see police cars coming to raid their homes for one thing or another. They say “Khawuleza Mama!” Which simply means, “Hurry Mama! Please, please don’t let them get you!”
Lyrics:
Khawuleza mama Khawuleza mama Khawuleza mama
Nank’ amapolis’ azongen’endlini mama, khawuleza Nank’ amapolis’ azongen’endlini mama, khawuleza Jonga jonga jonga yo khawuleza mama, iyeyiye mama, khawuleza Jonga jonga jonga yo khawuleza mama, iyeyiye mama, khawuleza x2 Bathi jonga jonga jonga yo khawuleza mama khawuleza mama khawuleza jonga jonga jonga yo khawuleza mama khawuleza mama khawuleza
The Book Look is your online TV source for celebrating books and events relevant to the African American community. The Book Look is a new online show that highlights the Black literary world. Check out more at TheBookLook.com.
The Book Look Credits:
Host, Alexandra Morton
Charisse Carney-Nunes, Executive Producer
D. Amari Jackson, Creator/Writer
Harvey Nunes, Producer
Edited by DDot Films
If you believe in the power of people. Please share the link to this article on Twitter and Facebook and let us know about it. We will give you a shout-out on our next article and we’ll link to your blog or website.
We all have that fear. What if we don’t succeed? What if we are just wasting our time trying to be a writer, poet, blogger, entrepreneur, etc. Its the fear of failure that drives us away from pursuing our dreams. Meanwhile, time is ticking and opportunities are passing. For those of us who are dreamers, we can’t let this happen. If we really want something, we have to go after it. If you want to be a writer, write. But write like its the only thing for you in the world.
Our Legaci with J.A.M. Aiwuyor 