Living the Dream
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Living the Dream of Success
Robert Robertson
Miller-Motte College
Success! To obtain or to acquire greatness. To conquer and overcome. These are just a few of the many definitions which classify this simple word. Though success can be rather illusive from these alone due to the lack of vision they portray. Being successful is measured in more than a material wealth or great names for your own good. There are some who would prefer to see success as being in a greater place of material goods. Possibly from the fact of having little in the past, based on the hope that they can obtain this opportunity to procure a more enriched future for themselves as well for their families. But there is still more to this than mere wealth. It is something of greater meaning, structured into the lives of those around us. It can be seen in such strong bonds, like the ones in family or that of close friends. It can be found in the enhancement of others lives by giving to their cause and need, to pressing the issue of a particular matter through a united front of many. success is indeed great to all who obtain it.
People(s)
From the pages of American History books, there stand some of many of whom are truly successful in their endearments. Rather by sharing an experience or enlightenment to another, some truths that would have been hidden from the eyes of those deemed to be less. Through their many endeavors they have given to us significance as a people, not only from the stand point of heritage but that of being an American citizen as well. Charles Hamilton Houston, among one of the few which started his legal career as an attorney, and representing a private firm, found his calling among a small band of African-Americans within an organization by the name of the NAACP.
From the time in which he obtained his license to practice law, to his final days he fought for equal rights for the few and undeprived. He curtailed the rhetoric which was of the everyday social norms, to strengthening and tutoring his successor by the name of Thurgood Marshal, one of many who played a strong role as an advocate in the movement towards equal education among all in the landmark decision known as Brown v The Board of Education of Topeka, and successfully argued that separate but equal denies those of colored by creating an inertia of self failed efforts, by perpetuating inferiority within each individual child. Something in which over a during time span, can become irreparable. Upon which at this time, the Fourteenth Amendment was upheld by a Unanimous decision, rejecting the prior rulings of the Plessy v Ferguson. Unwaning to the passing of time nor unraveled by those who oppose them, these two men have forever etched their places into the heart of our history (American History), paving the way for prosperity to more than just for those of African-American decent, but for all who desire so. To me, they are the embodiment of success and to what they endured in their fight to obtain these freedoms. Today, many different matters has come before us in many forms. The passing of this decision is just one, having been given precedence, while paving the way for public schools to integrate upon the bases of our former Presidents Thomas Jefferson’s belief, “all men are created equal”, the heart and soul of the American Constitution. Today, success is not only what we say it is to be, but is also of the impressions that others receive by how we treat others. A free people, bolstered by a sincerity of humility, and respect. This was at first approached by the U.S. Legislature during the Civil Rights Act in 1964 stating: “All person shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodation of any place of public accommodation, as defined in this section, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin”.
Places
June 1, 1921, there stood an elite body of wealthy and distinguished African-Americans in a particular city know as ‘Black Wall-street’. Comprised of more than 600 businesses of which included: 21 churches, 21 restaurants, 30 grocery stores and two movie theaters, a hospital, a bank, post office, libraries, schools, law offices, and 6 dozen private airplanes and even a bus system. In spite of what may have been learned, African-Americans have in the past worked together in efforts to assure success. Had it been established in another time, it may had potentially been a great contributory factor in todays’ society. This was not to be, as during one night, this remarkable city was leveled to the ground by an air raid, demolishing predominately the majority of the businesses along with many other establishments as well. They called this the greatest hate crimes of all time. Dubbed as, ‘Mini Beverly-Hills, where the dollar could circulate 36 to 1000 times prior to leaving the community. Even in attire, they wore suites and ties to school as a moral persuasion in being professionally minded. They show to me success can be more than just possession, but in mannerism as well. They shed light on stereotypes, once laid before African-Americans as a stumbling block, and held fast to what promoted a keen sense of maturity for all to see. This is success for many reasons, for it showed them in good as well as bad times as a people. Indebtedness of their character, by their desire to maintain focus. Today we can see the roots of this city, sprouting outwards from the music industry to manufacturing of goods. Success is our general blanket answer to matters where we cannot respond just on sheer luck and chance.
Events
On January 20, 2009, the center stage was none other than the National Mall on Capital Hill as the world prepared for the Inauguration of Americas’ 44th President; Mr. Barack Obama into office. The crowds gathered at this event peeked at more than 1.5 million people as they watched on, seeing history unfolding with the swearing in of its first African-American as their Chief Executive Officer. For many this has been a long time coming, and for others this surpasses their level of comfort. For the first time in American history, the future of this nation has been given into the hands of an African-American; outside of what the norm has been in the past (Caucasian Male). With this change, there is sure to come with it anxieties which concur to many as they look upon there standings within their own relations of the black communities. Some may struggle with the thought, giving way to fear in light of what good may become of this potentially love/hate relationship between the two races, but only time will tell if we can see the same vision, though from two different points of views. In spite of it all, this is what I deemed as a marvelous victory for all, and not just for a single heritage. Sometimes, success means change, which is bound to come. Mr. Obama was present with his family, (Wife and two daughters by his side) as he took vows to continue seeing this nation through this present time and situations., and with these words; “The success of our economy…the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart–not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good”, he embraced the calling. By popular demand, he has come from a long ways into our books of history, making a difference in many ways that only he could have done. This is why we needed him in office. Nations along the globe have set their affections upon the golden child, destined to be where he is today.
Objects
“Exclusive rights granted by a state(National Government) to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for public disclosure of an invention. Under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO), Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. History has proven to us the necessity of involving all walks of life into the building up of today’s society, through their individual contribution to the wellbeing of all, and there no better way than by creating something entirely new. As they say, “Necessity is the mother of all inventions”. Through the eyes of many African-Americans, we have come to see just what has become of great need. Such men and women as Phil Brooks; the inventor of the disposable syringe (The use of this syringe was widely used during the WWII, mostly while in the battle field). George Washington Carver who founded more than 300 uses for the peanut and hundreds more for soybean, pecans, and sweet potato (There are certain antibiotics which comes from soybeans today). more than any other in history. Donald Cotton, and the invention of the propellants for nuclear reactors. The list goes on, and without having to be said, African-Americans have made a huge mark into the way of life for many.
Other Concepts
In essence, concept is what creates within a body of people, substance of growth and prosperity in relation towards others. This nation has been formed and established upon this from the establishment of Jamestown to this present day, and all throughout our history. “As a man Thinketh in his heart, so is he”, is a biblical form of concept. A conundrum that is self fulfilling, that a man can only become what he thinks, and what he thinks is based upon what is learns through he daily livings. “Our understanding and interaction with the world also involves concepts and our grasp of them.” “Our understanding that a given thing is a member of a given category is at least partly in virtue of our grasp of concepts, and so are our acts of categorizing. Such capacities involve our knowledge in a essential way”, “An analysis of [star] should say what makes a star a star”. Dennis Earl: Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP) 2007. This is success since this is the beginning of what we are to become, and of whom we are to ultimately remain to be. Concepts are challenging to establish footing, due to the vastness of our rich heritage, but we have managed to see this to where we are today. From now on, it is nothing more than just an imagination
Conclusion
“Words spoken have substance, but words in writing are evident”.
Robert W. Robertson
Africa
By: Langston Hughes
So Long,
So far away
is Africa
Not even memories alive
Save those that songs,
Beat back into the blood…
Beat out of blood with word sad-sung
In strange Un-Negro tongue
So long
So far away
Is Africa
