by Keeshler Pittman

Created on: April 21, 2009

So many African Americans are going to die waiting for their forty acres and a mule. Many believe they are owed something due to the unjust treatment of our ancestors during slavery. I did not have to suffer humiliation. I did not have to be separated from immediate family unwillingly. I did not have to toil in cotton fields all hours of the day for no financial gain. I did not have to fear learning to read and write. I did not suffer rape by slave masters. Therefore, I expect nothing. I personally have been blessed.

I have not reached my ultimate destination. I have not accomplished all of my goals. However, I know I will. I have faith. I am considered disabled due to mental illness. I will not be confined by an illness. I aspire to one day own a salon. I recently completed a collection of poetry. I also desire to sing and act. It will take extensive prayer and determination to accomplish my goals. I do believe that I will far surpass my own expectations.

Many Africa Americans are satisfied with just enough. I believe in God, and he can give me abundance. He can give me enough to meet my needs and help others. I help others even with limited resources.I recently experienced some of the most selfish African Americans in my life. This was during a short stay in my Enterprise, Alabama. Many African-Americans (Many, not all) profess Christianity. I may have encountered one African American there that actually demonstrated Christian characteristics. What many people do not realize is that selfishness and jealousy is an illness. These two things can hinder progress in the life of African Americans and any other race.

I speak positively. I make the necessary investments to work toward a better future. I have encountered many leeches on my journey. Leeches are the people who are willing to suck the life out of another human being in order for them to survive. I witnessed the worst of the worst African Americans in Alabama. I actually encountered more Caucasians in that town with true Christian character.

African Americans must take action and have faith to achieve great things in life. If they believe than can manipulate or leech their way to success, they are sadly mistaken. We must educate ourselves. We must educate our youth. We must be the example of what we want to see. Also, we cannot fault white people or anyone else for our failures. Yes, there are still many injustices present, they are not dominant. We can achieve anything if we believe. We must also remember that faith without works is dead.

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