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I grew up in one of the most notorious cities in Southern California--Compton. I went to schools that didn't provide me with the same quality education as students who lived in other parts of the area. I had to attend a high school that had every Compton Crip gang attending that school, and I used to be afraid of not really knowing whether or not I would be one of their innocent victims in the cross fire once they started fighting and shooting at each other during the school day. Not that I am ashamed of where I grew up or where I am from, because at age 42 I still proudly tell people that I grew up in Compton.
I thank God that my family had a strong worth ethic, and that my Dad (MY HERO) who was a hard worker and small business owner, who taught me that doing well in school, working very hard, and being very good at what I do would allow me to get out of the ghetto. He never told me that by me being a black man that I couldn't succeed if I didn't want to succeed. But he said if I wanted it, then go out there and work hard to get it.
After Obama's Inauguration, I instantly thought about our inner city black youth. Since I know what it's like to grow up in the inner city or ghetto, and have seen people especially some of my classmates have no hope or hero because they weren't fortunate enough to have a dad in their homes or just a positive African American male in their life, I see Obama's election as one that should inspire every inner black youth to step up their game, and want to do so much better in school.
Education is still our ticket out of poverty, and it can fulfill anyone's dreams. It did for Obama, and what an example he is for all of our inner city youth.
Location: Jonquil City (aka Smyrna) Georgia- by Atlanta
16,259 posts, read 24,687,446 times
Reputation: 3587
Quote:
Originally Posted by antredd
I grew up in one of the most notorious cities in Southern California--Compton. I went to schools that didn't provide me with the same quality education as students who lived in other parts of the area. I had to attend a high school that had every Compton Crip gang attending that school, and I used to be afraid of not really knowing whether or not I would be one of their innocent victims in the cross fire once they started fighting and shooting at each other during the school day. Not that I am ashamed of where I grew up or where I am from, because at age 42 I still proudly tell people that I grew up in Compton.
I thank God that my family had a strong worth ethic, and that my Dad (MY HERO) who was a hard worker and small business owner, who taught me that doing well in school, working very hard, and being very good at what I do would allow me to get out of the ghetto. He never told me that by me being a black man that I couldn't succeed if I didn't want to succeed. But he said if I wanted it, then go out there and work hard to get it.
After Obama's Inauguration, I instantly thought about our inner city black youth. Since I know what it's like to grow up in the inner city or ghetto, and have seen people especially some of my classmates have no hope or hero because they weren't fortunate enough to have a dad in their homes or just a positive African American male in their life, I see Obama's election as one that should inspire every inner black youth to step up their game, and want to do so much better in school.
Education is still our ticket out of poverty, and it can fulfill anyone's dreams. It did for Obama, and what an example he is for all of our inner city youth.
I agree with you but whether Obama is there or not, if inner city youth want to do something they can- just as you did apparently. But if all they want to do is be ghettoites, that is what they will be. You can overcome being a ghettoite just as I have overcome being a redneck through education and work and avoidance of crack, meth and fat women in trailer parks.
I agree with you but whether Obama is there or not, if inner city youth want to do something they can- just as you did apparently. But if all they want to do is be ghettoites, that is what they will be. You can overcome being a ghettoite just as I have overcome being a redneck through education and work and avoidance of crack, meth and fat women in trailer parks.
I agree with you but whether Obama is there or not, if inner city youth want to do something they can- just as you did apparently. But if all they want to do is be ghettoites, that is what they will be. You can overcome being a ghettoite just as I have overcome being a redneck through education and work and avoidance of crack, meth and fat women in trailer parks.
LMAO, overcoming of obstacles shows no bounderies or geographical lines.
Location: Augusta, GA ''The fastest rising city in the southeast''
7,504 posts, read 15,036,299 times
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Im white and obama is half white. So i hope he will be able to influence some of the youth who need help. In the projects, barrios, and rural america. The majority of people on welfare are white single moms. The majority of poor people in america are white women. The majority of poor kids in america are white. So while I know there are higher percentages of poor blacks and hispanics. About 22% of both races compared to 12% of whites. There are still millions of more poor whites than any other race. The op is from compton but I grew up in rural georgia. Where its not a game. Especially with meth taking over like it has in the last 5-7 years.
I think he's going to be a hugely positive inspiration. I think just this hopeful, open atmosphere will influence not just kids but also teachers and people who might become teachers; there's a proposed program for forgiveness of x-% student loans in exchange for teaching your major in parts of the country where you're needed.
But it's up to each of us individually to find and act on opportunities.
Im white and obama is half white. So i hope he will be able to influence some of the youth who need help. In the projects, barrios, and rural america. The majority of people on welfare are white single moms. The majority of poor people in america are white women. The majority of poor kids in america are white. So while I know there are higher percentages of poor blacks and hispanics. About 22% of both races compared to 12% of whites. There are still millions of more poor whites than any other race. The op is from compton but I grew up in rural georgia. Where its not a game. Especially with meth taking over like it has in the last 5-7 years.
Verily this is true. Here in rural NV meth ain't a game either. It's done more damage, and caused more problems than you can shake a stick at. There are a lot of townie kids wrapped up with that stuff, and it keeps the deputies busy keeping up with the meth related calls. Labs out in the desert, hispanic gangs working out of the Indian Reservation, ( LOT of problems on the Res) young people and old turning into desperate scarecrows looking for that next fix. Being rural does not mean being immune from crime and drugs. Thankfuly we live out of town, but my son still has to go to school so he gets to see these things irregardless. The deputies are at the school quite a bit for drug issues. Dealers and cookers hiding out on the Reservation makes the Cops life hard as well. The Tribe has thier own police force, but they are WAY undermanned, and the Deputies can't go out there even when in pursuit. I have a few friends out there that tell me the Mexican gangs like to hook up with an Indian girl, get her hooked, and thus have a house to operate out of. Wow...
Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,038,304 times
Reputation: 3936
Quote:
Originally Posted by KevK
I agree with you but whether Obama is there or not, if inner city youth want to do something they can- just as you did apparently. But if all they want to do is be ghettoites, that is what they will be. You can overcome being a ghettoite just as I have overcome being a redneck through education and work and avoidance of crack, meth and fat women in trailer parks.
SWEET POSTrep2u....I have overcame those myself.NOW if I could just break my addiction to Dwight Yoakam's music, bass boats and shiny pickup trucks w/loud pipes dang it.
Im white and obama is half white. So i hope he will be able to influence some of the youth who need help. In the projects, barrios, and rural america. The majority of people on welfare are white single moms. The majority of poor people in america are white women. The majority of poor kids in america are white. So while I know there are higher percentages of poor blacks and hispanics. About 22% of both races compared to 12% of whites. There are still millions of more poor whites than any other race. The op is from compton but I grew up in rural georgia. Where its not a game. Especially with meth taking over like it has in the last 5-7 years.
Wow, thanks for those statistics. But, we unfortunately live in a society that seems to think that, percentage wise and since you are talking proportions, poor hispanics and poor blacks are a more serious concern.
Not that it should take anything away single white moms (whom seem to fly right under the radar when it comes to people taking notice of them).It's as if they don't exist; but apparently there seems to be a double standard. White women who are single moms is totally out of the norm, and not a major concern. They have extended families who can help them whereas a poor hispanic or black single mom has the government, if I am making sense. I think this is how many view them when they find out that statisically there are more white people poor than blacks or hispanics as a whole.
Im white and obama is half white. So i hope he will be able to influence some of the youth who need help. In the projects, barrios, and rural america. The majority of people on welfare are white single moms. The majority of poor people in america are white women. The majority of poor kids in america are white. So while I know there are higher percentages of poor blacks and hispanics. About 22% of both races compared to 12% of whites. There are still millions of more poor whites than any other race. The op is from compton but I grew up in rural georgia. Where its not a game. Especially with meth taking over like it has in the last 5-7 years.
He should inspire everyone. But the fact that he is half white means nothing; he is America's President, and he is black.
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