Quote:Thanks for clarifying your intent. You were coming off as a [BAD WORD REMOVED] to me so I was initially questioning you giving me props. I was talking about volunteering not the actual job, as you previously stated you are private about which I understood the first time.


In regards to your points...the tearing down of each other I completely agree with, its in the home, community, church etc. I dont understand the specifics of why some in the black community are envious of others who want to advance with their education, finances, etc. The only thing I could think of is that the majority come from improvised backgrounds who are so used to nothing, or dreaming of advancing in life, then come into contact with those who have a higher IQ and wants to do good which are despised, which then fester the "crabs in the barrel" mindset. The other thing is some people truly dont know how to change the direction of their life or simply know life development skills. It made sense to me that if a person comes from a generation of poverty, it will be of no surprise they have the lowest of low intellect and brain development skills. Im not using this as an excuse, im stating this as a fact because I have seen this up close.


I currently have a friend who ive known for 20 plus years now that had the CITB mentality when we was younger. After high school he wanted to be a rapper, I wanted to go to FAMU OR FSU. Long story short, he saw the "easy" path to making money, I saw the long term vision. We grew apart but got back in touch around 09 right after I graduated from Florida State.


He told me his situation which then led to him being envious of me dreaming, then aspiring to be more when I went to a University. I didn't take offense to that, instead I did something inadvertently led me to my passion today.


I asked my friend this simple question, "do you want to be successful"? He didnt know how to answer, so then I said "come on bra lets make moves". He didnt know the path and plan I began to develop for him. The first step was to help him save up bunch of money to help get a lawyer to settle some of his legal issues.

Once that was done we created a plan to get a tutor to prep and help him go back to high school and get his GED. He began to self doubt himself, and road was never easy, he would disappear for a few months because he was never used to anybody keeping their promise of helping him without a motive or agenda. He got back on track, got his GED, then did what he called" unthinkable" went to FSCJ got his Associates, then enrolled in UNF and graduated in 2014. He is co-owners with a regional IT firm and also has a graphics design shop.


I got off topic for a minute, but my point was just changing some of the people mindset is key. The reality is everyone will not want to do good, but those who have a criminal record cant be written off "just because".


Back to your other points, Interracial dating, I dont have a problem with it, I think it's beautiful to be honest. There are some on the Black community who dont like it for various reasons. One being intent. What is the purpose of a black man dating a white woman? Some believe the Black man "hates" black women therefore building up a insecure spot, which I feel can go both ways. Another is why a black woman is dating a white man? Is the reason because white men have more money, or is it because a black woman has had so many negative relationships with black men, that she wants to step out and try something different. Again, I feel it can be both ways, and its a complex issue that revolves most around insecurities.


Investing in our communities is an subject more people in the black community are slowly becoming aware of, and are taking the initiative. This is a situation though the local councilman-woman has to become the voice because they are the ones who ask the city council for funding. The locally owned businesses in the 32209 zip code dont bring in enough to help fund economic growth that could be sustainable for 3-5 years.


To your last points, yes their is a generational cycle of guilt for wanting to break the cycle, but the black community is not talking about the HUGE increase of people enrolling in trade schools or HBCU's and graduating enough to the point where more who are on section 8, HUD, etc are encouraged to strive for more. In regards to the lac of trust between other races. I think is more so a misunderstanding and a cultural difference. If people work towards understanding each other's custom's and address perceptions openly and honestly, then that's where the trust can be reestablished.