Self,
You know back in the day when we were growing up as children of African descent, our Elders would say things to be encouraging to our hopes and dreams. They would say something like - "Oh baby, you can be anything you want, ....even President."
We were filled with awe, amazement, and aspirations. The desired effect was achieved. Now, I don't know how many youngsters actually set their sights on the Oval Office, but whatever their goal was, I'm sure at that moment it really seemed possible. Many successful educators, doctors, lawyers, musicians, sport figures, nurses, actors, writers, electricians, plumbers, etc etc etc were born in that moment. (Praise them because they were/are needed - Can I get an Amen?)
That statement was meant to stretch the youngsters' vision for the future (it probably was stretching the Elders' visions too.) Yet for the majority of us...the view to the Oval Office was a bit hazy if for no other reason than that there wasn't a prececent for it. So we'd focus on Govenor, a seat in Congress or State Assembly, mayor, president...of a corporation or a thousand other professions and/or goals.
I don't know if Elders have stopped using the phrase and being encourging to youths - I know at times things were grim - But I sincerely HOPE that if they did stop, that they (ok, we...Lol I think I'm old enough to be somebody's Elder and I know I MUST do my part) resume that practice. Now there's truth to the statement and the path should be a bit more clear for the next generations of wide-eyed youngsters.
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
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