""If you can control a man's thinking you do
not have to worry about his action. When you determine what a man shall think
you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man
feel he is inferior, you do have to compel him to accept an inferior status,
for he will seek it himself.
If you make a man think that he is justly an
outcast, you don't have to order him to the back door. He will go without being
told; and if there is not back door, his very nature will demand one."
Carter G. Woodson
Parents in the African American community have long
stressed the importance of education, hard work, and integrity were key to
success for their children. Parents made sacrifices so that their children
would be able to have an opportunity for success. Families often told and
retold stories of family members who succeeded in spite of
obstacles.
I love hearing stories of families who made
important decisions regarding schools. When public schools were unable to provide needed resources, a few parents made decisions to send their children to
Catholic schools. Today, those decisions are reflected in the careers of those
children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The fruit of those sacrifices
are the children who are now principals, teachers, college professors, health
care administrators, and most recently an attorney.
What did those parents think? Their thoughts were
far beyond their daily duties as country club cooks, janitors, and
housekeepers. They had a vision of a better future for their children. They put their faith, prayers and action to work.
Families in Mississippi produced a wonderful harvest of
faithful servants to God and their communities. As a result of my marriage, I celebrate the legacy of Mississippi families who overcame tremendous odds.
