Just Be Great!

Greatness

During this Black History Month, I have been inspired by the many stories of triumph through trials and tribulations that our foremothers and forefathers went through as they attempted and were successful at making America Great—not again, but arguably for the first time in the history of this country.

I have been struck by the genius and the perseverance many whop came before displayed as they navigated there ways through setback after setback and barrier after barrier which were all designed to thwart the meaningful effort and the esprit de corps of a people who were dwelt blow after blow.

Nevertheless, it is amazing to recount how many excelled against all of the odds, with all of the cards stacked up against them, due to the systemic and personal challenges just about every person of color faced throughout the course of history in America.

I reckon we could spend a considerable amount of time trying to figure out why this is the case. However, I believe it is a waste of energy because the truth of the matter is we already know many of the answers. Therefore, I believe a better use of our time today should be investigating the commonalities that most of our ancestors possessed.

From a socio-cultural perspective, we can surmise that each person of color who has made a great difference in the community, in this country, and in the world for the most part has endured a shared struggle that has the propensity to bring greatness from deep within, to the surface of one’s conscience where we become conscious of that greatness. I guess we could borrow from the words Frederick Douglass who once said, “if there is no struggle, there is not progress.”

Now, I wish I knew why that is necessary especially since the disparities and inequalities of the struggle seems to be distributed more to so,e than to others.