We are all blessed with special talents. As we grow up, we casually become aware of them. We might suddenly have the urge to draw, to paint, to sing, to dance, to care for people in a special way, by giving them words of comfort. We might desire to care for the sick, to use our hands in relation to science, to build or construct, to create designs or with thoughts. We might desire to change a bad situation and make it good, desire to express thoughts orally and/or in writing, desire to type, to use the computer or to fix the computer, etc.
In order to develop our talents, we must motivate ourselves or be motivated by our parents, friends, teachers, or any person who has our best interests in mind. Time and association with such people will tell whether they are sincere in giving us the best possible guidance.
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It is vitally important for adults to encourage children (especially descendants of the Africans who were first brought here) to believe in themselves and to have confidence in themselves. They must learn to believe that they are capable of accomplishing whatever they desire to become in life, if they are willing to put in the time and effort that learning and practice dictates. As time matures, they might change their minds about the first chosen profession or vocation. The important fact for them to keep in mind is that perseverance in their talented areas or chosen field will pay off.
Students should be encouraged to participate in oral discussions in class and voice their opinions about the jobs they would like to someday hold and why. Teachers could discuss at such a time the subjects one must take in order to obtain such positions. As a result, the students will have some idea as to why the required subjects are necessary, and why paying attention in the classroom is so vitally important.
Instilling good values in students and convincing them to change those values which will lead them down the road to perdition, is also of great importance. Students need to develop their own skills which will later give them a sense of accomplishment and pride. They need to learn how to make and fix items themselves so they will be self sufficient in many areas in life.
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They should not be encouraged to be dependent on strangers. Strangers are not expected to know or to see the beauty and the talents which time and social interaction usually reveal. Students should be encouraged to check out library books on work ethics, employment, business ventures, etc. (on their level). If finding books on the level of the students is difficult, then their teachers could on a weekly basis relate such information to the students, orally or in writing. Explaining and discussing their values could follow.
So far the areas covered are:
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developing the talents of the students
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2.
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motivating the students to have visions of their own
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encouraging students to think of positive values and to display them in their daily lives.
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The above three areas will hopefully reduce the astonishing black rate of unemployment.
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Students must be convinced that they are able to, and capable of performing well, if they pay attention and if they put in the time needed to study, understand and apply knowledge without distractions and concentrating. When extra help is needed. students need to be taught how to request tutoring from their teachers or through their principals. (Parents should definitely involve themselves in this area.)
It is becoming more evident that parents, teachers and administrators need to talk to their legislatures and encourage them to revise certain laws. The needed revision seems to be focused on making it mandatory for parents to give up some of their time, in order to become involved with the step by step process of teaching acceptable attitudes and proper values to their children.
Certain unattractive attitudes which are displayed by children are often a direct result of lack of adequate parental love and guidance. Such attitudes also stem from inflicted racism which is a constant evil in our society. It leads to frustration and delay in the happiness and advancement of blacks in all areas. Many children and adults alike react by rebelling in assorted ways.
The children with no proper guidance usually drift off to where their fancies lead them, and without realizing what they have gotten themselves into, they are accosted by the law. Often these are potentially bright children with worthwhile ideas and innocent intentions. But, without the proper guidance, they are sometimes treated like hard core criminals. They often end up in the hands of the law or in the hands of adults who do not have their best interest in mind.
Most parents who have to deal with their African American children in the inner cities especially, are dealing with too many social problems which need to be corrected. These parents do love their children and want the best for them, but often their hands are tied. Fighting society daily, in order to keep their dignity, the job (if there is one), balancing the budget, etc. is not easy. The emotional problems which result from some of the above, cause despondence and hopelessness in an abundant number of cases. The result: Parents are often unable to muster the energy to find the time to attend parent teacher meetings, or to be sure that their children are always in the safe hands of caring, responsible adults.
It seems clear then that someone must teach these children how to behave and how to prepare themselves to become good citizens. The communities must find decent happy social outlets for young people. Travel and social interaction with other races and ethnic groups are important for a full and broad development.
Children cannot be expected to work hard and follow the rules when they are always saddened by the lack of rewards and lack of joyful outlets. Children should be able to run and laugh and build their muscles, as they are allowed to participate in beautiful settings which instill in them cheerfulness and pride.
The encouragements in the area of displaying proper manners and respect are often lacking in most youngsters who are taught often by their parents to call adults by their first names. Some of these youngsters even address their parents by their first names, thereby giving the child or student the idea that disrespect is O.K.
It is never too late to teach the students proper grooming and to explain to them that such grooming should take place in their bedrooms or bathrooms, and not in the classrooms, the halls or the streets. Combs, for example, should remain in their pockets instead of conspicuously sticking out from their hair.
Students in high school should be reminded that when they obtain a job, be it part time or full time, the following should be kept in mind: show interest in the job, show your best performance, try to get along with other workers, try to improve yourself and develop marketable job skills.
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Obtaining marketable skills are important. In order to be more qualified for work, it would be advisable to develop a given talent while improving academic skills. If a job doesn’t present itself in one area, then by being self sufficient, monetary earnings will still be possible, with perseverance. As Mr. Booker T. Washington once said, “Learn to do something well, and try to do it better than any one else.”
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