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The Compass 2 EDHORIU Elizabeth City, NC May 6, 2006 Senior Edition Take Your Dreams Back By Matthew Rascoe Editor As a graduating senior, it’s time to start considering my fiiture. Granted I have been concerned with it since I started college, but now it’s to a point where I have to start thinking in terms of the present, and not the future. Unfortunately, when I look at what we-African American males-have become, I see my future and my present as not so bright, but more so green. As cliche as it sounds, today’s world is run by white men. I’m not saying that in a racist or prejudiced manner (although I probably could), but Caucasian males make up the largest percentage of males in college. Even more disappointing, more black men are in prison than in college. Even worse, that number is growing. Why did I mention that statistic? Because it seems stupid for us black men not to take advantage of the opportunity that we have. African-American males are an iconic symbol of evolution and advancement. Given our circumstances of the past and present-slavery, prejudice, stereotyping-the strides of black men are outstanding. Unfortunately for this current generation, we have become content. We have become content with living off the achievements of black men past. We have become content with our mediocre attempts to achieve and our cataclysmic failures. Our dreams of becoming black mega powers have been replaced with aspirations of becoming multi platinum performing monkeys for white people. Our dreams of becoming today’s leaders have been replaced with being that guy on MTV Cribs with three gyms “...black men have given hopes of doing anything at all other than making money. ” and a golf course in your backyard. Now, for all of the black males who are pursuing the dream of becoming a professional athlete or a singer/rapper. I’m not saying that your aspirations or wrong. It’s just sad to see some black men trading their true dreams for wealth and fame. I mean, people don’t go the NBA for the love of the sport anymore, it’s for the money. People don’t sing or rap anymore because they are genuinely interested in the essence of music; they do it ^^^^^^^for the record deal. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with aspiring to make money. I want to make money too. It just seems as though black men have given hopes of doing anything at all other than making money. They have given up their dreams of doing what they really want do, for something more lucrative. Imagine if MLK had given up on his dream? What if Frederick Douglass had given up on his? To wrap this up, black men are in position to rule the world. Yet, we are giving up the opportunity to live a life of fame and fortune; a life that other races have made us to believe is measuring stick of success. Money does not equal success. Power equals success. And education is the greatest power obtainable. You came to college to pursue your dream. Now, if you aspire to be something that will make you a lot of money, then so be it. But achieve your dream first, and then make your money. We black men are an extremely proud breed. Don’t let our legacy get lost in a heap of dead presidents and check books. Sure money can buy you things, but as the old cliche goes, money isn’t everything. “/ used to dream. I used to glance beyond the stars. Now I don’t know where we are. Although I know we’ve driftedfar ” -Michael Jackson mpass Matthew Rascoe Adurey Jacobs Tahonda Harney Seanna Brimmage Kip Branch John Luton Stephen March Ashley Yelity T’sha Wilson Tashonda Harney Nija Blaque Kesha Williams Dr. Gary Har^ Mr. Br, Editor Assitant Editor Editor-at-Large Photographer Adviser Adviser Fiancial Adviser Staff Writers j0Myrette Copeland SMicaela Morris Stefanie Lawson Michael Rice Rich Harvey oseph Thornton 'lass Senior Comjmss Staff Members T’sha Wilson Tashonda Harney . Micaela Morris I i Matthew Rascoe The Compass is published by Elizabeth City State University Students under the direction of the Language Literature and Communication Department, Dr. Gale Isaacs, Chairperson. m I vJ J .f
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