I had to let go of the belief that men are somehow superior to women, and that I must behave a certain way because I am a woman. This has been unconsciously passed down from my parents and teachers, and always portrayed in the media. Women are always nurturers, working in the kitchen and taking care of the kids while men are the super masculine, breadwinners. These ideologies have been acquired just by living. Listening to music, watching television and movies, it is unavoidable. I had to learn to accept them for what they are, simply entertainment, and nothing else.

I do believe a lot of what is considered “blackness” is an act which people perform. When you speak a certain way or act a certain way people may label you as acting black, or white. I believe these aspects of black identity, speech and behavior, are learned. I believe the sense of being black, the consciousness, is innate. I witness people all the time who put on this act to make themselves more “black,” such as speaking Ebonics, style of dress, and listening to rap. You know it is an act because these same people do not realize that white people can and do behave the exact same way, and that their behavior does not represent any particular race.

Kids, little boys especially, are generally dirty. Before they can eat at the table they must first wash their hands. When a child no longer acts like a child, when he matures, he can be anything he wants to be. He can be so great that he can meet people as important as a king.

When I need motivation, a favorite song that I know all the lyrics to can really energize me. The beat, the bass, the artist, all give me energy that I probably did not have before the song came on. I can sing the whole song, and afterwards I’ll be motivated to do whatever it is I need to do. If I’m really procrastinating, I’ll listen to my favorite play list so that the energy wont wear off until I want it to.

The law states that at the age if eighteen, you legally become an adult. I believe someone also becomes an adult when they acquire grown up responsibilities. Working, paying bills, having children, are all characteristics of an adult. After a certain age, eighteen, you are no longer considered a child, but even without these responsibilities you are still considered an adult. An older person has more life experience than an eighteen year old, but you do not need a lot of experience to be considered an adult.

This is something I would expect my mother to say to me. I think it means she can guide me, and advise me, but she can not live my life for me. When I decide to make my own choices, whether they be good or bad, I must learn from them. I know that often I question my mother’s view of the world and make my own decisions, and I am responsible for taking the consequences of my actions.

Power is when you are in control of any situation. You decide people’s fate. You have the authority. Growing up the youngest of five children I haven’t had many positions of power in my life. I like to think I have power when I attempt to boss them around, but it doest always work out in my favor. In school I have had minor positions of power when I was the leader of a group, assignment, or organization. I cant say that I always liked it because power comes with a lot of responsibility and there are always people looking up to you, waiting for you to make a mistake.

I’m not really sure what this question is asking. In the sense of Black as a race, I would say it is becoming more inclusive. we see more and more interracial couples who are having biracial children, and in America we know that if you have any black in your blood, then your considered black. I think in the future there will not be a definite black, white, Asian or whatever race, because so many races are already mixing. I think this is a positive development because here we put so much stock in particular races. People will no longer receive unfair advantages based on race if there is no clear line between any two races.

I want to be a respected doctor one day. My goal is to become a Pediatrician, but I don’t want to have to work in a little rinky dink office in the middle of nowhere. I want people to know my name. I want to be successful so that I can take care of my family. The only obstacle hindering me is myself. I doubt myself a lot, especially in school. I need to be more confident, continue to work hard, and I will be able to accomplish my goals in life.

Both Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks are successful in their respective careers, but Oprah has done so much more in her career. Oprah is given way more respect than Tyra Banks. it is an honor to be invited to Oprah’s show, while its almost a joke to be on Tyra’s talk show. Oprah’s accomplishments are more significant I think. there was so much talk about her when she became a millionaire, and just as much when she turned 50. Tyra is only in the media when she is making a fool of herself on America’s Next Top Model or her talk show. I think since her modeling career ended, has credibilityhas been lost. Oprah has way more credibility; people stop eating beef because she made a personal decision on her show not to eat it. Oprah is consistent, her shows have value; they are more than 30 minutes of silly entertainment. The more respect you have the more credibility you have. When I choose sources, its always better to pick the Oprah over the Tyra.