culturalenigma says:
I am neither wealthy nor poverty stricken, neither educated (with a degree) nor ignorant (I have lived), black nor white but I can answer this question I think.

Success by a fellow is intimidating. To some, it means that others will hold them to such a degree and possibly they think themselves not smart enough, not rich enough, not whatever enough to achieve success. To others it's scary because being successful means leaving their comfort zone. A known hell is better than an unknown hell. And to others still, there can be a complete inability to see what you are as "successful". There are individuals who see success as being able to merely pay the rent or those who think it's about the most expensive "spinners" or the best car.

Also, remember Kindergarten? How everything you ever needed to know you learned there? The one lesson every child learns is "different is bad" almost from the get-go. I fight that every day with my children.

It's frustrating but by bettering yourself and being patient with your friends from your old neighborhood - maybe you'll impact one of their children who will go on to become a great leader. You never know what tidal wave your pebble will cause.

Good luck to you friend.



Answered 1 year ago

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grey52 says:
khanleon, it's a issue in our communities when there is such a wide range of socio-economic background. In a recent Pew survey, a majority of black Americans blame individual failings, not racial prejudice, for the lack of economic progress. In digging deeper into the survey, we find that class, not race, has greater influence over one's perspectives. While you may believe it is individual responsibility that accounts for success/failure, most of our more disadvantaged brothers and sisters would say systemic racism accounts for mostly failures.

How do we help our brothers and sisters that are less fortunate?


Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-nuvalues14nov14,0,1418012.story?coll=la-home-center
Answered 1 year ago

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SCLATeacher says:
Smartass answer would be to get better friends! :-) On the real though, this is a tough one. I usually defuse the situation with humor and learn to decode. In other words don't go using words like decode in the hood! Ya gotta meet peps where they are to take them to levels they haven't even dreamed of.

Answered 1 year ago

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hbcukidz says:
To me it depends on what YOU want. I used to live in a community where my husband grew up. We moved there because I fundamentally wanted my childen to REALLY get to know their grandparents, aunts and uncles in their formative years. My parents made that a key part of my life and now that they are both deceased I truly appreciate the wisdom. So we faced a lot of the above with both his old neighborhood friends and family. I knew I had to survive and fit in for a few a years until our little ones were ready to begin elementary school. My husband was always very humble around folks and we did not flaunt our success. In fact we disguised it best we could so that folks would not feel threatened by our presence. I tried to learn THEIR world through observation, keeping my mouth shut most times and maintaining self. People really seemed to appreciate that we were not looking down on them or making them feel inadequate about what they had not accomplished, etc. But when they could help they would show an undying loyalty to look out for our family. In fact we actually had to cut off our so-called "well-educated friends" for this period of time because we knew they would not be able to relate or appreciate our community experiences. When the local brand new library was shut down for a "political reason". We were able to be very instrumental in getting it back open because we were of the community and not "outsiders". When greedy investors were ripping the elderly off, we were able to assist as I was a licensed realtor who was not an "outsider". It was an experience that I think has significantly altered my life because I was able to spend time embracing the community from the inside. By the time we moved out of the state to be closer to MY family, we could see the positive impact we had. People began to think about HOW to get their children better educated and that it was possible for EVERYDAY people to make a difference when they are equipped with knowledge. Sometimes you can't be a prophet in your own land and you have to be careful that someone doesn't "take you out" because of their mental incapacity to handle your success. But we can't generalize that all low-income communities think and act the same because it also depends on how WE operate within or as an "outsider" looking down. People like to know that you have not forgotten them.

Answered 12 months ago

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thetalk says:
Jealousy. Some people have been motivated to make it in life, or at least try to make it. The "friends" that consider you a sellout are not your friends and never were your friends. They were acquaintences, people who never really knew you or knew what you are all about. Your real friends were the people encouraging you to get out there and make it. It may sound a bit cynical, but I personally have always been motivated by people who have made it in my community and else where and by people who have said that I couldn't do something. If I thought I could. I think all we can do to help these people is to continue to be some type of role model for them or maybe their children. We can meet them where they're at, but sometimes the jealousy they have won't let the words of advice penetrate. In this way they will at least be able to have a point of reference to say hey these people grew up here and they made it, so can you.


Source: http://www.thetalk.us
Answered 12 months ago

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riskin says:
Sorry but your all wrong. Its simple, slave mentality. Bare with me for one second and I am possative you will see my point. Compare the ONLY three classes of African Americans(AA for short) in slave times. Free Man , House Slave, and Field Slave. Which two look most alike?
What two speak the most alike?
Which two live the most alike?
The Free Man and the House Slave!!!!!!!!
I submit to you that they were often mistaken for each other in public. Where does this leave the Field Slave in relation to his brothers? It leaves him as planned, with a hatred for the House Slave that spreads to the Free Man due to his stark contrast with and also there similarities group them together in his eyes. But the tragic truth is that the Free Man and the Field Slave share the same heart.We just cant see that because of the same tool used to keep us down since the start. Seperation.
Field Slave =Thug
House Slave=You know who.
Free Man=All whos mind is free

Answered 11 months, 4 weeks ago

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faye2020ts says:
First of all, I would like to thank you for your service to keep our country safe in the Marines. I am an Army Brat myself. My father served 20 years and survived two tours in Vietnam. I hate to think that your old friends would treat you that way after serving our country in the armed forces. For the media has forever recorded how our service men were treated returning from that war. It was shameful.

They could be jealous of your success and the life and family you made. It also could be they feel they are stuck and there is no way to get out and going back to school now will not help....too little, too late.

No matter how much you want to you cannot help those, who do not want help. It does not mean that you can't still care. But it sounds like it has also hurt you. You worked hard for your success and you have set a good example for your family. You have also put your life on the line and served your country.

You do not know me, but you have my respect and gratitude.

Thank You

Answered 5 months ago

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