First, let me thank CNN and Soledad O’Brien for bringing Black in America to our TV and living rooms.  Television is so full of junk these days. Very refreshing to watch something with depth and meaning.

Second, I commend all the people in the segment that have took it upon themselves to help those less fortunate, less educated, less motivated.  Because really, that’s what the problem is.  It’s not about being Black, when you get right down to it.  It’s about being poor, uneducated and having no direction and no resources.

I’m not saying that being Black doesn’t magnify the problems or that racism doesn’t still play some role in the oppression of Blacks and Latinos in general.  What I’m saying is that given opportunities, given mentors and resources, 80% of the people responded positively.

This isn’t to say that the failures, such as Chris Shurn’s repeated criminal activity, despite Project Choice, don’t hurt or make a person angry.  But as the gentleman from Project Choice stated, “walking away is not an option”.  That simple statement was probably the most profound of the entire series.  As a society, we’re so eager to turn our backs.

Then again, I’m not in the business of babysitting.  So to those of you out there struggling, hungry, angry, etc., get up, stand up and dust yourself off!  Today is a new day.  This is America and there are programs out there if you seek them.  But YOU and only YOU can make it happen.

And don’t give me any bullshit because I came from poor.  I know what it’s like to only have beans and rice for 10 days straight.  I’ve had to eat government cheese, stand in line at the foodbank and shop for school clothes at the 2nd hand store.  But guess what, I went on to college, enjoyed a great career among mostly White males, bought my first house at age 21, later married a wonderful man and am now raising two beautiful little girls.  Dreams are possible.  But they ain’t free!