Expressions of gratitude.Gratitude. As we progress through the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year's Day--and a new century--it is the sentiment that perhaps dominates all others. We are thankful for what we've overcome, what we've gained, what we've learned and what we've been privileged to give. For African Americans, the depth of our gratitude stands as a stark reminder of the adversity we have faced and the very serious issues we continue to confront as we approach the year 2000. However, as we prepare to cross the threshold into the 21st century, it is important to experience gratitude as not just a passive, if powerful, emotion, but as a compelling call to action. Now is an excellent time to give some combination of the "three Ts"--time, talent and treasure--to the organizations that are key to our continued progress and prosperity. For me, that means continuing to support the institutions that fuel the twin engines of education and economic empowerment for African Americans, including the NAACP NAACP in full National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Oldest and largest U.S. civil rights organization. It was founded in 1909 to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality for African Americans; W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. , the Boy Scouts of America Noun 1. Boy Scouts of America - a corporation that operates through a national council that charters local councils all over the United States; the purpose is character building and citizenship training , the National Urban League, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Thurgood Marshall successfully argued the 1954 landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, ordering desegregation of public schools. He later became the first African-American appointed to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. and the United Negro College Fund The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a Fairfax, Virginia-based American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for African-American students and general scholarship funds for 39 historically black colleges and universities. . I'm sure there are a variety of local community and church-based causes deserving of your support. Earmarking  It has been suggested that some sections of this article be split into a new article entitled Earmark (USA). some time and money (and getting the kids involved!) is a great way to express gratitude by making a difference in the lives of others. My wife, Barbara, inspired our family to put this preaching into practice when she revealed her wish to work at a building site for Habitat for Humanity International Habitat For Humanity International (HFHI) (generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or simply Habitat) is an international, ecumenical Christian, non-governmental, non-profit organization devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing. , an organization dedicated to the elimination of substandard housing. As a Christmas gift to her last year, my sons, their wives and our grandchildren GRANDCHILDREN, domestic relations. The children of one's children. Sometimes these may claim bequests given in a will to children, though in general they can make no such claim. 6 Co. 16. joined a group of volunteers to build a new home in Americus, Georgia Americus is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 17,013 at the 2000 census. Americus is the home town to Habitat for Humanity Internationalinternational headquarters, the famous Windsor Hotel, Fuller Center for Housing international headquarters, , for Linda Marshall and her family. I also want to take this opportunity to express thanks for the recognitions and awards, letters, e-mail and personal notes, and favors large and small. I am humbled and appreciative of each act of kindness and generosity, whether it's as grand an honor as the NAACP's Spingarn Medal The Spingarn Medal is awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for outstanding achievement by a Black American. The award, which consists of a gold medal, was created by Joel Elias Spingarn, Chairman of the Board of the NAACP or just a great story suggestion passed on to me by a SE subscriber during my global travels. Those I've thanked, I thank again. Those I have somehow failed to respond to, know that I am eternally grateful to you for your enthusiasm, ideas and support. Anyone who compares how African Americans began this century to how we are ending it cannot help but share my sense of optimism, wonder and gratitude. While the rewards of the future will require battles as hard-fought as the ones that have helped us to gain ground in the past, and we must remain ever-vigilant if we are to continue to build on those gains, I still fervently believe that the glass is indeed half full, and that our best history is yet to come. It is that belief which is at the foundation of our company as we approach the 30th anniversary of the launch of BE in the year 2000. On behalf of all of us at BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine, Black Enterprise Unlimited and our parent company, Earl G. Graves Ltd., I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with triumph, abundance and joy. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion