November 26, 2022
I am not afraid of a good challenge
In February 2018, the Marvel Studios’
film Black Panther came to the big
screen. Before the movie came out, I knew I needed to make this an experience
for my whole family. So, I requested the latter half of the day off from work.
I told my supervisor I would inform my students why I was leaving early. My
supervisor and others thought this might give the students a bad impression; to
miss class to see a movie. I told them, Black
Panther was going to be more than a movie; it was going to be a cultural
game changer. When February 2018 arrived, my belief became reality. Black Panther broke box office records
and even made its presence at the Oscars. This fictional world of Wakanda gave
hope and inspiration to Blacks and non-white people around the world.
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| Doubters underestimated us...our kids believed!!! |
I am not a filmmaker, but I have had my own share of doubters in my life. People doubted my wife and I’s decision to homeschool our children for elementary school. The haters said our children would be socially awkward and that they would fall behind academically. We knew differently. Our belief in our skillset and commitment was greater than the confidence of others’ doubts. My wife was formally trained to be a teacher, and I had my own successful experiences teaching middle school and high school. Not only did my children strive academically, but they were able to unlock their unique talents that have been part of the foundation of their self-esteem…Some doubted my wife having a home birth. They questioned the medical soundness of the decision. Some even suggested that supporting my wife could lead to the death of my wife and unborn child. The birth of our fourth son was not only one of the smoothest births my wife had, but it also provided us with inspiration to help us support mothers to birth in peace. In 2018, I quit my full-time job to be a full-time adjunct professor. Doubters told me I would have to do it forever and be unable to support my family. I believed more than they doubted. My one year as a full-time adjunct made me the most qualified candidate for a full-time faculty position. Furthermore, as an adjunct, my family was never without…I had more quality time with them than any time period as a parent.
Too often we are waiting for others to be our biggest fans…unfortunately too
often they are our biggest doubters. They think they are helping us play it safe. They believe in the long run it will lead
to better success for us. The reality is those people who think they are
helping often facilitate our lives to an endless series of what-ifs. In
turn, it leads us to living a life heavy with shame. The doubters may not know
their family lineage, but I know mine! I come from a lineage of courageous
people! My maternal grandmother was courageous enough to take on Mississippi
that was controlled by Jim Crow. My maternal grandfather was courageous to take
on delivering weapons on the front line in WWII with no weapons other than his
mind and his body. My father took on a computer industry that often tried to
deny him based on his limited formal education, versus his knowledge that was
light years ahead of some of his colleagues (and supervisors).
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| They said I couldn't...this picture says otherwise |
Stay
ready! Be well!
- Elgrie J.
