sample chapter - transitioning to real life: a common sense guide for the african-american new...

8/14/2019 SAMPLE CHAPTER - Transitioning to Real Life: A Common Sense Guide for the African-American New College Grad

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Transitioning to Real Life: A Common SenseGuide for the

African-American New College Graduate

Transitioning to Real Life, designed specifically for African-

American new college graduates, provides information on a variety

of subjects that help bridge the gap between college life and the

real world. Written in an easy to read bullet format, it offers a

much needed reference on a several subjects such as securing

employment, managing ones finances, identifying a spiritual path,

selecting a mate, appreciating and valuing ethnicity, and more.

Transitioning to Real Life was born out the authors eperience

with young people and specifically her own son. !s. "mallwood

states the following#

Shortly after my son completed his education, I began

taking an inventory of his readiness to face the real orld!"rofessionally, I had no doubt that he as prepared!

#oever, hat concerned me most ere the hidden land

mines that most young people, especially $frican%$merican

young people, have little knoledge of ho to navigate!&

!s. "mallwood searched for an ade$uate reference, specifically for

African Americans% and when she found none, !s. "mallwoodjotted down her notes, placed them in a three-ring binder and

presented them to her son as a resource manual for a journey into

what she called &eal 'ife.

(ivided into twelve informative chapters, Transitioning to Real

Life is a must have for any young persons library.

Appreciating Diversit and !aluing "ourRoots


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The Past

Always be aware of your history as an African-American, it

will propel you forward.

&emember the contributions of your ancestors, they made a

difference.

)a*e a blac* history course, if you didnt have an opportunity

to do so in college.

+now your familys history.

ind the oldest living member of your family and record their

history.

"ecure family artifacts from the past such as pictures, clothing,etc. )hey will be important to your children one day.

)a*e a trip to (a*ar, "enegal. )his was one of the places

where our ancestors were forcefully put on ships and sent to

America.

)a*e a trip to the southeastern region of the "% specifically,eorgia, Alabama, and !ississippi. /isit those places where

civil rights history too* place. 0ou will never be the same.

'earn about the history of organi1ations such as the 2ational

Association for the Advancement of 3olored 4eople 52AA346%

the "outhern 3hristian 'eadership 3onference 5"3'36% and the

"tudent 2on-/iolent 3oordinating 3ommittee 5"2336.

While there are many African-American pioneers, read and re-

read the writings of W.7.8. (ubois, 'angston 9ughes and

&ichard Wright.


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When thin* about the nderground &ailroad, openly than*

9arriett )ubman and "ojourner )ruth for their courage.

(ont forget to add to your than* you list the following# arrett

!organ for the traffic light% eorge Washington 3arver for themany uses of the peanut% !adame 3. :. Wal*er for

revolutioni1ing hair products% and &osa 4ar*s for refusing to

give up her seat on the bus.

ind a way to constantly celebrate your heritage, but do

something special during 8lac* 9istory !onth.

(ont forget the !artin 'uther +ing :r. holiday. 9e is never to

be forgotten.

/isit the !artin 'uther +ing, :r. 3enter in Atlanta, eorgia and

feel his presence.

7specially remember and ac*nowledge other pioneers of the

civil rights movement% without them you would not be where

you are today.

The Present

8e proud of your color, tight hair, and thic* lips. )hey are

ods special gift to you.

Ac*nowledge your brothers and sisters of color. 'earn to lift

each other up.

Appreciate the rainbow of colors eisting in your race.

4urchase and appreciate blac* literature. 8e the first to buy the

hardcover edition.

9ost a ;


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&esearch the habits of blac* millionaires and learn how they

got there.

'earn to play a previously non-traditional sport now played by

blac*s such as tennis or golf.

(rop the 7bonics and instead enjoy a game of "crabble.

3all 8ig !ama and tell her you love her.

+eep current on whats happening in the blac* community.

)a*e a subscription to'bonyand(et.

8uy from blac* business owners when possible.

/isit the old neighborhood and invite a friend to your new

hood.

7njoy ethnic food. 7at at a soul food restaurant at least once

per month.

"tay abreast of health advances that affect African-American

particularly in the area of prostrate cancer and sic*le cell

anemia.

3hart your course and develop a plan to ta*e others with you.

Whatever you do, do it with all your might. =n fact, do it better

than the net guy.

&emember its not always about race. "ometimes its actuallyyour fault.

2ever forget that you are blac*. )hose who do not loo* li*e

you may not remind you verbally, but certainly their actions

will convey it.


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'oo* after younger members of the family. =n fact, help them

get though college.

&emember that your family is your best support system. )reatthem with respect.

The Future

=ts your world too. (ream big>

"hare your dreams and encourage others to dream too.

Act on your drams% *eep a constant plan on the burner.

=magine a future where there are no more racial issues and help

to create it.

(o away with your own pre-conceived stereotypes.

o out of your way to have a diverse group of friends.

&ecogni1e and appreciate diversity that goes beyond race,

ethnicity, and gender, but also is inclusive of differences in

seual orientation, persons with disabilities, older people, andpersons with different religious preferences.

&each out to those that are different than you, even when they

dont reach out to you.

'oo* to advance the homestead. =t may be worth a lot one day.

4lan to ma*e a better world for those who follow you.

Always *eep your eye on the future.

8elieve in yourself and others will follow.


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9ave faith that one day you will truly be judged by the content

of your character and not the color of your s*in.

4lan to run for public office.

(evelop a plan to lead and not be led.

=magine yourself as 4resident 5your name6.

"upport the advancement of blac* arts.

=ntroduce a blac* child to your profession. 0ou will have

planted a seed that may grow into another professional.

)each love and live unselfishly, while pressing toward the

mar*.

inally, remember that blac* people will be in heaven too."trive to be one of them>


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