I recently met a very impressive young man while visiting with my father, Mr. Johnnie Will Smith, in Los Angeles, California. This young man, who lived next door and is the son of one who helps to care for my proud and still self-powered father of 88 years young, possessed incredible vocal, musical, and even writing and producing talent. In other words, he could not only sing and dance, he could 'think,' analyze and strategize too. The only problem with this young man's life success plan, as I shared with him, was that his primary dream plan did not have a practical backup plan. And worse from my perspective, his backup plan, should really be his primary plan instead. Let me explain.
Responsible rap (meaning rap that is true to its origins and roots), Hip-Hop, the broad world of celebrity, and our varied professional sports, are so very important to cultivate and carry forward as part of the larger African-American and minority success story framework for a race. As Quincy Jones repeatedly burns into my soul and pounds into my thick head, "music, art and culture shapes the soul, helps to heal and bring together our world. They help to shape more well rounded people." I agree with Q 100%.
That said, having a career in music, the arts, entertainment (in front of the camera) and sports as the primary life success solution for more than 30 million African-Americans alone in this country, is just plain dumb. Sure, a few lucky ones will make it through, but I would argue that most of them are not in fact all that 'lucky,' at the end of their career-day. A couple facts.
70% of all professional football players file bankruptcy within 5-years of retirement from the game, and there is a 100% injury rate amongst professional football players.
70% plus of all professional basketball players file bankruptcy within 5-years of retirement from the game.
And a vast majority of the "celebrity" artists, from rap to Hip-Hop and beyond, find themselves dead broke after a short, and often even highly visible career.
Continue reading "Solving Poverty: This Generation Needs An Economic Backup Plan" »
























Bryant on Leadership: Hate Doesn't Kill, But 'Radical Indifference' Will
"The issue today is not love over hate, as it was during the civil rights movement of the 1960's. In many ways, some could say that Dr. King had it better, in the sense that individuals let him know precisely where they stood; making it plain that they loved and backed him, or they hated and rejected him. ...Today, increasingly, people do not care enough about you to hate you. I call this radical indifference. When someone does not care enought about you, to hate you."
A few years back, a young black man approached me, knowing that I had a minor relationship with the late and former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, saying "hey John, that man -- former President Reagan -- he was a racist man...." I had to reject what this young man had to say, while embracing the young man and his pain, and understandable frustrations. To this man, President Reagan didn't care about him and his plight, and thus, he simply 'must be' a racist. I had a different take on the problem. I also saw a possible opportunity within this same problem, and decided to try to enroll this young man up in my vision, for what 'could be.'
I explained to the young man that I knew then President Reagan, though admittedly not that well. Enough to say I respectd him. I was a young man myself, like the one I was speaking with, when I was acquainted with this Administration. I explained that Reagan and I were actually born on the same day, and as such, I especially appreciated his ability to inspire, even while many listening to him might actually disagree with what he was talking 'about.'
I went on to say that I thought that then President Reagan was basicallty 'a nice man.' I don't think that anyone becomes President of the United States of America, wakes up the next morning and then says to himself, "now, how can I screw up America and hurt her people?" They may screw up, and they may make incredibly damaging decisions and mistakes, but we have to beleive that they do basically mean well. If we don't, if we stop trusting the basic intent of our national leaders, then well all bets are off anyway.
I went on to explain that I was not at all crazy about most of Reagan's social policy framework for the least of these God's children (and there was no real economic policy framework to even be insulted by). I explained that in most cases I simply respectfully disagreed with the Administration. I learned long ago from my pastor, friend and spiritual father, Reverend Dr. Cecil "Chip" Murray, "you can disagree, without being disagreeable."
Continue reading "Bryant on Leadership: Hate Doesn't Kill, But 'Radical Indifference' Will" »
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