My mother’s parents had a tremendous belief in education. They were not highly educated people but they knew that it was necessary for their kids to get a good education especially back when “people of color” had a very hard time and opportunities was not there for them. They were black and east Indian.
It was a similar situation with my father and stepmom and their siblings.
My grandparents thought that this was how their kids would “move up” in society. High school became the norm for us. I know people of my generation that were the first in their family to go to high school. This was something my family took for granted. We would also hear, “when you go off to university.” Again we thought it was normal. Thinking about it shouldn’t education be a right not a privilege?
I remember talking to some of my cousins about this at the family reunion I attended recently and it was such a part of our lives that nobody had even thought about it until I mentioned it. As a matter of fact one of my cousins told me that when her son graduated from high school a coworker was so proud of him as she saw it as something awesome. My cousin was a little lost as all of her siblings and her parents had done high school and therefore why wouldn’t her son?
My son is learning to read because I told him as I was told, as long as you can read you will find it easy to travel. Both my kids love to travel. It’s heart warming to see my daughter find her way around airports because she can read. This is what I want to ensure that I give to them as it was given to me, a good education. It won’t and can’t disappear, it’s there for life. To me a good education is more than traditional school.
So many persons have bypassed their education because they would be athletes, entertainers, etc, not realizing that you still need a good education. How will you understand what is presented to you to sign. Yes you will have lawyers, accountants etc, but will you have any idea about what you have in your hands. Are you willing to give others full control of your life. A education is needed, I’m not saying you need a PhD but …
I remember watching an interview with a former rapper that also played basketball in the NBA, he said because he had a college degree and was able to read and understand a contract that was given to him, he saved himself from a fate that would have surely not made him as rich as he is today. If he has signed the contract he wouldn’t have received a fraction of what he was valued as a rapper. That was very interesting and telling.
How do we get more persons to understand that Gates, Jobs, Zukleberg, et al, were highly educated, “dropped out” of “Ivy League” universities and grew up middle class? Without education they wouldn’t be where they are, some of the richest persons on the planet. Have a look at the Forbes billionaire list, globally. Note how many of these persons went to university. I’m talking about the self made ones not those that inherited their wealth. In my mind education is the key.
Let me know what you think. How do you feel about getting an education? Do you consider it a right or a privilege? Is it that important? Shouldn’t we be grateful?
See you next Wednesday at 8:00 pm.
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You’re so right education is key to open so many doors… and continuing education is key to continuous growth and development. I’m blessed to be a student of and for life.
Well said. If only more persons really understood that it is the key.
My mother always told us when we were growing up that education was the key that unlocks the door of life.
We past on the same right we had to a good education to our children.
I thank God I live to see my daughter graduate with a Bachelors degree when back got her Masters and now look to get her PhD.
Andrea we must give God thanks for our Grandparents
Who laid the foundation that education is our right and no a privilege.
My Cousin your blog Rocks.
Thanks cuz. Thank God that the grandparents saw the light very early and gave their children that edge. They then past on to us and we did the same.
Those strong people knew they had to ensure we knew it was our right and not a privilege.
Bless you grandma and grandad. We still have your vision and will never let it dim.
Indeed education is a foundation everyone should have the right to. I do think that based on what is presented to us on the tele, some will still think it unnecessary because of certain talents they might have. A recent comment was made that a child with exceptional talent should not be penalized for not making the minimum educational requirements of issa. From a learned person that was very surprising to me
That is madness. Education is the key. It’s a must.
Where do I begin? Thank you Mrs. Perry for the constant reminder to “check my blog” I am encouraged.
As a facilitator of education I couldn’t agree with this blog more.
I can relate to being raised in a family unit where making the successful transition to “high school”, was a major achievement and those who made that transition was considered “privileged”.
I am very blessed and eternally grateful to my parents that in addition to feeding me on the “Word of God” which was first of course, education was next in line. My parents, like most parents, wanted me to have what they didn’t have or in this case didn’t get – a Good Education.
My mother, bless her heart, was the driving force behind my siblings and I that propelled us into the balanced adults we are today. Though just a “domestic helper” or maid, she was a fluent reader and an eloquent speaker. Every year she ensured that we got our “reading books” first before all other texts so we could get a jump start on the new vocabulary – a tradition I still carry on with my son to this day.
I am the individual I am today because my parents supported and encouraged me to acquire a good education. This created a solid foundation for me and paved the way for me in the employment industry. I am such an avid believer in a “Good Education ” that I am now a teacher.
There’s so much more I could share, but I will end with Proverbs 4:13 (GNT) ” Always remember what you have learned. Your EDUCATION is your life – Guard it well”
That’s what I’m talking about. You hit the nail on the head. A good education is the foundation. It can never go away, but guess what money can.
Interestingly if you money goes away, you can always make it back using that education. 😉