Sample Chapter - Transitioning To Real Life: A Common Sense Guide For The African-american New College Graduate

Transitioning to Real Life: A Common Sense Guide for the African-American New College Graduate Transitioning to Real Life, designed specifically for AfricanAmerican 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 one’s finances, identifying a spiritual path, selecting a mate, appreciating and valuing ethnicity, and more. Transitioning to Real Life was born out the author’s experience with young people and specifically her own son. Ms. Smallwood states the following: “Shortly after my son completed his education, I began taking an inventory of his readiness to face the ‘real’ world. Professionally, I had no doubt that he was prepared. However, what concerned me most were the hidden land mines that most young people, especially African-American young people, have little knowledge of how to navigate.” Ms. Smallwood searched for an adequate reference, specifically for African Americans; and when she found none, Ms. Smallwood jotted 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 “Real Life.” Divided into twelve informative chapters, Transitioning to Real Life is a must have for any young person’s library.

Appreciating Diversity and Valuing Your Roots

The Past 

Always be aware of your history as an African-American, it will propel you forward.

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Remember the contributions of your ancestors, they made a difference.

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Take a black history course, if you didn’t have an opportunity to do so in college.

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Know your family’s history.

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Find the oldest living member of your family and record their history.

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Secure family artifacts from the past such as pictures, clothing, etc. They will be important to your children one day.

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Take a trip to Dakar, Senegal. This was one of the places where our ancestors were forcefully put on ships and sent to America.

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Take a trip to the southeastern region of the US; specifically, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Visit those places where civil rights history took place. You will never be the same.

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Learn about the history of organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

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While there are many African-American pioneers, read and reread the writings of W.E.B. Dubois, Langston Hughes and Richard Wright.

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When think about the Underground Railroad, openly thank Harriett Tubman and Sojourner Truth for their courage.

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Don’t forget to add to your thank you list the following: Garrett Morgan for the traffic light; George Washington Carver for the many uses of the peanut; Madame C. J. Walker for revolutionizing hair products; and Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat on the bus.

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Find a way to constantly celebrate your heritage, but do something special during Black History Month.

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Don’t forget the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. He is never to be forgotten.

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Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta, Georgia and feel his presence.

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Especially remember and acknowledge other pioneers of the civil rights movement; without them you would not be where you are today.

The Present 

Be proud of your color, tight hair, and thick lips. They are God’s special gift to you.

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Acknowledge your brothers and sisters of color. Learn to lift each other up.

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Appreciate the rainbow of colors existing in your race.

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Purchase and appreciate black literature. Be the first to buy the hardcover edition. Host a 60s party and celebrate the Motown legends.

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Research the habits of black millionaires and learn how they got there.

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Learn to play a previously non-traditional sport now played by blacks such as tennis or golf.

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Drop the Ebonics and instead enjoy a game of Scrabble.

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Call Big Mama and tell her you love her.

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Keep current on what’s happening in the black community.

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Take a subscription to Ebony and Jet.

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Buy from black business owners when possible.

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Visit the old neighborhood and invite a friend to your new “hood.”

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Enjoy ethnic food. Eat at a soul food restaurant at least once per month.

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Stay abreast of health advances that affect African-American particularly in the area of prostrate cancer and sickle cell anemia.

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Chart your course and develop a plan to take others with you.

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Whatever you do, do it with all your might. In fact, do it better than the next guy.

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Remember it’s not always about race. Sometimes it’s actually your fault.

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Never forget that you are black. Those who do not look like you may not remind you verbally, but certainly their actions will convey it.

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Look after younger members of the family. In fact, help them get though college.

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Remember that your family is your best support system. Treat them with respect.

The Future 

It’s your world too. Dream big!

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Share your dreams and encourage others to dream too.

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Act on your drams; keep a constant plan on the burner.

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Imagine a future where there are no more racial issues and help to create it.

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Do away with your own pre-conceived stereotypes.

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

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Recognize and appreciate diversity that goes beyond race, ethnicity, and gender, but also is inclusive of differences in sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, older people, and persons with different religious preferences.

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Reach out to those that are different than you, even when they don’t reach out to you.

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Look to advance the homestead. It may be worth a lot one day.

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Plan to make a better world for those who follow you.

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Always keep your eye on the future. Believe in yourself and others will follow.

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Have faith that one day you will truly be judged by the content of your character and not the color of your skin.

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Plan to run for public office.

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Develop a plan to lead and not be led.

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Imagine yourself as “President (your name).”

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Support the advancement of black arts.

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Introduce a black child to your profession. You will have planted a seed that may grow into another professional.

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Teach love and live unselfishly, while pressing toward the mark.

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Finally, remember that black people will be in heaven too. Strive to be one of them!