My Mind Speaks.... Taking Inventory

“I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It's something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time. Not because we don't want to but because of what society has labelled women to be. I think we are the most powerful beings in the world and that we should be given every opportunity. And that is what we should be teaching these young girls to take up space. Nothing is as important as taking up space in society and cementing yourself”

-Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi

These were the final words that sealed Zozibini’s Miss Universe victory. Words so powerful that they got me thinking: what if we replaced young girls and women with black people? What if we taught ourselves leadership? What if we rose above what society has labelled us to be? What if we started believing that we are the most powerful beings in the world and lived in that truth. What if instead of waiting to be given an opportunity, we created opportunities for ourselves. What if we took up space in each and every industry and sector of the economy and cemented our existence in the “right” side of history? What if we could re-write our history to one that doesn’t aggravate our kids when it’s told?

Although I completely understand and sympathise with the many factors that were created to the detriment of the black man, and have contributed to many catastrophic events that have occurred in our history, I also firmly believe in the rise of a black empire. These factors also contribute to how we choose our careers. Many of us chose careers that will most likely take us out of poverty the fastest. We’ve let go of what we are passionate about and what inspires us to feel most alive. I am not saying it’s completely wrong, but I believe that after we have reasonably paid our black tax, one should start taking inventory of one’s life. For example; if you became a doctor as a poverty eradication strategy, don’t get stuck in a profession that doesn’t inspire you to be better. Start thinking of things that you actually like doing. The disadvantages of trying to stick it out where you do not belong or being in a place that is not aligned with your purpose is that your effectiveness will be affected. As a result, you'll find yourself ill-treating people because helping the sick is not really something you actually love doing. Maybe, and just maybe, you love gaming. Now, listen to me carefully, I am not saying you should quit your job, but do create time to invest in your passion. Maybe work on creating the next best thing in the gaming industry in your spare time. It is time we start working double and triple shifts on our dreams!!!

 Don’t let it end at just being a doctor. We need to put in the hours, just like Malcolm Gladwell suggested “you need 10,000 hours to be a Phenom. To be so freakishly awesome, to be such a standout among your peers, that sometimes your first name is enough to tell people who you are. Ten thousand hours invested into practicing something we are passionate about.’’ Like when Michelle Obama wrote “One of the silliest questions an adult can ask a child is what do you want to be when you grow up? As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that’s the end”. Furthermore, she goes on to mention that in her lifetime she’s been a lawyer, a vice president at a hospital and a director of a non-profit organization. Never let your poverty eradication career be enough. Search further and deeper. And keep searching.

I find it unacceptable that there are so many mechanical engineers in the whole African continent, coupled with car fanatics yet there is still no car originally made in Africa. So many doctors, yet so few black owned hospitals. So many teachers, yet the number of black owned schools is still not enough. A growing number of actuaries, yet no Investment companies. I am pretty sure there is a black person in each industry, few as they may be in some industries, but yet it still feels like we are not represented. What if we worked hard at putting in the 10 000 hours of practice?

 I imagine an Africa full of knowledgeable and skillful people, an Africa that has an Amazon competitor, a Microsoft competitor. I imagine an Africa that wasn’t affected by slavery and apartheid just like the one in Wakanda. May Africa rise and take up space; then cement herself in greatness. Today I want to encourage you to take inventory. The best days are ahead of us.

Let me end with this poem/quote:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You’re playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

My mind Speaks…