SURVIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM

Today I digress from the usual update to provide a synopsis of Surviving the American Dream or basically surviving in this great land.

I guess the trials of living and working in a competitive environment evens the playing field with stories from each and everyone of us. The good, the bad and the terrible, we each have our own stories. But this is not about that. This is about the deliberate workings of the insecure, the racist, the intellectually challenged, the shakedown artist and so forth. You would be amazed at the lengths some individuals will go to create havoc in someone's life.

The Publishing Industry which offers some of the best education and opportunities for financial gain and exposure, is one of the most 'closed' industries you could ever find. This is an industry that has limited opportunities for minorities (and I mean blacks). It is a rarity when you find a decision maker who is black. I remember always scanning the 'trades' to see if they would include a black face in any of the party photos or company photos. Yes, there is racism everywhere, but no more so than in this industry. I am not talking about years ago, this is about now. Check the roster of any magazines and see how many blacks they employ. Look at sales opportunities and if you can find 10 black sales professionals in decision making positions within mainstream magazines I am willing to apologize.

My brief overview is not too much about the injustices inflicted on all of us, but the deliberate attempt to create destruction in our lives, due to envy and the need to 'keep us in our places'. I have been very fortunate, in that I have come in contact and made lasting friends with some awesome people. Friends who will go the extra mile to help or provide any kind of support I need. But then there are those who go out of their way to create havoc.

The amazing thing is that when targeted, they will go to any lengths to try and destroy you. If you are of limited faith or are insecure, survival is not possible. You must wake up each day with renewed faith and vigor to combat all negatives in your life. I do believe in heaven and hell, and if at the end of this journey I find there is no hell, I am going to be extremely disappointed.,

I am from the Caribbean, and made of sterner stuff. It is impossible to break me and I will survive and prosper. I was brought up to believe in myself and that I could achieve my dream through hard work and smart choices. The competitive environment that I have chosen to be in, makes me a pioneer in this field and the only black or non white to own a business. Yes, there are those who would like to see me fail, and there are those who have made me their special target, but be warned as I do firmly believe that if you start a fight you must have the courage to finish it, as I do intend to finish it for you.