I've said before that success is a matter of falling down seven times and getting up eight. Yesterday I left a message with someone, I forgot who, that try as I might I can't evade my seven. But again, networks come into play.
My car died on me. If I had a job that actually required my physical presence I'd be SOL. And as I don't have the money to pay--which is why the car is dead rather than on life support--it isn't like I've got the loot to get a new ride. But what I do have is a fraternity brother with a car lying fallow. So he's more than willing to let me borrow Betsy as long as I can take good care of her (Thanks GABE!!).
In as much as I try to be a good Brother, my network WORKS because of what I put into it. BUT if I were in different circumstances, my personal character wouldn't mean squat, because I wouldn't have acccess to those folks who could loan me something based on my personal credit. I could, using the Cosby framework, speak perfect English, go straight home from school, do my homework, wear pants that fit me, and still be SOL when my car breaks down.
Come to think of it, I've got a better story. My sister needed a car badly. She was at a business seminar, and the facilitator asked the participants to get up and state their needs. I don't know why...I don't really do those types of events.
Anyway, my sister gets up and says "I need a car." And then proceeds to explain why.
After the seminar an older woman comes up to her. "I heard your story, and you know what? I've got a car lying around that I NEVER use. You can have it."
You remember that Eddie Murphy skit? What would the world be like if he were white? That's what that story (and my own as I think about it) reminds me of.
Posted by at August 10, 2004 07:29 AM | TrackBack
LKS,I feel your plight,in todays free press an article about a 45 year old sister who committed sucide by burning herself in her car;a [police officer was at the scene but she lock the doors and roll the windows up he watch her die..Friends an neighbors depicted the sister as hard working, but fell on hard time her electricity was cut off,me being old school,I was shock something like that would drive a person to the brink but them I read your message"class and winning pecentage"she had no safety net ,no community,no Que's,and no Family.We have to recapture that again .But how.
Posted by: tootsie at August 11, 2004 06:52 AMtootsie