Womb Of The Master Builder

Looking back to the time when my high school counselor informed my Mother that I was not college material, I focused on being the best vocational nurse within my assigned limitation. Albert Einstein, one of the great geniuses of the past, once said, “A day without learning is a day wasted. There is so much to learn and so little time to learn it.” Unfortunately, my High School Guidance Counselor had not taken these words to heart when she informed my Mother in that infamous letter (a black and white paper), that I was not smart enough to pursue an academic course of study. She provided her supervisor (Dr. John) with information that did not support my desire to achieve an Academic Diploma. In 1960, when I graduated from high school, it was reported that fewer African American students complete four years of high school than do Caucasian Americans. Did they consider the implications for that statistic? Was it important to them? Maybe not. They just went along with the status quo. Looking back to the time when my high school counselor informed my Mother that I was not college material, I focused on being the best vocational nurse within my assigned limitation. Albert Einstein, one of the great geniuses of the past, once said, “A day without learning is a day wasted. There is so much to learn and so little time to learn it.” Unfortunately, my High School Guidance Counselor had not taken these words to heart when she informed my Mother in that infamous letter (a black and white paper), that I was not smart enough to pursue an academic course of study. She provided her supervisor (Dr. John) with information that did not support my desire to achieve an Academic Diploma. Parents of Lillimae Marcus, This letter is written to inform you of Lillimae’s academic progress for the school year. She has attained her highest level of competency during the year. She is a dedicated and enthusiastic student who set very high standards for herself. Unfortunately, her test scores do not indicate that she is academically equipped to pursue an Academic Diploma. The review board recommends that she pursue a vocational course of study that will award her a General Academic Diploma. She will be able to take a State Board examination and work as a Practical Nurse when she fulfills curriculum requirements both clinical and didactics. Unfortunately, she does not meet the requirements for admission into the Academic Honors Curriculum. We are proud to serve your daughter based on her capabilities and goals. The best for the future, David John, B.A. Ed., M.S.E.D., Ed.D. Dr. John did not even acknowledge my Mother’s given name in the letter’s salutation. That counselor and educator had no right to deprive me, a vulnerable teenager, of my excitement of moving forward into my destiny. At the time, I felt discouraged but not defeated. Mother comforted me to the best of her ability. In my immature, selfish state, as a teenager, I thought that a caring professional educator would understand that from the moment this newborn baby girl emerged from her Mother’s womb, certain forces were at work for her development. During my intrauterine experience, inherent powers and behaviors were in the making to interact with my new extra uterine existence. Those inherent forces and powers, already in place for my continual growth, and maturation were not limited to my physical maturity, but my faculties of personality development as well. Those leaders had no idea that my expansion and refinement were awaiting opportunities for revelation to the world. As an adult pursuing an Associate Degree, I believe these are the essentials of education. Education is an ongoing process of development toward attainment of specific goals and milestones for living an abundant life. Everyone is given the opportunity to be successful in major areas of their lives (i.e., educationally, psychologically, and spiritually). But what happens when those opportunities are sabotaged by a parent instead of a teacher or guidance counselor? The effects from each of them can be damaging when a child is not comforted and encouraged in their family of origin. There are individuals who have been raised in homes where their potential was not noticed and supported by either of their parents. They were not celebrated because one or both of their parents were addicted to a process or psychologically ill. What are the possibilities for these individuals? Depending on the various personalities of these individuals, they may decide to fight or take flight. Those with extroverted personalities may choose to fight psychologically by not giving in to the intimidation their parents may have exhibited during their developmental years. They may also become angry that they weren’t given the attention and understanding they needed. The individuals with introverted personalities may choose to take flight by becoming depressed, or emotionally shutting down, until they can make sense out of what is really happening to them. They may also become fearful that they may not have the wherewithal to meet life’s demands. However, if they are not initially overcome by fear, they may decide to leave home early to chart their own course.