Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 November 2002 — Page 3

Page 2 • The Muncie Times • November 7, 2002

EDITORIAL

Success in sports and entertainment have opened doors to stellar upward mobility for some lucky African American young people. The hip hop culture has created instant millionaires. Many have moved from governmentsubsidized housing, sometimes called "the projects," into mansions in some of the country's wealthiest areas. Athletes who have also excelled in baseball, basketball, boxing, football, golf, tennis and, to a lesser extent, track and field, have also made the trek from the inner cities to the suburbs. We applaud such successes. We applaud all legal methods that have moved African Americans from the cusp of poverty, despair, frustration and

disillusionment to the cusp of success in business, athletics and entertainment. Many can relate stories of the little boy or girl, who was a neighbor or lived down the street, who has now made it. In Muncie, we can think of basketball star Bonzi Wells, actress Cynda Williams or former NFL player-turned-businessman David Duerson. These are success stories most of us can relate to and be proud of. Many parents want to see their children succeed, become superstars and instant millionaires. There's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with dreaming and hoping. But we also live in a real world, where we must realize that for every child that succeeds in entertainment and/or

sports, there are hundreds and thousands who do not « make it. That is a sad fact. There are many of us who will not make it as entertainers or sports figures. As parents, it is important to be aware of this and to point it out to our children. We do not want to do it merely to discourage them or to frustrate their dreams. We should do it because we want to instill a large dose of reality into them and their lives. We want them to be realistic and to be fully cognizant of the odds of athletic or entertainment success. Once we accept this reality, that many are called but few actually enter the wonderful world of entertainment and athletic success, then it will be easier to accept the

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MUNCIE TIMES STAFF

Publisher Bea Moten-Foster Editor John T. Lambkun Advertising Bea Moten-Foster Layout Patty King Typesetting J.D. Shinn Contributors: T.S. Kumbula, Shante Scott, Geri Rosales, Barbara Namwawa, J.D. Shinn

The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond, and Muncie. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Telephone (765) 741-0037. Fax (765) 741-0040.

limitations we face. This is where parents come in. They are expected to be encouragers--and they should do that. They are expected to tell their offspring that the sky is the limit. And they should do that. They should encourage their children to dream the impossible dream. But they should also let their children realize that not all dreams come true. To cushion their offspring against the odds of entertainment and/or sports failure, parents need to encourage their children to stay in school and to succeed in school. A good education may help pave the way to a good job. That is something every child needs. Parents can help control how their children do in school. Parents can encourage their children to succeed in school. They can help them with homework. They can ensure that

homework is done on time. They can talk to their children about the importance of doing well in school. They can also let their children know. It should be made clear to all children that a good education is a solid foundation to a better life. Even those who are lured by entertainment and sports dollar signs, also need a good education. They need a Plan B. They need something to fall back upon, should they be or in some other way have their sports or entertainment careers cut. We hope that parents will keep this in mind, will encourage them to stay in school and succeed in school, instead of putting all their eggs into the one basket of entertainment or sports success and fame. That kind of fame is never guaranteed.

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