Ix Chel’s Reviews > Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story > Status Update

[Paraphrasing here] That's the message that should get across to the Black community. The same opportunities are there, but we can't automatically start out as vice president of the company. It's better to start where we can fit in and then work our way up. And if you aren't progressing then learn as much as you can to use that knowledge to do it on your own.

[Paraphrasing here] For example, I noticed that some Asian communities' mindset is to have a plan that benefits you but still work together and supporting others. They didn't beg for handouts and often took the lowest jobs offered. Even well-educated individuals didn't mind sweeping floors if it was a paying job. Today many of these same people are property owners and entrepreneurs.

[Paraphrasing] Many of our pressing racial problems will be taken care of when we who are among the minorities will stand on our own feet and refuse to look to anybody else to save us from our situations. Unfortunately the culture in which we live stresses looking out for number one. Without adopting such a self-centred value system, we can demand the best of ourselves while we are extending our hands to help others.

[Paraphrasing here,] Black folks need to know the way to escape their often dismal situations is contained within themselves. They can't expect other people to do it for them. This is why representation is so important as it provides living examples of someone who made it and who came from what we now call a disadvantaged background. Making someone's dream more achievable as somebody like them has already done it.

[Paraphrasing here] When encountering prejudice understand that some people are ignorant and you have to educate them.

"There isn't anybody in the world who isn't worth something. If you're nice to them, they'll be nice to you. The same people you meet on the way up are the same kind of people you meet on the way down. Besides that, every person you meet is one of God's children." - Benjamin Carson.

"It doesn't really matter what color you are. If you're good, you'll be recognized. Because people, even if they're prejudiced, are going to want the best. You just have to make being the best your goal in life." - Sonya Carson.

"You're your own person. You can accomplish anything that you want in the world. You're a talented person, and you can do anything. I believe you're going to do great things. I'm glad to know you." - Carl Seufert to Benjamin Carson.