HOW THE MIDDLE CLASS AND MILLIONAIRES THINK

By Vernalee

Since my name did not appear on the Forbes Millionaire List this morning, I once again am pulling my professional “lickety stick.” Off to my day of work and chores, I go!

Drinking my coffee at my favorite hangout, Panera Bread, I read an intriguing article, “The Top 10 Distinctions between the Millionaires and the Middle Class.”

Allow me to share! Distinction # 10 - Millionaires think long term.

The middle class thinks short term. Distinction # 9 - Millionaires talk about ideas. The middle class talks about things and other people. Distinction # 8 - Millionaires embrace change. The middle class is threatened by change. Distinction # 7 - Millionaires take calculated risks. The middle class is afraid to take risks. Distinction # 6 - Millionaires continually learn and grow. The middle class thinks learning ended with school. Distinction # 5 - Millionaires work for profits. The middle class works for wages. Distinction # 4 - Millionaires believe they must be generous. The middle class believes they can’t afford to give. Distinction # 3 - Millionaires have multiple sources of income. The middle class only has one or two.

Distinction # 2 - Millionaires focus on increasing their net worth. The middle class focuses on increasing their paychecks. Distinction #1 - Millionaires ask themselves empowering questions.

The middle class asks dis-empowering questions.

Now then … What is your mindset? How rich (or poor) are you in your thinking?

No one has the desire to be a wannabe!

And of course, there is no gain to be pretentious by operating with Champagne taste on a beer budget!

The goal is to maximize and realize our fullest potential and land wherever that takes us! Photo credit: www.amazon.com

THE TEACHER WHO CHANGED MY LIFE

By Vernalee

Most people have a reminiscent teacher story; a story that impacted them; a story that left a memorable imprint!

Here's mine. After matriculating through Moore’s Elementary school with Miss Ross who was going to beat the mathematical times tables in my head through my rear end if I didn’t learn them to Principal Rev. McBeth who was a fierce proponent of disciplinary compliance (this was during the time when kids could be paddled for misbehaving), I met this newly graduated teacher, Miss Toni Jean Patterson in the 7th grade.

The year was 1966.

The state of Mississippi finally enforced integration. Much to our chagrin and to our parents’ expectancy, the White kids were suddenly not going to be our future classmates at our hometown Glen Allan High School. In fact, they abandoned the school in its entirety. Black and White children in the same classroom in Mississippi were a taboo at least that was the opinion of the White populous as they vacated integration to maintain segregation. They even established their own private school.

For many of them, it was an inconceivable notion that would never give birth to reality for their White children to be in the same classroom with Black children!

“How unspeakable; the nerve of them Black folks,” undoubtedly was their thought!

Needless to say, the Whites‘ thought processes regarding this mixing of the races merely validated their acquiescence as being a reflection and expression of the existent discriminatory and racist times.

Continuing the saga, off to their new segregated White only school, they went!

Now, it was them, instead of us, getting up at 5:00 a.m. in the morning to go to school. Now it was them and not us who were being bused.

So what would happen to us - the Black Kids?

Would we be left out in the cold?

No!

Our parents and local civil rights activists rallied around us and protested!

Equal Rights were definitely the law of the land!

The state of Mississippi owed us the same educational benefits as the White kids.

Our parents were not settling for anything less!

Dreams do come true!

Alongside some veteran educators, waiting on the horizon was a group of young Black college graduates zealously eager to put their teaching certificates to work at Glen Allan High School. As a results, we Inherited some great teachers who were determined to make us the best that we could be!

One of those teachers was a lady by the name of Miss Toni Jean Patterson. Meeting Miss Patterson, a petite, personable, and smart teacher who taught me science was a unique experience. She performed double duty as she provided us with extracurricular instruction when she formed a choir.

Being an honor student, I soon became her “pet.” What a glorious position to have as I could get away with my characteristic excessive talking without being punished.

Yea!

On one occasion, Miss Patterson had to make a trip to her home in neighboring Greenville, and she took me with her. I was astonished at what I saw! She had a huge closet full of purses, shoes, and clothes. They were everywhere! I had never seen that much merchandise in one singular place other than in a department store. I was speechless and amazed! Realizing that an impression had been made, Miss Patterson said, “Vernadeane, you can have all of this stuff if you finish school and go to college. You must study hard and continue to make good grades. And please don't have any babies!”

That discussion and incident changed my life. The straw that broke the camel’s back was that she had a modern upright piano in her living room. To my eyes, that was a vision of privilege. That was an instrument that was rarely seen in Black folks’ shot gun houses in the impoverished Mississippi delta. Her house and possessions formed a pictorial snapshot that became a lasting memory permanently sketched in my mind! Before you jump to conclusions, I know that you may say that it’s a materialistic thought, but I was impressionable as most teenage girls! Since I loved clothes and accessories, I wanted what she had. I can’t lie! It became a motivator.

I also remembered her talking about her future plans. Should she marry a doctor or a lawyer? Wow! Amazing choices, I’ll say for any woman, let alone a Black woman! How could you not admire her?

Wow!

Of course, I followed her advice!

After graduating from college, I went to see her. My sister Jean who was living in Washington, D.C. at the time had previously connected with her.

By this time, she was a principal living in Mitchellville, Maryland with her lawyer hubby and son. Some things hadn’t changed over the years. She now had a fabulous baby grand piano in her home. Her closet was still full of clothes, purses, and shoes….tons of them.

As if it was yesterday, I can hear her saying, “Vernadeane, you look like I thought you would look; you talk like I thought you would talk. I am so proud of you.”

“Thank you Miss Patterson,” who was now Mrs. Menchan. Continuing, she said, “I just have one additional thing to say, I thought that you would go to Hollywood, since you were so theatrical.” Laughing, I said, “Not yet, but maybe I will make it there one day.”

A thought just hit me as I recently traveled to Baltimore (and saw the Mitchellville exit sign). I realized that it’s not too late! Maybe, I might still make it to Hollywood one day! ”Ain’t nothing wrong with dreaming!”

Anyway as I reminisce, I give credit to her (Toni Jean), my favorite teacher, as she planted seeds of knowledge, hope, motivation, and inspiration in me. After all these years, I remain grateful because she saw something in me that I was too young to see in myself. She planted a seed that fertilized my destiny. I will always remember her and what she taught me! I admired her so greatly! Truly, she changed my life! I remain grateful for the seeds that she planted in me to become the best that I could be! Thank you ... my African Queen; my teacher ... who changed my life!

This article is dedicated to the memory of the late Mrs.Toni Patterson Menchan, my favorite teacher who taught me lessons in books and life.

Photo Reprint: www.loc.gov; (Johnston) Frances Benjamin Collection; Annie Davis School near Tuskegee, Alabama.

THE BIG CHEESE IS BACK!

By Vernalee

Remember the Big Cheese? You know him! You have definitely seen him before! Although he is graphically pictured here as a male, the Big Cheese can also be a female. Equal rights .. y'all!

He/she is that person who gives orders, takes names, shifts their weight, attempts to frighten you with their tactics, provides threatening remarks, talks negatively to you and about you, and is outrageously chummy with the boss.

Did I add that he and the boss are golfing and drinking buddies? Some folks have even seen them frequent the strip joints together. Hush yo mouth!

If the Big Cheese does wrong, punishment does not come his way. Never!

Perhaps, he is exempted from disciplinary actions for harassing employees and exacting retaliatory actions! He is a nightmare to the Human Resources Department.

Though he has no supervisory oversight, everyone defers to him; many are even fearful of him.

Yes, the Big Cheese can make some rock in their boots and he knows it! Remember, as the boss' right hand man, he has an elevated job title that does not match his responsibility, because he does no substantial work; none! Walking and talking are his main gig!

His influence and power are incredibly unbelievable.

I’m sure that you have seen him “doing his thing,” and wielding his power; Right?

Some have even tried to determine exactly what was the nature of his strength. Though he has Superman authority and strength in the workplace, he is so disliked with mounting unfavorable disdain that if he could be weakened with kryptonite, there would be an enormous stack in everyone’s desk drawer so they could see him squirm.

Perhaps that is unreasonable and wishful thinking but fair play is such a desirable trait. Unfortunately, our workplace Big Cheese doesn’t have the humility of Clark Kent; not at all!

Because he has the boss' endorsement to do whatever, whenever, and to whomever he likes, everyone always come up short and just follow him down the yellow brick road.

Alright, since there is humor in every topic, let’s approach this from a more comical perspective. I wonder if the Big Cheese is Cheddar, Swiss, Provolone, or American! What you think? It really doesn’t matter! The boss lets his flavor run rampant as the workplace bully. As for me, I am lactose intolerant so cheese is not on my menu. Sorry!