"You Don't Have to Stay Poor" - Walter Williams speaks

"No one can blame you if you start out in life poor, because how you start is not your fault. If you stay poor, you’re to blame because it is your fault. Nowhere has this been made clearer than in Dennis Kimbro’s new book, “The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires.”"

- - Walter Williams, John M. Olin distinguished professor of economics at George Mason University, and a nationally syndicated columnist.

Walter Williams wrote a great article on Lew Rockwell's site about success.  Williams points to Dennis Kimbro's book and message about how lifestyle choices reflect success.  

This may seem obvious to many, but it isn't a preferred message from our society's Elite, nor is it the focus of what teachers are told to explain to students.  It is a politically incorrect message.  Why?  Because it doesn't let you blame some outside force.  

"“The Wealth Choice” argues that wealth (millionaireship) is not a function of circumstance, luck, environment or the cards you were dealt. Instead, wealth is the result of a conscious choice, action, faith, innovation, effort, preparation and discipline. Or, in the words of billionaire W. Clement Stone, founder of Combined Insurance, whom Kimbro met with and mentions early in the book, “Try, try, try, and keep on trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything.” He also said, “If you cannot save money, the seeds of greatness are not in you.” Saving is necessary for investment and wealth accumulation."

I think I will use this with my 11th graders as part of my college preparedness / entrepreneurship unit.  Kimbro's video, even though it really is an ad for his book, is worthwhile as well.

Thomas Sowell goes into much of the same message here.  Both men are worth listening to and reading.  Both provide excellent examples of how to deliver a message in print and orally.