What’s some advice that you received from an elder that you’ve kept with you?
S. Robinson, Washington, D.C.
As a young teen, an elder told me, “I have to work three times as hard because, being Black, you’ll never get ahead working at a hundred percent.” My elder called it the Black Tax! I didn’t get it then, but man, was my uncle right.
Kelli Kimathi, Tallahassee, Fla.
My grandmother told me to make up my bed every single morning. My aunt told me to never wear wrinkled clothing. My mom taught me to always listen and think before speaking, and to keep my purse off the floor. My dad taught me to not be afraid to cry – tears heal – and never to speed in parking lots.
K Shields, Chicago
My great-grandmother told me, “Mind your business and you’ll live a lot longer!” She lived to be 102 years old. And I do that right to this day.
Carlette Jones, Nashville, Tenn.
“Girl, watch your pocketbook.” She didn’t even have to tell me if she was talking about my heart, my body, or my finances. The pocketbook could mean either one.
Elexis Johnson, Seattle
My grandmother used to say, “When you see another Black person, you speak!” When I asked why, she said, “Because nobody cares enough about us to do it, so we have to do it with each other. We’re all we got!”
Compiled by Sarafina Wright