"Success for All People"

There are many who honestly feel that because of the color of their skin they are either superior or inferior. In the eyes of our Creator, we were all created equal. It was He who varied our pigmentation in the same manner that He gave us the colorful array of flowers on land, fish in the sea, and birds in the air. To all those who would use the color of their skin as an excuse for not becoming tremendous successes in life, let me say this: We had no color choice. The Supreme Architect of the universe took care of that for us and we should be eternally grateful for His wisdom.

There is one thing that the Creator gave us at birth which He reserved for human beings alike—the power of choice. He gave us the power to become what we want to become. I will discuss this at length in the next chapter. It could well be worth millions of dollars to you either in money or in happiness and peace of mind.

I sincerely hope that none of my colored friends will ever suggest that they don't have the same opportunities as the white man. That is only an excuse—never a reason. Remember, the choice is yours. If you want to rise in the world, then prepare to receive that which you earnestly desire. The success formulas found in this book apply to all peoples. Whatever we want can be ours if we will pay the price and constantly move in the direction of our goal. Don't submit your precious mind to its environment. Rise above the environment.

It was George Washington Carver, born of slave parents, who recognized that he had a mind of his own and his destiny could be guided and directed by that mind. Once he came to this realization, he went on to become an internationally famous agricultural chemist. The same thing happened to Booker T. Washington in spite of the fact that he was born in slavery on a Franklin County, Virginia, plantation. Mr. Washington became an outstanding educator, reformer, and writer.

Before we move on into the priceless "How to do it" chapters of this book, let me give a word of encouragement to the incarcerated men and women which make up our vast prison population in America. I have long recognized that you make up one of the greatest potentials for good in existence today. By the same token, I have long recognized that you, and you alone, can change your destinies through knowledge and understanding.

The day will come when incarceration as a means of punishment will largely be replaced by institutions of learning—rehabilitation centers where social offenders will be given guidance, direction and a program of opportunity. I am happy to say that where such programs have been properly instituted, the results have been phenomenal.

All is not lost. Only your body has been temporarily confined. No one can confine the glorious mind which you possess. It can take you on journeys to points around the world. It can reach out into the future—a future consisting of a rich, full, wonderful life for you. It has been said that there is one thing which creditors can't take away from one and that is the knowledge that he has accumulated. Money and material things, yes—but not knowledge. So also, there is one thing that cannot be confined within the space of a prison cell or the walled institutional compound—your glorious mind. It is the richest possession we will ever own.

Out of each adversity there can be found the seed of an equal or greater opportunity. You have the right to take possession of your own mind and use it to the ends of your own choosing. Burn your bridges behind you. Yesterday is gone forever. Commence now to cultivate that seed of opportunity. Nourish and care for it and your harvests of tomorrow will be bountiful.