Welcome to my new blog. After writing 14 books and numerous articles for magazines and newspapers, I am finally entering the blogging universe. Please be patient as I learn the proper protocol and discover which format works best.
First, a little bit about myself: I am an attorney and a New York Times-bestselling author of 14 nonfiction books and numerous articles that have appeared in New York Magazine, Essence, The New York Times, Glamour, U.S. News & World Report and Reader's Digest. A graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, I grew up in Westchester County, New York, and I still reside there with my wife, Pamela Thomas-Graham, and our three children.
Basically, I will be discussing the issues that I write about in my books and that I discuss in my TV & radio interviews and public appearances: Politics, Law, Race, Class, Society, Culture, Education, Business and Diversity. I will be commenting on current events and share research that I have gathered for my past, current and future book projects.
With the recent release of my newest book, The Senator and The Socialite (HarperCollins), a biography of Senator Blanche Bruce, the first black to be elected to a full-term in the U.S. Senate, many people are asking me to comment on the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama, as he campaigns for President. Although Senator Bruce was born a slave and elected to the U.S. Senate in 1874 from the state of Mississippi, his story and experience is strikingly similar to Obama's today. I will share some of those facts in the coming weeks as Americans continue to compare him to the other Democratic front runner, Senator Hillary Clinton.
I will also bring attention to projects that I am publishing in Reader's Digest where I serve as Contributing Editor.
Whether it is to discuss any of these topics or to ask me about my past books like Our Kind of People, or to just share your own ideas, please send your comments. And thanks again for visiting.
All the best to you, Lawrence Otis Graham
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5 comments:
Mr. Graham,
I had tuned in and listened to vlo3 when you were being interviewed. I like the idea of you starting a book about our people whom have successfully made it to the top with out bringing shame or disgrace to our race. My daughter is also thirteen years old, I would like to be able to talk to her about people of her own race who is successful. I do have a question. How can a young girl become one of the debutantes? Also what about those families' children who want to succeed, but do not have a lot of resources. I myself have a BA in Psychology, and I am currently trying to finish school to obtain a Master in the Psychology field. Do you have any advice for me? I want to become a motivational speaker, a sideline poet, and a family practice therapist. Are there clubs for myself to join even if I have not been in any sororities? I am only 29 years old, what can I do to be apart of history?
Mr. Risen Above,
I've recently read an article in the AJC (Sunday, January 06, 2008) about "The Black Elite", and I'm definitely leaning toward the "Who cares?" group. I was born and raised in the state of Georgia and both sides of my "middle or lower class" family are here. I simply believe nothing in this world matters more than SURVIVAL! Most people are living check to check, and just trying to make it through the day. After graduating high school, there was nothing I wanted more than to attend college, graduate and become better than my family history. Unfortunately, the school I wanted to attend, my parents nor I could afford. But therein lies the problem, History.
Because most black family history began with slavery in this country, the uneducation of our ancestors has a lot to do with our brainwashing. I am a 27 yr. old female and considered among friends and family of a darker complexion to be, red or 'hi-yella'. Well there you have it, we've been SEPARATED too damn long! Yes, we should commend those who have reached the highest heights, whooped-d-doo! Believe these words: No one will ever be more accomplised than Jesus Christ, and when he returns none of our lists will matter. I have so much more that I can say on this topic, but I don't believe it will change your views.
Congratulations on your new book Mr. Graham!!
Tisha:
I was a debutante my senior year of high school. As far as I know, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta hold the debutantes, they have them every other year and you must be a junior or senior in high school. It would be in your best interest to get to know a Delta personally, and in a few years make mention, or actually, don't mention the debutante. If I'm not mistaken to be a debutante it is by invite only, and there is a fee for that.
Enroll her in as many educational activities as you possibly can. Stay on her as far as grades are concerned, you also have to have at least a 2.5 to be a debutante anyway. Take her to your nearest college campus, some groups held by students on campus allow anyone to join, that would be a great way to expose her to higher learning. Diversity is key, as you know we're more and more global each day, so the more people she is able to interact with the better she'll be.
Work with her as far as the things that she would like to do, and the things that she's naturally good at, develop that (its better to figure it out now rather than later).
As far as for you, you dont need a degree to do the first two things you mentioned, for a family practice therapist you would NEED NEED NEED a PhD no doubt. Psych degrees are a dime a dozen, you've got to be able to set yourself apart. Join every psych club/honor society you can. Intern if you can.
You can still be in a sorority, you can go through a grad chapter. Again, if thats what you want, for whatever sorority it is, you would need to find the women in that org. Attend their functions, help out and volunteer around your community, get your name out there, and if you still want to join an org, then do it...but again, its by invitation only when it comes to the grad chapter, so they'd ask you (again, if im not mistaken).
Tisha:
I was a debutante my senior year of high school. As far as I know, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta hold the debutantes, they have them every other year and you must be a junior or senior in high school. It would be in your best interest to get to know a Delta personally, and in a few years make mention, or actually, don't mention the debutante. If I'm not mistaken to be a debutante it is by invite only, and there is a fee for that.
Enroll her in as many educational activities as you possibly can. Stay on her as far as grades are concerned, you also have to have at least a 2.5 to be a debutante anyway. Take her to your nearest college campus, some groups held by students on campus allow anyone to join, that would be a great way to expose her to higher learning. Diversity is key, as you know we're more and more global each day, so the more people she is able to interact with the better she'll be.
Work with her as far as the things that she would like to do, and the things that she's naturally good at, develop that (its better to figure it out now rather than later).
As far as for you, you dont need a degree to do the first two things you mentioned, for a family practice therapist you would NEED NEED NEED a PhD no doubt. Psych degrees are a dime a dozen, you've got to be able to set yourself apart. Join every psych club/honor society you can. Intern if you can.
You can still be in a sorority, you can go through a grad chapter. Again, if thats what you want, for whatever sorority it is, you would need to find the women in that org. Attend their functions, help out and volunteer around your community, get your name out there, and if you still want to join an org, then do it...but again, its by invitation only when it comes to the grad chapter, so they'd ask you (again, if im not mistaken).
I purchase "The Senator and The Socialite" months ago from Barnes & Noble Bookstore without any knowledge of the author or it's contents. I frequently browse the African-American sections in bookstores looking for books about our history.
I purchase this book based on the title and the fact that is was a true story. started really reading it today.I have just put it down for a moment to thank you for your the history lesson. My first impression after reading the first 24 pages is that it does appear to resemble our Presidents climb in politics. I look forward to completing the book. I am inspired and look forward to reading other books written by you Mr.Graham and those mentioned in the book. Thanks again! It is true to response to your comment regarding a Harvard student who did not know that there were Black Senators before Ms. Moseley-Braun It is a shame that we do not know our history and as a culture its our own fault. No other race can take the blame for us not having knowledge about our history.
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