Hopeless is an asset and weapon used by those who seek to keep us from moving forward
Many of us do not realize that hopeless is an asset and weapon used by those who seek to keep us from moving forward. When a group of people have lost hope, they are easily left distracted and don't put much planning or effort into winning a fight that they believe they cannot win.
Black people are the perfect example of a group of individuals whom, through trained hopelessness, often give up on the possibilities that might exist in our lives. So, rather than focus on our goals, we watch more TV than any other group of people in America. Rather than make plans for the future, we just pray that things get better. Rather than put all of our time into reading, we spend more time on social media than anyone else.
Of course this doesn't apply to everyone, but the evidence is everywhere. So, to become the people we are meant to be, we must realize that the path to greatness comes from restoring hope and then developing daily/weekly habits that are consistent with the lives we want to live.
By Dr. Boyce Watkins