Michael Tubbs
Michael Tubb’s autobiographical commentary in the San Francisco Chronicle should make anyone smile. One doesnt need to be his family member or even know him to feel nothing but pride for this high school senior. Michael met his father for the first time when he was 12 years old. His father was incarcerated at the time. After asking Michael what his favorite basketball team was his father dished out the following advice:
”Michael, the oppressor designs the world in a way so that prison is your destiny. From birth you are set up to fail. I decided to comply and give ‘the man’ what he wants. You’re a black man in America, and it’s either prison or death.”
But Michael didn’t accept that as his fate and with each passing day that he succeeded instead of failed he was motivated by his father’s words and his mother’s struggles and hard work. His single mother instilled the value of an education in Michael so the young man would not miss out on much needed promotions like she did because she didn’t have a degree.
Michael said in his commentary: I have refused to allow my mind to be imprisoned by the “soft bigotry of low expectations” and have drawn on my father’s example for the courage to be the anti-stereotype. The conversation with my father awakened a desire to prove not only to him but also to myself that, with God, all things are possible.
Michael has refused to let his parents mistakes and his environment both limit him and define him.
My father is incarcerated, and my mother had me at 16, yet they have taught me many lessons and are responsible for my successes. Learning from their examples, I have become a leader in my community and have striven for academic excellence. My father’s grim prophecy has not come true – rather it has led me to assume the responsibility of chairman of the Youth Advisory Commission, presidency of the student body and Black Student Union at Franklin High School (in Stockton), and the title of California youth ambassador. In addition, my mother’s frustration at being limited has motivated me to succeed with a 4.4 and top 4 percent class rank in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program.
Is there any doubt Mr. Michael Tubbs will accomplish anything his heart desires?
No one said it would be hard but we can improve ourselves. Who said it would be easy in the first place?
