By Dr. Jannie Johnson

Jackson Advocate Guest Writer

Today, we make much about the importance of self-esteem and being positive. Is that something new; is that something important in raising good children/non-violent students who are drug free and ready to learn? 

If so, where were self-esteem and all that positive-ness during my early years of school, elementary and high school? In the midst of lack because of unfair laws and lack because of life’s natural ups and downs, we the students had to make good grades in all subjects, have good deportment, and go to school every day.

Back in the day, self-esteem was defined differently than it is defined today. We the students were told that self-esteem was a by-product received after we had been honest, fair, and just to self AND others. It was a gift of feeling good, worthy, and confident from the inside out. It was NOT a gift from others to make us feel good/better. I’m of that same persuasion, today. Self-esteem is a gift earned by you to you. That’s positive.

“Few things are less frighten than the truth. Truth is powerful.     It is the most powerful weapon in the world.”

Going to school, getting a good education was a j-o-b, a business, hard work from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday from September thru May. We knew that, therefore, we came to school ready to listen and learn from the teachers. We had a principal but no assistant principal, no assistant teachers, no counselors, no social workers, no nurses, no guards, no metal detectors, and no 911. We had self-control. We knew how to respect authority and respect each other. That was common sense from the house. We experienced the positives and the negatives!

Our parents and our village had faith in us and for us their children. They loved us in a more excellent way. That was positive and good for self-esteem. Today, I’m grateful…, grateful, so…, so-o-o grate-ful!