Book excerpt: The following pages speak of areas that must be changed in order for the African American community to reclaim our legacy, to grow, and to become all we have been designed to be. These topics are some of the toughest we have to deal with, yet they are topics we know we must confront. Truth be told, we can no longer sit and wait for the man to recognize his/her issues and change. Lets be realistic. They have no motivation to change; their lives are comfortable. Would you change your life if it were comfortable? You would not. The motivation for the majority to change society for the minority does not exist. The only way to move ahead and prosper is to put forth energy, to be accountable for our own success, to stop coming up with excuses, and to come up with executable action steps. Take control of your own life, be accountable for your decisions, and be responsible for your family.