Dr. Mansa Keita Profile picture
Jan 28 4 tweets 1 min read
So many people gave me a break I had no right to expect, or did me a favor I had no right to claim I deserve.

Without them I couldn't be where I am today.

I can't imagine thinking I got here only with help I was entitled to. I am because they were. I do this to honor them.
I'm not even talking about super powerful people either. I was friends with the secretaries at my college. So often I needed something printed or to use equipment. They had me.

I refuse to forget those who built me up. A lot of others didn't get those chances.
Is being nice and decent and caring about people merit? Is valuing the dignity of those around me, and wishing for their success merit? Is sharing warm smile merit?

I don't think the term merit has much utility, but I know the type of person I value differs with some people.
So many of the things I aim to do in my real life are meant to repay the blessings others gave to me.

I wasn't entitled to their love or grace, but they gave it. I give it forward with thanks.

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with Dr. Mansa Keita

Dr. Mansa Keita Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @rasmansa

Jan 29
So I noted a big debate in genetics circles.

What is "genetic determinism"? Because a lot of things seem to turn on the definition of a term that a lot of credible people disagree on.
Another question:

If child A has a higher PGS for trait X than child B and the environment is considered fair, isn't the argument people make that child A is expected to have a better outcomes on X?

Isn't that deterministic?
Maybe that's too simplistic on my part. Maybe a PGS is simply a number that when interacting with the environment can produce any sort of outcome after all.

But I don't feel like that's the narrowness with which I encounter them in the wild.
Read 4 tweets
Jan 27
For some of us, regardless of our qualifications, we're never judged to be meritorious.

It's a common feature in the heart of the meritocracy claim.
The amount of black PhDs and accomplished professionals I've seen on this platform dismissed as undeserving is mind blowing.

The ones that are embraced are often willing to toe the political line of being "not like the rest".
So some of us no longer really buy the lie of "meritocracy". We no longer have a desire to gain the approval of those for whom by being us, we'll never be good enough.

Malcolm X's words ring true to this day. And still, we rise.
Read 5 tweets
Jan 27
One privilege my kids have is parents that can shower them with so many things to exercise their intellectual abilities, including love, time and means.
I think of the gap between my childhood and their own. My mother was attentive and 100% dedicated to baby me, but she didn't have money or means, and life was generally hard.

So my children and me both got love, but means makes so much of a difference.
Having educated parents is also a giant privilege. I didn't have that.

This house has over 1000 books. Not only are these kids expected to read, but it's...safe. They read what they want and take their minds in their preferred direction. That choice is amazing.
Read 5 tweets
Jan 21
The centrist reactions to a few scientists disassociating from former VDARE author Razib Khan is making it harder to deny the accuracy of this tweet.
It's been 5 years since Razib said this in 2017. I wonder if he'll pull it back or give the standard "5 more years". Image
They are not usually saying it's true. It's always just "it's an open question", and they always want policy and actions to take into account that "black" people are just genetically inferior.

The acceptance of this idea in the mainstream is telling. Image
Read 5 tweets
Jan 21
Society needs way more unions.

Capital without organized opposition is tyranny.
Unions are essential to protect the rights and interests of those whose individual voices can be easily ignored.
Unions of public sector employees are also a good thing. A common complaint is that as government employees such workers will have undue influence.

No one is stopping the influence corporations have on government. This needs balance.
Read 5 tweets
Jan 21
We don't tend to do what we love the most, or what we could be best at. We do what is likely to make us the most money or see that our bills are paid.

That is such a loss to the world and ourselves.
I had another session teaching kids coding today. I really love teaching. Whether it's being a coding teacher, college teacher or chess coach.

But those were hard to get to or hard to make a good enough living from.
When you're the first of your generation to go to college or to get an advanced degree, the bar for what you have the luxury of doing is so much higher.

It's still a sacrifice though. We're rewarded with money at the cost of our dreams.
Read 4 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

:(