Gyasi Ross: Some advice for the graduating classes of 2013

I planned to go to Haskell’s graduation ceremony. I love Haskell, and my big brother Ernie was kind enough to ask me to come. I can’t go. I will, however, be speaking at a few other graduation ceremonies, and I’m thankful for that. I’d love to have the chance to talk to all of the Native graduates to hug you and support you. Still, since I cannot speak to every Native student graduating from all levels of education, here’s 10 12 things I would tell all of you if I could:

1) Congratulations little sisters and little brothers. You worked hard. Breathe for a minute.

2) You earned this. Good job—they don’t give those diplomas and degrees out easily (most Americans do not have a degree).

3) Money is necessary but overrated. Don’t be a prostitute—do something you really want to do. It may be hard to believe but your precious time is the commodity, not money.

4) Be careful. There will be people that try to convince you that you are special because you are an "educated Native person." They will ask you how you "made it out," as if our homelands are horrible places that we must have escaped from. This is a divide-and-conquer technique intended to alienate you from your people.

5) Native people do not resent white man’s education—that is a myth. Our people resent assholes who think they are smarter than everyone.