Overnight, the atmosphere has changed in the United States. It’s nasty, and getting nastier by the day.

America still exists in two realities — one of privilege and opportunity, the other of struggle and survival. And more and more, the privileged seem determined to keep everyone else struggling. The good news is that now, we have the power to shape our own destiny.

I’ve spoken with so many people lately — particularly those younger than me — who are frozen in shock at what’s happening in this country. They weren’t raised in an environment where blatant racism, sexism, and corruption were paraded proudly. They believed the “all that’s in the past” lie because that’s what they were told. And now? They don’t know what to do.

But those of us who’ve been here long enough — we saw this coming.

We remember when the so-called “trickle-down” economy gutted the working class, turning prosperity into a private club. We watched as Black, Brown, and poor white workers were cast aside while CEOs hoarded billions. We saw the quiet, deliberate dismantling of the middle class, the slow erosion of unions, the systematic undermining of public education, and the expansion of a service-based economy designed to keep most people one paycheck away from crisis.

And now, the mask has slipped completely. The backlash is here. The dream of an America that quietly tolerated the advancement of marginalized people has come to an end. And so, the question remains: What do we do?

The Old Paths Are Closed—But New Ones Have Opened

For generations, we’ve had two well-worn paths to progress:

• ✅ Education was the way in.
• ✅ Entrepreneurship was the way up.

In the past, getting a degree meant something. It was a key that unlocked the door to a stable job, a home, a shot at generational wealth. That’s no longer guaranteed. Degrees are expensive, wages are stagnant, and job security is a relic of the past. Meanwhile, the cost of living skyrockets, and entire industries vanish overnight.

Entrepreneurship, historically, was the power move. It still is — but today, it has a new face. It’s no longer just about opening a brick-and-mortar business or climbing the corporate consulting ladder. In 2025, it’s about leveraging digital tools to create income streams that no employer, no institution, and no government can take away from you.

Because make no mistake: The institutions built to exclude us will not suddenly welcome us in.

Technology is the Great Equalizer—If We Learn to Use It

Once upon a time, if you were born poor, female, or Black, there were strict  limits to what you could achieve. It didn’t matter how talented you were; the gatekeepers had the final say. You needed their permission to access capital, education, media, and power.

That world is dying.

In its place is a world where skills, strategy, and ownership matter more than pedigree. A world where the right computer skills can replace a degree, where an online business can outperform a corporate salary, and where global reach is possible without anyone’s approval.

The digital economy is our battlefield, and the tools we need to fight with are right in front of us – and usually right in our pockets.

You don’t have to become a programmer. But you must be digitally literate. You must understand how money moves in the digital age, how to create products and services that scale, how to position yourself not as an employee — but as a builder, a leader, a force.

Black History Month isn’t just a time for reflection — it’s a reminder of what we’ve always done: adapt, innovate, and push forward despite every attempt to keep us out.

The Three-Headed Dragon: Guilt, Hate, and Fear

As we navigate this moment, we must understand the enemy’s playbook. It hasn’t changed in centuries.

They need us to:

1. ✅ Forget our past sufferings and achievements (Guilt). If we don’t know our history, we can’t see the patterns repeating.
2. ✅ Stay blind to, and distracted from, our current opportunities (Hate). If we’re constantly reacting to their chaos, we’re not building our own futures.
3. ✅ Miss our chance to truly rise economically (Fear). If we remain financially vulnerable, we remain weak and easily controllable.

The good news? Their game is old. And we’ve never been in a better position to beat it.

It’s Time to Build, Not Beg

This country’s foundation is crumbling, but that doesn’t mean we have to crumble with it. It means we work together to build something stronger.

Let them continue to delude themselves with desperate dreams of imagined superiority.

Let them cling to the outdated belief that “the right complexion” alone will save them.

Let them drown in the nostalgia of a time when privilege alone could guarantee success. We know better;
we already know whose we are. And we’re not waiting anymore. We’re moving differently.

We’re not waiting for permission. We’re not asking for a fair shot. We’re creating our own shots.

That’s why I’ve built the Grown Folks’ Computer Club—not just as a community, but as a command center for those ready to take control of their future. This is for people who are done playing defense. Who refuse to let technology leave us behind. Who understand that learning digital skills is not an option — it’s survival.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. I’m offering a free career planning consultation to help you:
🔥 Identify where your skills fit in today’s economy
🔥 Explore side hustles and businesses that make sense for you
🔥 Build a strategy that doesn’t leave your future in someone else’s hands

Use the calendar below to schedule yours.

Because here’s the truth: The future belongs to the builders, not the destroyers.

Lance T. Walker, Founder
[http://GrownFolksComputerClub.com]