U-Can! Verses U-Can’t War
War Going On Inside and Outside.
Letter From My Heart In Response To Some Troubling Educational
News Reference African Americans 2 March 2013.
Written To Give Hope! To All Americans
The Yes We Can Man, President Barack Obama 2013 State Of The Union Address
Stated:
'It is our unfinished task to restore the
basic bargain that
built this country -- the idea that if you work hard and meet your
responsibilities,
you can get ahead, no matter where you
come from, no matter what you look like, or who you love."
The African American children, students, kids, persons, and humans (some of
those 35% Blacks in this situation I read about today) sound like John Wallace Isom
Jr. This is my story; I am one of 9 siblings from Monticello Florida. We lived with both
parents, Dad a preacher, Mom active in the Church. Our parents have done and still do
one continuous thing in all our lives, NO MATTER what, who, when, where, how good
it is/look, how bad it is/look, or how others think about you, always remember
You Can! Both parents have not only told us but are living a You Can type life for us to
look at, learn from and most of all model for our children and others around the world.
They both graduated from high school.
Roger, John Jr, Ronnie, Dianne, Kenneth, Mary, John Sr,(Parents) Reginald, Margret, Jeffery, Clara Isom
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
For me, 1st through `12th grade:
I was the class clown and did not like reading at all.
I ended up earning only 1 A (97) in High School 1978-82 (10th grade PE)
I had typing in high school but dropped the class
I had Spanish and Algebra my senior year, but dropped both classes
I never read my books for book reports, I would scan, then make up stuff
I was tardy for class 59 times during my four year high school journey
I caught the bus to school every day (My parents sent me to school every day)
8. I made more D’s and F’s then my other 8 siblings combined.
9. I would leave the school campus throughout the day (some say skipping class)
10. I finish with a 2.07 GPA.
11. I had to take the Military test (ASVAB) 5 times to pass it.
12. I was given the job of 11B Infantryman
13. I had no choice because it was the only job offered to me. ( I enjoyed it)
14. I had an 89 GT score and was sent to remedial classes in the Army (they
were called BSEP Classes)
15. I was shot with a M-16 Rifle May 1983 (By friendly fire In Germany)
16. As a Infantry Soldier I was trained to kill, (this was total against my dreams)
17. I ended up raising my GT Score to 110 1988 (FT Campbell KY)
18. I was selected to become an Army Recruiter 1989 (needed a 110 to qualify)
19. I was and Army Recruiter 1988-2007 (last 20 years in the Army)
20. I ended up doing over 25 years in the Army serving all Americans.
21. 5 plus Years Infantry Soldier, 20 Years Army Recruiter
22. I failed entrepreneur new exam at FT Meade MD administered in 2007
23. I was told this meant I was not Business Owner material.
24. I became CEO of The U-Can! Man LLC 2008-Present
25. I am learning the ropes, and looking forward to excelling at being successful
After Army retirement in 2007 I personally continued to run from college
(furthering my education). However God allowed a major storm to happen in my life.
The over $50.000 a year contract for my new business (The U-Can! Man LLC) ended
unexpectedly March 2009. The Army said You are going to college and you have to
maintain a 2.50 Gpa your 1st two years and a 3.00 Gpa the last 2 years during your
major. I had to take the Compas test to see if I qualified to attend college. July 2009 I
made 16, 53 and 45 on the Algebra, Reading and English test. I need a 37, 61, and 61
to bypass remedial classes in those three areas. August 2009 I started college at
South Georgia College Entry Level Program, located on the Valdosta State University
Campus. On day one I can say I felt like Job3:35 “For the thing which I greatly
feared has come upon me, and that which I was afraid of has come unto me.”
(KJV) I remember this word playing in my mind over and over. Bottom line I was
SCARED to death! At this point there were two thoughts at war inside me UCan! Verses U-Can’t. The amazing things was U-Can’t was easy and very ready to
make its case in my mind.
U-Can’t said And Is Saying
1: Your past school performance confirms u-want make it.
2: Your 4 children know you only earned 1-A in High school they will be embarrassed
when you fail,
3: You failed those 3 compas test with super low scores don’t waste government
money,
4: The Army wants 2.50 and 3.00 Gpa’s You were not even close 2.07 Gpa man.
5: They say African American males are failing out of college in recorded numbers.
6: U-Can! make this list because U-Will definitely add to it. U-Will not Graduate.
7: Your 2.07 Gpa in High school is full proof of this, U-Can’t pick it up that much.
8: There are many more African Americans males in jail than college.
9: You are going to make a fool out of yourself after 25 years in the Army
10: You know you were a clown in school and did not learn anything.
11: Listen to your Army buddies who hear you are going to college, they told you it is
hard and you would probably not succeed base of how they knew you and your
history.
12: The news shows, statistics, history, and many others sources/factors (Including
many African American persons are keeping you informed about (TRUE
FACTS/REASONS)why U-Can’t. LISTEN TO THEM.
13: A lot of these African Americans had graduated from college (after hearing my U-Can’t
points they joined in and said I agree U-Can’t.
15: See “Tell Them U-Can!” Article at the Bottom (done during my
Freshman Year)
U-CAN! Said And Is Saying:
1:U-CAN!
U-Can’t had and has U-Can! Outnumbered (15-1) and has little trouble
sharing all 15 U-Can’t wisdom points above daily. During my College journey Aug 2009Present www.johntheucanman.com I can share that many African Americans and
others who have fallen by the wayside lost the U-Can! Versus U-Can’t War. They had all
of the U-Can’t points easily available and could repeat them with ease to me. (Note againMany of the U-Can’t points were and are true real facts, as well as some of them being
many factually unproven) After listening to these persons U-Can’t points I would
share with them all U-CAN! My wife of 22 Years Karen often asks me “John why do
they look so shocked and amazed when You yell U-CAN! to them” I tell her the simple
truth I have lived and learned, here in America people hear U-CAN! little to none
throughout their entire life. Even though the words are said or mention somewhere
along our life path U-Can’t was always Yelling Louder than U-Can! and is always
present for duty. I have been assigned to tell the people U-CAN! However; this was just a
theory and Idea for me from 2004-Aug 2009. My first day in Remedial English class
started this process. Now I can report The U-Can! Man has taken the U-CAN! Theory and
Idea and put it into practice. What I feared has become my Encouragement and
Empowerment Give Hope tool for others. Theory And Idea Practicing (TAIP) is my
challenge to every American who has a Theory or Idea.
Below is an update of one of those 35% African Americans types. No matter how bad, good
and in-between they are doing; they need to be told U-CAN! The U-Can! Verses U-Can’t
War started for African American well over 200 years ago. I say to all who read this
PLEASE know I feel your pain and anguish. Both are real and factual, however every chance
you get do not forget telling them U-CAN!
PS: 12 March 2013 will end my 7 Year Read The Bible Only Journey. 12 Mar
2006-2013 (Remember I use to hate reading, Now I love IT)
The U-Can! Man Website started July 2009 to
record Results of my U-Can! Verses U-Can’t War
FOR- YOU!
www.johntheucanman.com
Ordained Elder February 2013
Who knows One of those in the 35% Acting Up and Out may end up As
example to and for Others.
Tell Them U-Can! U-Can! U-Can!
U-CAN! IS WINNING BY A LONG WIDE MARGIN
5 To7 Year College Career Strategy (YCCS)
Starting Aug 2009, the month after President Barrack Obama Race ( Click on
Link To see Challenge http://youtu.be/VNbDv0zPBV4) to the Top Challenge to
America. John The U-Can! Man and family going from red to green
History: 1978-1982 High School GPA 2.07
At the end of Junior year current GPA: 3.62
2009/2010 Complete Developmental Courses
Beginning Range Road
South Georgia College (SGC)
Completed
The U-Can! Man Made My Fallen Classmate A Promise 17 Nov 2009- "I Will
Graduate College" I Was In Remedial Classes. My 1st Semester.
2010/2011 Complete Freshman Year
South Georgia College (SGC)
Short Range Avenue
Completed 4.0 GPA
Pass all parts of Georgia Regent test 1st Time
2011/2012 Complete Sophomore Year
Valdosta State University (VSU)
Mid-Range Avenue
Completed 3.6 GPA
2012/2013 Complete Junior
Long Range Avenue
Valdosta State University (VSU)
Completed 3.44 GPA
Spring/Fall Semester 2012 Made The VSU Dean’s List
2013/2014 Complete Senior Year
Destiny Range Highway
Valdosta State University (VSU) Start Jan 2013 Current 3.66 GPA
The U-Can! Man Made My Fallen Classmate A Promise 17 Nov 2009"I Will Graduate
(Then and only then will my Promise Be kept. I-Can! Do It.
2014/2015 Complete Master Degree in Social Work
Extra-Range Avenue
Valdosta State University (VSU)
Start my beginning range goal 17 August 2009 at South Georgia College Entry Level
Program, located on Valdosta State University Campus. I must always keep my
Destiny Range Highway in view. The road to Valdosta State University is paved with
personal avenues to travel. The short, mid, and long range avenues have one thing in
common, the Start. In order for me to ATTACK! my (YCCS) I must travel each avenue
with a no repeat performance attitude. I GET to study and make sure I leave no
studying behind. The KEY is doing the basics and my best everyday in class. Answers
the question have you done you BEST today? The answer must be YES I DID.
Tell Them U-Can!
By The U-Can! Man
“You can’t.”
“You won’t.”
“You are a failure waiting to happen.”
And, last but not least:
“You are wasting our time and resources.”
These were the statements spoken to me, John the U-Can! Man, when I began college in the fall
semester of 2009. I’d been excited to qualify for the entry-level program at South Georgia
College’s Valdosta State University campus. I didn’t allow myself to be discouraged by my July
2009 Compass results: a 53 out of a minimum required 61 in Reading, 33 out of 61 in English,
and 16 out of 37 in Algebra. I’d served my country for over twenty-five years and now I was
ready to apply that dedication to improving my education.
When I shared my test results with people, however, I couldn’t believe how they reacted. By the
time I attended my first day of class on August 17, 2009, I’d heard from so many people that it
was a mistake for me to enter college. They’d tell me statistics showing that students who require
developmental courses are far less likely to graduate than students who do not. They’d tell me to
stop wasting the government’s money.
On August 17, 2009, I officially became part of the Elephant in the Room: remedial
course college students. I read during my first year of college that it cost the state of Georgia 23
million dollars a year to provide remedial college classes.
Then, in stepped an amazing group of people: my instructors at South Georgia College. Through
their words and their deeds they told me, “You can do your best. You are a success waiting to
happen. We are happy to be here for you and will stand beside you as you lay a solid foundation
for the next four to five years.” This was demonstrated by SGC President Dr. Carson, VSU-SGC
Entry-level Program Director Valerie Webster, and instructors Mr. Ward, Mr. Petrella, Mr. Talbott,
Dr. Maul, Ms. Crowe, and Ms. Betts, as well as the rest of the staff.
The U-Can! Man Empowerment Through Encouragement Shuttle (TUM-ETES), located at
www.johntheucanman.com, offers Free Resources (for starters) to share with all 14000-plus
students requiring remedial classes. The Free Resources are on my “Email Your College Story”
page,
http://www.johntheucanman.com/Email_Your_College_Story.html. Ask other successful remedial
class college students to share their stories to be posted on TUM-ETES.
1) The U-Can! Man College Foundation
2) The U-Can! Man Salute to My Algebra Teacher, Mr. Ward
3) The U-Can! Man Notes from Mr. Talbott’s Class, English 1101
4) The U-Can! Man Challenge and Way Today
5) The U-Can! Man Dream (helping students write down their dreams)
6) Jessica’s Wisdom, Applied in Spring 2010 at Valdosta State University
7) Jessica’s Word of Encouragement Salute August 10, 2010
8) The U-Can! Man 23 Million Challenge
From remedial classes to graduating on time and helping others, I’m fulfilling my
dream. My dream, my plan, and my strategy are all set in place in order to tell
these 14,000 Americans U-CAN!
If I-Can! U-CAN!
http://inquiry.princetonreview.com/leadgentemplate/GPA_popup.asp
U-Are Your GPA
The U-Can! Man Current
3.66 cumulative Gpa Through Dec 2012
GPA
4.0
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.4
Percentile Letter Grade
95-100
A
The U-Can! Man 4.0 Gpa Freshman Year
94
A
93
A
92
A
91
A
The U-Can! Man 3,6 Gpa Sophomore Year
90
A
89
B
The U-Can! Man 3.44 Gpa Junior Year
3.3
88
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
87
86
85
84
83
82
81
80
79
78
77
76
75
74
73
72
71
70
69
68
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
D
D
John Isom 2.07 Gpa 1978-82 High School
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
67
66
65
65
65
D
D
D
D
D
John Wallace Isom Jr
Professor Dr Calvin Walker
AFAM 4700: Race and Culture
7 March 2013
CAMPUS RACISM 101
Nikki Giovanni
“Four years of college gives you an opportunity not only to lift yourself but
to serve your people effectively” ( I added this statement and Journal to my
website at www.johntheucanman.com ) This statement has forever changed my
life. Not just because it is the only time I have read it written this way, not just
because It sounds so profound and is very much true from my forty-eight year old
perspective, not just because I want to hear catchy ideas or thoughts, but
because I have been asking questions ever since my high school days. Why go
to college? What can college do for me? Why should I spend four years of my life
in class rooms listening to professors? There are many ways of answering these
questions and I have been given many over the years. As I read this article titled
“Campus Racism 101” this statement grabbed my heart mind and soul like no
other answers I have ever been exposed to. It was like Dr Giovanni knew I was
looking for an answer that would both satisfy and move me into further action. I
see myself bearing in mind this answer as I attempt to complete my college
journey. I also plan to share with others that this answer was the one that met my
need and desire to understand so many personal questions boiling inside me.
After this statement is made Dr Giovanni answers another question that had
consumed me the past five years. John how can you put in a few
steps/advice/solutions what you are doing to share with others? Dr Giovanni
once again shared seven points to do while attending college. All seven are the
ones I am doing and have grown to do every semester since August 2009. For
the sake of this paper I would like to share all seven with Dr Giovanni exact
words. She said:
1. Go to class. No matter how you feel. No matter how you think the
professor feels about you. It’s important to have a consistent presence in
the classroom. If nothing else, the professor will know you care enough
and are serious enough to be there.
2. Meet with your professors. Extend your hand (give a firm handshake) and
tell them your name. Ask them what you need to make an A. You may
never make an A, but you have put them on notice that you are serious
about getting good grades.
3. Do assignments on time. Typed or computer generated. You have the
syllabus. Follow it, and turn those papers in. If for some reason you can’t
complete an assignment on time, let your professor know before it is due
and work out a new due date—then meet it.
4. Go back to see your professor. Tell him or her your name again. If an
assignment receive less than an A, ask why, and find out what you need to
do to improve the next assignment. Yes your professor is busy. So are
you. So are your parents who are working to pay or help with your tuition.
Ask early what you need to do if you feel you are starting to get into
academic trouble. Do not wait until you are failing.
5. Understand that there will be professors who do not like you; there may
even be professors who are racist or sexist or both. You must discriminate
among your professors to see who will give you the help you need. You
may not simply say, “They are all against me.” They aren’t. They mostly
don’t care. Since you are the one who wants to be educated, find the
people who want to help.
6. Don’t defeat yourself. Cultivate your friends. Know your enemies. You
cannot undo hundreds of years of prejudicial thinking. Think for yourself
and speak up. Raise your hand in class. Say what you believe no matter
how awkward you may think it sounds. You will improve in your
articulation and confidence.
7. Participate in some campus activity. Join the newspaper staff. Run for
office. Join a dorm council. Do something that involves you on campus.
You are going to be there for four years, so let your presence be known, if
not felt.
I can 100% say these seven ideas are working and have moved me from
a 2.07 High School Gpa (1978-82) to a current 3.65 Gpa as a Senior at Valdosta
State University (Aug 2009-Present). I end this Journal with Dr Giovanni words
at the end of this article she said “It’s really very simple. Educational progress is
a national concern; education is a private one. Your job is not educating white
people; it is to obtain an education. If you take the racial world on your
shoulders, you will not get the job done. Deal with yourself as an individual
worthy of respect, and make everyone else deal with you the same way. College
is a little like playing grown-up. Practice what you want to be. You have been
telling your parents you are grown. Now is your chance to act like it.” John
Wallace Isom Jr from Kindergarten to 12th grade did not act like it and the results
were barely average. Starting In remedial college classes August- 2009 to
present I have been acting out these seven steps and the results are mind
blowing see www.johntheucanman.com . I am excited about learning because
“Four years of college gives you an opportunity not only to lift yourself but to
serve your people effectively” CAMPUS RACISM 101 Dr Nikki Giovanni