Hard work (Focus) in Born Bright by C, Nicole Mason

Hard work (Focus) in Born Bright by C, Nicole Mason

Introduction

In “Born Bright” by Nicole Mason, there are several instances that implicate that the writer went through various odds. Indeed, he records that his development from nothing towards the achievement of something in America was a hard journey to go through. Against all the drawbacks and lack of opportunities, Nicole felt that a future beyond poverty was not possible. She records that she kept the focus on her dreams, and she did not quit until she saw a way out. Nicole states that the expectations of her life were curved before she could have started imagining what she wanted in her life, just like all children. Born to a teenage mother, the brown-skinned girl had a low bar of success. The level of poverty in their family did not allow any of her brothers and sisters to finish high school, and she expected the same to happen to her. Mason survives generational poverty, and lack of pre-conditions of success by focusing and working hard to achieve her dreams.

• Determination of leaving a struggling region to be successful

Measuring the depth of what the family was deprived was not possible because Mason’s community had nothing to measure against. Nicole went against the boundaries set by geographic isolation, a cocoon of familiarity, and segregation his surroundings were posing. Besides these, amongst other problems, Mason was determined to become successful. In the apartment where his family paid $100 per month, the whole complex was troubling with music and gambling games, such as dice something which created unnecessary noises and yells. People were also smoking Marijuana, drinking liquor such as Thunderbird and Schlitz. After working, Nicole’s father would also join the neighbors and abuse some drugs.

Nicole’s mother also played an essential part in protecting Nicole and her brother from unnecessary and damaging topics such as race and politics. Instead, the mother encouraged them by telling them that their world was perfect because the things which they did not understand were not of importance to them. Nicole’s family was also dealing with inadequate food, amongst other basic needs. Nicole states that “Our cupboards were bare. The most I could find was a stale box of taco shells on the back shelf and a lone bottle of ketchup in the refrigerator.” After her mother split with the father, they depended on public assistance, where the social workers would check them regularly to make sure that their situation was as her mother stated in the welfare. Despite these situations, Nicole was determined to work hard and change her life.

• Working Ethics in Academics

The book argues that Nicole was able to figure out her academic state while she was young, and she took the necessary steps to ensure that she continued with her education. For instance, the book argues that “Somewhere between the local community center and my elementary school, I figured out that I was bright and that school could be one of the few things in my life that I could control.” Instead of focusing on her strengths, she focused on improving her weaknesses. Indeed, Nicole resulted in concentrate in school because she felt that it was one of the things which she had the power of controlling herself. More importantly, it is critical to note that school was famous for her welfare because it was shielded from the community chaos. In school, it was safe both mentally and physically. These conditions were favoring her in various ways, which enabled her to create herself to a new person. Quoting, “When I parachuted into a new school, I would do my best not only to catch up to the lesson but to exceed it with bonus assignments.” After she was enlisted in a new school, she did her best not only to catch up with the lessons, but she also did extra work to fulfill her bonus assignments.

Nicole’s teachers also supported her after they saw her efforts. On seeing her eagerness, teachers created circles of independent learning, something which enabled Nicole to excel with little or no distraction. After her mother met a new boyfriend, the life of Nicole’s family changed overnight. Quoting, “Men were moving freely throughout our house, refilling their stock to sell on the streets. There was also a safe filled with thousands of dollars of cash, Marijuana, and cocaine stashed in my mother’s bedroom.” They were living in a local house full of drugs. The aspect of privacy in their home was not possible because people moved freely through their house. Nicole and her brother had to stay away from the sight of their mother because she preferred it that way. In this case, it can be argued that Nicole and her brother were taking care of their intellectual and emotional needs themselves, and they had to figure out their place in this world. Although Nicole was enrolled on average and also failing schools from elementary through to high school, she believes that she was receiving the same quality learning as the other students made her target an equal shot of success.

• Extracurricular activities

Quoting, “By 11th grade, I had joined every club I could at San Bernardino High, my latest school.” Notably, Nicole was involved in extra-curricular activities from a tender age, something which positively shaped her life. It did not stop there, but she continued even in University. She was a cheerleader in the varsity, Mock Trial team member, Future Black Leaders of America member, and also a member of the Black Student Union. She also took French and Spanish after be8ing enrolled in the Phoenix Honors Program. She was also a jack of traders in school because she attended a trigonometry class, which started one hour before the regular school hours began. Besides, Nicole was also checking out with Blythe Anderson, the main person who was guiding and counseling her. She used to check out with her to ensure that she was on the track of graduating, amongst other school aspects. Indeed, she was involved in different activities and conferences, which fed her with information. Throughout her life in college and even after college, she ensured that she was supplied with data from all corners because she came to realize that information was the currency to her, it is because what she did not know could cost her dearly.

Employment

Nicole got cooking, scooping, and serving food at the Riviera Casino and Hotel to serve several tourists at the hotel. She worked for 40 hours per week. Sometimes she went on an unscheduled shift when a working colleague got sick. She was responsible for herself in many ways. She used to work to cater to needs and home support. Although she was working hard, she put more effort into school because she knew that school was the only ticket out of the life she was living. Quoting, “My situation felt precarious as if it could unravel at any moment if I were not careful. On school days, instead of doing homework or hanging out with my friends when I arrived home, I had just enough time to put on my uniform and catch the bus to the casino for work.” This quote shows that she denied herself what she needed to achieve what she saw necessary in her life. Indeed, Nicole was learning how to navigate in the world seamlessly. In all her interactions, she was learning the rules of succeeding outside her neighborhood. She always wanted to feel that she owned her life.

Conclusion

In general, the expectations in Mason’s life was becoming a maid or a domestic worker in a hotel in Las Vegas, a hairdresser, a school bus driver, or a nurse assistant. Although these jobs were considered as suitable jobs, none of them would make her live a middle-class life, earn comfortable retirement benefits after she retires. The tasks could not also allow her to have enough cash to pay college tuition for her children. Despite the atrocities, Mason never believed that they were poor. It is because her family always had networks and systems which worked effectively. For instance, if the electricity in their house was turned off for late payments, “we went to a neighbor’s house or burned candles until it was turned back on. If we ran out of milk or money, we borrowed a couple of bucks from a relative or friend.” Nicole’s family lived with less or little regard for the things they did not have. Besides, there were no rich people in their neighborhood who they could wish to be, but she struggled to finish school amongst other dreams in her life.