When will African Americans realize that the statement “If I die” is ridiculous? You are going to die and you had better have insurance. Too many African American families are left destitute after the breadwinner dies. If you love your family you will purchase an adequate amount of life insurance. I feel so strongly about the matter that I obtained my Life Health and Accident License to help put an end to this ongoing horror. “Would you like to purchase some insurance?” That question should be music to your ears if you care about your family. The days of passing the hat soliciting money to help the family should be over. There was a time when African Americans could not purchase insurance. Today you can purchase whatever amount you need.  

I remember when I was growing up witnessing African Americans acting like crazy folks at a funeral. They would be hollering, jumping around trying to pull the deceased family member out of the casket. I would think to myself, they must have really loved the deceased. What I did not realize was that many times the deceased was the breadwinner and now the family was broke. The death of that family member resulted in a financial loss. On the other side of the tracks, attending white funerals you saw a different picture. While the mood was solemn it was a far cry from sad. What I did not know was the death of a white family member many times meant a financial gain thanks to adequate insurance. I am not saying that white folks are happy when their love ones die, they are just better prepared for the inevitable event. We should look to our white cousins and learn. Put the hat down and purchase adequate amounts of insurance. If your funds are low I suggest you purchase term insurance. 

On Friday February 26, 2010 I sat for the State of Alabama Insurance Exam for my Life Health and Accident License. Even though I have two law degrees from prestigious Universities, (University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Boston University School of Law) and admitted to practice law in three states, I had to take a 40-hour pre-licensing course and sit for the state exam. The three-hour exam was tough. I saw people coming out of the morning session of the exam crying. They inform you immediately after you answer the last question on the computer if you passed or failed. 

In walk Greg Griffin Sr. dressed in jeans and a T-shirt looking nothing like the Morehouse Man I am. I sat for the 3-hour exam and finished in 1-hour and 50 minutes. I called the proctor over to my computer when I answered the last question. She hit the submit button and when my score appeared on the screen I thought she was going to pass out. I had aced the exam!!!! How was your week?

In the words of my dad, “You must honor the chair whether it is sitting, walking or lying down.”