GERALD GARTH

"Son—how come you talk so much ‘bout money?” “Because it is life, Mama!” “So now it’s life? Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money. I guess the world really do change…” One of my favorite exchanges from "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry, Lena and her world-weary son Walter contend what’s more, as he is grappling with his dream versus his reality. While the piece was written over 50 years ago, the story still rings strong-- the struggle of money, r

So I’m wrapping up my 10 Things Money Can’t Buy series with one we all can relate to on some level. How many songs and movies and life experiences have been told with the phrase “you can’t buy love?” I don’t think there is anything that can be said that has not been said already. We’ve seen countless celebs and public figures air out their dirty laundry in the rags and sleazy sites. We ask ourselves, “How can she not keep a man? What does he keep doing wrong?” I don’t t

Since everybody and their preacher wants to speak to who ain’t loyal, I find it very fitting that today’s post addresses integrity.“If it ain’t in you to do right, you not gon’ do right.” That pretty much sums up my thoughts on integrity.No amount of money will give a man (or woman) standards-- integrity to self and others.Sometimes you get a “ride or die” or somebody who’ll believe the best about you and will actually defend you if somebody is ragging for you; and sometimes,

Trust has always been key.And we’ve all seen too many superficially wonderful relationships come undone as complete farces over trust issues, be it over money or “he said/ she said” or whatever.Biggie said, “Mo’ money, mo’ problems,” and if you can’t trust those closest to you, the phrase lives true. It doesn’t have to be romantic either.How many friends and business partners and mothers and brothers have been nixed and notched down, because the wealthy member “didn’t trust t

I really will try not to be too shady in today’s post, but when I tell you money can’t buy class?! Have mercy! We all know people, have seen people, read about people, might even people (I said no shade, Self) who have gotten a few more nickels and think we’re the bees knees.We think class is labels and Black Cards and making it rain, when that could not be further from the truth.Head-to-toe anything does not make you classy.Being wasteful and extravagant and careless does no

Age old adage: patience is a virtue. But one thing is true, money can’t buy it. What is patience exactly? Being able to bear being provoked or annoyed is what comes to mind first. Then, of course, my mind goes to patience during misfortune or pain or loss. So when people want to get all outraged and irritated over things like a delayed drink at a bar or a pedestrian crossing causing you to miss the light, it really puts me in a place. I always say, “You don’t know what y

Aretha said it best. Respect is something worth standing up for, but even with all the money in the world, you still can’t make people respect you. We all see examples of individuals who get called all sorts of things, and mocked, and scorned, and teased, yet have more money than the lot of us. And much of the foolery we see from these individuals bucking the fool in public is a petition for “respect.” But tell me, just how much respect do you supposed you’re warranted fo

Everybody so caught up with trying to be something, but can we strive to just be better? I know it’s cliché, but truth is truth when they say common sense is not common anymore. There’s a phrase I ask, “Did that have to happen?” And it applies universally. People are making decisions and doing things and not doing things and it just stands to reason that money cannot buy common sense. I’m sure we’ve all said it: “Why would she do that? What was he thinking?” especially a

Having a little something that keeps you from acting a fool is a beautiful thing. Taking every and any opportunity to take your earrings off or dash drinks or push up beef is not a good thing. What keeps you civilized? I remember reading that character is what keeps you in line when no one is looking, so what is it that keeps you in check when people are looking? When the world is looking? When your mama is looking?! It is always something to be said about the person who

Everybody so caught up with trying to be something, but can we strive to just be better? We all have a different moral compass, and we’re all allowed follow it or not.But no amount of money can instill something that it not already there.We have all seen and heard examples of people coming into money and still holding on to those same scheming and no good ways. Money ain't a magic wand. We try to hold our figures of entertainment to such high regard. Why? How? Just because