*stay to your morals and honor
*do not rest on your mental laurels… remain skeptical about everything, question everything, examine everything, and re-evaluate your belief system to accommodate new information. Do not let your mind stagnate… ever.
*be respectful of authority figures (especially your elders) but do not take what they say wholecloth. They are not perfect. This includes me… evaluate what I say and make up your own mind.
*do hold your hand out because of what your ancestors went through or make excuses because of discrimination you face. It is your privilege and your right to make it on your merit and earn the honor of doing so. This is America and we have that right here.
*life is not fair… do not expect it to be
*if you do not like being treated poorly, it is only logical to assume that others do not as well. Do not do so.
*I have provided you with the best education I can (I would if I had children). Now it is your turn to continue learning. Without education, you have little chance in life.
*do not hate or develop a chip on your shoulder for racism and other nastiness directed your way (I would be training him/her just like my father did me on how to avoid falling to the dread disease of racism)
*do honor to your Ancestors
*the Wheel turns… nothing remains the same.
These are some of the things my father taught me.