street.
My failure those many years ago to recognize the fine line between public and private speech underscores why all of usâpublic figures, politicians, preachers, and everyday folkâare required to be more circumspect and exercise far more discernment in the Information Age. If we dare to ignore the personal and professional repercussions involved when unintentional or careless remarks go public, we set ourselves up for far more than Facebook boomerangs. Just ask the diplomatic professionals who have been outed in the WikiLeaks revelations. These unintended disclosures underscore the invisible line that exists between public and private speech.
Iâm sure former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had no idea that the 14,000 text messages exchanged between him and his chief of staff, Christine Beatty, would end his career. Not only did the text messages out his affair with Beatty, they also served as the foundation for a lawsuit that resulted in an $8.4 million settlement by the City of Detroit. In December 2010, federal prosecutors issued even more charges against Kilpatrick. If convicted of the new charges, which include extortion, bribery, racketeering, and filing false tax returns, Kilpatrick could spend decades in jail.
In todayâs rapid-fire communications arenas, we not only have got to find ways to turn the volume way down; sometimes it must simply be turned off if we are to avoid having our lives or careers destroyed by a private moment made public or a public moment gone viral through broadcast or posting over a social media site.
Be aware. Be very, very aware. Even if TMZ doesnât follow you around! Be ever vigilant about what you do and what you say in the presence of friends, family, colleagues, or unknowns armed with seemingly harmless recording devices. What you may consider personal opinions or private actions can become public indictments that haunt you forever.
My ordeal with Townsend came before the social media revolution. But it helped me realize the importance of the Three DâsâDiscernment, Discrimination, and âDo Unto Others ⦠â
Social media as a permanent tracker of your deeds and misdeeds can make the stepping-stones to success that much more slippery. Be it public or private, at home or at play; for your own sake, remember: Youâre always on.
CHAPTER 5
ARRESTED
DEVELOPMENT
M y freshman year at Indiana University marked my foray into the grown-up world. After arriving at the Bloomington campus in the fall of 1982, without my parentsâ help or permission and no more than $50 in my pocket, it was clear that I had to fend for myself. By the grace of God and the intervention of a few benevolent souls, I managed to get enrolled, find financial aid at the last minute, get assigned to a dorm, and secure a work-study job.
For the first time in my young life, I was in charge of my life. I decided my schedule, my activities, and my food choices, which consisted of lots and lots of pizza. In fact, it was my reliance on the iconic food of Italy and a stupid mistake with my money that really jettisoned me into the grown-up world. Unfortunately, it was an unnerving part of that world that I was ill prepared to enter.
Fortunately, the experience anchored my resolve to never, ever let it happen again. It also opened my eyes to the harsh realities of financial ignorance and helped mold an outreach mission that I still passionately advance in some form or fashion to this very day.
Candy to a Baby
Itâs no secret that financial institutions target college students. These days (oftentimes with the educational institutions providing access), banks throw credit cards at students with clean credit histories. And, as we know, inexperienced, struggling students often get into long-term financial debt because of access to these cards.
According to a 2009 national study conducted by Sallie Mae, the nationâs leading saving-and-paying-for-college research
My failure those many years ago to recognize the fine line between public and private speech underscores why all of usâpublic figures, politicians, preachers, and everyday folkâare required to be more circumspect and exercise far more discernment in the Information Age. If we dare to ignore the personal and professional repercussions involved when unintentional or careless remarks go public, we set ourselves up for far more than Facebook boomerangs. Just ask the diplomatic professionals who have been outed in the WikiLeaks revelations. These unintended disclosures underscore the invisible line that exists between public and private speech.
Iâm sure former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had no idea that the 14,000 text messages exchanged between him and his chief of staff, Christine Beatty, would end his career. Not only did the text messages out his affair with Beatty, they also served as the foundation for a lawsuit that resulted in an $8.4 million settlement by the City of Detroit. In December 2010, federal prosecutors issued even more charges against Kilpatrick. If convicted of the new charges, which include extortion, bribery, racketeering, and filing false tax returns, Kilpatrick could spend decades in jail.
In todayâs rapid-fire communications arenas, we not only have got to find ways to turn the volume way down; sometimes it must simply be turned off if we are to avoid having our lives or careers destroyed by a private moment made public or a public moment gone viral through broadcast or posting over a social media site.
Be aware. Be very, very aware. Even if TMZ doesnât follow you around! Be ever vigilant about what you do and what you say in the presence of friends, family, colleagues, or unknowns armed with seemingly harmless recording devices. What you may consider personal opinions or private actions can become public indictments that haunt you forever.
My ordeal with Townsend came before the social media revolution. But it helped me realize the importance of the Three DâsâDiscernment, Discrimination, and âDo Unto Others ⦠â
Social media as a permanent tracker of your deeds and misdeeds can make the stepping-stones to success that much more slippery. Be it public or private, at home or at play; for your own sake, remember: Youâre always on.
CHAPTER 5
ARRESTED
DEVELOPMENT
M y freshman year at Indiana University marked my foray into the grown-up world. After arriving at the Bloomington campus in the fall of 1982, without my parentsâ help or permission and no more than $50 in my pocket, it was clear that I had to fend for myself. By the grace of God and the intervention of a few benevolent souls, I managed to get enrolled, find financial aid at the last minute, get assigned to a dorm, and secure a work-study job.
For the first time in my young life, I was in charge of my life. I decided my schedule, my activities, and my food choices, which consisted of lots and lots of pizza. In fact, it was my reliance on the iconic food of Italy and a stupid mistake with my money that really jettisoned me into the grown-up world. Unfortunately, it was an unnerving part of that world that I was ill prepared to enter.
Fortunately, the experience anchored my resolve to never, ever let it happen again. It also opened my eyes to the harsh realities of financial ignorance and helped mold an outreach mission that I still passionately advance in some form or fashion to this very day.
Candy to a Baby
Itâs no secret that financial institutions target college students. These days (oftentimes with the educational institutions providing access), banks throw credit cards at students with clean credit histories. And, as we know, inexperienced, struggling students often get into long-term financial debt because of access to these cards.
According to a 2009 national study conducted by Sallie Mae, the nationâs leading saving-and-paying-for-college research
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