First ask yourself; which one do you play? From my research checkers is a game played by a majority of the minorities. The board is black and red, for entertainment purposes. The object of the game is to jump your challenger’s pieces to get to the other side of the board. While doing so, you have to work not to lose as many pieces as possible. Once you have received a crown, you may go back out into the field of play and relieve the competition of their pieces.
Chess, on the other hand, is usually taught by fathers to sons, or just a male figure with knowledge of the game. It is a “White folks & Asians” game if you ask the young black masses who prefer checkers. Most would be surprised to know that chess was created by Africans.
The board is black and white or clear. Each piece moves distinctively in its own way. The game takes critical thought, strategy, and sacrifice. The player must analyze and choose the best move with the least amount of consequence. Some pieces are more valuable than others. You can’t jump over any piece, but instead you must take their spot on the board. You have to evaluate the board through the use of critical thinking. You can also win the game with a majority of both players’ pieces still on the board.
Point of this:
Checkers – Teaches that everyone is equal, and that jumping your opponent is the best way to accomplish your agenda. The board is black and red (look up color meanings) but basically it’s for entertainment. You can’t win the game unless all of your opponent’s pieces have been removed from the board.
Chess- It’s a thinking man’s game. All pieces are not equal, the value of a queen is more valuable than a pawn, and each piece has their own uniqueness and way to move around the board. You can defeat your opponent with a majority of the pieces still on the board. You can’t just jump over your opponents, but instead you have to put yourself in a position to remove them with the least amount of consequence for yourself.
Our community has a majority of checkers players in a chess driven world. I’m not asking you to learn chess, but to realize that your choices hold consequence for your future opportunities. We have developed this mentality that we can jump over everything, or avoid it. We all can attest that the world doesn’t work that way, and that you have to deal with the obstacles that present themselves. We are not equal; some of us are valued more than others. You don’t have to conquer the world or your own people to win this game called life. Actually you want as many people in the game as possible, so your real agenda and objective is hidden.
Utilize others and their gifts to help you accomplish what it is you want out of life. You’re sleeping because you are waiting for everyone to clear the board and you be the last one standing. There will always be an opponent on the board, but your job is not to take everyone personally and get so caught up in conquering them or destroying them that you forget what your agenda is. Learn to manipulate the game with your opponent or opponents in the game. Don’t try to control a situation, but instead use your gifts and qualities to adjust to it, and make it work for you.
Use critical thought and strategy, and be willing to sacrifice!
-Paul Chaney