Monday, November 12, 2018

Distinguished Gentleman of the Month: Chandler Watson

 1. What does being a Distinguished Gentleman mean to you?
Being a distinguished gentleman means trying to differentiate yourself from status quo. We shouldn’t confine to what box society tries to put us in. Being a black male/ individual in America is hard enough as it is. So we should do everything in our might to push the envelope and get out of the norm. Be great, fight for what you want. 

 2. What is your brand and how did you get started?
Unfortunately, I do not have a brand, and I haven’t really given anything to my hometown of Brookshire, TX. But I’m working on it. I’ve recently gotten into photography after taking a photojournalism class at Texas State and that has helped pave the path to success. Being a photojournalist at News 4 SA/ FOX 29 KABB, has helped me grow in that aspect, as well as critical thinking skills when working off the cuff. It’s only the beginning, nowhere to go but up from here.

3. What is your dream goal and how do you plan on achieving it?
I’d like to either be an anchor of some sort or a sports reporter, anything to get me in front of the camera really. As of right now, I’m working on mastering things behind the scenes before shifting the spectrum to the writing side. I know it’s going to take awhile which is why my patience levels are on TEN. I’ll go ahead and quote Joel Embiid here and say “Trust the Process.”

4. Name a moment that you feel helped shape you into the young man that you are today.
Great question. I wouldn’t say there was a specific moment, more of a time period. Coming from such a small town, and being sheltered within that town, it’d be hard for anyone to know what life is about. College really helped me get a glimpse of what I could expect to see from many different cultures in this journey. Although I let quite a bit of things go over my head, I was able to take that and learn from it. But life as a whole is a learning experience, and I hate to sound cliche, but I learn something new everyday.

5.   Name a person (dead or alive) that you look up to & why?
Easily my dad. I have some colleagues I look up to, but my dad has ALWAYS been there. For him, it was about being the father he didn’t have. He was grinding his way toward the top at 15, wasn’t even completely eligible to work yet but KFC was letting him whip up some chicken!! From there it was finishing high school, then to the marines. The rest after that is history. Didn’t even have to finish college to be the smartest man I know, if I didn’t have that guy in my life, I’d be nothing. Love him to death. Every time I talk to him, there’s a lesson with such a deep meaning.

6.When it comes to being a man, what do you feel should be the three core values that a gentleman should uphold?
God number 1 always. Family, because they will always be at your side, even is y’all have a feud, or internal issues. And three, staying true to yourself and don’t let anyone take you off your game. Staying out of the limelight can help with that. People say money creates problems but if no one knows you have money, how can that be possible?

7. What is a quote that live by and how do you live up to it?
Referring back to my dad, when he took me to the school bus during elementary school he always told me, “You can be anything you want to be, as long as you put your mind to it.” Twelve years later, I still hold that statement near and dear to my heart.

8. Piece of advice that you would give to young men of color who do not believe in themselves or lack role models?
Hate sounding like a broken tape recorder, but y’all, we must NOT fall into statistical stereotypes. As y’all know, a lot of people are against us and we have to do everything in our will to fight that. Look presentable when you go out, ain’t nothing wrong with a little sag because of low waist jeans and what not, but don’t have it to where you completely showin’ your ass, that’s not cool. Who cares if you are well spoken, let people say you talk “white,” just tell them my bad for being educated. It’s hard enough for ourselves, so don’t make it that much harder by doing some irrational sh*t. Have I done some ignorant stuff, of course, but if I had a gut feeling it was gonna hinder me from my ultimate goal, I wouldn’t do it. That’s the main thing right there, don’t let anyone get in the way of what you work for. Remember, everyone is watching, whether you know it or not. So when you become successful and make something of yourself, be cognizant of your surroundings. There are people out here trying to get you. Like I said before, BE GREAT.







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