Atlanta offers great options for family fun on New Years - Atlanta Single Moms | Examiner.com

Atlanta offers great options for family fun on New Years - Atlanta Single Moms | Examiner.com

Hypocrisy and Inconsistancy

Good afternoon class, today the letter is 'H', which in these past two years has stood for "hypocrisy". It kind of stinks when there are so many examples of hypocrisy in sports. I used to think that hypocrisy was reserved for politicians and parents who use the "do as I say and not as I do" method of parenting. However, to find true hypocrisy and inconsistancy in sports no one needs to go much further than the NFL, or even our great university, THE Ohio State University.

Laziness

It feels good to be home, right? Especially if you're not working this break is so relaxing. I've spent the last few days, as Ms. Patty Cunningham aptly named the phenomenon, in a "sleep-coma". Basically, I've slept until there are a few hours of daylight left and repeated the cycle each day. It's great to chill and recharge the mental batteries, but try to stay sharp. Do a crossword puzzle or two, or sudoku, or analyze the advantages of a 4-3 defensive sceme over a zone-blitz look- whatever you have to do to keep the brain working. Also, remember to get ready for classes. A lot of people are getting back from home on January the 2nd, a Sunday. Don't forget classes start that Monday.

Break

It's about time, right? Finals are over and it's time for winter break. Finally! Hopefully you studied hard and will be pleased by finals grades. Everyone is headed home for Christmas, Kwanzaa or just finished Hanukkah (some students even celebrate all three) and ready for quality time with the family. Of course, there may be a few people who aren't in the family that you might prioritize over "family time". No offense to mom, pops, Uncle Junior and Auntie T. T., but it's understandable to want to hang friend rather than to be around all of the "old folks". Just make sure that some time is set aside for the fam', it will make their holiday season just to see you, trust me.

Winter

It's that time of year again: the snow is beginning to fall, everyone is starting to dress warmly (except for a few of these nuts around campus who insist on shorts), it's almost finals week and (sadly) the college football season is coming to a close. This time of the year can either make or break someone. Yeah, it's cold and traveling around campus is a pain, but it's worth it. It may seem nerdy, but there's nothing like that accomplished feeling you get when that grading report comes and you see that all the hard work has paid off (and the good grades can always help to coax an extra gift or maybe an upgrade out of the parents). It's the holiday season and everyone is ready to grab a hot cocoa and find someone to chase down with a handful of mistletoe, but it's not over. The academic process ceases to end long after graduation. It's nice to kick back, chill, reminisce for a second, but to be successful in life you need to have the burning desire to be on top of your game. Just think, at any given moment there are millions of people who want exactly what you want and will do almost anything to achieve your goal. If you don't know what your goal is yet, just keep working for those high grades. So although it is cold outside, don't let that cool off the fire inside you for whatever that passion is that you are chasing.

Chivalry Isn't Dead...The People Who Used It Are

I have a best friend who goes to school in Chicago and every time we meet up during breaks in Cleveland she never fails to mention the despair of being single, black, and a woman in America. I try my best to listen and reason (usually at a stalemate and feeling like my black male brethren are the scum of the earth), but I find it poignant that no matter what she always seems to mention that a key fact that she is single is because she feels that black men are not gentlemen anymore, or simply lost any semblance of chivalry. Chivalry is commonly associated with knights, maidens, and the Middle Age, but chivalry, at it's core, is consistent with the principles of bravery, honor, and most importantly, respect towards women. And, based off that definition, it would seem that there is hope for relevant use for chivalry in today's black men, right? Well, let's see...

The Fierce Urgency of Now Continues

For those who are unaware, this Sunday evening the President of the United States & his family and staff will be at The Ohio State University. Mr. & Mrs. Obama will be here for an Ohio Democratic Party Rally to galvanize the faithful in Central Ohio. This is key because this state, as well as this section of the state will be vital to sustain Congressional & local seats held by current Democrats. The White House has been criss-crossing the country at a frantic pace, showing a fierce urgency to sustain their majority and to more effectively push their agenda, and the time is now to do it with less than a month until Election Day. However, the President's visit may also be a sign of a more distressing problem; something Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke about when he coined the phrase the "The Fierce Urgency of Now"---that is the President is trying to re-energize the vote of the next generation, our generation, and especially rallying the support of the Black youth vote.

Helping “Our” People?

I have always been engaged in community service. I think it was somehow built in my genes. My mother said she wanted to be a nurse because she wanted to help people. In addition, she always pushed me to be active. Whether it was in elementary through high school being a Girl Scout and Girl Scout leader, volunteering at a nearby hospital, and assisting in creating entertainment activities in a nursing home. Or in undergrad being on the executive board for the NAACP chapter, my sorority (the one and only SKEE-WEE! I had to…) or volunteer for the Special Olympics etc etc. I’ve always had a mind to give back. That feeling of advocacy only grew when I came to graduate school. But it wasn’t just the desire to help people in general; it was to focus my energy on my people. Black people. But recently I have hit I brick wall. A wall seemingly built by…my people. I have had plenty of conversations with my people who have been working with and for African Americans and have more than enough battle wounds and stories of frustration. In listening to these stories I have said to myself, “Well my friend, you just gotta work harder! Keep up the good fight!” I’m not even 30, yet my stories of frustration are starting to compile.

Do you see what I see?

It’s late morning on a Tuesday and I’ve nearly arrived at my hotel in Pittsburg, PA. As I attempt to focus my attention on both the road and Google Maps on my iPhone, I notice that I’m traveling through a residential area. Pausing at a stop sign I take one last look at my directions and turn more of my focus on the neighborhood I’m driving through. If I’m going to be staying in this area for two nights I’d like to see if I can determine whether or not safety might be an issue. Two minutes into my foray it seems clear to me that I’m driving through a working class, mostly white, neighborhood. 

Recognizing the Unsung, Pt. 2

I waited, waited, and waited for this day! While many sports fans gave their attention to the NBA Finals, or the sanctions that await the USC athletic program, there was a recent feat that deserves attention: the Chicago Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years beating the Philadelphia Flyers. Yet, their victory is not the focus of this blog, nor the politically incorrectness of their mascot. The subject is Dustin Byfuglien (pronunced Buff-lin). Growing up as a child, the presence of African Americans in hockey seemed silly to me, until I moved to Columbus where I met a brother who ran a hockey shop in Columbus.  That interaction and Byfuglien's role in this series (and the 2010 playoffs) led me to search for the role of people of African descent in the NHL. I learned that the contributions have gone unrecognized.

Distant Relatives - Hip Hop and Reggae

Despite his money and marital troubles, Nasir Jones (NAS) remains one of my favorite hip hop emcees.  When I first heard that Nas was collaborated with reggae music artist, Damian Marley, on an album called "Distant Cousins", I did not know what to think about project.

♪ ♪ Any Way You Figure, The President's a Nigger to Meeeee♪ ♪

Last night I set my DVR for the Boondocks at 11:30pm like I usually do every Sunday. I got off work at 9pm then went home to finally relax, study a bit, and watch the Boondocks. For the last three weeks Aaron McGruder has not disappointed covering such issues as Obama's media hype, the reality of rapper's lives, the Chinese stealing the Olympics, and now self-hate and racism to the fullest extent.

Perception doesn't always equal Reality...

I went bowling with a few co-workers and friends yesterday evening as we usually do on Thursdays. We were having a good time competing and keeping up with the NBA Finals scores. As the night neared its end, we noticed another party, a group of about 8 black males who were placing bets against each other to roll strikes, spares or have the high score. We noticed because there was a disagreement about a $5.00 bet and yelling ensued.

I digress, it reminded me of the scene in Barbershop when Lahmard Tate’s character, while stealing an ATM, drops the task to chase a man who owes him $5.00. When confronted about the situation he stated, “It’s not the money….. It’s the Principle.”

Recognizing the Unsung, pt.I

When it comes to Olympic protest and Black Power, Tommie Smith and John Carlos are the first two that come to mind. The 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City were a key moment in Black athlete protest, as illustrated in the great number of articles and books that focus on this event.   However, little known Wayne Collett and Vincent Matthews embraced the spirit of Black power protest from the '68 Olympic Games and displayed their own demonstration at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich. 

Charter school in tough neighborhood gets all its seniors into college - chicagotribune.com

Charter school in tough neighborhood gets all its seniors into college - chicagotribune.com

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DR. BOYCE: March Madness Is A Billion Dollar Sweatshop

http://newsone.com/entertainment/sports-entertainment/boycewatkins/dr-boyce-march-madness-is-a-billion-dollar-sweatshop/

Vandalism at U. Missouri Black Cultural Center

UPDATE: Two Students Arrested For UMissouri Cotton Ball Hate Crime

http://newsone.com/nation/news-one-staff/umissouri-black-cultural-center-littered-with-cotton-in-racist-display/

Cavs Welcome Big Comeback Win in Boston

In the NBA, no team has ever won a championship in late February, but a team can gain confidence. The Cleveland Cavaliers double-digit comeback win over the Boston Celtics on Thursday was a much-needed morale boost for a team that had previously lost their last eight games, in the TD Banknorth Boston Garden, including the playoffs, dating back to Jan. 2007.

Tigers Apology and Jim Brown's Challenge

Thank you to Jim Brown for holding Tiger to a higher standard, by questioning Tiger's ability to be a complex human being vs. a superhuman athlete in 2002, 2008 and 2009. Given Jim Brown's character, flaws and all, its amazing how he continues to reach out, support, and challenge others (i.e. Richard Pryor, Muhammad Ali, etc...). I really hoped that Tiger had ears to listen all these years.

No Rebellion?! The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth: Christianity, Colonialism, Slavery and Revolutions

Part One: Moses, Blackness and the Meaning of Meek

Recently (and in the not-so-distant past) I have had various conversations with professors and graduate students on the role of religion, specifically Christianity, in Africa and her descendants. There is the role of religious syncretism (the mixing West African religions and Christianity) as a method of spiritual, mental, and physical survival (if you are from the South, you know what happens at a “Home Goin’”). There is the role of the Black Church as a sanctuary and “safe place” for meeting and organizing during much of the Civil Rights Era. The more controversial side (the dark side of “Christians”) discusses how Christianity sanctioned colonialism in Africa and around the world. How it warranted the discrimination of Blacks grounded in religious enlightenment theory via the “Hamitic Curse” Myth. But a recent conversation, for some reason, really got me to thinking. The person(s) stated: “Isn’t God opposed to rebellion? He said ‘the meek shall inherit the earth’ and ‘turn the other cheek’? Doesn’t ‘meek’ mean ‘timid’? Sounds like God is in favor of slavery.” Hmm…So I began my study.

Sports, Prison, Violence and Black Masculinity

I have a three-year old son, who is rather tall and strong for his age. Apparently, having parents over six-feet tall did not help any. I remember one day sitting in a restaurant with my son when an older white couple came up to us and said, “He is so cute and so big. I just know he is going to be a football player.” At this point my son hadn’t reached one year old yet, but had received similar comments previously. I responded to the couple, “Or maybe he is going to be a principal or a scientist.” After awkward silence, they left. Years later, he continues to receive the same career predictions. To which I jokingly say, “My son is going to play badminton and chess.” Usually laughs follow, but there is a level of seriousness disguised in my humor. Why is a tall strong black man having tactical skills in chess or dominating the badminton court funny? Is he not a black man if he participates in such activities? I tell this story because certain ideas of black manhood is pervasive in many of our minds. We see many of these manifestations in popular culture. If black men stereotypical have a high acumen for sports, does it matter which sports they play? Or is it only aggressive contact sports that are reserved for and assumed to encompass black masculinity? How do these constructions shape our knowledge (or assumed knowledge) of black men?

The Sit-Ins Remembered: A Fight for Much More Than a Hamburger

Exactly fifty years ago, on Monday, February 1, 1960, Joseph McNeil, David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Ezell Blair, Jr., four freshman at North Carolina A & T, an historically black college in the heart of Greensboro, North Carolina, refused to leave a lunch counter at a downtown Woolworth's department store after being denied service because of their race in accordance with local custom and law.

Black History Month

In 1926, Carter G. Woodson began the celebration of Negro Achievement Week which was to be celebrated the second week in February to coincide with the birth dates of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The week-long celebration was eventually extended to the entire month. In 2010, we celebrate black history month many different ways. You may see many programs on campus, different organizations showing their formal recognition, large corporations showcasing to the world their interest in black history month, and provocative facebook statuses challenging the norm of black history month.

Its a Small World After All

With the increased production of new, cutting edge technologies, the world is getting smaller. Today, one could have a better relationship with someone on the other side of the world than with his or her own next door neighbor.

Morehouse Whiz Kid is Causing a Stir: 13-Year-Old Dominates College

Morehouse Whiz Kid is Causing a Stir: 13-Year-Old Dominates College

MLK

At my part time job I work as a collector at bank talking to people who overdraft on their deposit accounts. When they call in or we call them we usually come to an agreement on a specific date when they plan to make a deposit. So working over the three day weekend I spoke to so many people who said they will come in the bank on Monday January 18, 2009. To my surprise when I informed them that we wouldn't be open that day most responded with questions asking why. After their questions, I had to tell them that we're observing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. When they heard it some responded with a simple "oh" or "let's make it Tuesday then" however some replied with "Well what's that have to do with the bank" or "Ok, so why are you closing." The more customers I spoke with the more frustrated I got. I don't think it was the fact that they still wanted the bank to be open but more so the fact that they didn't know what day it was.