Why is it always about Race?

Why is it always about Race? Why is this a reflex statement? What about the "thing" that creates that reflex? WHY IS IT ABOUT RACE? Is this just a contemplative inquiry? Ironically, the black man asks that too. 

To do an internet search for the best actors and actresses of the 1970s, only one African American person shows up within the first 20; that one person was Cicely Tyson. Why? Were there no recognized talented thespians within the Race? Were not we given key roles, same casting opportunities, and treated equally? Why is it always about Race. How about searching for the best businessmen and women? What do you think the result was? ...Were not there recognized talented businesspeople within the Race. Were not we afforded opportunities to earn key business roles, recognized for our talents, treated equally, given the same opportunities? Should I go on...? Should I ask the age-old question? Why is it about Race? How do I answer that question today in 2021? Much less attempt to answer it as a teenager of the '70s. The answer is complexed, but the question is not. 

Again! Recently, I was asked that DAMN question- "Why is it always about Race?"  Milliseconds after hearing the question, I wanted to respond.  However, hearing it today touched me differently.  So I paused time to dig deep for an answer.  What I didn't hide was a facial reaction, which spoke volumes. Eye rolls, a squinch of the eyebrows, and astonishment gave off the physical appearance of realizing that we are still at this place. All while gathering myself in that split second and retracting back to that familiar chameleon...  Letting it roll off the shoulder.  Now that I've thought about it, I'm responding.  I am going to answer the damn question... "why?"

Let me give context while attempting to stitch together my reasoning for my answer to "why."  As eclectic as my backstory is, it leads to a conviction. This will be a long explanation, but at least I'll get it off my chest, and maybe someone will get it and understand the "why" from my perspective. 

I attended a university in Idaho. Yes, you read it correctly, Idaho. The black population in the state at the time was approximately 2600 or 2%. Within the city of Boise, there were less than 900 African Americans. The Aryan Nation took up residency in the 1970s in Northern Idaho and travel south to the campus for visits/lectures once per year. If there was a progressive city within the state during those times, it was Boise. Race data was hard to capture (compared to today) related to today's census. The city of Mountain Home, 30 miles outside of Boise, hosted a military base. The university was increasing in popularity nationwide due to the sports programs, specifically football.  Insert the question - "Why did you pick Boise?".  ...and I respond - "same reason you may have picked it, for the opportunity."

Coming from Oakland, Ca, was a monumental shift in surroundings, both visually and geographically. The snow-capped mountains and the brisk mountain air afforded me an immediate opportunity to consistently wear my first parka. I already had a sweater or two, and the new combination made the weather transition somewhat smooth. What was harder was the adoption of the community. As nice as most people were, it was a significant adjustment to the lack of people of color. Life was so different in Boise, Idaho, as compared to the neighborhoods and schools back home. Young and a teenager 721 miles from Oakland, living on campus hard mentally. 18 combined with homesickness became a familiar feeling, short flashbacks of family far away consistently strengthen the thought of home and escape. Mainly during that first semester. Oakland seemed to be going through it too. There was an exit plan happening in real-time. A revolving door of the likes of an ethnic turnstile was taking place. As astonishing as it was, diversity, although vast, it slightly began to diminish as white people started to leave and move into some of the surrounding bay area suburbs. 

During a typical stream of consciousness in a regular conversation, the last thing I think of is an ethnic category. Let me clarify. My conversations are not segmented verbally by ethnicity. Subconsciously I am aware of black America's plight and subconsciously gratified upon black achievement in any form. This shows up in daily life when we acknowledge each other with a head-knob or a verb gesture, "what's up - How you doin my man." As if to say, "I see you," "you've done us good," or "keep it up." Today's giddiness for giving compliments to my people probably stems from being a pre-teen child of the '60s. Positive images of African Americans within media were minimal—having to hang on the limb of a short clip, stories from parents, family members, and parents' friends. Visualizing success and black achievements through those stories became engrained and hopeful. What doubled as black exclusion was that we felt the fight and knew the achievements as both muted outside. We knew our role models, but you did not. Much like the underground railroad, the pathway of information traveled from adult to adult and ultimately to us, the children. What little media we had access to only confirmed the stories I already told. Even then, the portrayal was not as complimentary as my traveled stories were. To be seen was to wear plenty of lashes, struggles, sacrifices, and perseverance. 

Race as a categorizing term referring to human beings. The word was said to be first used in the 16th century. By the 18th century, Race was widely used to sort and rank the peoples in the English colonies—Europeans who saw themselves as free people, Amerindians who had been aggressively and unfairly conquered, and Africans brought in as slave labor; this usage of Race continues today. 

Race tends to force us to look at a person along with his/her color. But does it? Let us take a step back! For many years, I have worked in Silicon Valley and have never experienced an event, majority white, use the term "Race" or asked the question - "why" is it about Race? Did Race play a part in silicon valley's success? No! Why? Because the classification of Race implies ethnic separation. However, there was not much Race separation due to the lack of Race participation. "Race" was never called out. If it were, it was only about the need for diversity/Race. EEO reports that black men and women make up less than 1.8% participation amongst approximately 177 companies within the corridor. Need I say more? 

We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving. However, have you ever heard a person of color ask, "Why is it about Race?" -when discussing one of the calendar days? Aren't most of those holidays about Race, or are they? It seems that that question only comes up when the calendar change includes the celebration of people of color, specifically the 70's debate over February as Black History month or years of debate of designating MLK a federal holiday. 

I have grown through those arguments, and this shit is exhausting.  So why is it always about Race?

So why is it about Race? Because you made it about Race. Because we now have a chance to celebrate openly, society owes us this right. In a way, we are cashing in because we can. We see this new and unrestricted era being suitable for strengthening the stitches that should be holding us together but divided us due to "Race." It is about us too, Black folks saying -we knew it all alone! Our success is no secret. Words of that success traveled underground from adult to adult, then to us children. We have arrived now, and we are no longer underground. We are going to talk about it loudly. It is about us saying look, and look closely - we made profound contributions, struggled, strived, helped, built, succeeded, were successful, persevered, and now we are here. 

That's why.

Hank Aaron a Childhood Treasure

One of my national treasures died today.  Henry Louis Aaron, nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank," died yesterday, Friday, January 23rd; he was 86 years old.  Wow!  yes, wow!  Before the newscaster finished her words - I was overcome with emotion.  

Hank Aaron was mystical.  I got to see him on one of three bay area channels we had at the time, primarily during the news at 6 pm. My favorite Bay Area sportscaster Jan Hutchenson would provide the sports highlights and end his show with his closing quote, "the body is the temple of the spirit, take care."  The only other global sports update option was Wide-World of Sports on Saturday's. Most of the updates were just enough to enhance my stepdad's stories about our great black sports athletes, now legends. 

I pause after hearing yesterday's breaking news.  In the midst of it, I flashed back to the early '70s in Oakland, CA.  A time when my only problems were not cleaning my room and forgetting to do chores.  Yet, I was aware that while baseball was branded as pure and American as apple pie, it was not like that for everyone.  Right outside lived monumental issues of strife and racism.  Many of those issues felt and worn by our great role models.  Hank was one of those who bore the burden of so much of that to include discrimination.  Can you imagine your home team fans being indifferent or hostile during the season you were chasing Ruth's record?  Can you imagine receiving death threats daily by mail and or other?  Can you imagine being a black man who plays baseball for a living yet has to hire guards to protect his family?  

1974 - Things are happening.  Coleman Young is elected as the first Black mayor of Detroit.  Frank Robinson is named the Cleveland Indians manager, becoming the first black manager in major league baseball.   Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman and regains the Heavyweight Championship of the world.  Shirley Chisholm, a New York Democrat, is the 1st African American woman elected to Congress.  As African Americans struggled for civil rights, major league baseball persisted as America's "happy game" despite less than 17% being African American.

Hank Aaron had a large community/fan base that rooted for him.   My community rooted loudly and eagerly waited for him to disrupt the game with that one home run.   In sports, the most covenant record was the baseball's home run record, held by Babe Ruth at 714. Close your eyes, take your mind back to the era of 1974. Imagine that record broken by a black player.  Many didn't want that to happen, but the many rooting for the 17% did.  The one person that blatantly didn't want to see it was the MLB commissioner Bowie Kuhn.  He chose not to attend the  Los Angeles Dodgers and the  Atlanta Braves game to witness Hank Aaron hit number 715 the night of April 4, 1974. Wow! another wow!  But I saw!  I saw it on my TV, and I was elated.   

I think Hank Aaron was well aware of how the kids in the neighborhood like me, Tony, and Ira would look to him as one of our champions, and that we did. Completing my chores allowed me to go outside and spend the rest of the day pretending to be like Hank Aaron. We'd play strikeout on Tony's steps and always encapsulated and dramatized Hanks' home run swing, either striking out or pounding the neighbor's roof with the Wiffle ball.  So when I paused earlier yesterday while hearing the news of his passing, I immediately reverted to my childhood and thought of that bat swing.  Hammerin Hanks' swing met that ball, lifting it high and long, breaking not only Babe Ruth's home run record but raising hope and giving me strength as a young black boy.  He was more than a baseball player to us.  He was a model that represented strength, eloquence, humility, power, and future.  That home run lifted the spirits of people and a race of people.  Hank Aaron was a symbolic celebration of hope when given a chance.

I deserve to get a trophy or a participation certificate too!!!

Like most of us, I would assume that you have become a taxi cab/dealer for your child's endeavors. Specifically his or her athletic ventures. Since when am I suppose to be the one that gets my kid to practice, wake my kid up to go to practice, and remind my kid to practice? Why should I put forth more effort into getting my kids to practice than they do? I actually feel like I'm the one signed up 

for the event.

Today during these politically correct times, parents have become enablers. They/we have created an expectation to the public that supports these bad gestures. Society actually frowns on us parents who say no to our child. They even are appalled at the sound of a parent saying, "I'm not going to give you a ride" or "you need to work- it- out and be accountable."  I actually think that a boy's brain implodes between ages 15 - 17.  If it doesn't implode, I don't know what the hell is going on in their little minds because they are all nuts.  I should know; my mom said that I went through some (only some of what these kids are doing!) of that too.   But the difference between my generation and theirs is we "worked things out," we " were lead to believe that it was up to us to be good or be the best" when we complained, we were given the option of continuing to blame others or do something about it, we went to practice, and we didn't bother our parents about always giving us a ride.  I remember being a part of teams where if we got an award, it was because we took first, second, or third place (not fourth, and we didn't even want the second or third place award; we only wanted to win).  It was because ONE of us was the Most Valuable Player, All-Star, etc.  We didn't get prizes for participating or just showing up.

Today, coaches can't discipline or, much less yell at a kid.   Heck, parents don't punish or yell at their own kids.  And don't give me that crap about yelling or spanking.  Before you say (in defense of your kid receiving a participation award), look at our society.  We wake our kids up, we mentally prepare them for the day/practice, we fix their breakfast, we wash their clothes, we buy the requested clothes that allow them to style on the field, track, or court, we run back home to get the thing that they forgot, we take them to practice, we pick them up from practice, we wait until they are finishing practice, we go to their games, we stay unit the game is over, we pay the fees associated with the team and the games, we pay for pre-game and post-game meals, we are asked to pay for a portion of the coaches gifts, the team mom works harder than most of the coaches, and we wake-up early in the morning, and start all over again.

Here's what I think.  We (parents) should get a trophy!  We (parents) should get a medal!  We (parents) should get a certificate.  Why?  Because we/I work harder, and I'm more vested.   I'm not even sure if they workout while on the field harder than we do.  They certainly can't say that they do more.  Ok, maybe they can, but I shouldn't have to even question or compare that! This didn't happen in my day and yours, and my parents couldn't say these things about me. Having said that, I enjoyed having my parents participate in giving me a ride every once and a while.  I also appreciate that they came to some of my games.  But I tell you this for sure, I took accountability for my actions; thus, I got the awards, the real trophy.  This is why we/I (parents) deserve a medal, a piece of acknowledgment...Something!....Oh yeah, that's right, our kids "PARTICIPATED," and they are the ones that need to get the award...Yeah right!... What they need is a better attitude!

Why didn't this story make mainstream news?

Black Youth Invents Surgical Technique - at 14

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 2:26 pm By: Jackie Jones, BlackAmericaWeb.com

Tony Hansberry II isn’t waiting to finish medical school to contribute to improved medical care. He has already developed a stitching technique that can be used to reduce surgical complications, as well as the chance of error among less experienced surgeons. "I've always had a passion for medicine," he said in a recent interview. "The project I did was, basically, the comparison of novel laparoscopic instruments in doing a hysterectomy repair.” By the way, Hansberry is a 14-year-old high school freshman. In April, the brilliant teen presented his findings at a medical conference at the University of Florida before an audience of doctors and board-certified surgeons. Hansberry attends Darnell-Cookman, a special medical magnet school that allows him to take advanced classes in medicine. Students at the schoolmaster suturing in eighth grade. "I just want to help people and be respected, knowing that I can save lives," said Hansberry, the son of a registered nurse and an African Methodist Episcopal church pastor. His goal is to become a neurosurgeon. The idea for his procedure developed last summer during an internship at the University of Florida's Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville. Hansberry responded to a challenge to improve a procedure called the endo stitch, used in hysterectomies that could not be clamped down properly to close the tube where the patient’s uterus had been. The teen devised a vertical way to apply the endo stitch and, using a medical dummy, completed the stitching in a third of the time of traditional surgery. “It took me a day or two to come up with the concept,” Hansberry said. He was supervised by Dr. Brent Siebel, a urogynecologist, and Bruce Nappi, Administrative Director of the Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research. Hansberry’s discovery won second place in its regional science fair in February 2009 in the medical category. Education experts say youngsters as young as 10 can experience great achievement at an early age if their thirst for knowledge is encouraged, and they are given opportunities to shadow professionals and get internships. Also, a rigorous study schedule that also builds in some recreation is key. High school internships and other programs are being used by educators to boost the number of young people interested in medicine in the face of projections that there will be a doctor deficit of as many as 200,000 physicians by 2020. "It's not hard if you have a passion for it," Hansberry said. Angela TenBroeck, the medical lead teacher, said in many ways, Hansberry is a typical student, but she told the Florida Times-Union that he is way ahead of his classmates when it comes to surgical skills. "I would put him up against a first-year med student," she said. "He's an outstanding young man. And I'm proud to have him representing us."

Swagger or Swagga...Either way, he has it !!!

I'm about to talk to you like I talk to my boys! You all know what I'm talking about.

Does the boy have swagger or what? He's got a little sumthin sumthin going on. He's got that "What" behind him. He's got that "Yeah" "Yeeeeah" with his walk. Can you imagine the conversations he must have with his boys? It might go something like this.

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His boy – Do you feel like the man B?

Pres B – I do. I'm just doing what I do. You feel me?

His boy – I feel you. But does it get hard when you get attacked from the front, the back, and every other direction?

Pres B- C'mon man! It's been hard for us from day one if you're looking at it from that perspective. I don't see it any worse than growing up with an assumptive target on my back. You know that target. The target of people saying that I'm going to fail, he's from a broken home, so he's definitely going to fail, blah blah blah. Listen, I'm trying to change the game. I can now affect the game, and more importantly, I'm going to keep my word. And if you think it's cocky, then it's what it is. I look at it as being confident with what I do and how I do it.

His boy – I hear ya bra!

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Ok. I took some creative liberty on the dialog, but I believe that that's how it goes. President Obama has that Swagger. He also has the "IT" thing too. However, I'll talk about the "IT" thing in my next blog (Not everyone has the "IT" factor) because only a few have that "IT" factor. Ali had "IT.," Lena Horne had "IT.," Ella Fitzgerald had "IT," Joe Namath had "IT," Dr. King had "IT," Jordan has "IT." Denzel has "IT," Collin Powell has "IT," Tom Brady has "IT"…and come on, you know Bill Clinton has "IT." Again, we'll handle the "IT" factor in my next blog.

Let's talk a little bit about swagger.

Swagger – Definition: Swaggering manner, conduct, or walk; ostentatious display of arrogance and conceit

The swagger is not over-rated, and a lot of people have it. I say that because in my community growing up, it was prevalent. While playing sports, it was so prevalent that you wanted to sometimes knock it out the person who had it because sometimes they couldn't back it up. I certainly recognize it when it's in my face; I think we all do. We all talk about these people. I'm not sure if you need substance, credibility, or a track record for success, but you need confidence. Having said that, President Obama has the substance, credibility, and track record to back it up (at least he has that somthin somthin that allows us to think that he has all of that).

Let me give you an example of some people in the media that has that swagger. Kanya West, Puffy, Lil Wayne, Britney Spears, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Beyonce, Kid Rock, just to name a few…you get my point, right? Some are worthy of the swagger, and some aren't.

President Obama is certainly worthy of the swagger. I can really identify with him and how he conducts himself in public. It's a trip how easy it is to recognize the ways of another brotha in oneself. I notice how he addresses the common folk, politicians, and international partners. He invites them in. I see him being inclusive in many as many cases. Inclusive seemed to be a natural gesture within my community growing up. I recall always being able to expand friendships and gatherings based on including all who were present, who may have been Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc. They all were welcome. This was especially true with my parents and parent's friends. Thus, I see that thing in President Obama, that inclusive thing.

That swagger he has is just how he rolls (stealing a phrase from the younger generation). My man even got his swerve going-on when he walks down the step of Air Force One. C'mon…you'll know exactly what I'm talking about! Democrats, Republicans, Independents, whatever your party affiliation, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Asomugha plays offense off the field

Asomugha with Kids at the airport

This article was written by Sean Jensen who covers the NFL for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. My goal is to expose the good that some athletes are doing. This is especially in light of all of the negative publicity that today's athlete receives.

Other than visiting his native Mexico, Jose Mendoza had never traveled outside of California.

So Mendoza figured he was being punk'd when Regina Jackson, the executive director of the East Oakland Youth Development Center, gauged his interest in an all-expenses paid trip to New York.

He would stay in his first hotel, in Times Square. He would tour several colleges, including Columbia and Julliard. And he would eat at restaurants and meet former President Bill Clinton.

"I didn't think it was going to be real," said Mendoza, 17. "To go to New York for a few days? I was like, 'Whoa.' "

It was real. Thanks to Nnamdi Asomugha.

Mendoza and nine other high school students from Oakland, Calif., can credit the Oakland Raiders' two-time All-Pro cornerback, who funds and plans the annual Asomugha College Tour through the East Oakland Youth Development Center.

Both the person and place are steeped in history: Asomugha became the league's highest-paid defensive back ever after signing a three-year deal in February that guarantees him $28.5 million, and the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) was founded 36 years ago by former Clorox Company chairman Robert Shetterly.

The center serves as an after-school program for all Oakland youths and their families, and also offers summer programs. There are classes on creative writing, computer, cooking, dance, music, as well as field trips and physical education. There is a track club, rowing team, youth basketball league and karate classes.

The age of kids and young adults using the center currently ranges from 4 to 24, and there also is job training, education and computer services for adults during the day.

Oh, and all of the programs are free.

It was about seven years ago when Asomugha, now 27, heard about the center from a former teammate at the University of California who had grown up at the EOYDC. Asomugha initially got involved by hosting five students from the center on an overnight fly-fishing trip. Then he donated Christmas gifts to families before approaching Jackson with the idea for a college tour.

"I think of all the schools and places I didn't get to see," said Asomugha, who grew up in Los Angeles. "I'd love to do it, but I wasn't going to do it by myself. And none of the homeys were going to do it with me."

Chosen by the Raiders late in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft, Asomugha has come to know Oakland well. He empathized with the challenges facing students in situations reminiscent of his own growing up. Oakland had the fifth-highest crime rate of any U.S. city last year, according to publisher CQ Press. In March, a gunman killed four police officers in two separate incidents in east Oakland.

The EOYDC sits in Elmhurst, a rough part of Oakland where violence, unemployment and dropout rates are high.

"He sought out one of the toughest neighborhoods in California. We're blocks away from where the police were shot," Jackson said. "When stuff happens, it always impacts our participants. But he wasn't shaken by that."

Probably due to his own background.

"We didn't have much, but we were raised like we had a lot," Asomugha said of growing up in Los Angeles. "My parents came from Nigeria in the 1970s, and they had to build from the ground up."

Asomugha admits that the students in Oakland might have it "even worse" than what he faced in Los Angeles, lamenting that they don't have the "environment that is always conducive to their success."

"They are complete aberrations to their surroundings," he said.

He wanted the kids to be exposed to different surroundings, to worlds outside Oakland. He wanted to introduce them to great schools and also get to know them personally.

So Asomugha helps, but it's not about handouts. The kids have to earn it.

Asomugha and his siblings were not allowed to play sports unless they maintained A's and B's in school. So in addition to bankrolling the college tours, Asomugha helps pick the winners, sets the standard (at least a 3.3 grade-point average) and serves as a chaperone – and mini-van driver.

He flies coach with Jackson and the students. He stays in the same hotel, although not always on the same floor. And he doesn't abuse his celebrity, around the students or at restaurants.

"Before the trip, I was intimidated, because he's a big superstar," said Christina Green-Wilson, 18, who attended last year's trip to Boston. "But once you get to know him, it's the total opposite. I thought he would say, 'Get me in here free, because I work for the Raiders.'

"But he was like a normal person."

And he made the students feel special.

On the inaugural trip, he and Jackson took four students to Atlanta, where they toured CNN, visited historically black colleges and universities, including Clark Atlanta, Spelman and Morehouse, and dined at Justin's, a restaurant owned by Diddy.

In 2008, he and Jackson took six students to Boston, where they visited several colleges, including Harvard and MIT, attended a jazz showcase at the Berklee College of Music and watched the Boston Celtics play.

This year's trip, though, topped them all.

The 10 students appeared on the popular 106 & Park music show, shopped with actress Natalie Portman, visited with Clinton and television journalist Diane Sawyer, and watched Billy Elliot the Musical.

"It's really weird, since he's a professional athlete, and we're high school students," said Michael Garrick, an 18-year-old who will attend California-Davis. "But he treats us like he's our friends.

"For him to actually do this for us," Garrick said, "it's an honor, and I really appreciate it."

The highlight for Garrick was meeting Clinton, whom Asomugha got to know at the 2009 meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative University. The students spent about 90 minutes with Clinton in Harlem, at the headquarters of the Clinton Foundation.

Among Clinton's points of emphasis to the students: Don't be afraid to fail, learn from your mistakes and don't let emotions get in the way of the task at hand.

"He gave us advice for the future," Garrick said.

The trips have impacted the students differently.

.

Alejandra Paredes, 16, who has a 4.1 GPA., had never flown on an airplane.

Garrick was impressed by the culture in New York; he wondered if he might someday move there.

Albert Williams, who went on the trip to Atlanta, was encouraged by his visit to Morehouse, an all-male historically black college whose alumni includes Dr. Martin Luther King, Edwin Moses and Spike Lee.

"It was encouraging, seeing people do the things that I think I can do," said Williams, who was raised by his mother and aspires to become a mechanical engineer. "It was encouraging to see people like me being able to follow their dreams. It was great to see African-American males not being generalized as a gang-banger."

Yehoshua Jackson, 18, applied to Berklee after visiting there on the college tour, and he may consider transferring there from Cal State East Bay. One of Jackson's favorite memories was the late-night jam session with Asomugha on a piano at their hotel.

Yet when asked what was special about his trip to Boston, Jackson quietly said, "That it was available for someone like me.

"I'm not as financially blessed as some people," Jackson said. "So it was a blessing for me, because it gave me a chance to go outside of the state and be a part of the college experience."

Asomugha said he is honored to get to know the students, many of whom he is at least familiar with because he tutors at the center throughout the year, including every Monday afternoon during the NFL season.

"Regardless of what they get out of it, it is like a reward for them. They've been through a lot," Asomugha said. "But they're big on school, and big on doing the right thing.

"The kids need something like [this] to keep their spirits up."

So Asomugha steadily builds the program, saying he is planning to start a non-profit around this cause – which likely will lead to more sponsorship assistance. True to his low-key nature, though, he doesn't revel in the media attention.

"I don't want it to overshadow the importance of what's going on," Asomugha said. "I don't want the kids to be mesmerized by [my celebrity] because there are a lot of people helping in the community, and you don't want to look like you're above anyone else."

Still, with the kind of impact Asomugha is trying to make, some attention is inevitable.

"A lot of athletes play, and play and get close to retirement, then try to figure out what they do next," Regina Jackson said. "But Nnamdi is living the legacy he wants to be known for right now."

Sean Jensen covers the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

A Brand New America…Perception is Everything

Question- What do you see here on the left? Let me assume some of the answers: 1) A Football Player (s) 2) A strong young man 3) An African American football player 4) A spoiled football player 5) A non-student Football Athlete 6) A non-student Athlete Football Player that probably gets money under the table.

Are you starting to understand the exercise? If not, let me paint the mental picture. Answers- 1) Student-Athlete 2) Top of his Class academically as a pre-med student 3) Community volunteer creating an opportunity for underprivileged kids

Florida State safety Myron Rolle won the Rhodes scholarship just hours before he returned for the second half kick-off of the game against Maryland. During my normal short glimpses at college football, I failed to get the news! I did however receive updates on who is injured, the over-under via the betting line, which kid got suspended/kicked off or jailed, and of course the lead candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Seems like the baseline for achieving that all-mighty goal of viewership is the tantalization of drama and not the feel-good stuff. I also have to mention that it is disheartening to hear all of the heavy negative stuff involving our young African American college athlete, and at the same time have to go to the back of the newspaper in the third column between an article on the local auction, and the dog that won the city's dog of the year award to find this type of positive information. Yes, I am sensitive. I have kids. And I understand that the re-tooling of America starts at home. My hand goes out to the parents of Myron Rolle, it also goes out to those parents that are doing comparable things. Keep it up, because eventually, it will get front-page news! Cut&Paste this link: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/12/06/lemon.myron.rolle.cnn?iref=videosearch

Racism is now shown to two sided. I think he should be fired.

The intent of this blog is to show you that there is such a thing as healthy debate, different belief with friends of different color. Below are several emails on one topic that have been combined in this blog. I believe in a healthy dialog, and the sharing of ideas and backgrounds. This has not been edited, and should be viewed in an open-mind.

______________________________
Subject: Racism is now shown to two sided. I think he should be fired.

ALBANY -- Gov. Paterson, who raised state taxes by $8 billion last month, just cost state taxpayers $300,000 more.
The state has secretly settled an embarrassing federal racial-discrimination lawsuit, The Post has learned. The suit accused Paterson, back when he was Senate minority leader in 2003, of firing a white Senate photographer in order to replace him with an African-American.
The lawsuit had been scheduled to go to trial in federal court Monday in Syracuse, with Paterson, the state's first black governor, as a key witness. The case was settled earlier in the week, although a few glitches delayed the final deal until yesterday, legislative sources said.
The settlement ends a civil-rights action first filed in 2005 by Joseph Maioriello, 56, of Schenectady, a 26-year Senate employee who originally sought $1.5 million.
He was fired from his $34,000-a-year job as a photographer two years earlier and replaced by a black employee, El-Wise Noisette. The shakeup happened after Paterson ousted then-Sen. Martin Connor (D-Brooklyn) as the minority leader.
Connor was expected to testify that Maioriello was a good photographer.
While neither Paterson nor the state admitted that Maioriello was a victim of racial discrimination, the size of the settlement means "that the state wouldn't have made out very well if it had gone to trial," said a source close to the lawsuit.
"If nothing wrong happened, why is the state paying out this kind of money?" the source asked.
Maioriello's lawyer, Anne-Jo Pennock McTague of Albany, told The Post that her client was "satisfied with the amount and the fact of a settlement."
Paterson was expected to be one of Maioriello's star witnesses in federal court if the case had gone to trial, a lawyer close to the case said.
The settlement was initially delayed when Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens), Paterson's successor and a fellow African-American, refused to give his approval.
Smith had veto power over the settlement since the suit was filed against the Senate. He was in the awkward position of either authorizing a large payment for alleged reverse discrimination or holding out for a trial, which would have forced Paterson to testify under oath.
Austin Shafran, a spokesman for Smith, said he delayed the final settlement to determine if the cost "was acceptable."
Smith was represented by lawyers from the office of state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, which had no comment.
In the lawsuit, Maioriello claimed he was told by John McPadden, then Paterson's chief of staff, that he was being fired because a number of minority senators wanted to replace him with "a minority photographer, a black photographer."
He said he was also told, "You got to remember who Sen. Paterson is. Sen. Paterson is black."
Paterson, who is legally blind, claimed in a sworn deposition that he didn't see well enough to have fired Maioriello because of his race.
A spokesman for Paterson later said the comment was "a quip, a joke."
Paterson and McPadden denied the race-bias claim


On Fri, May 1, 2009 , Big Ron wrote:

Give me a break! I can conveniently show thousands of direct charges of racism over the course of time (years, months, and even hours) against minorities or specifically Blacks. There is certainly racism that affects others outside of the minority base. However, we can't begin to compare the two on face value. If one looks at this as being wrong, and following this up as a racist’s gesture, I can then wrap my head around that. But to imply that this is a prelude to where our country is going is appalling. It's interesting to me that these types of leaks or cover-ups even get out. I can only imaging the amount of cover-ups and leaks that don't get out on a daily bases as it relates to racism.

Below is an interesting and telling statistic. I say this because this country (I know many) is made up of outstanding, intelligent, and brilliant Black Americans. Now, please don't compare your implied subject heading to this, and don't tell me that minorities aren’t trying to make an impact by running for office on a local level. FYI...I am not implying or stating that this is racism. However, there is a long history of an embedded thought process that has been ingrained in this country. Granted, we have a Black president, but come-on; let's not start to think racism is over.

Of the 1,864 people who have served in the Senate since 1789, 15 have been minorities: four blacks (two elected), three Hispanics, four Asian-Americans, three Native Americans and one Native Hawaiian. More than 2,200 people have served as governors. Nine have been minorities: four Hispanics, three Asian-Americans, one black and one Native Hawaiian.

A big boost in those figures is unlikely this year. There are 34 Senate seats and 36 governor's offices on the ballot; about 20 minority politicians are running or considering it. A few are given a fair chance of winning their primary and general elections, but none is an outright favorite.

Politicians of all races and ethnicities are troubled by the underrepresentation of minorities in top elective offices. They believe it has a subtle but unmistakable impact on the way the nation is governed.

On Fri, May 1, 2009, Buddy SR wrote:

Big Ron, please do not try to compare 1789 with the racism of today. The education on what racism is more defined today than ever before. Just admit racism, sexism plays both ways and in today's society and no one should play the victim card.

On Fri, May 1, 2009 , Big Ron wrote

Agreed! But I disagree when trying to imply that there is an even playing field in most cases today. Yes, we understand it more, and yes it has the means of having more exposure that that of 1789 (I see you were fixated on the date as oppose to the length of time). However, it is still prevalent is today's society, like it or not. I think it is interesting on how our younger generation (outside of most Black Americans) use the words "Race Card", and yet I'm torn on "why" some Black Americans would even use it as an excuse. I certainly understand 'why" those words are used. Heck, I even use it as you do when addressing some people sometimes. But come on! Just because there is a President of Color doesn't mean that this thing called racism is gone. By the way, I don't think that you are directly saying that racism is gone, I here you saying that it is evenly distributed, and this is where I disagree.

Hey it’s just funny how:
Every 15 or so years America elects minority to the Senate.

Every 24 years or so we elect (1 by default) 1 minority to Governorship

Every 200 years we get 1 President.

The Change is certainly moving at a record pace, this is especially true since we now have a President.
-
BigRon

Why should we bailout the big 3 U.S Automobile companies?

I’m confused and possibly a little cynical. Why do we (the taxpayers) have to be a part of the $25 billion bailouts for the big 3 (Ford, GM, and Chrysler). I know… it’s coming from that $ 700 billion infusion that has been promised for the financial sector, but come on! Am I to believe that these organizations will use this money as a bridge loan so that they can restructure, re-engineer or/and re-tool in order to become more competitive? Maybe I’m just too simple-minded, but, shouldn’t they have figured that piece out years ago when Toyota and Honda were kicking their butt? Didn’t they know that the Taurus and the Escort didn’t compare to the Accords and the Accura’s? They certainly didn’t have the cool factor going for them. Matter-of-fact, I can’t think of one time where I heard someone say that they were planning to buy a Taurus. However, I did see plenty of them as company cars, and that makes me think that maybe that’s how they stayed in the game :-)….leasing to other fortune 500 companies because they sure didn’t sell any cars to my friends or neighbors. I know I know …what about SUVs? I hear yeah! Unfortunately, that’s what they banked their revenues on over the last couple of years, and they actually had a good run at it. So I’m confused! I’m confused about the fact that they can essentially say “spot me $25 billion I’m good for it”. The flip side is that GM has about 120,000 U.S employees. Ford has about 80,000 and Chrysler has about 66,000. In addition, the three automakers have about 14,000 U.S dealerships between them which employ another 740,000 workers. The suppliers employ about 610,000 people. You add that up and you have more than 1.6 million jobs tied to the auto industry. There are a lot of lives tied to the success of the auto industry here in the U.S. Think about the peripheral lives/jobs of the advertisers, media companies, local retail stores, etc, and you have a serious economic impact. Needless to say, this is in addition to what we are experiencing today. One side of me asks, “Whatever happened to free-market competition? Whatever happened to making a better product to compete with? One side of me says. “Let the market take its course”. The other side softens towards the additional impact will have on our country. Just a thought! Since Mr. Paulson is fighting to throw additional taxpayers money ($700 billion) toward the problems these companies got themselves into. He might as well throw a billion or two at our inner-city schools that have been faced with this sort of problem for years. At a minimum, I think that the ROI from our youth would be greater than that of this continuing process of artificially creating a market for products that has a self-proclaimed competitive balance. At least I could continue along the path of hope for our future by knowing that our youth are being prepared to take the mantle, and continue our global competitive nature.

Am I to conservative or are my kids too liberal?

I live less than two miles away from my boy’s high school. The area has a meager crime rate, and I make a weekly comment to friends saying that “my kids just don’t realize how lucky they have it.” The comment actually is made during the Friday night football games, to which I'm often reminded of the TV series Friday Night Lights. These games feel like a mini college game, and the camaraderie is second to none. The community support is over the top, and the fans are amazing. All-in-all this environment is really cool. The days around here have been beautiful, with temperatures ranging from 68 to 74 degrees (… and it’s the fall!). On the weekends I’ve been riding my bike and jogging lately. I want you to keep in mind that I tend to be a fair-weather runner, and the past couple of weekends have been wonderful. Oh yeah! One more thing! This morning as I dropped my guys off at school today, one of them mentioned that over half of the kids (high school kids) get dropped off and picked-up. I only say this to set up the big issue. Plastered in the hillside of redwood trees, large ranch homes, and every high-end sports car imaginable is the 100-year-old school with very high academic standards. I often say that it reminds me of a mini college because of the student body and the traditions that have been carried from class to class. Most kids aren’t bogged down with the latest in trendy clothing fashions, but the ones who are doing it with flair—$ 200 pairs of jeans, high-end tennis shoes, and the latest in Channel purses. The students' cars are rolling across the parking lots with 20-inch rims and a combination of numbers and letters on the side of the trunk that classifies the foreign car's style. For those who don’t go foreign, they are strapped with the domestic four-wheel drive and the newer SUV’s. No valley talk here, just good old American spoiled kids. But let me say this! Most are good kids, and it’s nice not to be impacted by gangs, rife-raffs, etc.….. I appreciate this opportunity that is afforded to my kids. It is certainly fortunate to not be forced to send them to a private school and that this area has the academic foundation that it has. I’m also thankful that I can provide a sense of materialistic glee to my kids too. It’s nice to buy some of those things that I didn’t have growing up (but some of those things just didn’t matter either). I try to stress value amongst my kids. My theme is that they have to create an environment that they give and have full participation in and bring their best self to that place. To be frank, this is how value with teenagers look to me: chores, helping around the house without being asked, being mindful of others, using manners to all at all times, being humble, and just doing the right thing in all situations. I also subscribe to the laissez-faire system of government/parents. There is no free lunch, and that everyone should at some point in their childhood growth era learn the work reward system. This applies towards a job and a paycheck and towards grades in school, athletic endeavors, and allowance. Now enough of the background stuff…here's the bottom-line. My kids think that they should be picked up and dropped off every day at school. I ask them and tell them (whenever I drive them to school, my wife drives them most of the time) that they should walk! Especially during these great days that we are having. The instant feedback I get from them are grumbles, mumbles, and eyebrow raise. For some reason, they don’t get it! So am I too old school conservative, or are they entitlement kids, with liberal attitudes? Hummmmmm...

Yeah I said it!

When does everyone stop blaming President Bush for everything? Yeah…I said it! And Yeah, I’m talking to you! Matter-of-fact, I believe that half of the people don’t even know what they are complaining about. Yeah, I said it! Half the people just hear other people and or the media complain about “how President Bush destroyed the economy and or the US's foreign appeal. After hearing the negative complaints, they go and act on it by telling their friends and or the other political party members about what they heard. Now, let me ask you this! Specifically, how are you and your household impacted by Bush’s reign as President? How were your friends impacted? Do you think that it would have been different or worse with Kerry? Do you even know?

Here is my bet. In most cases, half don’t really know, the other quarter wasn’t really affected, and the last quarter can't actually measure the adverse effect. Needless to say, most are looking for a spiritual lift and are not looking inward on leveraging the opportunity to build from within their circle of influence (Household, volunteering, friends, and family). It will take more than just a new president! We need to create a sense of urgency and empowerment to lift up all of the proclaimed doubt and turmoil. I kept hearing “no more eight years” during the presidential campaign! Now, we/I can personally say, “This is a new start”! However, I/we can’t say it if it really isn’t a new start! And how do I/we know it is a fresh start if I/we can’t address “personally” what went wrong during the old new start!

Yeah, I said it!

We Have Arrived.....

President Elect Obama ultimately represents change in the government and in the nation. Today he and Michelle are metaphorically measuring the drapes in the White House. Today The Obama’s will visit the White House, and President Bush and Laura Bush will be hosting this big event. Yes, I said event! This, like every move that has taken place prior to this event has been historical, and a first in our lifetime. It’s amazing how much we will be tracking visit today. The cameras will follow every move that President Elect Barack Obama and Michelle take within the White House. It’s like watching reality TV, where the reality is a real event that has incredible impact, as well as sends a wonderful message.

It’s pretty cool to have a cool President! The honeymoon period is great because we get the chance to see some of the inside dealings, and behind the door workings of a citizen that is about to take over the highest office in our country. I’m particularly taken back by the reports on Sunday that President Elect Obama works out at a local gym, especially on Sunday’s. That actually got me fired-up, as I was sitting on the couch drinking coffee, reading the paper and listening to CNN. The first thought that came to my mind was that I should be working out too! It is this very notion that we as a nation, me as a citizen can be impacted by an individual that will change the landscape of politics. Yes, I said politics! But this is more than politics; self-esteem has been infused through the country and probably the world. Yes, I said the world! I’m not easily moved or influenced by people in general, but the energy that I am noticing and feeling is unlike anything that I’ve experienced. I can only equate this to the motivational message I was exposed to at 7 years old, and that my parents, family and the nation felt after the “I have a dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King. Thus, I am going to assume and hopefully conclude that this positive feeling will perpetuate throughout our inner cities, suburban cities, and country sides. I hope that every person is touched to do something positive. I hope that our people are touched to stand up and strengthen themselves. What a great, natural infusion that we have received!

How cool is he? The President Elect is shown today dropping off his two kids at school. The President Elect is shown getting off of an American Airlines plane today in Washington DC, and shaking hands with a welcome committee, then getting into a darken limousine to be taken to the White House. Our President Elect was shown being greeted by President Bush and first Lady Laura Bush at the White House. How cool was it seeing our first lady to be Michelle Obama go off with the first Lady Laura Bush on a tour of the grounds. How cool was it to see that this was an African American couple that seemingly represented all of America getting invited in! How cool is it to know that they will live and reside on the top of the hill.

Yes we can!!!!

Now that Barack Obama is the first African American President-Elect, how do I really feel? I’m the same age as President Obama, African American, and married with kids. I assume we share many of the same experiences as a child of the ’60s, and 70”s, a teenage young adult college graduate of the ’80s, a career-minded 30 something of the ’90s, and now a discerning 40 something of the 2000s. The life I have lived can be told by many yet experienced by few outside of my race. My mother, father, aunts, uncles, and elderly cousins have shared their experiences growing up in the Jim Crow era. I’ve listened to the struggles of their times and the struggling experiences/ times of my grandparents and their grandparent. I didn’t understand the depth of those struggles until I was in my late 30’s. My personal efforts were certainly different than theirs. Yet, from their generation to mine, we have been told that we have come along way. To this day, I am still amazed at the earlier struggles that came before me, and I admire their fight for rights and equality. Barack Obama being elected President of the United States is the most significant statement that I have ever experienced. His appointment bellows through the bowels of us all, especially as African Americans. It sends a very positive message to our kids, young adults, and discerning adults who lived through the early part of the African American/minority movement. As a young child of the ’60s, I have memories, some good and some not so good. Although I didn’t experience the harsh discrimination of my family before me, I have experienced a fraction of discrimination. I thank God for the people of civil rights conviction that came before me, and I also thank God for the blessing of knowing and believing that someday, in my lifetime, we would have a president that is different from the status quo. The moment I heard Barack Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic convention, I felt that this could possibly be the one. This is a great start to the continued development of minority self-esteem. We can now imagine ourselves as president of the United States of America. We can now look at a picture of the president and visualize the possibilities. We can and should now look to empower ourselves and restart ourselves. Let’s hoist this energy and positive movement towards dismantling the negative stereotypes that precede us and that exist today. Let’s bring an uplifting spirit to those minorities who say that they can’t. Let’s now hold people accountable! Let’s not buy into the “I didn’t have a father,” “I didn’t have a mother,” I didn’t have a traditional family,” etc., story/excuse. Our new President-elect didn’t have these things, and yet he achieved! Let’s now go beyond our walls and believe we can achieve greatness. Let’s act with confidence and move out of poverty and welfare. Let’s finally take action and say farewell to government subsidies. Let’s clean-up our streets, and build jobs in our neighborhoods, and employ our people. Let’s go beyond street cred and excel in school, and look towards being a college graduate and beyond. Let’s then pass it forward by coming back to volunteer and being that role model needed in our community. Let’s be accountable and be of service and value to one another. Let’s invest our time and efforts to be great! I caution everyone who reads this, as many of us are caught up in the moment. Celebrate and be happy for President-Elect Barack Obama, but please do not for a minute believe that the playing field is even. There is still racism, a lack of tolerance and double standards still exist. We have come a long way, but the road has not ended; however, it is very encouraging. There is still work to be done, and now is the time to enact change. Let’s leverage this energy within our inner cities, our poverty-stricken areas, and throughout our household. Let’s become better fathers, better mothers, better friends, better neighbors, and better citizens. As a people, a change has come, and a change is needed, and a change we must continue to be. Thank God for the people of today, that they as a whole, black, white, and others have elected an African American to the office of the President of the United States of America. Thus a new start and a new beginning to greatness are upon us! Let's make a choice now to be different and to make a difference in someone's life!