Quote(s) of the Week

"It doesn't matter if you're rural. It doesn't matter if you're from Fargo or Beulah, N.D.," said Joy Rice, a black Fargo resident and a member of the city's human relations commission. "You still need to respect people of color, in all aspects of life. This is a form of racism, and it's really taking a step back."

in response to blackface incident at North Dakota State last weekend.


“There is a gradual growing awareness that challenging your brain can have positive effects," Dr. Cohen said. He said the plasticity of the brain is directly related to the production of new dendrites, the branched, tree-like neural projections that carry electrical signals through the brain “Every time you challenge your brain it will actually modify the brain,” he said. “We can indeed form new brain cells, despite a century of being told it’s impossible.”

from "Exercise Your Brain, or Else You'll...Uh..." in NYTimes

Saturday, May 3, 2008

#4 Jeremiah Wright

Right off the bat, let me say that the media's focus on the relationship between Obama and Wright is of little importance at this point. Everyone interested in the presidential election process who owns a television or has internet access knows the basics. It's time to get back to the platforms of the candidates.

With that being said, I wanted to BRIEFLY highlight Rev. Wright. To be honest with you, when I first heard his soundbites and Barack's response, I wrote the situation off. I've visited too many churches where there are pastors that push their personal, political, or economic agendas from the pulpit which sound like less dramatic versions of the "God damn America", "chickens coming home to roost", "U.S. of KKK A." tag lines now associated with the ramblings of an old, bitter black pastor. In addition, the few quotes I read by the pastor came across ignorant, defensive, and ultimately not insightful in my quest to understand his position without traces of political propaganda.

As a result of this week's installment of "Wright & Obama: The Soap Opera", I wanted to read Wright's address at the Detroit NAACP's annual Fight For Freedom Fund. Despite my best efforts, I found only the same snippets quoted by the tv news media. Luckily, I stumbled across his speech given to the National Press Club the following morning. As I read the transcript with an open mind, I found the content fascinating. The ramblings were actually well thought with consistent allusions to others' writings and comments. The bitter pastor's words read more like those of a professor's symposium on the black church in America. Here's an excerpt I was pleasantly surprised to read:

"The prophetic theology of the black church has always seen and still sees all of God’s children as sisters and brothers, equals who need reconciliation, who need to be reconciled as equals, in order for us to walk together into the future which God has prepared for us. Reconciliation does not mean that blacks become whites or whites become blacks or Hispanics become Asian or that Asians become Europeans. Reconciliation means we embrace our individual rich histories, all of them. We retain who we are, as persons of different cultures, while acknowledging that those of other cultures are not superior or inferior to us; they are just different from us. We root out any teaching of superiority, inferiority, hatred or prejudice. And we recognize for the first time in modern history, in the West, that the other who stands before us with a different color of skin, a different texture of hair, different music, different preaching styles and different dance moves; that other is one of God’s children just as we are, no better, no worse, prone to error and in need of forgiveness just as we are."

I know Rev. Wright has a flair for the dramatic. I believe he has in his repertoire lines like "damn America" after 9/11 or angry monologues about the apathy of the government to the needs of the poor and uneducated in this country. I know more liberal and conservative white Christians who have voiced these same perspectives than I do members of the black community. Though I understand the frustration with his sensationalist language, I'm not as outraged as the media tells me I should. I'm also not convinced that Wright warrants this many arrows shot at him. As I mentioned at the start, we've ascertained all we can about Obama via Wright. I don't have time or interest to hear interviews with everyone with whom I respectfully disagree. (Sorry, Oprah, I will NOT be watching highlights of your newest interview with "Crazy" Tom Cruise!)

It's unfortunate that the comments of a non-candidate have been used to distract voters from the actual platform agendas of those running for the Presidency of the United States. Maybe in a strange play of irony, Rev. Jeremiah Wright hasn't been a distraction but a spotlight on issues that should be discussed - poverty, education, health care, institutionalized racism, and race relations.

Friday, May 2, 2008

#3 - Texas Kid

I've never categorized myself as a visionary. I'm not much of a risk-taker. My strength has always been in examining and perfecting processes and strategies. Occasionally, I'm exposed to legendary anecdotes that make me realize that I'm not as driven by high aspirations as others in the U.S.

This week, I'm particularly inspired by this ambitious 21-year old Texan. I could use some extra cash; hey, who couldn't. But, I would have NEVER been that creative in thinking through how to start my own record company. You have to give credit to someone willing to write a counterfeit check for $360 billion and try to cash it at a local bank teller. The gentleman claimed that his girlfriend's mother gave him the money...right.




(Normally, I don't like displaying the "police profiles" of African Americans; it's too easy to feed into the stereotype that all African Americans are criminals. In this case, my whole point is that I could NEVER be a criminal...I'm not that creative! This young man has set the bar so high that he has earned a spotlight on the blog.)

Monday, March 31, 2008

#2 - Coach K (I Hate You!)


10 things I hate about you

I hate the way the team takes 3s without a single care, and the way we would have dominated the paint if Patrick Patterson were there. I hate the way you covertly rib Roy; come on, Coach, give him a break. (The Dean Dome's sea of ugly blue causes dizzy spells; how much more can one man take.) I hate that you're not as good a dancer as basketball instructor "Coach J". I especially hate the last few years of only letting 7 devils play. I hate your four-letter swearing caught on tv, on this I cannot lie. I hate that Shavlik, Boateng, and deep threat Taylor left, you probably made them cry. I hate the 3 National Titles and the 14 trips to the Final Four. Coach, I don't mean to be greedy, but...you need to give us more. I respect all that you've done, K, but it's a new day and time. I hate our lack of superior athleticism so much it even makes me rhyme. I hate it when you're not around in April, you should know that best. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you, not even close to my hatred for Carolina's success.

Monday, March 24, 2008

#1 Jesus



In the spirit of Easter, I thought I'd start off my rejuvenated blog with none other than JESUS. What's not to like about him? Whether you identify as a Christian is irrelevant here. This is someone who stood for bucking the status quo. If there was any belief, creed, or tradition someone valued, Jesus was unafraid to call it into question. He wasn't trying to irk people or tell them how silly their ideas were; he did it to enhance their quality of life. One of my favorite examples of this is when he discusses, metaphorically, what it would cost to be his follower. It's risky to believe in Jesus - like hating your own family. It's so costly that Jesus warns those pursuing him to seriously consider whether they're up for the task because it's foolish to do so otherwise. "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?" Are Jesus followers willing to withstand the pressure and be true to themselves throughout? If not, you may want to re-think your religion.

As a leader of the people, Jesus stood for so many radical things in his time and ours. Here's a guy who challenged organized religion by boldly entering worship services and teaching what he believed to be the essence of God's heart. Here's a guy willing to spend much of his public and private time with low-lifes throughout his country. As much as he spoke sharp words that cut you to the core, he more so gave hope to all walks of life. It's only in retrospect that his followers realized that his convicting words and edifying speeches were one in the same - opportunities for a fresh start and empowerment to make their pipe dreams of a better life become actualized.

Equally as amazing as his words is his methodology. His subtle approach to changing a nation had more effect than if he had run for political office or took a Robin Hood approach to social justice. Jesus led a revolution that was risky for the follower, but even more daring for the leader. His whole premise was that his death would change more lives than his living. You don't hear that on CNN everyday! Jesus had to go if people were going to put their faith in an invisible God.

There are many who claim Jesus as their religion, but the true followers of Jesus engage in a lifelong journey to know him and emulate his love for people and longing for others to experience life free from the bonds of social injustice and personal wrongdoing in exchange for one of limitless potential.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

In Reverse

“I can’t believe those white boys are in the game?” “Are they really ranked that high nationally AND play their white boys? That’s unbelievable! Those white boys must be very good!” “Look at that crowd; I wish those white people had more rhythm.”

As someone who speaks openly about race and ethnicity, I felt uncharacteristically uncomfortable with these comments by my father-in-law while I was watching my favorite college basketball team. On one hand, I have my own frustrations with my team’s lack of consistent Black representation. The program rarely has more than 4-5 Black players on a team of 13+; on average, 2-3 of them are probably starters, while the remainder play minimal roles. In recent years, the program has struggled to compete with arguably less skilled but more athletic players. Sometimes, those “more athletic” players are, in fact, Black. With that being said, having Black players is not the guaranteed solution.

College basketball is full of talented, athletic players of all ethnicities. It has increasingly provided a more idealized picture of diversity and integration than church communities, Fortune 500 companies, or organizations mandated to uphold affirmative action or ethnic quotas. Where else can you find highly skilled White, African-American, African, German, Australian, and Latino players working together towards a common goal? If there’s any place where racial bias is the closest to being neutralized, you’ll find it on the college basketball court – where winning and teamwork usually trumps egos and polarizing life experiences. If there’s any place where you can expect to see ethnic equity in featured roles, for better or worse, college basketball is your best option.

Beyond the argument of White athlete's legitimacy, this family of questions bothers me for another reason. They seem awfully familiar. Aren’t these comments awfully close to those made towards Black people?

“Wow; he’s so articulate for a black man?” “If more Black women worked as hard as you, they would be successful, too.” “He's a handsome Black man.” “You went to Wake Forest? What sport did you play?” “You’re Black; teach me how to dance.” "You're too athletic to be a quarterback. That's more of an intellectual position."

As naïvely innocent as either set of comments may sound, they both allow praise to hide the undertone that these accomplishments are uncharacteristic. I've spent half my life as the “only” in many social situations and heard my share of commentary on Black society by way of remarks like these. Despite the speaker's intent, these words do more harm than good.

Black people have made wonderful contributions to this world and add an invaluable perspective and gift set to society. We need to be conscious of that, proud of it, and expectant of it rather than taking liberties to re-cast stones.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

WHAT A WEEK!

Mark this down as the week in time that sets the stage for the future. I don’t know what the rest of Black History Month holds, but February 3-7 has been more than just “super”; it’s been spectacular!

February 3 – (Super Bowl) Jordin Sparks, daughter of former NY Giants Defensive Back, Phillippi Duane Sparks, kicked off Super Bowl XLII with an impressive rendition of the National Anthem (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9U7MzcVczs&feature=related). I grew up cheering for the 49ers and Giants, but affinity for both have faded over the last fifteen years. But on that night, I joined millions of others who cheered for New York to beat New England. It was clearly the Giants night to shine despite being two TD underdogs to the 18-0 Patriots. This begs the question, "What will happen to the Patriot Dynasty now?" The team worked hard to be perfect all year, but the loss must be tremendously deflating. Will they bounce back or are emerging teams like the Colts, Chargers, and Jaguars ready to make history?


February 5 – (Super Tuesday) If there wasn’t enough drama in the sports world, politics stepped in to grab our attention. Hillary vs. Obama and McCain vs. Romney/Huckabee made for an exciting night. This isn’t just ANY primary race; these elections affect the direction our country takes for at least the next 4 -8 years AND how we interact with those outside our borders. Throw in talks of recession to make these decision even more critical. The race isn’t over, but it’s exciting to know that so many people are rallying around a decision that matters. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#val=D


February 6 – (Spectacular Wednesday) Finally, there’s the game of all games. The first match-up between college basketball rivals. Wednesday was the much anticipated game between Temple and Richmond…no wait…Duke and Carolina. (http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?&brand=null&videoId=3234697&n8pe6c=1) No matter who is ranked higher, this is always an intense game for both sides. This Hatfield-McCoy type feud is the best in all of sports. But, what does this mean for the rest of the season? Duke and Carolina reaffirmed everyone's suspicions that they have great programs and deserve their rankings. But, did Duke show basketball fans something more? I must admit that until the Virginia Tech game on January 24, I questioned whether this team was anything more than above average. After the Chapel Hill victory, I'm more confident that Duke will be competitive well into the NCAA tournament. Carolina will grow from this loss and be ready to play tough during the second half of the season and against Duke in Durham. Don't be surprised if one, if not two of these teams are playing in the Final Four!


February 7 – (Space Launch Thursday) University of Richmond alumnus and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, R’86, is scheduled to blast off aboard the space shuttle Atlantis at 2:45 p.m. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html. What a great time for Richmond students, alumni, parents, and friends to celebrate an amazing accomplishment.

Honorable mentions to the Super Week:
Tiger Woods wins (again) - http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3228463
Evidence against Roger Clemens? - http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3235046
Johan Santana traded to the Mets - http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3233787
Shaquille O’Neil traded to the Suns - http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080207

Welcome

Hey everyone! Welcome to "Motown Sounds Off..." where I hope to share my perspective on all types of topics - politics, race/ethnicity, religion, sports, family. No Holds Barred Here!

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