The smell of catfish, barbecue ribs and Cajun chicken fill the air. Marching bands and entertainers from across the Midwest pump to the funky beats of old school Michael Jackson music. The funk is followed by the latest hip hop grooves from Trey Songz to Gucci Mane. Neighborhoods all around Lincoln University are filled with people enjoying the activities associated with LU’s 2009 Homecoming Festival and Parade. The theme for the event is “This Is How We Do It.” A vibe I really feel good about because it also happened to be the theme song for my wedding party back in the day. The brothers and sisters up on Fraternity Hill are celebrating as they overlook Dwight Reed Stadium where the Blue Tigers are playing Pittsburg State University. A week earlier, I was at the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. I feel as if I’m experiencing the Classic all over again in Jefferson City, Missouri. My family feels the love on campus between alumni and current students. I even videotape the festival and parade for my son who plays on the LU football team. The players don’t get to see all of the activities that go on around the big game. I leave LU with reaffirmation that our son is in good hands and has chosen the right college.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
College Campus Violence: Is This How We Do It?
The smell of catfish, barbecue ribs and Cajun chicken fill the air. Marching bands and entertainers from across the Midwest pump to the funky beats of old school Michael Jackson music. The funk is followed by the latest hip hop grooves from Trey Songz to Gucci Mane. Neighborhoods all around Lincoln University are filled with people enjoying the activities associated with LU’s 2009 Homecoming Festival and Parade. The theme for the event is “This Is How We Do It.” A vibe I really feel good about because it also happened to be the theme song for my wedding party back in the day. The brothers and sisters up on Fraternity Hill are celebrating as they overlook Dwight Reed Stadium where the Blue Tigers are playing Pittsburg State University. A week earlier, I was at the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. I feel as if I’m experiencing the Classic all over again in Jefferson City, Missouri. My family feels the love on campus between alumni and current students. I even videotape the festival and parade for my son who plays on the LU football team. The players don’t get to see all of the activities that go on around the big game. I leave LU with reaffirmation that our son is in good hands and has chosen the right college.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Predators In Our Schools
"I don't want anything to happen to her because I love her." That's what a teenage girl told Metro Police after her basketball coach was arrested for child seduction last December. Sarah Strahm was hired by Pike High School last spring to turn the program around. She came from Ben Davis High School which was fresh from an undefeated season and ranked as the number one girls hoops team in the nation. By all accounts the Pike girls really responded to Strahm on the court. The were playing better than in previous years and seemed poised to return to a being a respectable program. Detectives claim Strahm had sexual contact with the victim on five occasions. Across town at Warren Central High School two swim coaches Seth Sexton and Matthew Brown were arrested in January. They were accused of having sex with two different girls on the swim team.
The number of Indiana children who were victims of maltreatment in 2007 was 18,380 according to the Administration for Children and Families a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. From that number 15.6% of the children were also victims of sexual abuse. The recently reported cases of adults, specifically, coaches and teachers having sex with Hoosier children shows that parents must show more diligence. Parents are called upon to do a better job of knowing the types of adults their children are around at school and during other activities. In most cases of child seduction the adult is someone the victim and even their parents trust. Parents must have open communication lines with their children so that when red flag activity or conversation starts between an adult and their child they can intervene before it goes too far. Many of us have the good touch, bad touch discussion with them when they're in grade school, but what about the more sophisticated forms good touch, bad touch that takes place in high school. We must talk to our girls and boys about inappropriate conversations, emails, text messages and photos that adults should not exchange with children. We must return to being overly protective as we were when they were young. Doing so could save our children from predators.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Toyota Turmoil
Another day and another recall by Toyota Motor Sales. One week after an all out media blitz to assure customers that Toyota is still a trustworthy brand; the automaker is apologizing to its public once again. This time the fault is with the anti-lock brake system (ABS) in the 2010 Prius. According to Toyota some owners report inconsistencies when they brake on rough or slick surfaces. Around 133,000 Prius vehicles are being recalled so that a software update can be made to repair the anti-lock brake system in the 2010 Prius.
In an article submitted to the Washington Post Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Company, issues an apology, “When consumers purchase a Toyota, they are not simply purchasing a car, truck or van. They are placing their trust in our company.
The past few weeks, however, have made clear that Toyota has not lived up to the high standards we set for ourselves. More important, we have not lived up to the high standards you have come to expect from us. I am deeply disappointed by that and apologize. As the president of Toyota, I take personal responsibility. That is why I am personally leading the effort to restore trust in our word and in our products.”
This is the latest in a series of Toyota recalls involving tricky floor mats and sticky gas pedals. Consumers who don’t own a Toyota may be leery of buying one now. Those who do own one have serious cause for concern. A lawsuit being filed in a U.S. District Court claims certain Toyota car buyers have lost part of their resale value due to the recalls. A lawyer involved in the suit wonders how customers can be certain problems from past recalls have really been fixed. Toyota President, Mr. Toyoda claims 80% of all Toyotas sold in the United States during the last 20 years are still on the road. American automakers like General Motors are not shedding tears for their rival. These major problems come when for the first time ever Toyota has posted an annual loss. You can bet your next “Low Down Payment” that we’ll see a slew of anti-Toyota commercials and sales promotions in the weeks and months ahead.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Football: It's Just A Game
Big Afro, smart and articulate these words describe wide receiver Gene Washington of the San Franciso 49ers. Crafty, tough, smooth and excellent hands describe the skills that made Washington a great football player. Long before he was the Director of Football Operations for the NFL, Washington wore #18 with pride on his way to four consecutive pro bowls from 1969 t0 1972. In 1970 I fell in love with the game of football and the 49ers, largely because of him. When San Franciso lost the NFC Championship game to Dallas two years in a row I was devastated. I became an official Cowboys hater. Growing up in Central Indiana I usually saw a heavy dose of the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals. However, my heart was in San Francisco. Whenever they were on television in my area I was glued to the game.
The Jets are going to lay licks on Payton Manning, force the Colts to run the ball and fall to Cinderella. The ghost of Joe Namath or Joe Willie himself is going to show up and give the Jets a repeat victory over Indianapolis. With all of this madness going on I was fully engaged in watching the Colts play the Jets for the AFC Championship. As I settled into the game I noticed my teenage son wasn’t around. He was in his room talking on his cell phone, texting or using the web cam to communicate with friends. I found it odd because he’s a football player who loves the game. I couldn’t imagine why he wouldn’t be totally into his hometown team playing for a chance to reach the Super Bowl. At half time I went to his room and asked why wasn’t he supporting our hometown team by watching the game? He said, “I like the Colts but they’re not my favorite team.” “Well, who is your favorite team?” I replied. To my surprise he said, “Daddy, I don’t have a favorite NFL team. I have a few teams that I like, but no favorite.” Needless to say when the Colts took an “L” at the hands of the Saints in the Super Bowl, I wasn’t surprised when my son showed no emotion during or after the game. No one can remove the 49ers as my favorite team in my heart, but in my mind my hometown Colts had lost a game they were supposed to win. My son’s disposition reminded me that as much as I love football, it's just a game.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Price of Excellence: Open Letter To Our Youth
Sports League | Athlete Salary | Agent Salary |
MLB | $2,800,000 | $84,000 |
NBA | $4,200,000 | $126,000 |
NFL | $1,700,000 | $51,000 |
NHL | $1,800,000 | $54,000 |
Finally, young people, I hope you give serious consideration to paying the price of excellence. The decision you make will turn your life in a certain direction. It will determine the type of person you marry, where you live and where your children attend school. A bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, a doctorate degree, a skilled trade or profession are all tools for survival. Are you ready to pay the price? If you are, it’s time to strap up and get to work.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Specialization In Sports
The preacher says, “Jackson Blue, Do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony? To love, honor, and cherish her, To keep her in sickness and in health, For as long as you both shall live?" Jackson responds, "I do."
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Mama's Little Boy
Johnny is 8 years old and quite handsome. Mama’s friends say, “Girl that boy is so fine he’s going to break a lot of girls hearts someday!” Mama replies, “I know he is.” What Mama doesn’t understand is that this boy will someday break her heart as well. You see, Mama wants the best for Johnny. So she buys him the $120 pair of Jordan sneakers and Kangol hats. Nothing but top shelf for her little boy. At home while Mama cleans the house, washes clothes and cooks for Johnny, Johnny is free to play video games or go outside with his friends. On garbage day Mama takes the garbage out to the curb while Johnny sits in the car waiting for her to drive him to school. When it’s time to mow the lawn, Johnny is playing ball with the neighborhood kids. Mama mows a mean lawn. Hers is the best looking yard in the neighborhood.
In school Johnny is a good student earning A’s, B’s and C’s. He’s also a pretty good athlete. Basketball is his sport of choice. Someday he hopes to make the powder cloud before every NBA game just like LeBron James. Johnny’s in 8th grade now and Mama needs his help with the house chores. She asks her son to please help with the dishes. It sure would be nice if he would mow that big pretty lawn. Maybe, he could just take out the garbage. That would be a good place to start. This year he discovered girls in a special way. Honor roll is no longer a priority for Johnny. He’s too busy trying to move from 3rd base with your pretty little girl. Yes, you daughter. The nice girl in the 8th grade honors class who thinks Johnny is as fine as Ginuwine.
We all know Johnny. He’s the dashing young man dating our teenager daughters. He’s the 3rd year college stud who tells our bright college girl that he’s just the right man to make her a woman. Johnny is the man whom our baby girl with a master’s degree in engineering wants to marry. Despite his flaws, Johnny has a lot of potential. He always lands a good job, but can never hold onto it. Johnny almost graduated from Big State University, but he came up 28 credit hours short. Baby Girl has faith in her man. She’s convinced if she sticks by him, he’ll turn it all around and be the man that he says he wants to be someday. They’ll live happily every after.
Mama is sad. She’s bought Johnny 3 cars, paid for two abortions and spent half of her savings supporting his bad habits. Now, Mama is tired. She won’t admit it to anyone, but she knows Johnny is weak. He’s no good for Baby Girl. In fact, Johnny is no good for Mama, but she loves her boy. The wedding plans are set. Soon it’ll be official. Baby Girl will be Johnny’s wife. Weddings are supposed to be a celebration of the union of between a man and a woman. But Mama knows better. Mama knows Johnny is not a man. He’s a boy who expects his Mama to take care of him. Soon Johnny’s new Mama will be Baby Girl. She’ll nurture, protect and support his failures time and time again. Someday they’ll have a son and she’ll raise him the same way that she’s raising her husband. You know who Johnny Jr. is. He’s the really handsome kid who’s dating your niece. He says yes sir and yes maam. He’s a lot of fun to talk to but you know this kid is no good. In order to save our families from boys like Johnny, we must raise Johnny to be a man. Johnny can’t learn how to be a man from a woman. Johnny has to learn how to be a man from a man. Men in every community must stop forcing mothers to raise Johnny alone. It’s time for Johnny’s father to be a man and teach a man. Mama’s little boy is played out.