Category Archives: Philosophy

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Joel Osteen’s Alright With Me…

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I am not much on preachers on TV.  I am not much for preachers at all.  Not that I don’t appreciate the men and women who really seek to make positive change and be a conscious for spiritual/universal truth.  I know of a few who are in this for the right reasons.  Far too many seem to be full of themselves, their “ministries” their dogma or their legacies.  I think many ministers (Christian in particular) start out as humble servants.  But when they achieve a certain amount of notoriety they change.  In short, many begin to overestimate their own importance in the grand scheme of things and leave the flock behind their cloud of ego driven dust.  Some are just pimps from the word go.  They enjoy not having a real job.  For them ministry is business first and foremost – and if people fall by the wayside, oh well.  Though I have seen this with my own eyes several times within my life, a few honest ministers have confessed as much to me during interviews.

When I look at Joel Osteen, I see something different, something refreshing.  Back in the day when his father John Osteen pastored Lakewood Church, my dad was a member there when he moved to Houston.  It was there that his own interest in ministry began to thrive.  When John passed away, Joel took over the pulpit and began to do his own thing.  When I surfed the channels and stopped on one of Joel’s messages, I smirked and said to myself, “He’s not a preacher, he’s a motivational speaker.”  Every message to seemed to be about how, “everything was going to be alright and God loves you just the way you are.”  Well, since I grew up in just about every church sect in the US, I wanted something stronger, more meaty.  I had heard everything and I wanted something to challenge me.  He was not doing it.  So I chalked him up to be another PK (Preacher’s Kid) who took over his father’s ministry but has no real depth himself.

Well after taking another look at Joel from the time I saw him on 60 Minutes, I have done a 180 on him.  I recently took the time to pay closer attention to his messages.  And what I see that I didn’t recognize initially is that Joel ministers something that is very needed in today’s world.  He offers hope, faith, and an outlook that allows one to view challenges with a glass “half full” mentality.  Also Joel is one who totally promotes personal responsibility.  He makes us fully aware that we are responsible for our own happiness as well as the task of making good decisions to put ourselves in position for success.  All the while his encouraging style allows us to forgive ourselves and turn the page on past mistakes, and turn towards the right path.

I got mad love and respect for Joel Osteen.  I know that he believes everything he says which is one of the greatest compliments I could ever give any person.  He reminds me that no matter how complicated the problem, the ways of working through the solutions are layered with simplistic truths and principles.  A small change in perspective can make the difference.  That is as much meat as a person needs during times like these.

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Why Should African-Americans Vote for John McCain?

Sen. John McCain says he will consider a second economic stimulus package if he is elected president.

I have been trying to figure this out.  Its one thing to be a black republican.  We need representation in all areas of the political arena.   I’ve always believed that.  Certainly the Republican party has not been a friend to blacks in the recent past.  Sure they like to talk about Lincoln but that was way back in the day when the parties stood opposite their current positions.  They merely switched from Dixiecrat’s to Republicans and vice verse. 

Anyway, during the Reagan era the Republicans really embraced their anti-ethnic reputation.   They were able to ride that momentum to get Bush Sr. in office with the help of some pretty racist Willie Horton political ads.   

After Clinton ran the White House for 8 years, the Elephants reached out to minorities including the Latin community in some forms.  Personally I knew it wasn’t legit.  Karl Rove was no dummy though and he devised a strategies and target the black prominent preachers with talk of morality and faith ba$ed initiatives.  They knew that many of these pimps would get their congregations in line and get them to vote for folks who voted against a MLK Holiday.  (Speaking of John McCain)  Some of those chicken grinning preachers have wised up now since Katrina, the war, the economy etc.  But it’s too late now as we’ve had 8 years of incompetency and the nation was ran in the country.  Guess what preachers… if people don’t have jobs they can’t pay tithes or fund new building projects.  Hmmm… and to think I didn’t hear of any homosexuals taking jobs oversees.  Go figure.. but I digress.

What I am trying to figure out is why any self respecting black man or woman would support The Mav.  I mean when has this dude reached out to any of us for anything?  When he and Palin speak of Joe Six Pack or Joe the Plumber, or real Americans they sure as hell ain’t talkin about me?  

Furthermore when they’ve had chances to speak to black audiences they have delinced. 

Tavis Smiley held the first presidential forums for both Democrats and Republicans and John McCain was invited.  Did he show up?  No!  And it’s not like Tavis doesn’t have juice!  Repubs like Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, and Sam Brownback among others showed up to speak toward issues that would affect Black America.

Then there is black radio.  Of the four nationally syndicated shows my area, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, The Michael Baisden Show and the Ricky Smiley Show, McCain has not visited with either show.  I know for a fact that Joyner, Harvey and Baisden made several request to speak with the McCain campaign and they have yet to get a return phone call. 

What does this say to Black Americans? It tells me he doesn’t give a f*@! about me or the things I care about.  It tells me he is either scared or indifferent when it comes to my people.  It tells me that if he were to dwell in the White House… the policies and procedures will be as white as ever.  Areas such as civil rights, equal rights, equal opportunities for jobs and affordable college will not see the light of day. 

So if I were to take the usual house negros i.e. Alan Keyes, Armstrong Williams, Larry Elder, Ward Connerly, Clarence Thomas, that fool on the radio in Milwaukee etc. out of the equation, why would any self respecting person of African descent even consider voting for someone who detest him so much?

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Money, Greed, & The Desecration of the King Legacy

 

Where do I start?  Sigh!

Since the death of Coretta Scott King, the widow of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, many in the African-American community have stood by silently while King’s children have fought in public and in court over various money issues.  Most of us just shook our heads and hoped that they could get their stuff together.  I’m not saying it’s easy being a King’s kid all the time, but come on! 

Chief of the drama however seems to be Dexter King, the second son of the couple who for everything I have noticed, seems to love the high life as a Malibu “big baller” who spends all of the money from his father’s estate to finance his lavish lifestyle.  Initially, sister Bernice King and brother Martin III sued Dexter on behalf of Coretta’s estate alleging he improperly took funds from the estates of their parents.  I won’t spend time elaborating on that or placing blame.  But it’s obvious that there are some problems with the First Family of black folk. 

Now it seems that Coretta had some love letters “(and other “intimate correspondence”) from Martin that she kept in a suitcase under her bed till the day she died.   According to Lynn Cothren, Mrs. Kings special assistant for over two decades they were her most cherished possessions.  Bernice would like to keep those letters private in the hands of family.  Dexter, ever the opportunist would like to whore them out for a book deal he inked recently.

Dude, you are actually going to take your sister to court to get at your dead parent’s love letters so you can market them in a book? 

To quote a famous poet, “Dumb nigga, what you thinkin bout?”  

Here you have the descendants of the most well known African-American family in the history of the world.  The children of a Nobel Peace Prize winner.  A man who has arguably done more to help the entire race socially, legally, educationally, and financially, certainly in the 20th Century.   A man who helped to set the table for this historic moment and opportunity to elect a true child of the dream.   

 

I know there are two sides to every story, and perhaps if I knew the whole story (which I am not interested in) I would have cause to go after Bernice and Martin III.  But in this case, it’s all on Dexter.  What will this guy NOT do to bleed his given name for every dollar possible?  I am reminded of a line in the movie, “Crash,” where Terrance Howard’s character chided Ludacris’ car jacking character by telling him, “Look at me!  You embarrass me.  You embarrass yourself!”

Since these bickerings started, most African Americans with public forums have cautiously taken a pass at getting into their business.  There is so much respect for the King name and legacy.  We have inwardly wished that the family would put the public bickering to rest and not bring shame to themselves or our people.  I think the silence should cease.  And we should call for Dexter to call off this ridiculous pursuit of his parents intimate communications.  Here is my official notice:

Memo to Dex: Your father is arguably the greatest American the country has ever produced!  Have some dignity!  If there was something J. Edgar Hoover didn’t get his grubby and filthy hands on, then leave it be!  I am sure if Mrs. King wanted to post her husband’s personal sentiments to her she would have done so during the almost 40 years she survived him.  You have enough at your disposal already to allow you to gravy train your father’s legacy for the rest of your pitiful life.  If your mother and father were alive, they would both be ashamed of you.  Now back the hell up!

See… it’s that simple!

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Charlie Bubba on Politics & The Economy

I was on the East Side recently watching Flyers football – And afterwards I decided to stop in one of the local watering holes for a draft.  Low and behold I walk into my main man Charlie Bubba.  Some of you may remember Charlie “The Ghetto Philosopher” from the last time he appeared on these post.  He has a way of keeping it real.  You won’t catch this cat on CNN, but he’s like the Anderson Cooper of the hood.

I sat next to Charlie at the bar, gave him some dap and after catching up on things in the hood, and the Flyers’ chances to win state this year, I asked him about his take on the economy and the presidential campaigns with less than a month to go before the election.  He shot me a look as if to remind me that old playa’s theme tag that the game is to be sold not told.  I was with it – so I told the bartender to pour Charlie’s favorite on me.  I then pulled out my recorder.  With that, he smiled and started to speak:

Come on C!  Shit is fuuuuucked up.  What you been under a rock?  Let me get to the funny shit first.  I mean the shit that cracks me the hell up.  First look at the welfare package they just passed… that 700 billion welfare package they passed for rich motherfuckers.  First they sell that shit to the public as if it was going to save the country.  And if they didn’t pass it, it would doom the country.  No sooner than they pass it – the Dow falls like ho panties!  I mean what the fuuuuuk?  Then them niggas is sayin’ “Oh shit ain’t gone be fixed off the top – we are still dealing with major challenges and shit with the economy – blah blah blah.”  Them White Niggas in Washington got to be the baddest pimps ever.  Then I find out that them Niggas at AIG who already got billions in welfare, got a piece of the new welfare too – double dippin and shit.  And no sooner than they got the first government check, instead of fixing shit so niggas can work and feed their families – they asses is up in a hotel spending 440 Large for some spa and shit.  Over 23 large for ‘spa treatments.’ Yea.. spa my ass.  They were in the spa alright – if spa means getting fuckin and getting their dicks sucked by some high priced hoes.  I’m telling you now… if Charlie Bubba spend 440 large somebody gone be sucking my dick till it fall off… ya dig.  This sounds like some Eliot Spitzer shit to me!  Now why them Niggas ain’t fired or in jail?  I call that shit welfare abuse.  Don’t let Tamika get aid and buy a beer and some cigarettes to calm her nerves at the end of the week… white folks would be losing their fucking minds.   I saw the debate the other night.. bailout, rescue – whatever the fuck they want to call it – The shit is WELFARE and now WELFARE ABUSE!  Them niggas ain’t slick – hell, game recognize game C. 

I shook my head cause I couldn’t disagree with Bubba – in spite of his language he seemed to have the heartbeat of the situation.  I followed up, “So do you think the election will change things?”

Shiiiit playa I don’t know.  I mean shit remains to be seen ya dig.  Some historical game being played and we ain’t never been here before.  I do know this.. McCain crusty ass is getting on my fuckin nerves. His ass look like he should run for president of Bedrock!  And that lipstick pit-bull bitch is too.   You see they invoking the south and shit in their speeches… got honkeys riled up talking about Obama’s middle name… honkeys yelling ‘kill him,’  ‘off with his head’, and all this crazy shit, and they ain’t saying nothing about it.  When all else fails just play to racial hate.  Even Cindy’s ass got in on the act.  One minute the campaign is saying kids are a private matter, next she’s trying to put Obama on blast for not “funding her son” in the war.  Shit!  That bitch got enough money to fund the whole fuckin military – who is SHE kidding?  Sell one of them 9 houses!  And on a side note… where is that nigga Bill Clinton at?  Bitch ass nigga can’t support a black man… can’t even say his name.   Him and his wife can kiss my ass cause their Little Rock asses is AOL.  I’m digressing though.

On paper McCainasaurus Rex shouldn’t even be in the race.  Only ignorance and racist Dixie whistling motherfuckers is keeping him in the game.  Maybe the young folks can outnumber them bigots… Niggas need to get their asses out to the polls… cause if you think the shit was scandalous in 2000 and 2004, wait till we see what them right wing fuckers pull out their asses this November son!  …. You registered nigga?

Come on CB you know this?  Since I was 18!

Alright then… get to the polls early.  Bring and ID and don’t be wearing no Obama T-Shirt either.   As a matter of fact, say your voting for the old fart and then do the opposite.

After that Charlie bought my next beer and I just sat there thinking about what he was saying.  I could see all the dimensions of his aged face.  Hope, fear, anticipation, all of the things an older guy like him has seen over the years.  Charlie Bubba marched with King.  He lived in Birmingham.  He knows what’s at stake here.  I just hope that most Americans do too – and that they will do what’s right come November 4. 

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10 Things I Hate to See ~ Especially In Black Folks

Mothers who cuss at their babies…. in public especially

Fathers who are absent from their children’s lives

Fathers who are present but may as well not be

Young people who are disrespectful to adults and older people. 

Adults and older people who don’t understand or respect the value and potential of the younger generation.  We have to learn to bridge the gap between the generations.  We can only do that together.  Each group has it’s reasons to exist.  One cannot function at it’s best without the other.

Saggin pants is one thing – I don’t have to like it.  But when the jenk is right above the knees and they literally walk with one hand holding the front of the pants up from completely falling to the ground….  What is up with that??

Tatoos on the hands, neck, face etc. when you’re young and don’t have any money and are looking for a job.

Folks who throw trash out the car window… That is some truly trifling shit. 

Folks who know their candidate of choice is whack, but refuse to speak the truth about it.

Folks who don’t vote because, “It doesn’t matter,” or “they are going to do what they do anyway.”  No the issue is that far too many of us (Americans) are apathetic and take far too much for granted, not understanding that the most astute constituents keep political leads in check.  When the public is uneducated or aloof, meandering about their miserable lives, then the few are able to control the fate of the many via the purse strings of lobbyist.  In other words, if there are 100 people voting in an election, and 80 of them are poor/middle class but astute, their votes will outweigh the value of any amount of money the remaining 20% could pay.  So do the math , get involved, educated. and participate.   

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Temptation

The subject of temptation is a fascinating one to me.  As people we are always tempted with something.  Normally when the word temptation is used it has to do with a form of the forbidden.  For instance if I commit to fasting for a certain amount of time, during that period I will at some point be tempted to eat.  I may be on day 3 of a 10 day fast for instance, and all of a sudden it’s free pizza day at work.  I can smell it, my stomach is grumbling and my body is craving the cheese and sauce.  Now what?

First let’s first define temptation.  I didn’t search the dictionary, but for the sake of this post, we will define temptation as: a desire to do or partake in something that is at least temporarily forbidden.  (I.e. food when fasting)  It is the compromise of the highest form of original intention, infecting personal character and integrity.  The core of these temptations stem from three areas: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  No temptation will exist without at least one of these at play.  Examples:

Lust of the flesh – You know you got a lady or a man – yet you feel tempted to flirt or allow yourself to be flirted with by that attractive person you see at the mall. 

Lust of the eyes – While at the same mall you see that outfit that you think is hot.  But you know you don’t need that outfit.  Furthermore, if you spend that money, you will put yourself behind the 8 ball and it will cost you more than the price of the outfit later.

Pride of Life – Driving from the mall a car cuts you off as you turn to approach the exit.  You know the best thing to do is turn the page and be thankful there was no accident.  Walk away.  But something inside says you should give that fool a piece of your mind. 

These are just some general examples.  We are constantly bombarded with temptations through life’s experiences as we just covered.  We are also tempted through media and advertisement.  Even the way your local grocery store shelves its products is a way to tempt you to spend more money on the most expensive products.

I am learning that what we do with temptation is what makes or breaks us in daily life.  Do we face temptation head on or do we slide backwards into its cunning and deceptive ways?  Recognizing temptation is the first key.  So often we are bombarded with images and situations, I’m not sure we realize how much we face on the day to day. 

The best way to deal with temptation is to confront it head on.  By that I mean we shouldn’t play ourselves into acting like we aren’t tempted when we really are.  If you are tempted to do something, just admit it.  Its not a sign of weakness but of strength to face the facts of self evaluation.  How many times have we put ourselves in bad situations because we were in denial about what was going on inside our hearts?  Only to find later we are filled with regrets of personal failings.  Once we face the reality of what is tempting us, next decide what to do about it.  If we take immediate action, we are far more likely to overcome that temptation.  If we allow the imagination to fester and permeate our psyche, we are more likely to fall into said temptation.  Excuse me for putting it this way, but temptation is a subtle mother-fucker!  And you can’t be pussying around with it either!  It has to be handled and dealt with head on or it will get you caught up with the quickness. 

For each person it’s important to know what it is you really want out of life.  What is the level of happiness you want to achieve?  What kind of house do you want to live in?  How healthy would you like to be and what kind of body do you want to have?  What kind of relationships do you want with your significant other, family and friends?  What kind of impact would you like to make in this life?  What do you need to do to make that impact?  What tenancies and weaknesses do you have that would prevent you from living your best life.  How far are you willing to go to maximize your potential and live your best life?  Answer these questions and you are on your way to living life in a real way. 

There is no shame in being tempted.  Jesus himself was tempted.  It will be an ongoing happening for the rest of our lives.  The man/woman of the highest level of integrity will recognize self tendencies and take appropriate action in order to ensure that life is lived with the greatest amount of freedom without the constant weight of consequences from bad decisions.  If our eyes are wide open to who we are and what is before us, we can use temptation and our success/failings as a barometer to measure personal growth.  The thing about temptation is this – being tempted never made anyone do anything they didn’t want to do.  No matter what temptations we face in life, we always retain the final rights of choice.  To not recognize temptation sets us up to merely fall over and over again into cycles of failure.  Understanding and self- knowing will help us make the right choices that we are willing to live with. 

Whatever you do with temptation is up to you.  Just keep your eyes open and take responsibility for what happens.

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BB&G C-Notes Week Ending Aug 22-25 – Politics And More

Whats up family!  I normally do this blog by myself.  But recently I ran into an old school mate, (actually he’s a bit older than me) named Charlie Bubba.  Charlie is an old school cat from the East Side.  I used to watch him shoot hoops when I was a kid.  Great guy!  I mean, he was not just some neighborhood bum.  He didn’t have much, and if you look at him it would seem with his old rags, baseball cap and missing teeth, this southern fried cat didn’t look as if he would have anything to say worth listening to.  But I tell you what… Give this guy a 40 and just sit down for a minute and he has a way of kicking the philosophy down like the ghetto Langston Hughes or something.  Hmm.  I sat down with Charlie Bubba, and asked his opinion on the Obama campaign.  Here’s what he had to say.

Well I’ll tell ya what C… I been watchin this young cat Boma.  And I have to say that up until this point, he has shown the smoothest pimp game I ever saw.  I mean damn!  I never thought I would see the day when a brotha man really had a chance to paint the White House black you know what I’m sayin… But Chicago got it goin on.  I have to give him props.  First he ran for the senate and made a damn fool outta that punk ass Alan Keyes.  Next thang ya know, homie is upstate announcing he’s running for pres.  Shiiiit!   (As he takes a puff of the Budda) After that he runs a pimp ass program against Bill’s wife.  And you know, his shit was still on point during some crucial challenges.  He gave the speech about race, which was pimp – Amerikka tried to argue wit it but you know them Fox watchers can see a nigga shine and gone always try to throw shade on him.  He shook off his preacher which normally would be a death sentence to the black community.  But I mean we got past that cause the Reverend showed his ass at the press club.  So he played the game the way he had to… smooth.  He has to be that non-threatening vanilla ass brotha so he wouldn’t scare middle America white folks away. 

Now that shit was smooth then.  But a nigga need to know when there is a change in the weather you know what I’m sayin?  He needs to change the game a bit and get with the program cause vanilla got him this far but he’s gonna have to flip the script now if he wants to be the man – cause that soft ass ambassador shit ain’t gone get it with this nigga McCain.  I mean look C, he did what he had to do with Bill’s wife.  Shit that gal did damn near everything in the book to break a nigga down.  And he had to smile for the most part cause he couldn’t be seen as too harsh on Miss White Pantsuit lady.  Oh hell 2 the naw America wasn’t gone stand for that.  So he smiled and gave her the olive branch, acted all diplomatic and shit.  He was smart enough to know that Luda could call her a bitch but he couldnt.  And it got him through.  But this nice shit done got the nigga lookin weak now.  I mean Bill ain’t calmed his ass down since the primary’s, and him and his wife got prime time spots in the convention next week ya dig?  I can see he want her voters, but damn how much is he gone kiss that ass?  Now McCain is all in his ass about his patriotism and comparing him to them skank hoes on TV.  And there is Boma sayin, “Well I ain’t gone question the man’s patriotism and shit. He’s a great American”  Hell fuck that shit.  Look man Boma needs to come with it cause this nigga McCain’s numbers are coming up and its cause he’s making Boma look like a punk.  See this here’s the big show.  And hell McCain and the ‘publicans playin for keeps!  Shit.  I know he’s been trying to avoid looking like the angry negro, but hell at some point he needs to show America that he got some nuts.  McCain’s been belittlin his ass from the git go.  Makin fun of him and shit.  Time for Boma to show that nigga he is from the South Side of Chicago and get gangsta with that ass.  (politically speaking of course) 

See that calm negro shit was cool before – hell necessary cause else they-da did him like he was Sharpton or Jesse and shit.  But that being said, even niggas like me now a days want a president that I know will kick a little ass if he needs to.  I am sure the rest of America wants to see that too.  And lets face it C, – look at what Boma dealin with.  McCain ain’t like Bush punk ass AWOL from the National Guard gettin coked out and listening to The Stones.  His ass was a fuckin POW!  Maybe he don’t know how many cribs he got, but shit this nigga used to eat lizards and bugs and shit to survive in the fuckin’ Ming-Cong jungle!  You think he won’t do any and everything to Boma’s ass to get in the White House?   Sheeeeet!  (Takes another swig from the 40)

I say he needs to go back to the cinema and put some of them old movies in his VCR-a to know how to deal with white folks like him.  Look and see how a real nigga acts.  He’s done enough Sidney Portier.  Nigga needs to go Jim Brown, “Dirty Dozen” on that ass!  Show them he can shoot the biggest guns, run the show and screw Raquel Welch at the end like it wan’t shit!  Then he may be able to finish this shit off in November. 

On that note I gave a dap to Charlie and told him later.  Before I hopped in my Jetta though I asked him if he’s watched any of the Team USA Basketball olympic coverage since I know he’s a big hoops fan.  He smiled with his toothless grin and shook his head as if to say, “Of course!”  Then he dropped his last bit of knowledge.

Yea I think them niggas gone win the gold and shit.  Hell if they don’t Shaq gone make a new record!  “Team USA couldn’t do without me!  Hey Dream Team, tell me how my ass taste!”

Charlie is a real character.  He’s always got a fresh perspective I’m not used to hearing.  Back to my thoughts now.

Rest in Peace Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones 1949-2008

and former NFL great and NFL Players Association President Gene Upshaw 1944-2008

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The last couple weeks have been tough on black folks. 

On a happier note congratulations to my Aunt Eleanor who celebrated her 65th birthday last weekend.  She is a great matriarch and a family treasure.

 

Peace~

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First Blood: Chinese visa rejection should open floodgates for dissent

 

US Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek

When asked the other day if USA Basketball players should speak out on human rights issues in China, Kobe Bryant said in effect that he and other players are not politicians but are there to “play the game.”  Normally I would say that’s a big cop-out!  After all, we know the power of the dollar these days and how much marketing makes a difference as players follow the “Jordan Rules” for remaining race and issue neutral on all things that do not pertain to promoting themselves or their brand.  I could site LeBron James’ reluctance to speak out about Nike sweat shops as an example. 

For sure the days of the concious athlete, i.e. Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe, John Carlos and Tommy Smith, hell Billy Jean King are gone for the most part.  The rare exceptions for example are basketball players like Adonal Foyle, Dikembe Mutombo, and Etan Thomas.  Craig Hodges the former sharpshooter for the Bulls during the early Jordan years gave a letter to the president at the Rose Garden during their championship visit.  The letter talked about poverty and brought up issues that Hodges and others were concerned about that rarely ever get presidential attention.  He was blackballed by the league after that.  These people are conscious of not just their personal benefit and consumption from the sport, but of community and world affairs.  I don’t expect Kobe Bryant to know or care much about Tienanmen Square in 1989.  I don’t know that he is familiar with the issues regarding greater Los Angeles.  I would rather those speak who do know the issues so that the” stars” don’t make fools of themselves or degrade the cause.

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And so it goes with these Olympic games in Beijing.  I didn’t expect athletes with monolithic perspectives to chime in on weighty issues such as the Chinese human rights policy or the geopolitical stand of The Dali Lama.  Too bad the Olympics are in China in the first place, but perhaps we could just play nice and get through the games.  NOT!  Not now that the Chinese government has revoked the visa of Olympic Gold Medalist skater Joey Cheek.  Cheek is the founder of Team Darfur, a group of 70 athletes whose goal is to raise awareness of the human rights violations taking place in the Darfur region of The Sudan as told by Yahoo Sports.  China has many military, economic and diplomatic ties to The Sudan.

Again, initially I understood the modern athlete’s reluctance to get into political discussions during the games.  After all, it takes all one has just to prepare to qualify to compete with the best in the world on the world’s biggest stage.  The Olympics only happen once every four years.  Many American athletes have toed the line and not made any political statements regarding Chinese human rights issues and have focused their energies to promoting the games and making them attractive to fans, who may not otherwise know them.  However, China has thrown down the gauntlet two days before the opening ceremonies themselves.  American athletes should respond likewise by voicing their disdain for the way the Chinese have decided to treat Cheek.  They should use every opportunity especially during the medal presentations to make it their business to rally around a fellow American.  Talk about patriotism!  This is not a time to be politically correct but to make a morally definitive statement in supporting another American’s attempt to make the world better.  With the treatment of a great American like Cheek, it is unacceptable for any athlete to say with a straight face that it’s “just about the games.”  Damn the endorsements – speak truth to power!

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The Best & Worst of Systems

 

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I was reading a column from one of my favorite columnist Sylvester Brown.  He talked about prejudice and a case he served on as a juror for.  This reminded me of an eye opening experience I had as a juror. 

When I got my first jury summons some years ago I remember talking to myself about this great opportunity to serve my community.  I checked in downtown and got my booklet which instructed me on the role of a juror and why I was there.  While waiting I read the book cover to cover.  Going in I knew that I needed to be impartial and to be ready to not allow my personal prejudices to dictate how I would rule on a case.  I was excited to say the least to participate in this most important of judicial processes.

Ahhh the case:

I make it past the first cut where we get to take questions from the attorneys.  The case consisted of a young male accused of selling drugs to an undercover police officer.  The young man was present with his attorney as was the prosecutor.  The laywers polled us by asking questions such as:

a) Do you know the defendant?

b) Have you had negative experience with police officers?

c) Would you need video or audio evidence to convict?

d) Are you more apt to believe a police officer over an accused individual?

Easy enough right?  Just tell the truth.  My answers to these critical questions:  I didn’t know the defendant.  I’ve had negative and positive experience with police officers.  If there was no video or audio I would only evaluate the that was presented.  I am neither apt to believe the police or the accused in any given situation.  Especially as it relates the case at hand.  My evaluation would be strickly based on the evidence presented.  See I had paid attention to my book – AND I meant every one of these words quite sincerely. 

Long story short I didn’t get picked.  Some of those who did however included a gentleman who said he would more than likely NOT believe the police under any circumstances.  And another who said he came from a family of police officers and was likely to believe anything the police would say.  These guys decided the case.  Eventually my time was up.  Three days of pay for reading a couple books, and hours of hurry up and wait. 

I learned a couple of sobering things about jury duty and the judicial system.  First of all the attorneys are not concerned about justice in the strictest terms.  The prosecutor wants a conviction.  Period.  He may have aspirations of being circuit attorney, attorney general, a senator or governor.  If he does not rack up a large number of guilty verdicts his chances for promotion are reduced.  At the same time the defense wants an acquittal.  Doesn’t matter really whether the person did it or not, but rather whether the prosecutor can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.  The attorneys with the most aquittals command the lions share of retainer fees.  Its all a game and the jury are merely a part of the players.

Second, though a jury are supposed to be made up of peers.  I found that to be a mixed bag as well.  Listening to some of those people talk I knew damn well I would never want them sitting on any jury I was counting on if I was faced with doing time.  Lets just say many were without much depth.  Some only complained about not wanting to be there.   And that they would rather be home watching Judge Judy or something.  This was especially disheartening when I heard African-American women complain this way.  After all black folk get the brunt of the short end of the justice stick.  And while they don’t want to serve – let alone serve with honor they are the first to complain about the all white jurors who hung ‘Lil Ray Ray’ out to dry.  I gave them sisters a piece of my mind and explained to them that serving was an opportunity to have a say within their community and being an active participant in the justice system.  I asked if it were them on trial, or their sons or brother or cousin, would they want a juror with their attitude to determine their loved ones fate?  (Let alone if any of them were being tried themselves…)  Some shot me a look of death.  And others thought I had a good point. 

The conclusion is that we in America do indeed have the best system in terms of the idea and the model.  But there is no way to legislate righteousness and once the details are executed with people who have motives that may or may not have to do with truth or justice, the system can get out of whack.  Its a serious thing being caught up in the system.  If you have loot there is a better chance of having decent representation.  One can get investigators, doctors, psychologist, forensic experts ect. to speak on behalf of ones case.  But if your broke, the case can be as flimsy as a wet t-shirt at the Hooters beach party against you and you could still be a goner. 

Nevertheless, I advocate that those of us who are of sound mind, logical, reasonable, and compassionate should do all we can to serve on a jury when called upon.  We may not have the education that the lawyers have, but we still have the last say in most cases for common sense to rule in these complicated issues that effect people’s lives.  Be the juror you would want to have. 

Peace