May 11, 2012 by bbgcmac

Submit, Listen, Learn & Advance

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. – Hebrews 12:6

We live in society where people are often defensive when it comes to receiving correction. A common phrase folk tend to use when approached with feedback designed to reveal a personal or professional flaw is that the person giving the feedback is ‘hating.’ Their first reaction is to defend, place blame, deflect responsibility, or simply rise up against what may be helpful advice. There is a common saying, “Only God can judge me.” Often that’s psycho–babble for, “Don’t say nothing about my ignorant or destructive ways.”

Most of us don’t like being corrected. It’s in our nature. That’s not always a negative depending on the context.

I remember working in a payroll position. And for eleven years I made significant contributions day in and day out. My boss, a great man, occasionally questioned a project I worked on or corrected me in my processes. I would listen and adjust my practices when instructed, but there would often be an intense conversation along the way. He said he liked that I was that way because he knew that I really cared about doing a great job. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to be better, but I took pride in excellence. The thought of not being perfect peeved me in the worst way. My motivation had merit. But the pride that drove me was at times my worst enemy. I’ll get back to that.

Seldom does correction ‘feel’ good. But it’s a valuable tool that’s totally essential for growth. There are always opportunities to be critiqued because none of us are perfect. Of course not all criticisms are valid. However, the way in which we handle critique say a lot about whether we are fit for promotion.

I’ve had the opportunity to be mentored by a veteran official of over 35 years. He has worked multiple high school state title games in three sports. Obviously an older gentleman, his words are not always politically correct. His had a tough and disciplined upbringing by two stern parents in the segregated South. And his straight forward approach seldom has nuance.

I originally knew this man growing up as a teacher and sports official when I attended high school. He officiated many of my own games. I doubt that he remembered me. The first time he saw me on the ball field as a young umpire, he eyed me from head to toe pointing out what was wrong with my uniform, and how I held my ball/strike/out indicator in the wrong hand. He also tore into me for wearing a shiny watch (not good as it reflects in the sun) and on and on. Inside I felt like, “Well damn dude, nice to see you again too.”

For some reason, I had the presence of mind not to let him see me sweat. Instead, I hung around and allowed him to make fun of me in front of the other guys. I shook my head in the affirmative, smiled and thanked him for helping me out. I bought a non reflective watch, and made every other adjustment per his instructions.

He kept in touch and hired me for a few high school games. Sometimes I got to work directly with him as his on the field partner. This was scary because I didn’t know how I would stack up or if I would meet his expectations. Needless to say, my trepidation was clairvoyant. At the end of each half inning he summoned me and asked me various question about what I was doing and why. I remember being on the bases and when a runner was tagged out I belted, “HE’S OUT AT THIRD!” I was told by the cagy veteran, “Us umpires are dumb! We only speak in one word terms. We say ‘out’, ‘safe,’ ‘ball,’ ‘strike.’ We don’t announce the game. You’re not Harry Carey!”

He gave it to me every time he had a chance. But I took it in and learned. I focused on not making the same mistakes over and over again. These lessons continued as we worked together more in the later months. I began to improve. As I got better he started giving me respect. Instead of rhetoric exclusively geared towards instructions he started to speak casually, even making jokes. Sometimes he’d even ask me about my personal life to get to know me better.

Last year this mentor of mine was inducted into the Illinois High School Activities Hall of Fame. My wife and I drove to the Bloomington-Normal, Illinois to share in his honor with many of his family, friends, and fellow officials.

Now when we work together he still quizzes me sometimes. He still gives instructions as he is always the educator. I am still a bit nervous, more so out of respect. I always learn something new when work together. But I also noticed that he is proud of me. When we used to meet in the parking lot for pre-game he would tell me whether I was working the plate or the field. Now he asks me what my preferences are. One time he even said, “It’s my turn to work the plate Chris. I gotcha.” Now he looks at me like a partner not as a scrub.

You see the ‘drill sergeant’ has long retired from the sport. He’s received all of the accolades one can get from his profession as a teacher and official. But his motivation for me was to see me advance and be one of the people to carry the torch of my generation. He merely hangs around now to assign guys like me games and expose us to people and places because this business is very political. There was a time when Black American officials didn’t get much work if any from Caucasian assignors. It’s still that way in a lot of places. So his entire aim was never to demean or embarrass me. (Though at times I’m telling you he did.) He simply wants me to be the best at my craft. I have to be on top of my game to succeed and reach my potential. He told me recently, “I want you to be a state finals official.”

I love him for that.

Now, if I would have been a knuckle head and rebelled, ignored his advice, thought to myself the man is old, out of touch or hating, where would that leave me?

I’ve always been a mentor myself so I get it. When I see a person who consistently refuse the counsel I offer, I’ll keep my knowledge to myself. When people cease talking to us about our flaws and we are allowed to flail about aimlessly thinking that we are performing well when in reality we are not, that is actually a judgment upon our lives. It’s saying in effect, “There is no hope for you. I will not waste my time, or my breath trying to dress a pig with pearls.”

As I said before every criticism is not necessarily valid. But listening never hurt anyone. The best thing to do, even if you initially disagree is to consider and reflect on what has been said first. If you find it to be true, take heed and make change. If it’s not, keep it moving.

Unfortunately, pride keeps us from even contemplating and thus prevents us from promotion to our next level. But that great evangelist and teacher Marcellus Wallace said it best, “Fuck pride! Pride only hurts, it never helps. Fight through that shit.”

May 11, 2012 by bbgcmac

The President and Gay Marriage

A few words on President Obama and same sex marriage:

First I don’t think it should be necessary for any president to have to speak on something so polarizing unless he/she plans on pursuing policy to either push for or fight against said topic. George W. pursued legislation against gay marriage. So his personal opinion mattered. Unless President Obama plans to push legislation, (and so far he hasn’t indicated that he would) I don’t find it necessary that he had to speak on it.

That said the most important thing is how voters will respond.

I’ve heard much about how his stance one way or the other will affect the election. Here is my opinion:

If a person were to make a decision to vote for a president or not for the sake of one or two social issues alone, that person is stupid. First of all, it’s not a president’s primary job to lead social change, but to lead the country in terms of protection, preservation and advancement of the nation he/she leads. If there are social issues that directly or indirectly affect the economy, our security, or prevent us from our best chance as Americans then the President should lead on those. This is not to say that the gay rights issue doesn’t fit those criteria. But again, it will only make a difference if The President pursues policy, not simply his opinion. President Obama said he would turn back DADT in his campaign. It wouldn’t have mattered if LBJ thought Black Americans should have a civil rights bill in his heart but refused to press the power of his bully-pulpit.

I’ve heard comments from Black Christian folk who say that they are either going to vote Republican this November or not vote at all simply because of this issue. Again, that is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard.

Number one, regardless of how you feel about gay marriage, there are just too many variables that will affect everyone’s lives whoever becomes president. Whether gays are allowed to get married or not, it’s only going to change the life of the gay community. It won’t prevent a straight person’s ability to marry whom they want. Meanwhile we still have the economy to deal with, Supreme Court justices, foreign policy etc. All of which will have a bigger impact on the country. Gays getting married will not help nor prevent you from getting a job.

Number two, I saw Roland Martin say on CNN last night that it will be interesting to see whether black conservative preachers will lean towards their “political or prophetic voices” when speaking to their congregations. (Martin is an ordained Baptist minister) I thought to myself, “WTF was that supposed to mean? You mean to tell me that if the president is for gay marriage alone that is a deal breaker?

For all the biblical talk about Adam and Steve, Mitt Romney is a Mormon. According to the Institute for religious research, Christianity and Mormonism differ on several central core doctrinal beliefs concerning the person of Jesus Christ.

http://www.irr.org/mit/is-mormonism-christian.html

By their standards, this should trump anything above one moral issue.

Also Romney was for gay marriage not long ago. He’s only changed his public opinion since courting the Republican nomination.

Does that mean that Christians should stay home and not vote for anybody? Again that would be stupid.

Regardless of who you choose to vote for, you need to vote for someone as opposed to not participating in the process. And it would be wise to not isolate anything in particular, but to look at the totality of the policies the candidate would pursue and based on those policies if the nation as a whole is going to be better off.

I challenge you not to be fooled by this idiocy no matter what a preacher says. I mean what the hell is Eddie Long going to say about it?

May 8, 2012 by bbgcmac

We’re All Selling Something!

“A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing, always be closing.” – Glengarry Glen Ross

Most who know me well know that I am a sports official by profession. After 27 years in management, project management, payroll and some form of customer support, I’ve spent the last couple years building upon a career path that I embrace more for the love than the money. Currently I work within 4 different kinds of sports and that number is expanding. I work with adults, high school students and even small children.

Being in business for myself has brought me to realize some things. Like my friends and colleagues with the National Sales Network, St. Louis Chapter, my line of work includes selling. The product is me.

You see there are many sports officials out there. Every year there are a plethora of young men and women who venture into this business with different aspirations. Some do it for side income. Some want to stay active in the games they used to play. Some love being around the kids and helping them. Some take the craft of officiating quite seriously and want to be the best at it. Many want to go into the college and pro ranks. Some are what I call Official/Umpire/Referee mercenaries. Their sole motivation is to get as much money as possible; and that’s it.

I have worked with all of these categories of officials. And from the beginning I plotted my own path step by step by understanding the basic principles of selling myself as a viable commodity among my customers.

The first step was in becoming qualified and certified by state standards. Currently I am certified in two states. Second is to learn the craft as well as possible by not only working as much as I could, but also reaching out and learning from other officials. As the saying goes, I’ve learned as much of what not to do as well as what to do.

Next I always show up on time unless I’ve arranged otherwise. Nothing aggravates athletic directors, coaches, players and parents more than some slacker holding up their games and treating them as if their event is not important.

There are many outstanding officials who are on in the marketplace. A major way that I’ve learned to shine and differentiate myself is to be engaging and show a lot of energy and enthusiasm while performing. I’m not afraid to smile or even joke when the tension get a little chippie. Everyone who sees me can recognize that I want to be there and am invested and involved in what’s going on. I hustle and get into position to make the right calls. I communicate with the players and the coaches. I answer questions with courtesy, though I am firm and not afraid to settle a conflict.

Most people can tell if their official is competent, engaged, and cares about what’s going on. The games we officiate are just games. They don’t save lives or change the world. But when I played it was important to me. Whatever the gender, age, or experience level the competitors deserves to have quality officials who gives them the chance to enjoy their sporting experience within the assigned set of rules and rules interpretation.

There are several officials related associations that I am a member of. This makes for great networking opportunities. No matter how good you are, you cannot make it without the help of others. Through these organizations I benefit from the training and development they provide. They in turn assign work to me all over the area. However, most of my work and references have come through relationship building and word of mouth based on my performance, which includes my attitude. My name is my brand. And when people think of me, my brand is what comes to mind as they decide who to hire for their sporting events.

These principles and skills are transferable to any line of business. Remember we are all selling something every day. Even in your personal life, when you go on a date, is that anything less than a sales job?

No matter the product, your name, your brand, and your reputation is the first commodity people will consider first.

May 4, 2012 by bbgcmac

Things of Faith, Man and the Search for Universal Truth

My faith journey has come a long way.

From a theological perspective, I was raised in the Judaea Christian traditions within various denominations. Through the years I have been taught by the church, inspired, motivated, fooled, disillusioned, angry, resentful, ashamed of, and even restored.

Regardless of my personal experiences with dogma and the organization of religion my faith in the Supreme has never diminished. My belief system is simple and complicated, spiritual and natural, scientific and unexplained.

I could never subscribe to the atheist belief that there is no Supreme Being. To me atheistic thinking dismisses a serious explanation for the origin for life. In other words, I haven’t seen evidence of any life form without their first being life to reproduce itself after its kind. Even if creationism from a religious perspective is not a viable option, just a look at the sun, moon and the stars, all of the living creatures, the way the cycles of the earth rotates, lives, nurtures, replenishes and sustain itself with its inhabitants; I find it illogical that all of that which we behold and witness is without thought, planning and design. In this way I don’t judge the concept of atheism. What I can say is that I don’t get it.

As much as I like Bill Mahr and admire his political satire, I think he sounds like a fool when he arrogantly dismisses any possibility of a higher power. His brain is so creative, that he can actually talk himself out of acknowledging his own lack of having anything to do with it. He depends on air he breathes to live, and yet it does not keep him alive. Think about it. Oxygen is all around those dying every day. At some point everyone will take in their last breath. And all the oxygen on the earth can’t give you another breath once that last one has been exhaled. With all the riches, wealth and resources in the world one cannot give him more life. Nor does anyone have the power to ask and receive it initially at the beginning of a natural life.

A study of the massive sophistication and depth of DNA alone should prompt one to believe that this world, this universe, even our humanity was intentional. This is why I believe the atheist argument comes up horribly short. There is just too much genius around us that we had nothing to do with to call it all random.

What Mahr and I share along with others who believe as he does however, is the disdain for those seeking to validate and promote ‘God’ only as they see Him in such a fashion that it boxes his breadth and scope down to moral, theological and geo-political bents. I too scoff at the limitations and lack of critical thinking skills people subject themselves to in order to follow a bunch of laws and standards written by mortal, flawed, and often agenda driven men. I can resonate with his frustration of people who refuse to observe and work through critical issues with a reality based point of view as opposed to choosing to hide head-in-sand and quote scripture so as to eliminate the need of such deeper or even more simplistic considerations.

I get it. But that doesn’t answer the questions of life, the potential and capabilities of the human mind and body, the spirit world, and the universe. The fact that in the wild a lion and a deer will drink from the same water brook and if the lion is not hungry, not only will he not so much as bother the deer, but that the deer instinctively knows it. Man, in all of his ingenuity, intellect, skill and passion have only learned and understood so much of it. He certainly hasn’t been able to define it.

My basic understanding of myself, my surroundings, my instincts, makes me curious, and awestruck on the subject of the Supreme Being. Though I have identified my beliefs through Christian lenses most of my life, I have studied various religions and beliefs among men. Lessons from Christianity as well as other faiths have helped me greatly. Still I’ve rejected many pieces of doctrines. Through it all here I stand; still seeking, still desiring, and still stretching to find the source of my own significance.

As of now I don’t really claim any specific religion. Though if you pushed me, I would still lean towards a very loose and selective portion of Christianity. Not for any special reason. This is simply the environment I was brought up in and therefore most familiar with. It’s second nature. I love gospel music and can often find myself blissfully swept away in its messages of worship, submission and hope. One of my mentors the late Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth was a Christian man who lived the most dedicated and faithful life I have ever seen in a human. Yet I admire and respect the life of Malcolm X especially after he split from The Nation of Islam and went in a direction that he believed was more beneficial to his perspective of the way he saw his Creator. Am I to say that Shuttlesworth knew God because he called him Jesus or that Malcolm’s aligning himself with Allah did not? There is hardly no religious sect that does not have within it members who believe and have evidence that their prayers have been answered. There are unexplained ‘miracles’ happening everyday regardless of faith type. Thing begs to question, “Does the Supreme have an exclusive name?” Only religious people think so. Or is He so awesome and self-assured that He is not hung up on and limited by that kind of thing? – Man actually giving Him a name that will sum Him up. Even as I write this I only say ‘Him’ as a reference point. I don’t know that The Supreme has a gender.

This proves that the biggest hindrance to understanding The Supreme is defining the revelation of His presence and purpose solely through a religious bent.

I have learned to settle in and take what I believe one step at a time; one lesson at a time; one experience at a time. And with those I focus on that which I am comfortable with. Which are a basic set of principles that I live by. (At least try to live by most of the time.)

Faith

Faith is first just an acknowledgment and recognition of a centralized presence. I don’t believe He/She/It needs to be called Jesus or any other religious or secular name. I believe in this Power that is so brilliant beyond measure, beautiful, and peaceful. The Universe has been created in such a way that it would take perhaps a million lifetimes just to scratch the surface of what is really going on out there. Names are too limited to describe The Ultimate. That is about as far as I am willing to take it as of now.

Do I believe this Universal entity cares about what happens to me personally? Yes. This is because I don’t believe all of this is by chance. If I’m correct then there has to be a purpose. Anyone who is aware of his purpose cares about fulfilling that purpose. With that I am able to give thanks and blessings many times per day to The Supreme for all that I am blessed to behold. Sometimes, I even submit a few prayer request along the way.

Personal Purpose/Destiny

This is a tough one. Because most people either believe that they have a specific purpose on earth that a higher power has in mind or they don’t. Others believe we make our own decisions no matter what. I fall in the middle of both world views. For example, none of us had anything to do with us being here. That includes when we were born, where we were born, or to what family. We couldn’t decide what color we were going to be, whether male or female, and so forth. There are so many things that were not in our original control.

And yet as the species on earth we call mankind, we have the ability to create, build, reproduce, expand, grow, and it goes on and on. Our decisions shape the direction of not only our lives, but those around us as well as those who come after us. Decisions made by only a few throughout history have led to generational worldwide rewards and consequences.

With this I believe that many, but not every aspect of my life has been fully intentional. I am thankful for my time, my space, and my opportunity to do whatever it is I am supposed to do. I am abundantly grateful for everyday believing that my universe is saying something to me and beckoning me to respond for my own benefit, and the benefit of others. I believe that if enough of us do that, we will experience even greater awakenings, recognition, and access to this Universe.

Morals

Morals are a very subjective from person to person. I believe that morals must come from within, not just what is taught within a society to preserve order; though order is necessary. Some people are comfortable with doing things and living by certain principals that others are not. My morals are a combination of what I have been taught as a youth, as well as what I have grown to understand as an adult. Since I am still growing, segments and pieces of my moral code are still being refined. What has remained consistent is to live by a standard in which my conscious remains clear of guilt and that my life is one of freedom and not bondage. I believe that many of the unhappy, unsatisfied and destructive people on earth are ones whom live against their own conscious. I can’t speak for those whom seem not to have a conscious at all. Still I have to live by my own. I desire that my life continues to project that which is less harmful but more liberating to me as well as my environment.

Who is The Supreme Being/God?

I absolutely don’t know the answer to that. I believe that God is spirit as I am though much greater. I don’t believe God is fixated by what we call he/she/it like most organized religions i.e. Christianity, (Jehovah, Christ) Islam (Allah) and so forth. I believe that mankind has had various reasons for wanting to segregate God into something they are comfortable with. Certainly having a book such as the bible for instance, makes following God or expressing faith more focused. For now I choose experiencing and receiving whatever it is I may learn and absorb whether it be from a religious context or not. My trust is that The Supreme knows how to get a message to me when it’s time. And that I will receive it as long as I stay open. I’m not afraid to fail at this. I embrace all of the possibilities and resources imaginable at this point.

Organized Religion

In spite of my critique, I am not down on organized religion as a whole. I believe that Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Zen, and many others has served millions well over the centuries. Organized religious morality has influenced many peaceful societies as most of them promote treating one another in a loving and civilized way. Most promote growth and spirituality. Most promote submission to a higher authority and less self-seeking. Most emphasize sacrifice and giving towards something much bigger than the individual person who claims its faith.

Most have had their downfalls as well. So many wars, forms of oppression, and crimes against humanity result from religious beliefs and zeal. This is not only true of Christianity and Islam. Human sacrifices for instance took place long before Columbus set foot on the shores of the Americas. Nobody’s hands are clean. There has been and continues to be both good and bad.

Afterlife

Since I don’t believe that our lives are our bodies, I don’t believe that life ceases without the body. I believe our bodies are Earth suits. With them we move about upon the land or the sea. The earth is our bodily home. We live here for a time and season. It is here that we eat, sleep, love, share, learn etc… Perhaps our earthly time is training for something else that has nothing to do with our bodies. I just don’t know. And I don’t know that anyone really does.

I know many people whom I trust said a relative who have died or have been released from their natural bodies visited them in a spiritual form. Perhaps those who are ‘dead’, in body, help watch over us who remain. Perhaps there are differing dimensions that continue in cycles past our earthly lives. I don’t have a clue!

But I’m OK with that right now. For now I want to concern myself with the form of life I am experiencing now. And I will have to let the other work itself out. It’s definitely outside of my pay grade. If I can make this one count for something good, then I trust things will work out in the end… well, if there is one.

In Faith, Me

March 26, 2012 by bbgcmac

Sports and Politics Intersect Retro Style

I was only an infant when Tommy Smith and John Carlos threw up the black fist in Mexico City; a young pup when Muhammad Ali refused to participate in the Vietnam War. There was a time when many African-American sports figures and icons took to the streets and spoke out for social justice. They were not afraid to lend their voices and their fame to give attention to important issues they cared about. They were courageous enough to risk their careers if necessary to stand up for what they believed was right.

Unfortunately that was a long time ago. Rarely do we see black superstar athletes stand up for anything having to do with more than their latest contract negotiations. The money guys like Ali, Smith and Carlos made pales in comparison to the astronomical millions today’s athletes bank above their predecessors.

Our most successful and marketable black athletes too often stray as far away from civic issues as they can. I will always remember Michael Jordan’s refusal to support a progressive African-American candidate Harvey Gantt for state senate in his native North Carolina. Not because he agreed more with the politics of the infamously racist Helms, but because, “Republicans by sneakers too.” Jordan was the symbol and poster child of the New Crossover Negro who believed it far more important to hawk product and filling his own coffers rather than possibly alienating potential buyers with moral controversy. Tiger Woods has picked up the baton running that race with ease by denying all things black whether it be per his own heritage and identity as well as the women he chooses to marry and fool around with. Woods is as vanilla as the ice cream in my freezer and as close to anti-black as one could be with deference to Justice Thomas.

Whether it was the Rodney King beating, presidential races, supreme court decisions or 17 year old children with candy and a drink, sadly Jim Brown, Bill Russell and Arthur Ashe are not walking through these doors.

This is what makes the tweeted photo by LeBron James and his Miami Heat teammates in support of justice for Trayvon Martin an eye opener for me. The Heat players live in South Florida. Perhaps they feel the intensity of emotions even deeper than the rest of the country. Perhaps some of the players have had their own issues with being pulled over for DWB (Driving While Black) with even more emphasis because they drive the finest cars money can buy. I don’t know. But I respect James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh for being a part of a symbolic show of solidarity to Trayvon’s family as well as every other young black male in the United States. I respect them especially because they are the faces of their franchise and the league that so many Americas pays attention to.

Former NBA players Etan Thomas and Craig Hodges were no strangers to standing up for unpopular beliefs. Hodges so much so that he was literally blackballed from the NBA after presenting former President Bush a list of social issues he thought The President should address when the Chicago Bulls visited The White House. If Jordan makes that move, it carries more weight and no way is the biggest revenue generating player the league had ever seen pushed out the door.

So big ups to LeBron, Wade, Bosh and the rest of the Heat players. You didn’t have to march like the old school. But you did use the most powerful and significant tool given your generation which is social media. And for me, that speaks volumes!

February 17, 2012 by bbgcmac

C-Haze

Born in Richmond, VA in March of 1993, Brittany Renee Williams had a difficult start. Her mother, Rose Marie Thompson, was diagnosed with AIDS while pregnant with Brittany, and passed the virus to her unborn baby girl.

Burdened with an illness that has no cure, both mother and daughter struggled; little Brittany bounced from foster home to foster home as Thomson tried, unsuccessfully, to get her life together.

In 1996, Rose Marie, close to death, gave guardianship of 3 year-old Brittany to Kim Parker. Parker was the founder of Rainbow Kids Inc., a charity that provided long-term care for children with AIDS. The charity is no longer in existence.

By all accounts, Kim Parker cared for little Brittany until sometime in 2000. In August of that year, Brittany was seen by a doctor. That same summer, Kim approached Brittany’s half-sister, an adult, and asked if she could take the child…

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February 14, 2012 by bbgcmac

Whitney

The first time the name Whitney Houston came across my eyes was in 1980. We had a Chaka Khan album titled “Naughty.” There were several songs that I loved on that album and the most popular one was the first released single “Clouds.”

When I looked at the credits to check out the background singers there was Whitney Houston’s name listed along with Cissy Houston, Chaka, Mark Stevens, and Charlotte Crossley. If you listen to the jam now you can hear Whitney’s voice clearly. At that time she was 17 years old and I certainly didn’t know that she would rise to be the star that she became. What I did remember was how powerful they sounded belting out those backgrounds and how Whitney apparently took after Cissy with that voice.

Like everyone else my next lesson came five years later when she released her first LP. Produced by Kashif, she put out one of the best freshman packages ever, and easily still what I feel was her best work. Remember these:

You Give Good Love

Thinking About You

Saving All My Love For You

How Will I Know

All At Once

Hold Me w/Teddy Pendergrass

The Greatest Love of All

THAT’S RIGHT! ALL ON ONE ALBUM!

Naturally that timeless piece of work shot Whitney straight to the moon with fame and instant success. Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul. From 1985-1995 Whitney Houston became the Queen of Pop. She did a lot of music, starred in movies and became a type of America’s sweetheart. I graduated high school in 1985 so to a degree I came of age on Whitney’s music. She had that glamorous image because not only could she sing with thunder she could wear the hell out of an elegant evening dress. She had flawless skin, the perfect smile and seemed to carry herself like a woman of great power. And yet she still managed to give off this sense that she wasn’t untouchable. Of course we figure out later through a series of happenings starting with her relationship and marriage to bad boy Bobby Brown, that she was a rather down to earth diva.

Hell it all made sense when you think about it. That’s why she was so comfortable to like and identify with to begin with. Turns out Whitney was an around the way girl.

I’m not going to front. After that first album I wasn’t as enamored with Whitney’s career. I questioned her selection of music all the time. I can understand doing The Bodyguard stuff and evening the I Wanna Dance With Somebody pop songs. It was easy for her to get rich by making these easy hook sing-along cuts. Understandable.

I also enjoyed the stuff from Waiting To Exhale.

I felt also her voice was so unique, stunning and electrifying that she could have done other forms of music too. I could see Whitney Houston Jazz, Whitney Houston gospel, (I know she did some gospel on The Preacher’s Wife) and the original R&B soul stuff she came out the box with. When I had this discussion with friends, they always went to the money aspect of it as an explanation. “That’s Whitney. She has to cross over to obtain the most success.”

I disagreed with this vehemently. As far as I was concerned Whitney’s first set of hits mentioned above were not crossover hits. They were bona-fide R&B and the fact of the matter is, the music was so well done, the voice was so bold commanding attention, praise and respect that White people went to it. In other words, some artist don’t have to cross over. For the special ones the masses cross over to them!

If that were not the case then people like Ray Charles wouldn’t have recorded country music. Ray was a musical icon. Whitney’s voice demanded that you listen. And even if one didn’t enjoy a certain genre’ initially, hearing Whitney sing different genre’s would do nothing more than educate people on what they didn’t know before.

So as far as I’m concerned, Whitney Houston had a voice made of platinum that could make the birds follow her and she made a ton of money in her career. But I don’t think we the lovers of music at it’s artistic core with all of it’s imaginative glory got all that we could have.

Losing Whitney hit so many of us in the gut. There were many who loved most all of her music. I’m still awed by what I witnessed over 25 years ago when she dropped her first. I’ll continue to miss that Whitney; that one we seemed to have lost long ago.

Still I am grateful that I witnessed and lived to hear her sing. She was the voice straight outta heaven. And as long as I live, I will think of and remember that.

January 17, 2012 by bbgcmac

My Evening With the G.O.A.T.

****Re-post in honor of The G.O.A.T / Original January 17 2012****

Upon hearing that today is the 70th Birthday for the (Greatest of All Time) Muhammad Ali, it reminded me of the evening that I was honored to spend with The Champ. The year was 2005 and the occasion was “The Butterfly Ball” in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was a fundraiser for The Ali Center, a museum dedicated to the career and humanitarian efforts of Ali that was being constructed in Louisville, KY.

Before I go further you have to understand what Muhammad Ali meant to me growing up in the 70s. As a child there were two celebrities that I looked up to. Muhammad Ali and then Sugar Ray Leonard. At the time I was too young to understand Ali’s political and heroic defiant stand against participating in the Vietnam War, and I wasn’t necessarily a boxing aficionado. But what I did recognize was Ali’s charm, confidence, star power and unapologetic boldness in public at a time when many black public figures wouldn’t dare. Inwardly I knew he was making a place for me and his persona gave me a definite sense of pride. Muhammad Ali to me was so significant that he was almost legend and unreal; An ethereal figure on television that may as well have been from outer space in terms of what I felt was my chance at ever seeing him face to face. That feeling never left me even as I grew older and cried when he lost in humiliating fashion at the of his career.

(Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Tom Joyner)

The event was star studded and included people like Cornel West, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Andrew Young, Tom Joyner, and many others including former Heavy Weight Champion Lennox Lewis, who gave $2 million of his own money because of the love he has for The Champ. Brian McKnight had a trio set for the entertainment. The week before making the trip to the ATL, I called Ali’s people and asked if there was a chance that I could meet The Champ and get a photo. The woman on the phone told me that Ali hadn’t been feeling well as of late, but when he is generally he’s very generous of such request. I hoped for the best.

After dinner and music, several speakers came up to talk about what Muhammad Ali has meant to them. The most touching was probably Professor West who couldn’t hold back his tears as well as Ali’s daughter Lala who also tearfully recalled so many occasions where ‘daddy’ loved and cherished her and her siblings. I was about 25 feet from the podium in awe.

(Lala Ali, Jesse Jackson, Muhammad Ali)

Finally when The Champ got up, he struggled to stand and speak but offered several jokes and took assorted pot shots and the people he loved. Except for the laughs the room was totally silent as he spoke. He was a total hoot. When he finished and after he exited the stage I wanted to get a hand shake and possibly a photo. The celebrities were getting theirs in and I was sort of intimidated to step in. But then I thought to myself, “It’s now or never. To hell with it man get in there!”

So I made my way through the big shots and tried to approach him. He had a handler with him and I said, “Is it ok if I take a picture with The Champ?” The handler said, “The Champ is tired and we need to get him out of here so he can rest.” And this is what I’ll never forget…what gave Ali the beyond the universe status with me. He heard me and pushed his handler away motioning me to come close to him. I shook his hand and said my peace in his ear, then needed to get this photo taken quickly. Over my right shoulder is Mayor Andrew Young. I said, “Mayor would you mind,” handing him my camera. He smiled with enthusiasm and said, “Sure.” And there struggling to stand on his own The Champ made two fist and took that damn picture.

A few seconds later I looked at the camera hoping to God that the mayor didn’t screw up my photo and there it was. I stared at it. A photo of me and Muhammad Ali. I thought back to my childhood and all that he had meant to me and thinking how untouchable I thought he’d be. It was surreal as if time had stood still. All I could think to myself was, “That’s freaking Muhammad Ali. That’s freaking Muhammad Ali!” Talking about ‘floating like a butterfly….’

If he had went on his way without taking the photo I still would have felt blessed. It would have been all good and I would have understood. But the fact that he pressed his way and didn’t “big time” me as just another cat he’s met out of millions, I will NEVER FORGET THAT!

For this reason as well as the many others are why he will always be The G.O.A.T. to me!

Happy Birthday Champ!

(Me and the G.O.A.T.)

December 15, 2011 by bbgcmac

The Grinch, CP3 and the End of a Lifetime Love Affair

My love for NBA basketball goes back 32 years, along with with my love for the Los Angeles Lakers. I watched it flourish from the drug infested rep it had during the 70s, through the resurgence with the help of Magic, Larry, and Isaiah; the glory years of Jordan, Hakeem, and finally Shaq, Kobe, Duncan and D-Wade. The current NBA has plenty of stars to peek the interest of old and new fans. As bad as “The Decision” was for LeBron and The Heat, the NBA had its peak year of interest, and then like a hammer, the owners imposed another lockout!

This was the first blow to my love for the NBA game. Not that the owners wanted more cheddar; that’s just the American way. But the way they went about it, with their various threats to cancel the season. After a blockbuster year for everyone, they acted with an arrogance that clearly showed many owners cared nothing about the fans that pushed their popularity to where it is, so that their revenue could be as substantial as it’s been.

I had it in my mind not to care whether the season was cancelled or not. I felt that for the sake of labor, the players should get a fair deal that reflected the value they bring to the franchises. If the owners wanted to bluff or cancel the season, then let them. And then see if the game ends up like the NHL.

With Christmas and it’s primetime schedule looming, the players and the owners were able to get a deal done and cram a 66 game season in just a few short months. Initially the stain of the lockout was still in my mind. I knew it would take me a little while at least to become interested in the league again. I was more excited to continue watching NFL football and college hoops.

Once the deal was agreed upon and the moving and shaking began where clubs and players would be changing places, the buzz peeked my interest a bit more. Chris Paul to the Lakers? Tyson Chandler to the Knicks; Pau Gasol to the Rockets, Lamar Odom to the Hornets, damn! Talk about blowing up some teams! I knew the Lakers needed to make some changes but Odom and Gasol? That sounds drastic! (Unless they were going to gun for Dwight Howard but still that was no sure thing!)

I said to myself, Del Demps (the GM for New Orleans) is no joke! He’s sitting with a team that is owned by the league and where no one seems to want to go, and yet he just set himself up to have a strong team for this season with Odom, (the reigning sixth man of the year), Luis Scola (a double-double man), and guard Kevin Martin! This core gives a potential owner a very competitive team to begin with. The Rockets having Gasol would make them instant playoff contenders since Yao Ming retired. And as I said about my Lakers, it helped our backcourt tremendously but left our front line very light with a heavy load being put on Andrew Bynum’s knees.

Ok, maybe I do want to watch on Christmas. But then at the behest of so called small market owners like Dan Gilbert, ~~The Grinch~~ David Stern killed the deal! WTF???

It seems that though Demps was told by the league that he had the freedom to make deals as any other GM would, The Angel of Stern at the behest of Gilbert and the likes decided that Chris Paul going to the Lakers under any circumstances was bad for the league. Part of the owners lockout strategy was to restrict star players from choosing their own destinies. The problem is that they can’t stop free agency. If a player is in the final year of his contract and is not going to stay with the team he’s on, he’s going to have a certain amount of power in choosing his trade destination if he doesn’t agree to re-sign with his new team. That is just the nature of the beast. Most players in any of the major sports have but one chance in their careers to have serious influence on where they go and how much they can make.

Stern said that the deal was not good enough for the Hornets and that his decision to block a great trade didn’t have anything to do with other owners. He also thinks Jerry Sandusky only likes to ‘horse around’ with young boys. But I digress! Phil Jackson the former Laker coach brought the Paul issue up a year ago with the league owning the Hornets which is a clear conflict of interest. He was fined by the league for predicting the cluster f#@! that eventually panned out.

Fast forward a few days later with trade proposals flying like bullets and players being amnestied left and right, the Lakers gave away Lamar Odom to the World Champion Mavericks for a 40oz. Neither Stern, Gilbert or any other small market owners said a word about that. Instead of Demps doing the negotiations going forward, Stern took over negotiations from New York rendering the Hornets GM a GM with no clothes. Oh and this just in: Paul goes to the Clippers instead; the team with historically racist owner the the league has never addressed. That makes a lot of sense!

I’m just disgusted with the NBA right now. And I’m honestly not sure if there will be any coming back from it. This is NOT about the Lakers not getting CP3 either. Since Jerry Buss turned the team over to his son, the way they have treated many of their loyal personnel like Brian Shaw for instance has shown a total lack of class. Likewise, not even telling Lamar Odom, a man who has taken a lesser playing role and less money for years as a sign of loyalty that the team was seeking to trade him is reprehensible. That is a side issue that calls into question my respect for the Laker organization.

What is bothersome is that in addition to the lockout, the league’s manipulation of team business is a huge turn off. I would much rather take my team to task for the way they manage, the way they play, Mike Brown’s coaching, etc. My team has been my team for over 30 years and we haven’t won the championship every year. I’m good with that. The issue is credibility! I want to have the belief at least that the product that is NBA basketball is a legitimate institution. Where if each team plays by the rules established that they can make or break their own clubs, their own seasons, and that I as a fan can watch the games and root from a fan’s perspective.

At best Christmas morning anticipation of the NBA should feel as if I am waking up to love I’ve known most of my life. Now it feels like a dirty whore being shoved down my throat dressed with promos of players just recently cursed by owners. Where owners who have less skill and attract-ability can dictate to other teams what they can and cannot do. Perhaps Stern will make Kim Kardashian an ESPN sideline reporter next. It seems the league has not been less out of touch with reality. I am a very educated fan and I won’t be given anything and told to deal with it.

Perhaps it seems I’m taking this all too personally. But I doubt it. Even if we the normal fan cannot pay for NBA salaries, the fan base is the foundation that drives the revenues. The time and dedication given by the average Joe in caring about what happens to his/her team gives the league the core value that the dollars and cents can be worth investing in. Stern and the likes, have polluted that image. Now it seems the games are played in boardrooms through conference calls to New York.

I’m not sure how this is all going to turn out for me as a fan. Right now, it’s looking like the NFL will be the television featured in my house on Christmas Day. And for that, I’m sorry.

SIDE RANT

*****If you examine Gilbert’s letter closely, he details how the initial trade may benefit the Lakers as they were to get Paul, while clearing salary from their books. And by doing so make themselves eligible later for even more attractive free agents. Under the rules mind you that the owners just agreed to. What he didn’t say which is apparent, is that he (Gilbert) was not smart enough to do the same. And that no attractive free agent will ever want to play for his team because of his ineptness not to mention the way he showed his ass after LeBron left. What he was essentially saying is, “Thanks to me the Cavaliers ARE the Washington Generals. Since I don’t have managerial smarts or the ability to make my team attractive so stars will want to play in Cleveland, let’s focus on making teams like the Lakers suffer so that my idiocy is not so apparent.” I mean, what has he done to date thus far to improve his own situation?

November 12, 2011 by bbgcmac

Behold! The Power of the Pussy

There are many disadvantages to being a woman in this culture. Historically they have had to fight for their rights to be respected and cherished by the men who rule the world around them. Still today they make less on the dollar than males. They face discrimination and often lack the full respect they deserve in this society. Tradition, religion, and just plain ole ignorance have slowed the progress of the woman’s ability to fully shine and blossom in all the ways she can. When she’s ultra feminine she can be mistaken for soft thus downplaying her true inner strength. When she speaks her mind she’s considered a bitch or a barracuda. If she’s really about her business some call her a dike. But God gave the woman the ultimate weapon to assure that she will be listened to and heard at some point in this game of life. And when mastered properly, it’s a tool fitting to be called God’s Great Equalizer. And what is this great equalizer? Behold the Power of the Pussy!

Now before your proverbial panties (pun intended for both male and females) get into a bunch – check out the facts and listen up! When we observe the pervasive cultures worldwide, men do rule the world. They have founded cities, started nations, ruled kingdoms and conquered civilizations. They have created inventions that have changed the world many times. They have created organizations and established even the name of the street you live on.

And now what is there to all of man’s great innovations and accomplishments? It’s vanity and all for nothing unless he has with him the experience that rivals no other. For man wants to – needs to – have the right woman to share his dreams – to help him manifest his visions – and to find that place of comfort that nothing else can give on the planet. No amount of money, no amount of power, can give the man a feeling that he has in the comfort of the pussy that embraces him like he is the king of the world.

Ice-T put it this way….

Power – its starts with P like Pussy
She knows she’s got it
She doesn’t worry does she?
Spending your cash – leaving you in the trash
While your little head’s thinking – they’re gone in a dash
They got it – know it – that’s why they show it
The power sex – if man could overthrow it he’d be king in a day
No way – we get rich, hard, give it away. -Power 1988

Now – when I say pussy, I am not talking about merely sex. I am talking about the femininity of a woman – The softness of her voice and the touch of her hands – Because of the pussy she has the ability to approve or disapprove whatever the man is working on. And let me tell you – when your pussy is happy – the whole house is happy. When it’s not – let’s just say there is no good night’s sleep. A man can accomplish great things. And his boys and comrades can applaud with great approval. But if his woman, the one that has the pussy does not approve… it may as well be dead.

The right woman has the ability to make a man believe in himself. Her influence can make him a king or a pauper. That is the power of the pussy. You see it’s not just a physical thing. It’s totally spiritual as well. When a man enters a woman – and he respects the place that she allows him to dwell – he’s lost in the realm of fantasy that is his greatest reality. Remember he was born from a pussy. And like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz he just wants to go home. The roles are just reversed. Instead of coming out of one he wants to enter one. And instead of the pains of birth he gives her (his new momma) the pleasure of the rod. And he does so at great pleasure until he releases himself totally into the places that are so private and intimate that it bonds him to her soul. After that there is nothing left to give. And when she comforts him, lets him know that he is approved and that everything is alright – you could kill him and he would die with a smile on his face.

Check the math and the history – even biblically. David had a man killed to get the one that satisfied him the most. Sampson gave up the source of his strength to a woman he knew was trying to get him killed. And yet what was it about Delilah that caused him to tell her how he could be defeated anyway. It wasn’t merely the physical pussy – it was the mental and spiritual pussy. She understood him – studied him – mastered him. See if you relegate the pussy to mere physical characteristics you’ll miss the boat. The pussy is the all encompassing aura of a woman, her total womanhood and her ability to communicate to her man as only she can. Once she has him – she’s got him. Because only the comfort of her welcoming spirit and body can satisfy his soul.

The worst thing that can happen to a man – is to get caught up in the wrong pussy! That’s a whole nother story!

And so it goes – If he buys a nice car he doesn’t really do it for himself. It’s for a woman. A nice house is to put the woman in. Someone asked Eleanor Roosevelt what her life would be like had she not married Teddy. She said she would still be first lady – because whomever she married would have been the president. In other words – she’s saying that her pussy is king making material. And with her influence any man she commits to will reach his maximum potential. It’s automatic.

According to Genesis, God created man in His own image and in His likeness. But ever since, no man can be born except through the womb of a woman. She is the passageway to the earth. And there you have it – God’s great equalizer! Man may rule the world. But a woman who understands the power of her pussy – will never lack any good thing.

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