DON’T LET THE TELEVISION NEWS MEDIA DISTRACT YOU

The national news media, particularly the television news media is obsessed with the calamity besetting the NFL (National Football League).  On Friday, September 19^th all four of the major broadcast television networks, as well as, all of the cable television news and sports networks broadcast the press conference by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  Mind you, this was the commissioner of a sports league.  Not the President talking about bombing Syria or sending troops to fight the Ebola outbreak in Africa.  This was a sports commissioner talking about the soap opera that has become the NFL.

I ask why so much media attention for the NFL and one answer that I come up with is that this is the media’s continued attempt to demean and degrade young Black males.  Never mind the fact that the majority of NFL players, Black, White or otherwise cause no trouble, are respected in their communities, and clearly know how to delineate what is appropriate behavior on and off the football field.  But that’s not newsworthy.  Instead the media chooses to repeat images over and over again showing Black males as aggressive and dangerous.

A second answer that I come up with is that the excessive media coverage is a diversion tactic designed to lessen the focus on all of the Black males who have recently died while engaged with law enforcement.  The media no longer gives these cases attention, and it is a purposeful attempt to make people less concerned.  But we cannot be distracted.  We have to continually seek justice for Chavis Carter in Arkansas, Michael Brown in Missouri, Eric Garner in New York, John Crawford III in Ohio, and Charles Smith in Georgia; all Black males who died while engaged with police.  Police officers have not been charged.  Grand Juries are moving at a snail’s pace.  They want you to forget.  The television news media is using the NFL to obstruct justice.

The NFL will fix itself.  It is a multi-billion dollar organization that will make the necessary adjustments.  The intense media attention will not make any difference about that.  But the television news media will continue to lead each newscast with the NFL, while people across America seek justice for those Black males killed seemingly for no reason.  Just imagine how much quicker justice might be done if the news media gave the same kind of attention to those stories.  But instead the television news media chooses to run a news conference by the Commissioner of the NFL at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon; a time generally reserved for soap operas.  But I guess that makes sense.

SAM

Little League World Series Images

Some suggest that image is everything.  I will suggest that images are everything.  Over the last few weeks America, via the national news outlets, has been able to view images of young Black athletes from Chicago and Philadelphia play in the Little League World Series.  The Taney Dragons from Philadelphia and the Jackie Robinson West team from Chicago captivated the attention of both baseball connoisseurs and those who could care less about the game.  These teams dominated media attention in an event that traditionally has not seen a lot of Black participation.

The images that we saw were of young boys and girls having fun, being committed, being skilled, being disciplined.  But more important were the images of the parents who supported and encouraged these children.  Parents who sacrificed so that their children could have this opportunity.

These are the images of the Black experience in America that are not portrayed nearly enough in the national media.  We in the community know that the efforts of these parents is not unique.  Indeed, Black parents work as hard and sacrifice as much as any other parent of any other ethnicity, but unfortunately, the media rarely offers those stories and images opting instead for the sensational.

We know that the media is driven by economics.  Those images that grab attention are the ones used to sell newspapers and commercials.  Too many times those images of the Black experience in America are not uplifting, but in the coverage of Taney of Philadelphia and Jackie Robinson West of Chicago, the images were good.  The images were positive.  And the images sold a lot of newspapers and commercials.

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STATEMENTS YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR FROM NEWLYWEDS

STATEMENTS YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR FROM NEWLYWEDS

 

* I didn’t know he didn’t want to have children.

* I didn’t know she spent two years as an inmate in a correctional facility.

* I didn’t know he had that many relationships before me.

* I didn’t know she owed $17,000 to the IRS.

* I didn’t know he considered that “cheating”.

* I didn’t know she wanted to have separate bank accounts.

* I didn’t know he expected to spend all holidays with his family.

* I didn’t know she wanted me to stop playing ball with my friends on Saturday.

* I didn’t know that he expected me to start going to his church.

* I didn’t know she believes it’s wrong to lend money to family.

 

Before you say, “I do” you’ve got to watch “The Marriage Contract”

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Don't Forget About the Marriage

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE MARRIAGE

June is traditionally wedding month.  Thousands of couples will go through the ritual of engagement, wedding, and reception to visualize to the world that they have joined together as one.  But what about the marriage?  In most instances couples marry because they have decided to love, respect and commit to each other for as long as they both shall live.  But somehow that tends to get lost among the over-the-top proposals, the extravagant weddings, and the lavish receptions.  These celebratory events have their place, but have very little to do with a successful marriage.

I believe couples should spend as much time, or more, planning the marriage as they do planning a wedding.  Long before a wedding proposal is given, there should be real discussion about what the marriage means to each partner.  Before a vow is repeated, there should be a clear understanding about what each person expects from the marriage, and is willing to give.  Before the cake is cut, couples should address how they will traverse the push and pulls, and ups and downs that the marriage will produce.  It seems as though some couples think the marriage doesn’t start until after the honeymoon, but the foundation for a successful marriage begins with open, honest communication long before a wedding is even contemplated,

Proposals, weddings, and receptions are but a passing fancy, but marriage is forever.  Enjoy the pomp and circumstances, but don’t forget about the marriage.

Before you say, “I do” you’ve got to watch “The Marriage Contract”

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Lessons- Dr. Maya Angelou

The passing of Dr. Maya Angelou has generated feelings of sadness for many.  The personal revelation that she is no longer physically among us will make some feel forlorn.  But, there also exists a joy, not in her death, but in her life.  There are those whose continued existence is bolstered by some inspiration she gave them.  When they were down and out, some word from Dr. Angelou lifted them; gave them strength; brought them joy.  So while sadness may be expected, the joy comes from knowing that we were allowed to be in the same space in time and learn from Dr. Angelou’s greatness.

As Dr. Angelou’s life is being recalled it is clear that hers was a life that mattered.  A multi-talented soul; she could dance, she could sing, she could act, but her gift from the Master was to give us words that would inspire.  Her writings spoke to many, giving them reason to keep moving forward.  That was Dr. Angelou’s purpose and she understood it well.

The tributes all recount the significance of Dr. Angelou’s life, but what is wonderful is that Dr. Angelou had the opportunity to hear all of these accolades while she lived.  From dignitaries to everyday people, Dr. Angelou was constantly told and shown that she made a difference.  That what she had given the world mattered.  And this is so wonderful because Dr. Angelou was given her flowers while she could still smell them.  The accolades did not suddenly come in death.  She heard them all before she shut her eyes.

And that may be the lesson here.  If someone matters in your life then it is best to let them know that while they live rather than express it in their eulogy.  Dr. Angelou passed away clearly aware that she mattered to many.  The eulogies will not offer any new insights as to why her life was significant.  That was all done while she lived.  The good doctor Maya Angelou; leaving us with yet another lesson.

SAM

How Would Dr. King Want You to Celebrate the King Holiday?

Have you ever thought about how Dr. King would want you to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday?  Would he want you to attend services where choirs sing songs of inspiration?  Would he want you to participate in programs where 6^th graders reenact the Dream Speech?  Would he want you to go to lectures given by other civil rights veterans?  Would he encourage you to enjoy lunch and dinner specials at your favorite restaurant, or take advantage of the deals provided by retailers?  Would he want the Holiday to be a day of service, or a day of rest?

 

In pursuit of his Dream, Dr. King probably had few days off.  Fighting for civil rights has no “down time”.  Discrimination and bigotry don’t take holidays.  Dr. King’s dream for us was to have freedom of opportunity in America.  The opportunity to elect those who would serve us best.  The opportunity to be educated at the schools of our choice.  The opportunity to live where ever we wanted to live.  The opportunity to be gainfully employed.  The opportunity to start our own businesses.   The opportunity to pursue our own dreams.

 

Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King is not a singular event.  Instead it is a reminder that pursuing dreams is a 24/7/365 thing.  It does not begin or end on January 15^th.  I believe that Dr. King would want you to live everyday of your existence striving to be all that you can be.  He would encourage you to continually seek and find your purpose.  He would implore you to make sure you make a difference.  Above all, Dr. King would want you to persistently and tirelessly pursue your own dreams Everyday.

 

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