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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Only One Nelson Mandela Will Pass This Way

As the world recognizes the passing of Nelson Mandela, the tributes narrate how this former South African president’s life changed the world.  Superlatives such as courageous, brave, passionate, compassionate, intelligent, and inspirational have all been used to describe Nelson Mandela’s life, but there was one statement that caught my attention.  One tribute suggested that “there will never be another Nelson Mandela”.  And that is true; there never will be because that is how the Creator planned it.

When Nelson Mandela was born into his earthly existence, the plan of what his life would become was already in place.  Though challenged with obstacles that would crumble most, Mandela was given a strength that allowed him to endure.  The impact he had on the world for his 95 years is exactly what the Creator planned.  The same can be said for others whose presence on this earth has inspired us.  There will only be one Ali; one Martin Luther King; one Rosa Parks, one Desmond Tutu, one Gandhi.  We can learn from their writings.  We can admire their courage.  We can emulate their behaviors, but the reality is that these people only pass this way once.  They are placed here to serve their purpose.

And so, the passing of President Mandela should prompt each if us to seek the purpose that the Creator has planned for us.  Your purpose may not have world-wide ramifications, but it might make your family better.  It might make your neighborhood or community better.  What you do may inspire others, young or old, to be all that they can be.  Connect with the Creator to find your purpose; then rely on the strength given to you by the Creator to fulfill your purpose, because there will never be another you.

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CHRISTMAS SPIRIT VS. CHRISTMAS COMMERCIALISM

The argument about Christmas Spirit vs. Christmas Commercialism is not new.  Retailers have forever been seducing shoppers at Christmas time with all kinds of deals and specials.  Most often it was a sideshow that only temporarily distracted humans from the real Spirit of Christmas.  But today, it seems as though Christmas Commercialism, for many, is what Christmas is all about.

There is no doubt that the power of Christmas Spirit has long impacted the family of man.  Humans, generally, treat one another friendlier during this time of year.  Wars stop because of Christmas.  People give to the less fortunate in a spirit of kindness.  Christmas has an enduring universal power that makes most humans, regardless of religious beliefs or practices, understand that caring for one another is simply the right thing to do.

Christmas Commercialism attempts to create its own power.  For many retailers and their media cohorts, it’s all about getting the consumer to spend.  They promise deals on items that they know won’t be in the store.  They create “scheduled” specials designed to manipulate your time.  This is nothing new; it has gone on for years.

The problem, as I see it, is that the consumer is starting to drink the cool-aid more and more.  People leave their Thanksgiving dinner tables to go shop instead of sharing family history and stories.  People camp out overnight to be one of the first in line to get that big-screen TV that will only last until next Christmas.  People are mean and rude to one another fighting over shopping carts, parking spaces, and that last item on the shelf.  They cuss at one another, they become physical with one another, they disrespect one another, not because of the Christmas Spirit, but because of Christmas Commercialism.

The retailers are not going to change.  Their souls were lost a long time ago.  However, as humans, we have the power to determine how we respond.  We need to remember that Christmas is about peace on earth and goodwill to all, not charging credit cards to the max then taking the next year to pay them off.

Somehow I don’t think that when (or if) you get to the Pearlie Gates, St. Peter is going ask you about that deal you got on that TV.

 

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