Stereo-Typing

A lady dressed in old sweat pants approaches another lady standing next to a newer SUV having mechanical issues, and asks her for money, she's successful. 

Next she approaches a man in jeans, black jacket, cowboy boots and hat, getting out of a car that's not quite as new as the other ladies SUV, and asks him for money too. Again she is successful. 

The lady asking for money is now walking toward my car. However, when she takes a look inside and sees me, she bolts like I'm about to take the money she just received from two other strangers. She thought I was an undercover cop, right? If so why would she go to the next person to pull into the parking lot (right in front if me), an ask them for money? Hmmm... because it was  to Donate to Tammy Time, right? They were all driving down to the shopping center, today, to give her money, right? Yeah that's it. 

Sometimes stereotypes can work to ones advantage. In case anyone's wondering... She could put Caucasian in her box for ethnicity, as to where I couldn't. 

The Weak In Sports...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wZBhuHtA6s

We all have our moments, right? And in those moments we seem to get through each one, correct? I feel as though I can justify that statement by saying one thing; if you're reading this now then you, like me, have overcome something at one point or another in your lifetime.

Overcoming adversity, out smarting the competition, that's what fashions ones heart to acknowledge the greatness of sports. I am a sports fan from way back, but the sporting world has, from decade to decade, and year to year, changed. I enjoy anything competitive. I'd watch UCLA beat up USC in the thumb wrestling collegiate national championship if there was such a thing. I just love a good competition. However, I have to admit the one thing that turns me off is a tainted title. Sosa and McGuire, "Marion" Jones and Lance Armstrong, to me all huge let downs.

Lance Armstrong led the way for my decline in watching cycling. I still love to ride, but do not watch with near the enthusiasm as I once did, because of the tainted titles. Lance dealt a devastating blow to a few communities. In his cheating, he not only cheated the cycling world, but the great people and companies (Trek, Bontrager, and others) that manufactured bikes for him to compete earnestly, the honest competitors (few and far between seeing how asterisks plague the 7 years he has been forced to vacate), and the millions of cycling fans worldwide, but most of all Lance let down the community that battles cancer. Is that to say that they should give up hope, and no longer continue to fight, or even abandon "Livestrong?" Absolutely not! But the cheating knocked the wind out of a lot of good people.

Lance at that time was the 7 time, Tour de France champion, and championed Livestrong in the fight against cancer. People believed in him. People with cancer found hope through Lance. The people believed in their superman cyclist because he (Lance) fought and overcame every obstacle; the competition, the terrain, the elements, and his biggest rival and main foe, cancer! Then after years of investigating, things turned sour. Lance confessed to cheating through transfusions, and admitted that he took banned substances, and was denounced as the world's greatest cyclist of all time. The USADA finalized their investigation, and Lance went from hero to near zero, and was almost immediately labeled the biggest fraud in cycling history. With that turn of events, what would come next? Would his tribe and sponsors stay with a liar, stay with a fake, or would his community and remaining sponsors if any remained, try and understand his reasons for cheating and being human, or would they spimply abandon a liar, and a cheat? Lance's cheating was done while in competition, and costs him all 7 of his titles, fortune, and fame. Now let's take a peek at another example of drugs devastating the sports world, and look at the out of competition struggles of doping.

Do you remember, as Celtics fans, when Len Bias fatally OD'ed? That was a tragedy that I will not soon forget, if ever. I am as anti-Celtic as any "true" Lakers fan, but I am human first, and the humanitarian inside of me cringes with the memory of the news of Len Bias' heart succumbing to the nefarious, toxic ways of cocaine. Len Bias' death was as difficult as it was painful to hear. Len Bias' death was a most traumatic event to his family (both at home and on the court). It was tragic to come to the reality that such a great, young talent was gone way too soon.

Switching gears yet again, I turn to the here and now, and to the UFC. Mixed martial arts, like boxing has to adhere to the rules and regulations of the athletic commission when fighting within certain countries, provinces, or states. They like most professional sports have a list of banned substances. I mentioned the lethal usage of cocaine in the Len Bias tragedy, and now turn to Jon Jones usage of cocaine. Jon Jones was fortunate. Jon Jones was blessed not to fall victim to the same fate that Mr. Bias did. Jon (aka Bones) Jones in an interview (see above video), talked about the older guy in competition being unfair in using PED's (specifically TRT), and said that they (the older more experienced guys), should go home and raise their families and leave the sport if they had to cheat to compete. Once again, Bones Jones should count his blessings, because first of all, he still has life to enjoy, a life to spend with his family (a precious daughter), and team family. With the mention of his team, that leads me to the second point in counting his blessings. Jon Jones is still the champ, and was not even suspended, so he is still at the top of his division, and still making money to support his family, and speaking as a proud papa, still take care of that baby girl, his primary blessing. Therefore, with the proper management, and self-discipline, Bones could bounce back just as awesome if not newer and more improved than he was before the finding of drugs in his system on December 4th, 2105.

With all that said, I now ask you, what's worse, taking a performance enhancing drug, or taking a drug that's totally illegal anywhere in the country, and most of the free world? I am one that believes in second chances, but I also believe in justice. Bones has already had trouble in his young career, so is his voluntary admission into rehab a lesson learned, or another slap on the wrist that encourages him to fake his way through this fiasco until something fatal takes place for him as well? I say this in reference to his abusing of alcohol that contributed to the destruction of his new Bentley shortly after his winning the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Sadly enough, (if I recall correctly and I am humble enough to be corrected if incorrect), Bones was fined heavier for his skirmish with Daniel Cormier prior to their actual bout at UFC 182 than he was for the DUI incident. I pray that the rehab is truly rehab for Jon Jones, and that this is not just another cover up to help him walk into his next set back. The last thing that I want is for a child (possibly his own) that finds hope in Jon Jones to be as disgusted as I have been with the sporting world, and to a point of not even caring about sports. I used to embrace a challenge of any good, clean competition, and now I find myself sitting and waiting for the news of the next drug scandal, the next asterisk, or next title stripping. The unfortunate thing in all of this, is that doping, and drug use will continue for as long as there is an audience that doesn't care that it (doping, and drug abuse) exists. So long as there is cash flow, there is show flow. How many chances are you willing to give competitive sports? How long are you willing to stay away until the competition is true, clean competition? I won't be holding my breath, but I will be praying. My heart continues to go out to those in the fight against cancer, drug abuse, and alcoholism. Be blessed, and keep counting your blessings.

Love Thy Who?

KKK billboard says, 'It's not racist' http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2015/01/01/dnt-billboard-causes-controversy.kolr.html

This billboard is like having Rush Limbaugh doing a remake of "Do The Right Thing," (a Spike Lee movie), make it concerning his own version of race relations within his hometown, and calling it, "Do The Right Wing." 

Instead of Public Enemy doing the theme song of "Fight the Power," it'd be Public Enema doing "White's the Power."

Imperfectly thinking here we go:

Love thy neighbor as thyself, unless they're not your people. Thats how that goes, correct? Is it fair, or just to say too, that that's not racist? 

Forgive the imperfect one, Lord, but I missed the latter half of that verse in Your Holy Word. So to whom should the imperfect Christian call his people? Everyone?! Wow! Even those that don't act like they know that they too belong to You, Lord? Ok, the imperfect loves all people just not all of some people's ways. The imperfect one praises You for the lesson Holy One, and now apartheid (of the imperfect Christian's soul, mind, and body), is dead and freedom is much more abound. Thank You. 

All I Don't Want For Christmas

Ginger Bread met Hugh Morris just before Christmas one year. They had been friends for awhile, but had not seen each other for years. Ginger asked what Hugh would like for Christmas, and Hugh said, that he was content with whatever. 

Ginger then asked, "What kind of underwear do you wear?" 

Hugh said, "depends..." 

And the moral of this story is... See title and pic. 

Want To See Inside A Prison?

Some people are locked in their own minds. Held captive by their belief, sealed behind the vault of a closed mind. You are about to meet some of them now. 

Follow me please. We will walk down the long hall, where the floors are polished, and the gray concrete appears to be as slick as it has the potential to be icy cold. We pass a series of heavy cast (steel or iron) doors, some slam shut with each repeating the apothegm of, "you're now at our mercy." The officer escorts us for the remaining portion of our journey and it is there we meet individuals from all walks of life. In a snug room with few tables tightly fit, men sit along each one either begin their studies or await instructions. Some individuals are mature enough to belong to the geriatric setting, while others are young enough to be fresh out of high school. Some are Caucasian, some are of African ancestry, some with lots of hair, some balding, some bearded, some clean shaven, and others in between. It is then that one of the younger in between's calls out, "Hey... Hey... Excuse me, Mr. Obama!"

The facilitator lifts his head and eyes turning to the gentleman calling for his attention, and replies with a lighthearted laugh, "Did you just call me Mr. Obama?" 

"Yeah," he replies, "I can't remember your name, and it's different, like 'Obama.'"

Another man laughs out loud saying, "Man he wrote his name on the board and how to pronounce it!" 

The other men  I.  laugh at the first man as well now. 

The first man, with a sly grin on his face says, "That word with the 'w/' next to the letter, and plus sign next to those other letters is how to say his name?! Man I thought that was algebra, or something!"

Needless to say, that earned a boisterous laugh from the entire group, even the facilitator, aka "Mr. Obama." 

How is it that I cannot seem to escape the connection to this man? I have to admit that I have mixed emotions concerning that connection. Association with the intellect, and articulation is great. Association with the humanitarian in a person is also great. Association with a politician... not always so great. 

Speaking of politicians and humanitarians. Some men will seek to help you as they help themselves, while others will look to get one over on you, and do not desire to work hard and make a change. They only want to help themselves, and not due to hard work either. Those are the imprisoned, and don't plan on leaving that prison even after they leave the facility. What do I mean by that? 

Some men that are incarcerated actually look forward to earning their diploma, getting their GED, rightfully obtaining their freedom. Others are stuck in the mindset, of having to get rich, quick, or die trying. The sad thing is, that their attempt and dying from trying is most likely going to be a long painful death. It is a death that kills a families spirit, it kills morale, and it kills freedom. That individual ends up back in prison, on lock down, and in most cases incarcerated for several years. They are prisoners of an inescapable prison, the reprobate mind. 

You have now encountered my walk into prison. My walk out is something like this: my Christmas wish and prayer is that all that walked that hallway with me just now counted each step. That you counted each step as though you were blind, that you listened to every door slam shut a little more intently, and that you felt the variance of temperature through each corridor in the same manner. That as you now enter the gatehouse with me, you can see the officer at the controls, and understand that he or she will assist us to obtain our freedom again, just as each man in the room that we just left looks to us and their instructors to obtain their mental and educational freedom. As we walk out together I pray that you thank him/her, as I do, for assisting us to exit. I pray that you'll join me in also in praying that as we help these men obtain their education that they will use it to better themselves and better serve our communities, their communities, our state, our nation, our world. Lord, free our minds, so the rest will follow... Amen. 

(Love myself some, En Vogue)! 

What Does It Matter?

This is a birthday blog for a very special lady, on a very special day. God graced us with a leader on this day. A leader that has ambition, compassion, and intelligence. A woman that I am proud of, and her name is Candace Tiana. 

Candace you remind me that the struggle for a woman's rights didn't end in the 60's. You remind me that Rosa Parks didn't sit or take a stand alone. So what difference does it make if I don't write this blog or vote? 

The difference is that if I don't exercise my rights, I may very well lose my rights. 

If Mrs. Parks hadn't taken her stand, it would have to be a Candace Tiana. Then Candace Tiana would have to be someone else, perhaps my baby girl in 2030 or there about? 

So thank you Candace for continuing to make a stand, I hope more women take a stand with you, and pursue their education, their passion, their rights!

With this I conclude, women (not just stemming from African ancestry either), do you want equal pay? Do you want equal rights? Do you want a voice? 

A group of men voted because enough of you women were heard! Do you think things would've changed if Harry Thomas Burn, Sr of the Tennessee General Assembly hadn't taken heed from his mother and braved the actions of others and voted in favor of a woman's right to vote? So yes, it does indeed matter!

If they had been silent the silence would have remained. 

Candace I applaud your work, your drive, and your inspiring ways. I love you Madame Senator! I hope to see you in office soon! 

Happy Birthday!

Lessons In Life

Image courtesy Richard Davenport and The Primitive Quartet

There were two men that made a huge impact on my life during my years in the music industry. They were/are Doyle Lawson and Norman Wilson. I read today, on Mr. Lawson's Facebook page, that Norman Wilson had passed away. 

These two men will always have a huge impact on my life for one simple reason, they were genuine in their compassion. When they asked you how you were doing, they were sincere. Mr. Lawson NEVER made one visit to our facility when he didn't stop by my office to check on me. Wait, I stand corrected, there was the one time that he was rushed and had to leave as quickly as he came in. He came in on the next visit shortly there after and apologized for being in such a rush an talked with me for a good bit. Doyle Lawson is more than a true professional, he is a true humanitarian that cares for people (especially those that are lost), he is a true Christian. When Doyle Lawson leaves a room, his spirit remains and bears witness to the Holy Spirit. His ethic, his drive, his will to make others around him better. I am forever inspired by Doyle Lawson. He taught me a great deal in a short time. The wonderful post that he shared today has taught me a great deal. 

Then there was Mr. Norman Wilson. Wow! He was an inspiration, not a member of the Southern Gospel group (it's ok to smile there), but a true inspiring soul. Mr. Norman stood with me outside one day, prayed with me, and I prayed for him. Mr. Norman prayed for me. He came to my office, and he and Mr. Reagan Riddle (another Primitive member), sat in the break room and had coffee as they shared with me. Mr. Norman took me outside one day. The sun was bright, the air a bit cool, and Mr. Norman had another cup of hot coffee in hand. He looked at me, and said something close to this: 

I know good people, and I know good intentions. That's what makes a true Christian. 

Then the man that looked YEARS younger than he actually was, and had a man's man of a hand shake looked at me with tears in his eyes, and said; 

You're a good one, and I know God has big plans for you. Your intentions are genuine. I know your prayer was earnest. 

Mr. Norman Wilson taught me a new lesson in humility, a lesson in good and true intentions. I began to tear as well when he opened up to me and I apologized. 

He said, I see the real you, don't apologize for that. Then he asked me what made us as Chrisrians. "Why do we do what we do? Why do we put our entire paycheck in the collection plate? Is it to impress another individual or our church, or do we do it for the betterment of the Kingdom, do we do it for Gods' glory? What are our intentions." 

God please show Mr. Norman my intentions now in this article. Show him that I was listening to You, through him. 

I will miss a great Christian man and his family is most definitely in my prayers. The Primitive Quartet comsists of not only great musicians, but great families. My heart goes out to the Primitive family and the Wilson family. God bless you all.  

"Travis what separates us from others is our intentions!" Norman Wilson