Right Now in Sports and Music

There are somethings that should be left alone. I am very big fan of having fun and it definitely looks like the Head Coach for the mens basketball team at Tennessee is having a great time, but why did we have to be subjected to this performance. This is now the state of entertainment and how much of a joke a once beloved form of music has become. At the risk of sounding like a "Brown Sugar" advertisement, I am really a fan of the mid 1990's and the music that used to be called Hip Hop. I understand that the music industry is a business but the music on the radio now does not do anything for the soul. The leaders of the new school are now selling records with no content, but a lot of great beats, big chains, falling money and of course the perfect women that our culture describes as gold diggers if they hint at the fact they want their man to take care of them. Now women are becoming the bread winner, taking care of the house and being told not to complain. It is a sad state we are in as a culture and a community. We need to change somethings, and this has been the theme of 2009 for so many. I hope this starts a discussion, helps some people make a change and/or gets someone focused on what is really important.

Highlight History

In a year when we have inaugurated the first President of the United State of America of African-America descent, it is important that we understand our history and honor where we have come from as people. So many times, in so many ways, it has been said "If you don't know where you have come from, you can't possibly know where you are going." There is an untold number of pioneers of sport, politics, business, and community service that must be honored by our generation. This article will only play a small part in creating awareness, starting conversations and honoring those who came before me.

President Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America, and a pioneer. He has set an example not only for African-Americans but for all members of all races, nationalities, colors, and creeds, by his example of a larger than life dream, we can all be reminded that in this country, with work, faith, determination and a never ending dream all things can be accomplished. A long road was traveled by this country to elect President Obama to the highest office in this country and the most powerful position in the free world. On September 27, 1827, Hiram Rhodes Revels was born in Fayetteville, Cumberland, N.C. In 1870, HIram was elected to represent Mississippi as a Senator until March 3, 1871. Hiram's service to the United State did not start not end with his senate seat. Prior to becoming senator he served as a chaplain in Mississippi during the Civil War and as secretary of State ad interim of Mississippi in 1873; among other noted accomplishments. A journey that started almost 140 years to date where Hiram Rhodes Revels started as a Republican Senator for Mississippi, Barack Hussein Obama brought the political ascent full circle by taking the Oath of office of the President of the United States on January 20, 2009.

The full circle of ascension does not end with political achievement, there are many areas in which our community has made vast strides and these achievements need to be highlighted. Actors and actresses have played a major part in our assimilation to mainstream America. Hattie McDaniel paved the way for our actresses and actors of today by becoming the first African-American to receive the award for Best Supporting Actress in her role as Mammy in 'Gone With the Wind.' As a trailblazer and a pioneer, Hattie laid the bricks that allowed actors such as Sidney Poitier to win awards and nominations. Revered as one of the greatest actors of all time, Sidney has won over 20 awards for his dedication to his craft and the Film Industry. It is the service of great people, that allows our entertainment moguls and larger than life Hollywood stars of today enjoy success. Sidney won his Oscar award during the heart of the Civil Rights movement when other great men and women were drawing lines in the sand to fast forward progress on a level the masses could relate to.

In Alabama; Martin Luther King, Jr. who is arguably the famous Civil Rights leader this country has ever had the honor of learning from, listening to or reading about started a non-violent movement similar to Ghandi in which he preached the principal of equality among races. Martin Jr. had many accomplishments in his life but one of his most notable was the Nobel Peace Prize that he received at the age of 35, upon notification of this, Dr. King announced he would donate all of prize money to the furtherance of the civil rights movement. Martin was often at odds with the another great civil rights leader, not because of conflicting goals, but the method in which Malcolm X set out to accomplish his goals. As a leader, Malcolm X lived by the philosophy "by any means necessary." This mantra instilled in his followers the desire to bring about the advancement of people of African-American descent, using any and all methods including violence. Malcolm and Martin, like Barack, were search of change and forty years after the civil rights movement change has come with a lot of work yet to be done as a nation and a world. In a global economy where knowledge is power, and money equates to influence many of our superstars have used their status to create paths to success and a legacy to be passed on to the next generation. Oprah Winfrey is well known for her philanthropy work both on her show and around the world and listed at number 8 of the 50 Most Powerful Women in 2008 by Fortune. An inspiration to young women everywhere, her light shined bright enough to lead Tyra Banks to her own daytime television talk show.

Not only in February is history to be highlighted, but every day of every month of every year. Challenge yourself and your friends to learn more, do more, give more, love more and pray more. Differences make us unique and when we come together they make us better. Our future is bright and we are in a place to seize the same success achieved by the founders of this country. The job of our generation is to claim what is ours through smart work and perseverance.

Change the presentation. Change, create, innovate.

Barack Obama used the technology of today to change the politics of yesterday in order to the shape the days of the future. There has been story, after story written about this historical event surrounding the Inauguration of the next President of the United States of America Barack Obama. He is an innovator, a game changer, a pioneer, a role model, and a symbol that in America anything can and will happen if you put in the time and effort. Using our new models of technology including Podcasting, Facebook, Myspace, Iseecolor, etc. Barack Obama created a new game plan for connecting to the American public on a wider scale than any politician in the history of this great nation. There were many doubtful individuals that didn't believe this day would come, when a man of Barack Obama's heritage would occupy the White House. This Campaign, Election and scheduled Inauguration has united people from all walks of life, backgrounds and ethnic groups. Let there be no mistake as voiced by our next President, there is a lot of work that has been done, but there is a great deal yet to do. With corruption in many levels of government, including within state, local, federal and police agencies still prevalent, we must begin in our own community to make the changes necessary to uplift our country in order to insure America remains a World Super Power.

As you go through your day and the American press advertises success is measured in dollars and cents, reshape your thoughts into understanding while money is important, the relationships that you form within your network will be your most important asset. Talk to people, learn more about them, find out what makes them get up everyday, what makes them happy, sad or indifferent. Get out into your community, and speak to the youth of today, be an example of what you want them to be. It is important for Generation Now to understand, you can't ask someone to follow advice you don't use in your own daily routine. As a society, we have seen change in how success is viewed, we all look for the next big "thing." On the Jamie Foxx radio show, I heard Steve Harvey a radio personality and comedian say, "It is better to eat well for 365 days out of the year, than to eat great for 1 day and starve for the rest." To me this means a sustained effort over time will allow for long term success. In many ways, the lessons of life have been taught over and over. When we choose to listen, learn and implement, life as we know it will change. Everyday, I wake up, I will make this world better than I encountered it. There are many ways you can accomplish this daily goal of small change, that will snowball into major accomplishments. These accomplished will be preceded by tipping points that could not have been predicted but in hindsight will be clearly visible. How will you succeed, what change will you effect, whose life will you touch?

Back in Time

A little over four years ago, NBA basketball teams Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons were involved in an altercation dubbed the Malice at the Palace. This was a very serious situation that could have been avoided. As a country here we are 4 years later and in a College game in Providence, the brother of a college player makes his way onto the court with relative ease to confront the referees about what he deemed to be a foul that deserved more severe punishment.

I understand the need for an older brother to protect his younger brother, but this situation could have turned out just as bad as the incident back in the Detroit. It is very interesting that arenas sanctioned by the NCAA to be used for College Basketball games have not increased security to the point where this can't happen. Colleges and Universities enjoy large revenue streams and need to be held accountable. We demand college and professional athletes play hard and perform, it is time we demand better security for all parties involved, including fans.

Good press, Bad Press, All Press

Recently, it came to my attention via a local new broadcast that a young man, 6 years old to be exact missed his school bus. Now, the next part of this story may shock some of you, others may think I am telling a tall tale that was meant for novel in the fiction section of your favorite book store. The young man returned home after missed his bus and commandeered his parents vehicle and proceeded to drive towards school. Now, we can make jokes that the child was trying to do the right thing by going to school, but what does this say about the parents of this enterprising young man? I am not yet fortunate to have the joy of raising a young man or woman, but I think I would have the ability to keep my children from getting behind the driver seat of my car without my permission.

The young man while en rout to school actually had a accident that did not leave him badly injured, but I am sure was enough to shake him up. When asked how he learned to drive, our young friend indicated that his many hours of playing a well know popular video game Grand Theft Auto helped him acquire the skills he used on our public road ways. There are age restrictions on many video games and this is precisely a reason. I am not trying to say a child should not be allowed to play a game with cars as the subject matter, but a game with the subject matter put forth by Grand Theft Auto should not be in the hands of a 6 year old young man. Our children will one day take care of us. Let's all take the time when they are young to take care of them.