After about two decades after his birth my son’s mother told me that he was becoming more like me. He has her smile, countless other characteristics from her too, both blending nature and nurture. We separated when he was about five with her having full custody. I got weekly visits and separate annual vacations. Debating nature […]
learn moreBack in 2003 I watched a documentary on PBS called Race and the Power of Illusion. It brought back many memories of my life as a black man in America. It also dredged up many sensitive feelings I had and have regarding America’s major cog of racism; color. Growing up in the 20th century civil […]
learn moreIt is 2016 and in the contested racial relationship between black and white Americans there are three basics for blacks that need to be clearly reestablished in the 21st century. 1. America is not in a post civil rights era American civil rights bills and affirmative action from the last century serve as iconic accomplishments […]
learn moreTime and time again especially in the African American community we here elders in particular say the following. If you don’t know where you came from you’ll have difficulty knowing where you are going. Our forefathers in African America have placed a number of historic benchmarks to help present and future black citizens know where […]
learn moreAfrican American Registry existed before the first black president in America and I recall advice given to me by a very smart and successful black woman. It came during a video interview for our ‘Voices That Guide Us’ narratives. She admired our mission and intent. Especially our educational works being factually astute and blending oral […]
learn moreWhen my mother passed away I received many cards, phone calls of condolences from family and friends. One that still comes to mind 25 years later is that she was “My Oldest Friend.” She was not any more or less important to me than your mother was (is) to you but I bring her up […]
learn morePhrases like “It takes a village to raise a child” are often used as a metaphor for old school neighborhoods, how our black ancestors lived and a romanticized past that many want back. In 2016, sometimes the village/community phrase feels like a cliché for African America. Its not to say this can’t be done but […]
learn moreWhat is character? If you look up the actual definition via Merriam-Webster, 2a: one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. 2c: the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation. Now take a minute and think about what you believe to be […]
learn moreWell, it finally happened. A gay man came out as a basketball player. Wait, I’m sorry, a basketball player came out as a gay man. Amidst the growing climate change that is the Civil Rights Movement’s current struggle, Equality for Gays, Jason Collins’ coming out literally helped the conversation move from behind closed doors out […]
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