Sports and life parallel

First, I would like to introduce myself. I consider myself a real sports connoisseur. I'm 35 years old and since the age of 10 I have been a avid sports fan. I read about it, watch and have done so for the better part of 25 years. As a child being immature and ignorant to the way the world works I simply cheered for my favorite teams/players and called it a day. But, through trying to be a big boi and sitting around with my dad, uncles, older brother and older men in general I learned I could hold my own regarding sports knowledge and information. At around 12 years old, they would be amazed that I even knew about teams and players that performed at a time when I wasn't even born yet. I did my study and research. The one thing I didn't really understand was social acceptance and the politics that went on regarding sports. Through my dealings with old school guys who followed the game for years I started to focus in on those things. Again, I was still a kid so there was only so much to learn without real world experience.

What I mean is this, once I got a job and started working I could see some of the things that my uncles and dad spoke of. Whites had privilege, and they advanced quicker and whenever they had equal ability or close they easily leap fogged over you. With that real world experience under my belt, in sports I noticed that the Larry Birds, Babe Ruth, Jack Nicholas, Jimmy Connors, Steve Largent and Joe Montana's of the world were held to a lesser standard than blacks but they received more attention, less scrutiny and more money than black counterparts.

As time passed and sports became more popular there was really no way to limit black players as done in the past simply because the public wanted to see them and pay top dollar to do so. We then began to see blacks make equal and even more money than whites. We saw something we never thought we'd see on a regular basis and that's black quarterbacks in football because a quarterback is like the leader/CEO of a football team and having a Negro there never seemed really an option.

Give white owners this much credit, they can focus on one color consistently and that’s the color of money. And, just like in society where you saw black men and black women start to hold more positions of authority things were changing and rather rapidly. Something changed though and I'm not sure how to explain it but it seems we have gotten a certain level, or should let me put it this way, we relaxed.

For some apparent reason we forget we work for the corporations and not own them. Same in business, and sports because sports is big business. All this brings me to some serious issues in the black community. I have many examples, Michael Jordan retired from basketball came to Birmingham Alabama & played baseball, he was asked numerous times to visit inner city black schools yet he refused but went out to grey stone and rich white areas and visited. Now for me I've never been a Michael Jordan fan because he was always a white man's champion because they made so much money off him hence the term million dollar slave. Mike set the ground work to be publicly bought out, & to basically sell your sold for the almighty dollar. Jordan as a player I have great respect because he was great to watch and a player with great work ethic on the court but it never seem he stood for anything and for black people that was a huge loss. Many young black players have followed in his footsteps and attained the almighty dollar yet do nothing of significance with the millions they earn. Not this does not apply to all athletes just most of them. Bentleys, Cadillac’s and clothes seem to be the focal of the black dollar.

It seems to be black people are living their lives walking backwards & only see the light when they are lying face down on the concrete with the flashlight of a policeman shining in their face.
Sports and entertainment are billion dollar industries in this country. I grew up jamming to Prince and Michael Jackson, laughing at Eddie Murphy and cheering Magic Johnson.
Now these are mega icons and look at how they all have fell. Only Magic has seemingly put the pieces back together (Strong upbringing had mother & father). Seems like these guys loose sight that your skin color doesn’t change with a bigger bank account and it has sent an awful message to our youth. That meaning our youth feels that if they can attain the 6 figure salary, play golf and live in their neighborhood they have arrived.

Ever heard of the crab mentality? Well black folk got it big time. Let me ask you this question, if you are 6'7 245lbs strikingly handsome why do you feel the need to attend nightlife wearing God awful distasteful jewelry(in my opinion) saddle yourself with large posies and accessorize your car to make it look like it needs to be in a funny car show? My point here is why do you need more attention in many times places where everyone already knows who you are? My opinion of the situation is this, as black people we are taught to be better than the next black man and do everything in our power to make that known. Hence is why blacks in sports showboat every time the do something of significance, dancing wolfing in another guys face or simply just clowning. They made a great play but they need more attention. As a kid I was a huge rap fan. The likes of Heavy D, LL Cool J, Curtis Blow(I still sing basketball) MC Lyte, JJ FAD, Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Public Enemy to name a few have been replaced with 50 Cents, Lil Wayne, Master P, LIL Kim, Jackie O are a few of the new artists. Do you understand what they are rapping about? It's garbage point blank every album talks about the same thing, every video has basically the same topic and format, I mean Birdman's videos have plenty of jewelry, or ice as they call it, half naked women and they talk about how much better they are then you and how they can take your woman/wife based on that. You can then see 8-9 year old boys & girls singing the lyrics about how niggas and hoes aint nothing. I also grew up on the O'jays, Gap Band, Prince, Jody Whatley, New Edition, High Five and these groups have been replaced with R.Kelly, Ciara, Adina Howard, Genuwine to name a few. No more do you hear stuff like you are my darlin darlin baby or can you remember the lyrics to adore by Prince? Now you have there ain't nothing wrong with a little bump and Grind, you are my little secret by Xscape which focues on affairs where a woman you are sleeping with can be in the same room as your wife/girfriend and the two of you can get off by the fact she doesn't even have a clue to what's going on. There is no romance or love in the lyrics. No morality or respect and the music videos give you the images of these raunchy songs and lyrics and we wonder why we are in the state we are in. Why do we need to wonder why our children are so irresponsible and marriages melt faster than ice cream.

Our athletes grow up listening to this crap then, when they make it they do everything in their power to make people keep looking at them. They are role models right? We like to focus on The Michael Vicks, Barry Bonds, Kobe Bryant, Ray Lewis, Sean Combs, OJ Simpson, Michael Jackson of the world when they fall on hard times. But answer this how is it 90% of the time something negative happens in sports it involves a minority? Just like on the street, where as big as this world is seems like 90% of felons are minorities. For some odd reason we still can't add up the math on how the worlds works for minorities. As kids we have to have brand jordan, sean john, hillfigure, phat farm and any other name brand to prove our self worth. That's what our favorite stars carry themselves so that's what we try and emulate. Have as many women, and cars and get as much money as possible. Yet where is Jesus? Why not spend your down time trying to talk or be with your family wife and trying to do something positive. Free country right? No law against being out at 3am or have 5-12 children by a host of different women.

Our black men are failing miserably and have been for many years and now is just the end result, as a black man I know I am doing nothing to make the lives of other blacks better nor do I see or have I really seen it around me. All we care about is ourselves and God is nowhere in our life. Seems to me as I heard on a syndicated radio show by a white guy name Colin Cowherd that people(blacks) seem to find Jesus once incarcerated, he then proclaimed for all of you that have been looking for Jesus for generations that Jesus can be found on the prison yard lifting weights. And when we fall on very hard times then we want to make Jesus that focal point. Go figure. Aids is ravaging our community yet RKelly is giving you 2 millions ways to grind on a girl you don't know in the club and coming up with more ingenious ways though music videos to glorify debauchery, fornication and adultry. And trust me in the black music industry he ain't alone! So for all you black men blaming black women look in the mirror, across the street, in the next cubicle and look at what that black man is doing and all you black women try doing the same. We ain't doing nothing but living a dream that wasn't meant for us and never will work for us. Black women are equally as awful running their mouths to their men in such a arrogant disrespectful which is like writing checks with no bank account. Then wonder why the end result is a short order of a knuckle sandwich. How can we have respect for each when our culture teaches the disrespect of each other.

We go to worship God simply to show off our new Benz, SUV, Kenneth Cole shoes, coach bags, big diamond rings(live on TV like Ms Juanita Bynum) Jimmy Choo shoes etc....Attend our mega churches as a fad instead of trying to heed the word and teach the world, develop more bible study. No but we come up with new clubs to hang at give our bottom dollar will sell our bodies and soul to be an AKA, Alpha or Kappa because that means you are better then the next. Parties, women adulation from men and women when they see you coming with your frat gear on. Yet what are you carrying for Christ? You may read this and say I'm negative or have been scared or even angry. I am none of the above just calling it like I see it. Black’s folks are failing miserably for the most part, again not all of us just MOST of us. In my mind there is no hope but I believe in Jesus as he died for the sins that we create so there is always hope it's just bleak. Dr King stated to judge a man by his character, if our black women started doing that there would be a responsible father/Husband in the house instead of so many fathers in name only. If you really read the title of this blog and look at our world you will see, realize and understand how sports and Life do parallel.

Chained by Negative Expectations pt II

As we are addressing new and Old issues, I have been pondering more and more why we have so many negativity issues and things amongst our own. I addressed in an earlier piece the the negative expectations that we have and even subscribe to today. I only hope that through enlightenment we can squash the negative connotations, stereotyping, and overall ignorant views and lack of understanding that seems to flood our young impressionable children, young adults and even adults. I would love to say that in my lifetime, I have never subscribed to these things. However; even I have been a victim and advocate of the foolishness and ignorance that has plagued our community. The interesting facts about this is that it seems to be our own influences that feed this beast of destruction. I know that it is a lot to have to contend with these days from the downfall in overall family values, systematic programming of our youth, lack of rehabilitation of those who have been institutionalized by the corrupt penal system, to the growing information ... resources that we all have access to. It has been on my mind for some time now and even though I wish that I could lead a more powerful movement than any minority or majority movement to come through this country since its inception, it will be difficult because as I have heard so often .... "Enlightenment and Truth are boring. " We have to get that mentality out of our minds. It is not enough to educate ourselves but leave our brothers and sisters in ignorance. I know I speak from a minority point of view but it does not exclude the majority because one day they will be a minority too.....
We should give our youth an example of how to fight to get to the " so called promise land" and not just set examples of conforming and running from the current problems. I know you may ask what I mean by running ... well here is what I see daily. We show that we do not want to take care of our own COMMUNITIES, NEIGHBORS, CHILDREN.... but We do show how fast we can run if problems arise. When we do this, we do not have the forsight to see the negative impact that we are having .... again .... chained to negative expectations...
So now we wonder why we are having so many problems with our younger folks in our communites ... I mean what are we expecting when there are more positive influences running from our communities .... If your whole life was filled with people that you saw in a positive light leaving you .... HOW WOULD YOU REACT? Then when this happens, we then point the finger at everyone else and blame the world (white America) ( Hip Hop) ( Drugs) etc. well I know some areas may not be what we see as great places ... but lets stop for a moment and think why not? hmmmmm........ well that is another subject ....
In retrospect, we should look at the negative impacts the moves made for the so called advancement of the people.... taking money from minority businesses to spend with the majority ... to integrate ... well forced integration is no better... taking money from our scools and much needed resources and educators ... Lets be honest ... HOW MUCH BETTER CAN SCHOOLS GET IF WE DO NOT INVEST IN THEM ...
Ask yourself the question when you are alone. Am I a slave to my wants .... or do I satisy my needs?

Young William
Leader and Philosopher
Knowledge is Power and to share Knowledge is to Empower

Decision 2008 ... No choice may be the best choice

Decision 2008, what a choice we will have to make. I am growing increasingly eager to see where this decision will take us in the upcoming year. I am not inclined to say either way which way I may choose However, I have been brushing up on the candidates and I just began to wonder where all the good candidates have gone.... As if we have ever had any ... Then I began to think about how much of a landmark this election could become ... an African American ( if you classify him as such ) lets just say ... Barack and Hillary on the same ticket .... a woman and a confused mixed heritage. Wow... how much has changed since the beginning of my young life ... When I was born, I know we would not have a minority and a woman running for president in a world run by the Anglo Saxons ... I mean you know ... "impure Pure bloods " that is what I will say .... I am inclined to say that I will not be force fed the same lines by everyone ... I am a fundamental christian with christian morals ... even Bush said that and he probably has lead one of the bloodiest non-essential wars of our time .... but the more I grow and see these individuals running a race of popularity with no definite platform that stands out to me .... Oh yeah ... we are running a race of HOPE.... Well that may be true ... but I assure you that hope does not fix the financial woes that this country is facing right now. I can even bet that HOPE will not fix the issues that we are having with the growing violence amongst our youth ... and or the drug problems that seem to constantly invade our neighborhoods .... As a matter of fact .... how much of the same rhetoric ... I am for the people must I hear or digest until I am overrun with the same garbage I take out to the curb... There is no way you can be for the common man when the common man did not come to your $5,000.00 a plate fundraising celebration .... better yet .... I am supposed to love a candidate because they come to my church and preach a sermon ... or refer to my savior in fiery rhetoric to insight a movement amongst the people just because you show up at a civil rights historic site and state how much you love your African American Heritage.
What is the point anymore .... Then I read the papers and see that they are all up to the same old thing .... attacking every one's integrity as if that shows that you have integrity .... Give me a break .... I love to see a person with good morals as much as much as the next man ... but please make a case for issues that are pressing in our communities ... etc. etc. We can start as small as setting up judicial committees to look into the robbing of our own .... through the current tax system or even look into the illegal lending tactics that has cause the crisis with mortgage lending etc. But please look at the issues and not just being popular .... anyone can smile and go to church with a rehearsed speech and make it look as if we mean what we say....

Just a thought .... only a thought

Young William

IF we have a voice ... why not express that which we believe.....

Lessons for the future

We sometimes forget that just because our income level changes or our zip code becomes more elite that we are not subject to the same laws as anyone else in the States. It almost seems as if we are just as bad off when we start living the dream because then we become more scurtinized for the small things that we do. Don't get me wrong, breaking the law is no small endeavor. It is no laughing matter either. I do not condone anyone living lawlessly no matter what tax bracket that you are in. I do want to say that it does make me ponder why ... we would send the Feds to pick up and prosecute someone for what could be deemed as misconduct detrimental to society ... but we will not send the Feds into war raveged areas of our most crime infested inner cities. We say that we want justice and we want to clean up our streets but are we really trying to clean up our streets or are we just targeting big names to put cases on.

This goes back to my first point. Are we really any different just because our area code has changed. I would love to think that we would be judged differently with or without the fame... However if we are committing crimes against our own ... I have seen the punishment even less severe or Sever enough .. until we let these violent offendors out due to overcrowding or better yet ... I belive just so that they can bring their rehabilitated minds back to a society in which they have not been given the proper resources to become contributing members of society.

I will say that no matter what we do ... or how we live or have lived .... we will always be judged based on the things that we have done in the immediate. Especially in the world that is so media driven and with the extensive media outlets so close, we definitely need to concentrate on who we deal with and what we do outside of the closed doors of our homes. This case along with others in the media today have enlightened me to know that no matter what happens in our lives there will always be that one incident that can bring us back to the mirror .... and then only then do we realize that I am still viewed in a negative light only because of where I came from...

Young William

Leader and Philosopher

Remember we can rise as a unit, but we will fall as individuals

Chained by Negative Expectations pt I

Bound by what seems an unjust past and an undetermined future. Although I have vowed to learn the past and control the present in order to secure my future, I have thought for some time that I would be a victim of my surroundings or my unwanted dependency for the socialistic themes that have not only defined the path that most walk on, but has enslaved so many Free Men. We are so consumed with the artificial world that... as I look deeper into the eyes of my youth I see them driven and consumed by confusion and lack of awareness. We are the epitome of the evolution of ignorance... and the expectation that we get more and more ignorant with each generation.

I am not attempting to say that we expect our youth to be ignorant, but I do know that we are being lead to the well of destruction with no resistance. I can't determine exactly what has brought us to this point ... or even has blinded us as we walk toward the destruction of a race of what would have been at one point in history ... the line of Kings and Queens ... but how can we become true royalty when we have been diverted by expectation of being impoverished. It is in itself a travesty for me to look out in my daily struggle for knowledge and understanding only to see what is deamed as an acceptble mentality of a generation of youth headed for the destruction of an entire race (genocide) .... I do not like to refer to myself or my loved people as endangered ... but with what I have seen ... from the infultration of two to three generations with drugs etc. Genocide .... wow ... how could we allow the total devistation of the black family structure... all the way into the future from the not so distant past. This is in no way complete ... only an introduction into the bleak yet bright future (only bright for those who become aware) ... for the youth in our community...

Young William

Leader::Philosopher
Knowledge is Power and to share Knowledge is to Empower

NAACP (New Association for Advancement of Certain People)

Reading headline after headline and watching as so many youth are becomming targets whether they have committed crimes or have been wrongfully accused of crimes just simply sometimes drives me to become angry. Now realizing that I have become angry, I wonder why am I angry when I see that in some places we simply have no voice and are subject to treatment that is not deserving of some animals. But then again even PETA... stands up and fights for them (all of them not just those in certain tax brackets) as we can see with the media coverage of certain events in which I do not want to speak about because there has been too much negative press already. It does however concern me that as I read the headlines and look at the leaders that I am supposed to so-called respect because they are instrumental in the "PRESERVATION" of 'civil liberties' in this country and were even more instrumental in aiding with the civil rights legislation and removal of the boudaries we faced for so long. Now having said that ... I am grateful that this occurred. Although this group fought for everyone at the time, now it seems as if they are only concerned with aiding when it looks good for their political agenda or it will gain national attention. I am all for the advancement of any man whether he be rich or poor black or white, asian or hispanic, Islamic or christian. I am a bit on the disgruntled side though ... and it is simply because We will fight for rehabilitation and not punishment for a Prominent individual, but not for fair and just treatment of those that are not so prominent. I am speaking of the individuals that can not afford the propper legal representation or even can not afford to speak out for fear they may lose the little that they have ... so they must endure until their voice can be heard. I would love to say that this process is not entirely true ... but in observing recent and past events .... it has become more evident that we are losing .... and believe me this is not just a black and white issue or even an issue involving any racial boundry at this point ..... or at least I will not make that this point of my editorial. If you are an organization that is for the ADVANCEMENT of the civil liberties of people ... then people should encompas all men, women, and children and not just those who have made it and are living millions of our dreams ... The dream was not to pick and choose which men and women walk amongst each other and be judged by character ... but all men and women.


Young William
Philosopher and Leader
Knowledge is Power and To Share Knowledge is to Empower ...

Missing:: America :: Last seen 9-10-2001

Well, today there are a lot of issues that could be addressed internally, here in this land of "Freedom ". For instance, the more that I stay up on the current events of the days past and to come. I am becoming less likely to possess rights that were laid out in the constitution. As if I had any rights at all as Freed Men from the Heart of Dixie. that is another topic all together.... Well at least now a days with the rising efforts to thwart terrorism, it seems that my life which was private does not seem so private anymore. I have been looking as the Patriot Act has come full circle, along with other bills being past by congress that are overstepping the boundaries that I thought I had separating me from the common criminal. Now as I look into the news, I see more privacy rights that were guaranteed by the founders becoming extinct or dwindling away. I am not sure what it is like in other democracies, but it is getting so now that even our voices are being stifled by the majority that is a minority. Outstanding right. What happened to Free Speech, the right to your own beliefs, right to privacy, and our fundamental right to be individuals.....? What happened? With all that is going on in the world, I can see some things ..., but when is enough, enough.... They will be telling us what to where and how to think before long ... as if they are not now... I love my country and the place where I have lived for the majority of my life (Alabama The Beautiful) ... but how beautiful will it be if I can not even voice my opinion without fear of losing my job. Don Imus .... and others .... not saying that what they say is right ... I am just saying that I do wish to have the ability to find my Missing America wherever she has traveled and left ... and hopefully she has not been defiled by those that wish to turn her into a .... well ... okay turned her into an emotionless zombie ... stone cold killer .... she left on 9-11-2001... If you see her please return her to her rightful place .... with her virtues of truth, honor, integrity and the Pursuit of Justice ....

Just a Thought .... for you to ponder

Young William
Leader and Philosopher
Remember Knowledge is power and to share Knowledge is to Empower

Targets::Profiling::Unjust::Justice(Just Us)

Quick question? Why is it that Most wanted sketches resemble me. I know that I am endangered ... better yet I know that I am few and far between. I can only guess how I am truly viewed by those that ride next to me locking their doors, or on the elevator gripping their purse, and even as bold as walking to the other side of the street as I walk down the right side of the pavement. I just really want to know if it is me or just the medias rendition of me. I know you may say this is just another tragic tale of an inner city steriotype. The funny thing is I am a Black man and those referenced above are NEGROS so they say. If they look at me this way, then I can only imagine how I am viewed by mainstream society. It can't be you say well I was in the elevator the other day and the lady eased back into the corner looking at me and clutching her purse as if I wanted it. So I immediately exited the elevator politely telling her to have a nice day.

So that in turn made me think ... and think... and think... since the vision and description of the Black male is Aggressive, Angry, Violent... and even volitile, where in this socialistic place am I welcome or am I welcome. This thought led me to this revelation .... we will always be targets until we become more accepting of each other. How can we even conceivably think that we can be considered equal until we have created equality with each other. We are so quick to judge each other and belittle each other male and female that we can't possibly think that we will be able to demand respect from the rest of the country and even the world when we don't respect each other. Lets think for a moment ... all I hear is that black men are no good ... we are locked up behind bars, we are fading ... fading fading.... then on the other hand, all I hear is that my queens are sluts, gold diggers, video vixens ... etc.

So lets try to respect each other .... then maybe we will have a right to demand the respect of the others ....

Remember:: We can rise together or we will fall apart

Young William

mad fanatic

Common Theme ....

Again looking into the not so distant future, my thoughts are hazy at best. I am still confused by what seems as a zombified American people. I only hope that these hazy revelations come to pass in the dream state only. I see that in this country we are so consumed by the immediate gradification of our wants that we tend to overlook the things we need. I must reiterate .... we do not look at our needs .... we seem to mostly concentrate on our wants. I know that seems crazy to say.... especially since there are so many that can barely cover their needs that they tend to do "what they have to do" to get some of the things that they want. I say with the rising costs of just about everything in society we are doomed to implode. There is a dissolving middle class since the overall median income fell from 2000 t0 2005 ... only by one percent ... but the inflation rate did not fall by one percent but it actually rose .... hmmmmmmmmmm
that makes me think too.... its a bit disturbing as well ..... let me see

• Costs of secondary education is rising



• salaries are falling



• taxes impeded the progress of the middle class savings



• Housing market ... price of new homes rising faster than ever



• costs of fuel skyrocketing



• costs of food rising ( milk has risen over 90 cent over the last 45 days)

What does this mean .... We need to pay more attention.... we are the people and we are represented by a voice that makes up the Top 3 percent of the salary bracket ... and they seem to be making the laws to benefit them .... What a dream .... What a dream ... economic equality .... a nightmare to the rich ....

Young William ...

"Remember,We will rise as a unit ... and be defeated as individuals"

mad fanatic

New Day Same Results

I was reading this mornings newspaper while listening to the morning sports radio show and I was surprised to see another headline for a Bama player arrested on the strip in T-Town. With only two weeks until opening kickoff, I was thinking that this could be another strike against the mighty Bama Nation. I only hope that it is not. Well actually, I know it isn't .... in my humble view, it is just another tale of jealosy .... or envy .... at least with the statement that I hear that the officer mad. I mean to make the statement "one of Sabans Boys" before you take him into custody. It makes me think .... we are in a new day of equality ... but we are not in a day where the old guard is not in control. I mean why would you not look into the situation to see that there was nothing going on but talking amongst friends. Well a little sh*t talking anyway. I can't tell you how many times when I was younger and did probably something similiar in comparison. What do you expect ... when friends or teammates get together .... lets look at it this way ....

1. who did it hurt by having some words with friends


2. How did he (the cop) know that it was a problem ... my bad he didn't


3. What was said that was so bad that should prompt for the officer to arrest him.


4. could it be that the officer was a caucasian and Simeon was an African American with a promissing future that will slingshot him into success on the field, far from the day to day work the officer does (could be the reason)


5. or maybe he just doesn't like athletes ... or maybe even deeper (profiling )

Well whatever the reason is, I would love to hear the rationale behind the arrest .... and the statement ..... I am one never to play the race card (or at least in most cases). I am not a fanatic or a rebel rouser ... but I am one that does not like to sit back and watch as people are targetted fro whatever reason that it may be. Well then again as the old saying goes ... nothing good happens after midnight ... at least not if you are of color in T-Town ... on the strip.....

I do know that .....

just a thought from the mad fan.

A new Day

Welcome all to my blog. You are all welcome to comment and feel free to say what you all wish. I am not into restricting views or stifling opinions. I would like to here from you all wether you agree with my way of thinking or not ..... I hope that you will find the commentary and news interesting enough to keep comming back