Sunday Sundown Rundown

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 6/16/19

3 Up

1. Father's Day - I'm a father now, well, have been for a year, but this is my first Father's Day...and it was weird, but rewarding. Happy Father's Day to all the men out there who sacrifice and offer up so much love daily for their sons and daughters everyday.

2. Jon Stewart - Look, celebrities and politics usually illicit an eyeroll. But Jon Stewart's speech before (a rather empty) Congress was one of those rare moments where it felt less about the celebrity getting a few cameras, likes, and trends of their own name, but rather someone who really and genuinely cared. And you know what, good for Stewart! He ended up getting some much needed attention and help for those first responders to 9/11. Shame on our government, by the way.

3. Kawhi Leonard - Everything about the Raptors championship win is so refreshing. The country involved. The fact that the roster is made up of NO LOTTERY PICKS (still blows my mind). But more so, the unassuming superstar (especially when we throw that description around so often and loosely) that is Kawhi Leonard. He's such a joy to watch play. Who said the mid-game play is dead?

3 Down

1. Phoenix Police - This was tough to watch after it went viral. It's just downright sad, yet, infuriating to see how police responded to a four year old - 4 year old! - who allegedly walked out of a dollar store with a doll. Seriously? Honestly, until the police - fellow officers, especially - begin acknowledging the bad job of their peers, how can communities of marginalized people trust them?

2. Klay and KD - I'm not overly sympathetic to Warriors' fans (and "Fans"), because 3 titles in 5 trips to the NBA Finals is something I can't even imagine for my New York Knicks. However, seeing the likes of Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant fall to the ground with severe injuries, as a basketball fan, that was tough to see. Especially, with that sliver of hope in my heart that KD decides to call MSG home next year. As always - still hoping.

3. OJ on Twitter - Yes, it's a free country. But seriously, why does the world need OJ Simpson on Twitter? Why? Why?! Why!!!?

2 Shoutouts

1. St. Louis Blues - I say it every year during the Stanley Cup Finals, I should watch more hockey. Well, I typically don't end up doing that (unless its live), but I love everything about the chase for the cup. Congratulations to the St. Louis Blues on winning it all and of course, saving the rest of the nation from having to watch yet ANOTHER Boston championship.

2. Michigan Baseball Team - I'm a sucker for the College World Series so I have to give props to the Michigan Baseball team. Not only are they insanely fun to watch as a group, but have you also noticed the amount of black baseball players on the squad? Even better is hearing the recruiting stories told - intentional at its core - for each of them. Great job, coach Erik Bakich! Diversity always wins.

Recently Read Posts

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 5/22/22

3 Up 1. NY Times Investigative Series on Haiti - The history of Haiti is such a complex (and unfortunate) one. Really, it's a story that goes untold, specifically for the context of how the country is viewed. From being forced to pay operations to enslavers (yeah, you read that right), to so many other historical setbacks - including American interventions - the nation's history is so well laid out in this latest NY Times piece. I urge you to give it a read. 2. Equal Pay for US Women's Soccer Team - Kudos to US Soccer on coming around to giving the USWNT their due - equal pay for prize money from the World Cup. It's a start, and more importantly, it's a push forward for women's sports that do in fact push the needle in comparison, or more so, to their male counterparts. 3. Kate McKinnon - Random "UP" here, but I'm doing it anyway...A few SNL usuals are rumored to be walking away, including Kate McKinnon. The show obviously doesn't carry the

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 4/10/22

3 Up 1. Ketanji Brown Jackson - The new Supreme Court Justice is a win for black and brown girls everywhere. Representation matters. 2. Women's College Basketball Ratings - I'm giving the women's tournament its due as it garnered the highest television ratings ever for the national championship game in eighteen years. And that was head-to-head with the Grammys! Spare me the "women's sports don't draw" tired narrative. Invest in women's sports, period. 3. Baseball Returns - Sure, the sport bothered fans over the winter with its ugly and insulting labor spat. However, it's back, and that's cool. 3 Down 1. Ukraine Images - Unfortunately, I had to put the ongoing acts in Ukraine back in the tops spot. Have you seen some of the images coming out of the country? For me, it was the image of parents writing children's information (i.e. names, details of eating habits, etc...) on their backs - on their backs! - in anticipation of being separated

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 5/15/22

3 Up 1. California Church Heroes - It's soooooooo weird that the top spot is a result of something so horrific as our ongoing domestic terrorism problem of mass shootings. Still, the courage shown by the five members who stopped the shooter deserves it. Those individuals tackled the shooter and tied him up with an electric cord, while wounded. It's so tough to fathom that those possibilities are within the realm of your Sunday worship, within the sanctity of your church. But such is America... 2. Olivia Rodrigo & Drake - Rodrigo continues to reap rewards on an excellent album in 2021 as she topped the Billboard Music Awards with seven awards. There was also Drake who I'm beginning to sense we won't really appreciate his body of work until he's near the end of his career. But yeah, Drake poured in a few more for the legacy debates and discussions.

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 5/1/22

3 Up 1. Harvard Statement on Enslavement Past - We're currently in a world where dealing with slavery and oppression and all that it was in the past has created further division of the present, as well as ideals to move forward. We're all still trying to figure that out, but as we do, props are given to those who do it without the trendiness of the gesture. Harvard can be slammed for a whole lot in this arena, but they get the top spot this week for taking steps in a major way - just admitting its connection - is a great start. 2. "Out of Pandemic" Phase - The world surely feels as "normal" as it's felt in a long time. While Dr. Facui's comments were well...confusing and required some cleaning up, the gesture is very much understood - we ain't that bad anymore! Things are definitely not going to snap back to pre-2020, but it definitely feels as close to non-pandemic-ish as it ever has.

Dome Pondering

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