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Showing posts from May, 2020

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 5/31/20

3 Up 1. Black Lives Matters Movement - I feel like, for the first time, BLM is being understood for its mission and purpose. In the past, it was constantly placed a position of opposition or rivaling two other "moments" by the result of its existence in "Blue Lives Matter" and "All Lives Matter", which was a bit unfair, and very annoying. While in some ways that is still the case, the movement has moved forward this week what surely is an interesting time in our nation's history. 2. (White) Privilege - In all of my years of studying education inequality and for the most part, directing the mess that is equality in America, I would have never thought that "White Privilege" would be in the "Up" section of the SSR. But here we are. Kudos to the many white people out there who have taken the time to show empathy, to understand the privilege their skin gives them, and the insight into the life that happens for those who don'

Thoughts on George Floyd & Everything Else

I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to say. After all, here we are AGAIN - another young black man killed by the men and women who swore to "protect and serve". We're just mere days away from Ahmaud Arbery and from Breanna Taylor, an example of how rapidly the lives of people of color in this country are snuffed out without any care - without cause. There are no words, thoughts, or feelings I can relay here in this post that can express what is occurring in our country right now. I'm still attempting to figure out all of the emotions, especially as I wrestle with the idea of one day having to educate and relay this heavy information to my son. For now, I did want to hit the keyboard, merely for therapy and archiving this moment in time, and share some very quick thoughts on this issue:

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 5/24/20

3 Up 1. New York Times Cover - Even though front pages aren't "front pages" anymore (who reads traditional newspapers?), the overall presentation of the New York Times piece of all 100,000+ names of those who passed away from COVID-19 this year is powerful - and in many ways needed. In the midst of politics, science, constant news and numbers, the depth and feel of what has truly happened have gone unrecognized. 100,000+ people are dead. Many more are hurt by those deaths. This is not normal, in any way. 2. Class of 2020 - I really feel for the class of 2020, which has had their celebrations and "next step" left in a cloud of smoke. Yet, something tells me this class will be very special for not only their experience but also, how they will utilize it going forward. 3. Charlamage Tha God - His interview stirred up some controversy, but it was an interview that needed to be had. Too often the "black agenda" is not discussed within the national

You Ain't Black

If three words can derail a campaign, that would be them for Joe Biden. Three words he didn't even have to say. Three words he can't walk back. And three words that have opened up an entire pandora's box worth of feelings, insight, experience, thoughts, and movement for many people. All it took, was three words.  As someone of mixed-identity growing up in majority-black environments during my life, the idea of "You Ain't Black" is a tricky one in comprehension on all fronts. I've heard it a few times, and really, it calls on the carpet the entire notion of what "black" should be, and really, if people of color as a whole are stigmatized by the damages of these three words.  It locks an entire being into one idealistic form of what "being black" should be, should look like, and should feel like. I've witnessed white people say it to me, ironically, filling that void as an individual with the darkest skin tone they'

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 5/17/20

3 Up 1. Graduate Together 2020 - As someone who works in higher education, I have witnessed and experienced the hurt that is the graduating class of 2020. It might not be much, but the show and celebration coordinated by LeBron James and company for the class of 2020 was a nice gesture, and quite frankly, quite cool (and uplifting) to watch. We need it. 2. Sports Return - Yes! Sports returned this weekend as soccer, golf, and NASCAR all went back to the competition - of course, without fans. As we move forward in what feels like more to come, especially the anticipated MLB (more on that in a bit) and NBA return, I'm looking forward to more opportunities to help the mental health disaster that has been quarantine - more so, 2020. 3. The Last Dance - It finished up tonight, and it was fantastic. Epic, epic stuff. I loved every minute of it. 3 Down 1. Breanna Taylor - So, so, so sad. Another black body killed at the hands of the police. There are so many ways to go with t

Goodbye, Good Friend

There I lay in bed, discussing the journey of Harry Potter with my wife. Not exactly the pillow talk other couples may have, but we've recently been watching (for her, re-watching) all of the Harry Potter films in May. It's just a little something to create excitement, to keep spirits high, and of course, something to look forward to in what can be mundane quarantine times. I laid there on my back, talking to my wife, while ultimately staring at the glowing screen in my two hands hovering above me in the pitch-black room. In the midst of looking for what I thought would be a cool Harry Potter T-Shirt, the message box appeared on my screen and issued the following notice: Hi Dev...Quincy passed this afternoon. I stared at the message in utter disbelief. What? I don't understand. Is this true? How? I had literally JUST face-timed with him three days ago. And here I was, lying in a bed, and receiving a text message from his mother after midnight that he was no longer

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 5/10/20

3 UP 1. COVID Vaccine Researchers - I know...there is a lot of information (and hope, and speculation, and non-truths) being thrown around regarding vaccinations and remedies for COVID-19. However, with a few hopeful going to testing this week, I did find myself thinking about the work researchers, lab technicians, and so many more are engaging in around the world to literally, save the world. Thank you. 2. KBO Baseball - Baseball is baseball. And watching the Korean league has been really fun. Especially the bat flips - the bat flips!!! Also, is it just me, or wouldn't it make sense for ESPN to rebroadcast the LIVE games at 7PM daily. I'm just saying...better than reruns of the World Series of Poker. Don't come at me, poker enthusiasts. 3. Little Richard/Andre Harrell - The world continues to cry...and we lost two good ones that were not just great at what they do, but huge influencers in their art form. Regardless, I am placing them in the "Up" for the

Running With Ahmaud Arbery

The video was just another notch to the mental file that is overflowing with images, scenery, and experiences for people of color in this country. And despite the common thread and the consistent reminder of a country rooted in its racism, one which currently is MAGA-ing its way into another evolution of the same or similar ideals, it still hurts. It still troubles. It still bothers. Young black men, young people of color, continue to carry the greatest threat to Americana - their skin. While the world continues to serve us a helping of COVID and the ramifications, the worries, and the sleepless nights of concern that come with it - this file, this constant ever existence of wearing darker skin or even fitting the image of what others consume as fear, continues. In a world that is completely shut down. Where even awful tragedies of the kinds such as mass shootings have ceased - this awful, cruel, vile thing called racism, that festers at the roots of Americanism, still break

The Pondering 10 - Fantasy Sports Docuseries

In all of the awesomeness that has been "The Last Dance" docuseries on ESPN, I began thinking - what other awesome sports docuseries would I make appointment television? For the record, I already love these kinds of series. I'm a huge fan of "Last Chance U" and "QB1" on Netflix, and of course, will soon be diving into "Cheer" once I work my way through my quarantine-life bucket lists. So yeah, these series are of interest to me, no matter the celebrity of the subject matter. However...what if?! What if we are able to go back in time, and give the same type of ALL-ACCESS rights for cameras, recordings, and talking-head shots to any specific team and season - just like The Last Dance? Well, if this were possible (and it's fun to think about), here is my list of TOP 10 seasons I would be very much interested in watching, dissecting, and digesting.

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 5/3/20

3 Up 1. Medical Professionals - It's been a while...and even during that break from giving these folks the top spot to share other "Up" news, they STILL were saving lives. Kudos to the true heroes around the world. 2. Trey Mancini - It was shocking to hear about the cancer diagnosis of Trey Mancini of the Orioles. 2020 has been one giant messed up year. Regardless, what gets the up is Mancini's amazing piece in one of my favorite websites on the web - The Players Tribune . Give it a read. PS - the latest collection towards Michael Jordan is just as amazing. 3. Small Business Supporters - The wife and I purchased takeout from one of our favorite restaurants here in Brooklyn. The family owners, who I've gotten to chat with over the years, explained to me in detail not only the struggles he is facing during this time, but also the gratitude he has for loyal customers. Of course, my heart went out to him. If you can, definitely, go out and support your loca

Dear Son, Coronavirus, Quarantine, and Empathy

--- 22 Months Old --- Dear Son, Your second birthday is creeping up, and quite frankly, year two has been quicker than year one. Truthfully, I now understand the common phrase often stated by the parents around me before I became one myself, "the days are long, but the months are short." Year two of your existence, as always, has been a fun learning experience for your mom and I. You're running. You're throwing (even more). You're talking. You're dancing. And yes, you're now even given attitude - which has landed you on timeout at home and in daycare multiple times. At this stage, I'm just outright surprised and in awe of truly how full of life you are. You are absolutely a people person and have this enormous empathy about you. You often care about others, hugging your friends in daycare who are crying, and always stating "ohhh noo!" when one of your animals falls off the couch, one of your favorite cartoon characters finds themse