Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Mississippi State Flag - Major props to the NCAA and the SEC, as well as the athletes who followed through on not playing, or hosting future championship events in the state of Mississippi until the state flag was changed. Think about that for a second. It wasn't the fact that the flag bears the Confederate flag. It wasn't the years of racial injustice and heavy history in the state that caused the change. It was a threat to football. Make of that what you will. Either way, great job all around. 2. Ahmaud Arbery Killers Indictment - It's only an indictment. But its a step in the right direction. By the way, Breonna Taylor's murderers have yet to be brought up on charges.

If there was ever a time in history that has tested the pro wrestling industry's resolve and core, it has been that of the past three months of COVID-19's effect on the world. We've seen the industry juggle, finesse, and go to various lengths and depths (like, maybe lobbying Florida officials??) to continue operating and producing shows for its fanbase. We've also seen an industry, typically in the role of removing viewers and fans from the sorrows of reality - again, at the core of its service, suddenly entangled within the real world's web and facing the exposed underlying culture and foundational business practices of inequality, social change, and long-time unethical "dues" it's relied on throughout its existence. Yes, the last three-plus months have been quite strange for us all, and COVID did not spare the pro wrestling realm.  I've had the opportunity to catch up on a LOT of pro wrestling during these quarantine times. Having fall...

---23 Months Old--- Dear Son, I didn't know I would have to pen this letter to you this early in your life. Maybe I was naive. Then again, maybe I was just hoping for something from our country it never has given to people who look like me - equality. Or even just a mere sense - just a sliver, maybe - of real progression towards it. As the quarantine rages on - so far, three months of our society on pause - we also find ourselves in the middle of a generational movement for social change and equality. I'm not sure how your generation will view this time down the road, but I'm hoping it spurs a much better world you are reading this in. It all started with the murder of George Floyd. His life snuffed out at the hands of four police officers, one in particular who knelt on his neck for eight minutes and forty-six seconds. Yes, son, they killed him. But despite a movement and period of time where individuals are now educating themselves on privilege, questioning o...

3 Up 1. Happy Father's Day - Happy Father's Day to many of the strong and powerful men out there who do so much for the next generation. The world needs more of you, especially in today's climate, to raise responsible human beings and to help lead strong families with a strong conviction for what is right. 2. Dream Act - I was never in favor of dismantling DACA. All around, the removal of the act just seemed wrong on so many levels. If it didn't work (or you don't agree with the legislation), I understand not looking for repeatable initiatives in the future, but stripping it all for many who have made life decisions on it was just outright cruel. Especially, those who have never experienced life elsewhere. I'm happy it was held up. 3. Albert Pujols - Big Albert may not crush the way he used to anymore, but he continues to show the type of human being he is by paying the salaries of all the Angels staff who work in the Dominican Republic. Say what you w...

I'm not sure what it is about television shows centered on life and football that always seem to resonate with me. I can recite Friday Night Lights episodes and movie lines like scripture for life scenarios and advice. My students can all tell you the number of times I've' said to them in times of crisis or doubt, "Ok, you're gonna win state...but not tonight..." This was once again the case while watching a recent guilty pleasure of mine during these quarantine times, All-American on Netflix. There is a scene in Season 2 (warning: spoiler alert coming!!) where both coach and star player share a relatable moment after the recent death of the player's father. The player had been struggling to merely exist in specific moments, feeling unmotivated and in many ways, not wanting to participate or engage. "It was hard for me too at first. Everything that first year, is going to be a first. It's not easy. But it's necessary" Coach Baker ...

3 Up 1. Confederate (and Columbus) Statue Removals - It's about damn time. It really is. I will never be able to understand the concept of our nation upholding and protecting the voices and namesakes of statues, parks, and whatever else that permeates our society, with men who turned their backs on our country. And there is also Columbus who raped, pillaged and slaughtered his way into a Western world (save me the lame defense of him, too). Then again, in doing some research, I recently found out that most of the streets here in Brooklyn are named after slaveholders - including the one I live on. My literal address is a slaveholder's name. When they say "we don't own these streets", they literally mean it. 2. Darrell Wallace Jr. - I know nothing about NASCAR. In fact, my favorite race car driver probably is Lightning McQueen - for real, though, it is. I love all three editions of Cars . Nevertheless, so much props to Wallace, the only black driver on the ci...

3 Up 1. (Re)Education - Getting the top spot this is week is the immense education (or continued education, depending on where you're at) on social change and how our systems really work for everyone. Personally, I love it. It's been so great having these discussions, and also, now including many others who have NEVER seen the world through anything else besides a white lens. Please continue to read, to ask questions, to engage, and to yes, ponder. 2. Black Lives Matter Plaza - Yo, I had to check multiple sources to believe this. At first, I thought it was a fake ordeal. And when I realized how real it was, it definitely was a moment that caused me to understand we are really in a special time. I can't wait to get to DC to see it. 3. Maria Taylor - There were so many choices to go with this week in the "up" section. Everyone has had such great, intelligent content and rhetoric. However, there was just something so pure, so incredibly real and relatable a...

What a difference a day makes. Shortly after punching the keys on Part II of what is likely to be a running series of thoughts and ponderings on this topic during this time, I am back immediately with a third installment. The reason? Well, it's simple - church. (Virtually) attending Sunday service and the dialogue that was discussed this morning was definitely needed for me, and really, for many. The outlook had several pastors (three black and one white) in a round table discussion for the Sunday message regarding the sequence of events that have transpired over the past twelve days. The discussion was honest, didn't pull any punches, and also, was rooted in the word - which is really what I was curious about. How exactly does faith fit into this time? In the current constant discussion surrounding race and equity, often forgotten in this entire ordeal this week (as if we need more things to unpack in the discussion) is that of intersectionality. How does our faith ...

In the midst of the social world tilted on its axis for change, I decided to visit my mother to not only see her and catch up, but also to see if she had any needs during this global pandemic (oh yea, remember that?), and to give her an opportunity to voice her opinion on all of the matters that have been George Floyd, the social unrest in the country, her usual roast of the current President, and everything else that comes with it. My parents have always been active in their want and education for all of us to be understanding of such matters. Both, over the years, have shared countless stories and testimonies of the hardships they faced in coming to America, in wearing darker skin, and in navigating it all with love for a better life.  In fact, it was my mother who forced me to read " Black Boy " by Richard Wright as a teenager. A book that is now one of my all-time favorite reads. After two summers of blowing it off, my mother (who always loves leaving notes an...