Death of a Star

A lot of celebrities have passed away recently including Etta James, Don Cornelius of Soul Train fame, Davy Jones of the Monkees, and several others. The biggest name of them all was Whitney Houston. The singer with the fabulous voice who has given us many great songs over the last two decades. She died young and unexpectedly, just before her industries greatest show, the Grammy's.

The way the media treats the death of these mega stars is interesting. It becomes big news which is discussed and talked about over and over, with many twists and turns. How did it happen, why did it happen, look at what the world has lost, such a great talent. Many of these stars have the same human frailties as the rest of us common folks. While it was a loss, as any life is, but I didn't know Whitney, and I doubt she cared much about me, so I didn't shed any tears. While initially the funeral was going to be a family and close friends affair, eventually it was open to the media so that all America could see and say goodbye. I took a pass.

That same week I lost a friend of mine who I had know far many years. His name was Clarence Slaughter. I became a friend of Clarence in the 70's when we worked the streets as salesmen for competing tobacco companies. We met at the same clubs after work, created a social club, chased women, and pretty much had a great time. Even after I moved away from St. Louis we kept in touch. Clarence never married and continued his drinking and carousing long into his fifties, so when I heard he had passed it was not a real surprise, since he was not in the best of health. I felt the loss of Clarence, who I couldn't even find an obituary for in the local paper, than for Whitney whose life seemed so full and rich.

I cry for the victims of the hurricane that recently swept through KY and IN. While I didn't know any of them, I felt a connection I could never feel with our media stars. When one passes on I guess the only thing you can hope for is to be remembered. All of us have a gift, some that is more evident like a singer or athlete. Others like Clarence just may have been able to touch someone like me, in a way I will never forget, just by being who they were.       R.I.P.

I'm Just A Salesman

I've been watching the Occupy movement for awhile now and I think I've got it figured out. I was confused because I didn't know what they wanted when they started with the Occupy Wall Street protest . I understood that the 99% was a representation of regular Americans who aren't classified as rich, or the opposite of the 1%  that is represented by Wall Street. They riped us off, causing the recession for the most part due to the housing collapse, which was caused by greedy banks and financial institutions. Corporate CEO's ran their companies into great debt while building large bonuses and salaries for themselves. Then all of these guys got a bailout by the tax payers. Ok, I get it. Those who where out of a job and home now think something should be done and wanted to be heard.

What I couldn't understand was who was leading the protest and what exactly did they want to happen. During the civil rights movement, there were marches, sit in's, and similar Occupy events. However, all of them were tied to a central theme of providing civil rights equally to all people, and each one had a distinct issue they were protesting to be changed. I see none of this with the Occupy movement. After Occupy Wallstreet, there have been other Occupy events. Currently there are several Occupy events against city or state government. Most recently there was an Occupy The Superbowl event to protest something. I don't have a clue what that was about. Then there was an Occupy Indianapolis to protest the signing of a new Right to Work law in Indiana.

And that's when it hit me. The Occupy movement is not to be confused with the civil rights, or pro life, or even the tea party agenda. The Occupy movement does not need a leader or central core. Basically it is just a campaign to use the media to bring attention to "whatever" you are unhappy about and feel should be changed. You don't need to have a solution, because you just  want to be heard and seen by others, who may join you, or who may look for a way to "make you go away." Use the internet, use twitter, facebook to schedule an event and voice your cause and we will see how many others show up.  These are people who feel strongly that they have a right to let officials and others know how they feel, and they do. However, I should not be looking for answers from them.

I say all this because I feel I'm pretty well informed on the state of affairs our country is in these days. I read the newspaper every morning, watch the local and national news daily, and as customary these days, get my share of online updates. However, these are just my opinions and  after all, I am just a salesman.

Superbowl Sunday

Since the NFL and the AFL merged I have watch every Superbowl game on TV. I remember the first two with the Greenbay Packers, Joe Namath predicting a win, Doug Williams the first black quarterback to win a Superbowl, the Steeler, the Cowboy, and the 49er dynasties. So when I watched the game this weekend between the Giants and the Patriots I was not overly impressed.

It was a good football game, with both teams playing hard and going down to the last possession. I think that what I miss most about these games now is that I miss the rivalry and the star power that it once had. While there are players of a high caliber on the teams, and usually just a few standouts, the old championships seemed to pit more hall of fame type players against one another. Who on the Giants team can be considered hall of fame worthy at this time? Same can be said for the Patriots, with perhaps the exception of Tom Brady. Will I remember them years from now like I do Lynn Swan, Jerry Rice, Franco Harris, Joe Montana, Fran Tarkenton, and others.

Today, almost as much enjoyment is gained from watching the commercials to see if there is one that comes out as a true winner. For me this year it was the Doritos commercials. The halftime show with Madonna was a spectacle that I appreciated just for the amount of effort and coordination it must have taken to put it on. watching Madonna vogue was not very exciting for me. WhileI have never been in person, I can see where this could be a memorable event to those in attendance.

The Superbowl is a great American event, but for me I'll take the NCAA basketball March Madness any day.

Big Momma

I recently attended a recognition luncheon at my church to salute big mommas, the matriarchs of the family. Nominations had been submitted to our African American newspaper, The Louisville Defender, by family  members to recognize these impressive women who have been the backbone of their families and the community. During the ceremonies, where these women were recognized and awarded plaques and bouquets of roses, I thought of how times have changed.  I was glad I was able to be there and wished that my mother could have been there.

I remembered my big momma, who was my grandmother. Most big mommas in my day were grandmothers and they had some age on them. We were taught to respect our elders, because they had earned that right and we were just children, who really didn't know anything. Big momma told you how things were and you knew that she was in control of everything that went on in her house. If she told you to "close that door, you're  letting my heat out" or  "take that hat off in my house, you weren't born in a barn" you had better do it in a hurry. Big momma did not play. She was always there when times were tough to encourage you and tell you what you were capable of doing. Sometimes if you didn't have a big momma you could adopt one from one of your friends. Big mommas were glad to share with anyone who needed a little knowledge dropped on them. And you definitely could have more than one.

Today, part of our problem is that we are losing big momma. As our babies are having babies, some of our younger grandmothers now don't want to be called big momma. They also haven't learned the lessons that need to be passed on to their children to show them the way. In many cases those that have had to struggle now have to directly raise their grandchildren. Momma is now Pam and big momma is just called momma. Black or white, it is the spirit and the bond of a mother that shapes each of us. None us us should wait until we are old enough to understand the lessons that they tried to teach us, before we recognize them.

Remember, dead noses don't smell roses.

Don't Forget The Trip

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr's birthday. Dr King was born January 15,1929 and was killed April 4, 1968. During my childhood growing up in St. Louis I remember all of the civil rights movement. I remember it because it was the first revolution that was shown on television. The new medium that brought current events right into your home. I knew of racism and discrimination. While not as harsh as in the far south I could see and feel it everyday, as I lived in a segregated world, and tried to navigate through a world that was run by another race.

The civil rights movement had it's on feel for me as a kid. I saw what was happening to people of color but I was somehow removed. Then I knew why and what people were fighting for, but I was not there. I saw the different leaders and how different they were. Dr King preached non violence and his marches were peaceful forms of civil disobedience. These were met with brutality, yet he continued to press on by faith. Malcom X , the Black Panthers, and others said that civil rights  should be taken by any means  necessary. There were many others to speak but Dr. King's was the strongest beacon of hope. Slowly progress was being made and the I Have A Dream speech galvanized a nation.I wonder about the Occupy Wallstreet movement of today. Are they are trying to protest the wrong caused by the greed of wall street or do they have a bigger cause in mind for all people? If so what is it? How will we know if we make progress? Can they succeed without a champion?

I remember when John F Kennedy was assassinated and many thought that the change for change was gone. However, it wasn't a president from Boston that stepped forward, but a vice president Lyndon B Johnson, from Texas no less, that moved forward to sign some of the most significant civil rights legislature in out history. Dr King preached for the civil rights of everyone, not just African Americans, even if it seemed that way. When Dr King was assassinated in Memphis in 1968 the African American community exhaled, and while things were better, wondered what  will happen next. It was very profound impact on me. The Viet Nam war was still going on and I was enrolled in college,though not thoroughly engaged. Many African Americans were either being drafted or joining the service as a means to a better way of life. I dropped out of school and after working for a while joined the Air Force in May of the next year.

On this holiday where we recognize Dr. Martin Luther King I try not to forget the struggle and the sacrifices that he and those with him went through to travel up the mountain. I try not to forget the journey. He gave the ultimate sacrifice to live by his principles and to make the world a better place for all men. It disturbs me that even today when a question is posted on Twitter, "What do you think of Martin Luther King?" that there are people who  will sit behind the safety and anonymity of their computers and say racist and foul things about him. If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself.

Naked As A Jaybird

With the start of 2012, one of the pressing questions for most people is "What is wrong with America?". There is no single answer and I hope to discuss some of my thoughts throughout the year. One thing that is for sure is that we just don't make things in America anymore. I don't know if this trend started with the new "information technology age", or with Republican trade and tax policies, or just with the greed of corporate America to make more profits by going to places with cheaper labor costs and taxes. I have heard the term "buy American" by many groups, hoping to spark the economy and grow jobs. I thought I would try it, so I went to my closet to see where I stood so far. I was amazed. Based on what I found, even though I was buying from American companies, almost all my cloths were made or assembled someplace else.

I started with pants. My Levi blue jeans were made in Mexico, and somewhere I had never heard of, Lesotho. My Chaps were made in Egypt, Old Navy made in the Dominican Republic & the Philippines, Dockers in Thailand, Eddie Bauer in the Dominican Republic, Hager in Guatemala, and even my dress pants from Bill  Blass and Murano were made in Mexico. 

I then moved on to the shirts. Again Arrow, who advertise as being a USA company since 1851, makes their shirts in Bangladesh & Viet Nam , Kenneth Cole made in China, Croft & Barrow made in Taiwan, Jos. A. Banks made in the Philippines, Van Heusen made in Viet Nam, The Express made in Indonesia, and Eddie Bauer made in Hong Kong. Even my Bubba Gump Shrimp t-shirt was made in Honduras.

In the shoe category my Rockports were made in China, my Nikes made in Thailand, my beloved Florsheims made in India, my Bostonians made in China, and even the Giorgio Brutinis purchased at the Shoe Carnival were made in China (not even Italy).

Even my underwear was not made in America. Hanes T-shirts made in Haiti, Jockey shorts made in Honduras, and the ever popular Fruit of the Looms made in El Salvadore.

Based on this unscientific assessment, if I had to wear only made in America clothing I would be, as my mother used  to say, "naked as a jaybird." If you are not familiar with men's clothes, check out your own closet and see if you find any surprises. This onslaught of foreign made products does not stop with clothes but is apparent in almost everything that we buy. Even the walker that I got at the hospital to use with my hip replacement was made in China, TV's and the power tools I just bought at Sears no less, were made in China. Even "this" computer used to compose this posting, that I purchased from Dell, hailed as a great American success story, was "made in China".

If you are not making anything, you had better have something to sell that everyone wants or needs. Right now we are not filling that bill either.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. "This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

I feel truly blessed to have made in through another year and to have awaken to another day. There were many who did not make it to 2012. My Pastor, Dr.Kevin Cosby, preached on the topic of time today, and it really brought home a message. All of us have the same amount of time to work with, 86,400 seconds in a day. We cannot carry any over and we can't get it back once it is used. Because of this we should be guardful of each and every day to maximize our time and focus our lives and energies on those things that give the highest return.

On several occasions my wife has said to me that she didn't have time to do something, or that she was too busy. I tell her that she has the same amount of time as everyone else. It is just a matter of how you chose to use it. We spend too much time doing second things first. A lot of time it is because of how we set our priorities. We waste time on secondary issues or with people that don't result in the achievement of anything. Rev Cosby noted that the mistakes we make with time are 1.) We overexaggerate yesterday 2.) we overestimate tomorrow, and 3.) we underestimate today. Today is the day to rejoice in and not be burdened by what happened yesterday or fearful of what will happen tomorrow.

The year 2011 had a lot of blessings and a lot of burdens.  Our daughter obtained her associate degree in medical coding, yet still has not found a job. The kitchen remodeling project was completed but bills have not been paid. I still am employed , but no raises or bonus received at work, while the recession continues to cut into my 401K. But, I know that I am blessed  and I am grateful for today. I look back over my life and I could be a drunk, into drugs, in jail, or just not here, like some of the people I grew up with. I don't make new year's resolutions anymore. Yes, I have goals for the year, things I want to do before the end of the year and in a positive manner. But I will keep my agenda in mind each day and be glad in it.