Ahead of the March for Our Lives rally in the nation’s capital, dozens of teens gathered at Arena Stage theater in Southwest D.C. to talk about ways to promote a just and equitable society within their own communities. Mikva Challenge D.C. planned the Issues to Action event to give high school students from the district an opportunity to present ideas to make their immediate lives better. The organization develops youth to be empowered, informed and active citizens. At the event, students presented different projects on gentrification, colorism and mental health issues. But none were more poignant than the issue of gun violence — just two days ahead of the March for Our Lives rally.
The teens said it’s a normal experience for a lot of them to hear the sound of gunfire or see the ill effects of gun violence all around them. “I guess I don’t try to go out much, because I see what could happen,” said Armando Martinez, a senior at Capital City Public Charter School. “I lost six friends in the past five years.” According to the Washington Post, there were 116 homicides in the district in 2017. Teens could count on two hands how many friends they’d lost to guns in recent years. “I would say seven or eight kids I knew from eighth grade are dead,” said Myles Nelson, a sophomore at the Edmund Burke School. But the students say they have not been idle about the issues they face. Instead, the March for Our Lives rally and the increased media attention it has brought have been the only difference in shedding light on their daily plight. “I’m sure people hear us protesting, they see the hashtags on social media, they see the signs, the shirts, the pins, the badges,” said Rukiyah Mack, an 18-year-old senior at Thurgood Marshall High School. “But until today it didn’t really get the acknowledgment that it deserved.”
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It’s called the Mecca, the holy grail, the REAL H-U. Howard University has forever symbolized the epitome of the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) experience and the coming of age story for so many young men and women. It’s shaped minds, perspectives and allowed individuals to understand who they are and where they came from.
I did not have this experience. Quite the opposite, actually. I attended Syracuse University, a predominantly white institution that’s not located in Chocolate City, D.C., but instead in rural Syracuse, N.Y. After watching an episode of NBC’s “This is Us”, it got me thinking about the experiences I may have missed out on and some of the ways that type of education could have shaped me. My experience at college I would say was strong. I graduated from one of the top communications programs in the world, I joined a prestigious black fraternity in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and was able to go abroad three times during my time in school. The limitless amount of exposure to resources was always present as well, but what would Howard have done for me? Taking a few steps back, I grew up in Oakland, New Jersey, a small town in north Jersey with predominantly white population as well. I had to learn about myself through my family, peers that I saw infrequently at church and folks in pop culture or television. Going to Syracuse was much of the same. I gravitated towards people who looked like me and had similar interests, but I was surrounded by the majority in many respects. Howard University would have been an entire whirlwind for me. I’ve never been around thousands of black people who look like me for more than a month at a time. I would have met black people from all over the world that would have given me an opportunity to be accustomed to a spectrum of black people like no other. I would better understand my history, have a deeper meaning of self and likely have a better appreciation for everything that means being black. I sometimes think what if. While I never regret anything, sometimes I wish I could have had four college experiences. Why not a PWI, an Ivy, an HBCU and a college basketball player experience all in one? I’ve seen what the Mecca means to so many. It’s not all positive things, but when is anything. The overall love they have for their classmates and school is like no other. Without the Mecca I’ve done well for myself so far, but what values would Howard have instilled in my at an earlier stage? How much further would I be? Would I somehow have been stunted in my growth? These are all questions that I will never have the answers to, but I often grapple with it. I know that I am a strong man of God who understands the value of a quality education extends way beyond the classroom. I haven't experienced the mecca located in D.C., but I often feel like there is a mecca inside each and every one of us. In 2018 I’m boycotting. No, it’s not a transportation system or establishment, but it’s an entire corrupt system: the NFL. This year I will NOT be watching the Super Bowl and I’m overjoyed about it. I actually couldn’t be happier and self-fulfilled. I haven’t watched a single NFL game this entire 2017-2018 season, beyond the glimpse or two that I can’t help when it’s on in a restaurant and in my face.
I have made a conscious decision to not support an organization who has time and time again not supported my black and brown marginalized brothers and sisters. When Colin Kaepernick spoke out against injustice, he was swiftly blackballed from the league even when his numbers surpass more than half of the current starting quarterbacks in the entire NFL. Since him, multiple players have said because they have chose to raise a first or take a knee, they too feel as though they have been ostracized from the NFL. Instead of using this as a call to action or teaching moment, the NFL has stayed relatively mum on the issue. It wasn’t until a directive in 2009 that standing for the national anthem even became a thing. And of course that was because money was involved. Why would I supposed an organization that doesn’t represent me or anything that I stand for? Beyond the injustice issues I have, I also don’t appreciate that 70% if the NFL is made up of black players and we have all the research in the world on concussion harmful effects, or CTE, and once again the NFL has turned a blind eye. Instead of using the issue to become a leader in safety and preventative measures, the NFL stays silent as players lose their cognitive abilities and their livelihood and entire families suffer as a result. Why? Because it’s all about the money of course. And lastly, let’s paint this picture. Seventy percent of the NFL is filled with players who are scared silent for fear of losing their jobs. Yet on Sundays and through the week they bash each other’s heads in for white “owners” and fans who can afford the tickets (mostly white.) That doesn’t sit well with me. It feels like a plantation game for the rich and they are getting enjoyment over black body misery. Something has got to give one way or another. I’ve enjoyed not watching the NFL this year, but I have coupled this extra time to learning more about the issues and the history of the league. Plus, the NBA season has been amazing thus far. Now if only my New York Knicks can figure it out. I think this may be our year. You see, often times we don’t realize greatness until folks have passed away. Legacies aren’t cemented until decades later when society decides if a trailblazer really accomplished something noteworthy or not. That’s NOT what I have made up in my mind is going to happen when it comes to Colin Kaepernick. This young man sacrificed his NFL career to stand up for something he, and millions of other people, believe is injustice and discrimination on behalf of rich, white America. Whether intentionally or not, Kaepernick made a decision to kneel for the National Anthem and in turn, speak up for those who don’t have a voice. He lost his job for it.
What he may not have realized was that he inspired generations of activists and forced thousands, if not millions, of people to face the hard truths about America and society as a whole. Why do folks get behind women’s rights movements and gay issues, but stay silent on black issues? You can say, oh he should be quiet, he’s making millions. But I see it a bit different. Yes, he’s making millions, but Kaepernick also has a platform: Scream young king! Let your voice be heard everywhere. For every professional athlete making a substantial income, there are hundreds of thousands of people of color living in poverty, in a disadvantaged position. Kaepernick is a black man with a white mother who knows a little more than most how color can play a role in someone’s life and their maturation and development. Kaepernick is my fraternity brother in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., an organization founded on the campus of Indiana University in 1911 when brothers had to stick together because the bond was all they had against racism, discrimination and bigotry. Kaepernick isn’t perfect nor does he have to be. Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t have a perfect life, but I would challenge anyone to say his impact was less received. Kaepernick represents integrity, boldness and power in the face of adversity. He represents representation and accountability. Kaepernick represents being black in a white America. Kaepernick represents me. Life hasn’t been peaches and cream for anyone that I know and it likely will never be. But who’s to stop you or I in this lifetime from making it a better place. Each and every day as Kaepernick has been ostracized from the NFL and fights for rights for all, each and every one of us can figure out a way to fight in our lives. Kaepernick was just a football hero, but now he is a living pioneer. What are New Years Resolutions really made of? Each and every year millions upon millions of people create lists and bullet points of things they will do or won’t do for a new year. It’s become somewhat of tradition that as the Earth completes an orbit it means humans need to drastically change something in their life. For the past few years I’ve made it a point not to have resolutions, but to achieve across the board. It’s gone well, but in the spirit of evolution I am ready to take things to a new level. While I don’t believe in a designated day to change something about your life that you could have begun last week or last month, I do believe in the power of speaking things into existence, writing them down and holding yourself accountable.
That’s why this year I am completing both a list of quarterly goals and a vision board. I want to always push myself to be the best me socially, professionally and spiritually. For each goal that I write down I will be sure that each is attainable, but I will also push myself to accomplish some reaches and I will be diligent to add detail. For example, with the rise of cryptocurrency and general stock market I want to invest $1,250 quarterly total. I want to continue to invest in my future. To do so I will learn more about investing and more about different stocks in order to make sure I am making smart and calculated risks. Additionally, in making a vision board I want to see where I am and where I want to go on a daily basis. The truth is, I will never consider myself normal or ordinary in any way and I feel it's to important to me to take the necessary steps to make sure this happens. My 2018 New Years Resolution is to be conscious of seeing and believing the best be in all aspect of my life. This is something that will not maybe happen, but it WILL happen all year long. It’s a common saying, “Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.” The statement is simple, yet so deep in meaning. I personally notice the reaction of folks when I ride the subway dressed casually vs. dressed up with a shirt, tie and jacket. I get more smiles, I am bumped a bit less on the train and maybe even offered up a seat. It’s a different mindset even for me entirely as well. I feel better about myself, carry myself with a bit more stature and, overall, I am more confident.
Recently, I came across a post on Instagram that read, “It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. It’s not what you see, it’s how you look at it. It’s now how your life is, it’s how you live it.” This is literally the key to life. Boom! Follow it and you will live long and prosperous. If only it were that easy. In a general sense, I grew up being told to follow directions and stay in line and your time will come. This may work for some, but the majority will only get but so far. On the other hand, a small faction of us are raised to defy the rules, rewrite them and grab opportunities. I think this is the difference between those who do well in life and those who own the companies of those who do well. I know that I will be successful because there is no other option for me. If you say you are a boss, then act and be the boss. If you are a CEO, then dress the part and claim that title. When you start acting like it, others treat you as such. In the end what will they really have to say? You are who you say you are. It’s often a phrase that’s said, but not often delved into. How can silence often speak volumes? It’s quite simple. In almost every situation someone has the upper hand. In those situations one can choose to assert or not assert their privilege to assist someone in need. When situations turn evil, racist or discriminatory, how will you act?
In terms of race, white people have the majority. Why would they not speak up? In terms of LGBTQ rights, heterosexuals have the majority. Why would they not speak up? In terms of America’s population, women slightly edge out men, but men trounce women in powerful roles. Why would men not speak up for the rights of women? I take particular issue with all of these because I am affected by them all. I am a black, heterosexual man living in America and each day living under 45’s presidency reminds me of how disillusioned and out of touch so many people are about the beauty of diversity and inclusion. Jobs understand diverse minds, ideas and backgrounds make a better product, but politicians and elected officials on a grand scale cannot seem to comprehend this. The recent tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which one woman was killed after a man rammed his car into a crowd of people counter-protesting white supremacists put the spotlight on the way a large group of people feel. They are nervous of change and want to hold on to their whiteness as long as possible. The response by 45 in the wake of the incident was nothing short of expected, frustrating and sad. He did not call out a specific group until more than two days after the events, and instead chose to condemn “on many sides.” While 45 courts white supremacists and fascists in America, hate builds in the hearts of young and old people across the country. This is part of the silence. There is silence on behalf of 45 to condemn racism. There is silence by a majority of white folks to call out their injustice that they witness each and every day or on the news. There is a neglect in the situation not relating to them. But they’re wrong. Silence equals violence in not speaking up for what is right. Innocent people die, hate continue to live and fester and, overall, America continues to live in the past. We cannot continue to stay silent on injustice. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye. It’s on every decent human being to call out issues they see, they feel and they acknowledge because a better life for your neighbor is ultimately a better life for you. It's been about four weeks. Four Fridays about my boss called me into his office at 4pm to let me know that would be my last day of work. It wasn't about performance, it was purely a budget decision. I was numb, silent and all I could think about was packing up my desk and making it to my 6:30 haircut appointment.
Being let go from a steady source of income you know you need to survive is never easy, but how you deal with that setback I feel makes all the difference. I used that first weekend to process my new predicament, but to also forget about it. I know that following Monday I would hit the ground running in reaching out to folks and setting up my next great comeback. In this time I also have taken a deep breathe to appreciate not having commitments. Instead of waking up each day to go into a job I wasn't all that motivated about I make myself breakfast each day, I dedicate at least an hour of my day to the gym and on top of applying for new jobs I reach out to family and loved ones. It's been the simple reminder that you have to stop once in a while to smell the roses before their all dead. Life went on after my job dissolved and life will continue as well. In the past four weeks I've had about six serious phone calls and locked down two interviews that I feel great about. I choose to claim the victory in this time of the unexpected. What else do I have to lose? In the past four weeks there is no doubt in my mind that it's been one of the best things for me. It's a time to reconnect with myself and check myself. For a half of a second I was down, but I will never be out. What is it like being a black man living in a white man's world? I just finished reading one man's attempt at answering this question in the book "Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America," written by Nathan McCall. It's a book that initially after reading the first few pages I almost put down and said it wasn't for me. Something told me to keep reading, keep pushing and I am happy that I did. Personally, I've always known I lived in a world and a country that didn't quite belong to me as most people believe. I grew up in a town of predominantly white people in Oakland, New Jersey. I attended a private university of mostly white people in Syracuse University in upstate New York. Then upon moving to Harlem, New York I went to work in corporate America, dominated by white people. What is it like being an ambitious black man in America that won't settle for anything, but the best? It's simple, it's a daily challenge.
There are few things that the author and I share in common with our lives and even more differences. He grew up in a predominantly black town in Virginia. He went on to attend Norfolk State College in Virginia, a predominantly black college. Then, after serving some time in jail for armed robbery he finished school and went on to lead a productive life in the newspaper business. Stark differences from my own life, and yet as I turned the pages and he matured I felt a strong connection in our on our view of the world. McCall was fortunate to make something of himself after prison and work hard to live in his future and not let his past define him. Yet, he learned time and time again there were a lot of folks who did not want him to succeed. There were coworkers that said he only had his job because of affirmative action. There were old childhood friends that wanted to pull him back to doing illegal things. There were even women who did not have his best interest at heart, but saw what he represented and gravitated towards that. These are some of the things that plague a lot of people every day, but in particular, something that black men think about every second of every day. Am I good enough? Did I work hard enough? Did I earn this? This book told the life of McCall through the highs and the lows. It was a transparent view of one man's experiences and a personal diary of what a lot of black men go through, but rarely express. I gained so much from reading each page. From shared awkward experiences in the workplace articulated through the text to personal feelings of self-doubt to understanding when it's time to let some friends grow, it's all real and it's actually okay to experience and grow from. It's not easy living each day to the fullest, but no one said being great was supposed to be easy. Understanding who you are and where you come from and the sacrifices made before you help shape your own future. It's important for individuals to take accountability for their own lives, but it's even more important for each and every person to understand nationalities and backgrounds that they don't live every day. We are taught white America our entire lives growing up. There is small amounts of time spent on people of color, but is our history any less significant? Were we invisible or were we working just as hard to pull ourselves up? I never thought about this until reading this book, but there is such a heavy burden on others to learn about the things not taught in school. Be better and challenge yourself to get to know others who are not like you. Get to know their experiences good and bad. Get to know things that they struggle with on a daily basis, and there is no doubt there are shared experiences between all of us. It's not easy being a black man in a white mans world, but I kind of like it that way. Each day I have something to prove to no one else but myself. I am worthy, I am great and I am going to live the life I've always dreamed about. For fans and classmates of college athletes, if you don't make the pros, many are forgotten. For some life ends in many ways, but for others life begins. For former college football standout Desmond L. Scott, he chose the path of latter, choosing to use the tools he learned in football to catapult his entrepreneurial ventures. (Visit Fit Story Book for more)
------- Nestled in a strip mall near the often hectic Business 15-501 in Durham, N.C., sits Prime Athletic Training & Fitness Institute. Founded in 2013, owner and personal trainer Desmond L. Scott, 26, works every day to make sure his clients reach their health and fitness goals. Scott said the path he took to owning Prime was a result of two reasons. “My father was a personal trainer. While I was young, he pushed me to become certified once I became an adult. Being involved in athletics all my life, it made sense for me to train.” He was an athlete on Duke University’s football team, setting both Duke and Atlantic Coast Conference records. Following his time at the university, he transitioned from the gridiron to the classroom, teaching physical education at a local school for six months before creating Prime. Scott said he relied on his faith to steer him in the right direction. “I prayed and talked with the Lord and he told me that what I had to offer was bigger than the classroom … I could touch more people by owning my own business.” With divine guidance, Scott began work as a part-time personal trainer while he continued to teach. Shortly thereafter, he opened his business. To keep his clients motivated, Scott relies on one word, mentality. The word is painted on the wall in front of the entrance, forcing patrons to notice it every time they enter the building. Scott said attaining health and fitness goals start in a person’s mind. “If your mind is not where it needs to be you are not going to reach your physical fitness goals. The first thing we do is challenge your mindset. On your first day we make our clients do something crazy like 1,000 jump ropes. Of course clients look at us funny in the beginning, but a couple of weeks later, they smile when they see how easy the exercise has become. His gym is unique because of the atmosphere he creates. Scott said he wants to make sure everyone feels welcomed and not intimidated. “We are a family-oriented gym with an encouraging atmosphere. It is all about community here and working together. Our members push each other.” Along with offering products and services for normal, every day people, Prime also specializes in training athletes who play sports such as football, basketball and volleyball. As we welcome 2017, many people will begin to form fitness goals, Scott’s advice is simple. “Remember, don’t make anyone else’s health and fitness goals your goals.” If you need some motivation to get started on a path to fitness join Prime’s Durham Fitness Challenge. It’s a 30-day fitness challenge that allows you to purchase hand-written workouts that will get you in shape. Once you complete the workouts, the next step includes joining Prime in person to continue on your health and wellness journey. Written by Tony Evans, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Fit Story Book Check out all of their amazing content! |
Marquise Francislives by one word: achievement. in anything and everything, achieve. Archives
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