Being Relevant

As this new century continues to march forward, one of the greatest challenges for most of us is how to remain “relevant” in a modern age.  Within this challenge are the central questions of how to remain connected to the matters at hand and how do we communicate with others to get our message out?   

Today, a lot of capital is being spent by major companies, both large and small, on how to remain at the top of their industry sector or in business at all.  It is not an option any more, gone are the days when people could depend on traditional brands, newspapers, media broadcasts and messages from industry standards.  The landscape has changed greatly and the old “guards” are struggling to keep up in “connecting” with the up and coming new generations of “X” and “Z” of consumers, voters, and diversity and business leaders.  I have to agree with you, that many of the old problems of poverty, housing, livable wage employment, crime and health care will persist, regardless of the times.    

We are not in “Kansas” anymore and the “Old South” is slowly changing.  Before you know it, the America of old will be no more and a new world order will be at hand.  No one is quite sure what that will look like or mean but we all know that it is coming.  Once you could buy newspapers at the local newsstand, read it in your den, in the park, go to the library, talk about things at the local barber/beauty shop and discuss things at the kitchen table.  But those days are all but gone... now its laptops, online video streaming, smart phones, tablets, it’s now news 24/7 at your fingertips.

If we want to remain in business, sell your products, maintain a certain market share, create a new client base, cross over into new demographics, to go global... then we have to remain "relevant" to the changing times.  These are new times...there are new technology tools in which to connect and communicate with others on "matters that matter" and are at hand.   

Additionally, we must be able to get people fully engaged in an experience of an idea, product, brand, candidate, or cause, one that not only changes behavior, but changes minds, and sustains that change.  This can only occur when we understand the value systems of people, their senses, and social perspectives.  We can never assume that our views are the same as those who we wish to connect with.  Urban America always stands ready for a new connection and a new message... and it’s all “relevant.”  What do you think?    

To Tell The Truth

“What is your name, please?”

This was the opening question by the game show host of “To Tell The Truth.” Each week the three challengers were asked the same question, as they were introduced to a celebrity panel and to the audience.  In response each challenger would then state, “My name is ...."   It is after each challenger gives the same response, that a celebrity panel would begin asking questions of each challenger.  The central goal was to determine who is telling the truth about themselves and who the impostors are.   

Each panelist were given a period of time to question the challengers and questions were clearly directed to each challenger in the form (number one, number two and number three).  Only the central character is sworn to give truthful answers and the two impostors are permitted to lie or pretend to be the real or central character.  After all the questioning is completed, each member of the panel votes on which of the three challengers they believe is the real character.  They would then cast their vote by writing the number on a card and holding it up revealing their choice.  This would be done without the panelists consulting among themselves.    If a panelist knows one of the challengers, they were required to recuse themselves and their vote would not count. 
 

Once the votes were in, the host then asks, “Will the real (person’s name)... please stand up?”  Then the real character would stand, often after some brief playful feinting, false starts and strange looks among the three challengers.  Later, the two impostors then would reveal their real names, actual occupations and where they were from. Prize money was awarded to the challengers based on the number of incorrect votes the impostors received. 
   
What a great show, its popularity helped it to last 25 seasons on networks and in syndication.  It is only one of five game shows that aired at least one new episode in at least six consecutive decades.  The other shows are “The Price is Right, Let’s Make a Deal, The Newlywed Game and Jeopardy,” and they are still running today.   That is amazing for a game show that began in 1956 and ended in 2001 continues to speak and impact us today.
 
What is happening in the inner cities of America, with the high levels of disparities and more, it’s time “To Tell the Truth.”  This is not a game, when the qualities of people lives are at stake, rising poverty, increasing crime, poor schools, high incarceration and outsourcing jobs (not just overseas), but out of community are still pledging us.  It's is not a game, when it appears that there are too many impostors and not enough real people to stand up for urban America.  It's not a game, when the people that are affected the most are not even at the table.   Of course the makeup of the panel is also a big question mark.  What do you think?           

Running With The Pack

One of the most exciting races at all major track and field events is the men and women 4 x 100 meter relay races.  This is by far my personal favorite event and demonstrates more than just a race.  In my humble opinion it requires each member of the relay team to perform at their personal best, while at the same time be in sync with the other members of the team when the time comes in passing the “baton.” 

This race has it all, individual ability, teamwork, speed, knowledge and skill.   You talk about teamwork, coordination, timing, talent, logistics, decision making, being focus, and depending on others to come through in doing their personal best.  And of course, let us not forget having an appreciation and a healthy respect for the competition.  Just because you showed up, dressed to look the part, does not mean “winning” the race is a given.  For some of the most talented teams in history never won on the biggest stages.  The winning teams of these kinds of races are usually the ones who continue to practice doing the small things well, refining their technique, and a winning attitude.

The critical moments of these relays include having a great start out of the block, clean handoffs at each 25 meters, maintaining speed during the three turns, speed in the straight away and a strong kick by the last sprinter (the anchor)… WOW!!! What a performance… and what a trilling moment… to witness that during the last turn the passing of the “baton” to the anchors across all lanes… and for a moment you see the pack, side by side and all the well knowing that the pack is only together for a moment and soon one, two or three anchors will emerge from the pack and take the lead down the home streak towards the finish line.  And only one team is declared the winner.  

Just like what it takes to win in the 4 x 100 relays… our urban American community team need the same amount of attention and support.  If urban America is going to make a comeback, its residents, pastors, faith leaders, churches, grass root leaders, block clubs and associations must be seen as team members in solving problems.  They should not be invited to participate when decisions and game plans have already been made, but are only asked for input, ideas and involvement on what others have perceived already.  No urban American community team can win any race when the most important part of the team is being left out of the picture, always being stuck in the “pack” for a photo op or media session.  A winning team is one that relies on each of its members to use their abilities to make the team a “winner” during every race.  All the urban America community team need is someone to pass the “baton” and we can take it home.   WOW! Wouldn’t that be great?    What do you think?      

   

Seeing The Forest

“Can’t see the forest for the trees,” is a figure of speech (or idiom) that some use to describe when people are having a hard time seeing a larger perspective of a particular situation.  This figure of speech requires that one should be able to understand the whole if one can understand the meaning of each of the parts that make up the whole.  We use idioms or figures of speech nearly every day to best describe what is going on, including… it is not rocket science…you are pulling my leg… the devil is in the details… the early bird catches the worm… it’s raining cats and dogs…kicked the bucket… break a leg, how do we get to the bottom of this situation?... and Oh no! You spilled the beans?” to just name a few.        

In the figure of speech “can’t see the forest for the trees,” the meaning is that one looks at things one at a time and might not realize that a branch of separate trees go together to make a forest.  It also means that one can focus in on the various details in particular and might failed to see the overall view, impression, key points or long view.  In other words, many often lose sight of the big picture by getting themselves mired down into the details, while not fully understanding that some issues are interconnected.  

Each week, I encounter a number of people in our community who are solely focused on one or more details of a problem.  And that is “OK” in my book, we need people working on various issues to help us all live better, do better, live longer and to act better.  There is no doubt about it, we need committed people to be advocates for better health care, quality of education, affordable housing, livable wage employment, incarceration, racism, voting, running for public office and economic development.  We need all the help we can get and then some.  But we also need people to understand that the problem they are dealing with is also larger, interconnected with other issues and together the “picture” or “mosaic” is something to see and framing it up is a far greater task.    

All situations, regardless of size or scope has a history, roots and a reason why behind it.  Just because a situation has ended in some aspects, laws passed decades ago, a new generation, times has change; does not mean it has not left a legacy or residual effect… for some people have not gotten the memo, email or text yet.  Perspective is what we need and to keep in mind when dealing with the details.    What do you think?       

Freedom Riders

Our American history is full of men and women of all races who have played a significant role in shaping what it means to be a true American and for civil rights.  Some of them became quite noticeable for their efforts, while others worked in the background and became great supporters of the movements.  At the time of what they did or service provided was not history, but nevertheless became history simply because they believed in their dreams and ideas.  It was because of their passion to do something; to speak out at rallies, to walk over bridges, ride a train, take a seat on a bus, sit down at a restaurant counter, or even ride buses on interstates hundreds of miles so as to challenge the non-enforcement of federal laws which ruled that segregated public buses were unconstitutional, especially in the south.  These events were truly remarkable to just make something happen, regardless of the consequences. 

This past week many in our nation paid tribute to the hundreds men and women who boarded buses and attempted to travel across the segregated south to bring attention for the need of the federal government to enforce the laws that outlawed racial segregation in restaurants and waiting rooms in bus terminals serving buses that crossed state lines.  Of course those laws were being ignored by southern states and the Interstate Commerce Commission failed to enforce the rulings and yet Jim Crow travel laws remained in force throughout the South.    

On May 4, 1961, the first Freedom Ride left Washington, D.C. and was scheduled to arrive in New Orleans on May 17.  This first ride included 13 people, seven black and six whites.  Their route included rides through Virginia, North/South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi and ending in New Orleans.  They experienced some trouble in Virginia, but things became more challenging in the Carolinas, where some were arrested.  The most difficult period occurred in Birmingham, Al when the riders were attacked by white mods and the KKK, all the while the local police stood by.  As a result, several of the riders had to be hospitalized and thus ended the bus ride and they flew directly to New Orleans from Birmingham. 

What happened in Birmingham did not stop the Freedom Rides, for soon after more rides were organized, and with national and world wide attention, more new riders came and this time they were from nearly every state in the country.  The new riders met with more trouble, attacks, imprisonment, a bus burning, confrontations, especially in Alabama and Mississippi.   But in the end nothing stopped the beauty of the idea, shared commitment and the dedication of those who were willing to pay a price to change a nation to honor it laws and to hear its people.  What do you think?