Home for the Holidays

The celebration of Christmas is by far the greatest holiday time in America.  No other holiday gets as much attention in terms of time, ads, celebrations, parties, gifts and sales.  It is as much a part of our way of life and culture that it is hard to separate it from other things that are happening at the same time.  It is also a time for the kids who are away at college or those sailors and soldiers who are deployed to come home.  It is a great time of the year in which to be thankful and spend some quality time with family and friends.    

Besides being the greatest holiday time, Christmas also has the most symbols that reflect this time of the year.  Each symbol has meaning and history as to why it is associated with Christmas.  And you can see them everywhere.  Some of the most notable symbols include the Christmas tree, holly branches, reefs, lights, decorations, candy canes, snowman, reindeer, Santa Claus, chest nuts, holiday parades, seasonal music and songs.  When you add in the faith community, there are even more symbols including the lighting of candles, the Star of David, special reading of scriptures about the birth of Christ, the wise men from the east, Shepherds in the fields, birth in a manger, angles, and special worship services to commemorate the occasion.      

Let’s not forget some of the thrills of this holiday that include the foods for meals and leftovers.    The food includes ham, turkey, pork chops, eggnog, coconut cake, sweet potato pie, mac and cheese, greens, rolls and corn bread, and of course this is just my short list.  The other thrill is the shopping for gifts for family and friends. There are tons of sales everywhere and there seems to be no shortage of items to choose from.     

But Christmas is much more than the symbols we use, the foods we eat and the shopping we do.  Christmas is about hope, love, joy and peace.  And believe me; we need a lot of each one.  It is about finding the real meaning of the coming of Christ into the world for such a time as this.  It’s a time to remember our blessings, help those who are less fortunate than we are and to find a way to help make our society better.  It is also a time to get together with family and friends, share the values of what we have in common and to focus on our future.  What do you think?              

Game On!!

If you have not notice it as of yet...we are already in the political season for 2016 and that is saying it mildly.  For many it seems that we just finished the last cycle only a few months ago.  And with each passing day it appears that someone is always running for some public office at the flip of a coin, drop of a hat or when an opportunity just comes available.  You get the feeling real quick that something is missing in the process that  people are more interested in running for or remaining in public office than getting things done for the people.      

I know you just can’t wait to start receiving all that promotional material including handouts, church fans and donation pledge cards.  Besides that, you will begin seeing ads on TV, yard signs, billboards, featured personal news stories and the debates.  And let’s not forget about being invited to attend town hall meetings, listening sessions, book signings, fund raising dinners, and few special rallies to get out the vote.   

From what I have seen and heard already, this upcoming election season will be something for the record books. I don’t mean just in terms of how many people who will be running for some kind of public office, but also in terms of how much money will be spend by each candidate.  The totals will be just “staggering” and “out the roof” for many.  To some observers, the money that is going to be spend would be enough to fund a middle size school district for an entire year or pay for a graduating high school class of 100 to attend college for four years.  It will be “off the chain” and we all see it coming. 

However, we must remember that all elections depend on whether or not enough voters come out to cast a vote for a particular candidate or on an issue that affects them.  The voter is the only person that really matters during each “political season.” It is up to voters to make sure their voices are heard on the issues.  Of course we have to understand that all elections are more about “local” issues than statewide or national. So today, its “Game On” for your vote for it really does count. What do you think?              

We Are United

Student protests on college campuses are not something new in America.  Throughout our American history, there have been numerous college student activities that highlight their dissatisfaction with a political, social or academic issue.  As a result, students have mobilized on their college campus to demonstrate and voice their dissatisfaction to the college administration. A number of these issues may spread throughout the campus, to other colleges and to the community at large. 

The protest issues vary and could include college policy, hikes in tuition, discrimination, an injustice, a firing of a popular instructor, limits on freedom of speech, need for more academic and support services, poor housing, and lack of diversity on staff and in administration. These protests can come in the form of sit-ins, walkouts, rallies, occupations of university offices or buildings, strikes, marches, hunger strikes, open letters, tent cities and boycotts.  Whatever the issue or what form is used, the student protest is about making a statement, seeking a remedy and taking a stand on something that matters to them. 

Some of the most notable student protests in America history occurred during the 1960's and included the University of California, Berkeley “Free Speech Movement”; Kent State and Jackson State University shootings and the Vietnam War protest; Ole Miss and University of Alabama enrollments protest and the Columbia University unrest over weapon research.  What is truly remarkable about many of these protests is the fact that many of them involved students from across diverse backgrounds.    

In the most recent high level student protest that occurred on campus at the University of Missouri, the core issues centered on racial intolerance and the unwillingness of university officials to talk with protesting students.  What started out as a one graduate student hunger strike; soon grew across social media, other colleges and to national headlines.   But unlike many of the protests of the past, this protect had something else added to the mix and included both short and long term financial impact to the university.  This student protest changed when 32 African American players on the college football team stood in solidarity with the protest and cited that they would not practice or play another game for the university until the one student ended his hunger strike. 

And just like that, the student protest turned into an economic impact with the possible loss of revenue from the remaining football games, conference fines and loss of donations from sponsors.  And within a matter of a few days and hours, the “little deal” had turned into a “big deal” and the University was forced to make changes and as a result the University President resigned effective immediately and later the same day the University of Missouri chancellor also resigned.  However, it was the Mayor of Colombia who stated that it will take more than the resignation of the university administration to bring about the change that is needed.  And he is right; it takes more than that, its takes changing the culture, perception and the optics of leadership.   What do you think?              

Living Along The Margins

In the minds of many the standing of any great nation, should not be found in how large it economy becomes, the projected power of its standing military, the amount of scholars it produces, the size of its manufacturing base... but should be measured by how it treats its people regardless of their socioeconomic status.  Regardless of where you travel in America, from big cities, the burbs, villages, rural and small towns...you can find people and families “living along the margins” in our economy.   This is considered living outside the “normal” or “mainstream” or on the “edges of society.”

We have all seen it, perhaps experienced an episode or two of it or know of people who are currently trapped in the “margins” of our society.   The margins are areas or time/space in which people have just enough on which to survive or to just get by.  They have no leeway or room for anything to go wrong.  For people “living along the margins” in our economy is just as much of a way of life and how things will continue to unfold in this 21^st century.  

There are a number of reasons and contributing factors why people are living there, for some it is by choice, complacency and some because of circumstances.  For some find themselves being marginalized because of their race, criminal history or disenfranchised from participating in the process. Additionally, many people find themselves there due to living in poverty, homelessness, low wages, incurably mental illness and physical disabilities.  In addition, others are struggling with drug additions, domestic violence, discrimination, illiteracy or overcoming long term traumatic experiences from military service.     

In spite of how, why and when people begin “living along the margins,” there is a need for acknowledgement of this reality and that those trapped along these “edges” cannot be ignored.  This concept demands that people have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of who they are, where they live and where they come from.  The day is gone when we cannot afford to look the other way and pretend that the people on the margins of society do not exist... they just need some respect, understanding and an even playing field.   What do you think?              

Finding a Loophole

 If you believe that everyone will play by the same rules, obey the same laws and follow the same policies... than you must be living in another world, time or just wishful dreaming.  Every day a lot of people, business owners, companies and even those in government are being caught for taking advantage of “loopholes” that exist in rules and laws.  Amazingly, some of these “loopholes” have existed for years without anyone taking notice.  We can find them in our tax codes, off shore banking, online gambling, gun ownership, voting rights, public policy, health care and insurance policies.  

Believe me, finding “loopholes” is not something new in this 21^st century, it’s been an ongoing practice since creation.  In nearly everything that has been created for the common good there have always been individuals who look for ways in which to take advantage of the rules for personal gain, power and for profit.  In some situations running afoul of the rules, breaking laws, and finding ways in which to exploit for some is common practice until they are caught.

Of course a “loophole” is defined as an ambiguity or inadequacy in the law or a set of rules.  It also can be viewed as an error in the way a law, rule, or contract has been written that makes it all possible to legally avoid obeying it all.  Additionally, it may allow for another interpretation of the same rules that yield a different set of outcomes.   

 

The average resident has nothing against forward progress, new rules and well-intended programs that are focused on helping to rebuild neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all.  And that is what most people really want, a fair chance or a balance playing field in which to achieve success in life and business.  However, the real problem comes when the rules are not followed, exceptions are made, ways are created to skirts around the process, no bid contacts, special treatment is extended and “favoritism it given to a few and it’s the game of who you know and who knows you”... that matters.     What do you think?              

Going Round in Circles

It been over 40 years, when in 1972, Billy Preston, recorded a single entitled “Will It Go Round in Circles” on his album “Music is My Life.” The song became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks and sold over a million copies.  Preston was considered a virtuoso keyboardist on a Hammond Organ and recognized as a top session musician in the 1960s.  During this time, he played and recorded with some of the greatest musical artists of his era, including Little Richard, Sam Cook, Ray Charles and the Beatles.

The song was very popular among those of us in high school or college during that time.  And if you loved to be on the dance floor, it was one of your best grooves for it got you moving to the beat.  Unlike today’s music, the song was easy to sing along with because of its carefree melody and lyrics. Similarly, this song was reflective of other songs of the early 1970s and came out while the Vietnam War was still going on, drug use was on the rise, poverty was growing, public housing was booming, social unrest and injustice was still common place. 

Nevertheless, it was a song that gave us something to think about in an abstract kind of way.  It resonated with a lot of people because of its unique meaning of progress and opened up our thinking about life and how to see things.  However, this song spoke to us, even if we did not fully grasp its meaning at that time...“I’ve got a song, I ain’t got no melody...I’ma gonna sing it to my friends.”  And yet, “I’ve got a story, I ain’t got no moral... Let the bad guy win every once in a while.” And further, “I’ve got a dance, I ain’t got no steps, no, ... I’m gonna let the music move me around.” And of course the chorus with questions, “Will it go round in circles? Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?

And when we think of where we are today... many of our parents and grandparents were marching in the 1960s and 70s for equal rights, respect, better way of life, future opportunities and the America Dream, and guess what? We are still marching today... Go figure!  It’s seems that if we have not learn anything from our past then our forward progress is even harder to measure.  Amazingly, all the work done by our ancestors toward progress continues to our struggle as well.  “Will it go round in circles?” is still the question.  What do you think?              

Let's Be UpFront

At first look glance, it seems that we are making some progress by what  people are saying,  stories written, town hall meetings held, radio talk shows, big plans being suggested and a  “blue ribbon committee” being formed that will study the problem and find a solution.  But just like some real live “magic act” and after some time the “big idea” somehow just disappeared into thin air or reduced to something you cannot even imagine.  There is no follow up, no point person taking the lead, no follow through and in the words of one community resident recently... “A lot of wind, some sounds of thunder... but no rain.”  Another resident cited ... “it’s the same old; same old ...nothing going to change...it’s just a different day.”  

This ugly truth is being played out each year and the story of what residents are saying is quite revealing.  Today, most residents are just trying to hold on to what they have, a roof over their head, food on the table and clothes on their backs.  In addition, they would also like a decent retirement, some health care, live in safety, raise their families, treated with respect and be at peace with their neighbors.  That is not too much to ask, you would think. 

But it appears that when a resident or group of residents attempt to participate in a particular program or two that would go a long way to improve their neighborhood, there seems to always be a “catch to it,” an “O by the way moment.”  That is also followed by a push back, further scrutiny, more guidelines and some other “hoops” to go through in order to “qualify.”  And then told that if they are not selected for this program, there are some other programs they might quality for.       

A lot of people get it, the limits, the process, the past, the scrutiny and even the “hoops” to go through.  But what all residents really want to know is to be told upfront about what it will take to participate, without some additional add-ons after application.  And you know what, that also not too much to ask for either.  We all want to have an opportunity to participate in programs and initiatives that will make our communities better, safer and healthier.  Our city is facing some huge challenges, but let’s be upfront about them.  What do you think?