tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86767574232457847222024-03-05T04:26:52.654-08:00The BlackboardDario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-4765456803528368282013-07-17T15:12:00.001-07:002013-07-17T15:13:23.299-07:00It's Been a While But I Feel Compelled............It has been a while since I have posted anything to this blog but in light of the recent events, I feel compelled to share my feelings. The verdict does not bother me. The news coverage does not bother me. Even some of the testimonies of the jurors after the trial does not bother me. The thing that bothers me the most is the perception of some of a 17 year old child. A lot of people are saying on mutliple blogs and comment sections of articles that he was not a child. He should not have attacked Zimmerman or he attacked him and he got what he deserved. It deeply saddens me to hear these sort of things. I was very upset at first but now I am just sad. It has come to the point that a black 17 year old kid is viewed as an equal life threat to a 29 year old man that is carrying a gun. Again, the perception of some is the thing that saddens me the most. For some, there is no empathy or benefit of the doubt for a 17 year old black kid versus an adult. For some, there is no expectation for a 29 year old man with a gun to make better decisions than a 17 year old kid without a gun. Nobody deserves to be attacked, everybody has the right to defend themselves but in my humble opinion, nobody deserved to die in that situation. I think so many people are pre-programmed to believe what George Zimmerman did is normal that it has become normal and that is the problem. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="body">
<br /></div>
<div class="body">
<br /></div>
Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-25903004105575779172010-03-16T07:19:00.000-07:002010-03-16T07:35:45.667-07:00New Orleans actor Anthony Mackie brings New Orleans to the stage at the Oscars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.nola.com/entertainment_impact_tvfilm/photo/0313-anthony-mackie-hurt-locker-oscars-1jpg-df0bbbea2caa1521_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.nola.com/entertainment_impact_tvfilm/photo/0313-anthony-mackie-hurt-locker-oscars-1jpg-df0bbbea2caa1521_large.jpg" vt="true" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">New Orleans native and 'Hurt Locker' actor Anthony Mackie, top right, celebrates the film's Best Picture Oscar onstage at the Kodak Theatre on Sunday (March 7) with co-stars Jeremy Renner and Brian Geraghty, director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal.</span></div><br />
Two days before attending his first Oscars ceremony, New Orleans actor and "Hurt Locker" star Anthony Mackie was playing it cool.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts grad admitted being excited about attending the Academy Awards on behalf of his nine-times-nominated film, of course, but there was an easy, restrained quality to his voice as he said it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"It's been a whirlwind," he said, sincerely but nonchalantly. "We definitely didn't know what to expect when signing on to all of this, but 'Hurt Locker' has kind of come full circle, so we're just riding the wave."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
By Sunday night, under the glare of the flashbulbs lining the red carpet in front of Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, that facade began melting away.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"I'm too excited," he told red-carpet host Robert Osborne in a near-shout upon arriving at the mob-scene that is a pre-Oscar tradition. "My first Academy Awards ceremony. The Saints won the Super Bowl. It couldn't get any better."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A little bit more than three and a half hours later, it got better. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.nola.com/entertainment_impact_tvfilm/photo/0313-anthony-mackie-hurt-lockerjpg-0bd4a8fedead69dd_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.nola.com/entertainment_impact_tvfilm/photo/0313-anthony-mackie-hurt-lockerjpg-0bd4a8fedead69dd_medium.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">New Orleans actor Anthony Mackie, in a scene from 'The Hurt Locker.'</span> </div><br />
THE MACKIE FILE <br />
<br />
Name: Anthony Mackie <br />
<br />
Age: 30<br />
<br />
Resides: Splits time between New Orleans and New York <br />
<br />
Roles you remember: Sgt. J.T. Sanborn in "The Hurt Locker" (2009); Tupac Shakur in "Notorious" (2009); Frank in "Half Nelson" (2006); and Shawrelle Berry in "Million Dollar Baby" (2004); Papa Doc in "8 Mile" (2002) <br />
<br />
Now playing: Playwright Martin McDonagh's black comedy "A Behanding in Spokane," with Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell, now playing on Broadway<br />
<br />
Coming soon: The films "The Adjusment Bureau," co-starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, and based on the short story "Adjustment Team" by Philip K. Dick; and the locally shot "Bolden!," in which he plays legendary New Orleans musician Buddy Bolden.<br />
<br />
In his words: Watch Mackie talk about "The Hurt Locker" in a Nola.com online video. "The Hurt Locker," the acclaimed indie about the pressure-cooker lives of a three-man U.S. bomb squad in Iraq, was named the best picture of 2009 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. And, finally, Mackie let the moment take him away.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
TV cameras watched as he leapt from his seat and lifted co-star Brian Geraghty off the ground in an enthusiastic embrace. The cameras watched as Mackie and Geraghty, along with co-star and best actor nominee Jeremy Renner, rushed the stage. As director Kathryn Bigelow accepted the movie's sixth Oscar of the night, the three men stood behind her, their arms around each other's shoulders -- brothers in arms -- and beamed and hooted and reveled in the moment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yeah, it's been a whirlwind all right, and a long road from the 30-year-old Mackie's youth in New Orleans' 7th Ward.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"It was a quintessential New Orleans childhood," he said. "Played in my school band from elementary to high school. Went to NOCCA (and Warren Easton Senior High), went fishing in City Park -- a typical New Orleans childhood."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But he wasn't exactly a typical kid. He could act, this one. After NOCCA, it was on to Juilliard and a string of roles that earned him notice on the New York stage. Just like that, a film career was born, bringing praise nearly every step of the way, in films such as "Half Nelson" and another best picture winner, "Million Dollar Baby."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then came "The Hurt Locker," a little film about a big subject, shot in the scorching Jordanian desert about three miles from the Iraq border.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"It was twice as intense (making the film) as it is watching it," Mackie said. "It was just so hot and so unpredictable. ... But we had a good time -- we tried to have as much of a good time as we could. We had a lot of Iraqi refugees working on the film, and they really gave us the insight of what was going on at the time of the war in Iraq."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What was really unpredictable is that their little film caught on with critics while hitting the film-festival circuit in late 2008 and early 2009. "Nobody expected it," Mackie said. "We knew we were all there for the right reasons and to make a good film, but nobody knew it would be accepted the way it has been. It's truly been a surprise for everybody involved."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As much as critics have gushed about the film -- it has earned a score of 94 on the movie-review aggregator Metacritic.com, and a 91 percent "fresh" rating at RottenTomatoes.com -- audiences have shied from it, as they have from most movies dealing with the war in Iraq. Worldwide, the film made just $16 million -- $100 million less than "Alice in Wonderland" made in just its opening weekend, and almost $2 billion less than James Cameron's "Avatar," its major competition at the Oscars, has grossed to date.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.nola.com/entertainment_impact_tvfilm/photo/0313-anthony-mackie-hurt-locker-oscar-red-carpetjpg-443fc3594697e14d_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.nola.com/entertainment_impact_tvfilm/photo/0313-anthony-mackie-hurt-locker-oscar-red-carpetjpg-443fc3594697e14d_medium.jpg" vt="true" width="223" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">New Orleans actor Anthony Mackie hits the red carpet at the 82nd annual Academy Awards.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
"It definitely says a lot at this stage in my career to be going to the Oscars for a film that's nominated for best picture, and (with) a co-star that is nominated for best actor," Mackie said. "It says a lot for everything we put into the film and the relationships that we made making the film."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As evidenced by their Oscar-night pose on the Kodak Theatre stage, those relationships only strengthened as awards season had the movie's stars tuxing up nearly every other week to collect more hardware. "It's funny when you get to see the same group of people over and over again, you instantly become cohorts, you instantly become friends, because you realize you're all on the same path," he said.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The awards season commotion only adds to an already busy time for Mackie. This summer, he co-stars with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt in Universal Pictures' big-budget sci-fi romance "The Adjustment Bureau," based on a Philip K. Dick story. Before that, he played seminal New Orleans jazzman Buddy Bolden in the biopic "Bolden!," shot partially in New Orleans but which has yet to land a distribution deal. He also continues working to get a passion project off the ground, a movie about barrier-breaking Olympic athlete Jesse Owens, which Mackie will produce and star in.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And just three nights before the Oscars, he opened playwright Martin McDonagh's new Broadway play -- "A Behanding in Spokane" -- with Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell. That kept him in New York until the morning of the Oscars, when he hopped a cross-country flight to Hollywood for Sunday night's show. Monday morning, it was back to New York.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To put it simply, he said: "It's been a whirlwind adventure."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Despite it all, Mackie's still a New Orleanian through and through. Although he moved to New York some years ago to focus on his film and stage career, his family still lives in New Orleans. Two years ago, he said, he bought his own place here. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"When I'm not working, I'm in New Orleans," he said, calling from New York. "I keep my place here because I do most of my work out of New York. So when I'm not here (in New York), I'm in New Orleans. When I'm not in New Orleans, I'm here."<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.nola.com/entertainment_impact_tvfilm/photo/0313-anthony-mackie-broadwayjpg-20850bc4088f4fd9_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.nola.com/entertainment_impact_tvfilm/photo/0313-anthony-mackie-broadwayjpg-20850bc4088f4fd9_medium.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Anthony Mackie, right, makes a curtain call after a production of 'A Behanding in Spokane,' the Broadway play in which he appears with, from left, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockell and Zoe Kazan.</span><br />
<br />
Whether or not he's working, you can find him in New Orleans on Saints game days. He's a season-ticket holder and a passionate fan -- so much so that he flies in for every home game. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It was Mackie, in fact, who was responsible for New England Patriots fan and "Adjustment Bureau" co-star Damon wearing a Saints jersey on a recent appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman." It was the result of a bet that would have seen Mackie trumpeting the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady on "The View" if the 2010 NFL post-season had gone differently.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"(But) we have bragging rights," he said. "I don't care if we lose every game next season. I keep telling people you can't take it away from us until you take it away from us."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
He's talking about the Lombardi Trophy, of course, not the Oscar, or that memorable Oscar-night moment when he and his "Hurt Locker" band of brothers got to take the stage.<br />
<br />
<br />
That's something that can never be taken away.<br />
<br />
<strong>By Mike Scott, The Times-Picayune </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>March 13, 2010, 5:00AM</strong>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-57418919110916170412009-11-22T11:59:00.000-08:002009-11-22T18:10:16.648-08:00Murderer??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_XicaqBU2tVTyLZccnbjKOeAbKppVDQFymCrUlvxgdDV5ubHRcLXXIv1lqvFJJAWD8kuxFU-Q6FCzz0BiphAim0REKPgwwGYrENm8NvmScMFTemJm6I-CSu2epPOg9q1nVrpSCYo3vqo/s1600/ap_Jamar_Pinkney_Sr_091119_mn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_XicaqBU2tVTyLZccnbjKOeAbKppVDQFymCrUlvxgdDV5ubHRcLXXIv1lqvFJJAWD8kuxFU-Q6FCzz0BiphAim0REKPgwwGYrENm8NvmScMFTemJm6I-CSu2epPOg9q1nVrpSCYo3vqo/s320/ap_Jamar_Pinkney_Sr_091119_mn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407038168404371186" /></a><br />I don't know how many people have heard the story of Jamar Pinkney. If you haven't you can read it by clicking <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/WN/father-kills-son-molesting-sister/story?id=9127703">here</a>. Basically Jamar Pinkney found out that his 15 year old son molested a 3 year old girl. He made his son strip naked and marched him to an empty lot where he ordered his son on his knees and executed him. He did this after hearing the pleas of his son and his wife. I believe the father could not live with having a child molester as a son. <div><br /></div><div>As I've stated on my other <a href="http://sleep-is-the-cousin-of-death.blogspot.com/2009/11/capital-punishment.html">blog</a> I do not believe a human should decide the life and death of another human being, not matter how heinous the crime may be. Can I say I wouldn't do the same thing in this man's shoes? I don't know. He may have been in a temporary state of insanity. I could never imagine if my son was spineless enough to take advantage of a toddler. Who knows what type of monster this boy could have grown up to become (assuming he wouldn't have had some type of therapy or intervention). </div><div><br /></div><div>The person I feel for the most in this situation is Lazette Cherry, the mother of the boy and wife of Jamar Pinkney. She has basically lost her son and husband in the blink of an eye. She has gone on record as saying:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:14px;">"I called and told his father this isn't something you sweep under the rug,"</span></div><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Even though she did the right thing by telling her husband, in retrospect I would imagine she probably wishes she told her husband at a later point or in a different manner. This is a sad situation because essentially two lives have been lost over two senseless acts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Do you think Jamar Pinkney was wrong for taking the law into his own hands? Would you have done the same? </div>Tundehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679721958814302294noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-39170304050754304622009-11-13T06:19:00.000-08:002009-11-13T06:48:02.809-08:00THUNDER COLLINS, HIS TALENT IS HIS CALL<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq6oKbyZ35xhNq3FU3q-c0GacE-UFwJVyvuH3mrmasO2aZWbQ6WflS-cpeLhwMVLafXNhnSUNOIisfnTPrXqW4H1KxbGjScKjKPjLqOYSlk9f6CQlc8M2Gad2peCj_FJzJkPX5gpxlV4/s1600-h/a_collins_200.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403593155339717842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq6oKbyZ35xhNq3FU3q-c0GacE-UFwJVyvuH3mrmasO2aZWbQ6WflS-cpeLhwMVLafXNhnSUNOIisfnTPrXqW4H1KxbGjScKjKPjLqOYSlk9f6CQlc8M2Gad2peCj_FJzJkPX5gpxlV4/s320/a_collins_200.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
American essayist, philosopher, and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "Each man has his own vocation; his talent is his call. There is one direction in which all space is open to him."<br />
<br />
The substance of this quote can apply to nearly any aspect of life and in any profession. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, barbers, sports whatever the profession, an individual realizes they have some degree of talent and then work to develop their skill set. The athlete who works hard becomes a world famous player and the best in his sport. The doctor who works hard becomes a world renowned surgeon.<br />
<br />
Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Johnny Cochran.............. what do they all have in common? All had talent and developed it to be successful. Far more important than developing their talent is the fact that they were fortunate enough to not get in their own way while developing that talent.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYxkw9SPHdQ2K4D0oFvQeTFcxWWjgdOtJhgwNFsbRuLhpFlTKIBhelUB7Yt-Y3VeJUmGJNXq2ZmPdaWjN_rPC5PO-X9JHeqpLHU3qh-N3gbGqdr2A9onLEOIw-QzwVJmTo6-tSr50zzty/s1600/get+out+of+your+own+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYxkw9SPHdQ2K4D0oFvQeTFcxWWjgdOtJhgwNFsbRuLhpFlTKIBhelUB7Yt-Y3VeJUmGJNXq2ZmPdaWjN_rPC5PO-X9JHeqpLHU3qh-N3gbGqdr2A9onLEOIw-QzwVJmTo6-tSr50zzty/s320/get+out+of+your+own+way.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
What do I mean by this? Far too many times we have witnessed people who have talents one can only dream of; yet they are unable to get out of the way to allow the talent to blossom.<br />
<br />
Thunder Collins was a University of Nebraska running back. As a high school senior he rushed for over 1,110 yards. He was a Junior College All American and was recruited by several large universities.<br />
<br />
Today, Thunder Collins is a convicted killer sentenced to life in prison with an additional 110 years for other counts. Thunder Collins provides a prime example of how we get in the way of our talents and close the space that Emerson spoke of.<br />
<br />
Thunder Collins (Univ of Nebraska), Lawrence Phillips (Univ of Nebraska), Cecil Collins (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LSU</span>), and Maurice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Clarett</span> (Ohio State) are all bad exmaples of young black men with endless potential and are all currently incarcerated. Why is this?<br />
<br />
If a man’s talent is his calling, why are their life changing obstacles placed before him that prevent him from reaching his calling?<br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://doroteos2.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/question-marks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" sr="true" src="http://doroteos2.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/question-marks2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div></div>M. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03259680333222299751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-9574406244969148452009-11-09T06:20:00.000-08:002009-11-11T17:17:29.381-08:00THE GRAY AREA PART III – THE GIFT AND THE CURSE….WHAT’S WORSE?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn27OjbVzaN8DwpTCVwa7Ccj00iVAcxNUNDVwT2RupIpf-61Ld9Nx6NoFzw9FD3lQZ0EPuoOUcpxvao0XD4wkogsidMUFHQ4GIbz00_BQ3I175wVY1v8Q5VS6cWrLveRP0pfDGUErKMiP/s1600-h/gray256.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402109640640005986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn27OjbVzaN8DwpTCVwa7Ccj00iVAcxNUNDVwT2RupIpf-61Ld9Nx6NoFzw9FD3lQZ0EPuoOUcpxvao0XD4wkogsidMUFHQ4GIbz00_BQ3I175wVY1v8Q5VS6cWrLveRP0pfDGUErKMiP/s320/gray256.gif" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 256px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 256px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<em>Preface<br />
I am only trying to bring light to things that may seem gray to people. I am in no way trying to bash the practices or views of others. The views below and in the Gray Area Series have been compiled over the years. They have previously been expressed by me and those around me, both male and female. I am currently dating and things are going very well.</em><br />
<br />
Have you ever wondered, “What’s the best way to tell a woman I’m not interested?” Or ladies, have you ever wondered the same in terms of a man? I don’t think there is an easy way to say no, but there is a hard way to say yes. Saying yes with intentions of doing the opposite is a very hard way to say yes. True, sometimes, no isn’t good enough, but I was always brought up…no means no. Weren’t you?<br />
<br />
Let’s extend this “No” for a moment. If you’re looking for a job, and a recruiter calls you and tells you about this job that seems interesting on the surface. You ask additional questions and then you tell the recruiter to set you up for a phone interview with the hiring manager. Once the manager calls you, you make a quick assessment and determine 1) you’re not interested and would rather wait it out for something better 2) you’re interested.<br />
<br />
Let’s examine the above with the following assumptions: <br />
This job matches or is better than what your resume would offer you<br />
The company is not a fortune 500 company<br />
The benefits of this job a far greater that any of your previous jobs<br />
You’re currently unemployed<br />
You have no complaints with the look and feel of the company’s website.<br />
<br />
<em>~You’re not interested and rather wait it out for something better</em><br />
If you haven’t had a job in a few months or have been from job to job over the last year, why would you pass on a job with so much to offer? Why would you feel more inclined with justifying why you’re not working, when you’ve had this opportunity come along? (Haven’t you heard this before, “there aren’t any good available women around.” “There aren’t any good available men around.”)<br />
<br />
Well, it’s obvious that those who pass up on this job are so used to the state their in, they don’t recognize the difference between the genuine gold in front of them and something that’s gold plated. True this job isn’t with a Fortune 500 company, but you won’t have to be stuffed in a small cubicle with your manager watching your every move. With a Fortune 500 company, you won’t be able to access the internet and you’re only allowed 30 minutes for lunch. But, hey, that’s the life of those employed by some a fortune 500 companies. That’s what you want, right? Or, that’s what you deserve?<br />
<br />
The company wants you...but you’re not interested anymore. I’m sure you would tell the recruiter “No, I’m not interested in this position.” Correct? And if he keeps asking you about the job, you would continue to tell him no, right? No ambiguity there. Maybe you would tell him you’re interested, and when the company calls to make you an offer…you wouldn’t answer right? Would you? Have you?<br />
<br />
What’s worse, saying no, or saying yes and really meaning no? Let’s not speak of things we don’t really want…like a good woman (fellas)….like a good man (ladies). Let’s not say we want a Good Company when we really want a Good Fortune 500 Company. Let’s not say no and mean yes or say yes and mean no. A yes, is a yes, and a no is a no…there’s nothing in between. “No” Gray! I’m sure the company who wants you would appreciate it (wink wink).Elgin Suggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10032166535277082008noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-48955621328543551672009-11-04T13:48:00.000-08:002009-11-04T13:48:14.792-08:00Blackboard Experience: It Takes a Village to Raise a Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Area-Teen-R.article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Area-Teen-R.article.jpg" vr="true" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Some of the stories that I share are for inspiration, overall uplifting and celebration of things that people may do in the black community that may get overlooked. I try my best to bring light to these great contributions or achievements from people. However, some of my stories comes from absolute outrage or an experience that really compels me to share what I see, think and thought at the time that this was going on.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">ATLANTA WEEKEND OCT. 30 – NOV. 1<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Saturday, Oct. 31, which was Halloween, I went to a Halloween party. This party was nothing special. It was just normal everyday costume party. Nothing ridiculous or out of the ordinary happened. It was my experience stopping at the gas station that struck a nerve in me. I stopped at the gas station to get a pack of gum. As I was walking into the gas station, I noticed there were about 5 to 6 black kids hanging out around and in the convenience store.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Now, to some people, this may not be a big deal but to me, it was an extremely big deal. This black male who was between 17- 21 years old by my guess asked me if I smoked weed. Initially, I thought that he was looking for weed and then I realized that he was trying to sell me weed. The first time he asked me I did not turn around because I did not think he was talking to me. Then again, when I was leaving out, he asked me again. I answered short and abruptly, <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">“Nah dog.”<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I was walking out I noticed two girls were part of the five people hanging around. I was not able to determine if the cashier was black or some sort of foreigner. However, I did notice that the glass between him and I was at least 4 inches thick.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> These are some questions I begin to ask myself:<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">WHY <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Why is this kid in a convenience store owned by a foreigner hanging out in the store and not buying anything and trying to sell me weed? It is 9:00 pm or a Friday night. Isn’t there a School Halloween Dance, football or basketball game going on? Isn’t there a girl you could take to the movies? Couldn’t you be at a job? Isn’t there something else you could be doing with your time? Also, what were the girls doing there? Are they trying to hang around the guy that is selling weed? Is that cool? <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">HOW <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">How did this become something to do for this kid? What motivates him to hang at a store away from home? Is he hanging away from home because his parents will be upset at home if they caught him selling in the neighborhood? Is his parents even around? How can’t this kid be doing 100 other things?<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">WHEN<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When did this become acceptable? When did people who own stores allow people to loiter in and around their property selling weed? Doesn’t that affect their business? Are they scared to tell this kid something because he may cause harm to them?<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">WHAT<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What should I have down? Should I have tried to talk to him and ask him his situation and offer him help? Would he have looked at me driving a Toyota Camry and said, “What the hell will I listen to him for?” Would he have gotten upset with me if I tried to interfere?Well, I don’t know because I walked out without a word or even a look. I went to my party and although this was on my mind, I still had fun and followed my normal routine.<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are my questions to you:<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Should I even be complaining about this considering that I did or said nothing?<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Are we responsible for this disturbing behavior?<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Can this pattern of behavior be stopped and if so, how long will it take?<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lastly, the collective thoughts of people who may think about these things are extremely important to me. If you have any comments or concerns or anything on this matter, please comment because it takes a village to raise a child. <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="color: red;">"It takes a village to raise a child" originated from the Nigerian Igbo culture and proverb "Ora na azu nwa" which means it takes the community/village to raise a child. The Igbo's also name their children "Nwa ora" which means child of the community. It has been in existence in Africa for centuries. </span></strong><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions/seeingafrica/images/works/display/marche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions/seeingafrica/images/works/display/marche.jpg" vr="true" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thanks,<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dario Mobley<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-66998149127270441692009-10-22T11:37:00.000-07:002009-10-22T12:55:23.510-07:00Role Model<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7-Xp7OCVwmanov5jETac_yXEcwA03CePGhv-1jDadUoGirbmNP1yt_y97-Va9WikiJwTfLzfuAhuGnZrKgn8oo9kxFSmqaNnAkSFrXlTlR4KA8WRBMXdAYzwDxkmfKpnqn4S4jEb-VL7/s1600-h/Role_Models_650a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395510222859481970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7-Xp7OCVwmanov5jETac_yXEcwA03CePGhv-1jDadUoGirbmNP1yt_y97-Va9WikiJwTfLzfuAhuGnZrKgn8oo9kxFSmqaNnAkSFrXlTlR4KA8WRBMXdAYzwDxkmfKpnqn4S4jEb-VL7/s320/Role_Models_650a.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 222px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">Not ideal but at least they tried</span><br />
</div><div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">In today's society where o</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">nly 3 out of 100 black males entering kindergarten will graduate from<br />
college it's imperative that we as individuals do all that we can to buck this trend. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">Every 5 seconds during the school day, a black public school student is suspended. Every 46 seconds during the school day, a black high school student drops out. Those of us that have achieved higher education and have "made something" of ourselves have a responsibility to lift as we climb and become bridge builders for our youth. If we don't then I fear that blacks in America, especially black males, will become a lost cause. </span></span></span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></span><br />
<div align="center"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">THE BRIDGE BUILDER</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
<br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">An old man, going a lone highway,<br />
Came at the evening cold and gray,<br />
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,<br />
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.<br />
The old man crossed in the twilight dim-<br />
That sullen stream had no fears for him;<br />
But he turned, when he reached the other side,<br />
And built a bridge to span the tide.<br />
<br />
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,<br />
"You are wasting strength in building here.<br />
Your journey will end with the ending day;<br />
You never again must pass this way.<br />
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,<br />
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"<br />
<br />
The builder lifted his old gray head.<br />
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,<br />
"There followeth after me today<br />
A youth whose feet must pass this way.<br />
This chasm that has been naught to me<br />
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.<br />
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;<br />
Good friend, I am building the bridge for </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">him."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</span></span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
-WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE</span></span></b><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">We must not only think of ourselves but those who will come behind us. In this day and age there are so many pitfalls that can trip the youth in their journey to becoming successful and well rounded adults. I'm not going to be the one to blame BET, entertainers or movies for this. Growing up I watched a lot of violence on television and I listened to a lot of rap music. I believe that I turned out the way I did because I had plenty of positive role models in my life that taught me the value of getting a good education and living life on the straight and narrow. These role models weren't just my parents, they were teachers, coaches and parents of friends. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">My mission to you is think about what you can do to help someone who may or may not have been in your shoes. If you already have and are doing what you can to help the cause then kudos to you. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">-----------------------------------------</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">References:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">National Center for Education Statistics. (2001). The Condition of Education,<br />
2001. U.S. Department of Education.<br />
<br />
U.S. Department of Education. (1999). Hope for Urban Education: A Study of<br />
Nine High-Performing, High-Poverty, Urban Elementary Schools. U.S. Department of<br />
Education.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
</div></div>Tundehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679721958814302294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-22664986094850600372009-10-20T13:29:00.000-07:002009-10-20T13:29:35.770-07:00Blackboard Feature: Steve Perry - 100% Go To College<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/LIVING/07/22/bia.education.success/art.steve.perry.cnn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" height="315" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/LIVING/07/22/bia.education.success/art.steve.perry.cnn.jpg" width="420" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">HARTFORD, Connecticut (CNN) -- Principal Steve Perry doesn't believe in cursory inspections. For him, every single detail matters. T's are always crossed, I's are always dotted. Shirts are always buttoned and tucked in.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>During his daily morning hallway inspections, he reprimands a student not wearing the Capital Prep school approved sweatshirt with a "That's not our gray." He then quickly peers into another classroom to witness a student acting up. "Don't do it! Don't do it! Don't do it!" he warns sternly. The student retorts "Why not?" Perry knowingly looks at him and simply says, "You're the upperclassman" and with that, the student sheepishly walks away.<br />
<br />
It's all part of the daily routine of tough love and high expectations at Capital Preparatory Magnet School in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. It's a public magnet school, with a college prep school attitude. As Perry says, "If you don't want to go to college, don't go to Capital Prep. Go somewhere else."<br />
<br />
Perry's demanding approach has yielded big results. The school of just under 300 sixth- through 12th-grade students boasts a near 0 percent dropout rate. That's a stunning achievement considering Hartford is one of the lowest performing districts in Connecticut, a state with one of the largest achievement gaps between black and white students in the nation. According to the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement NOW, an educational advocacy group, black students in Connecticut are, on average, three grade levels behind their white peers.<br />
<br />
Capital Prep, a year-round school that is more than 80 percent black and Latino, can boast of sending every graduating member of its senior class on to a four-year college. In the four years since Perry founded the school, he has sent 80 students on to college. See how Capital Prep is defying the odds »<br />
<br />
Perry founded the school with the specific purpose of creating a school that would serve students with backgrounds similar to his. Born to a teenage mother, Perry grew up impoverished in a public housing project just outside Hartford. He recalls, "I had to be a principal at some point, or a prisoner, because I spent more time in the principal's office than the principal."<br />
<br />
But it was Perry's fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Kensel, who saw the potential in Perry and set him straight. Perry knew he wanted to do the same for others.<br />
<br />
"We decided we were going to open a school. We were going to serve mainly black and Latino children, but the only color I was looking at was the color of success," says Perry. <br />
<br />
Perry has achieved that by holding staff and students to the highest expectations.<br />
<br />
Breonna Arnum, 17, a senior at Capital Prep, believes it works.<br />
<br />
"It makes a difference because everybody has the same goals as you. So it's not like anyone is there to pull you back. Everyone is going forward," Arnum says. <br />
<br />
Her mother, Waynette Arnum, agrees. She believes it's a particular boon for students of color to be immersed in an environment with high demands.<br />
<br />
"When you're in a school system and people look like you, and they're just as bright as you are, and they're kicking those As out and those 96s and 97s like you, you also know that you're surrounded by people just like yourself who are achievers," says Waynette Arnum. "And it's not an anomaly; it's not something that's rare."<br />
<br />
She believes that seeing success is imperative, because black children need role models who look like them. Sound off: How can we keep our kids in school?<br />
<br />
"For students of color, for black students, first of all, when you look at who your role models are, when you look at people that look like you, it tells us that we can do things," says Waynette Arnum.<br />
<br />
In addition, she says black children are too often overlooked.<br />
<br />
"I think that students of color are automatically stereotyped sometimes when they go into school systems that are predominantly white," says Waynette Arnum. "The stereotype that there's no father in the home, that the parents don't care; we have a plethora of stereotypes -- that the kids have behavioral problems, that the boys should all be put on Ritalin or something of that sort. Yes, these are definitely issues."<br />
<br />
These are issues all black parents must face, says Angela Burt-Murray, editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine. Burt-Murray is the mother of two black boys and she and her husband are not only parents, but also advocates for their children.<br />
<br />
"It starts with formulating that relationship with the teacher, letting the teacher know that you are an involved and concerned parent," says Burt-Murray.<br />
<br />
Waynette Arnum agrees that parents have to speak up. That's exactly what she did.<br />
<br />
"I definitely had to sit there and let the teachers know, let the school system know, let the parents know and let my daughter know that yes, I am an advocate," says Arnum. "And, all students deserve to learn equally."<br />
<br />
Arnum believes Breonna was overlooked in elementary school, simply because of the color of her skin. It prompted her to not only stand up for her own daughter, but also to join a Students of Color Committee in the town of Manchester, Connecticut.<br />
<br />
"There were definitely issues that were particular to my daughter that later I knew would be particular to all students of color. So that's how come I had to be involved," recalls Arnum.<br />
<br />
Arnum believes if she hadn't stood up for her daughter, things could have turned out differently.<br />
<br />
"I feel as though if I hadn't started off the way I had, Breonna still would have slipped though the cracks, even though we push her at home," Arnum says.<br />
<br />
Perry, the dedicated principal, agrees that black children can frequently be the victims of stereotypes. It's the reason he pushed so hard to create an environment where everyone was held to the same expectations.<br />
<br />
"In our school, it's college prep for everybody; it doesn't matter if you're black or white. They can see that it's OK for them to be smart and black," says Perry.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/07/22/bia.education.success/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/07/22/bia.education.success/index.html</a>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-4247527421230168872009-10-16T08:50:00.000-07:002009-10-20T15:04:27.561-07:00Blackboard Feature: Meharry Medical College (Part 1 - The History)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiWR4IigYlpq7lDLme7HnVib9pRbV9bMpLfpaHZ8lKF1DPEnAgbkPErQwH5eE43rDvek6eZAh6grRblDRsLIgGbcvNEIzteoIRfhEmAp3KSNIYI8R8chsFAdnjPSMMiNrScO4opGi1bM/s1600-h/meharry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394718648141441666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiWR4IigYlpq7lDLme7HnVib9pRbV9bMpLfpaHZ8lKF1DPEnAgbkPErQwH5eE43rDvek6eZAh6grRblDRsLIgGbcvNEIzteoIRfhEmAp3KSNIYI8R8chsFAdnjPSMMiNrScO4opGi1bM/s320/meharry.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 260px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 250px;" /></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What is Meharry Medical College?<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Meharry Medical College was founded in 1876 to educate African American physicians, scientists, and dentists….<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Meharry motto is “Worship of God through service to mankind.”<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a 132 year period of Meharry Medical College’s history, beginning prior to its formal organization in 1876 with a singular act of grace bestowed by the young farmer, Samuel Meharry, upon a family of freed slaves who assisted him when his salt wagon became disabled as he traveled though Kentucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The story goes like this…..<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In the 1820’s, 16-year-old Samuel Meharry was hauling a load of salt through the Kentucky wilderness when his wagon slid off the road into a muddy ditch. With rain and nightfall limiting his options, Samuel searched for help. Peering<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>through the darkness, he saw a modest cabin that was home to a black family recently freed from slavery. Ignoring risks involved in responding to a stranger’s knock on the door, the family – still vulnerable to slave hunters paid to return freedmen to bondage – gave Samuel Meharry food and shelter for the night.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">At morning’s light, they helped the young visitor raise his wagon from the mud, and Samuel continued on his way. The black family’s act of kindness touched young Meharry so deeply that he vowed to repay it. “I have no money now,” he said as he departed “but when I am able, I shall do something for your race.”Tragically, history never recorded the name of the courageous black family, and perhaps their identity even receded in the mind of Samuel Meharry as he grew prosperous in the years that followed.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Even so, 40 years later, as the Civil War ended and black citizens began their long struggle for rights guaranteed by the Constitution, Meharry seized an opportunity to redeem his vow. When leading Methodist clergymen and laymen organized the Freedmen's Aid Society in August 1866, to "elevate former slaves, intellectually and morally," Samuel acted. He and his four brothers - Alexander, David, Hugh, and Jesse - pledged their support to Central Tennessee College's emerging medical education program. With $30,000 in cash and real property, the Meharry brothers repaid the black family's Act of Kindness with one of their own: In 1876, they funded the College's Medical Department, which evolved over time into what we now know as Meharry Medical College.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, the contemporary Salt Wagon image symbolizes those several acts of kindness and philanthropy and countless others performed by the College's loyal supporters.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The mission of Meharry Medical College exists to improve the health and health care of minority and underserved communities by offering excellent education and training programs in the health sciences, placing special emphasis on providing opportunities to people of color and individuals from disadvantage backgrounds, regardless of race or ethnicity; delivering high-quality health services; and conducting research that fosters the elimination of health disparities.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Year after year Meharry Medical College produces the most African American MDs, Dentists, and PhD's in the country!</b><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Have you ever heard the story of Meharry's history? Do you know anyone that attends or attended Meharry? Does it make you proud that such an institution exists?<br /></div>Kurt Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09773702630372102100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-33870951848573646822009-10-01T12:58:00.000-07:002009-11-11T17:18:21.436-08:00SERIES I WOMEN: ONE THING YOU WILL NOT COMPROMISE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Firstly, I will say when and if you comment to this, you can make your comment anonymous. No one has to know who you are. The way you do it is simple. When you click comment, there is a drop down box labeled this:<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Comment As:</span></strong><br />
<br />
When you look at the options, the option of anonymous is at the very bottom. Just Click on Anonymous. <br />
<br />
With that being said, women are always an interesting topic for men even if it is absolutely 100% true that women will never figure out men and men will never figure out women. Considering the fact that I am an engineer by education, I habitually analyze things at work and it is a natural process for me to do it in other aspects of my life. Anyhow, here is the million dollar question. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicck8ekIkLXqYyCW30TkQsjj2yWU6udYlNjz-IOJ51mGkcfx9fS4r_RRYBR0MFV2C0jshR1Xp1S7Lt2kp_FMVTlHYWNeWHZzCuK6FeYwnW7FuKZuFibs5x03W3sn3wRgA5nlURGHlwZIvj/s1600/one+finger" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicck8ekIkLXqYyCW30TkQsjj2yWU6udYlNjz-IOJ51mGkcfx9fS4r_RRYBR0MFV2C0jshR1Xp1S7Lt2kp_FMVTlHYWNeWHZzCuK6FeYwnW7FuKZuFibs5x03W3sn3wRgA5nlURGHlwZIvj/s320/one+finger" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
Considering all of your relationships you have ever had and your current relationships, if there was <strong>ONE</strong> thing that you <strong>CAN NOT</strong> and <strong>WILL NOT</strong> deal with in a relationship, what would it be? Now be careful because some of you may have had something in your mind that you declared that you will never deal with and ended up dealing with that so please be honest to yourself and anonymous on the blog. Here is a list of things I have come up with. The last option is other. If it is other, please let me know what that is.<br />
<br />
A) GUY WITH NO MONEY<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://trafficcoleman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/broke-young-businessman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" iq="true" src="http://trafficcoleman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/broke-young-businessman.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
</div><br />
B) GUY WITH NO EDUCATION<br />
<br />
C) GUY WHO IS NOT GOOD IN THE BEDROOM<br />
<br />
D) DISHONEST GUY (CHEATING, LYING)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.get-back-your-ex-girlfriend.com/Images/cheated-on-girlfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" iq="true" src="http://www.get-back-your-ex-girlfriend.com/Images/cheated-on-girlfriend.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
</div><br />
E) GUY THAT YOU ARE NOT ATTRACTIVE TO<br />
<br />
F) GUY WHO IS NOT A CHRISTIAN<br />
<br />
G) GUY WHO DRINKS OR SMOKES TOO MUCH<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/01/article-0-016F3874000004B0-798_468x471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" iq="true" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/01/article-0-016F3874000004B0-798_468x471.jpg" width="198" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
H) GUY WHO WORKS TOO MUCH<br />
<br />
I) GUY WHO HANGS OUT TOO MUCH<br />
<br />
J) OTHER_____________________<br />
<br />
I would appreciate your comments and I also want to let you know that Series II will ask the same question to guys so you should tune in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wondercliparts.com/thanks/thanks_graphics_14.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" iq="true" src="http://www.wondercliparts.com/thanks/thanks_graphics_14.gif" width="200" /></a><br />
</div>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-91779041713050330162009-09-23T08:51:00.000-07:002009-09-23T09:30:09.917-07:00WOW!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! IS THIS AMERICA AT IT'S WORST?<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xqyEy9h0Am4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xqyEy9h0Am4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
As you watched that video, I know that most of you probably got a huge fist full of knots in your stomach and really wondered if this is real. I hate to inform you but this is real. I have never ever seen this much hate for a President in my life and it is amazing. This is truly unbelievable and this is TRULY AMERICA AT IT'S WORST. We should fully understand this and be aware of this because whatever motivation that this is coming from, it is possible that other people share this same feeling.<br />
<br />
This is horrendous and BEYOND COMPREHENSION!!!<br />
<br />
This really makes me cringe and it almost brought me to the point of tears. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Luke 6:27-38 (New International Version)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Love for Enemies </span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. </span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Judging Others </span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: red;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."</span></strong>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-16890322203963597192009-09-16T07:03:00.001-07:002009-09-16T07:57:10.912-07:00What Do You Do?One of the hardest issues I think we as a people face today is figuring out what route we should take when we "make it". Firstly, what is "making it"? Is it graduating from college? Is it getting a high paying job? Is it getting married and starting a family? "Making it" is one of those ambiguous terms that has a different application for each individual. It is similar to how a mathematician might solve the same math problem in multiple ways.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.district196.org/District/CurriculumAssessment/Curr-Math/Images/ChalkBoard.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 364px" alt="" src="http://www.district196.org/District/CurriculumAssessment/Curr-Math/Images/ChalkBoard.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anyhow, let's assume for the purpose of this blog that you take your own personal definition of "making it" and apply it to yourself. Now, what happens after you "make it"? What important decisions do you now have to make in your life that you would not have made before? In the last few days, I found out that there are many thoughts that you need to ponder because when you "make it" it is only natural that your mind "makes it" with you. What do I mean by that?<br /><br />Throughout your personal struggle to get to where you want to be, there were friends and things you did that was acceptable at the time that may not be acceptable "to you" right now. It could be hanging out late at the club, smoking weed, mismanaging your money or associating yourself with friends who may or may not be on the level you are on. Level you are on? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hmmmmmmmm</span>............... That is always a tough one for most of us. Why? The reason is because we all probably have a friend or friends who have had the exact same opportunity as us and they squandered it. When you get a chance to look up and somewhat examine some of your friends, it is inevitable that some of them will "get it" and some of them simply won't "get it". How do you deal with the ones who don't "get it"? Do you become their counselor and put them on the right path? If so, what age is it or when does the time come when you can't help them anymore and they have to do something for themselves?<br /><br />We have all heard the phrase: You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KmCVjFv7WcvolyQQM9882EfbFlbarUBROwUN-R4or0Sm2KkMvpMx7WzEhBoLrxukz5q90ZOed2GjUtU0PZgHTWJ91FtunaGyeLcBuLfwKahjQRreWYZWR0Ugsx984KXkPZHdC9BjJv5P/s400/You+Can+Lead+A+Horse+To+Water+But+You+Cant+Make+Him+Drink.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KmCVjFv7WcvolyQQM9882EfbFlbarUBROwUN-R4or0Sm2KkMvpMx7WzEhBoLrxukz5q90ZOed2GjUtU0PZgHTWJ91FtunaGyeLcBuLfwKahjQRreWYZWR0Ugsx984KXkPZHdC9BjJv5P/s400/You+Can+Lead+A+Horse+To+Water+But+You+Cant+Make+Him+Drink.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />So if you are faced with a decision about a friend where you either have to cut them off completely or cut them off to the point where you only deal with them on certain levels, what is the right decision?<br /><br />I think there is no clear cut right decision but one thing is absolutely certain: <strong><span style="color:#990000;">YOU HAVE TO MAKE SOME SORT OF DECISION!!!!</span></strong><br /><br />You can't sit there and let things linger to the point where either your long time friend hates you or you hate your long time friend. The decision may isolate that friend or even piss them off but the things they are doing to affect you may have already isolated or pissed you off!!!!<br /><br />It is very true that you have to judge people by their heart and not by what they have or where they are in their life because sometimes circumstances can really prohibit a person's ascension into success. However, if they are not EVEN TRYING to ascend, what do you do when a man or woman still acts like a child?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.hhweb.com/jordan2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 475px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 592px" alt="" src="http://www.hhweb.com/jordan2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><strong>1 Corinthians 13:11 (New International Version)</strong><br /><br /><strong>11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.<br /><br /><br /></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-68285060451924471042009-09-10T16:43:00.000-07:002009-09-11T15:13:40.276-07:00Mercy, Mercy, MeOne night, while working in my assigned area, I turned onto a main street and guns shots rang out. Believing my partner and I were under fire, I stopped in the middle of the street to determine the gun shots' origin and whether or not we needed to shoot back. Well after realizing we weren't the targets, I continued to scan the area for the origin of the shots, and observed a young, black male firing in the direction of several other young, black males who were standing at the nearby intersection (that we noticed while fleeing). I then drove closer to the gunman, exited my vehicle and announced myself as a police officer. He then turned to flee and pointed his weapon at me, which made me lag further behind the guy because I had to duck for cover. To make a long story short, we eventually caught the gunman, which turned out to be a 15-year-old kid. We recovered his weapon, which was a handgun with an extended magazine (32 rounds).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:MdxAuQGJW_8qEM:http://www.sfi.se/sfi/IMAGES/SKOLBIO/FILMHANDLEDNINGAR/MENACEII_SOCIETY.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 61px;" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:MdxAuQGJW_8qEM:http://www.sfi.se/sfi/IMAGES/SKOLBIO/FILMHANDLEDNINGAR/MENACEII_SOCIETY.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While fleeing from us, the kid injured himself. I had to take him to the hospital, which is where I found out he was wanted for attempted murder and also that he had been shot in the face before. As a police officer, I can't tell you what I was thinking when I found out what kind of character I was dealing with.<br /><br />My mind was running, wondering when did society lose this kid? Secondly, why was he shooting at the guys at the intersection? The scary and unbelievable part is that there are a lot more black males with this kid's mentality. Where did we go wrong? Is it even possible to prevent this wreckless mentality? I guess the real question is, does anyone give a shit?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rlv.zcache.com/we_are_losing_our_country_does_anyone_care_sticker-p217988594576653619tr4z_210.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 210px;" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/we_are_losing_our_country_does_anyone_care_sticker-p217988594576653619tr4z_210.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ray A. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00987871681946450305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-33249649231018309652009-09-04T08:14:00.000-07:002009-09-04T11:21:57.387-07:00SUCCESS<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A condition that many men and women strive for but don't quite know how to handle it when we finally achieve it. You might ask, how can success be a bad thing? Well, I'm not saying it's a bad thing because that's not the right word. I will say it is something that all professionals and successful individuals need to be very <strong>"<em>CAUTIOUS</em>"</strong> with. There are many different problems that come up on your road to becoming successful that foreshadow what's to come when you are finally there. The issues that will be included in this entry are personal knowledge and will be portrayed as such. Hopefully, some of you can relate.</span><br /><br /><strong>I. Old Crowd</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One really pressing issue is the crowd you are surrounded by. Most successful individuals gradually evolve and adopt a more sophisticated crowd as they grow into their success. That is easy to do when the original crowd is one of understanding. This means that they are not blind and can see where you are headed and are happy for you to move on into a circle of individuals that are right there with you. Let's be honest, this crowd may not truly exist. There are very seldom times where people are genuinely happy to see you succeed outside of your family and your closest friends. This is the first problem that needs to be navigated through. The majority of the crowd that you grew up with and did things with that were typically labeled as "bad" are probably still around and are still in a mindset that allows them to do anything they want because they don't have much to lose. You, on the other hand, now have a career, a profession, a host of employees or co-workers depending on you to be responsible at all times; on or off the clock. You also have the weight of all of your accomplishments on your shoulders; "He graduated from X University and he got into that mess, that is such a waste." Most successful individuals know that old crowd that wants them to be included in some ridiculous activity that years ago they would be completely up for and will surely result in a bad outcome. However, right now, you have to decline to be involved. Is there a price to pay for declining? The people in that crowd that will throw the fact that they grew up with you and you used to be "down" will more than likely call you all kinds of things similar to coward, sell out, weak, etc. You have to be very "<strong><em>CAUTIOUS</em>"</strong> with your next move. At this point in your life, do these comments even matter to you anymore? They shouldn't...but they still hurt. These are your "boys!" ...NOT. Remember those who can not see you and what you stand for and always want the best for you aren't and never will be your real boys.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><strong>II. People Who Try to Take Advantage</strong><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The next problem you face is those that know you are now successful, including family, and know you are a fair and upstanding person and try to take advantage of that. This issue is one that is truly difficult to get through without some lingering guilt. I know some people have experience the cousin or uncle that only calls you when they are broke or their car has broken down and they have no where else to turn but to you. In a lot of cases, they need money. This is very shaky ground because you might have the money for them but this small creek could turn into a flood if you are too easy to loan them the money. The next time any little thing happens, they will call you <strong>FIRST</strong> before even trying to get the money on their own. It puts you in a bind emotionally, mentally and not to mention, financially. These are the people I grew up with or this is the man that used to take me to the park or zoo when I was a kid.... As hard as it is, you have to be "<strong><em>CAUTIOUS</em></strong>" at this point. Remember, you worked hard to get to where you are. You have stayed up all times of night studying and making the grade to be where you are now. You have your own household to look after now.. You have to say no. If they are your real family and really love you, they will understand. They will also realize that they were wrong to even put you in that position. They will also start to at least think twice before hitting the speed dial button on their phone to call you whenever something breaks that needs fixing. You worked hard for your success; it should not be abused by others with no intentions of giving back to you because in their minds, "you are successful and can just make more money or just buy more of that so why should they pay it back?" Stay away from these situations because you will have to see these people at Christmas time.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><strong>III. Finding a Mate</strong><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The last issue is finding a mate. When you are a successful person, finding a mate takes on a whole new meaning. Now you are not just a cute guy or girl at the bar; you are a cute doctor, lawyer, engineer, business owner at the bar. Be very "<strong><em>CAUTIOUS</em></strong>"when meeting new people as potential mates that are so so in the conversation until it comes up..."so what do you do again?" Then when the beans are spilled, you are suddenly a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, like P Diddy and Mase said, "the more money we come across the more problems we see." These are the mates you want to stay away from. It is hard for us to do that because you try not to judge people too quickly but why gamble with it at all? You have to find it in yourself even if the girl/guy is "HOT" to walk away. Just like the NFL, NBA, MLB, actors, actresses, etc. do every day of their lives, you too have to watch out for who's around you and who you are in contact with at all times because you can no longer think like you used to think. You are now a rare breed and you must treat yourself as such. "You are the party and they're just the guest list", courtesy of Timbaland. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So to all of my successful colleagues and friends...Be "<strong><em>CAUTIOUS</em></strong>" out there because it is true: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Haters never sleep and misery loves company.....</span></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Til Next B</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:eoCHGHudlcUSwM:http://www.hectorcasanova.net/art/wtc-peace-sign.gif"><img style="WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:eoCHGHudlcUSwM:http://www.hectorcasanova.net/art/wtc-peace-sign.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">By: Broderick D. Moses</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span>Broderick D. Moseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07597850856114512088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-58615194203229996522009-09-02T18:52:00.000-07:002009-09-03T05:46:54.940-07:00THE GRAY AREA PART II-WHEN DO YOU KNOW?When do YOU know? Is it the feeling you get when the clouds are dark and the wind is at a standstill waiting for something to happen? Is it the feeling you get when you have 5 of the lottery numbers and you don’t have to wait on the 6th because you…? Is it the same feeling people get when they have nailed an interview or when the pregnancy test comes back with a “+”? Yeah…you know, right?<br /><br />Or is the glass half full and you hold out because you know there’s a chance…slim…but you play against the odds…that something can change that euphoric feeling you have. You know.<br /><br />Some say women know when they first meet a guy. Maybe, it’s that moment when he holds his own at the table full of friends. I know. I know when I get in front of the mirror and “line” my hair and make it extra fresh for the first date…I know. I know when she laughs at my jokes and vibes with me to the point where I forget I just met her.<br /><br />But when do you know? Is there a template for knowing? Is there a time limit for knowing? When does the knowing become knew and you start anew? You start a new relationship where your thoughts and energy are in line like ducks crossing the street. We know. But, sometimes we are fooled into knowing the wrong thing. She’s too tall. He’s not fit. She’s too thick or he’s not an athlete. She said, he said. We “know” people like that. We are those people.<br /><br />Let’s not confuse knowing with “No–ing”. Let’s not trick our minds into thinking there’s more time or more to be desired. When there’s a possibility of something great being in front of you…embrace it. True, it may not be what you’re used to…but it may offer you something USE-ful. It may offer love. It may offer an experience you need to encounter to prepare you for what’s ahead. I don’t think everyone meets for a reason. People come and go like days of the week. But when you meet someone and for whatever reason you set a time and a place…you meet…have fun…chemistry is present…that’s when you know.<br /><br />You know that you want to see them again. Nothing more nothing less. The feeling must be mutual. You know. When you question yourself or the friendship, that doesn’t mean it’s a “no”. That just means there is more to get to know. Give Love a chance. Give yourself a chance to love. I will. I know it.<br /><br />Part III coming soon….........Elgin Suggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10032166535277082008noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-18651159434403594112009-08-31T05:31:00.000-07:002009-09-01T06:41:43.306-07:00Blackboard Feature: Myron Rolle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51SKRfvl2c6gajyaO5VFgtcXpCl4Yo0kBA3X13L5DETnsbqj25EM8zthOKezLtP4_dOP5-xmOsZ4XKUrEKmVNc2ovzjoXhjAtSYtTamGK6rgxtrzvkijfaj4Sdj7vrWT6y_QxOocUgbTW/s400/t2_rolle_computer.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 396px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51SKRfvl2c6gajyaO5VFgtcXpCl4Yo0kBA3X13L5DETnsbqj25EM8zthOKezLtP4_dOP5-xmOsZ4XKUrEKmVNc2ovzjoXhjAtSYtTamGK6rgxtrzvkijfaj4Sdj7vrWT6y_QxOocUgbTW/s400/t2_rolle_computer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Who is Myron Rolle? From the picture above, he surely looks like a studious guy. If you were thinking that before I said that, you are absolutely right. Myron Rolle is a very studious guy. Myron Rolle attended Florida State University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science in just 2.5 years with a 3.75 GPA. Myron Rolle was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and will study at Oxford University for the 2009–10 academic year in order to earn an M.A. in medical anthropology. The Rhodes Scholarship is an international award for study at the University of Oxford and was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships. According to the THE-QS World University Rankings, which is an annual publication that ranks the "Top 200 World Universities", and is published by Times Higher Education(THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds(QS), the University of Oxford is the 4th best University in the World ranked only behind Harvard, Yale and The University of Cambridge. Twenty-five British prime ministers have attended Oxford and at least thirty other international leaders have been educated at Oxford. The Rhodes Scholars may study any full-time postgraduate course offered by the University—whether a taught Master’s programme, a research degree, or a second undergraduate degree (senior status). The 106-year old award is arguably the most prestigious honor an American undergraduate can receive. Here is a small list of past Rhode Scholars:<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Howard Florey</span></strong><br />University of Adelaide<br />1921<br />Australian pharmacologist,Nobel Prize in Medicine, 1945 for Penicillin<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Wilbur Jackett</strong><br /></span>University of Saskatchewan<br />1934<br />Chief Justice of theFederal Court of Canada(1971–1979)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Nicholas Katzenbach</span><br /></strong>Princeton University<br />1947<br />U.S. Attorney General (1965-1966), U.S. Under-Secretary of State (1966-1969)<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>John Brademas</strong><br /></span>Harvard University<br />1950<br />U.S. Congressman (Indiana) 1959-1981, President of New York University 1981-1992<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Bill Bradley</strong><br /></span>Princeton University<br />1965<br />American politician, NBA star, U.S. Senator for New Jersey,1979-1997, and Democratic presidential candidate, 2000<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Bill Clinton</span></strong><br />Georgetown University<br />1968<br />American politician, 42nd President of the United States, 1993-2001, Governor of Arkansas, 1979-1981 & 1983-1993<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Franklin Raines<br /></span></strong>Harvard University<br />1971<br />Chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae, 1999-2004; Director of the Office of Management and Budget, 1996-1998<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Susan Rice</strong><br /></span>Stanford University<br />1986<br />U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, 1997-2001, and United States Ambassador to the United Nations, (2009 - present)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Piyush "Bobby" Jindal<br /></span></strong>Brown University<br />1992<br />Governor of (Louisiana) 2008-, U.S. Congressman (Louisiana), 2005-2007, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2001-2004, President of the University of Louisiana System, 1999-2001<br /><br /><br />Hopefully, I have demonstrated that Oxford University is one of the best universities in the world and that some of the smartest people in the world have won the Rhodes Scholarship.<br /><br />With that, you surely know that Myron Rolle is one of the smartest people in the United States and the world. But did you know that this is also Myron Rolle:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/writers/the_bonus/07/17/rolle/t2.rolle.icon.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 365px" alt="" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/writers/the_bonus/07/17/rolle/t2.rolle.icon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Myron Rolle is also former safety for his college football team, the Florida State Seminoles. In 2008, he earned Associated Press 3rd team All-American honors as well as Football Writers Association America 2nd team All-ACC and CoSIDA Academic All-America. In the 2008 season game versus the University of Miami Hurricanes, Seminoles defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews remarked that Rolle played the best and most complete game he has ever seen a safety play at Florida State University in his 25 years of coaching. Rolle, a potential 1st Pick for the NFL, announced on January 12, 2009, that he will first study at Oxford for the 2009–10 academic year in order to earn an M.A. in medical anthropology and will then enter the 2010 NFL Draft. Rolle passed up a chance on NFL millions (Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez, the last pick of the 2007 first round, earned $5.4 million in guaranteed money) for a tuition-free Oxford experience.<br /><br />Rolle is of Bahamian descent. He was born October 30, 1986 in Houston, TX to Beverly and Whitney Rolle of the Bahamas. He is very proud of his Bahamian heritage and Myron Rolle, along with his family, plan to open a free health services clinic in Steventon, Exuma in the Bahamas. The clinic will be named the Myron L. Rolle Medical Clinic and Sports Complex.<br /><br />Usually there is not one day where you won't see Michael Vick on television fighting dogs, Plaxico Burress shooting himself in the leg and OJ Simpson over and over again. Isn't it sad and disappointing to you that you can't even get a glimpse of a truly amazing story? This kid has put the NFL on hold to pursue his educational dreams. The media does not stress stories like this. However, we will try to feature these kind of stories on The Blackboard to show people the positivity that is out here amongst the black community. It is our job to only watch and not absorb the Vick and Burress stories. We should be absorbing THE MYRON ROLLE STORY and showing young black kids that you can really do anything you want if you put your mind to it. There are a lot more positive images of blacks out here but we just are not exposed to them. Barack Obama gets well deserved acclaim for what he has done but please teach your children and yourself to understand and absorb the Myron Rolle's.<br /><br />I guess all athletes aren't thugs!!!!Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-73389257319011173782009-08-20T07:15:00.000-07:002009-08-20T08:49:56.528-07:00Majority of Athletes Are Thugs.........I Don't Know About That<a href="http://blacknewsmiami.com/images/black_guy_arrested250.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px" alt="" src="http://blacknewsmiami.com/images/black_guy_arrested250.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I recently watched an Outside the Lines Report on ESPN about former Detroit Lions Receiver Charles Rogers. Outside the Lions is a news program that is show regularly on ESPN and it examines topics outside the realm of sports pertaining to athletes. This story was about Charles Rogers really blowing his opportunity in the NFL because of drugs and bad decisions. Additionally, Charles Rogers is trying to get back into the NFL so this was his platform to try to make the claim to the public and the NFL. I shared this story with a friend of mine who is white and we proceeded to have a discussion about it. I always find myself defending things that I assume my friends who happen to be white are saying indirectly. That does not mean that they are saying that be we have a mental button that goes off in conversations like this. I don't know. Let's just call it our duty or responsibility to know the view of your side. Maybe that can enlighten him. The link to the article and video is:<br /><br /><br /><a title="blocked::http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=090814/rogers">http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=090814/rogers</a><br /><br /><br />The start of the emails are below. I did not specify what friend the email exchange is with just to conserve his identity. The emails that are labeled "From:Dario Mobley" are my emails to him and the emails labeled "To:Dario Mobley" are from my friend.<br /><br /><br />Enjoy!!!!!!!!<br /><br /><strong>From: Dario Mobley<br />Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 7:29 AM<br />Subject:<br /><br /></strong>Story on ESPN right now:<br /><br /><a title="blocked::http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=090814/rogers">http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=090814/rogers</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 8:59 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: RE:<br /></strong><br />The Lions should let him play on their team… and not pay him for the 8.5 million he owes them.<br /><br />Calvin Johnson (current Detroit Lions football player) and Charles Rogers. <br /><br />With Dante Culpepper/Stafford. (current Detroit Lions football players)<br /><br /><strong>From: Dario Mobley<br />Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 8:05 AM<br />Subject: RE:<br /><br /></strong>You are probably faster than him at this point. If you are garbage, you can’t play in the league for long. Simple<br /><br /><br /><strong>Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:07 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: RE:<br /><br /></strong>Said he’s running 4.5 (speed he runs the 40 yard dash) consistently back to back to back… I doubt I can do that. He deserves a second chance. He’s shown in his past to have the work ethic and he’s showing it again now. If he can get back into football shape let him fly.<br /><br /><br /><strong>From: Dario Mobley<br />Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 8:10 AM<br />Subject: RE:<br /><br /></strong>Charles Rogers is 28 years old. Every receiver in the league is running 4.5.<br /><br /><strong>Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:10 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: RE:<br /></strong><br />Every receiver in the league has been in shape for the past 8 years. He has not been and is already at a 4.5.<br /><br /><strong>Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:10 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: RE</strong>:<br /><br /><br />That is a good Point. Did you hear him say “I Blew”? Also, do you notice how he always looks down?<br /><br /><strong>Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:09 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: RE:<br /><br /></strong>I haven’t seen the YouTube thing… I just read the article you sent.<br /><br /><br /><strong>From: Dario Mobley<br />Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 8:15 AM<br />Subject: RE:<br /><br /></strong>The video is on ESPN accompanying the article<br /><br /><strong>Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:17 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: RE:<br /><br /></strong>I think the majority of athletes are kind of hood thuggish type dudes who really shouldn’t be worshiped. That is just my feeling on all of them. So Rogers still fits the bill.<br /><br /><strong>From: Dario Mobley<br />Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:30 AM<br />Subject: RE:<br /><br /><br /></strong>I have to disagree with that. I don’t think the majority of star athletes (professional, collegiate, high school) are from “the hood”. Also, in my opinion, I would say that half of them who may have grew up in a bad neighborhood are not “REAL hood dudes”. I simply mean that they are not doing things that we associate as thuggish acts like selling drugs or in gangs and stuff of that nature. How can you be a star athlete, going to school everyday, practicing all the time and on the road a lot and then claim to be some real street dude that is doing real street things? It just does not make sense. Ray (a friend of mine) always asks that question about athletes and I do too.<br /><br />One factor I will lean on to support my claim that all star athletes are not thugs is Ray. Ray works in New Orleans, which is arguably the toughest streets in America, as a police officer. The proof that New Orleans is tough is that New Orleans had the highest murder rate in 2008:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4AN7LF20081124">http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4AN7LF20081124</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/new_orleans_has_highest_crime.html">http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/new_orleans_has_highest_crime.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.newsmax.com/us/Orleans_high_crime_rate/2008/11/25/154949.html">http://www.newsmax.com/us/Orleans_high_crime_rate/2008/11/25/154949.html</a><br /><br /><br />I have never heard him say that a person he has encountered in a criminal situation was a star athlete in high school or an athlete at all on any level. I would think that he would encounter someone if “the majority of athletes are hood thuggish dudes” because of the size of New Orleans. He would be running into a high school star athlete frequently. It would be inevitable. The star athletes in high school are usually the ones that play professionally and on the collegiate level so if they are thuggish dudes now, they would have been thuggish dudes then. That fact should tell you a couple of things. The first thing is that star athletes with professional skills are far and few between. Secondly, it should tell that there are a few athletes that give the majority a bad name and that is magnified by the media because of the interest in celebrities. Additionally, the most common crimes from my standpoint are usually “weed”, “domestic abuse” and things like that. Misdemeanor crimes like “weed” and domestic abuse occur on a daily basis but you rarely see normal people getting their name dragged through the mud for that. Plaxico shooting himself and the “Dog Fighting King” are rare cases and should be attributed to that individual making bad decisions. That should not be lumped into stereotyping all or the majority of professional athletes. So if you could, don’t let your opinion and perception become fact to you because of a fake wannabe on TV looking stupid.<br /><br />I would think that more kids have problem comes when they have nothing else to do. For example, let’s say a kid played ball in high school and was fairly good but when he finishes high school, he is not good enough to go to college. That is when the issue comes in because of lack of drive, environment, stupidity, or just a need to make “ends meat.”<br /><br />However, I think the problem with athletes comes when they get a lot of money at once. Firstly, when someone gets a large sum of money, it is a shock and many people make the wrong decisions with family members pulling them from all ways for businesses and borrowing money. Secondly, they feel that it is not imperative to change or conform because it is not necessary in their field. I feel that I conform at work sometimes when I don’t want to but that is what we have to do in a professional environment. They are in a position where they do not have to conform. Additionally, that non-conforming attitude is really common with a young kid in any field or anywhere just because of the simple lack of maturity. That is why you see a lot of the athletes learn when they get older and they start to realize they messed up the opportunity. They had all this money and they did not do the right thing and they still have all these responsibilities. The easiest example of that would be Charles Rogers coming on TV declaring he made mistakes.<br /><br />I would say that most people who live in the hood and are athletes are praised by the neighborhood for getting out or being really good athletes. A good example would be Allen Iverson or Lebron James and that is considering they are really from the hood. Moreover, most star athletes in any area of the US whether it is Michigan, Montana, New Orleans or the suburbs of California are praised because that is just how it is. It isn’t right but being a good athlete is a popular thing in our society just because the business of professional sports is so big. It is associated with money and that is why you see professional athletes date such a diverse group of women. The color of money is green and some women are attracted to money which further explains the fascination in society with athletes.<br /><br />Lastly, even if you grow up in the hood, that does not mean you don’t treat people with respect. It is an individual decision and it has to be taken in a case by case basis. A lot of the things can be attributed to lack of maturity and a lot of it can be attributed to getting large sums of money similar to what I said earlier. Have you ever read those stories about all those lottery winners being unhappy or blowing their money? Can we say that all the lottery winners are stupid? I don’t think so. Some people handle things better than others and that is why you only see a small percentage of professional athletes making the wrong decisions.<br /><br /><strong>Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 10:00 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: RE:<br /></strong><br />They’re not hood but some sure act it… loud mouth center of attention… I particulary don’t care for athletes and think it’s ridiculous that they get that much money and that people envy them so much. Society is stupid.<br /><br />Athletes that I like would be:<br /><br />Tom Brady <a href="http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:pZCAb-eghbNG7M::blog.kir.com/archives/images/TomBrady%252520010708.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 103px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:pZCAb-eghbNG7M::blog.kir.com/archives/images/TomBrady%252520010708.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Barry Sanders <a href="http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:3IZHnxFkNnu9BM:https://www.ecoupons.com/show_image.php%3Fn%3Dhttp://www.fansedge.com%252FImages%252FProduct%252F33-51%252F33-51575-F.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 99px" alt="" src="http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:3IZHnxFkNnu9BM:https://www.ecoupons.com/show_image.php%3Fn%3Dhttp://www.fansedge.com%252FImages%252FProduct%252F33-51%252F33-51575-F.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />David Robinson<br /><br /><a href="http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ZAW_gMCnuQmjKM:http://jrolofer.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/spurs13_resize.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 98px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 122px" alt="" src="http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ZAW_gMCnuQmjKM:http://jrolofer.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/spurs13_resize.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Steve Yzerman<br /><br /><a href="http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:leMVDb2P-ODEgM:http://www.billycat.de/resources/steve%2Byzerman.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 89px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:leMVDb2P-ODEgM:http://www.billycat.de/resources/steve%2Byzerman.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Those type dudes keep themselves low profile (except dating super models on tom’s part).<br /><br />It is mostly the media and societies fault and I agree with that.<br /><br />But to the select dumb ones… like you said yesterday no one making that money should be talking/acting like that.<br /><br />INTERESTING CONVERSATION!!!Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-69588233307547122742009-08-17T11:21:00.000-07:002009-09-09T08:34:29.711-07:00Generation X: How Did We Get Here?<a href="http://www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb/20061006/Quizzical-Student-Confused-106534.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 86px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb/20061006/Quizzical-Student-Confused-106534.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While visiting Atlanta last weekend, I had a conversation with an intelligent brother about life as a high school English teacher in the inner city of Atlanta. In this conversation, there were a lot of things that seem almost unbelievable to me. The first thing that really struck me as weird is my own disconnect with a young black youth’s mentality. The English Teacher told me a few stories about his ongoing struggles as an educator. One of the things that really seemed to resonate with me was the response he got after asking the age old question that every high school student is undoubtedly asked multiple times throughout their high school career. That question was “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The shocking thing is the answer he got from a majority of his students. He said the majority of the classroom said they wanted to be a rapper or a professional sports player. Additionally, he said a disturbing portion of the girls said that they wanted to be a “Video Vixen”. The reason the girls said that they wanted to be a video vixen was because of the fact that the video vixens get a lot of attention from guys. When I heard that and it actually registered in my mind, the only question I can ask myself was:<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">HOW DID WE GET HERE?</span></strong><br /><br />I capitalized this and I had to put this in bold letters because I can’t help but think that this transformation is happening on our watch. What do I mean by our watch? This is happening on the watch of Generation X. For those of you who do not know what or who Generation X is, below is an excerpt from an internet article. Additionally, I have researched Generation X a little bit and most of the information I have found seems to consistently place generation X in the age range below.<br /><br />Generation X can technically be defined as the generation following the Baby Boomers. Xers were born between 1965 and 1980, 1961 and 1981, 1964 and 1979, 1963 and 1979, 1965 and 1975 or since the mid-1960s, depending on which source you use. For practical purposes we will say that Generation X was born between 1965 and 1980.<br /><br />Generation Xers were brought up on television, Atari 2600s and personal computers. They are the generation that was raised in the 1970s and 1980s, and saw this country undergo a selfish phase that they do not want to repeat.<br /><br />So if you are in between the age of 29-44, you are part of generation X. Let’s think about this for a second. Close your eyes and try to put yourselves back into your high school classroom and relive that moment. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Please just take ten seconds and think about this…………………<br /><br />I remember vividly hearing the majority of the people saying Doctor or Lawyer. Even though that was the cliché answer, most people in my class said that because that was the level of social and financial status that they wanted to achieve.<br /><br />It seemed like a possible goal. It seemed like a reachable status. Most of our parents fought through the civil rights era for the right to vote and to have equal rights and they were intent on telling their kids whether they believed it or not things like this:<br /><br />“You can be a doctor.”<br />“You will be a lawyer.”<br />“Damnit, you are going to make it.”<br /><br />That is what our parents did for us. They fought for themselves and future generations while getting sprayed down by fire hoses and still managed to have enough courage and energy to pass the torch to their Generation X kids.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.milkintheclock.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/passive_resistance_fire_hose.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 830px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 640px" alt="" src="http://www.milkintheclock.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/passive_resistance_fire_hose.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><br /><br />So please excuse my language but HOW THE FUCK DOES THE TWO GENERATIONS AFTER US END UP WANTING TO BE THE NEXT LIL WAYNE AND LEBRON JAMES?<br /><br /><a href="http://a.espncdn.com/media/nba/2005/1230/photo/w_lebron21_275.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://a.espncdn.com/media/nba/2005/1230/photo/w_lebron21_275.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Where did we lose control?<br /><br />Was it BET, The Internet, MTV or what?<br /><br />When did the power of the media eclipse the power of human intervention?<br /><br />Are we part of the reason why Generation Y (1980-1995) and Generation Z (1996-2010) IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY are so messed up?<br /><br />Have we ever looked in the mirror and asked ourselves that question?<br /><br />How did this disease of tattoos, expensive cars, AIDS, Bling-Bling, Gun Violence, Young Jeezy, Air Force Ones, Baggy Pants and Dreadlocks spiral out of control producing something 100 times worst than hurricane Katrina?<br /><br />Were we too much of progressive thinkers?<br />Are we too concerned about “getting ours” at any cost?<br />Do we even care what happens to our children or children’s children?<br />Are we a community or a whole bunch of suburbs split into 50 states?<br />Was Generation X the start of the demise of what our ancestors fought for all those years?<br /><br />To be honest with you, it is a tough question because we all see it and collectively, we are not doing shit to stop it.<br /><br /><br />Everlasting Days and Exasperating Nights<br />By Dario K. Mobley<br /><br />Every moment brings Everlasting Days and Exasperating Nights<br />Where We Look Straight Ahead Only Stopping For Red Lights<br />Forever Slaying the Battles of Our Inner Beast<br />Believing and Assuring One Self of Absolute Mental Peace<br /><br />Defeating My Own Demons is All I have to Fear<br />But you Look up in the Mirror and Always See the Devil in the Rear<br />This is it, We Are Done, Let’s Move On<br />Drive home, Go to Sleep and it all Starts Again at the Crack of Dawn<br /><br />The Battle is won but the War is never Done<br />Our Predecessors Fought When there was Absence of the Sun<br />We should fighting endlessly for those in the Rear<br />Instead of letting them get Flashed by the headlights like a Deer<br /><br />Close Your Eyes and Envision that Thought<br />As you see the Innocence and Vulnerability of That Animals Heart<br />Press on the Brakes and Stop As Fast As You Can<br />Open the Door, Get out the Car and Proceed to Scan<br /><br />What You See Is Something You Won’t Like<br />I am positive I pressed the brakes and avoided the strike<br />However, when I saw the Corpse, I Did Not Understand<br />The Reason the deer did not move with a look so bland<br /><br />When I thought About It, My Mind Began to Itch<br />I could have turned my wheel an inch and swerved into the ditch<br />Surely I would have been hurt and possibly crying<br />But just a mere inch would have prevented this deer from dying<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-13391837046082759192009-07-31T11:45:00.000-07:002009-08-01T05:52:11.600-07:00Solutions Not Problems<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJCobRm7bS2etbICkNo2Yp2jX1yYHVRtF66G9vm91PFh7xGpz5O5Dn6NoGmjwarAmfzSMaAQadmJxs1p37Bw6kDlWq6-0G296wsRgZXh1K2VtLGpPtOzK1o9GMEJt3tIjXFkXv6sMKcI/s320/handshake.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJCobRm7bS2etbICkNo2Yp2jX1yYHVRtF66G9vm91PFh7xGpz5O5Dn6NoGmjwarAmfzSMaAQadmJxs1p37Bw6kDlWq6-0G296wsRgZXh1K2VtLGpPtOzK1o9GMEJt3tIjXFkXv6sMKcI/s320/handshake.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is a conversation between a friend and me. My friend is white and he is a good friend of mine. Enjoy.....................<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>From: Dario Mobley </em></strong><br /><strong><em>Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 7:21:46 AM Subject:<br /></em></strong><br /><br />Hey,<br /><br />Did you get a chance to listen to my loud mouth on that sports show?<br /><br />What do you think about the Michael Vick thing?<br /><br />What do you think about Obama sitting down Sgt. Crowley and Professor Gates?<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>To: "Dario Mobley" </em></strong><br /><strong><em>Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 11:19 AM</em></strong><br /><br />I never did hear the radio thing. Could you try to send it again. I am not sure what Micheal Vick thing you are talking about, I have not been paying alot of attention to news lately. As far as the glamorized photo op you are talking about, that is just plain ridiculous! It is so nice that we elected a racist president. You know me, I don't like racist comments going either way (remember that wonderful Indian lady?). The fact that he called that officer stupid before he even knew the facts proves to me that deep down he is a racist. All he knew was it was a black homeowner and a white officer, so automatically, the officer was wrong. Never mind that the officer was trying to protect that mans home, and never mind that the officer once gave mouth to mouth to Reggie Lewis to try to save his life, in Obama's eyes, he is stupid and wrong because he is white. And before you tell me he is not a racist, lets not forget the comment about how his grandmother was a "typical white woman". What do suppose would happen to a white presidential candidate if he had black relatives and he said one of them acted like a "typical black woman"? That candidate would be run out of town and you know that is true. Sorry to go on so long, but I just cant stand racism in any form towards anyone.<br /><br /><br />Talk to you later<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>From: Dario Mobley<br />Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 1:52:46 PM<br />Subject:<br /></em></strong><br />Hey,<br /><br />I have attached the radio show to this email..<br /><br />Let's try to take politics or our contrast of political belief out of this and think about this for a second. Firstly, Obama is half Caucasian. Is he racist against himself? For him to come out and state his judgment about Gates and Crowley was wrong. It does not matter if the officer was white or black. I agree with that. However, in a slight defense, I would think most people would take the side of their friends. Even with that being said, the problem with what he did that I acknowledge to you is that he should not have verbalized his thoughts without having the facts because he is President of the United States.<br /><br />As far as the "typical white person" comment, that comment is all how you decide to interpret it. Are you searching for problems or are you searching for solutions? I can understand the "typical white person comment" clearly because I interpret as him referring to an eighty-six year old white woman who grew up in a time when things were different. It was at a time where whites were verbally and openly racist against blacks with full cooperation from the law. There were democrat and republican presidents during that time so please understand why and how I view that comment that way. The civil rights act was signed in 1964 and it took a while for people to change their views and some still have not today. However, there were people who were not racist then and there are definitely moe people who are not racist now but the views are rooted in how I was reared by my parents.<br /><br /><br />I wanted to express that to you so you could hopefully understand. But where are we at with this man? Do some people feel that Obama does not represent the United States because he is not 100% white or because he can relate to the struggle of all people instead of just a particular group? Again, I understand you have political beliefs that are deep rooted with the way you were raised. However, it seems like everything that Obama does is not acceptable to you and a lot of other people. There is nothing that he can do right. Is that really logical or even fair? Is this because you don't agree with democratic policies or because you feel that he does not have you and your family best interest in mind?<br /><br />I have never seen you as a racist and never will. There were many white presidents that I felt were racist so if I don't consider myself a racist, I can not consider you a racist. Additionally, from being around you and being a friend of yours, that stamps my overall view of you as a great person. The thing that seems to be happening with people in general is that we feel like we have to take a side. We either have to be on the black side or white side, conservative side or liberal side, and so on. I believe that each person should be judged on an individual basis and that is how we should proceed with our analysis of anything when it comes to treating a human being. We can't allow politics to filter into making us take a side on things that we fundamentally agree about like "treating people how you want to be treated". I am all about understanding and working toward solutions and not creating more problems as I believe you are. Similarly, I think Obama was trying to accomplish that by sitting the two gentlemen down and talking it out like civilized human beings. How can you or I know Obama's intentions for doing that? You choose to believe that it was a photo opportunity. You don't really know and even if it was a photo op, how can sitting two men down on an issue that is dividing the country be viewed as wrong in any way? Now, both guys did not want to apologize but obviously both guys were wrong in some sort of way. Gates should have cooperated and just filed a complaint after the guy left. Crowley could have identified him from a picture in the house or some other way and should not have arrested him. Both were wrong yet none of them apologized because they both felt that they had to choose a side that does not have any room for middle ground. I don't feel we have to choose a side. Look, you and I are always going to have different political beliefs because that is how we were reared but for some reason, a guy from the deep south and a guy from the South Western-Western part of the United Sates became friends and they can clown and joke like they are brothers regardless of their political beliefs. I think people can talk things out and if it comes to a point where you have to agree to disagree, that is much better than yelling at each other with no attempt at finding some sort of common ground. I think that is how we can achieve solutions and eliminate problems. Hopefully, I have just allowed you to understand my point of view a little more. The issue of people treating each other right is an important issue to me. It's not about white, black, democratic or republican for me. It is about people. It only takes one person to make a change. Hopefully, we are making that change by talking this out.Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-44589744600446861652009-07-24T08:49:00.000-07:002009-07-29T09:09:36.349-07:00Racist Cop or Self Absorbed JerkY'all should have saw this coming. What do y'all think about the Gates arrest? Well my position is that I'm black first and an officer second. Not having all the facts but listening/reading about both sides of the story, I believe the officer. I'm sorry if I ruffled a few feathers but being a police officer in New Orleans, (I must add) I deal with people from various walks of life. It ranges from your average street corner hustler to highly educated, professional people (do i have to say <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Af</span></span>-Am, I'm biting B.). I'm sorry to say but I'd rather have to deal with the drug dealer than have an encounter with the highly educated person.<br /><br />Most of my encounters with drug dealers may or may not end in me arrested them but the mutual respect is there. Most of the time I never have to raise my voice or repeat instructions. To sum it up, they never really give me a hard time most of the time.<br /><br />On the other hand, the educated, professional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Af</span></span>-Am are very difficult to deal with most of the time. For example, every year for the essence festival I always have encounters with educated people that feel they are above the law or above following instructions from an officer.<br /><br />Another example: I have a friend that was being arrested for disturbing the peace and trespassing because he refuse to leave a club because he thought the cover was too high for the time he was entering the club. Of course, because he wouldn't leave, the police were called out and was asked to leave several times by the officer and during this encounter, he shouted several statements at the officer implying that he can't be told what to do by the officer because he's a college graduated, a professional, he votes, pay taxes, etc. Now these statements were made in close proximity of the officer's personal space. The officer asked my friend to back up several times while asking him to leave the area. Well it continued and my friend was arrested. I was called out by a mutual friend who with was him and trying to get him to leave. Luckily, I knew the officer and my friend was released. Now, the only factor I didn't mention was the fact that he was drunk but in that state, he was acting like a self absorbed jerk. In his defense, it was an isolated incident and he normally does not act like that when he is sober. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LOL</span></span>. You know who you are?<br /><br />In the Gates Case, the officer said that when he ask Mr. Gates for his I.D., he initially would not identify himself. Mr. Gates stated that he presented his Mass. I.D. The officer stated that Mr. Gates presented a Harvard I.D. first (I guess to let the officer know who he was and his status. self absorbed JERK). Later during the encounter, Mr. Gates implied that the officer was racial profiling by saying, "This is what happens to black men in America."<br /><br />This would not be in the news and I would not be typing this if Mr. Gates would've followed the officer's instructions and showed the I.D. to verify that he lived there. The officer should have explained to Mr. Gates why he was answering a burglary call (I don't know if he did or not) and then Mr Gates should have allowed the officer to do his job by checking his home to be sure there wasn't a burglar. Finally, Mr. Gates could have then discretely got rid of the officer instead of making a scene. He could have then closed and locked his door and went to bed.<br /><br />The EndRay A. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00987871681946450305noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-77176702488912219052009-07-23T11:34:00.000-07:002009-07-24T12:51:48.483-07:0020 RULES TO LIVE BY1.) If a woman doesn't respond to your call or text, you should call or text her a maximum of two times. The first text/call is the normal call/text and the other one is the benefit of the doubt. After that, there is no calling/texting back. If you call a woman for the first time and she says she will call you back instantly, don’t call back and delete her number. If she calls you back, she is interested.<br /><br />2.) If you ask a direct question and a woman gives you an indirect answer...and y'all aren't close... stop asking and move on.<br /><br />3.) If you ask a woman to see you on a personal/intimate level and she doesn't show the same interest or wants to meet you in the club...stop asking and MOVE ON!!!!!!<br /><br />4.) If you are messing with a woman and you are doing all the calling, you should stop calling her to see if she calls you. If she does not call you, move on. If she does, go with it but always let her do the most calling or MOVE ON!!!!<br /><br />5.) Don't confuse chasing with interest. Implement your game. There is a fine line between showing interest and chasing. When you have crossed that line from interest to chasing, MOVE ON!!!<br /><br />6.) Beware of chicks with boyfriends and chicks with a lot of dude friends. They usually have the upper hand. If you are a second fiddle, MOVE ON!!!!<br /><br />7.) When you feel yourself in a situation where your gut is about to make you make an irrational decision which is simply just being ANXIOUS, MOVE ON!!!!<br /><br />8.) Never second guess yourself...that's the quickest way to chasing.<br /><br />9.) Don't set any goals with yourself or the woman in the first day. This eliminates ambiguity and analyzing if things don't go the way you want. Analyzing and ambiguity leads to chasing.<br /><br />10.) If a girl talks about her guy friends or tries to hook you up with her girl...move on...if you think she wants anything other than friends...you're chasing. <div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://www.classicalvalues.com/Chasing-A-Snack-Red-Fox.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 450px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px" alt="" src="http://www.classicalvalues.com/Chasing-A-Snack-Red-Fox.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>11.) Don't be afraid to cut it off first even if you did not accomplish anything. If she gives you bad signs, cut her off or make her chase you to get you back!<br /></div><div>12.) Don't feel like you have to walk on eggshells with women who are more attractive. Stick to the Script!!! If you are in a space where you want to invite her to your house to watch rental movies, that should not be contingent on her looks. Be confident in yourself and make a decision and stand by it.<br /><br />13.) All “attractive women” get two “out of house” dates at the most before you bring her to your crib. If she wants to go out again, she pays. Don't be afraid to cut it off.<br /><br />14.) Don't feel compelled to show a “highly attractive” woman off to your friends or family in a week. Family is an important thing and it should be handled with care. Make sure the woman is treating you right and providing everything that you desire in a woman before you parade her around your family.<br /><br />15.) Women with kids should be handled delicately. Most of the time their minds are working differently so you have to make sure your views are in line with hers. If they're not and she tries to force her agenda on you, think about what you want and if you are not ready for that, be nice but cut it off and in a hurry!!!!<br /><br />16.) Recognize what you are bringing to the table. Matter of fact, you have your own table and she has to bring something to the table. If she is not providing anything, you should MOVE ON!!!!<br /><br />17.) Never lose your composure in person, on the phone, or via text.<br />This leads to them having the upper hand and you chasing. If you do, MOVE ON!!!!!!<br /><br />18.) At the end of each conversation, ask yourself, "Am I chasing?"<br />If you and your boys can't answer that question with an emphatic NO, then you're chasing. Please review steps 1-17.<br /><br />19.) Never over extend yourself to a woman just because she is extremely attractive...that leads to chasing. Always be YOURSELF!!!!!<br /><br />20.) Take "no" for an answer in any case. This is not the end of the world. She may have a lot of qualities that you like but there are other fish in the sea. Trust me!!!!!!<br /><br />Co-Authored by Dario K. Mobley</div></div>Elgin Suggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10032166535277082008noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-59055474204758767542009-07-23T11:25:00.000-07:002009-07-23T20:31:44.726-07:00THE GRAY AREA PIECE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxb0XwyuaHv-cnZtL-4mFAkTHnocjbf4MfR6HJ5i7MSBRn5ufDB8hJ6DMlcQGsbxWRAjke0BHOrfAvkLnQXgE6yAgyXOGdjie9JDOC295Jlj8dxiwI3j-O7P5_gHqMcESkPMyJ2tfhgYFb/s1600-h/gray256.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361724770195783346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxb0XwyuaHv-cnZtL-4mFAkTHnocjbf4MfR6HJ5i7MSBRn5ufDB8hJ6DMlcQGsbxWRAjke0BHOrfAvkLnQXgE6yAgyXOGdjie9JDOC295Jlj8dxiwI3j-O7P5_gHqMcESkPMyJ2tfhgYFb/s320/gray256.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><em><strong>Gray: of a color between white and black; having a neutral hue.</strong></em><br /><br />What's clear to me when dating is that nothing is ever clear until the actions of two people match the words they utter. Assuming we are talking about an average guy average girl situation(although my friends and I are nothing close to average), women tend to place us guys in a couple categories…<br /><br />1)Not Interested 2) Cute 3) Fine/Hot/Pretty Boy<br /><br />The “Not interested” category usually consist of not having enough money, not showing enough money or not looking good on the surface to the woman. The guy could really be cool for her but the guy has absolutely no shot with that women. Basically, if you walk up to a girl and open your mouth to say, “Excuse me…” ,she’ll interrupt you and say she has a boyfriend, and you’ll finish the sentence you started by saying, “…can you move over so I can buy a drink?”<br /><br />The cute guys instantly go into the gray area. At no fault of their own…since birth they have been designated gray. I know…I know…guys are saying, “Well, I was born brown, dark, light”…yeah, but women are color blind and to them you are gray…face it!<br /><br />Hot guys (from a women’s point of view) start off totally black and are in great position until you tell the girls that you have a girlfriend or are dating several chicks. The thing I have noticed is that with the hot guy, women really don’t care about the hot guy's disposition… So, I would say just to “do you” because they’ll be down for just about whatever.<br /><br />Black:<br /><br />It is amazingly interesting to me that women tend to talk about wanting a good guy, yet they fall for the guy that is all wrong for them. I recently spoke with this girl whom I’ve dated recently and she told me about this ass hole guy who’s in a relationship with one of her girls. So, I said most women don’t want the nice guy, they want the ass hole…so do you? She said no I don’t and they don’t. I remained quite…then she proceeded to confess that I was right and pointed out that she fell for the ass hole guy and got married and eventually got divorced. I am not judging her, but merely explaining the black area.<br /><br />White:<br /><br />The guys who are deemed “Not interested” can find women of course. There’s a woman for everyone. These guys typically can overcome their looks with superior confidence or take a job in a call center and meet a “nice” chick because they see each other everyday and looks and personality go out the window in the workplace. Now, don’t act like you have never seen a nice chick with a scrub and wondered how did that happen??? Some would say Janet and Jermaine…some would say Jay-Z and Beyonce…on a non-celebrity level of course. P.S. It works the other way too!<br /><br />Gray…Thou Art Gray:<br /><br />I’ll start the theme section with excerpts from a conversation I had with my boy about women…<br /><br /><em>“How do we get in the gray area?”</em><br /><br />I think they put us in a gray area upon the first meeting. You ever went out on a date with a chick and thought that her body language didn't tell you much. Like she was laughing and talking to you, but you couldn't tell if she like you or not. Gray Area. I've had that before.<br /><br />Here are some reasons women will put you in the gray area:<br />1.) They find you moderately attractive/cute<br />2.) They are just getting out of a relationship<br />3.) They are talking to other guys who have similar qualities as you<br />4.) They haven't been moved either way by you<br />5.) They put up an initial wall for guys who they don't consider "FINE!"<br /><br /><em>“She found me moderately attractive?”</em><br /><br />The fact that she didn't call you back means that you didn't in her eyes do anything to appeal to her.<br /><br />Yo, A friend of mine went out...got like 4 numbers... two, he’s till talking to now...why?<br /><br />He talked to two for an extensive period of time and both of the women found something about him that was appealing. The other two...didn't have much to go on...and since he may have been just cute to them, they didn't feel compelled to answer when he called. Grey! I don't know, because if we go by the reason I stated above about why we are in the grey area, then that's nothing we can really control. So…no, if a girl puts us there, then we're there. Now, the question is, knowing that we are there, how do we get out? See, that's tough too because a lot of the ways to get out may not be in our personality or physical make-up.<br /><br /><em>“We can only control what we can control and we should not focus/concentrate on things that are out of our hands. Can that mentality be the final answer to any disturbing situation with any woman? Does it end there or does it start there?”</em><br /><br />I've never worried about being in the gray area. I knew I was there in the past but just didn't call it a gray area. I would refer to the gray area with this statement, "I don't know if she's into me." What does it mean if a woman gives gray area guy her number and doesn’t answer or doesn’t call? Well, she probably does that all the time...you know...go out, give her number out just so she can have someone new calling her. But she's probably seeing someone or not interested.<br /><br />~<br />In general, the only way to not be in a gray area is to put the woman in the gray area. This way, it doesn’t matter either way what she does. If working out isn’t in you…don’t do it. If flashing money isn’t you…don’t do it. Timing is very important…<br /><br />Gray area is important to recognize. Keep dating until a woman shows you she’s different than what you’re used to. Never lose site of the gray area. Note: It’s possible to overcome the gray area, but if you feel you are overextending or if you have to ask your boy if he thinks your girl is interested in you…she’s not interested and you shouldn’t be cool with being gray.<br /><br />I’ll use this platform to set the tone for the rest of the year…<em>”WOMEN, DON’T GIVE A GUY YOUR NUMBER IF YOU’RE NOT INTERESTED. BEING NICE WAS OKAY FOR THE 90’S. HOWEVER, SIMILAR TO THE WAY WOMEN THINK, GUYS DON’T WANT NICE!”</em> -Gray<br /><br />That’s not my favorite color anyway…is it anyone’s?<br /><br />Note: This doesn't apply to all women...just most.Elgin Suggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10032166535277082008noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-63848756658325166492009-07-22T09:08:00.001-07:002009-08-28T10:07:36.901-07:00It's Amazing To MeIt is very amazing to me how judgemental people are about Barack Obama. He is being judged before he is done serving as the President. To my knowledge, people did not criticize Bush unmerciful until after he made many mistakes. It is tough because this brings up many feelings of separation and a sense that people will never want to accept change no matter how it comes. He has only been in office since January 20, 2009 and certain people seem to want his head already.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sqwLFuuMl2s/Rh2HiuWDyiI/AAAAAAAAAEo/7zHWr5Lphrk/s400/H-Aftermath+of+Iran+hanging.bmp"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sqwLFuuMl2s/Rh2HiuWDyiI/AAAAAAAAAEo/7zHWr5Lphrk/s400/H-Aftermath+of+Iran+hanging.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>For a man like me, It makes me think about what America is because I try my best to get along with everyone I come into contact with. If I spend enough time around someone, I will eventually become friends with them. Anyhow, that's just a random thought I wanted to share. It will take a total understanding and total participation on <span style="color:#000000;">the</span> part of a lot of people to rid America of these old traditions of hate. Here is something that you will never think is still going on in America. Please read this. You won't believe it:</div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24prom-t.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24prom-t.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090719/en_nm/us_usa_racism" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090719/en_nm/us_usa_racism</a></div>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-17675599613667797732009-07-22T08:40:00.000-07:002009-09-09T08:42:43.960-07:00Dario K. Mobley's Profile<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw6O794HRa3tLr8DkdU4ww7hS-hJQch46UxIpkdoaeinOVlff4jbyokUywYv2XpXn3iKtWJieE3yCQo-SOBfDPbitxIapfCiBjawL5ED27kYDSJSfjihqy-lx-nFaKf93MaAmuvseVSwo/s1600-h/Pic1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361314518552342002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw6O794HRa3tLr8DkdU4ww7hS-hJQch46UxIpkdoaeinOVlff4jbyokUywYv2XpXn3iKtWJieE3yCQo-SOBfDPbitxIapfCiBjawL5ED27kYDSJSfjihqy-lx-nFaKf93MaAmuvseVSwo/s320/Pic1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My Brother- Deron (left), My Sister- Jasey and Dario (Right)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anytime I look to start a blog, I always like to give a short <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">biography</span> of myself just to let people know who I am. My name is Dario K. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mobley</span> and I live in a suburb outside of Orlando, Florida called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Altamonte</span> Springs. I was born in New Orleans "The Big Easy". I lived there for 24 years until I graduated from the University of New Orleans in 2002 in Electrical Engineering. In May 2003, I moved to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Missoula</span>, Montana. No, I did not ride a horse to work and yes, I was one of maybe 100 or so black people in the town. It is a long story about how I got there so I won't get into that. Anyhow, I lived there for about two years and then I moved to the Midwest State of Michigan in July 2005 and worked for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Novak</span> Engineering who were later bought out by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">TRC</span> Inc. I lived in Lansing and Jackson for about 1.5 years. Then I got transferred with my job to Augusta, Maine for 6 months. I must love the states that start with the letter "M". I moved back to New Orleans in May 2007 where I took a job with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ampirical</span> Solutions as a Lead Design Engineer. I lived in New Orleans for a year and moved to the Orlando area in July 2008 which brings me to where I am now. I am currently working in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Altamonte</span> Springs as an Electrical Engineer. I am 30 years old, not married but I am dating someone right now and it is going well. I really believe in God, family, friends and surrounding myself with positive people. I am also an avid sports fan and my zest for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">politics</span> and more important issues seem to really have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">accelerated</span> since the new President. I am passionate and energetic and love to engage in meaningful debates. I have a huge group of really close friends who I have known for a long time. We are very close and converse very regularly. I have always been a well-liked guy and had the ability to connect with many different people which leads me to believe that I have a bigger purpose in life than what I am doing. Everything will come to pass soon enough.<br /><br /><br /><br />God Bless & Nice To Meet You,<br /><br />Dario K. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Mobley</span>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676757423245784722.post-65587568147200406962009-07-22T07:45:00.001-07:002009-07-22T08:19:57.483-07:00The BeginniningI feel the need to explain the way this whole idea came to light. I sent a yahoo link of an article that was written about President Obama's speech to the NCAAP to four of my friends; Elgin Suggs, Broderick Moses, Jarrett White & Ray Jones. In the speech, The President touched on a lot of great points about the black community that seemed to strike a nerve directly in my friends and I. We proceeded to have an impromptu email exchange that was passionate and lively and was filled with concern and a overall need that we can do something. Keep in mind that this was random email exchanges so we did not have any regard for proper grammar.Here is the excerpt of our email exchanges: <div> </div><div> </div><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20080829/cvn-obama-s-audience/images/6f49eabe-de68-4d95-aac5-4ea0969ef9ad.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 512px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px" alt="" src="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20080829/cvn-obama-s-audience/images/6f49eabe-de68-4d95-aac5-4ea0969ef9ad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>"Dario Mobley" wrote on 07/17/2009 08:57:40 AM:<br /><br />What do you think?<br /><br />NEW YORK (Reuters) – President Barack Obama had a tough-love message<br />for fellow African-Americans on Thursday, urging black parents to push<br />their children to think beyond dreams of being sports stars or rap music performers. Obama's election as the first African-American president buoyed the black community. At the 100th anniversary celebration of the NAACP, the country's oldest civil rights group, he urged blacks to take greater responsibility for themselves and move away from reliance on government programs.<br /><br />"We need a new mindset, a new set of attitudes -- because one of the<br />most durable and destructive legacies of discrimination is the way<br />that we have internalized a sense of limitation; how so many in our<br />community have come to expect so little of ourselves," he said.<br />Obama told a packed ballroom at a Manhattan hotel that blacks need to<br />recapture the spirit of the civil rights movement of a half century<br />ago to tackle problems that have struck African-Americans<br />disproportionately -- joblessness, spiraling healthcare costs and<br />HIV-AIDS.<br /><br />"What is required to overcome today's barriers is the same as was<br />needed then -- the same commitment. The same sense of urgency. The<br />same sense of sacrifice," he said.<br />Obama said parents need to force their children to set aside the video<br />games and get to bed at a reasonable hour, and push them to set their<br />sights beyond such iconic figures as NBA star LeBron James and rap<br />singer Lil Wayne.<br /><br />Education is the path to a better future, said Obama.<br />"Our kids can't all aspire to be the next LeBron or Lil Wayne. I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers. I want them aspiring to be a Supreme Court justice. I want them aspiring to be president of the United<br />States," he said. Obama noted that his own life could have taken a different path, had<br />it not been for his mother's urgings. 'SHE TOOK NO LIP'<br />"That mother of mine gave me love; she pushed me, and cared about my<br />education," he said. "She took no lip and taught me right from wrong.<br />Because of her, I had a chance to make the most of my abilities. I had<br />the chance to make the most of my opportunities. I had the chance to<br />make the most of life."<br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Elgin E Suggs<br />Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 10:26 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: Re:<br /><br />I think its true to an extent...<br /><br />See, in a middle class neighborhood...we grow up with good role models...<br /><br />lower class don't. So, I think there should be a movement where you<br />publicize doctors teachers etc...same way we do athletes and rappers.<br /><br />let them identify with someone...for the work (job) they've done, not<br />so much for their civil rights.<br /><br /><br />"Dario Mobley" wrote on 07/17/2009 09:36:53 AM:<br /><br />I want to make sure I am understanding you clearly. What do you me by<br />this?<br /><br />"let them identify with someone...for the work (job) they've done, not<br />so much for their civil rights."<br /><br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Elgin E Suggs<br />Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: Re:<br /><br /><br />It seems like the only leaders to identify with on a national level are political leaders...jesse jackson, tavis smiley, etc. I think they serve a purpose.<br />But, I think teacher, doctors, lawyers, etc. should be publicized more, that way kids without role models can see the MTV crib of a African American Lawyer or Engineer...feel me.<br /><br /><br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Broderick Moses<br />Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009<br />To: Dario Mobley, Elgin Suggs, Jarrett White, Ray Jones<br />Subject: Re:<br /><br /><br />I totally agree with Obama, but that is way easier said then done! If the majority of african american households allow their children to watch rap videos nonstop from the time school lets out til they go to sleep, what else are they going to aspire to? Most of the time the parents are sitting right next to the kids while they are watching the videos. As far as aspiring to be a sports star; I feel like parents should encourage their children to do the best they can at sports, but be sincerely frank with them when it comes to the actual statistics of an athlete making it all the way to Major League Baseball, the NBA or NFL. I believe that af-am parents should educate their children, who obviously have their hearts set on being the next Lebron James to always make the grade in school, get a degree in college, etc. so they always have something to fall back on if they don't make it to the pros. I think that it should start at a very early age talking about highschool and college and professional school, and how you have a very low shot at getting a good job if you don't go to school. I also feel that some children in certain environments have such heavy influences on them outside their home life that it sometimes dilutes the effect of a good mom or dad trying to instill some good morals and guidance, so in those cases the kid needs to see something they can relate to. Show them that eventhough Lil Wayne and Lebron had great success at a young age they are still very intelligent business men and they learned how to use their talents to open door after door for themselves; they must also be shown all the hundreds and thousands of artists and athletes that were great in highschool and college and didn't make it and are struggling now because they never got their education. It should go hand in hand; education and sports or education and being an artist. "If you can't commit to school and make the grade, then you miss basketball practice today", "If you can't keep your grades up then you will not be allowed to watch videos, perfom in the talent show, etc." So that the kid, throughout his life couples education with outside interests. This would take an extremely great effort from af-am families across the U.S. to even make a small improvement because it is not the kids I worry about, it's the parents that are teaching them.<br /><br />B<br /><br /><br />From: Jarrett White<br />Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 10:26 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley, Elgin Suggs, Broderick Moses, Ray Jones<br />Subject: Re:<br /><br />The sports and entertainment excuse is overused and really is just a very small part of the problem. The problem is society as a whole. We tend to identify more with sports and entertainment because blacks are prevalent in those industries. The problem is the broken family structure. One can even blame it on the "Independent Woman" factor that has snowballed overtime. In the 50's and 60's, when the family structure for all American races was intact, men were the head of the household. They took pride in raising their children and the well being of there family. Once females became more independent, which you can't blame them for, the role of the man in the household became less important. What we see now is that this phenomenon has backfired big-time. Men take less pride in the importance of raising their families. Some don't even see the relevance of the two parent household. The bad thing about this whole situation is that there is no end in sight.<br /><br />From: Dario Mobley<br />Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 10:39 AM<br />To: White, Jarrett P<br />Subject: RE: RE:<br /><br />That is an interesting point. However, Do you think the females were forced to “do what they had to do” because of all the black men dying and going to jail from the crack epidemic?<br /><br />From: Jarrett White<br />Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 10:39 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Subject: RE: RE:<br /><br /><br />The crack epidemic was the late 80's. This already started. That era might have accelerated it, but such is life. You could say Vietnam played a role in the 60's and 70's.<br /><br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Elgin E Suggs<br />Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 10:44 AM<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Cc: 'Broderick Moses'; White, Jarrett P; rjones975@yahoo.com<br />Subject: Re:<br /><br />I think its true to an extent...<br />See, in a middle class neighborhood...we grow up with good role models...<br />lower class kids may not. So, I think there should be a movement where you publicize doctors teachers etc...same way we do athletes and rappers....in commercials for example.<br />It seems like the only leaders (save celebrities) to identify with on a national level are political leaders...jesse jackson, tavis smiley, etc. I think they serve a purpose.<br />But, I think teacher, doctors, lawyers, etc. should be publicized more, that way kids without role models can see the MTV crib of a Af-Am (borrowed from B) Optometrist, Policeman, or Engineer...<br /><br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Jarrett White<br />Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009<br />To: Dario Mobley<br />Cc: 'Broderick Moses'; Elgin Suggs; rjones975@yahoo.com<br />Subject: Re:<br /><br /><br />With that said, I'm part of the blame because I don't make it a point to extend myself as a role model.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:23:45 -0700</div><br /><div>From: Ray Jones </div><br /><div>To: Elgin Suggs, Dario Mobley, Jarrett White, Broderick Moses</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Everyone made some really good points especially the "independent woman" response. I totally agree with Obama it's like we don't have a sense of urgency. What is it gonna take for us to unite as a people. I don't think people realize that just 45 years ago it was legal to discriminate against us. It had to be signed into law to be treated fair, like a US citizen. Just like they gave it, it could be taken away. Is it gonna take for us to be in that position to get it together. > > I don't have problem with putting atheletes or rappers on a pedestal but I do have problem with not glorifying teachers, doctors, lawyers etc. And to piggy back on Elgin's idea, not only should there be a movement to glorify the people in those aforementioned fields but the story of their grind to make it where they are should be told also (atheletes & artist included). To show our young that it takes hard work, dedication, and determination to be successful. > > Now to touch on that independent woman point, I think that's a mindset that the media/society/the white man (lol) have programmer into our females heads to destroy the black families. Not the fact that they are indepent (I promote indepence), but the mindset that comes with independence i.e., "I got my own money.", "I don't need no man." and so on. I Believe that mindset causes more women to give up on their mariages faster than let's say two decades ago. It also results in our black women trying to "be the boss" of the household. I'm drifting a little but that's one of many factors destroying our families. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>FIVEAUX</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Date: Jul 20, 2009, at 9:53 AM</div><br /><div>From: Broderick Moses </div><br /><div>To: Elgin Suggs, Dario Mobley, Jarrett White, Ray Jones</div><br /><div><br />Well fellas, I think that what Ray and Elgin are talking about is a good idea. Maybe we should think about trying to organize an effort like that one. An effort that highlights the lives and paths of african american professionals. It can be a small scale effort at first, (myspace page, facebook page, etc. each month that has a different african american professional highlighted for the internet world to read about; it may lead to a bigger audience later). Just an idea. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>B</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 </div><br /><div>From: Ray Jones </div><br /><div>To: Elgin Suggs, Jarrett White, Broderick Moses, Dario Mobley </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>That's a good idea we need to get together on that. BET had two small segments similar to what we are talking about during the awards</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>FIVEAUX</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Dario K. Mobleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301932313829501066noreply@blogger.com0