Television has changed in many ways over the past 50 years. The physical TV set itself has gone from a cumbersome heavy glass tube to the thin streamlined monitors we have today. The clarity of the picture has increased greatly as has the size of the television screens themselves. In addition TV has gone from having only a few commercial channels and networks to watch, to now having numerous options.
Along with those technological changes has come a change in the content of what is shown on television. In the early 1960s the content of television in these United States of America was limited to a depiction of the lifestyles of primarily Caucasians. Color TV was available but the color of the people shown on television was definitely monotone.
As an African American boy, I recall watching such television shows as "Andy Griffith", "Petticoat Junction", "Green Acres" and "The Beverly Hillbillies". These were entertaining shows, but there was a glaring lack of African American actors and actresses on these shows. Most of commercial TV did not feature any African Americans to include commercials. We simply did not exist in the minds of television executives. It was not important to television executives that African Americans or other minorities were unable to see their existence confirmed through having their image reflected on television. It was a white world and television existed to confirm who was in charge.
The content of the shows reflected a more conservative United States. Married couples did not sleep in the same bed. Any mention of "gay" lifestyles was inferred rather than visually depicted. An intermingling of races on television was not shown. Violence was shown on television but it was less graphic and much less gory than it is depicted today on television. Profanity was not allowed. Censors existed to protect viewers from immoral words and racy visual scenes.
The latter part of the 1960s saw African Americans getting increased exposure on television. The Vietnam War, assassination of our leaders, the drug culture, and changing values brought on a different tone to television shows. Each decade since the 1960's continued with the implementation of different themes and content of television shows. The mini series was prevalent in the 1970s with one being "Roots" a depiction of how one African American family started from slavery. Television networks finally aired shows starring African Americans in roles about African Americans.
Fast forward to 2015. This year there are many television shows that visually show sexual relationships of gay characters. What would have been impossible to show on public television in the 1960s is now a common place event. The depiction of the gay relationships takes a little getting used to. I am struck with the view that these relationships are being pushed out onto the viewer as being the new norm. As an African American male I have noticed that scenes with gay couples are more prevalent that scenes with African American males, or African American "straight" couples. So, I wonder what is the message being directed at the viewers by showing more gay relationships?
One thing is still consistent from television of the 1960's. We always have the right to change the channel or turn off the television set to do something constructive. That is what I choose to do more of these days rather than having images bombarded at me that I don't want to see.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Reflections From A Black Man
Another event of a young unarmed black male killed by police action occurred recently. This morning, more violence in Ferguson as two non Ferguson police officers were shot while supporting efforts to keep peace in Ferguson. This after the findings of the United States Justice Department review of the Ferguson, Missouri police department were announced. The Justice Department's findings confirmed that racist views and actions existed among police and civilian employees of the Ferguson police department. The findings were not surprising since last years comments by black residents of Ferguson and initial data regarding who was being stopped by Ferguson police already had confirmed that African Americans in Ferguson were being treated differently due to their race.
With continued instances of unarmed people being killed, I do wonder what type of training do police generally go through as to to when to use their firearm and whether that training is adequate? Are the police given the leeway to make bad judgments under the banner of fearing for their life? Is it okay to shoot when in doubt or choke someone to death if they display any type of resistance? Before being hired are police screened for their viewpoints about various races, cultures, and behaviors that people display?
What impact do these news stories about unarmed black men being killed by police have on young African American men? One thing is sure, it should emphasize to African American men that black men should not give the police any opportunity to even think about using their weapon. Don't approach a policeman so even though he is armed and you are not, he feels "threatened". Keep your hands in plain view so that it is obvious that you are not going for a weapon. Then any excuse that the police feared for their life becomes a non existent excuse. The "fear" excuse then becomes an act of hatred by the police if they discharge their weapon or use any other type of force on a compliant person.
In the early 1970s as a teenager I constantly heard on the news or read in news reports that the probability of me as a black teenager living beyond age 30 was something I should not count on. I recall that the news reports were that for my future the chances of my either being dead or in jail were high. I was not presented with the positive images that my chances of becoming a doctor, lawyer, or successful business man were high. I was not presented with information that my future would lead to going to college, owning a home, or having a job with a six figure salary. Instead it was a constant public deluge of negativity.
My response to this was to pursue the positives. The traditional success stories for black men that I recall hearing about in the 1960s was that entertainment and sports were the best options for a good career for black men. But, I was not a world class singer, and had no special athletic skills. My parents had minimum wage jobs. I do recall that the best thing I had going for me was attending a Catholic school rather than being enrolled in the public school educational system. I flourished under the academic rigors of Catholic school. It became clear to me that education would be my ticket to a prosperous life. I had no other options. I was not going to get a basketball scholarship to college, have a pro career in the NBA and I would not be a teen singing sensation going to work for Motown. So, I studied in school and through the college educational system connected into a career in Human Resources working for the Federal government. I continued to learn and apply myself during my career. Long hours and a dedication to the craft allowed my career to prosper.
Even in retirement I still have goals and ambitions. I desire to travel and see parts of the world in person that I have only seen via TV or photographs. There is still much to learn and much to do. While I am in good health and financially stable I continue to live. Every news report about a black unarmed man being killed calls me to action to continue to attempt to contribute in a positive manner. We will not go away and disappear. We will not be swept into a corner of negativity and be told that we cannot achieve or survive. Our accomplishments are many. We just need to spread the positive results of our actions, ourselves.
With continued instances of unarmed people being killed, I do wonder what type of training do police generally go through as to to when to use their firearm and whether that training is adequate? Are the police given the leeway to make bad judgments under the banner of fearing for their life? Is it okay to shoot when in doubt or choke someone to death if they display any type of resistance? Before being hired are police screened for their viewpoints about various races, cultures, and behaviors that people display?
What impact do these news stories about unarmed black men being killed by police have on young African American men? One thing is sure, it should emphasize to African American men that black men should not give the police any opportunity to even think about using their weapon. Don't approach a policeman so even though he is armed and you are not, he feels "threatened". Keep your hands in plain view so that it is obvious that you are not going for a weapon. Then any excuse that the police feared for their life becomes a non existent excuse. The "fear" excuse then becomes an act of hatred by the police if they discharge their weapon or use any other type of force on a compliant person.
In the early 1970s as a teenager I constantly heard on the news or read in news reports that the probability of me as a black teenager living beyond age 30 was something I should not count on. I recall that the news reports were that for my future the chances of my either being dead or in jail were high. I was not presented with the positive images that my chances of becoming a doctor, lawyer, or successful business man were high. I was not presented with information that my future would lead to going to college, owning a home, or having a job with a six figure salary. Instead it was a constant public deluge of negativity.
My response to this was to pursue the positives. The traditional success stories for black men that I recall hearing about in the 1960s was that entertainment and sports were the best options for a good career for black men. But, I was not a world class singer, and had no special athletic skills. My parents had minimum wage jobs. I do recall that the best thing I had going for me was attending a Catholic school rather than being enrolled in the public school educational system. I flourished under the academic rigors of Catholic school. It became clear to me that education would be my ticket to a prosperous life. I had no other options. I was not going to get a basketball scholarship to college, have a pro career in the NBA and I would not be a teen singing sensation going to work for Motown. So, I studied in school and through the college educational system connected into a career in Human Resources working for the Federal government. I continued to learn and apply myself during my career. Long hours and a dedication to the craft allowed my career to prosper.
Even in retirement I still have goals and ambitions. I desire to travel and see parts of the world in person that I have only seen via TV or photographs. There is still much to learn and much to do. While I am in good health and financially stable I continue to live. Every news report about a black unarmed man being killed calls me to action to continue to attempt to contribute in a positive manner. We will not go away and disappear. We will not be swept into a corner of negativity and be told that we cannot achieve or survive. Our accomplishments are many. We just need to spread the positive results of our actions, ourselves.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Chapter 2. Religion, Faith, and our Social Barriers
A writer writes!
The allegedly superior human species displays behaviors that at times belies the intellect we think we have. Presented with the mystery of life's origin, one segment of our species attempts to construct human theories and suppositions with the false belief that we are at the center of knowledge. We think we can explain anything in human terms. Another segment turns to faith and belief in a Creator whom we owe our existence to. From that comes our practicing Religions.
Religion, the belief in an Almighty Creator, is a shared belief of billions of people. Our humanistic religious beliefs are segmented and categorized under labels that define the parameters of that faith. Muslim, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Hindu, Baptist, are some of the descriptors that define our religious beliefs. Then there are titles assigned to churches that are organized without having the global limiting descriptors of Baptist, Catholic, etc. For those churches religious beliefs are more important than placing the church under a distinct limiting label.
Many churches and organized religions are further segmented by race, culture and income. Like animals that roam together, "intelligent man" also tends to congregate with others that look like and sound like our reflection in the mirror. We are united geographically on the same planet but are divided and separated by centuries of separatism. We pray to our Creator and attempt to follow the rules we believe our Creator has given us on how we are to conduct our lives. Then we add man made rules to govern our behaviors within a religion. Overall, we have failed miserably in being what our Creator has wanted us to be. Our only saving grace is that even with all the destructive mechanisms we have created, we have yet to take the final act that would totally end life on the planet Earth.
Our animalistic nature to stay close to those who look, sound, and behave like "us" keeps us divided and from achieving our full potential. We implement our belief in a Creator by creating separate silos of belief. We are separated in our unity in believing in a Creator. Yes, there are segments of our species that have taken down the barriers and interact freely regardless of race, income, and culture. But the reality is that there are still many barriers to take down. We criticize a generation that refuses to let the evils of the past dictate their attempts to interact with other races and cultures in the present. We place upon those in the present the pains and agonies that we remember, or that we recall from historical facts.
Those of us from the older generation are challenged to forget, but not forget, what has transpired in the past. So it is with our faith. Human behaviors of the past should not and must not dictate our religious behavior of the future. Learning about other "faiths" is something we can do and should do. It gives us knowledge, understanding, and develops a road to a common path that we can all walk upon.
Revelation shows that the material world can not be saved. But, preparing as many souls for the Rapture as possible is another way of "saving". In the end, there will be fewer barriers, more religious understanding, and during daily worship a mixture of races and cultures gathered together as children of our Creator without the need for a defining label.
The allegedly superior human species displays behaviors that at times belies the intellect we think we have. Presented with the mystery of life's origin, one segment of our species attempts to construct human theories and suppositions with the false belief that we are at the center of knowledge. We think we can explain anything in human terms. Another segment turns to faith and belief in a Creator whom we owe our existence to. From that comes our practicing Religions.
Religion, the belief in an Almighty Creator, is a shared belief of billions of people. Our humanistic religious beliefs are segmented and categorized under labels that define the parameters of that faith. Muslim, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Hindu, Baptist, are some of the descriptors that define our religious beliefs. Then there are titles assigned to churches that are organized without having the global limiting descriptors of Baptist, Catholic, etc. For those churches religious beliefs are more important than placing the church under a distinct limiting label.
Many churches and organized religions are further segmented by race, culture and income. Like animals that roam together, "intelligent man" also tends to congregate with others that look like and sound like our reflection in the mirror. We are united geographically on the same planet but are divided and separated by centuries of separatism. We pray to our Creator and attempt to follow the rules we believe our Creator has given us on how we are to conduct our lives. Then we add man made rules to govern our behaviors within a religion. Overall, we have failed miserably in being what our Creator has wanted us to be. Our only saving grace is that even with all the destructive mechanisms we have created, we have yet to take the final act that would totally end life on the planet Earth.
Our animalistic nature to stay close to those who look, sound, and behave like "us" keeps us divided and from achieving our full potential. We implement our belief in a Creator by creating separate silos of belief. We are separated in our unity in believing in a Creator. Yes, there are segments of our species that have taken down the barriers and interact freely regardless of race, income, and culture. But the reality is that there are still many barriers to take down. We criticize a generation that refuses to let the evils of the past dictate their attempts to interact with other races and cultures in the present. We place upon those in the present the pains and agonies that we remember, or that we recall from historical facts.
Those of us from the older generation are challenged to forget, but not forget, what has transpired in the past. So it is with our faith. Human behaviors of the past should not and must not dictate our religious behavior of the future. Learning about other "faiths" is something we can do and should do. It gives us knowledge, understanding, and develops a road to a common path that we can all walk upon.
Revelation shows that the material world can not be saved. But, preparing as many souls for the Rapture as possible is another way of "saving". In the end, there will be fewer barriers, more religious understanding, and during daily worship a mixture of races and cultures gathered together as children of our Creator without the need for a defining label.
Friday, March 6, 2015
NBA Fans Beware
Our Indiana Pacers, who are fighting for a playoff spot (why I have no idea! Tank it and get a chance at a franchise player like the Knicks and Sixers are doing) decided to "rest" center Roy Hibbert the other night against the New York Knicks. The Knicks lost of course as they have sent all their talent to Cleveland, Dallas, etc. and Carmelo Anthony is gone for the year due to surgery and recovery. It's amazing that the Pacers would rest anybody if they really were trying to make the playoffs.
NBA teams are into the tanking and resting mode, while fans pay premium ticket prices still. I'm surprised more fans have not caught on and decided to stay away from games until the talent meets the ticket price range. More fans should be diverting their money into other entertainment modes. Family vacations, extravagant dinners, etc.
Once owners see fewer fans coming out to watch mediocre basketball, we may see more pressure for the team's stars to try to at least make an appearance for two quarters or so in NBA games. Otherwise, drop the ticket prices owners!
NBA teams are into the tanking and resting mode, while fans pay premium ticket prices still. I'm surprised more fans have not caught on and decided to stay away from games until the talent meets the ticket price range. More fans should be diverting their money into other entertainment modes. Family vacations, extravagant dinners, etc.
Once owners see fewer fans coming out to watch mediocre basketball, we may see more pressure for the team's stars to try to at least make an appearance for two quarters or so in NBA games. Otherwise, drop the ticket prices owners!
Saturday, February 28, 2015
NBA = Never Buy Again - NBA Stars Resting on Fans $$$
A Writer Writes!
I was watching a Thursday night NBA game between Golden State and Cleveland on television as my distraction from the serious side of life. Lebron James had scored some 40 plus points and sat on the bench looking tired. A part of me wondered by the way he looked if he would be too worn out to play the same way against the Indiana Pacers the next night? I thought that because my spouse and I had purchased tickets months ago at $167 a ticket to see Cleveland play the Pacers that next night. Kyrie Irving had already come up semi injured earlier with some type of shoulder injury. But, my thought was surely Lebron can recover from a maximum effort night as it's only about an hour flight from Cleveland to Indiana and he could rest during the day.
Well once we arrived at the game, after spending fifteen minutes searching for parking, it was announced that Lebron would not be playing as it was a back-to-back game and he was at home "resting". An updated story this morning was that Lebron's back was sore so the coach gave him the night off. My immediate thought was this is the new policy for NBA teams and players. Unlike the old school players in the 1960s and 1970s the current generation of players does not play every game because they don't have to. Even though somehow traveling conditions for players, with chartered airline flights, is much better than in previous decades, somehow today's players cannot do what their predecessors did. That being simply allowing fans who paid good money to see you play, actually see you play.
I understand a player and a coach has a right to decide a player's body needs some rest. But, give me the fan the ability to decide that if a star player does not have a league confirmed injury and will not play to rest their body, I should also have the ability to go to the ticket office and ask for a refund or a discounted ticket price. My wife and I paid to see Lebron play along with his teammates. He was not injured, he apparently did not have a family emergency. He had a sore back and wasn't going to put his body through back to back games within a 24 hour time frame. His decision, the team's decision. That is fine. My decision if I had been given the chance would have been to ask for a refund or a discounted ticket price. I didn't get that opportunity. Basically the NBA, and the owners of NBA teams are saying, we've got your money now, so just sit down and watch the game stupid.
Yes, the game was entertaining, but not worth $167 a ticket to see non Lebron caliber players. My decision during the game was that it will be a long time before I purchase another NBA ticket. For the price I paid for two NBA tickets my wife and I could see three Cincinnati Reds baseball games with good lower level seats. In baseball the players push themselves to play because it is truly a team sport and each player knows they are needed.
For those of you who purchase tickets to NBA games, check the schedule of the team whom you will be playing against to see if the team played the night before. If they did than it is likely the team will be resting star players. Don't waste your money on purchasing tickets for those NBA games. Take your family out to dinner and talk to each other. Oh yeah, by the way Cleveland lost the game to the Pacers, Lebron gave us a victory by deciding to rest. Thanks Lebron.
A final thought. I wish I could have seen the old school players like Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain play. I'm sure they were tired and needed rest some games. But they chose to play.
I was watching a Thursday night NBA game between Golden State and Cleveland on television as my distraction from the serious side of life. Lebron James had scored some 40 plus points and sat on the bench looking tired. A part of me wondered by the way he looked if he would be too worn out to play the same way against the Indiana Pacers the next night? I thought that because my spouse and I had purchased tickets months ago at $167 a ticket to see Cleveland play the Pacers that next night. Kyrie Irving had already come up semi injured earlier with some type of shoulder injury. But, my thought was surely Lebron can recover from a maximum effort night as it's only about an hour flight from Cleveland to Indiana and he could rest during the day.
Well once we arrived at the game, after spending fifteen minutes searching for parking, it was announced that Lebron would not be playing as it was a back-to-back game and he was at home "resting". An updated story this morning was that Lebron's back was sore so the coach gave him the night off. My immediate thought was this is the new policy for NBA teams and players. Unlike the old school players in the 1960s and 1970s the current generation of players does not play every game because they don't have to. Even though somehow traveling conditions for players, with chartered airline flights, is much better than in previous decades, somehow today's players cannot do what their predecessors did. That being simply allowing fans who paid good money to see you play, actually see you play.
I understand a player and a coach has a right to decide a player's body needs some rest. But, give me the fan the ability to decide that if a star player does not have a league confirmed injury and will not play to rest their body, I should also have the ability to go to the ticket office and ask for a refund or a discounted ticket price. My wife and I paid to see Lebron play along with his teammates. He was not injured, he apparently did not have a family emergency. He had a sore back and wasn't going to put his body through back to back games within a 24 hour time frame. His decision, the team's decision. That is fine. My decision if I had been given the chance would have been to ask for a refund or a discounted ticket price. I didn't get that opportunity. Basically the NBA, and the owners of NBA teams are saying, we've got your money now, so just sit down and watch the game stupid.
Yes, the game was entertaining, but not worth $167 a ticket to see non Lebron caliber players. My decision during the game was that it will be a long time before I purchase another NBA ticket. For the price I paid for two NBA tickets my wife and I could see three Cincinnati Reds baseball games with good lower level seats. In baseball the players push themselves to play because it is truly a team sport and each player knows they are needed.
For those of you who purchase tickets to NBA games, check the schedule of the team whom you will be playing against to see if the team played the night before. If they did than it is likely the team will be resting star players. Don't waste your money on purchasing tickets for those NBA games. Take your family out to dinner and talk to each other. Oh yeah, by the way Cleveland lost the game to the Pacers, Lebron gave us a victory by deciding to rest. Thanks Lebron.
A final thought. I wish I could have seen the old school players like Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain play. I'm sure they were tired and needed rest some games. But they chose to play.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Former Mayor Giuliani Seeking Love
A writer writes!
Since most of the alleged "news" these days is mostly pure drama disguised as news, I tend to ignore most of the "news" on television and even in printed mediums. So I wasn't too surprised to see a "news" blurb that former Mayor Giuliani stated that President Obama does not love America. My initial reaction was maybe the Mayor is experiencing some medical issues that are making him make statements that are ridiculous and strange? But, apparently the Mayor is sticking to his original statements.
My second thought was as a President who has been disrespected and verbally abused by many over the past 6 years, President Obama must love the principles of America to deal with the non sense he has encountered since he became President. Now added on to the pile of nonsense (remember the Republican who yelled out "You Lie!" during one of President Obama's state of the union addresses) comes the comments of Giuliani.
I wonder how Giuliani would feel if people referred to him as the mayor who benefited from being in office when the 911 attacks occurred in New York City? His popularity soared during those tragic times. Maybe now the Mayor is seeking to regain the attention he once garnered years ago by making outrageous statements?
If you have a moment while watching the local or national "news" tonight, send Giuliani a few words of encouragement and love. Tell him you're sorry he cannot respect a President who has helped this nation overcome the turmoil that existed in America from 2000-2008. Encourage Giuliani to start a "We Love America" political party and run for President in the year 2016. Then we can see Giuliani show that he loves all parts of America. From the urban blighted areas in major cities, to the principles that allow immigrants to become citizens and pursue their love of America.
Well ex Mayor, if you had spoken up sooner we all could have sent you Valentine Day cards.
Since most of the alleged "news" these days is mostly pure drama disguised as news, I tend to ignore most of the "news" on television and even in printed mediums. So I wasn't too surprised to see a "news" blurb that former Mayor Giuliani stated that President Obama does not love America. My initial reaction was maybe the Mayor is experiencing some medical issues that are making him make statements that are ridiculous and strange? But, apparently the Mayor is sticking to his original statements.
My second thought was as a President who has been disrespected and verbally abused by many over the past 6 years, President Obama must love the principles of America to deal with the non sense he has encountered since he became President. Now added on to the pile of nonsense (remember the Republican who yelled out "You Lie!" during one of President Obama's state of the union addresses) comes the comments of Giuliani.
I wonder how Giuliani would feel if people referred to him as the mayor who benefited from being in office when the 911 attacks occurred in New York City? His popularity soared during those tragic times. Maybe now the Mayor is seeking to regain the attention he once garnered years ago by making outrageous statements?
If you have a moment while watching the local or national "news" tonight, send Giuliani a few words of encouragement and love. Tell him you're sorry he cannot respect a President who has helped this nation overcome the turmoil that existed in America from 2000-2008. Encourage Giuliani to start a "We Love America" political party and run for President in the year 2016. Then we can see Giuliani show that he loves all parts of America. From the urban blighted areas in major cities, to the principles that allow immigrants to become citizens and pursue their love of America.
Well ex Mayor, if you had spoken up sooner we all could have sent you Valentine Day cards.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
"Celebrities" Who Deserve Front Row Seats
A writer writes!
Last week I was watching portions of the National Basketball Association (NBA) All Star Game festivities. The cameras would occasionally pan to people sitting in front row seats. Since I no longer keep up on who today's human idols are, I could not name most of the people they were focusing on. I'm sure those in the court side seats either paid big dollars for their seats or where given the seats by a player, or got the seats through connections.
Of course my mind started wandering off into the nether region and I started to wonder about what "celebrities" I wanted to see sitting in those front row seats. Or who would I put in those front row seats (if I had the money to pay the exorbitant idol worship prices for the seats!)
It pretty much came down to this for my top 4:
1. Whomever finds the cure for Cancer. He/She/They should be given lifetime seats to any NBA game period. Pre Season, Regular Season, All Star game, NBA Playoff games in any round. Seats on the floor where ever they felt comfortable. The Big "C" has been destroying people and families for years. Those who find the final cure to safely destroying cancer can have anything they want in my book.
2. Students Making Straight A's in School. Education matters. Studying to be the best does take effort to utilize and strengthen the gift that you have. It doesn't matter if they are in Kindergarten, fifth grade, or going for their masters. Those who sacrifice and devote immense time to improving their knowledge deserve a distraction for a couple of hours to let the brain cells regroup for the next mental battle. We don't take enough time to celebrate the academic efforts of students. Don't just fawn over people who play sports! Slobber over the "brains" out there who have the talent to make the world better using their mind power.
3. The Quiet Charity Donors. People who quietly give to charities only because they want to and can. They have earned front row seats. They are filling a gap that governments are unable or unwilling to fully fund. Whether it is donating money for food for the poor, or donating time to help someone improve themselves, these people are trying to make a positive difference. Without their efforts, the level of pain would be much greater for those in need.
4. Undercover Do Gooders. The television show, Undercover Bosses is one of my favorites. It shows owners of businesses actually taking an interest in the lives of their workers. It features the owners giving to their employees to assist in making their employees lives better. Whether it is to give them money for school, money for medical needs, promotions within the company, or vacations for their family, these Do Gooders take actions that reflect the better parts of humanity. I would like to think there are more of these type people out there whose acts are not being televised who are taking positive actions to help their employees when they can. Yes, it is more dramatic when the TV camera records those acts, but I'm sure it has to still be a life changing experience even if those acts of kindness are done away from the cameras. Life is not all about being selfish and only caring for your self and your loved ones.
I am sure there are enough people in the above categories to fill the lower level seats at least at the NBA All Star game! At each time out, celebrate what they've done with a brief video on the scoreboard. What about it Commissioner Silver?
Last week I was watching portions of the National Basketball Association (NBA) All Star Game festivities. The cameras would occasionally pan to people sitting in front row seats. Since I no longer keep up on who today's human idols are, I could not name most of the people they were focusing on. I'm sure those in the court side seats either paid big dollars for their seats or where given the seats by a player, or got the seats through connections.
Of course my mind started wandering off into the nether region and I started to wonder about what "celebrities" I wanted to see sitting in those front row seats. Or who would I put in those front row seats (if I had the money to pay the exorbitant idol worship prices for the seats!)
It pretty much came down to this for my top 4:
1. Whomever finds the cure for Cancer. He/She/They should be given lifetime seats to any NBA game period. Pre Season, Regular Season, All Star game, NBA Playoff games in any round. Seats on the floor where ever they felt comfortable. The Big "C" has been destroying people and families for years. Those who find the final cure to safely destroying cancer can have anything they want in my book.
2. Students Making Straight A's in School. Education matters. Studying to be the best does take effort to utilize and strengthen the gift that you have. It doesn't matter if they are in Kindergarten, fifth grade, or going for their masters. Those who sacrifice and devote immense time to improving their knowledge deserve a distraction for a couple of hours to let the brain cells regroup for the next mental battle. We don't take enough time to celebrate the academic efforts of students. Don't just fawn over people who play sports! Slobber over the "brains" out there who have the talent to make the world better using their mind power.
3. The Quiet Charity Donors. People who quietly give to charities only because they want to and can. They have earned front row seats. They are filling a gap that governments are unable or unwilling to fully fund. Whether it is donating money for food for the poor, or donating time to help someone improve themselves, these people are trying to make a positive difference. Without their efforts, the level of pain would be much greater for those in need.
4. Undercover Do Gooders. The television show, Undercover Bosses is one of my favorites. It shows owners of businesses actually taking an interest in the lives of their workers. It features the owners giving to their employees to assist in making their employees lives better. Whether it is to give them money for school, money for medical needs, promotions within the company, or vacations for their family, these Do Gooders take actions that reflect the better parts of humanity. I would like to think there are more of these type people out there whose acts are not being televised who are taking positive actions to help their employees when they can. Yes, it is more dramatic when the TV camera records those acts, but I'm sure it has to still be a life changing experience even if those acts of kindness are done away from the cameras. Life is not all about being selfish and only caring for your self and your loved ones.
I am sure there are enough people in the above categories to fill the lower level seats at least at the NBA All Star game! At each time out, celebrate what they've done with a brief video on the scoreboard. What about it Commissioner Silver?
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