Friday was the day to honor Trayvon Martin, the unarmed teen who was gunned down February 26 by a neighborhood watch captain.
About 500 people chanted "We want justice! Justice for Trayvon!" while holding Skittles candy and Arizona ice tea at Paul Quinn College in Dallas.
Martin's killer George Zimmerman has not been arrested nor charged with a crime because of a Florida law which is similar to Texas' Castle Law, allowing homeowners to shoot in self-defense.
Local radio station K104 FM also came to show support along with State Senator Royce West. The senator called for a review of the Texas law as he addressed the rally.
It was organized via social media between the aforementioned radio station and the president of Paul Quinn College.
If you want to be a part of change and get justice for Trayvon, sign the petition
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Sanford police chief temporarily steps down
Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee says he must "temporarily step aside" from duty. It comes one day after the city council voted 3-2 of a no confidence vote of Lee.
The police department has come under fire in recent weeks for its inadequate handling of the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Martin was shot on February 26 while walking home from the convenience store to his father's fiancee's house. George Zimmerman, a SELF-APPOINTED neighborhood watch captain, says he shot the teen in self-defense.
Zimmerman has not been charged or arrested.
Communities across the nation have protested in outrage with rallies and mailing empty Skittles wrappers to the police department.
One of the main issues with this case involves Florida's "stand your ground" law which states that a citizen has the right to use deadly force if he/she or someone else feels threatened.
The 911 tapes suggest Zimmerman was the aggressor after he ignored the dispatcher's request to not follow the teen.
However, the author of the controversial law says that Zimmerman is not protected.
The family of Trayvon Martin will have a press conference later today prior to a massive rally in a Sanford, FL park.
The FBI and DOJ will run a civil rights investigation in tandem with the Martin case.
CNN reports that a grand jury will convene on the matter on April 10, according to State Attorney Norm Wolfinger.
The police department has come under fire in recent weeks for its inadequate handling of the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Martin was shot on February 26 while walking home from the convenience store to his father's fiancee's house. George Zimmerman, a SELF-APPOINTED neighborhood watch captain, says he shot the teen in self-defense.
Zimmerman has not been charged or arrested.
Communities across the nation have protested in outrage with rallies and mailing empty Skittles wrappers to the police department.
One of the main issues with this case involves Florida's "stand your ground" law which states that a citizen has the right to use deadly force if he/she or someone else feels threatened.
The 911 tapes suggest Zimmerman was the aggressor after he ignored the dispatcher's request to not follow the teen.
However, the author of the controversial law says that Zimmerman is not protected.
The family of Trayvon Martin will have a press conference later today prior to a massive rally in a Sanford, FL park.
The FBI and DOJ will run a civil rights investigation in tandem with the Martin case.
CNN reports that a grand jury will convene on the matter on April 10, according to State Attorney Norm Wolfinger.
Monday, March 12, 2012
It's March....time for some Madness
It's the most wonderful time of the year...well next to Christmas anyway.
Three weeks of seeing if your bracket was a success or a complete bust. Three weeks of upsets, buzzer beaters, and Cinderella stories.
Speaking of Cinderella, VCU, Wichita State, Murray State and Long Beach State make viable candidates for the glass slipper.
The most intriguing match-ups are Wichita State vs VCU and Vanderbilt vs Harvard.
It didn't surprise me that the top seeds in each region were Kentucky (South), North Carolina (Midwest), Syracuse (East) and Michigan State (West) even though me and most of America felt that either Kansas or Missouri was more deserving of a #1 seed.
It also didn't surprise me that teams who did what they were supposed to do such as beat quality competition get left out of the dance.
Such was the case for Drexel and Washington, who both won the regular season for the Colonial Athletic Association and the Pac-12, respectively. How can the committee penalize Drexel for losing the CAA championship game? That's complete hogwash.
How does BYU make the tournament? They didn't have any quality wins and had a losing record against St. Mary's and Gonzaga.
Moving forward, the committee did Kentucky no favors with its bracket. The overall #1 has Baylor, Duke, Indiana and defending champion UConn in its region. Wow...talk about a tough road.
Michigan State has by far the easiest road to the Big Easy but they may have to fight it out with #2 Missouri if both teams meet in the Elite 8. Roy Williams and his Tar Heels could also meet his former team Kansas in the Regional Final as well...which begs the question.....
Who do you think will make it to the Final Four?
Will all number #1 seeds meet in New Orleans?
Which #1 seeded team will bow out early?
Which mid-major team will make a run similar to VCU and Butler?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
"Take it Like a Man"
Good day to you my brothers and sisters in Christ. First off, I want to thank God for giving me another 24 hours of mercy and grace.
I wanted to share something with you that I received Monday night during the all-male worship at my church.
Pastor Haynes dubbed the mini-sermon, if you will, "Take it Like a Man."
The message he gave was based off of a discussion concerning the many images that bombard young men in today's time, especially young, black men. Images such as those that depict us a being thugs or that the only way to succeed is through entertainment or sports.
The pastor gave this example of a study done many years ago where hundreds of people were placed in a crooked room with crooked images, sitting in a crooked chair and then were asked to stand up straight.
The surprising conclusion was that many couldn't stand up straight because they instead adjusted to the crooked images in the crooked room while only a few did the unthinkable and stood up straight in a crooked room with crooked images....which brings us to this text in the Bible.
In Judges 6 and 7, the Bible tells the story of a man named Gideon, who was visited by the Angel of the Lord that he was called to save the Israelites from their oppressors. Gideon had his objections but the Angel called him a man of valor.
He then asks God how should he go about saving his people in Chapter 7 to which God answers by commanding him to form an army to fight the Midianites. When God saw the 32,000 men, He said to Gideon that it was too many...so Gideon asks that all men who were scared to return to their homes so the camp shrunk down to 22,000 men.
God then has Gideon take the 22,000 to the river to have a drink and commanded him to separate those who lap up the water like a dog from those who bend down on their knees and cup the water with their hands.
The number of men then shrank down to only 300. God wanted only 300 men so that the praise of victory will wholly be unto God. The activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for our help in lawful undertakings. When the Lord sees that men will overlook him and through unbelief, would shrink from perilous services, he will set them aside and do his work by other instruments.
He doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called! God will take a committed minority to battle a wild majority.
God doesn't want fearful and timid men, he wants those individuals who will fight the good fight with courage and bravery. It's time for the young people of today to take back our communities and become positive role models to younger individuals who look up to them.
Gideon didn't think he was capable of defeating the Midianites but he put his trust in God and with His help, the Midianites were destroyed.
Whatever gift God has given you, cultivate it and believe that God will use you to become productive citizens and advance the Kingdom.
Will you be the one who will stand up straight in a crooked room or will you just simply adjust to the crooked images?
Remain Blessed.
I wanted to share something with you that I received Monday night during the all-male worship at my church.
Pastor Haynes dubbed the mini-sermon, if you will, "Take it Like a Man."
The message he gave was based off of a discussion concerning the many images that bombard young men in today's time, especially young, black men. Images such as those that depict us a being thugs or that the only way to succeed is through entertainment or sports.
The pastor gave this example of a study done many years ago where hundreds of people were placed in a crooked room with crooked images, sitting in a crooked chair and then were asked to stand up straight.
The surprising conclusion was that many couldn't stand up straight because they instead adjusted to the crooked images in the crooked room while only a few did the unthinkable and stood up straight in a crooked room with crooked images....which brings us to this text in the Bible.
In Judges 6 and 7, the Bible tells the story of a man named Gideon, who was visited by the Angel of the Lord that he was called to save the Israelites from their oppressors. Gideon had his objections but the Angel called him a man of valor.
He then asks God how should he go about saving his people in Chapter 7 to which God answers by commanding him to form an army to fight the Midianites. When God saw the 32,000 men, He said to Gideon that it was too many...so Gideon asks that all men who were scared to return to their homes so the camp shrunk down to 22,000 men.
God then has Gideon take the 22,000 to the river to have a drink and commanded him to separate those who lap up the water like a dog from those who bend down on their knees and cup the water with their hands.
The number of men then shrank down to only 300. God wanted only 300 men so that the praise of victory will wholly be unto God. The activity and prudence go with dependence upon God for our help in lawful undertakings. When the Lord sees that men will overlook him and through unbelief, would shrink from perilous services, he will set them aside and do his work by other instruments.
He doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called! God will take a committed minority to battle a wild majority.
God doesn't want fearful and timid men, he wants those individuals who will fight the good fight with courage and bravery. It's time for the young people of today to take back our communities and become positive role models to younger individuals who look up to them.
Gideon didn't think he was capable of defeating the Midianites but he put his trust in God and with His help, the Midianites were destroyed.
Whatever gift God has given you, cultivate it and believe that God will use you to become productive citizens and advance the Kingdom.
Will you be the one who will stand up straight in a crooked room or will you just simply adjust to the crooked images?
Remain Blessed.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
84th Academy Awards: Highlights of the Oscars
The broadcast kicked off Sunday night with a parody featuring Billy Crystal and many of the Best Picture nominees. But it wasn't long before Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" took an early lead in the early production awards.
Crystal took the stage at the theater formerly known as Kodak and quipped "We're here at the beautiful Chapter 11 theater," with a nod to the camera company who recently filed for bankruptcy.
The first two awards of the evening was for cinematography and art direction went, not to perceived front-runner "The Artist," but to "Hugo"s' Robert Richardson for "Hugo" and Dante Ferretti.
That was followed later by wins in the sound editing category for Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty and sound mixing for Tom Fleischman and John Midgley.
Oscar voters went with a nostalgic look at the early days of the movie business on Sunday night, showering "The Artist" with five Oscars including Best Picture.
After starting slow and losing several technical awards to rival "Hugo," the black and white silent film came roaring back at Sunday's 84th Academy Awards.
The film won a Best Director Oscar for Michel Hazanavicius and a Best Actor statue for Jean Dujardin.
The French actor held off challenges from George Clooney ("The Descendants") and Brad Pitt ("Moneyball") to win the honor for his performance as a silent film star struggling with the advent of sound.
Meryl Streep won Best Actress for her role in "The Iron Lady," portraying former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It was her third win in 17 nominations and 1st since 1982.
Actor Christopher Plummer won "Best Supporting Actor" for his role in "Beginners," becoming the oldest person to win an Academy Award at age 82. Actress Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress for The Help.
Famed acrobatic group Cirque du Soleil gave the crowd a dazzling performance and Grammy award winning artist Esperanza Spalding serenaded the crowd during a tribute in memoriam who contributed to the film industry.
Overall, the 84th Academy Awards was without a doubt an evening of surprises and absolute class.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Drugs and College Athletics: A Dangerous Mix
Four football players were arrested on Wednesday along with 13 others at Texas Christian University for selling marijuana, cocaine, and other prescription drugs.
Junior defensive players Tanner Brock, Devin Johnson D.J Yendrey and sophomore offensive tackle Tyler Horn were immediately kicked off the team and most likely kicked out of school.
The ironic thing is that it came one day after the basketball team upset #11 UNLV in overtime.
Texas Cocaine University, as I like to call it, was on the verge on maybe becoming a national power in college football since winning the 2011 Rose Bowl and just few months ago jilting the Big East at the altar to join the Big 12.
Now the largest drug bust in TCU history may in fact hurt them from an image and recruiting standpoint. The administration said during Wednesday's press conference that they were unaware of a six month drug probe. Huh? Come again?
How can you say that the administration was unaware of a drug probe in YOUR institution? It's YOUR job to know what is going on at the university especially in the athletic department. In fact, it is the athletic directors sole responsibility to make sure the football program is up to par.
Drugs on college campuses especially within athletic programs have become a glaring epidemic and there is not enough action from the athletic department nor the university to either deter it or end it altogether.
For instance, the men's hoops team at Lipscomb University just dismissed their leading scorer for what is reported to be a drug-related issue.
I find it ridiculous and absurd that college athletes would throw their FREE education for a small dose of illegal drugs. I didn't know you needed half a key of cocaine to make a tackle or a some X pills to make a free throw.
They have not only shamed the university and their families but they have also shamed themselves. The four football players especially Brock could have probably been a high draft pick in upcoming NFL drafts. Now it will never happen.
Athletes should remember that they represent the universities they play sports for both on and off the field.There are too many stories and news reports where a student-athlete is arrested or kicked off the team because of something that was in their control.
No one put a gun to your head and forced you to take drugs or smoke marijuana. It is understandable that the culture of drugs and alcohol is a part of college life but when you involve yourself in something that could alter your future significantly, then it is not worth it.
Perhaps this unfortunate incident can become a teachable moment to the rest of the TCU football team and the student body.
Say NO to drugs kids.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Jeremy Lin: The Asian Tim Tebow?
The latest buzz around the NBA is that of New York Knicks rookie point guard Jeremy Lin. He has been, in some circles, a God-send to a team that looked for a floor general and were aiming for the basement of the league's Eastern Conference.
The Harvard alum's exuberant play and humility has helped the Knicks win five consecutive games including an impressive showing at Madison Square Garden on Friday versus the Kobe System. He scored a team season high 38 points and had seven assists in the 92-85 win.
He has scored as of Saturday 119 points in just four games which is the most points scored by any player since the NBA/ABA merger season of 1976-77. He is also the first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in the NBA.
Lin's journey to the NBA has been a rocky one. He was cut twice by the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets and spent time in the D-League before being picked up by the Knicks. In fact, the Knicks strongly considered cutting the rookie before his debut versus the New Jersey Nets last Saturday.
His impact on the Knicks has made both financial and cultural strides in the NBA and around the world. His jersey is number one among NBA paraphernalia and has become a bit hit abroad.
Lin's success can be somewhat similar to that of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. They were both inserted into starter's roles when their teams were struggling and both turned their teams around. However, the NBA season isn't over yet.
His humble spirit is what I love about sports. It should not be about the individual success but the team working as a unit to achieve a goal. Sports is unscripted and unedited. Anything can happen at a moment's notice.
But the one question I have is, how long will Lin-sanity last?
Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudamire are due back to the team within a week's time and many including myself will wonder if the chemistry Lin has produced will carry the Knicks into a deep playoff run or will it crash and burn in an early playoff exit or no postseason altogether?
The Knicks are currently 13-15 and are in 8th place in the Eastern Conference standings, leading Milwaukee by 1/2 game.
The Harvard alum's exuberant play and humility has helped the Knicks win five consecutive games including an impressive showing at Madison Square Garden on Friday versus the Kobe System. He scored a team season high 38 points and had seven assists in the 92-85 win.
He has scored as of Saturday 119 points in just four games which is the most points scored by any player since the NBA/ABA merger season of 1976-77. He is also the first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in the NBA.
Lin's journey to the NBA has been a rocky one. He was cut twice by the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets and spent time in the D-League before being picked up by the Knicks. In fact, the Knicks strongly considered cutting the rookie before his debut versus the New Jersey Nets last Saturday.
His impact on the Knicks has made both financial and cultural strides in the NBA and around the world. His jersey is number one among NBA paraphernalia and has become a bit hit abroad.
Lin's success can be somewhat similar to that of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. They were both inserted into starter's roles when their teams were struggling and both turned their teams around. However, the NBA season isn't over yet.
His humble spirit is what I love about sports. It should not be about the individual success but the team working as a unit to achieve a goal. Sports is unscripted and unedited. Anything can happen at a moment's notice.
But the one question I have is, how long will Lin-sanity last?
Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudamire are due back to the team within a week's time and many including myself will wonder if the chemistry Lin has produced will carry the Knicks into a deep playoff run or will it crash and burn in an early playoff exit or no postseason altogether?
The Knicks are currently 13-15 and are in 8th place in the Eastern Conference standings, leading Milwaukee by 1/2 game.
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