LIVE A LITTLE

I have been confined to the same routine for the last two years; school during the day, work at night, and studying on the weekends. Do not be mistaken, I love my life and the direction in which it is moving. However, I sometimes miss the freedom of having no responsibilities. I miss lazy days and long nights. I miss the freedom of spontaneity; living for today, unconcerned with tomorrow. I miss late night dinners on Saturdays, the big game on Sunday, and Monday night football. It would seem, that in the process of pursuing my goals, I have forgotten how to enjoy my life. And, that is what I miss the most- enjoying life. I believe that in the process of pursuing our goals that we can become so determined, so strong willed, and so career motivated that we forget to enjoy life. We forget what it was like to be a child that found pleasure in the simple and ordinary things of life. As children, we did not need the services of online dating systems; we simply wrote a note which read: "Would you be my girlfriend? Check yes, no, or maybe." We did not need Gladiator games, but a small piece of chalk, an unmarked slab of concrete, to play a game of hopscotch. We did not need goal posts and white chalked lines, to indicate midfield, the telephone poles on the opposite sides of the street marked the boundaries of our playing field. Although goals and personal achievements are important, I think that I will spend a little more time taking pleasure in the simple things. I think I will stay up late on Saturday, and sleep in on Sunday. I think I will use the lawn hose for a water gun, and wet my daughter for no reason at all. I think I will take a long drive today and worry about gas prices tomorrow. In short, I think I will live a little.

VOTERS BEWARE!

It is evident, from the recent political campaign, that racism and prejudice remain at the core of American society. At a recent Republican rally, held in Clearwater, FL, Gov. Palin criticized the media for unjustly portraying her as an unqualified, Vice-Presidential candidate. During her address, Palin supporters yelled obscenities at the camera crew-with one supporter shouting to an African-American sound man, "Sit down, boy." At another McCain-Palin rally, members of the crowd yelled, "Kill him, kill Obama" following Sarah Palin's rant concerning the nature of Sen. Obama's relationship with radical Bill Ayers. It is clear (at least to me) that the objective of the republican party is to incite the two main issues that lay at the heart of American society- race and prejudice.

In a recent class discussion, following a story told to us by Professor Smith, we were asked the question, "What does it mean to sound white?" I was blown away when the majority of the class acted clueless in response to her question. The silence suggested that there is no stereotype attached to speech and the way we speak. In the summer of 2001, I was employed as a customer service representative for American Express. During my training, I was instructed to listen for idiomatic dialects and word patterns as indicators of the potential race and social status of incoming callers; a tool that I believe many people use in their daily lives. Proper speech and enunciation are characteristics of "whiteness". While slang and broken language are characteristics attributed to minorities-a fact that we must all face.

Although the United States has made great strides in race relations, it would be presumptuous of us to assume that this country is not driven by racism and prejudice. With our nation in a state of emergency and economic crisis, our choice for President should be based entirely on the merits of each candidate and the solutions that are offered to redeem us from the debauchery of the current administration; not the inflammatory words of racism and hate that incite the prejudice in all of us. This country is in need of a President that leads by example and has the best interest and welfare of every citizen at heart. I propose that when you cast your vote for President, you look beyond the racist fabric of our nation and vote for the future success of America, and not the prejudicial stereotypes associated with our shameful past.

FROM THE DESERT OF MIDIAN

I read my Bible today for the first time in a year. Since retiring from the ministry, I have avoided reading the Bible for fear that it may arouse within me passions and desires, I wish no longer to feel. However, today I was drawn to the book of Exodus, particularly, the narrative of Moses and his forty year exile in the desert of Midian. After killing an Egyptian, who was assaulting a Hebrew servant, Moses was forced to seek refuge from the vengeance and sword of Pharoah. Moses had been adopted by Pharoah's daughter and educated in the customs and traditions of the Egyptians. However, in this narrative, he was a lowly shepherd tending Jethro's (his father-in-law) sheep. While reading the text, I wondered if Moses ever looked toward Egypt and wished for the life that was no longer his. I wondered if he ever compared the landscape of Egypt to the desert of Midian. I wondered if he missed the sweet smell of fragrance and incense, now replaced with the odor from the flock of the sheep. I wondered if he thought that his life would ever have more meaning than that of a shepherd. To me, it seems as if Moses was in a "valley of despondency" trapped between two worlds; the life he once had, and a future that was uncertain. And, that is why God led me to this text. Like Moses, I am in Midian. I am in a "valley of despondency", trapped between two worlds-the life I left behind and the uncertainty of the future.

In The Miseducation of the Negro, Dr. Carter G. Woodson challenges mainstream Blacks and those that have overcome depraived situations, to help their fellow brothers and sisters to succeed and overcome their situations as well. However, he did not live during this generation. He did not live to see the first genertion ever to be less educated than their parents. And, if this generation is less educated than their parents, then what will be the future of their children. He did not live to see a generation devalue the struggles of their predessors. I recently struggled with the decision of changing my major from Biology to Psychology. I thought, that as a Psychology major, if I gained a better understanding of myself, I could help other young men and women with similar backgrounds. I was wrong; this generation does not want to be helped.

When I visit my former neighborhood, I am saddened by the level of ignorance and the outright refusal of help. Worst of all, I am saddened when I see the same patterns of behavior have pervaded this college campus. I am saddened when I visit the University Center and observe young black men and women calling one another bitches and whores while playing a game of dominoes. I am saddened when I sit in college classrooms and witness sagging pants being worn by young black men. I am saddened when neighborhood slang is preferred over proper English; and, when young women behave like "hoodrats" rather than intelligent, well-trained ladies.

I have made many mistakes and bad choices that have me here finishing what I should have completed years ago. However, once complete, "what will I do?" Egypt no longer wants me and I can not see on the other side of Midian. Will employers want people like me? Are people willing to forget who I was and embrace who I am at this moment? I do not know. Moses sojourned for forty years in Midian. I wonder how long will my journey last. Finally, I wonder if I will lead my people through the wilderness, so that some, may enter the promised land.

TRULY DISTURBING

I had an Hebrew exam Tuesday and found myself unable to focus. I had not slept much, my vision was blurry, my body was aching from a long night's work. Although I hate the heat, I felt that I needed some fresh air and time to meditate before I took my exam. While standing outside, I noticed a young African-American female waiting anxiously for her ride. Normally, I pay little attention to others while meditating, however, she was engaged in an hostile conversation using words that no lady should use; with no regard for potential listeners. A few moments later, a man appeared and questioned her about the conversation. After she explained that it was a disagreement between friends, he further questioned her about standing in a place other than where they had agreed to meet. "Where were you and why are you out here?" he asked. "Is it him?" he asked while pointing in my direction. I had never seen the young woman before. "No," she replied. "I don't know him." "Then who?" he responded. "It must be someone." The conversation moved beyond an interrogation into verbal assault. He cursed and berated the young woman as she cried and tried to reassure him that she had made an innocent mistake. She had simply forgotten where they agreed to meet. Unsatisfied with her answer, he continued to scold her; she continued to cry. She looked embarrassed. She looked battered. She looked helpless. It reminded me of the stereotypes and the way that society at large views Black men and the way we treat Black women and my heart is broken. How could he treat her that way; and more importantly, how could she allow it? How could she, an intelligent woman, think so little of herself, that she did not demand better? I have two beautiful daughters, and I dread the day that anyone abuses them; either physically, verbally, or mentally. Psychologists predict that most women marry men that remind them of their fathers. Perhaps, this is where it all begins; with fathers. I have been accused of being an overprotective father that spoils his children. I have been told that I have made it almost impossible for any man to fill my shoes. I think that is great. I tell my daughters to marry a man that loves and respects them as much as their father. I believe that if they do, then they will find more than a husband; they will find a friend and a lifelong partner.