A conversation between Greatness, Sacrifice, Compromise—circa 2012—and someone who’s stupid enough to pretend these things aren’t interrelated. We’ll call that person,”G.” G: Alright. So check this out. I have all these plans I wish to accomplish and a lifetime to accomplish them. I know you’re in my future and I just have to put in… Continue reading A Conversation Between Greatness, Compromise, and Sacrifice
Year: 2016
How An Ultralight Beam Helped My Dark Depression
I first heard “Ultralight Beam” when Kanye West and company performed it on Saturday Night Live. The-Dream opens with “I’m tryna keep my faith and Kanye continues with Deliver us serenity. Deliver us peace. Deliver us love. Lord knows we need it.” Think about how tragic it is that Kanye West, one of the biggest… Continue reading How An Ultralight Beam Helped My Dark Depression
We Are Not A Sports Team
This letter was inspired by a recent trip with my homies. To whom it may concern, This may come as a surprise to some people. This might be some of the most shocking news that has come across your computer screen since you found out that Dennis Rodman placed himself in charge of international relations… Continue reading We Are Not A Sports Team
For Us, By Us On The Low: A Movement For Black Media
As a longtime fan of the Melissa Harris-Perry Show, it didn’t take long to see the show—one of the only spaces on cable news that highlighted issues of concern for progressives and communities of color—was in trouble. First, the branding was stripped away, replaced with the generic MSNBC logo. The content changed, with Sundays seemingly… Continue reading For Us, By Us On The Low: A Movement For Black Media
Recruiting a New Generation in S.T.E.M.
“So let me get this straight. You spent 11 extra years in school just so you could put kids in an MRI machine? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.” —Judgmental 5th grader I was giving my Career Day presentation to a classroom full of 5th-8th grade students, sharing what got me interested in science,… Continue reading Recruiting a New Generation in S.T.E.M.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” –Carl Jung Twenty-two. African American male. 5 foot, 10 inches. Son. Brother. Public servant. Preacher. College graduate. Old soul. That’s who I am externally, but who I am internally? What makes me smile?… Continue reading The Journey of Self-Discovery
greatness (a poem)
Imagine if we all decided to be great If we decided our heritage was heroism Our lineage was leadership Our inheritance was ingenuity Our purpose was power Our call was courageousness What if we chose to believe that shining our light was never optional That our destinies were required reading for ourselves our haters ourselves… Continue reading greatness (a poem)
A Lasting Legacy
America was deeply segregated when Jackie Robinson broke into major league baseball in 1947. A year prior to his debut at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, at least half a dozen blacks were lynched in the South. The president of the Brooklyn Dodgers at the time was a man named Branch Rickey. Rickey, known… Continue reading A Lasting Legacy
A Ladder of One’s Own
By Christina Lewis Halpern and Daniel Rabuzzi Every June, hundreds of thousands of young people proudly accept their degrees at ceremonies attended by tearful, proud family members. How do you like this as a piece of advice for a high schooler? We don’t want you to dream of getting your college degree. I bet you… Continue reading A Ladder of One’s Own
The Detox: A Word (For Men) On Loving Before Losing
For better or worse. In sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer. When we talk about love, we often acknowledge the rocky roads and rollercoaster rides necessary to make things work. We’re in love with love, whether it’s the forever relationship or “for as long as we can have it.” And in love… Continue reading The Detox: A Word (For Men) On Loving Before Losing