Posted on December 31st, 2010
There has been a loud outcry in the wake of President Obama’s recent comments about star Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick’s post-prison second chance, with protesters falling primarily into one of two camps. They’re either shouting, “He’s only getting a second chance because he can play football!” Or they’re bellowing, “He doesn’t deserve a second chance because he’s a dog killer!”
The first argument might be true, but it just proves how difficult life can be for convicted felons trying to re-enter society. The second argument suggests that after prison, a convicted felon’s “debt to society” should accrue like interest on a credit card that’s never paid off.
Critics fail to realize — or don’t care — that the issue is larger than Vick, whose extraordinary athleticism virtually guaranteed him another shot at success after jail. The real conversations that Obama’s comments should spark have nothing to do with former quarterbacks and everything to do with former prisoners.
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Posted on December 29th, 2010
Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary’s skills with the X’s and O’s — the nuts and bolts of coaching football teams — were suspect enough. But even if he was deemed adequate in that regard, his persona made his suitability as coach of the 49ers questionable. Society has not reached the point yet where the “fiery black man” approach is acceptable for CEO-type positions, especially when it doesn’t deliver positive results, as evidenced by San Francisco’s 0-5 start this season and its current record of 5-10.
Unfortunately, the same attributes that led Singletary to a Hall of Fame career as a Chicago Bears linebacker practically doomed him as the 49ers’ head coach and helped lead to his firing on Sunday. We can never forget pictures of Singletary as the wild-eyed tackling machine, anchoring the Bears’ defense with ferocious intensity and passion. One reason the memories remain fresh is that he kept much of that same demeanor in leading the 49ers. And it couldn’t be more out of place in the NFL, which embraces its image as a button-down, Fortune 500 conglomerate.
For an instant injection of emotion and excitement, Singletary was a fine choice when the 49ers gave him the full-time job in December 2008, after he went 5-4 as the interim coach. Nicknamed “Samurai Mike,” he became a pop culture phenomenon in his very first game at the helm. While he was interim coach, Singletary sent star tight end Vernon Davis to the showers with more than 10 minutes remaining in the game, and issued a classic rant — “I want winners!” — in his postgame news conference. It was later reported that Singletary mooned his players at halftime as a motivational ploy, though a team spokesman stressed that the coach never dropped his drawers
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Posted on December 27th, 2010
Every day I’m reminding someone in my life to focus. If it’s not my children or my students, then it’s my husband.
When it comes to writing, we have to find a way to focus on the writing we want to produce. But in reality, “focus” can be challenging, especially when your days and nights are full. The distractions are real and unavoidable, but so is your desire and passion for writing.
As I reflect on my journey in completing “The Second First Lady,” I somehow found my focus. So here are some tips that I hope will help you:
*Don’t stress yourself out by trying to write for the same number of hours every day. Do what works for your schedule.
*Find a friend who will hold you accountable for writing consistently.
*Share your writing with a friend who is willing to listen. Talk about the characters and where the story is headed.
*Go to a writing conference or start a writing group so you can network and get feedback from other writers.
*Read author websites and join their mailing lists.
*Make a positive affirmation everyday about your writing.
*Read an article or book that will help you improve your craft.
As simple as these tips may seem, they contribute to the focus you need to become a writer who actually… writes.
VWS
Posted on December 14th, 2010
There’s an old adage that says we make time for things we want to make time for.
I’m always amazed at what my daughters can accomplish when they decide it’s important enough, i.e. slide-shows of their Christmas gifts, clean rooms (when an immediate incentive is involved) and any number of tasks.
I’m also amazed at what I can accomplish when I decide it’s important enough. Since the completion of my novel, The Second First Lady, many mothers, friends and family members have asked me when I found the time.
I don’t really have a clear-cut answer – other than the fact I just kept at it, writing whenever I could. It wasn’t easy, since I work full-time, have two kids and cook, clean and shop every week. I also help with homework, grade my students’ papers and spend time with the family. Still, somehow, I got it done with God’s help.
I can think of other examples in my life, too. I earned my Master’s Degree while working and managing the household, and I gained National Board Certification in the same manner. In the midst of it all, I did wonder… Why am I doing this? But I kept on. There were doubts, discouragements and fears along the way, but I kept at it. Completing the novel was no different.
As I reflect, I got it done through consistency. Some days I wrote for two hours or less; other days I wrote longer. But I did it, because writing creatively is one of my passions and I was determined.
So the message for all you Moms (and everyone else): You really can do it, if you want to.
VWS
Posted on December 3rd, 2010
Paula Flowe doesn’t know exactly how many people will show up Friday afternoon for a rally at the Texas State Capitol. And she doesn’t know exactly how many people will join her in sleeping out there until proposed legislation in Congress (H.R. 5628) becomes law. But Flowe is certain that her cause — banning corporal punishment in schools — is worth the time and effort, even as she’s run through her retirement money and is in danger of losing her house.
“We have people coming in from Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and remote parts of Texas,” said Flowe, founder and executive director of The Hitting Stops Here! “We have one woman whose son was brutally beaten by a 400-pound teacher. The school said there’s nothing wrong with the child, but it will pay for his counseling. If nothing’s wrong, why pay for counseling? If Sasha and Malia went home like that, there would be an outrage.
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There has been a loud outcry in the wake of President Obama’s recent comments about star Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick’s post-prison second chance, with protesters falling primarily into one of two camps. They’re either shouting, “He’s only getting a second chance because he can play football!” Or they’re bellowing, “He doesn’t deserve a second chance because he’s a dog killer!”
