Posting on social media is about showing life and progress and joy and everything that’s going well. But as we know, life doesn’t always go the way we want. What we post is usually just part of the story.
We don’t post the other parts.
Well, here I am in YEAR FIVE! of this doctoral journey, still grinding and posting less. Until now.
If I can share the ups, I can share the downs, too, because my journey is MY journey. I know it’s not very original, but it’s true and something I must keep learning and telling myself repeatedly.
My journey is designed just for me
with all its twists, turns, setbacks, false starts, and victories. Yes, for
those still paying attention, I remain on the journey. And while I’m closer
than ever – how many times have I said that? LOL – it’s still a journey. Much
longer than I expected, but filled with so many lessons.
As I continue pushing forward,
here’s the other part:
STAND UP FOR YOURSELF
This can be tough if you hate conflict and you pride yourself on being diplomatic. But guess what? If you don’t stand up for yourself, no one will unless you’re 5 years old.
GROWING HURTS
I’m Iearning to manage my disappointments, expectations, and embarrassment at how long this is taking.
I’M NOT IN CONTROL
Not a whole lot to say here. The evidence speaks for itself.
THE DEGREE IS NOT THE ULTIMATE REWARD
I can’t wait to be done and it’s going to feel amazing. But I understand that the degree is a tool for me to fulfill my purpose in life.
LIFE GOES ON
The journey takes a lot of time and sacrifice. But stopping your life to earn a doctorate is no way to live. If I don’t keep living and loving, the degree won’t matter much in the end.
Thanks for reading. I’ll keep you posted – sooner rather than later.
The reaction to “Monday Night Football’s” chilling incident — Buffalo Bills safety Demar Hamlin nearly dying on the field — is similar to our nation’s response after a nightmarish mass shooting.
There’s an outpouring of “thoughts and prayers.” There’s a renewed debate on violence and its vice grip on America. But such events soon fade in our memory while leaders do nothing.
Then it’s back to business as usual until another occurrence restarts the cycle. And we all know another one is coming.
Hamlin’s situation was different in two respects. We’ve never seen a player require defibrillator paddles and 10 minutes of CPR after a play. The fear in our worst-case scenario typically involves thoughts of paralysis, as we anxiously await the movement of an arm and leg. We breathe sighs of relief if he can offer a thumbs up while being carted off the field.
That’s the other unique aspect from Monday night when an ambulance finally drove Hamlin to the hospital: Play never resumed.
NFL records suggest the postponement was unprecedented. Several games have included traumatic and tragic injuries that caused lengthy delays before players returned to action. In 1971, Detroit Lions wide receiver Chuck Hayes suffered a heart attack and died on the field, the NFL’s only fatality. Detroit and Chicago continued to play. The show always goes on, next man up. Until Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and nearly died.
I’m a firm believer in thoughts and prayers, which the NFL freely offers its injured players.
Here in the United States, we were slow to truly comprehend the scope and stature of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the international superstar famously known as Pelé.
It’s really no one’s fault. We’re just not wired like the rest of the world, where soccer reigns supreme and unrivaled as the most popular sport. America simply doesn’t follow “futbol” with the passion found elsewhere on the globe; we reserve that level of fervent affection for football.
Pelé, who died Thursday at age 82, was the planet’s most famous athlete long before coming to New York in 1975 to resuscitate a floundering pro league. He had already won three World Cup titles (still a record) with Brazil — the first in 1958 as a teen prodigy. He had already scored more than 1,200 goals with Santos, the Brazilian club team that toured like rock stars throughout the ‘60s. He had already been retired for a year — three if you count hanging ‘em up with the national team.
Not that I’ve watched loads of
soccer in this lifetime, but Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and
France was the most exciting match ever!
Don’t take it from this casual observer
of the planet’s most popular sport. Numerous experts and devotees say this game
was the greatest
of all time, a back-and-forth rollercoaster of emotions that ended in a
penalty-kick shootout. You didn’t have to be an aficionado expert (especially
on what constitutes being offsides) to enjoy the high-stakes drama that
captivates the world every four years.
Lionel Messi scored twice for
Argentina to capture the lone trophy that his remarkable career lacked. But Kylian
Mbappè (four goals) stole
the show for France, which won the 2018 World Cup and finished second this
year with a lineup full of brothers. The French squad could almost pass as Team
Wakanda.
“Today, football continues to tell
its story, as always in an enthralling way,” Brazilian legend Pelè posted on Instagram.
“… What a gift it was to watch this spectacle to the future of our sport.” He
also congratulated Morocco for reaching the final four, adding “it’s great to
see Africa shine.”
The Mother Continent shone brightly over here, too.
Brittney Griner will be home for
Christmas, the best gift imaginable for her wife and loved ones.
Griner’s release from a Russian penal
colony was high on many wish lists, including fans who are upset that WNBA
players earn tens of millions less than their NBA brethren. The pay gulf is a
major part of Griner’s 10-month ordeal that ended Dec. 8 and brought the issue
to light.
WHY WAS SHE DETAINED?
Officially, authorities accused
her of carrying vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil as she entered the
country on Feb 17. Her lawyers said Griner has
a prescription, to help her with pain, but inadvertently brought the
substance into the country with other belongings packed in her luggage. Griner
pleaded guilty during her trail in July.
Unofficially, her celebrity as an international
basketball star could’ve played a role. Griner is an eight-time WNBA all-star
who has won two Olympic gold medals. Standing 6-foot-9 with long dreads and
well-tatted arms, she’s among the world’s most recognizable women athletes, making
her attractive
as a bargaining chip if that was the Russians’ goal.
Few basketball coaches can rival “Coach K” in wild success and immense popularity. Before he retired last season, Mike Krzyzewski led Duke University to five national titles and led Team USA to three Olympic gold medals. But his most impressive work off the court might be a passionate video he released in June 2020.
“Black lives matter,” he begins, pausing between each word and then following with a dare to the hesitant: “Say it. Can’t you say it?
“ … Do we not see the problem, the disease, the plague that has been with our country for four centuries? Do we not see systemic racism and social injustice? … It’s manifested in so many ways: criminal justice; the killings we’ve seen and haven’t seen; the denial of economic opportunities for our Black community; educational opportunities; health care.”
He’s preaching to the choir over here, but the message is appreciated.
It’s posted on the home page of Coaches vs. Racism, which launched around the time Coach K implored America to quit being so racist. The national nonprofit is hosting its second annual HBCU Roundball Classic in Houston this week, continuing to raise awareness of the obvious.
While scrolling through social media recently, I came across a post that led to a spontaneous decision. I was seated at Howard University hours later, enjoying a screening and discussion of “Kaepernick & America.”
We haven’t heard much about Colin Kaepernick since he blew off the NFL’s charade of a tryout three years ago. The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t sign him after a May workout. Despite his lack of job offers, I’m convinced you can’t list 64 NFL quarterbacks — starters and backups — who are better.
He hasn’t played since 2016 and seems unlikely to ever suit up again. But his career won’t be defined by six years with the San Francisco 49ers and leading them to the Super Bowl. He’ll be remembered as a soldier for social justice, an athlete whose inspiring and iconic gesture will last forever.
Olympic sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos exercised Black power by raising their fists on the medal stand.
Kap exercised his by taking a knee on the sideline.
I never thought Deion Sanders would remain at Jackson State long-term and continue to illuminate HBCUs with his personal shine. I never thought he would stay content below the top level of college football, making do with a sliver of the resources and prestige that Power 5 schools enjoy.
I never thought he would consider the SWAC big enough for his brand. For selfish reasons, I didn’t want to be right.
His staying would’ve been a great story, a fairy tale for Jackson State and other schools reaping prime benefits. As an HBCU advocate, I wanted the ride to last longer. I wish he’d continue to highlight their value and lure top recruits with an alternative they typically disregard.
I also wish folks weren’t getting this moment twisted, though it was inevitable. There was crazy talk about Sanders’ potential departure from the day he arrived three years ago.
When Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie
Irving sat down for a media session Saturday night, days after posting a link
to an antisemitic film, he knew the questions were coming because he’s smart.
He knows antisemitism is a hot
topic that recently clipped Kanye West’s net worth from 10
figures to nine figures. He knows crazy talk about our Jewish cousins have
fueled violence and vandalism at historically high levels, fanned
by public figures like the former president and Twitter’s new owner. Irving
also should know that antisemitism is mainstream media’s top-ranked racial offense,
ahead of any anti-behavior toward people of color.
Team owner Joe Tsai,
the Nets, and the NBA issued separate statements condemning Irving’s post, but the
baller doubled down from the
podium. He said he’s trying to educate people with his social media posts, not
be divisive: “I’m in a unique position to have a level of influence on my
community.” Considering he has 4.6 million followers on Twitter, we can’t
disagree there.
But the self-proclaimed deep thinker
displayed his pretzel logic (it’s twisted) 90 seconds later, contradicting his
own valid assessment. “I’m no different than the next human being,” he said,
adding that “you guys come in here and make up this powerful influence I have.”
Deion Sanders arguably has the most fitting nickname ever for
a star athlete. He actually has a case for the top two.
Whichever moniker you prefer – “Prime Time” or “Neon Deion” –
Sanders embodied it on the field, winning two Super Bowls and appearing in a
World Series. Now he’s manifesting his persona as head coach at Jackson State –
one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) –
where he’s drawn ultrabright spotlights and national attention to the FCS
school.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” usually sets up at Power 5 schools for heavyweight showdowns and fabled rivalries. But on Saturday, it’s slated to air from Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium for Jackson State’s home finale. The flagship show is hitting town roughly a week after Good Morning America anchor and HBCU alum Michael Strahan visited to celebrate JSU’s homecoming during a live broadcast. That week began with a Sanders feature on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” which drew nearly 11 million viewers.
Sanders was “really excited” when he heard “College GameDay” was coming. “But you gotta understand, I expect stuff like this,” he told reporters Tuesday. “Why not us?”
The Pro and College Football Hall
of Famer is accustomed to being a magnet for cameras and microphones.
Conversely, HBCUs have rarely gone hand-in-hand with mainstream media. They’ve
grown closer through association since “Coach Prime” came aboard in 2020, and
shocked the world in 2021 by signing top-ranked recruit Travis Hunter. Every
time Sanders appears in an Aflac commercial – just like every replay of co-star
Nick Saban accusing
him of cheating – HBCUs get a little more shine.
But Sanders is viewed as the sun that others merely orbit, understandable because he’s one of the biggest names in college football, period.
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