The Grand Rapids Times
7-3-2009
Adult's Walk
By Marcel Gamble
Many of you might have seen this picture before or might have dreamed of it before; but to refresh your memory, like a talented artist, I’m going to paint this picture.
With bright colors and sharp edges ,this painting displays a being that has been blessed with an abundance amount of success.
To draw this person I am using the sharpest lead along with the newest paints.
The individual in the paint¬ing is flawless.
The finest clothes ever made by man are wrapped around this person’s body.
Precious diamond jewelry is on the hands, neck, and wrist of this successful person.
Everything about the indi¬vidual in the painting is perfect – symbolizing that the person in the painting has made it in life.
However, the background of this painting doesn’t co¬ordinate with the exuberant flawless being.
The background is dark and gloomy because it symbolizes the life that the alumni in the painting came from and doesn’t want to venture back to.
Many of you might have seen this picture before or might have dreamed of it before; but to refresh your memory, like a talented artist, I’m going to paint this picture.
With bright colors and sharp edges ,this painting displays a being that has been blessed with an abundance amount of success.
To draw this person I am using the sharpest lead along with the newest paints.
The individual in the paint¬ing is flawless.
The finest clothes ever made by man are wrapped around this person’s body.
Precious diamond jewelry is on the hands, neck, and wrist of this successful person.
Everything about the indi¬vidual in the painting is perfect – symbolizing that the person in the painting has made it in life.
However, the background of this painting doesn’t co¬ordinate with the exuberant flawless being.
The background is dark and gloomy because it symbolizes the life that the alumni in the painting came from and doesn’t want to venture back to.
I am walking this week to express the fact that it is good that many of us are progressing and becoming young profes¬sionals.
But it is not good that many of us are becoming successful and forgetting where we come from.
We can’t live and act as if we are a priceless painting; we have to live life to be an aide to others.
If you are from the hood and you become somebody doesn’t mean you have to constantly run from what built you into the person that you are today.
If you know that it’s difficult to become a young professional because of your residence, then why would you turn your back on the generations behind you that are attempting to be suc cessful as well?
I call that being a painter without the right tools.
You can’t be someone who leaves the hood and then try to preach to others about being successful.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t experience life beyond where you are from.
I am saying that where you are from shouldn’t be forgotten.
Just as you may have struggled coming up, you can believe that there is someone else struggling even more to be somebody.
We as young professionals now have to be alumni.
We have to stop wasting our breath with talk; and, honestly, we have to begin to walk.
It’s understandable that everyone has something in their past that they would like to forget, but we all have to remember that when we bury our past, we are throwing away someone’s future.
I want to be able to paint a picture with a lively being and a brilliant background.
However, I am incapable of painting such a piece by myself.
As alumni of Grand Rapids, Michigan we all should be able to indulge in creating a masterpiece for others to envision.
We can change the canvas known as struggling Grand Rapids into the canvas known as alumni helping Grand Rapids.
Many of us are high school graduates of some of the schools that are struggling financially and academically.
We can all paint a different picture.
As alumni, we can give back even if it is just a dollar a week or mentoring to students that need guidance.
So many others looked out for us when we were younger and provided the re-enforcement that we needed to get us where we are today.
As alumni, it is our jobs to return the favor and do the same for future leaders.
Pick up the paintbrushes and let’s walk.
One for the week: “Be sure your love is true love. Hate what is sinful. Hold on to whatever is good.” _ Romans 12:9
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Neglected Pan
Adult's Walk
The Grand Rapids Times
7-10-2009
by Marcel Gamble
I open up the loaf of bread, and the first thing I do is reach to the back of the loaf to grab the end piece.
After I get the end piece, I throw it directly in the trash.
I don’t stop to think about how it tastes. I just simply see that it is different than the rest, and I dispose of it.
The end piece that I constantly throw away is made by the same company and formulated from the same yeast as the rest of the loaf.
Why is the end piece of the loaf thrown out by millions of people?
Why is it treated differently from the rest of the bread within the loaf?
This week I am walking to answer this question.
The end piece is treated differently because it’s not shaped like the others.
It is flat and it doesn’t have the crust that so many people love.
However, that doesn’t change the fact that it comes in the same loaf as the other pieces. Why is it treated differently?
Unfortunately, some people are treated just like the end piece of bread – equality is forgotten and all fairness is ignored.
As an example, because of a corrupted law system, the end piece of bread is thrown out on regular bases.
There is an inner city resident that is the age of 18 who is caught by police officials growing 200 marijuana plants.
He is locked up only to undergo a trial that will take away the next seven years of his life.
A week later, there is a well-known individual who is loved by hundreds of people who is also caught growing 200 plants of marijuana.
This individual undergoes a trial that allows him to walk away with just the order to do 240 hours of community service, undergo drug testing, attend Narcotics anonymous, and submit to police searches.
In the above scenarios, who is being treated like the end piece of bread and who is being treated like the piece of bread with a crust?
I didn’t have to waste my time creating such an example because such injustice is occurring in real life.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to interview the individual that some are calling lucky this week.
However, I know that Grand Rapids sports writer David Mayo has been treated like the piece of bread that has a crust and not like the end piece.
Personally, I believe that if laws are set and consequences are made for laws that are broken, then everyone who breaks laws should be forced to endure the consequences.
It should matter if you are well known or a nobody.
It shouldn’t matter if you are a thug or a corporate professional.
It shouldn’t matter if you are black, white, rich, or poor.
If people commit the same crime, then they should do the same amount of time.
As a religious individual, I believe that God has reasoning for allowing writer David Mayo a second chance.
I also believe that I have been punished lightly for some things that I have done in the past as well, but that doesn’t change the fact that equality isn’t present anymore in the world of justice.
How am I able to trust law enforcement now that I know that I’m going to be treated like the end piece of bread while others that are well known are treated like pieces of bread with crust?
What will this do to upcoming generations when they realize that they are subjected to be thrown out like the end piece in the loaf?
My words to David Mayo are, “I’m not furious at you for getting a lighter sentence then what you should have gotten. I’m mad at the corrupted justice system for giving others more strenuous sentences for the same crime.
God has given you another chance, now it is your turn to do Him a favor. As a walking testimony, you should take the time out and explain to others that just because your consequences for your actions were light doesn’t meant that theirs will be if they make the same mistake. Explain to others that your light sentence doesn’t make your crime expectable.
My words for the Grand Rapids Justice system is stop treating people like they are end pieces of bread. If it’s the system’s choice to treat people like the end pieces in bread loaves, then it’s only right to treat every criminal the same.
I would love to see a correct law system whether than see a neglected pan.
Email me at marcelgamble@ sbcglobal.net and share with me your thoughts on this issue.
One for the week: “And the preist answered David, and said, there is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread.”_ 1Samuel 21:4
The Grand Rapids Times
7-10-2009
by Marcel Gamble
I open up the loaf of bread, and the first thing I do is reach to the back of the loaf to grab the end piece.
After I get the end piece, I throw it directly in the trash.
I don’t stop to think about how it tastes. I just simply see that it is different than the rest, and I dispose of it.
The end piece that I constantly throw away is made by the same company and formulated from the same yeast as the rest of the loaf.
Why is the end piece of the loaf thrown out by millions of people?
Why is it treated differently from the rest of the bread within the loaf?
This week I am walking to answer this question.
The end piece is treated differently because it’s not shaped like the others.
It is flat and it doesn’t have the crust that so many people love.
However, that doesn’t change the fact that it comes in the same loaf as the other pieces. Why is it treated differently?
Unfortunately, some people are treated just like the end piece of bread – equality is forgotten and all fairness is ignored.
As an example, because of a corrupted law system, the end piece of bread is thrown out on regular bases.
There is an inner city resident that is the age of 18 who is caught by police officials growing 200 marijuana plants.
He is locked up only to undergo a trial that will take away the next seven years of his life.
A week later, there is a well-known individual who is loved by hundreds of people who is also caught growing 200 plants of marijuana.
This individual undergoes a trial that allows him to walk away with just the order to do 240 hours of community service, undergo drug testing, attend Narcotics anonymous, and submit to police searches.
In the above scenarios, who is being treated like the end piece of bread and who is being treated like the piece of bread with a crust?
I didn’t have to waste my time creating such an example because such injustice is occurring in real life.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to interview the individual that some are calling lucky this week.
However, I know that Grand Rapids sports writer David Mayo has been treated like the piece of bread that has a crust and not like the end piece.
Personally, I believe that if laws are set and consequences are made for laws that are broken, then everyone who breaks laws should be forced to endure the consequences.
It should matter if you are well known or a nobody.
It shouldn’t matter if you are a thug or a corporate professional.
It shouldn’t matter if you are black, white, rich, or poor.
If people commit the same crime, then they should do the same amount of time.
As a religious individual, I believe that God has reasoning for allowing writer David Mayo a second chance.
I also believe that I have been punished lightly for some things that I have done in the past as well, but that doesn’t change the fact that equality isn’t present anymore in the world of justice.
How am I able to trust law enforcement now that I know that I’m going to be treated like the end piece of bread while others that are well known are treated like pieces of bread with crust?
What will this do to upcoming generations when they realize that they are subjected to be thrown out like the end piece in the loaf?
My words to David Mayo are, “I’m not furious at you for getting a lighter sentence then what you should have gotten. I’m mad at the corrupted justice system for giving others more strenuous sentences for the same crime.
God has given you another chance, now it is your turn to do Him a favor. As a walking testimony, you should take the time out and explain to others that just because your consequences for your actions were light doesn’t meant that theirs will be if they make the same mistake. Explain to others that your light sentence doesn’t make your crime expectable.
My words for the Grand Rapids Justice system is stop treating people like they are end pieces of bread. If it’s the system’s choice to treat people like the end pieces in bread loaves, then it’s only right to treat every criminal the same.
I would love to see a correct law system whether than see a neglected pan.
Email me at marcelgamble@ sbcglobal.net and share with me your thoughts on this issue.
One for the week: “And the preist answered David, and said, there is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread.”_ 1Samuel 21:4
Friday, April 10, 2009
Adult's Walk - I Will Miss You
By Marcel Gamble
It’s evident that we all have moments when we bear in mind good times and mourn over bad times.
No matter what our memories may be many of us want to hold on to them and savor them like a tropical drink that we never want to forget. In our minds we want to play memories over and over again so they lock in our brains like unforgettable songs with incredible beats.
In order to progress in life, people have to use the past as a reference point as well as let it go.
There is no doubt about it, I will deeply miss you.
You have given me hope for the future, as well as provide one for me. You have guided me to my best friend, “God” when I needed him the most.
I will miss you.
You have given others hope; wisdom, and courage during their most troubling times. Before your arrival to save me, I was a dumbfound little boy and now I am a Christian, educated, young African American male.
For the most crucial years of my life you have encouraged me to fight against statistics instead of becoming a part of statistics.
I will miss you because literally you have saved me.
Intellectual Dr. Cornell West; once said, “Sometimes you have to die before you are able to successfully live.”
People have to let things go, so in order for me and others to progress in life I’m sad to say that I have to let you go.
If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have been able to look out of my window in my neighborhood and discover that the streets were definitely somewhere that I didn’t want to be.
If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have been able to realize that the kicks I rock on my feet are able to serve for good purposes while looking fresh.
To be honest if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be able to discuss with others about the significance of a half full glass and the importance of a full one.
My friend I will miss you.
I will miss you, but I have to let you go.
For years you have paved the way for me to excel in life, so that I can help others succeed in life. Now that I am getting older my friend I must move on.
I will still reach out to everyone just as I did as a teen but as of today, April 8th, 2009 I am an adult.
Teens voice their opinions pertaining to issues that they are passionate about, but adults walk. Since I am no longer a teen my friend I have to do more than talk I have to walk.
Teens talk but adults walk and that’s exactly what I am going to do.
I owe everything to you, “Teens talk,” you have been there when I have needed you the most.
This is killing me, but parts of me must die in order for me to move on.
You have found people in dark alleys, gave them light, and led them down righteous paths when they have needed you the most.
My friend I will miss you.
Yes there are teens searching to talk, but as they speak there are also adults searching for ways to learn how to walk.
So my friend I will miss you but I must move on.
God is encouraging me to seek out the leaders of tomorrow as well as lift up the leaders of today. I will miss you but my friend, my mission to serve God and my peers has changed tremendously.
I now have the passion not to just talk but to also walk.
So to all of my faithful readers, this is not goodbye my friends this is hello to a new beginning.
So you all can say hello to “Adults Walk.”
“Teens Talk,” my friend, I will miss you.
I’m going to leave you all with this; “All great things must come to an end to allow greater things to have the opportunity to live.”
It’s evident that we all have moments when we bear in mind good times and mourn over bad times.
No matter what our memories may be many of us want to hold on to them and savor them like a tropical drink that we never want to forget. In our minds we want to play memories over and over again so they lock in our brains like unforgettable songs with incredible beats.
In order to progress in life, people have to use the past as a reference point as well as let it go.
There is no doubt about it, I will deeply miss you.
You have given me hope for the future, as well as provide one for me. You have guided me to my best friend, “God” when I needed him the most.
I will miss you.
You have given others hope; wisdom, and courage during their most troubling times. Before your arrival to save me, I was a dumbfound little boy and now I am a Christian, educated, young African American male.
For the most crucial years of my life you have encouraged me to fight against statistics instead of becoming a part of statistics.
I will miss you because literally you have saved me.
Intellectual Dr. Cornell West; once said, “Sometimes you have to die before you are able to successfully live.”
People have to let things go, so in order for me and others to progress in life I’m sad to say that I have to let you go.
If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have been able to look out of my window in my neighborhood and discover that the streets were definitely somewhere that I didn’t want to be.
If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have been able to realize that the kicks I rock on my feet are able to serve for good purposes while looking fresh.
To be honest if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be able to discuss with others about the significance of a half full glass and the importance of a full one.
My friend I will miss you.
I will miss you, but I have to let you go.
For years you have paved the way for me to excel in life, so that I can help others succeed in life. Now that I am getting older my friend I must move on.
I will still reach out to everyone just as I did as a teen but as of today, April 8th, 2009 I am an adult.
Teens voice their opinions pertaining to issues that they are passionate about, but adults walk. Since I am no longer a teen my friend I have to do more than talk I have to walk.
Teens talk but adults walk and that’s exactly what I am going to do.
I owe everything to you, “Teens talk,” you have been there when I have needed you the most.
This is killing me, but parts of me must die in order for me to move on.
You have found people in dark alleys, gave them light, and led them down righteous paths when they have needed you the most.
My friend I will miss you.
Yes there are teens searching to talk, but as they speak there are also adults searching for ways to learn how to walk.
So my friend I will miss you but I must move on.
God is encouraging me to seek out the leaders of tomorrow as well as lift up the leaders of today. I will miss you but my friend, my mission to serve God and my peers has changed tremendously.
I now have the passion not to just talk but to also walk.
So to all of my faithful readers, this is not goodbye my friends this is hello to a new beginning.
So you all can say hello to “Adults Walk.”
“Teens Talk,” my friend, I will miss you.
I’m going to leave you all with this; “All great things must come to an end to allow greater things to have the opportunity to live.”
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