The Grand Rapids Times
5-30-2008
By Marcel Gamble
Many people don’t believe it but it is possible to excel in a race even if you don’t receive the first place prize.
No matter what your future plans are and no matter what drama you went through last week. I just want to say, “Class of 2008 we have crossed the finish line.”
Even though some of us did not cross with honors and awards, we still made it. Just because some of us weren’t Class Valedictorian doesn’t mean we didn’t receive a prize.
God has blessed us all of these years to live to see graduation day.
We have lost friends to drugs and violence on the way to the finish line. There have been troubling times that we have had to experience in order to make it to the finish line.
One thing that we can all say is that we have all earned the ultimate prize, we have graduated.
People forget that after one race is finished another race always begins. Class of ’08 now that we have made it through high school it is time to begin our race in life.
The race through high school might have been a breeze but this race through life will be very difficult if you don’t choose the correct path.
There may be multiple water breaks when bills have to be paid and you’re all out of money. There may be breathers in your education when you have children and you were already struggling to provide for yourself.
This race will not be easy and you are going to sweat. We have to realize that a race can’t be completed if there is no path for us to follow.
God creates a path and it is up to us to follow. God makes it a little easier by guiding us to make the correct choices in life.
You will fall off the path from time to time but God will always be there to guide you back to the race and always put you in first place. Once you run a race with God you are only a first place winner.
Class of ’08, we have made it!
Let me know what you feel about the first place prize.
I’m going to leave you all with these words of wisdom, ”God knows what you are going through let Him help you through your race.”
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Teens Talk - What Would Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Say About My Generation
The Grand Rapids Times
5-23-2008
Teens Talk
By Marcel Gamble
April 4, 1968 at 6:01 p.m. is a day and time that America mourned the lost of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It has been over 40 years since this great man was taken from this world and stripped the African-American race of a great leader.
I believe that we have been wandering just like the Israelites in the dessert for 40 plus years without direction.
I didn’t discover the true profound teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King by chance. This great leader was dead before I was born.
I only know of the Rev. Dr. King through history books and personal accounts from my grandparents who were fortunate to live during his era and experienced his teachings firsthand.
As a young child, at the age of twelve, I also was wandering without direction or a foundation for the meaning of my life. I laugh about this today, but I must thank my mother, Oscatte Gamble Hendler, for the true introduction on the philosophy of Dr. King’s teachings.
My mother was wise enough to realize that I was wandering and she took me back to her roots, which her mother, Dr. Barbra Gamble had taught her.
See, I wasn’t such a cooperative student at that time. I, like a lot of youth, would test the waters. I thought I was a man, disrespecting teachers and not completing my studies and having the nerve to lie about it.
My mother took me out of school and home schooled me. My mother showed me what being a true man was with the help of my father, Bill Hendler.
I worked as a man in the mornings with my father before he went to his second job, then, I was placed in my mother’s hands for educational instructions and lessons.
Those were the longest days of my life and my parents truly instilled a rooted foundation in me during those six months.
My mother’s curriculum consisted of, “The Bible” and studying the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life, speeches and letters. It is from this foundation that transformed my life.
Dr. King was truly a remarkable man. I have been pondering over writing this column and taking a good look at my generation and wondering what would Dr. King say if he were here today. As a generation are we carrying on his dream? Does my generation make Dr. King’s death be an action appearing to be in vain?
In my opinion, Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was his strategic plan to lead his people out of bondage.
What would Dr. King say about the decreasing number of African-American teens graduating from high school? Simply answered, Dr. King understood that all men needed education to survive and better the group of society as a whole. Dr. King’s teachings were not only for Black Americans, it was for the entire human race.
What would Dr. King say about the increasing number of Black teen males and females incarcerated in America?
Dr. King would in my opinion first research the root causes of the problem. Dr. King was wise enough to know that solutions, to problems, only come out of knowing what the cause and effect of the problem is on society, as a whole.
Once Dr. King could define the problem and its cause he could then begin to find solutions to the problems of incarceration of minority men and women.
What would Dr. King say about the unemployment rate of African-American teens in America? What would he say about the teen gang violence in America? Dr. King preached against any kind of violence for any purpose. I am sure Dr. King would say, “Violence is not the answer, my son.”
What would Dr. King say about the fact that 88 percent of African-American children are living in poverty? What would he say when there are African-American children going to school hungry and going home without food for dinner? In my opinion, I think Dr. King would tell American Youth to make better choices in life. Choices we make in our youth many times impact on our families in negative ways. Poor choices keep groups of people in poverty, and I think Dr. King would want us to work hard to break the chains of generation poverty.
Dr. King isn’t here; his voice was taken on April 4, 1968 at 6:01 p.m., but you and I are here and our voices should be loud.
Dr. King established a voice for the depressed people of America, his words and wisdom live on and each and every one of us should be able to find many aspects of spiritual wisdom in Dr. King’s dream.
Many of us have not taken the extra step to take action.
I believe that Dr. King is weeping from the grave; this wasn’t his dream for my generation.
As I approach graduation from high school, I am told what a great achievement that I have accomplished; I am an exception to my generation.
No, I and all of the graduates of 2008 have done what should be considered the norm. I am who I am because of my community exercised their voice, and my mother took action.
Where have the values gone when getting a high school education in 2008 is considered to be an extraordinary achievement? Are we moving back in time to look at this as when African-Americans were not allowed to have an education or vote?
Dr. King’s dream can only stay alive and work for the society, as a whole, if each and everyone of us stands up to do our part to keep the dream alive.
If you see your sister or brother falling by the way, give them a hand. Don’t talk negatively about them. We are all in each word of Dr. King’s dream speech. We must play our part to keep this dream alive.
Do something positive, not violent; love, don’t hate your fellow man. Get educated , not just street-wise. Take pride in yourself, family, and heritage. These were the things the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was saying in his speeches and actions.
Let us live by the “Dream.”
I’m going to leave you with this, Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Leave a message on the Community Forum and tell me how you are keeping Dr. King’s Dream alive.
5-23-2008
Teens Talk
By Marcel Gamble
April 4, 1968 at 6:01 p.m. is a day and time that America mourned the lost of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It has been over 40 years since this great man was taken from this world and stripped the African-American race of a great leader.
I believe that we have been wandering just like the Israelites in the dessert for 40 plus years without direction.
I didn’t discover the true profound teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King by chance. This great leader was dead before I was born.
I only know of the Rev. Dr. King through history books and personal accounts from my grandparents who were fortunate to live during his era and experienced his teachings firsthand.
As a young child, at the age of twelve, I also was wandering without direction or a foundation for the meaning of my life. I laugh about this today, but I must thank my mother, Oscatte Gamble Hendler, for the true introduction on the philosophy of Dr. King’s teachings.
My mother was wise enough to realize that I was wandering and she took me back to her roots, which her mother, Dr. Barbra Gamble had taught her.
See, I wasn’t such a cooperative student at that time. I, like a lot of youth, would test the waters. I thought I was a man, disrespecting teachers and not completing my studies and having the nerve to lie about it.
My mother took me out of school and home schooled me. My mother showed me what being a true man was with the help of my father, Bill Hendler.
I worked as a man in the mornings with my father before he went to his second job, then, I was placed in my mother’s hands for educational instructions and lessons.
Those were the longest days of my life and my parents truly instilled a rooted foundation in me during those six months.
My mother’s curriculum consisted of, “The Bible” and studying the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life, speeches and letters. It is from this foundation that transformed my life.
Dr. King was truly a remarkable man. I have been pondering over writing this column and taking a good look at my generation and wondering what would Dr. King say if he were here today. As a generation are we carrying on his dream? Does my generation make Dr. King’s death be an action appearing to be in vain?
In my opinion, Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was his strategic plan to lead his people out of bondage.
What would Dr. King say about the decreasing number of African-American teens graduating from high school? Simply answered, Dr. King understood that all men needed education to survive and better the group of society as a whole. Dr. King’s teachings were not only for Black Americans, it was for the entire human race.
What would Dr. King say about the increasing number of Black teen males and females incarcerated in America?
Dr. King would in my opinion first research the root causes of the problem. Dr. King was wise enough to know that solutions, to problems, only come out of knowing what the cause and effect of the problem is on society, as a whole.
Once Dr. King could define the problem and its cause he could then begin to find solutions to the problems of incarceration of minority men and women.
What would Dr. King say about the unemployment rate of African-American teens in America? What would he say about the teen gang violence in America? Dr. King preached against any kind of violence for any purpose. I am sure Dr. King would say, “Violence is not the answer, my son.”
What would Dr. King say about the fact that 88 percent of African-American children are living in poverty? What would he say when there are African-American children going to school hungry and going home without food for dinner? In my opinion, I think Dr. King would tell American Youth to make better choices in life. Choices we make in our youth many times impact on our families in negative ways. Poor choices keep groups of people in poverty, and I think Dr. King would want us to work hard to break the chains of generation poverty.
Dr. King isn’t here; his voice was taken on April 4, 1968 at 6:01 p.m., but you and I are here and our voices should be loud.
Dr. King established a voice for the depressed people of America, his words and wisdom live on and each and every one of us should be able to find many aspects of spiritual wisdom in Dr. King’s dream.
Many of us have not taken the extra step to take action.
I believe that Dr. King is weeping from the grave; this wasn’t his dream for my generation.
As I approach graduation from high school, I am told what a great achievement that I have accomplished; I am an exception to my generation.
No, I and all of the graduates of 2008 have done what should be considered the norm. I am who I am because of my community exercised their voice, and my mother took action.
Where have the values gone when getting a high school education in 2008 is considered to be an extraordinary achievement? Are we moving back in time to look at this as when African-Americans were not allowed to have an education or vote?
Dr. King’s dream can only stay alive and work for the society, as a whole, if each and everyone of us stands up to do our part to keep the dream alive.
If you see your sister or brother falling by the way, give them a hand. Don’t talk negatively about them. We are all in each word of Dr. King’s dream speech. We must play our part to keep this dream alive.
Do something positive, not violent; love, don’t hate your fellow man. Get educated , not just street-wise. Take pride in yourself, family, and heritage. These were the things the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was saying in his speeches and actions.
Let us live by the “Dream.”
I’m going to leave you with this, Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Leave a message on the Community Forum and tell me how you are keeping Dr. King’s Dream alive.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Teens Talk - Kill Us With Inflation
The Grand Rapids Times
May 16, 2008
By Marcel Gamble
I thought that America would never have to experience a severe case of inflation again after undergoing the great depression.
Evidently I was wrong because it seems as if inflation is currently haunting Michigan.
The number one necessity that a majority of us need is becoming unaffordable due to inflation. I use to laugh when my parents would say that gas use to only cost 80 cents a gallon. I am not laughing now because I wish 80 cents per gallon would be the price of gas.
At four dollars a gallon gas is becoming inflation and it is killing us.
I remember a time when I use to be able to just put 5 dollars in my gas tank but now 5 dollars is almost worthless thanks to inflation. In result of gas prices raising other merchandise also raised in price.
I feel sorry for kids because when I was little, Little Debbie snacks use to only be 25 cents and now they are 35 cents.
What are minimum wage workers suppose to do when they are forced to cut a large percentage of their paycheck on gas? What if the portion of their check that they are forced to cut for gas is their budget for food, what should a minimum wage employee do?
Since inflation is beginning to occur I guess they have no choice but to suffer seems how minimum wage isn’t going up anytime soon and gas prices aren’t going down anytime soon. Inflation is killing us and it is going to increase the crime rate.
With kids to feed after suffering a major pay cut at work, some individuals are going to seek out alternative ways to make ends meet.
For example instead of people being robbed for their jewelry and money, people are going to begin to get robbed for their gas.
During this time of inflation instead of individuals reaching out to crime and violence they need to reach out to God for His guidance.
I guess the question that many of us should be asking is, can we live? Inflation is killing us. Can we live?
I’m going to leave you all with this: Hebrews 13:6, “So we say with confidence. The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”
May 16, 2008
By Marcel Gamble
I thought that America would never have to experience a severe case of inflation again after undergoing the great depression.
Evidently I was wrong because it seems as if inflation is currently haunting Michigan.
The number one necessity that a majority of us need is becoming unaffordable due to inflation. I use to laugh when my parents would say that gas use to only cost 80 cents a gallon. I am not laughing now because I wish 80 cents per gallon would be the price of gas.
At four dollars a gallon gas is becoming inflation and it is killing us.
I remember a time when I use to be able to just put 5 dollars in my gas tank but now 5 dollars is almost worthless thanks to inflation. In result of gas prices raising other merchandise also raised in price.
I feel sorry for kids because when I was little, Little Debbie snacks use to only be 25 cents and now they are 35 cents.
What are minimum wage workers suppose to do when they are forced to cut a large percentage of their paycheck on gas? What if the portion of their check that they are forced to cut for gas is their budget for food, what should a minimum wage employee do?
Since inflation is beginning to occur I guess they have no choice but to suffer seems how minimum wage isn’t going up anytime soon and gas prices aren’t going down anytime soon. Inflation is killing us and it is going to increase the crime rate.
With kids to feed after suffering a major pay cut at work, some individuals are going to seek out alternative ways to make ends meet.
For example instead of people being robbed for their jewelry and money, people are going to begin to get robbed for their gas.
During this time of inflation instead of individuals reaching out to crime and violence they need to reach out to God for His guidance.
I guess the question that many of us should be asking is, can we live? Inflation is killing us. Can we live?
I’m going to leave you all with this: Hebrews 13:6, “So we say with confidence. The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”
Friday, May 9, 2008
Peculiar People
The Grand Rapids Times
5/9/2008
Wright retired and went on vacation. They continued to call him out. When he came out, and did what he has done for years now – spoke his mind – he was vilified and pilloried by the press, which ultimately caused Barack Obama to respond and “disown” Wright in no uncertain terms.
Where do we go from here? Well, like Wright said, “I am not running for office.”
Barack is running, and he cannot (or will not) say anything that will indicate in the slightest way that he is not advocating for a so-called “colorblind” society.
How do we manage the reality of Wright’s words versus the idealism of Barack’s words? What is the proper Black perspective in this situation? Was Wright wrong, or was he wronged? Was Obama correct in his assessment and subsequent disowning of a man he said he could no more disown than he could his grandmother?
What are you thinking about the Obama/ Wright issue?
5/9/2008
Wright retired and went on vacation. They continued to call him out. When he came out, and did what he has done for years now – spoke his mind – he was vilified and pilloried by the press, which ultimately caused Barack Obama to respond and “disown” Wright in no uncertain terms.
Where do we go from here? Well, like Wright said, “I am not running for office.”
Barack is running, and he cannot (or will not) say anything that will indicate in the slightest way that he is not advocating for a so-called “colorblind” society.
How do we manage the reality of Wright’s words versus the idealism of Barack’s words? What is the proper Black perspective in this situation? Was Wright wrong, or was he wronged? Was Obama correct in his assessment and subsequent disowning of a man he said he could no more disown than he could his grandmother?
What are you thinking about the Obama/ Wright issue?
Peculiar People
The Grand Rapids Times
5/9/2008
Wright retired and went on vacation. They continued to call him out. When he came out, and did what he has done for years now – spoke his mind – he was vilified and pilloried by the press, which ultimately caused Barack Obama to respond and “disown” Wright in no uncertain terms.
Where do we go from here? Well, like Wright said, “I am not running for office.”
Barack is running, and he cannot (or will not) say anything that will indicate in the slightest way that he is not advocating for a so-called “colorblind” society.
How do we manage the reality of Wright’s words versus the idealism of Barack’s words? What is the proper Black perspective in this situation? Was Wright wrong, or was he wronged? Was Obama correct in his assessment and subsequent disowning of a man he said he could no more disown than he could his grandmother?
What are you thinking about the Obama/ Wright issue?
5/9/2008
Wright retired and went on vacation. They continued to call him out. When he came out, and did what he has done for years now – spoke his mind – he was vilified and pilloried by the press, which ultimately caused Barack Obama to respond and “disown” Wright in no uncertain terms.
Where do we go from here? Well, like Wright said, “I am not running for office.”
Barack is running, and he cannot (or will not) say anything that will indicate in the slightest way that he is not advocating for a so-called “colorblind” society.
How do we manage the reality of Wright’s words versus the idealism of Barack’s words? What is the proper Black perspective in this situation? Was Wright wrong, or was he wronged? Was Obama correct in his assessment and subsequent disowning of a man he said he could no more disown than he could his grandmother?
What are you thinking about the Obama/ Wright issue?
Teens Talk - Yield Signs On The Streets
The Grand Rapids Times
5/9/2008
The pot holes which are on a number of different streets throughout the city have come to be known as the cause of destruction of so many automobiles. I try to go around them and swerve away but honestly that doesn’t work when there is one right after another.
Like so many other individuals who are forced to experience bumpy rides due to pot holes, I become furious. The holes in the city streets bring out the anger in me because they are everywhere.
Without putting a positive light on pot holes it is fair to say that they have a reason for being placed where they are. It is also fair to say that after experiencing rough rides many people will slow down as they are traveling over pot holes.
To be honest the pot holes on the streets remind me of the yield signs that God places in our lives. The yield signs that are suppose to send us a message which informs us to slow our butts down.
If you are a frequent gambler and you begin to go in debt, as a result your house is reposed. That is a sign of God telling you to take control of your addiction and slow your butt down.
If you are a person who loves to cause drama and for once the drama is placed back on you. God is telling you it is about that time for you to slow your butt down.
He is not promising smooth rides in result of people slowing down.
God is telling people that they will have better control over their lives once they slow down. Pot holes are just like the yield signs that God places in our lives to warn us that if we choose not to slow down chaos will be the result of our actions.
The next time you are driving down a street covered with pot holes just treat them as yield signs and slow down. Save yourself from adding drama in your life and damage to your car.
Remember life becomes so much better when everyone slows their butts down and gets back on the right path with God.
I’m going to leave you all with this; Matthew 5:8, “blessed is the pure at heart, for they will see God.”
No matter what form God comes in to address you, you will see him. He can be anything, even a pot hole that telling you to slow your but down.
5/9/2008
The pot holes which are on a number of different streets throughout the city have come to be known as the cause of destruction of so many automobiles. I try to go around them and swerve away but honestly that doesn’t work when there is one right after another.
Like so many other individuals who are forced to experience bumpy rides due to pot holes, I become furious. The holes in the city streets bring out the anger in me because they are everywhere.
Without putting a positive light on pot holes it is fair to say that they have a reason for being placed where they are. It is also fair to say that after experiencing rough rides many people will slow down as they are traveling over pot holes.
To be honest the pot holes on the streets remind me of the yield signs that God places in our lives. The yield signs that are suppose to send us a message which informs us to slow our butts down.
If you are a frequent gambler and you begin to go in debt, as a result your house is reposed. That is a sign of God telling you to take control of your addiction and slow your butt down.
If you are a person who loves to cause drama and for once the drama is placed back on you. God is telling you it is about that time for you to slow your butt down.
He is not promising smooth rides in result of people slowing down.
God is telling people that they will have better control over their lives once they slow down. Pot holes are just like the yield signs that God places in our lives to warn us that if we choose not to slow down chaos will be the result of our actions.
The next time you are driving down a street covered with pot holes just treat them as yield signs and slow down. Save yourself from adding drama in your life and damage to your car.
Remember life becomes so much better when everyone slows their butts down and gets back on the right path with God.
I’m going to leave you all with this; Matthew 5:8, “blessed is the pure at heart, for they will see God.”
No matter what form God comes in to address you, you will see him. He can be anything, even a pot hole that telling you to slow your but down.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Teen's Talk - The Celebration of '08'
The Grand Rapids Times
May 2, 2008
Teens Talk
By Marcel Gamble
The count down is on. It is only just a matter of days until the class of “08” take their last steps down the hallways of the many high schools. There will be smiles of excitement, tears of joy, and memories that will never be forgotten.
Until then “08” we have to make it to the celebration. It is difficult, especially now when a majority of us have the credits that we need to graduate.
Some of us are straight A students, and can afford to slack off. A number of us have lost interest in high school and are anxious to take the next steps in our lives. We have come too far to let senioritis affect us.
“08” We have finally made it. Are we ready to throw away all of our accomplishments just because our minds are ready for a break? Personally, I understand that we are enduring a challenging time right now to be honest even I have been experiencing senioritis.
Loved ones around me have let me know that there are only days left I shouldn’t give up. They have informed me that just because I have been accepted to college, doesn’t mean that I have made it to the celebration of 2008. Loved ones shared with me that my last transcript will be revealed by the college that I am attending.
They wanted me to know that it is not time to celebrate just yet.
I have loved ones looking out for me and encouraging me not to let senioritis kick in. I am going to do the same for all of you. We all will be making it to the celebration of 2008 together. Don’t give in class of “08” and continue to battle senioritis because it is almost time for the celebration.
I’m going to leave you all with this, Romans 12:12; “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer“
The celebration is almost here class of “08” we just have to keep pressing forward and hang in there.
May 2, 2008
Teens Talk
By Marcel Gamble
The count down is on. It is only just a matter of days until the class of “08” take their last steps down the hallways of the many high schools. There will be smiles of excitement, tears of joy, and memories that will never be forgotten.
Until then “08” we have to make it to the celebration. It is difficult, especially now when a majority of us have the credits that we need to graduate.
Some of us are straight A students, and can afford to slack off. A number of us have lost interest in high school and are anxious to take the next steps in our lives. We have come too far to let senioritis affect us.
“08” We have finally made it. Are we ready to throw away all of our accomplishments just because our minds are ready for a break? Personally, I understand that we are enduring a challenging time right now to be honest even I have been experiencing senioritis.
Loved ones around me have let me know that there are only days left I shouldn’t give up. They have informed me that just because I have been accepted to college, doesn’t mean that I have made it to the celebration of 2008. Loved ones shared with me that my last transcript will be revealed by the college that I am attending.
They wanted me to know that it is not time to celebrate just yet.
I have loved ones looking out for me and encouraging me not to let senioritis kick in. I am going to do the same for all of you. We all will be making it to the celebration of 2008 together. Don’t give in class of “08” and continue to battle senioritis because it is almost time for the celebration.
I’m going to leave you all with this, Romans 12:12; “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer“
The celebration is almost here class of “08” we just have to keep pressing forward and hang in there.
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