History With No Meaning

I admire and envy the courageous actions of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I wish that one day I could embody the characteristics that King had as a leader.

I wish that more people today would base their lifestyles on his principles he shared with the world to live by.

These thoughts are not only on my mind because Dr. Martin Luther Kings birthday was this week.

These thoughts are on my mind because of a horrifying video a friend shared with me this week.

In this video seven teenagers were brutally beating a helpless 17-year-old Asian male.

These teenagers weren’t beating this man because they were driven to do so for any significant reason.

These teenagers were beating this young man because they had nothing else better to do!

As they inflicted bodily harm to this innocent man, they yelled out racial slurs such as “nigger”.

In the back of my mind as I watched this video, I thought to myself, “We are in the year of 2012, and this harsh racial discrimination still exist.

If Dr. King were alive today, he would probably shed tears and wonder if his courageous acts had done anything to improve interactions among different cultures in our day of living.

To be honest, I was furious after watching this video for the first time.

My immediate reaction was to come to blows with the teenagers in the video – to give them the same pain they gave the helpless boy.

Then, I had to think. King wouldn’t have done such a thing because it is these types of reactions that perpetuate the cycle of racial discrimination and violence.

This video touched my heart because at the age of 16 I filled the shoes of the helpless Asian boy. I know what it feels like to be out numbered and defeated.

I know what it feels like to want to ignore history and just want to fight back.

However, today is definitely a time when we have to encourage each other to fight to keep the meaning in history.

Dr. Martin Luther King didn’t do the things he did for no reason.

He did what he did for us to have a better lifestyle.

People need to learn that history deserves to have meaning in our society today.

Events such as the one that I wrote about in this column occur because people ignore the meaning that history has.

One for the week: Exodus 31:3: “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.”

Ghost Parents

The Grand Rapids Times
1-20-2012

I was going to write about politics this week but someone spoke to me about a topic that is very close to my heart; so I had to put politics on hold.

If you’re a reader that has kids, then you should be able to relate to this article pretty well.

If you’re a reader that is expecting children, then view this article as a gift from me because soon you will also experience the things I bring up in this article.

Some days I dread changing my son’s diapers and I get headaches from his high pitch cries.

Some days when I can’t figure out why he is crying, I get irritated and impatient.

Sometimes, I shake my head at the checklist that I am now forced to live by: bottle check, diapers check, burp cloth check, wipes check, bumbo check.

Sometimes it seems like the list never ends.

However, no matter how tired I get or how impatient I am at times, I would not trade any of this for the world.

My son deserves this and more.

I’m not here to place judgment on anyone.

I am writing this to inform parents that, when they are absent, they’re missing out on so much.

I don’t see how some of us can make babies all over and not spend time with any of them.

I don’t see how some of us have to be forced by the state to at least invest financially in our children.

To my brothers out there: how could you live knowing that another man is enjoying the gift of your child; the gift that you created?

To my sisters, I ask you the same question. Are jail and prison more important?

Is that next high you’re on your way to get from your supplier more important?

Is sleeping with everyone you meet more important?

Why would a person want to throw away raising a generation of doctors, lawyers, musicians, teachers, preachers, and future law enforcement?

What is wrong with us?

I don’t care how many times I have to get up in the middle of the night with my son I will never give away such a precious gift.

Last week I got to hear my son laugh for the very first time.

I feel sorry for all of the parents out there who missed that opportunity.

I feel sorry for the ones who will miss their Childs first word, walk, first day at school.

I feel so sorry for many of us.

One for the week: People, let’s make one New Year’s resolution — to stand up and accept our responsibilities.

Chance Of A Lifetime

Many people are denied opportunities because others deny them chances.

When I say people, mainly I am referring to younger individuals; our leaders of tomorrow.

Giving young people chances lately has been an idea that has been close to my heart.

Recently, I have become a music manager out of Grand Rapids, Michigan called Young Stand Up Boys.

Young Stand Up Boys is a versatile group that does Hip Hop, R&B, and Pop music.

However, the group’s goals reach beyond becoming famous and wealthy even after their recent accomplishment of signing under Universal Records.

I have decided to manage this group, not because of the skills they have with music, but because of their passion to help others.

To many others looking outside in they just see another Hip Hop group.

People don’t know that Young Stand Up Boys stands for something positive.

They don’t know that the group is in the midst of creating two foundations to provide guidance to misguided youth and young single parents.

They don’t know that this group is not only fulfilling their dreams but also working hard to be able to give back to their communities.

Due to others such as the mothers of the group members, and myself giving Y.S.U.B a chance of a lifetime and believing in them they are inspired to do the same for others.

Unfortunately, this can’t be said about some other Hip Hop artist in the industry.

We all have to give people chances of their lifetime because it truly makes a difference.

This isn’t only the case within the field of music; this is the case in any profession.

If you are a doctor, just by allowing a younger individual shadow you for a day who knows what inspiration, you may give to this young person.

If you are a teacher and you talk to a younger individual about your daily schedule, who knows what interest you may spark.

We all have to provide these chances to raise successful people who are encouraged to pass the chances of a lifetime down.

People, we have to remember that there once was someone who provided us with these chances for these opportunities as well; so let’s give back and do the same.

We need more pastors, positive Hip Hop artists, doctors, and lawyers in the world.

We need more construction workers, police officers, and stockbrokers in the world.

Lets continue to create these chances.

I want to give a special thanks to Linda Clanton and Darlena McKinnon.

One for the week:
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”
Exodus 15:13