Just Sayin'

I listened to Rutger's president, Barchi yesterday with my mouth open...  wide open.  "I want to be clear.  I did not fire him (Mike Rice) for cause."  He further stated that there was nothing in the Rutger's University policy that would allow him to do that.  (That last sentence is a paraphrase.) But here's the thing, at least for me.  When I look at these tapes there appears to be numerous incidences of assault taking place. They are violent and they are repetitive.  Even if we examine them contextually, they are over the top.  

An even larger issue is the statement of Barchi as it attempting to explain why he never viewed the tapes.   Why he relied so heavily on the inside and outside counsel; why he relied on Pernetti.   It was because no one else:  not the players or "anyone else in the gymnasium" that witnessed any or all of these acts complained.  Although there was some question from reporters if others were in the room,  Barchi insists there were.  He also insists that no one complained or brought this to his attention.  That's pretty frightening.  Because what I take away from that is that this abhorent behavior is more strongly a part of the culture and in keeping with the Rutgers' way than not; and that no one will stand up to it. (unless they are denied $950,000)  This is pretty scary stuff, especially at a public institution.  Either folks thought that this was just what we do here or there was some level of fear in reporting it.   For all we know, going to watch basketball players be trashed and humiliated may, for some,  have been part of the entertainment for the day.  Am I supposed to  believe that professors allowed to use books, rather than basketballs, when attempting to get students to understand course material?

And President Barchi has a record of being sensitive to minority issues; especially those of the LGBT community.  So it really puzzles me that when hearing that "homophobic slurs" were used repeatedly at basketball practices, by school leadership; and knowing that these practices were open; and knowing that there were other members of the school community present  that there was no desire to take a few minutes to look at the video tapes.    It takes more than building a Tyler Clementi Center to create an accepting culture a reality.  It’s a great gesture.  It’s a step in the right direction; but it really isn’t about a building.  It’s about the hard stuff: addressing destructive behaviors 

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” 
― Martin Luther King, Jr.

What's Cuter Than a Second Grader?

What's cuter than a second grader?  Eighty-eight second graders, eager and ready to learn.  What a joy-full afternoon!  I was invited to South Main Street School in Pleasantville, NJ to collect 88 cards from the second graders who had so lovingly made them and their teachers who thoughtfully guided them.

I took along books and pictures to share. They were appropriately curious and excited about new discoveries.  Their little bodies squirmed and wiggled like mine does when the energy to see and take it all in is just too much to contain.  They shared with each other generously even when their turn to hold on to the picture seemed too short, and they wanted just one more minute.

One of my hopes is that some of my favorite books become some of their favorites.  You've got to go pretty far to beat the artwork of award-winning artist, Kadir Nelson, and so "We Are the Ship" takes a front row seat.   Although the text is a reach for a second grader, the illustrations captivate any age!

Also sitting front row is this gem...  Perfect for kiddos!

Leagues Apart is a little harder to find, especially in hardcover. Former New Yorker illustrator did a great job with this award winner.

But back to the kids.  I'm sure they were all that could have filled a heart broken by a torn rotator cuff.  Because a teacher is what he really was. Not necessarily in how we see or image them to, but as THEY really are.  TEACHERS teach in every moment of their lives and in aspects of their lives.  They explore each moment as a "teachable moment" and live as if someone is always watching.  Because "someone" always is.

I'm reminded of that each time I walk into a classroom.  I am reminded each time I share his story in ways his humility would never allow him.  In ways that none of the "true" heroes would. 

I'm reminded of our heroes, especially the men and women of the Negro Leagues whenever I see I child searching for a path to follow, a story that could be theirs.  When I see children, our children looking for a hero that looks and lives as they do, I share the missing stories of their history.  Because in those stories, they can find themselves and know how rich their lives are and what a powerful legacy they have inherited.

And on those days...    I am fulfilled! 

How do You Honor 90 Years?

When the John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Committee published: "Out of the Shadows", Gils Wright, formerly with the New Jersey Historical Society, included these words in his introduction:

"This work of art thus serves as an impediment to historical amnesia; it is a reminder that black baseball players were historical actors in a story that was truly dramatic and compelling, a story of black athletes who excelled in the face of racial bigotry and adversity who demonstrated beyond a  shadow of a doubt that their mastery of the art of playing baseball was inferior to no one..."

On December 20th, the former Philadelphia Stars player, Mahlon Duckett will turn 90 years old.  Duckett continues to live in Philadelphia where he grew up and attended Overbrook High School.  

So, what do you give a 90 year old, former Negro League Player from Philadelphia for his birthday?  A man who happens to be the last living player for the Philadelphia Stars.  One of the few living Negro League players who played in Rube Foster's powerful social and economic construct that served as a focal point for the African-American community prior to "integration".  

 One of the few living pioneers  who can remember the 1946 Negro League World Series, and the 1946 Newark Eagles believed by many to have been "one of baseball's all time greatest franchises".

"The ’46 Eagles showcased a collection of players that rivaled any ever assembled.  At first base was Lennie Pearson, owner of a gaudy .393 average in the series.  Up the middle was Pearson’s high school friend, shortstop Monte Irvin, who led the Negro National League in runs batted in that year. He would go on to win a World Series ring with the ’51 New York Giants. His double play partner, Larry Doby, would be the first African American to play in the American League, where he won two home run titles.

The pitching staff included Leon Day, who marked his return from two years of war service by pitching a no-hitter on opening day that season. Another war veteran in the group, Max Manning, used a deceptive sidearm delivery to rack up an 11-1 record in ’46.

Three members of the ’46 team – Day, Doby and Irvin – would go on to be enshrined with the sport’s all-time greats in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  There they would be joined by two other Eagles: Ray Dandridge, regarded as one of the best third basemen in any league, and shortstop Willie Wells, who anchored the team’s “Million Dollar Infield” in the late ‘30s.  Even the team’s co-owner and business manager, Effa Manley, would be remembered as an extra-ordinary pioneer in the male-dominated world of baseball."   Soaring Eagles, Newark and the Negro Leagues

And Mahlon Duckett can describe for you what it was like at a packed stadium  during the Negro League East/West All Star Game.

Since it's formation in '90s, Mahlon Duckett has been an vital part of the work of the John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Committee, and has made yearly journeys to Atlantic City to share his knowledge, his warmth and his unmatchable generous spirit.

Believe me, Mahlon Duckett has all the ties, shirts, sharp suits, slippers and soaps-on-a-rope anyone could ever need.  He's got enough books, radios, magazine and newspaper subscriptions.  So, how do we honor the birth of this man 90 years ago?  We say "thank you", for his contributions to our legacy.  We say "thank you" for that sweet and gentle spirit that has only modeled dignity, humility and strength of character.  We then share his story and those of the men and women of the Negro Leagues so they are never forgotten.

Take a few moments to send Mahlon Duckett a birthday wish.  We're collecting 90 cards for 90 years.  Add your name to the numbers.

Again... Yes Again, and Again and Again!!

I'm having a hard time moving away from the story '68 Olympics this year.  It continues to resonate in my heart and travels deeply into my soul.  Maybe it's the recent publication of The John Carlos Story, his book written with Dave Zirin.  The great respect I have for all of these men.

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Maybe it's because it was also my time in history.  I was a sophomore in college at the time.









Maybe it's because it allows me some kind of molecular connection that I can maintain to G. Larry James, "the mighty burner" himself a '68 Olympian.  A man so dear, a  friend with a heart of pure gold, whose song was song all to softly, and who left us all too soon.








I remember the 40th Anniversary, the return to Mexico.

The celebrations, the honors, the "redemption".



But today I relearned a very important lesson.  We cannot be one story people. It destroys the human experience. It denies our growth. It makes us less than complete. The rest of that lesson: we are not the author's of the stories of others.  Our job is to listen, with an open and willing heart. To hear the truth from another perspective, to honor it as another's truth and allow it to come into our hearts. And it is an honor to hear the story from the author of the life. It is a responsibility to "pass it on" with the honesty and integrity with which it is told.

My last "again"... on the '68 Olympics is that there were 3 men who stood on that podium that day.  One who is too often forgotten, but one whose image though muted is as strong as any other.  There were three men.  John Carlos, Tommie Smith and Peter Norman;

Ethics and Sports

In honor of John Carlos Birthday, I'm reposting this article to my blog.  Hope you'll find it worth a few minutes.

I suppose for the most part we could call this an oxymoron.  A painful one.  I find the arena of the athlete, no matter the country more and more difficult to watch. I find myself lost in cynicism.  I can remember my father's final days still being able to lie in the bed and enjoy a good baseball game.  I didn't get it.  But what I know now is that those games were being played out in a different part of his mind and his body.  There was actually a process of displacement.  Every throw of the ball and every crack of the bat triggered a memory that displaced the one on the screen and replaced it with a young, long lean athlete. One, who took to the fields at another time in this country where segregation was the rule of law; and yet they played THEIR game.  And one that gathered them and their families together to follow the sun to countries of Latin America to play winter ball and be hailed as heroes.

But I don't want to dwell on the seedy side of sport. I want to elevate the heroes. Those that allow us to speak of the nobility of the athlete and the contribution that he/she has made on and off the field. Those who make my heart jump and bring me to my feet. Those who have grabbed their moment in time, at great sacrifice, expose the harsh lines that separate us as human beings, and forced us to have to bend our perception of reality, wrestle it to the ground and force it to succumb to truth.  These are the ones that kept me up last night.


Listen to a few words from Dr. Harry Edwards, then click on the links below to check out some videos.

There was John Carlos and Tommie Smith...

And there was also...  Peter Norman.