#224 Rioters in Charlotte vs Role Models (con’t) (Part 6 of 6)

30 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Rebranding Black Community, Societal Issues

First-time readers, the dialogue in this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1. List and general description of entries to date. Annual assessment whether Revolution plausible.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations. Profile of characters. You’ll catch on quickly. Thanks for your time and interest…and comments.

Editor’s note: at the end of Entry #223, I indicated the series of articles about Charlotte and the black community was complete. This past week (beginning 10/23/2016) a quote in the Charlotte Observer seemed so relevant to the series and especially Entry #223 (Role models for the black community) that I thought another entry was appropriate.

The quote is from Cam Newton, quarterback for the Carolina Panthers football team. Mr. Newton is a graduate of Auburn University. He played in Super Bowl 50 and was voted the most valuable player in the NFL for 2015. As one might expect, Mr. Newton is admired by many children…and adults. Because of the topics in this series of entries, I’m noting that Mr. Newton is also black.

At the time of the interview the Panthers record in 2016 had fallen to 1 win and 5 losses (in 2015 the Panthers were 6-0). The article focused on how the Panthers might turnaround the freefall from last year’s stellar season. The reporter asked Mr. Newton for his thoughts. Mr. Newton’s response, “We don’t need no messages. We out of things that need to be said. We out of big rah-rah speeches and everybody saying believe.”

Some might attribute Mr. Newton’s response to “locker-room talk,” where language is less formal. Nice try…but no dice. Anyone who has ever been interviewed by the media or spent any time around the media, as I have and certainly Mr. Newton has, knows that other than on rare occasions, all remarks are subject to being “on-the-record.” (Mr. Trumps knows that as well.)

So here we have a high-profile sports figure who makes at least three grammatical mistakes in three sentences. For many younger admirers of Mr. Newton, and given Mr. Newton’s success on the athletic field, the interpretation of his remarks could be that “knowing good English don’t matter.”

If Mr. Newton were not a stellar athlete, it seems likely he would not have a very good job. What company or organization would consider hiring someone for any meaningful position when the candidate has such poor command of English?

Did the interview happen to occur on an “off day” for Mr. Newton? Unfortunately, no. In remarks cited in other articles and when speaking extemporaneously, Mr. Newton makes numerous grammatical mistakes. (Panthers fans, relax. I’m not picking on or being unfair to Mr. Newton. He’s a high-profile athlete and promoted by the Panthers. Besides he was convenient. We live in Charlotte and I often read the sports section on the exercycle.)

I realize Mr. Newton is not the only athlete whose command of the English language is limited. Even the most educated people make a grammatical mistake occasionally…but not three mistakes in three short sentences.

Entry #223 described three “non-athlete” role models the black community should consider. Since publishing Entry #223, I’ve talked to the real “Rock Man” twice, with each conversation lasting at least 20 minutes. In neither conversation do I remember Rock Man making a serious grammatical mistake.

Let me reiterate some thought starters put forth in Entries #219-#223 and a few earlier entries. If the black community wants to begin getting off the bottom rung of the economic ladder, then it should consider: (i) promoting such role models as Rock Man, Lonnie Johnson and Dr. Benjamin Payton (#223): (ii) strongly encourage black college athletes to select a study major that provides the foundation for a meaningful career outside athletics; (iii) discourage black athletes from entering the NBA or NFL and instead, seek jobs in other professions. At a minimum, exert family and social pressure on black athletes not to enter the NFL or NBA until graduating.

Okay, I’ve made my case about a different approach for the black community to consider. Hope some of these thoughts are of value. Comments welcome.

#223 Rioters in Charlotte vs. Role Models (Part 5 of 6)

23 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Education Issues, Possible Solutions, Rebranding Black Community, Societal Issues

≈ 1 Comment

First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1. List and general description of entries to date. Annual assessment whether Revolution plausible.

Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington, DC. Conversation for this series starts Entry #219.

Jordan: “So you want to know the 3^rd person on the list of role models for the black community?”

Matt: “Do I know the person?”

Jordan: “Probably not. But the person has an impressive set of accomplishments.”

Matt: “Well, how’d you find out about him…or her?”

Jordan: “Obituary in the NY Times.”

Matt: “I must admit, the obits in The Times make for fascinating reading. Remarkable people, and many you’ve never heard of before. OK, tell me more.”

Jordan: “Like Rock Man, the guy’s family is from the south and poor. Also, like Rock Man he gets into college and graduates. In fact, all nine children in the family graduate from college.”

Matt: “Impressive. About what year did he graduate?”

Jordan: “Entered college in the early 1950’s, probably 1952. Graduates in about 1956 from South Carolina State, which is a historically black college.”

Matt: “Then what?”

Jordan: “Next gets a divinity degree from Harvard, then off to Columbia for masters in I think psychology. The icing on the cake is a PhD from Yale.”

Matt: “Oh, is that all? I mean, whadda say other than, wow? Did he go into politics after that?”

Jordan: “Got very involved in the Civil Rights Movement working with church-affiliated organizations in New York City. He was also appointed president of Benedict College, which is a Baptist college. After Benedict he worked for the Ford Foundation until appointed president of Tuskegee University in 1980 or 1981.”

Matt: “Tuskegee has come a long way in the last few decades. The school really transformed itself to a credible research university.”

Jordan: “The 3rd role model, Dr. Benjamin Payton, initiated most of those changes. He was president for about 30 years. Think he retired in 2010.” (Link to Dr. Payton’s obituary, 16-10-23-223-obit-dr-benjamin-payton)

Matt: “Dr. Payton is clearly a great role model for the black community. But all three people could role models for everyone.”

Jordan: “I agree and that’s one of the reasons they are on the list.”

Matt: “The selections are great…but one thing that I’ve got to ask about. The storyline for all three seems to be a college education. You and I both know that not everyone is cut out for college.”

Jordan: “I agree that education is a common component. I think the overriding, and more important component, is determination. Each one was determined not to let the system or stereotypes get in the way. Rock Man agreed to become Mr. Mom so his wife could become a corporate executive. Would you do that? Lonnie Johnson was an engineer at NASA, a bit unusual itself, and then became an entrepreneur – first inventing the super squirt gun, then working on an advanced battery. Dr. Payton gets as many degrees as you and I combined and then turned a frankly so-so historically black college into a credible research university. Each one of these people broke the mold.”

Matt: “Each one belongs on the list. One more question about the list. And you probably don’t want to hear the question. Why exclude athletes as role models?”

Jordan: “First, sports for the black community are ok if…and this is the big if that seems to get overlooked in the conversation…”

Matt: “…let me guess the ‘if.’ Sports are OK if the athlete also gets an education, right?”

Jordan: “Spot on. To be OK, the athlete’s degree can’t be in some half-baked major where no real jobs exist.”

Matt: “Your OK if the athlete has a degree in a credible subject.”

Jordan: “And then the athlete uses the degree after the NFL or NBA career…and ideally during their career.”

Matt: “These days most athletes don’t work in the off-season…at least not at regular jobs”

Jordan: “I know. Think about this. What if athletes used their education in the off season to say, tutor kids? Tutoring kids not just in schools considered disadvantaged but all schools.”

Matt: “You mean like helping kids with reading, algebra, maybe even physics? What a pleasant change that would be.”

Jordan: “Imagine an NBA star coaching kids in English class and encouraging them to spend time studying rather than shooting hoops.”

Matt: “Interesting idea.”

Jordan: “And here’s my guess. Having a black NBA star spending just a few days tutoring kids in higher-achieving schools would do wonders to help begin to change the image of the black community among many whites.”

Matt: “If I heard you right, the NBA star should spend most of the time in disadvantaged schools but some time in other schools, right?”

Jordan: “Simple idea, huh?”

Matt: “Very simple…and could be very effective. Now, we need to end this conversation. I need to get to start writing articles for Greenie about how the riots in Charlotte…and elsewhere…contributed to the Revenge Revolution. I also think that even more important is having some articles that present practical ideas on how groups and communities can move ahead.”

Jordan: “Matt, these should be great stories for Charlotte…and a lot of communities. In the articles, please remind readers that progress can be made much faster by driving looking through the windshield and not trying to drive looking through the rearview mirror.”

Matt: “Jordan, as always, time together has been a pleasure. OK if I call back with questions?”

Jordan: “Of course. Matt, enjoyed it. Take care.” (End of this series)

#222 Rioters in Charlotte. Drive Looking through the Windshield or the Rearview Mirror? (Part 4)

16 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Personal Stories, Possible Solutions, Societal Issues

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Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington, DC. Conversation for this series starts Entry #219.

Matt: “I agree the conversation about the black community should be frank with no sugar-coating. But where should the conversation start? I mean, lots of issues.”

Jordan: “Why not start at the end and work backwards? What should the black community look like? An even better start would be to describe the characteristics of people the black community can look up to.”

Matt: “You mean describe characteristics of some role models?”

Jordan: “Role models as long they are not sports figures…no Michael Jordan’s, for example. Nothing against the Michael Jordan’s of the world but the black community cannot solve its problems through the NBA and NFL.”

Matt: “Then what kind of role models?”

Jordan: “My recommendation would be individuals most people haven’t heard of but who exemplify what I think the black community would like to become.”

Matt: “Who’s on your list?”

Jordan: “Three people. #1 is someone I know reasonably well; #2 is someone I’ve met a few times in business; #3, never met but awestruck with his accomplishments.”

Matt: “Let me guess, Rock Man is #1 on the list.

Jordan: “Good guess.”

Matt: “I remember meeting Rock Man and was very impressed…but I don’t know the whole story.”

Jordan: “Rock Man comes from a family of 6-8 children…I don’t remember the exact number but a lot. Eastern North Carolina. Parents are tenant cotton farmers with maybe an 8^th-grade education.”

Matt: “But Rock Man is a college grad, right?”

Jordan: “As are all 6-8 children. Everyone graduated from college and a few have graduate degrees.”

Matt: “I admit that’s very impressive for the family, but what else about Rock Man?”

Jordan: “After graduation he starts a climbing gym in Charlotte. Apparently he’s got the only black-owned climbing gym in the country…at least east of the Mississippi.”

Matt: “Mostly black clientele?”

Jordan: “Mostly white.”

Matt: “Well, how’d you meet Rock Man?”

Jordan: “Through a business colleague. I then started helping Rock Man with managing his business.”

Matt: “Still interesting but nothing too special about this.”

Jordan: “Within a few months, Rock Man meets a young lady who seems to be the perfect match – outgoing, high energy and smart.”

Matt: “They get married?”

Jordan: “He was balking until I beat him over the head. I kept telling him she was perfect for him.”

Matt: “So, they get married…then what?”

Jordan: “Short version. She gets a job at the local branch of an international insurance company. Performs well and gets on a fast track. In less than 15 years, she goes from glorified clerk in a branch to head of one of the company’s major international operations.”

Matt: “Wow, that’s impressive. Any kids?”

Jordan: “Two. Girl and boy. The girl is old enough to have college on her mind. She’s torn between Harvard and Yale. I keep pushing MIT but to no avail. The son is not yet on a hunt for college.”

Matt: “So what did Rock Man do while the wife is playing Ms. Corporate Executive?”

Jordan: “Rock Man becomes Mr. Mom.”

Matt: “Mmm, isn’t being Mr. Mom a bit unusual in the black community?”

Jordan: “I think it is unusual…likely highly unusual. Aside from migrating from poor cotton farmers…now I’ll use Rock Man’s terms…who were too poor to have a pot to piss in…to college graduate, what really impresses me about Rock Man is the willingness to change roles. Being Mr. Mom and supporting the kids seems so out of character for most black men that I thought he’d be an ideal role model.”

Matt: “Agreed. Who’s #2 on the list?”

Jordan: “Ever use one of those super squirt guns?”

Matt: “They’re a blast. We used to have water fights with those. Why?”

Jordan: “Know who invented the super squirt gun?”

Matt: “I confess. I have no idea.”

Jordan: “His name is Lonnie Johnson. Worked at NASA before the squirt gun became wildly popular. As I understand, he used the proceeds from the squirt gun to start a technology company.”

Matt: “What was the business?”

Jordan: “Advanced batteries. For the record, lithium air batteries. Trust me, a tough task.”

Matt: “Again, interesting story but why is this guy a role model for the black community…and I assume this guy’s black?”

Jordan: “Yes. In addition to starting a high-tech battery company, which is impressive by itself, he locates the company in a very rough part of Atlanta. Then he tries to hire as many neighborhood people as possible. He also recruits as many black engineers as possible. 15-20 years from now, I might question his bias toward black engineers. But today he should be applauded for making an effort to employ as many blacks as possible in his high-tech company.”

Matt: “Who’s the 3^rd guy?” (Continued)

#221 Rioters in Charlotte. Drive Looking through the Windshield or the Rearview Mirror? (Part 3)

08 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Possible Solutions, Societal Issues

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Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington, DC. Conversation for this series starts Entry #219.

Matt: “OK, you’re suggesting the individuals in the black community in Charlotte, or at least the rioters in Charlotte, look in the mirror and acknowledge that they need to take charge of their lives.’”

Jordan: “You got it. Simple, huh?”

Matt: “So, if I’m part of the black community and decide to take charge of my life, what am I supposed to do? Where do I start?”

Jordan: “I feel as if I’m a broken record. Let’s start with the basics.”

Matt: “You mean like overcoming racism.”

Jordan: “Matt, Matt. You’re a reporter, a writer, and if I remember correctly a history major.”

Matt: “Yes…and so…?”

Jordan: “…and so you really expect racism to disappear? Expecting racism to disappear is sheer folly.”

Matt: “C’mon. Why sheer folly?”

Jordan: “I’m not sure why people don’t get my point. Racism has existed at least since the Egyptians enslaved the Jews about 6,000 years ago, and probably before that.”

Matt: “So if racism has been around at least that long, then why should people’s attitudes change now?”

Jordan: “Right. My advice to the black community – quit focusing on racism as an issue. Spend time and efforts on projects that can yield positive results.”

Matt: “Alright, my last comment about racism. You don’t think trying to eliminate racism, or trying to reduce it dramatically, is a worthwhile effort. Is that right?“

Jordan: “I’m a realist. As I’ve said many times, trying to reduce racism is like pushing on a string. A fruitless effort. Do a reality check. Every other…and, yes, I mean every other…every other ethnic group in this country has faced some form of racism. And many of those groups still do.”

Matt: “I assume your point is those groups didn’t focus on trying to reduce racism. Instead they focused on trying to get ahead. And when they did, most of the racism disappeared.”

Jordan: “How difficult is that to understand? If you know you can’t fix something, why keep trying? Quit banging your head against the wall and work around the problem. Whether any of us like it or not, racism is very likely here to stay.”

Matt: “Then where should the black community…at least those in Charlotte who rioted…where should they begin? What should they do?”

Jordan: “To start I’d make a list addressing three key items. #1, what’s the vision? Where do you want to be? #2, where are you now? List positives and negatives. Just a list of facts…and no finger-pointing, no excuses. #3, who might help the group achieve their vision? The only restriction is no one on the ‘who can help list’ should be expected to provide money.”

Matt: “What will this information really do? And why no money?”

Jordan: “To quote Lewis Carroll, ‘If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.’ The vision will provide where you want to go. The other information is to help you get there. To get to your destination, you’ve got to have a road map…OK call it GPS…but step #1 is deciding where you want to go.”

Matt: “Why no money?”

Jordan: “Money is not the issue. The issue is having the vision. Where do they want to go? Having money with no vision is a recipe for disaster. Talking about money, if any is really needed, comes later. First, you must have the vision.”

Matt: “You don’t think they have a vision?”

Jordan: “You tell me, what’s the black community stand for? What’s there vision?”

Matt: “My cynical response? Provide an array of football players, basketball players and entertainers.”

Jordan: “That might be a cynical response but a view that is probably fairly widely held. In contrast, what do you think the Asian community focuses on? What about the Jewish community?”

Matt: “Education and education.”

Jordan: “Reminds of a story. Scene: inauguration of the first Jewish US president. Person sitting next to the president’s mother, ‘You must be very proud of your son…the first Jewish president.’ Mother responds, ‘Yes, I’m proud. But you should meet his brother, the doctor.’”

Matt: “That’s funny, but a lot of truth in that, too. Let’s face it, though, not everybody is cut out for a college education. What about those who aren’t?”

Jordan: “Education doesn’t have to mean college. Being in the skilled trades requires a lot of training…and will require even more so in the future. Skilled trades are a great career track.”

Matt: “If I understand, you’re describing a vision of a black community that is, in many ways, self-sustaining. A black community that is part of a larger community but, if needed, can pretty much operate on its own. Doctors, lawyers, merchant chiefs, skilled trades, teachers…the whole gamut.”

Jordan: “Exactly. That kind of self-sustaining community is not going to happen overnight…probably 2-3 generations, maybe longer. But a self-sustaining black community will never happen unless the black community stops focusing on the past and makes a serious effort to decide what it wants to be in the future. Then lays out where it is today.”

Matt: “Understanding the gaps.”

Jordan: “Understanding gaps with no sugar-coating.” (Continued)

#220 Rioters in Charlotte. Drive Looking through the Windshield or the Rearview Mirror? (Part 2)

02 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

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Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington, DC. Conversation for this series starts Entry #219.

Jordan: “So, Matt, we agree that for anyone or any group to make progress, one needs to look through the windshield and not the rearview mirror.”

Matt: “Yes, it seems logical. But are you suggesting people ignore the past…and just look ahead?”

Jordan: “Not at all. Go back to driving. You look through the windshield and occasionally check the rearview mirror…and the side mirrors. But you check mirrors just for reference.”

Matt: “As simple as the metaphor is, I never thought about viewing life in the same way as how one drives – looking through the windshield. Interesting and simple concept.”

Jordan: “Glad you like it.”

Matt: “I’m still a bit confused, however. How do I let go of the past? You know, stuff in life that you might see in the rearview mirror.”

Jordan: “Give me an example.”

Matt: “What about slavery? Should the black community, or for that matter the white community, just forget about slavery? I mean, that’s hard to forget.”

Jordan: “I agree. However, slavery ended in the US 150+ years ago. That’s 6-7 generations.”

Matt: “So in today’s rearview mirror, slavery is barely visible. Slavery is unlike a highly visible semi-truck tailgating you.”

Jordan: “Now you understand the idea. Look, I’m not saying forget slavery completely. But to make any progress, you have to focus on current issues. Issues that are either causing a problem or going to cause a problem.”

Matt: “You mean like avoiding a major accident.”

Jordan: “Yes. Good example. Have you ever been able to avoid what could have been a major accident?”

Matt: “Several times. For some reason, the one that comes to mind first was in my Miata.”

Jordan: “I didn’t know you had a Miata. I’ve got an original. Bought it new. And a very low VIN. Anyway, tell me about the almost accident.”

Matt: “On the Interstate, right lane and just coming up to pass an 18-wheeler. A tire on the back of the trailer comes apart and I’m faced with a large, ugly tire gator bouncing around in my lane.”

Jordan: “Mmm. Not good. If you don’t get out-of-the-way and run over the gator, the underside of your Miata is ripped out…and who knows what else happens. What’d you do?”

Matt: “Hard right into the breakdown lane. I avoided the gator but made the mistake of cutting back too sharply. I’m then faced with an equally difficult situation. If I try to correct too quickly, I might flip the car and then I’m toast.”

Jordan: “Or…?”

Matt: “If I head across all the lanes as an escape, I’m facing a median blocked by a concrete barrier. There’s no grassy bailout area.”

Jordan: “Now what?”

Matt: “Fortunately, I’d been checking the rearview mirror regularly so I knew I had about ¼ mile space before any other cars. I decided to it the brakes hard and hopefully slide across the road but not hit the barrier.”

Jordan: “Were you successful?”

Matt: “Yes. I ended up in the outside breakdown lane but facing the wrong way – looking into traffic. After a few cars passed, shifted into first, did a U-turn and went on my way.”

Jordan: “Need to change your underwear?”

Matt: “Almost. Now that I’ve told my story, tell me what lessons are relevant for black community? What are they supposed to learn from my experience about avoiding an accident?”

Jordan: “My take is three key lessons. Lesson #1 — conditions in life can change quickly and most of the time those changes are out of your control.”

Matt: “Like having a tire come apart right in front of me. Nothing I could do to prevent that occurrence.”

Jordan: “Lesson #2 — even if the event is out of your control, the response to the event is under your control. You had the option of staying the course and not changing your behavior. You could have whined and blamed the truck driver all day long for the tire coming apart. But, blaming and whining would have accomplished nothing. If you didn’t change your behavior…and change it quickly…the outcome was likely very serious damage to the car and possibly you.”

Matt: “But the avoidance maneuver was not without risk. There might have been who knows what in the breakdown lane and then I slid across the pavement.”

Jordan: “True. But the risks associated with doing something were far less than doing nothing.”

Matt: “What’s the 3^rd lesson?”

Jordan: “Lesson #3 – understand the conditions around you before take action. Make sure you’re connecting the dots. Because you were constantly gathering data as you drove, you knew certain options were available. Even after you made a mistake and over-corrected, you knew you had the option of sliding across the pavement without getting broadsided. Even though you had only a second or so to decide, you were able to consider multiple options because you were knowledgeable and prepared.”

Matt: “I’m still a bit confused. If I’m black, what should I be doing? Obviously the question doesn’t apply to everyone in the black community, but if we go back to the rioters in Charlotte, which is where we started this conversation, what behavior change should I be considering?”

Jordan: “First, spend your time looking ahead. It’s OK to glance in the rearview mirror occasionally, but your life lies ahead of you, not behind you. Second, recognize events will occur that are out of your control. Blaming someone else for those events might make you feel good but blaming…and especially rioting and damaging other property…does not solve the problem. Don’t be stupid and make matters worse. Third, and this may be the most important, take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that you and you alone are responsible for how you react to those events. You cannot blame anyone else for how you react. Your reaction is your choice.”

(Continued)

usrevolution5

~ USA Headed for a 5th Revolution! Why?

Monthly Archives: October 2016

#224 Rioters in Charlotte vs Role Models (con’t) (Part 6 of 6)

#223 Rioters in Charlotte vs. Role Models (Part 5 of 6)

#222 Rioters in Charlotte. Drive Looking through the Windshield or the Rearview Mirror? (Part 4)

#221 Rioters in Charlotte. Drive Looking through the Windshield or the Rearview Mirror? (Part 3)

#220 Rioters in Charlotte. Drive Looking through the Windshield or the Rearview Mirror? (Part 2)