1911 United: A Night of Fundraising for President Obama

The November 2012 presidential election is one of the most important in recent history.  President Barack Obama is seeking re-election.  In line with his re-elections effort, members of my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated joined forces to help raise awareness about the election.  The two organizations have formed a Super Pac, which is an organization that can raise money for any political candidate.  Also, the Super Pac is able to endorse a candidate and its members can communicate a partisan or non-partisan message.  Raising awareness about the upcoming election is one sure fire way to mobilize voters and particularly, minority voters.  Historically, during the course of presidential elections, candidates engage in slanderous techniques.  However, the members of the 1911 United Super Pac do not endorse that kind of behavior.  

June 7, 2012 was the night the 1911 Super Pac fundraising event visited Greensboro, North Carolina.  When I arrived at Churchhill’s Cigar Bar around 9:00pm, I sensed that it would be a successful event.  People seemed to be in good spirits and also enthusiastic about attending a “party with a purpose.”  A nice touch to the ambiance of the night was The Barack Obama inspired tour bus that was parked outside the venue as a prop.  When you entered the event, you had to donate at least $19.11.  When you donated your money, you were given a “1911 United” sticker.  During the course of the night, at least 200 hundred supporters came and enjoyed the night.  Around 10:30 or so, the 1911 traveling step team performed an impromptu step show.  The traveling step team is composed of undergraduate members of both Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi.  Considering the somewhat competitive nature of many collegiate fraternities and sororities, it is really refreshing to see the two groups come together in a sign of solidarity for the greater good.

If you missed the 1911 United Super Pac event in Greensboro, North Carolina, do not fret because the event will be traveling to different cities across the country in its continued effort to raise awareness about the upcoming election.  Voting is a fundamental right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.  Regardless of whether you support the Democrat or Republican candidate, you need to exercise that right to vote in November.  If you are interested in donating your time or money to the 1911 Super Pac, you can visit www.1911united.com.

Peace

  

Trayvon Martin: Why there may be no peace in Sanford, Florida

         

Trayvon Martin was murdered on February 26, 2012.  At the time when he was breathing his last breath, I was watching the NBA All-Star game.  At that time, I do not recall hearing details about Trayvon’s death.  In fact, I did not become fully aware of the unfortunate events until about a week or so ago.  It was almost as if there was a delayed reaction or a delay in coverage of the incident.  I think the death of an unarmed, young teenager is worthy of substantial media coverage.  The problem with the delayed response is twofold: (1) why did it take the media so long to bring attention to the crime; and (2) nationwide awareness about Trayvon’s death happened after efforts made by the Martin family.  Because of their efforts along with other friends, family members, mothers, fathers, students and even politicians, demonstrations and petitions have taken place all over the country.  In fact, I am very proud to say that students at my former law school, The North Carolina Central University School of Law, organized a peaceful memorial service for Trayvon.  During the memorial service, many students wore hoodies in a sign of solidarity and hope for Trayvon and his family. The demonstration at NCCU is one of many peaceful demonstrations occurring across the country.

I spend a good amount of time browsing the internet and but for my propensity to do so, I still may not know about Trayvon’s case.  I consider myself to be very logical and I try not to react out of frustration or anger.  As such, I decided to conduct research on the facts of the case.  So, as I began researching the matter, I learned that Trayvon Martin was a seventeen year old young man who walked to a convenience store to buy candy.  He was slain, in cold blood, and his admitted killer has not been charged, even though it has been over a month since Trayvon’s death.  From what I have read, it seems like an extreme miscarriage of justice that Zimmerman has not even been charged with a crime.  There certainly seems to be probable cause sufficient for an arrest because of evidence of the 911 call, when Zimmerman was told that he did not need to follow Trayvon.  Zimmerman disobeyed the instructions and followed Trayvon anyway. 

Most people know that people are innocent until proven guilty.  However, I think most people also realize the standard applied to widely publicized cases is guilty until proven innocent.  With that being said, Zimmerman is already guilty in the minds of many citizens.  Zimmerman claims he shot and killed Trayvon because he feared for his life.  His attorney plans to assert a legal defense called self defense when, or if, formal charges are ever brought against Zimmerman.  Before discussing the viability of that defense, it is important to discuss the governing Florida laws.  The applicable laws adopted by Florida’s legislature in 2005 are referred to as “stand your ground” laws.  Those laws purportedly allow a person to “stand his or her own ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if that person fears death or great bodily harm.”  Proponents argue the laws allow innocent people to protect themselves from unlawful attacks.  They believe the laws also deter would-be criminals from attacking innocent people because they know citizens are arming themselves and do not have a duty to retreat before using deadly force to protect themselves.  Opponents of the laws argue that the laws are vague and citizens do not fully understand how the laws apply to them.  It makes perfect sense that people should be able to protect themselves in their own homes, but these laws seem to allow decisions, as to life and death, to rest in the hands of untrained citizens.  The problem I have with the laws is that eminent fear of death or serious bodily harm is very subjective.  Based on my understanding, as long as the person claiming the defense can prove he was in fear of death or serious bodily harm, he is afforded protection.  However, what happens when his fear was not fear at all?  It seems that the laws can be used by unsavory persons engaged in vigilante justice.  I am sure the drafters of the laws had good intentions, but that does not mean the laws will achieve the stated goal. I am certain the constitutionality of the laws will be litigated in the near future.  I am expecting changes to the laws, and I would not be surprised if the laws are repealed.

The Trayvon Martin matter is sad and it is also eerily similar to the Rodney King situation.  Obviously, there are factual distinctions between the two situations, but in terms of the tension between the police department and its citizenry, the situations are similar.   During the early 1990’s, citizens living in impoverished areas of Los Angeles had little to no confidence in the Los Angeles Police Department.  Many events transpired which caused the citizens to lose faith in the LAPD and to a certain extent, the justice system as a whole.  It seems citizens in Sanford, Florida have experienced events which has made the collective group lose confidence in the Sanford Police Department.  When that happens, as was evidenced in 1992 with the Los Angeles riots, a dangerous, volatile situation is created.  When people believe their rights will not be protected by the police department, it creates an environment where lawlessness is pervasive.  One of the first signs of losing control is when leaders no longer lead their troops.  This shows the population that nobody is in control and provides an even more uneasy feeling for them.  The police chief of the Sanford Police Department stepped down.  That set in place the first step towards anarchy and lawlessness.  I certainly hope no more violence will come out of this situation, but the fact that George Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime is a serious problem for many people.  In the Rodney King matter, the police officers who viciously beat Rodney King were acquitted.  That event was the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back.”  It sparked riots where at least 50 people were killed and over 400 were injured.  The citizens destroyed the city and property damages were reported at over 1 billion dollars.  Having analyzed the circumstances surrounding the 1992 LA riots and reading about the circumstances surrounding Trayvon Martin, it is highly likely that an unfavorable outcome could lead to wide scale violence.  People are on edge and expect for their leaders, i.e., police officers, attorneys, judges, politicians, etc to provide a reasonable remedy to their problems.      

How can a person’s attire be blamed for their untimely death?  Geraldo Rivera made a very insensitive comment regarding Trayvon’s death.  To paraphrase, he said that Trayvon was as much at fault for wearing a hoodie as was his murderer for shooting him.  Obviously, if a person wears a ski mask in the summer, black sweat pants, black shoes, black gloves etc. they would look suspicious.  Even so, that would not give anyone the right to kill them.  This is certainly different than a young guy wearing a hoodie, while it was raining.  Young kids and adults alike across the country wear hoodies. For some people, it is a fashion statement and for others it is about comfort.  Either way, it is not a crime to wear a hoodie and nobody deserves to die because they decide to wear one.  I wear hoodies all the time when I am going to and from the gym.  The facts of Trayvon Martin’s death have not been fully developed.  However, it seems to me that this case is really about an overzealous neighborhood watchman who took things too far.  The 911 dispatcher clearly tells Zimmerman not to follow Trayvon.  He disobeyed that instruction and that led to the untimely demise of young Trayvon Martin.

The latest shocking development in the case is that allegedly the police department has obtained evidence which suggests Trayvon was the aggressor. The “anonymous” witness allegedly saw Trayvon as he struck Zimmerman.  I am not easily swayed by “anonymous” sources because honestly, the person could be creating a story.  Also, several media outlets have reported that Trayvon was suspended from school a few weeks before his untimely death.  I do not understand how Trayvon’s alleged suspension has any bearing on the outcome of the current matter.  The fact that it was mentioned at all is very odd.

Normally, litigating a case through the media is not the proper method.  Generally speaking, litigation should be reserved for courtrooms. However, in this case, the media attention has actually brought awareness to the country.  Trayvon Martin’s family took an active role in seeking justice on his behalf and now the world is aware of his murder.  Still, over one month has passed and still no charges have been filed. Let us all hope that in the coming days justice will be served because honestly, the peacefulness in Sanford, Florida could depend on it.

Peace

NBA's Best Duo

     Over the years of watching professional basketball, I have had the pleasure of watching some of the most dynamic duos in the history of the NBA.  I saw Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen; Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’neal.  Most recently, I have watched Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook; and Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.  Most duos are dynamic because of their scoring prowess, but I credit duos who are just as effective on the defensive end of the court even more.  

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook

     Kevin Durant is probably the best pure scorer in the NBA.  He combines a rare combination of a post player’s height (6'10") and the perimeter skills of a top three wing player.  He plays the game with passion and is able to get a good shot against any team’s defense.  He is not adept at passing the ball and making his teammates better yet.  His assist numbers have never been impressive.  He is, however, a very good rebounder, despite his slight frame.  I believe that is a credit to his heart and will to mix it up with more physically imposing players.  Also, Kevin Durant is not a great defensive player.  Defense begins with a player’s determination to stop another player, but it also can be physically draining.  Durant has to carry a major offensive load and exerting too much energy on the defensive end could affect his offensive production.  

     Russell Westbrook is widely considered to be a top five point guard in the NBA.  He is probably the most explosive, athletic point guard in the league whose name is not Derrick Rose.  He is able to get to the rim and finish with tenacity at almost any moment.  He too combines size, strength and speed that is unparalleled in the point guard position.  Despite his ability to play the game, his decision making is not on par with other elite point guards.  He still settles for contested pull up jump shots far too often and too early in the shot clock.  I also believe his biggest issue is that he has not accepted the fact that he is Robin to Kevin Durant’s Batman.  His erratic play in last year’s playoffs and his insistence to be “the man” is still baffling.  Defensively, he is above average, due in large part to his strength, speed, and ability to move laterally to keep opposing point guards in front of him. 

Lebron James and Dwayne Wade

     Lebron James is the best player in the NBA.  He also receives the most scrutiny of any player in the league and he often finds himself in a proverbial "catch 22."  If he shoots the ball during the waning moments of the game an misses, he is ridiculed.  If he passes to an open player and makes the right basketball play, he is ridiculed.  He has to win a championship to quiet his critics.  His statistical production is off the charts.  In fact, his statistical production is bordering on historic levels.  He is able to score against any defender at will.  He is currently third in the NBA in scoring, and could very easily be number one in that category.  He is probably the best passing small forward the game has ever seen.  He is also the best rebounding small forward in the league, as has been so for a number of years.  As scary as his talent has been in the past, this year he has developed a post up game.  Seemingly, as time passes, he adds another wrinkle or layer to his game that makes him even better.  Defensively, he is able to guard all five positions on the court.  Last year during the playoffs, he successfully guarded the then MVP, Derrick Rose, during the fourth quarters of their series.  There is not player in the league that is able to match his skill level.

     Dwayne Wade is certainly one of my favorite NBA players.  He is an NBA champion and former NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.  He has the most visible killer instinct of all NBA players not named Kobe Bryant.  Over his career, he has averaged 20 plus points per game.  He is a streaky shooter, but when he finds his offensive rhythm, he is capable of scoring 40 plus points on any given night.  He also has an outstanding post up game for an undersized shooting guard.  His strength allows him to post up and score against bigger and smaller players.  He is an underrated passer and a very intelligent player.  He is a top five player in the league.  He does it on both ends of the floor as well.  He is an excellent weak side defensive player and that ability allows him to get blocked shots at a high rate.  He is also a very good passing lane defender, which allows him to tip passes and ignite the Miami Heat’s fast break. 

Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer

I’m kidding.

     Lebron James and Dwayne Wade are the best duo in the league because they are better overall players than Durant and Westbrook.  Defensively, they are on another level.  It takes a great deal of energy to dominate on both ends of the court the way James and Wade are able to do.  Despite the edge going to the Miami duo, I certainly believe the future will belong to Durant and Westbrook, as they are considerably younger than their Miami counterparts.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen

     I would be remiss if I did not talk about the best duo in league history.  That duo consisted of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.  Michael Jordan is the best player to ever play the game.  He was simply better, more competitive and more talented than any player that has ever played the game.  He also possessed a work ethic that is unmatched by anyone.  His will power would not allow his team to lose.  Not only would he score 35 points, but the guy he guarded would have less than 10.  He demanded that his teammates match his intensity and did not mind verbally or physically ensuring that it happened.  Scottie Pippen was also great in his own right.  One of his best characteristics was the fact that he knew he was the number two guy and he was comfortable in that role.  He is probably the best perimeter defensive player to ever play the game.  When MJ and Pippen were on the court, the other teams' best perimeter players were often times non factors.  The combination was also the driving force behind 6 NBA titles.  Before Miami’s duo or OKC’s duo can ever been mentioned in the same category as MJ and Pip, they have to win championships. 

Peace   

My Favorite Actors/Actresses Volume 1

I have an affinity for watching good movies.  I think it began when I was a child and my parents and I watched movie after movie during holidays.  During my years of watching movies, I have identified a list of five to ten people whom I believe are the best at what they do.  I have never had an interest in acting.  I have, however, developed an ability to appreciate good acting because I have seen bad acting quite a bit.  At one point, there was somewhat of an uproar from Hollywood celebrities regarding the influx of untrained actors starring in large budget films.  Many seasoned thespians believed these individuals were taking roles away from highly trained, skilled actors.  They argued their craft is a profession and should not be inundated with people who do not take it seriously.  I certainly can understand their argument; I would not appreciate people becoming attorneys without going to law school and experiencing “THE STRUGGLE.”  However, many people have natural talent and are able to excel in the entertainment industry without formal training.  I also believe a lot of the criticism came at the expense of hip hop artists who began starring in movies during the 1990’s.  Master P and his No Limit Soldiers were TERRIBLE actors and I certainly understand the backlash.  But then again, you had guys with real talent like Ice Cube and Mos Def who provided credibility for hip hop artists.  Over the next few months, I plan to discuss my favorite actors and actresses, and highlight some of their best roles. This week, I will discuss Denzel Washington.

Denzel is one of my favorite actors because he is one of the most diverse actors in the history of Hollywood.  I have seen him play almost every character under the sun.  He has been a slave, a shady police officer, Malcolm X, a famous boxer, an attorney, a war ship captain, an educator, a football coach, and the list goes on and on.  In the next few paragraphs, I will try to narrow my favorite roles he has played.

In the Civil War inspired movie, “Glory,” Denzel played a former slave (“Trip”) who was angry at the world.  Trip had escaped slavery and become a part of the first all black unit in the military during the Civil War.  Trip challenged authority at all levels and had serious trust issues. However, throughout the movie, his character was developed and viewers were able to see why he was so angry.  By the end of the movie, he was a leader within his unit and volunteered to carry his unit’s flag into battle.  My favorite scene in this movie is when Trip snuck out of military barracks to get food.  He was caught, and whipped in front of his unit.  I do not like the scene because of the whipping, but rather because you could almost feel the pain of our ancestors who endured through slavery.  After the flogging, he shed one single tear.  That is a powerful scene. 

In the movie, “Malcolm X,” Denzel played the role of Malcolm X.  There are certain movies and certain actors who have an uncanny ability to transform themselves into the character they are portraying to the point that they are no longer portraying a character; they are that person.  I believe Jamie Foxx achieved this in “Ray,” Will Smith achieved it in “Ali,” and Denzel achieved it in “Malcolm X.  I have many favorite scenes in the movie.  My all time favorite scene from the movie occurs when X is riding in his car, and he knows his death is imminent.  “A change gonna come” by Sam Cooke played simultaneously, and I believe everyone in the theater knew what was about to happen.

In “American Gangster,” Denzel played drug kingpin, Frank Lucas.  Frank Lucas sold more drugs and ruined his community more than most people during the 1970’s.  Denzel did an excellent job portraying him though.  The role was definitely different than any role I had seen him play.  Frank Lucas had a serious temper and it did not take much to make him go off.  On the other hand, he was a family man and he believed family should always be a person’s number one priority.  In many respects, Lucas’ struggle with providing for him family, while selling death made his character very interesting.  I imagine many people who perform unsavory, illegal acts justify or rationalize their behavior in a similar manner.  He justified his “dirt” as a means to provide for his family.  This movie has some really good scenes.  In one scene, Frank Lucas gets upset at his brother’s limousine driver.  His brother’s limousine driver disrespected one of his houseguests, and Frank was not a happy man.  Let us just say he “roughed” the guy up a bit.  The funniest scene occurred when he instructed a person to clean up the blood from the floor.  He said, and I am paraphrasing, “you don’t rub that, you blot that, that is alpaca!!!”  That scene is very funny to me. 

I could probably name 10 more roles that I really like, but I will not.  Denzel is definitely one of my favorite actors of all time.

Peace

When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong: Allen Iverson

            This past weekend, my team lost for the first time during the 2012 Wake County Bar Association basketball league.  We began the season 5-0 and I had hopes that we could maintain our momentum.  Our momentum was halted a bit with the loss but in our defense, we were missing two of our top scorers.  I do not believe in excuses and I have to credit the opposing team for executing their game plan.  I played well and scored 25 points, but there is no “I” in team, right?  That brings me to the point of this article-IVERSON.  I grew up watching Allen Iverson play basketball at Georgetown University and then later in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers.  His impact on the game of basketball during the late 1990’s through 2007 is undeniable. His rise to stardom coincided with hip hop’s rise in mainstream America.  He made it cool to wear cornrows, have tattoos, and play the game with relentless aggression and passion.  Iverson’s talent has never been questioned, but his work ethic and decision making, now that is a different story.  He did not take practice seriously and he never adapted his game for a day when he physically could not dominate as he once was able to do so.  That day has come and it is disheartening to see such a warrior down and seemingly out for the proverbial count.  When keeping it real goes wrong describes what his life has become.

Allen Iverson was raised in a rough part of Virginia, where loyalty and “looking out” for family is important, if not sacred.  Iverson often discussed how his circle of friends protected him and kept him out of trouble as he grew up.  He credits that same group of people for supporting him while he was incarcerated during his senior year of high school.  When he was interviewed, he always seemed to feel like he owed those people everything.  It is sad that when people from rough, checkered backgrounds finally “make it,” they feel they have to repay the debt to loved ones by giving financially.  They fail to realize that if they do not take care of themselves, the entire group will collapse.  When high profile celebrities do not “hold down” their friends by giving handouts, they are considered “sell outs.”  Jay-Z has been called a sell out for his public disassociation with long term friend, Damon Dash.  He has also been blamed for not “holding down” Beanie Siegel.  I hate to hear that because my dad always told me to be my own man.  He told me never to depend on the next man or woman to provide for me.  As an adult, providing for yourself and your family is what you are expected to do.  Members of Iverson’s circle of friends have to be held accountable for their own actions and ultimately for their own lives.

Reports have been swirling with respect to Allen Iverson’s finances.  I recently read an article which stated he had an outstanding jewelry debt of over $800,000.00.  The article also discussed how a court garnished his bank account in an attempt to pay the debt.  The first thing I thought was “why is he buying jewelry at this level of his life?”  It was cool to wear jewelry and over sized white T-shirts when he was in his 20’s.  However, due in large part to David Stern’s mandate regarding the NBA players’ dress code, and the emergence of well dressed superstars, Iverson’s image is no longer popular.  Lebron James, Chris Paul, D. Wade, and Carmelo Anthony are all super stars and all of them wear tailored suits and dress like grown, professionals.  It seems the NBA matured and Iverson never got on board.  In another article I read, it discussed that Iverson grossed over 150 million dollars during his career.  That is a staggering amount of money to have made and squandered.  It is disheartening because Iverson represents so many young, urban athletes who were raised poor and became rich almost overnight.  Their sense of loyalty, which should be revered, is also the same sword that inevitably chops off their heads.  I have no doubt that if you asked Iverson if he did the right thing, he would answer affirmatively.  He would tell you how he “kept it real” he would tell you how he did not “sell out.”  What he probably will not tell you is how his friends did not keep it real with him.  Instead, they drained the well until it went dry.  Iverson was paying a debt to his friends that he could never repay with any amount of money.  His debt he felt he owed to his friends is just like the hamster running on the wheel.  No matter how hard the hamster runs, it will never escape the box which it lives in.  That box for Iverson is in his mind and is a prime example of what happens when keeping it real goes wrong.

The very thing that made Iverson a great basketball player is also the thing that doomed him for failure.  Iverson is a victim of his talent.  Iverson had natural, God-given ability to play the game of basketball.  He did not have to practice nearly as much as an average player in order to be successful.  During his career, I heard rumblings of Iverson partying until 4am in the morning and then scoring 40 points the next night.   Basketball was easy for him.  I still remember his interview when he was asked why he missed practice.  To paraphrase, he said something like: practice, practice, I mean we are talking about practice, not a game, but practice.  It was that attitude that held him back during his later years.  The opposite attitude and approach to the game enabled harder working players to maintain their healthy diets, and strict work out programs while Iverson was still partying and avoiding offseason conditioning.  Guys like Steve Nash, Ray Allen and Kobe Bryant all entered the NBA in that famed 1996 draft class along with Iverson.  They are all still playing at a very high level.  Also, each of the aforementioned players adapted their respective games because they knew that one day they would not be as athletically gifted as they once were.  If you watched Iverson throughout his career, his game was predicated on speed, athleticism, and pure aggression.  He was never a great shooter, or a great pick and roll player.  He was a scorer at heart and as soon as his skills diminished, and he was no longer the “go-to-guy,” his ego would not allow him to play a different role.  I do not blame him necessarily, because his whole life he was “the man” and his circle of “friends” were undoubtedly “yes men” who told him he was still “the man” even when they knew better.  Somebody should have been telling Iverson the truth that he was still a good player but that he was no longer the number one option.  Someone should have been pleading with him to stick to a strict diet and avoid alcohol and fast food.  Somebody should have kept it real with him.  Unfortunately, because nobody did, he epitomizes the latest example of when keeping it real goes wrong.

Peace    

CIAA 2012: Old School Songs I Hope to Hear

The CIAA tournament is celebrating its 100^th year of existence during the last week of February 2012.  As the tournament approaches, I have been thinking about certain “old school” hip hop and r & b songs I would like to hear that weekend.  I began attending the tournament when I was in elementary school.  At that time, the tournament was held in my hometown of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  My mother volunteered to work games at the tournament and she was able to secure me a job as a ball boy during the tournament games.  One thing I remember about the tournament, even at my young age, was that it was a fashion show of sorts.    I vaguely remember a guy everyone called “Mr. CIAA,” who wore suits adorned with matching hats, pocket squares and even a cane to the games.  That experience was great.

I also remember attending the cheerleading competition that was held at Hanes Mall.  I was not interested in who won the competition—I was interested in looking at the beautiful cheerleaders.  I appreciated beauty even at a young age.  In all seriousness, the tournament has always represented a time I look forward to and as the years pass, I began appreciating the tournament on a much higher level.  Now, I appreciate the history of the tournament and the sacrifices many people endured to make sure the tournament has lasted for 100 years.  Although I appreciate the rich traditions and history of the tournament, I enjoy the nightlife the event creates.  For instance, I have not attended a basketball game for at least 15 years.  The tournament also marks one of the few times each year when I am able to hang with my college friends, who I rarely get a chance to see.

Last year, I arrived in Charlotte on Friday night around 10:30 p.m.  This was ironic because I planned to be in Charlotte by no later than 6pm.  One thing I have learned about plans is that they are made to be broken in many instances.  The funny thing about my arrival time was that I left Raleigh around 6:00 p.m.  The traffic was terrible as I left Durham and we rode through a torrential downpour as we passed through Greensboro, North Carolina.  When we finally arrived, we had to hurry into our room and change clothes before heading to the party.  We went to a party that was held at a restaurant in uptown Charlotte.  The D.J. did a great job spinning that night, and I had a great time.  This year my friends and I have not determined which party we are planning to attend, but wherever we go, I would like to hear the following songs.

     

Peace

Text Messaging: How it Ruined our Ability to Communicate Effectively

As I get older, I often reminisce about past times and how our society has changed.  It is funny and ironic because I also remember my dad telling me how things used to be back in his day.  Now, when I have children, I will be saying the same things to them. I remember a time, not too long ago, when we did not have cellular phones.  If we did, we had the bag phone, or the phone Nino Brown made popular in the movie, New Jack City.  Do you remember pagers or beepers?  I remember going to Exxon, or BP in Winston-Salem and returning a page on a pay phone.  When I left my parents house, I kept a quarter in my pocket for that very reason.  During my freshmen year of college, I had a cell phone, but I had limited minutes.  By my junior year, my phone was able to send and receive text messages.  Before that time, we had to dial a number, press send and actually “talk” to the person at the other end of the phone.  The ability to communicate effectively is very important and I feel that text messages, emails, bbm’s and other non-personal communicative methods have seriously set our society back.

Getting to Know Someone of the Opposite Sex

Back in the day, when you mustered up enough courage to approach a beautiful young woman, you knew that getting her telephone number was only half the battle.  You knew that you would have to call her.  You knew you would need to be able to hold an intelligent conversation if you wanted things to go further.  You had to decide when the best time to call was.  Should you call the next day?  Should you play it cool and wait a few days?  Should you call her the same day?  (You might seem pressed)  Should I call in the afternoon, or should I wait until the night to call.  If I call at night, what message would that send to her with respect to the type of woman I think she is?    Most people had all or at least some of these questions swirling around in their minds. Once you finally called the young lady, it was time to talk to her.  This lead to another set of questions.  Should you lead the conversation?  Should you allow her to lead the conversation and show her your keen ability to listen?  No matter how you answered the questions in your head, you knew that you had to talk to the young lady.  You did not have the ability to send a text message.  You could not send her a message on Facebook or Twitter.  In my opinion, those people who text and never call really (1) don’t have good communication skills or (2) are not that interested in hearing what you have to say.

The Effect of Lack of Communication Skills

If you have ever been to a networking event, you have certainly seen the person who looks like a deer in head lights.  They are inevitably stationed at the food or drink bar, and look uncomfortable.  I am so happy I came of age at a time when communication skills were important in society.  Networking leads to jobs, contacts, and opportunities.  I fear the younger generation is ill equipped to network and hold conversations that may lead to opportunities.  I cannot blame this problem solely on text messages, however.  Email has also contributed to the younger generations’ inability to effectively communicate.  It is so bad in some professional offices that employees send emails to people only a few feet from them.  Email is a fantastic invention and undoubtedly has improved communication and made it a lot faster and efficient.  However, emailing instead of picking of the telephone to make a phone call can have an adverse effect as well.  For instance, when following up on a job lead, I believe people should call the possible employer.  Calling a person sends the message that you are confident; you are not hiding behind an email; and you are seriously pursuing the position.  The potential employer can hear and appreciate how much you want the job.  Emotion cannot always be understood through emails or text messages.

Miscommunication is Rampant

How many times have you sent a text message and the receiver misunderstood your intended message?  You may intend the message to be sarcastic, but not crass or mean.  When the message is misunderstood by the receiver, it causes serious problems.  This is equally applicable to emails.  I received emails in the past that I had no idea what the sender intended.  I interpreted it in one way and the receiver intended to convey a completely different message.  Also, despite the best networks in the world, sometimes people DO NOT receive text messages and emails.  People become enraged and are ready to fire a retaliatory response when they send a message and feel they are being ignored.  I must admit, this is certainly not a good feeling.  However, had you picked up the phone to call the person, you would be able to speak to the person, or leave a voice mail which is more reliable than a text message or email.  I have been accused of not answering a text message before and it is frustrating especially when you did not receive a message.  In the Turner Law Building at NCCU School of Law, if Verizon Wireless was your service provider, you did not have service on the first floor, or basement level of the school.  If someone sent you a text message while you were in either place, you did not receive it.  How many relationships suffered and will continue to suffer because of failed communication?  The moral of this story is twofold: 1) take communication seriously, and (2) do not rely on an email or text message when a phone call is more reliable.

Peace