Peace,...at least for now

The other day I blogged about my love for sports, and prior to that I had posted a poem about running and my longing to run again. Friday night, the compilation of these two loves arrived, the 2012 Olympics. I suppose my love affair for The Games, began in 1976. I can remember sitting in the family room; being the 70's, it was the designated room that held the television for us kids to watch. It was the summer that I was turning 10 years old. It had been officially known as Games of the XXI Olympiad, and being held in a city I knew all too well, Montreal, in Quebec, Canada.

When you are ten years old, the world and its' policies do not directly impact your world, at least not from your point of view. Your world at ten is primarily made up of your family, neighbors, school and the occasional urban myths you learn at slumber parties. World affairs are not on your top ten list, let alone the top 100, on your list of concerns. 1976 had already been an interesting year in my young life; as it happened to be our nation's Bi-Centennial year. During the school year, we had gone on field trips dressed in colonial clothes to historic sites in the area, and learned the meaning of the Revolutionary War. I believe that was the closest I had come to learning about world affairs, even if it had been historical, in my young life. 

Then the summer games began on July 17th, of that same year. I was hooked, mesmerized even, and unbeknownst to me, I was witnessing history being made. I saw a young Bruce Jenner win the decathlon, breaking and setting world records.  I was fortunate to see a girl, not much older than myself, from Romania named Nadia Comaneci score seven perfect 10's and go on to win 3 gold medals, including the "All-Around". The United States had it's best ever boxing team, made up of five of our best boxers; Sugar Ray Leonard, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, Leo Randolph and Howard Davis Jr. winning gold medals in boxing. It is no surprise that out of the five American gold medalists in boxing, all but Davis went on to become professional world champions.

Sadly, the games had already changed. Following what had occurred during the Munich Games, security was now also a priority. I was too young to remember the tragic events of the Munich games that had been held only four years earlier. The massacre of nine Israeli athletes and their coach, by a group of Palestinian terrorists marred the event, casting a shadow on the wins and records set.

This past Friday night however, I delighted again watching the opening ceremonies, as had an estimated one billion around the world. Security still plays a major factor, even more so with the world being in the chaos that it finds itself in at the moment. Yet, for a few weeks in London, all eyes will be on the host city and the athletes, representing their respective countries. Two-hundred and four countries are participating in this summer's Games, competing and facing challenges, all with one purpose. To do their best and push beyond their limits. It is not only about the wins, or the medals, it isn't even about placing; what it is about is doing their personal best; not just for country but for themselves.  

What is absolutely wonderful about the games, is that with the world focused on the events, there is peace, or the illusion of it for a moment in time. In a city, that is the only one in the history of the Olympics, to be the host city three times; thousands of athletes, from different walks of life, varying cultures, will reside near one another. Here there will not be talk of the ills of mankind; but rather the wonderment of what mankind can accomplish. We will witness peace, of 204 countries working together with one goal collectively, to present the best of the best doing their best and presenting the world with wondrous Olympic Games to go down in the history books. Just as they have in the days of Greece thousands of years ago.

The opening ceremony allowed us a glimpse of this peace, as we watched with delight the presentation that London gave us on Friday night. It was moving, and touched me hearing the International Children's Choir sing. To see the interpretation that the London Olympic committee gave, in welcoming the world to center stage. To see former Olympic (and World Boxing Champion) Muhammad Ali touch the Olympic flag, carried in by those whose efforts has been to help the world with humanitarian efforts; symbolized the real meaning of the games. Unity. 

Perhaps the most touching moment for me, was the lighting of the torch. Traditionally, it has been given to one person to have the honor. During this ceremony, it was done by future hopeful Olympic athletes, sponsored by former Olympiads. The connection of past to future, from those who achieved to those working towards that same goal, filled the stadium with hope. For me; where there is hope, there is possibility. The greatest of which is peace in the world.  So, for the next few weeks there will be hope, peace and endless possibilities for some to break records, and even for some to achieve the unimaginable. Regardless, I will be watching, with bated breath, rooting for my country, but mostly rooting for the peace that exists in the Olympic Village, extending to the world. Maybe these 204 countries will finally recognize that it is possible, without war, without guns, but with sharing one purpose and one goal. Today it is the Games, tomorrow, who knows.

I will sign off with a notation before my quotes; during the games I will be on hiatus from the internet. I will return to post once again, following the games and sending my eldest off to college.  Enjoy your summer and enjoy the games! Now for some quotes from former Olympic Athletes.

"I wish people would love everybody else the way they love me. It would be a better world." ~ Muhammad Ali

"When we stage the Olympics it will inspire kids all over the country. A kid in Scotland or Ireland will be encouraged to take."~ Daley Thompson

"The Olympics have been with the world since 776 B.C., and have only been interrupted by war, especially in the modern era."~Bill Toomey

Another American Tragedy

Special Note: To begin with; my prayers and condolences to those who were injured, and most of all to the families whose loved ones were killed. You have my deepest sympathy and are in my thoughts and prayers. Aurora is in my heart, as it is, in much of the country.

 

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.”~Rachel Joy Scott  (1981-1999) 

Student & 1st Victim Of The Columbine High School Massacre

Originally, I was going to write about my daughter getting ready to go off to college, Thursday night changed all that. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the horrific crime that took place the other night, in a town just outside of Denver. The town was that of Aurora, Colorado; which ironically was rated as the ninth safest city in America by Forbes magazine.  The story now, became quite the opposite, with the images fixed on our television screens, following an evening out to the movies. Sadly, twelve (12) people were killed and fifty-eight (58) others were wounded, some critically, the youngest victim is only 4 months old while tragically the youngest killed was only six years old.

During the midnight premiere of Dark Knight Rises, at a sold out show of one of the most anticipated blockbuster movies of the summer, tragedy struck this quiet suburb. Authorities say the alleged gunman, James Holmes, had attended the movie with enough armor to help him in his planned attack. He had fortified himself with enough Kevlar and tactical body armament to protect is own life, while he mercilessly took the lives of innocent others.  We may never know, nor understand what was going on within the mind of this allegedly quiet, bright young man, who now will not be known for whatever good he might have achieved in his life, had he not seemingly become insane. Rather his name now will be synonymous with evil, having masterminded and executing one of the most heinous massacres in current US history.

This is not the first time that a gunman has shaken this country to its' core. We, as a society, have become not so much shocked, but more-so curious with violence in our culture. I find it surprising that all of this occurred in the same state where the infamous and equally tragic Columbine school shootings took place . What gave me cause for alarm, was that even though a massacre of mass proportions, had happened just over a decade ago, gun control laws are still lax in the state of Colorado. Thirteen years ago, when we collectively witnessed the horrors of gun violence, massacres are still happening, all over the country and still we talk about gun control. Talk, but no solution.

To prove that we have become indifferent to violence in our society, and have gotten somewhat apathetic, is the simple fact that there were young children present at this movie premiere. Now please, do not misunderstand and mistake this comment as a criticism of the victims from this horror, but what are we doing taking young children to a mature and highly violent film at midnight?

Here is another shocker, up until a few months ago; when Ted Nugent made his highly controversial comments regarding the current sitting President, I was an active member of the NRA. I am a legal gun owner, and had fully believed in the right to bear arms. What I do not support is the need for people to own semi-automatic weapons, or amass a stash of weapons without raising alarm bells. Like all things in this world, we need to regulate gun ownership and the sales of guns.

James Holmes, age 24 and a former graduate student working on his Doctorate in neuroscience until a few months ago, was headed in a completely different direction. Yet, in just a few months began to seemingly become unraveled. Dropping out of his graduate program, and began to set the stage and compile a gun collection and ammunition  amounting to more than 6,000 rounds. Had we stopped the empty talks, but had actually taken some sort of action, perhaps someone might have taken notice that someone was stockpiling enough weapons, not to forage on a duck hunt. There are few ways to currently keep track of those who are doing the same, and believe me, James Holmes is not the only one nor dismally, with the lack of gun control will he be the last.

The disinterest we place on the need for gun control, will only lead to more gun violence, and more massacres.

Map Depicting Statistical Data of Gun Violence in America

When our forefathers included the "Right to bear arms", it was given at a time when life was different. It was written at a time when settlers to the new land were fighting with the Natives of this land, when we had just emerged from a war with England, and fighting with the French in order to access more land. These factors were in play, when the decision was made, but we live in a different time, and like all things of history it is time for a change.

Perhaps, this tragedy, with the loss of so many innocent lives, this time we will together take a stand, and instead of talk, actually take action to help prevent further senseless deaths of human lives facing the barrel of a gun. In case you are in need of a few facts* to help stimulate you into putting pressure on the powers that be.

• While gun crime is down in the vast majority of states, it is up in New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Mississippi, Missouri, Arizona, Delaware, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Connecticut and several of the smaller states.
•  If you look at the firearms murder rate per 100,000 people, District of Columbia comes out top - with 16 firearms murders per 100,000 man, woman and child in the state. There were 99 firearms murders in DC in 2010, down 12% on 2009
•  In the beginning of 2011 the shooting spree in Tucson, Arizona, that targeted congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords left six dead, including a nine-year-old child. But since then, the issue has been given scant attention.
• The summer of 2012 in Chicago during the Memorial Day weekend 55 people were shot, a few months later in the city of New York, 77 people were victims of gun violence over the course of less then one week
•  The rate of death from firearms in the United States is eight times higher than that in its economic counterparts in other parts of the world.
• The overall firearm-related death rate among U.S. children younger than 15 years of age is nearly 12 times higher than among children in 25 other industrialized countries combined. 

*Statistics provided by FBI, CDC and The Brady Campaign

So while the numbers may be down, they are still too high. Do we need them to climb back up again before we start doing something?

Lastly, amidst the chaos and horrors of Thursday night, there were heroes. Young men protecting women, and children with their own bodies, some suffering wounds, some giving the ultimate sacrifice; their own lives to shelter another from the shooter.  I was most impressed by one young man in particular. The young man is Jarrell Brooks, 19 years of age, who was prepared to leave when the mayhem erupted, stopped when he heard a young woman scream "MY KIDS!". Risking his own life, he leaped into action, making the bold and brave decision to come to her aid. He managed to lead her and the children to safety, suffering gun shot wounds to his leg. When asked how he felt, this amazing young man said the following words; "I forgive James Holmes for shooting me, because it is more bold to forgive than to hate."

Let us take a cue from this incredible man, wise beyond his years. Find forgiveness for this madness, and be bold, as I stated in the beginning of this entry; we may never know or understand the type of sickness that festered in the mind of James Homes. How can we understand the mindset of a man that booby-trapped his own home with explosives, and waited for the theater to be packed, and begin a rampage on all who were present. Our boldness is to find a solution to prevent this from ever happening again to our neighbors.


No quotes tonight, just a thought. Have we become so adjusted to the sight of violence, we no longer have the will or fortitude to garner our own heroism to put an end to it?

Game,... Set,...Match!

I have been a sports nut for as long as I can remember. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that I grew up in New York, the city of true sports fanatics, or perhaps because I was an athlete in my younger days. It could also be that I just never left my tomboy years behind; my father having had no sons, made me the designated "boy" and sports was how we bonded. Regardless of why, I LOVE sports. 

There was a time when a woman, such as myself was thought to be a rarity, but thanks to women like Alyssa Milano, we are coming out of the closet. She opened the doors to the life of a female fan in her 2009 book on her love of baseball, Safe At Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic. This gave her a leap forward using her business acumen, and launching a fan clothing line for women. 

I enjoy football, soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, golf and tennis. Now here is why I am excited. Wimbledon 2012 just ended. For me the finale took place on Saturday, on one of the courts, Serena Williams took the glory, defeating her opponent and winning her fifth Wimbledon Championship. She is the first woman over 30, to win a Grand Slam tournament since Martina Navratilova.

Today, she is a tennis media darling, smashing records, getting ready to break more I am certain. I can remember when her professional career, alongside with her sister Venus, began back in the late 90's. At that time she was critiqued extensively for the guttural yell with her power serves, and the sounds of her hair beads made when playing. The Williams sisters were not warmly embraced by the tennis world when they began to make their mark. Comments ranged from disparaging remarks regarding their outfits, or whether or not they had the ability to last in the game, creating a professional tennis career. Looking back now, it is hard to imagine that they were once viewed as a FLASH IN THE PAN. Recently, well respected tennis player; John McEnroe, was quoted as to having called Serena Williams one of the best tennis players he has ever seen. 

Let me list a few facts of Ms Williams; all are noteworthy ones.

• Today Serena is the only female player to have won over $35 million in prize money.
• She has 29 Grand Slam titles : 14 in singles, 13 in women's doubles, and 2 in mixed doubles. 
• She is the most recent player, male or female, to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously and only the fifth woman ever to do so. 
• She was also the first woman, along with older sister Venus Williams, to hold all four Grand Slam doubles titles simultaneously since Martina Hingis. 
• Her 14 Grand Slam singles titles is sixth on the all-time list.
• Williams ranks fourth in Grand Slam women's singles titles won during the open era, behind Steffi Graff, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
• Among active players, male or female, she holds the most Major titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. 

Not bad for a girl from Compton. Both Williams sisters have amazed and dominated the court, having the top two recorded fastest serves. Venus at 129mph and Serena's record just behind big sister with a recorded 128mph. It has been a long time since a woman of African descent has graced the courts, winning during the open era. The first being Althea Gibson in 1956, referred to as the "Jackie Robinson" of tennis, paving the way for Zina Garrison, and the Williams sisters. 

With merely a few weeks off, Serena will be back at it again going for the gold in the 2012 Olympics in London, accompanied by her equally talented sister Venus. They will be heading off the USA team in this year summer games. This has all come under a difficult two years, for the sisters health wise. Serena has recently recovered from surgery, and a blood clot in her lungs. Venus has been battling Sjogren's Syndrome. a rare auto immune disease. Still these unstoppable women continue to aspire; as well as inspire. They may lose at times, but, whenever they hit the courts I smile. My smile not just for their accomplishments, but for the indelible mark they have left in a sport, once thought only for the privileged and white. 

There is now a insurgence of other women of color climbing up the ranks, inspired most likely from seeing what the Williams sisters have been able to accomplish, demolishing a glass ceiling in a sport that once upon a time, Blacks were not even permitted to compete in.

To those who continue to make their mark I want to mention their names as well; Chanda Rubin, Dally Randriantefy, Jewel Peterson, Stephanie Foretz, Angela Haynes, Shenay Perry, Megan Moulton-Levy, Milagros Sequera, Ahsha Rolle, Alexandra Stevenson, Mashona Washington, Jamea Jackson, Raquel Kops-Jones, Jennifer Elie, Sloane Stephens, Asia Muhammed, Danielle Mills, Chloe Babet, Tiya Rolle, and Brittany Augustine. 

Before her death, Althea Gibson, then 74-years old, was again caught up in the emotional tumult of another major tennis event with the semifinal victories by Venus and Serena Williams in the United States Open. She then said to her friend the following words;

"I would like to congratulate the Williams family for accomplishing this historic achievement, two family members and two sisters who have become two of the greatest tennis athletes in the world."

Yes, I love sports, but what I love more is watching these amazing athletes continue to pave the way for young Black women. Allowing my daughters to look up and see the possibilities of creating opportunities, where once there was none.          

As always, I end this with a quote; but first a thought. Athleticism begins with one, whether it is a competitive team sport or solo play. It is the individual athlete that goes out and finds their limits and pushes through them. It is not always done for the glory or the medals, but to prove to oneself their own possibility.  To seek beyond what they know they can already accomplish, but rather to find what they thought would be challenging, to meet full force and to accomplish.

"Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. "~William Arthur Ward

Happy Birthday America!

 

Happy Birthday America!

I am a second generation American (often commonly miscalled a 1st generation). What this means is I am the first of my immediate family born here in the states. My family, not much different from yours, came from another land and made this one HOME. The uniqueness of this great land of ours, is we are truly a country of immigrants. My family did not flee in boats, escaped poverty, or famine. Ours was a migration due to the political faction that was suppressing the majority of its population, (a majority of which were poor) and completely at odds with my family, for having dared to be outspoken.

Mine was a family of affluence, wealth, they were educated and world travelers; in their homeland. They chose to abandon their lives, belongings and status to start over. It had not been an easy task, leaving what they had always known, taking a chance in a new land, with a different culture. For political reasons my family did not immediately enter the US, it took some time to get them all here, but once here, they made a new home for themselves. No longer affluent, no longer entertaining dignitaries or being a part of the elite, still here they knew they could forge a new home and new lives.

Eventually, they made good lives for themselves. I still cannot fathom having to leave my home and having to start my life all over again, in a new land with a new culture. Trying to assimilate and restart my entire life. Those in my family; my grandparents, aunt and uncles, are my heroes. They chose to make a new life in a country where freedom flourished. In this country they knew there were endless possibilities not only for themselves, but for the next generation that would come to know this country as home. 

A few of my uncles, young men at the time that they immigrated, served in the military. We, the generation that they had hopes for, went on to succeed in many ways, unforeseen I am sure; although greatly hoped for; with careers and children of our own; living lives with the same values of family, pride and seeking education. Most of all we beam with pride that we are all Americans. A land where our voices can be heard, even if at times it seems that some representatives do not hear us, we have an opportunity to speak our minds without repercussion. 

Recently, when asking my mother how was her life in a country so different here versus there, where her family name held such honor; her response surprised me. She told me that there were scenes from an old Jack Lemmon movie "Missing" ; that very much reminded her of her own past when the family had to flee from danger or attempted assignations, capture or prison.  

I used to think we were fortunate, that while others were born here for generations, I grew up with a greater appreciation for the freedoms guaranteed to its citizens. My family CHOSE to make this home, and home it is. I am (to quote a song) proud to be an American. 

No things aren't perfect here, there is always room for improvement, but here at least I know we can make changes when necessary.  We have come a long way from the first wave of immigrants, our founding fathers. 

So God bless you America, and Happy Birthday to you. While we will toast this birthday with fireworks and BBQ's, know that we all are grateful for the freedoms we have been granted and to the men and women that ensure that those freedoms stay intact.