Well, I watched the SuperBowl and most of its commercials. But those who know me best, know I really don't care much about sports. I would rather play than watch. Put me in the game, coach! Sidelines are for wiennies and want-a-bees. Glad Manning finally got his. The most memorable thing about it was how cautious everything was done...obvious backlash from the Janet Jackson incident. However; the Purple One still managed to sneak something erotic into primetime anyway. But this blog ain't about none of that. The best part wasn't that two black coacches went into the SuperBowl; I would rather be the best whatever who happens to be black, not the best "black" whatever — I don't subscribe to those kinds of limits. This blog is about the power of Man to "choose" to be bigger than his circumstances; to realize there is a bigger game in town than men in tights chasing balls [there's a lot of games centered around balls; but that's another blog. Anyway....]. My friend Bendy said it well in reference to Tony Dungy, coach of the Colts. Real "class" has no color and is not confined to any one "race" of man. I heard a song that I cannot stop listening to on the way to work or anywhere else. The Pensive One sent this one my way by Pink Floyd. These men who have etched places in history are as "Crazy Diamonds." They have paid the price to shine, to blind us with their "bling bling" of character; not jewelry. Hats off to Tony Dungy!
Shine On!
Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom, blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter, come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision, rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions, come on you painter, you piper,
you prisoner, and shine!
[Man, I dig those crazy art types.] Cool song. I really like the reference "Crazy Diamond!" Are we willing to endure the heat and pressure required to become a diamond? There really cannot be any glamour involved in the thick of it. Even in February (Black History Month), I sit and listen mostly to music with no words (freeer mind that way) and try to imagine the severe challenges of blackness not only during Civil Rights but during slavery. Yeah, I hear a bunch of macho talk and slander about what so-and-so would have done; and frankly, that's BS! If you really allow your mind to enter the genre and realize that anywhere you could have gone would have treated you the same, if not worse — that really sets up a landscape for the terror and violence best served by the legendary "South." Anyway, I, and anyone should honor those who have suffered for the betterment of generations to come. Not only is it tough on the person willing to stand against the system; but it's the family that suffers the brunt of any rebellion or penetration of the collective consciousness with new ways and ideas. Self-sacrafice is one thing; but be forewarned, anything attached to you goes in the pot too. Men like King, Douglas, Malcom, Washington, along with women like Tubman, Wheatley, Winfrey and Walker have transformed the landscape of America and history as we live it. If we spend our time hating the past or its merchants of disdain; we will have darkly influenced the future and missed our calling, dimmed our character and missed our opportunity to fortify the ... land of the free and the home of the brave. That's the end of the Star Spangled Banner or is it? There's actually more; but "we" ignored it. See for yourself...
1 comment:
Very well put. You always have so many words of wisdom. You're very blessed my friend.
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