The "Race Card"

Why is this a card anyone ever put in the deck of life?  I don't understand when someone says "I don't mean to play the race card..." Well, if you don't mean to, then why are you?! 

Race, as I've stated before, is a social institution.  Why have a race card if so many people claim that "we [as a country and/or society] have moved past race."  This is clearly not the case.  It still matters to far too many people.  As long as someone thinks about race -- as long as they're thinking about it, they don't necessarily have to speak it or write it -- then there is still an issue with race.  America, come on.  We're better than this.  If you think you can joke about race but that you don't have an issue with it, you're wrong.  Race doesn't matter. It's not something worth joking about, laughing about, talking about or even thinking about, let alone "pulling the race card."

Something I said in a previous post that I feel is still worth saying now:

Race is a touchy subject in America. For example, as long as Barack Obama is the "first black president" instead of the "44th President of the United State of America," race will still be a problem.  All of this notion that we've "moved past race" as a culture is clearly hogwash.  As long as FSU students remain afraid to go south of Gaines St. or go out on the FAMU homecoming weekend, we clearly still have an issue with racism.  There may scientifically be three races (Mongoloid, Negroid and Caucasoid) but all three are still human beings.  Every person on this earth bleeds the same color: red.  That is something that won't change no matter what color skin we might have, what socioeconomic class we might fall under, who we go to sleep with at night, or what gender we identify with.  We all need food, water, shelter, compassion and most importantly, we need each other.

 Race DOES NOT MATTER. I don't know how else to say that.  I don't know how I'm supposed to help society move past this horrible notion.  I don't see color; I have friends who are black, white, yellow and purple.  It doesn't matter to me.  When I'm describing someone I don't say they're "black, tall, fat and bald." I say they're "tall, fat and bald."  Why? Because it doesn't register in my brain that they're black.  I don't care... it's not only that I don't care, it's that I don't even think about it.  My brain is so inclined to not care that I legitimately don't see it anymore.

"Black people like fried chicken." Well, I guarantee, I can eat just as much fried chicken as a black man.  I adore fried chicken. 
"Asian people love rice." Again, I could eat you out of house and home when it comes to rice.  I love it; I eat it more than once a day.

I hate racism.  I hate social institutions.  It doesn't matter!  Move past it. Sheesh.

Give it a rest, already!

Some have told me to "Give the Maya Angelou thing a rest, already."  It may sound strange, but after reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I feel like I've known Maya for my entire life.  For a book to impact me like that is amazing.  It was like someone really knew and understood my soul. Not my feelings, not my emotions -- my soul.

That kind of a connection through text, and text alone, does not come easily.  I, too, know why the caged bird sings.  There is a feeling of entrapment, of a shadowy cloud that cannot and will not stop hovering just over your head.  Seeing the stories that such a phenomenal woman went through on paper in front of me not only showed themselves to my eyes, they spoke to me.  The words were more than just mere words on that page -- they were Maya's soul poured into the binding of that book.  Maya's soul, my mother's soul, my father's soul, my sister's soul, my brother's soul, my friend's soul, your soul and everyone's soul.

Words on a page can have a far deeper impact than just passing a story along. But having the ability to talk to the woman behind the voice on that page was the most... liberating experience.  Hearing Dr. Angelou explain the process of Caged Bird to ME -- not explaining it to Larry King, or Oprah but to me: Turner G Cowles -- was absolutely amazing. Amazing, frankly, doesn't do that situation justice. There really are no words to adequately describe how it felt to hear her say "Hello, good morning. Is this Mr. Cowles?"  Here is a woman who has, not only talked about doing, but done things in her life that so many people never even dream of: working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, studying in Africa, learning six languages, teaching at Wake Forest, and writing poetry and books galore. And from all of this, she was talking to me.  Now, I may have been just one interview on that particular day, but for those minutes, she was talking with me.  ME. Lowly little college journalist at FSU.

So, to "give it a rest" would be a horrible injustice to Ms. Angelou and to her legacy. I will forever cherish those minutes with her forever.

Maya Angelou

Here I am, at twenty years of age, and I have the opportunity of a lifetime sitting there on my Google Calendars.  This coming Friday I will be speaking with Dr. Maya Angelou. The Maya Angelou.

Born in 1928, Angelou has been a poet, playwright, author, singer, dancer and role model for many generations.  How did a twenty-year-old kid get the opportunity to interview such an important member of our society? Does it matter? The possibility is there, and I'm going to take full advantage of it.  Maya Angelou's book I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings has changed the way I look at many things about life.

What should I ask her? What will I ask first? Again, does it really even matter?  She is a woman who has worked with Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Bill Clinton. Needless to say, she has some weight in her words. In her poem "And Still I Rise" she talks about how no matter what happens to her she will "still rise."  I believe that she's saying that no matter what she is put through in life, whatever trials and tribulations, she will still be able to enjoy her life.

I have an email full of questions ready to go.  What an opportunity. Updates to come after the interview!

Medal of Honor

Today, January 3rd, 2010, I had the most amazing opportunity of my journalism career to date.  I had the opportunity to meet one of this country's greatest heroes.  His name is Colonel Retired George "Bud" Day.  He received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1976; President Gerald Ford presented the medal. 

The Congressional Medal of Honor is presented to those who show extreme bravery and valor in the line of duty.  Colonel Day showed this when his F100 fighter plane was shot down during the Vietnam War.  He was a prisoner of war at the same camp and at the same time as current Arizona Senator John McCain. 

The Department of Defense keeps this citation in their records for Colonel Day:

Citation: On 26 August 1967, Col. Day was forced to eject from his aircraft over North Vietnam when it was hit by ground fire. His right arm was broken in 3 places, and his left knee was badly sprained. He was immediately captured by hostile forces and taken to a prison camp where he was interrogated and severely tortured. After causing the guards to relax their vigilance, Col. Day escaped into the jungle and began the trek toward South Vietnam. Despite injuries inflicted by fragments of a bomb or rocket, he continued southward surviving only on a few berries and uncooked frogs. He successfully evaded enemy patrols and reached the Ben Hai River, where he encountered U.S. artillery barrages. With the aid of a bamboo log float, Col. Day swam across the river and entered the demilitarized zone. Due to delirium, he lost his sense of direction and wandered aimlessly for several days. After several unsuccessful attempts to signal U.S. aircraft, he was ambushed and recaptured by the Viet Cong, sustaining gunshot wounds to his left hand and thigh. He was returned to the prison from which he had escaped and later was moved to Hanoi after giving his captors false information to questions put before him. Physically, Col. Day was totally debilitated and unable to perform even the simplest task for himself. Despite his many injuries, he continued to offer maximum resistance. His personal bravery in the face of deadly enemy pressure was significant in saving the lives of fellow aviators who were still flying against the enemy. Col. Day's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces.^[19]

Colonel Day was invited on behalf of the Scott-Carroll Inaugural team to attend the Military Appreciation: Honoring Those Who Serve event.  The event featured renowned country artists John Michael Montgomery, Aaron Tippin and even Lee Greenwood.  

The ability to meet and talk to one of this country's greatest warriors is a truly humbling experience.  Here is a man who has given far more to this country than any of my generation's "heroes" like movie stars or singers.  Here is a man who was willing to -- in the face of imminent death -- defy his captors and hold true to his values of Americanism and keep this country above and beyond himself. 

Here is a man who was willing to break out of a prisoner camp to seek American help, only to be recaptured and tortured even further and yet not let his spirit break.  A man who not only earned but deserves the salutes of all of those who have served, and the thanks of every single person in this great country of ours.

Here's to Colonel Day, a modern day hero in a post-modern day society.

Tis the Season

So, another year has come and gone since last Christmas.  Much has changed since then, yet much has stayed the same.  This year, yet again, Dad had to fly on Christmas so we celebrated early -- our Christmas Day was December 23rd, 2010.  I seem to have gotten some flak for having Christmas "early."

I don't think people really understand what the idea of this holiday is all about.  As I told a friend of mine who apologized when he found out my dad wouldn't be home for actual Christmas Day, "Holidays are what you make of them, not what date the rest of the world says they are." 
It doesn't matter that we celebrate a holiday on a different day than most people -- especially a holiday focused on family, love, giving and happiness. 

Christmas isn't about getting gifts, or putting up a Christmas tree.  It's about being with family -- at least it is in my family.  It's about getting together and loving one another and spending quality time together. 

Is Christmas the birth of Christ? To many Christians, yes.  Is Christmas the birth of Christ to us? Somewhat.

There are many more layers to Christmas than just that in our family.  To us, it is a time to give thanks for the wonderful things we have in our lives: friends, family and joy -- things far too many people do without.  To us, it's a lot like a second Thanksgiving -- giving thanks for the things we have.  Except there are generally a few presents under the tree, to the children's excitement!  We gather around the dinner table with great friends and great food and thank the all-mighty being upstairs -- whoever he, she or they may be -- for all that we've been blessed with. 

As for Santa Claus? Well, I'll believe until the day I die that he exists.  Santa is part of the magic that is Christmas.  I will forever believe that he is a "right jolly old elf." 

So, wherever you may be -- Naples, Florida or Caracas, Venezuela (where Dad is right now) -- enjoy the Christmas holiday with your family and friends.