Concerning the relevancy of Black History Month

When Will We No Longer Need a Black History Month???

Well,

1) When people stop acting like Black and White history existed in two separate dimensions of time that happened to merge in the 50s

2) When American history books start having more than 3 chapters about Black people (the one about how we got here, the one about how we got free, and the one about how we got rights)

3) When people sto...p saying that racism does not exists because ONE powerful Black man does exist

4) When people stop being offended by the concept of Black History Month... and stop saying things like "Why don't we have a white history month?” (the answer to that profound question being that we are already smothered by the overwhelming whiteness of history, but kudos on being such a deep thinker for coming up with that question…)

5) When people stop saying "just get over" slavery and realize that there are living people who are not that far removed from and still affected by slavery, so “get over it” is easier said than done (by the way- the woman formerly known as the world's oldest Black woman, Louisiana Hines, just died on Friday; she was born in 1899 and her grandfather was a slave)

6) When we no longer have unprosecuted murderers enjoying a life of retirement instead of rotting in jail for civil rights era crimes (you are never too old to pay the price for castrating and lynching someone)

7) When the concept of racial superiority no longer exists (you'd be surprised that it exists at the level that it does now)

8) When there are no longer any 1st black _________

9) When a black president doesn't have to consider the extent to which he can engage black groups and issues so that other ethnic groups don't feel threatened (By the way, I am disappointed, Mr. President...)

10) When Black History is more than just MLK and Rosa Parks for our nation's children

11) When the summation of Martin Luther King's legacy is no longer defined by a very small segment of a 17-minute long speech... or by the name of a shady street in the worst part of town...

12) When people acknowledge the contributions of Black Americans and all other Americans outside the confines of one month

13) When people no longer think that HBCUs are inherently racist.... because these schools NEVER WOULD HAVE EXISTED, had Blacks been allowed to attend our nations universities (and you cannot expect these institutions to close their doors because other schools want us now)

Feel free to add to or disagree with my list...

Today's Musing: Learning from the Best

People always want to learn from those who are at the top of their game. They ask their friend with the voice of an angel to teach them how to sing, they ask their friend who played college basketball to teach them how to ball, they ask the super-fit guy in the gym to workout with them, they ask the high-achiever in their class to be in their study group, they ask the gifted write...r to help them with their college essay.

But here's what often happens next: they find out that the singer practices 12 hours per week, and the basketball star is on the court at 5am, and the super-fit guy trains HARD every day, and the high achiever is studying when everyone else is partying, and the gifted writer hasn't watched TV in months but reads profusely and writes prolifically...

What they find out is that those at the top of their game work extremely hard to stay there, and if they expect to be apprenticed by them they must do the same. But that's hard to do, so many, many fall away because it's easy to say, "I can do what they can do" without understanding the totality of their sacrifice. You must understand and respect their sacrifice and be willing to go as hardcore as they, because it's not a game to them, it's a lifestyle.

So, if you're about a quick and easy return, don't waste your time going to a pro, because they will recognize your b.s. and be offended that you take so lightly what they hold most dear.

Randomness: Today's gym-inspired musings

1) Zumba people are hilarious- with their Cherokee Indian war cries, and their paraphernalia, and their well coordinated Zumba-wear, these folks are really hard core about some Zumba; so hard core that after every class they have to discuss how great Zumba is for 10 extra minutes, delaying all other classes without fail. 
 I get it- Zumba makes you feel like you're in... a hip-hop video and that excites you, but I don't appreciate how ya'll cut short my Yoga class every week. Please take your hype to another room...

2) Speaking of Yoga, shame on me for giving my 70 year-old Yoga instructor the side-eye the first time I took her class, because that lady has me feeling like I've been hit by a linebacker after every class... I swear she was secretly laughing at my struggle today, but as far as I'm concerned she get's mad respect all day long. NEVER judge a book by its old, weathered cover...

3) Another thing... who works out in lace? Isn't that taking "breathable fabrics" to whole other level? Maybe it's that hot-body trainer she's paying $180 for (on top of $60 monthly fees) that has this woman laced-out like Victoria's Secret up in this gym, but I guess I shouldn't judge- if Serena Williams can play tennis in lace then this lady can work out in lace too, right? Besides, if I was paying $180 for that same hot-body trainer, I'd probably be showing up in that black cat suit Serena Williams' wore at the 2002 U.S. Open...

4) Final thought- We are getting closer and closer to that time of year when the New Years Resolution people start dropping out of the gym, freeing up the machines and "keeping the fees low" (as the gym rats are so fond of saying) for the people who work out all year long. To my Resolutioners- do not let the meatheads and gym rats clown you. Keep at your goals and get your money's worth. Your body will thank you and you can thumb your nose at those folks who were actively or inadvertently anticipating your failure.

 

Get (and stay) fit in 2013!