This is the day that many people groups, in their own manner, celebrate a moment of thanks. For what exactly? Well, for the pilgrims that came over; that family member who is still with us; the news of distress, which turned into eustress and all good things followed.
On this day--I am thankful for the plenty, the little; the large, the small; the successes and the failures; the pleasure, the pain. Most of all, I am thankful for the memories.
My beautiful better half is with me on this day, and I am fully elated. Our adversity cannot even begin to compare with all the rich blessings that have unfolded our way! And, yes--for that I am thankful, thankful, thankful.
Many people will play it "cool" on this day, and settle for some reductive and materialistic nomenclature to sum up this moment, this event. It is rightfully called Thanksgiving Day--period! Still, whatever you wish to call it--be thankful, give thanks.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Bill Maher said what?
So I am sitting on my couch listening to Larry King--Live on CNN. The time is 12:15 a.m. Larry is interviewing Bill Maher. Yeah...an interesting night. Bill Maher is rattling off some witticisms and trying to be funny. At one point he succeeds.
Maher states that Obama troubles comedians because he is intelligent, loves his wife and children, is skinny, and just plain likable. "Nobody wants that kind of person around!" Ha. Ha. Then it happened.
Maher continues to suggest to King that we, as comedians, need to put Obama in the on-limits category. He is after all the president. Maher further states, "He is not a black man. He is the president."
I thought to myself about this statement, and wondered if in context Maher was attempting to continue the punchline. This would be me being gracious, and giving him the benefit of the doubt. Let's just assume though that he was not being facetious and that the comment was made by a sagacious agent.
To think of Obama in the category of "president--only," minus the black hue he embodies, is to diminish his ontology to its fullest sensibility. Like it or not--Obama is categorized in this country as the first African American president of the United States; the Obamas will be the first African American family in the whitest of houses; Michelle Obama will be the first African American First Lady of the United States. I do agree with Maher that Obama as a political cartoon icon hopeful is not off-limits, but to state that his new "job," his new "status," his new "estate" is to be president absent from being a black man--is silly, wrong and itself comedic.
Maher states that Obama troubles comedians because he is intelligent, loves his wife and children, is skinny, and just plain likable. "Nobody wants that kind of person around!" Ha. Ha. Then it happened.
Maher continues to suggest to King that we, as comedians, need to put Obama in the on-limits category. He is after all the president. Maher further states, "He is not a black man. He is the president."
I thought to myself about this statement, and wondered if in context Maher was attempting to continue the punchline. This would be me being gracious, and giving him the benefit of the doubt. Let's just assume though that he was not being facetious and that the comment was made by a sagacious agent.
To think of Obama in the category of "president--only," minus the black hue he embodies, is to diminish his ontology to its fullest sensibility. Like it or not--Obama is categorized in this country as the first African American president of the United States; the Obamas will be the first African American family in the whitest of houses; Michelle Obama will be the first African American First Lady of the United States. I do agree with Maher that Obama as a political cartoon icon hopeful is not off-limits, but to state that his new "job," his new "status," his new "estate" is to be president absent from being a black man--is silly, wrong and itself comedic.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
On 4 November 2008 Where were You?
At 11:15 p.m. a young, African American male was elected as the 44th president of the United States. He is an educated man, an experienced man, an African American man.
His candidacy, verified as not only a viable Democratic representative, but now as a president of the country.
As a young, African American man, I have not wintessed the atrocities of slavery, the disimissal of the human tag due to the color of one's skin, or the shameful tolerance and ignorance of (in)visiblity.
I will remember the journey from within my generation, from the geo-political spaces I have since traveled, and for my future family, my children.
I will note this, however, I am not fully convinced that this country is still without its culpability, its racism, its shortcomings. Still, I am quite lucky to be alive. In terms of electoral votes thus far: Obama 338, McCain 156.
This moment, this event is tearful to all, and if MLK, jr. had survived, if DuBois had been alive, and others had witnessed what I have had the privilege to follow, to behold for the last 2 years--just...awesome.
Here are the facts: Barack Hussein Obama, a reflection of the African, a reflection of the American has transcended the color line--at least long enough to be judged amidst his peers, his citizens to be the 44th president of the United States.
There will be many, many, many blogs, books, op ed pieces and so on. To quote The Preacher, "of making many books there is no end." I urge us all to embrace this moment, and enjoy the present. I am overjoyed, humbled. I now believe.
His candidacy, verified as not only a viable Democratic representative, but now as a president of the country.
As a young, African American man, I have not wintessed the atrocities of slavery, the disimissal of the human tag due to the color of one's skin, or the shameful tolerance and ignorance of (in)visiblity.
I will remember the journey from within my generation, from the geo-political spaces I have since traveled, and for my future family, my children.
I will note this, however, I am not fully convinced that this country is still without its culpability, its racism, its shortcomings. Still, I am quite lucky to be alive. In terms of electoral votes thus far: Obama 338, McCain 156.
This moment, this event is tearful to all, and if MLK, jr. had survived, if DuBois had been alive, and others had witnessed what I have had the privilege to follow, to behold for the last 2 years--just...awesome.
Here are the facts: Barack Hussein Obama, a reflection of the African, a reflection of the American has transcended the color line--at least long enough to be judged amidst his peers, his citizens to be the 44th president of the United States.
There will be many, many, many blogs, books, op ed pieces and so on. To quote The Preacher, "of making many books there is no end." I urge us all to embrace this moment, and enjoy the present. I am overjoyed, humbled. I now believe.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Learning to Follow Through
Someone once asked me: "What is the most important thing to remember in graduate school"? I responded with a slew of text-book responses, but as I think of it--my new response lends itself to simplicity.
The most important concept, or thing NOT just in graduate school, but in life is: one should be able to follow through.
That is, if you begin at anything, make sure your genesis is progressive and that it terminates, it plateaus at an eschaton. I utilize the indefinite article, because we do begin many projects and desires. Unfortunately, they remain empty, unfulfilled.
For instance, there are those of us who begin projects, but place them on the back end of our minds. We do not follow through on them because of time, cost. Our level of investment is weak, and our desires for flippancy strong.
These areas of follow through are beyond academic life, and enter into the arena, the rim of the social, the political, the communal. That "thing" that you have been putting off--do it, but do it to completion. That person you have been meaning to contact and "keep in touch with"--do it, but do it to completion.
Moreover, as we get closer to choosing a new president for these here United States of America (insert your accent of choice here) observe rather closely--who follows through the best, who completes tasks, and even who moves in and out of the genesis moment toward the eschaton.
I began this post with a suggestion from a past memory, but I end with a suggestion toward a portable progressive present: whatever you do, do it to completion.
The most important concept, or thing NOT just in graduate school, but in life is: one should be able to follow through.
That is, if you begin at anything, make sure your genesis is progressive and that it terminates, it plateaus at an eschaton. I utilize the indefinite article, because we do begin many projects and desires. Unfortunately, they remain empty, unfulfilled.
For instance, there are those of us who begin projects, but place them on the back end of our minds. We do not follow through on them because of time, cost. Our level of investment is weak, and our desires for flippancy strong.
These areas of follow through are beyond academic life, and enter into the arena, the rim of the social, the political, the communal. That "thing" that you have been putting off--do it, but do it to completion. That person you have been meaning to contact and "keep in touch with"--do it, but do it to completion.
Moreover, as we get closer to choosing a new president for these here United States of America (insert your accent of choice here) observe rather closely--who follows through the best, who completes tasks, and even who moves in and out of the genesis moment toward the eschaton.
I began this post with a suggestion from a past memory, but I end with a suggestion toward a portable progressive present: whatever you do, do it to completion.
a Return from Exile
It has been sometime since I have posted to my blog. I have received several e-mails and e-texts asking about my silence. Well, I break it here.
Much has transpired in the interval. I am currently finishing up my doctoral studies at Purdue University in the field of Medieval Studies Literature. I am in St. Petersburg, Florida working on my second book, and of course enjoying the "Sunshine State" immensely. The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida has been more than accommodating.
The process for doctoral completion within the discipline of Medieval Studies is a daunting one. First, I am preparing a reading list comprised of primary and secondary sources.
Second, I need to submit a Plan of Study (POS) by 15 October 2008. This Fall 2008 I am teaching English 420: Business Writing and taking classes. In Spring 2009 I will need to take a final class, then study for my preliminary examinations (pre-lims).
These pre-lims will be taken in Fall 2009 alongside my perspectus. If all goes well, by Spring 2010 I will be ABD, or "All-But-Dissertation." I feel like my dissertation is already written in my head, and have begun to work on some preliminary chapters. My goal is to have my Ph.D. no later than Fall 2010.
The life of an academic, and a doctoral student at that, is a bit demanding, but worth the "silence," the long hours of reading and translating ancient languages. The Ph.D. wielder represents the less than 1% population in the country. Anyone interested in such intellectual and rigorous, mental trauma--just enter a doctoral program, but be warned: it will take your life.
Much has transpired in the interval. I am currently finishing up my doctoral studies at Purdue University in the field of Medieval Studies Literature. I am in St. Petersburg, Florida working on my second book, and of course enjoying the "Sunshine State" immensely. The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida has been more than accommodating.
The process for doctoral completion within the discipline of Medieval Studies is a daunting one. First, I am preparing a reading list comprised of primary and secondary sources.
Second, I need to submit a Plan of Study (POS) by 15 October 2008. This Fall 2008 I am teaching English 420: Business Writing and taking classes. In Spring 2009 I will need to take a final class, then study for my preliminary examinations (pre-lims).
These pre-lims will be taken in Fall 2009 alongside my perspectus. If all goes well, by Spring 2010 I will be ABD, or "All-But-Dissertation." I feel like my dissertation is already written in my head, and have begun to work on some preliminary chapters. My goal is to have my Ph.D. no later than Fall 2010.
The life of an academic, and a doctoral student at that, is a bit demanding, but worth the "silence," the long hours of reading and translating ancient languages. The Ph.D. wielder represents the less than 1% population in the country. Anyone interested in such intellectual and rigorous, mental trauma--just enter a doctoral program, but be warned: it will take your life.
Monday, July 7, 2008
En Honor de Rafael Nadal, Parte Dos
Duro por mas de quatro horas! El campeon de Wimbledon 2008 es el tenista de Mallorca Rafael Nadal,o Rafa! No hay mas que decir--to lo dije!
Ahora esperemos por el US Open. Quien sabe este puede ser el 2008 de Rafael Nadal, no? Vale. El tenista Roger Federer, el suizzo no tiene mas que dar a el juego de tenis. Lo tiene todo y nunca ganara a el French Open mon ami, nunca.
Para a los que no soportarron a Rafa solo tengo esto que decir, "Vamos Rafa! Vamos!"
Ahora esperemos por el US Open. Quien sabe este puede ser el 2008 de Rafael Nadal, no? Vale. El tenista Roger Federer, el suizzo no tiene mas que dar a el juego de tenis. Lo tiene todo y nunca ganara a el French Open mon ami, nunca.
Para a los que no soportarron a Rafa solo tengo esto que decir, "Vamos Rafa! Vamos!"
Sunday, June 8, 2008
En Honor de Rafael Nadal
Ya he visto el French Open de 2008 con los tenistas Rafael Nadal y Roger Federer. "Rafa," come el es llamado gano 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. Vamos Rafa! Tengo lo mas respeto por Federer pero nadie, nadie, nadie puede jugar el juego de tenis en Rolan Garros como Rafael Nadal--punto!
Tambien creo que Rafa va a ganar en Wimbledon. Me da muchisimo orgullo que en España tenemos un campeon quien es joven a solo 22 Rafa sigue adelante! Que celebramos a nuestro campeones en cada deporte donde los hispanicos establecen orgullo y amor y apollo y honor. Viva la patria! Viva España! Viva los hispanicos! Viva Rafa!
Ahora que esperemos por Wimbledon y por un nuevo campeon? Nadal v. Federer otrav vez? Quien sabe, no.
Tambien creo que Rafa va a ganar en Wimbledon. Me da muchisimo orgullo que en España tenemos un campeon quien es joven a solo 22 Rafa sigue adelante! Que celebramos a nuestro campeones en cada deporte donde los hispanicos establecen orgullo y amor y apollo y honor. Viva la patria! Viva España! Viva los hispanicos! Viva Rafa!
Ahora que esperemos por Wimbledon y por un nuevo campeon? Nadal v. Federer otrav vez? Quien sabe, no.
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