She is NOT Her Hair

"I am not my hair, I am not this skin....I am not your expectations no, no. I am not my hair, I am not this skin.....I am a soul that lives within" - India.Irie

Every four years society is treated to the Olympic games, in which the best atheletes from around the world compete in 26 different sporting events. The Games include several ranging from basketball to water polo to fencing to swimming to vollyball (team and beach). My overall favorite is the men/women's gymnastic competition.

The sheer strenth, flexibility, and grace of the gymnists have ALWAYS amazed me. When I was a child, I would flip around in the living room trying to mimic the moves. I loved seeing women who looked like me compete on a global stage. This year we were treated to viewing the talents on Gabby Douglas. The lone African American on the female team. She wasn't highly touted like her other team members. It wasn't until she shined in the various events to help Team USA win the Gold that the media started talking about her and her story.

After she made history by being the first US woman to will the All-Around competition, the "crab in a barrel" mentality reared it's ungly head. On social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, black women were complaining about her hair! Not that she made history and is a positive role model for young girls, but her hair.  Not that she is a God fearing teenager, but her hair. Not that she showed how hard work and sacrifice can pay off, but her hair!

I was BEYOND pissed that society wanted to take away from her shining moment. This young lady is competing against the best of the best from other countries and we show our support by discussing her hair. While she is making history, "black Twitter" was complaining that her mother should be shot for letting her go on national television in some way.

I find it funny that Gabby didn't let her "hair" get in the way of achieving her dreams. Yet, black women sit around EVERYDAY being unhealthy because they don't want to mess up their hair! Yes, their hair is fly, but there health is NOT! I salute Gabby for not entertaining the negative talk and being who God created her to be. She is NOT her hair!

Supporting the Enemy...But It Was Fun

I've been blessed to have a job which requires me to travel all around the globe.  I've had the opportunity to visit several US states, Guam, Yokosuka, Misawa and hopefully some of Europe.  These are places that I would NEVER visit on my own.

This past week I have been in Dallas, TX.  Let me start by saying I'm not about  the 110 degree day life.  I've walked outside around 10pm and the temp is still in the mid-90s!!! I'm talking about sweating and all I did was walk across the street.

When I travel I ALWAYS bring my favorite jean jacket with me.  It's my favorite because I hand painted the Washington Redskins logo on it.  Of course, I had to wear it in Dallas since they are the rival team.  When I landed, I walked in the airport team shop just because, lol.

While I was here I made it a goal to go visit the new stadium in Arlington, TX.  It looks so beautiful on TV and there was so much hoopla about it while it was being built.  After a little research I found out that the stadium allows self guided tours for only $17.50.  Not bad, guess Jerry Jones needs the extra money to pay back that loan, lol.


A group of young ladies and I hopped in the rental after class and made the 30 minute or so drive to Texas stadium.  It was super easy to find and of course there was plenty of parking.  We purchased our tickets and the self guided tour began in the Pro Shop.

After taking some pictures and purchasing a few items for family and friends we made our way up the steps to the second level.  The view from the corner was AMAZING!  I could see the entire field without my glasses.  The super jumbotron really does take up 60 yards.  After taking a few pictures of the entire field we walked down on the field.

Standing on that field was bananas!  I've been to several NFL games, but never have I been able to stand on the field.  My adrenaline was rushing something serious.  Of course I had to stand in the endzone, on the infamous "star" and the sideline.  One of the field operators, Danyelle, was very sweet and helpful even though I was wearing my Redskins' jacket.

I took several pictures in almost every area we were given access.  I clowned on the field for at least 30 mins.  I did a backbend on the star, kicked a field goal and "caught" a pass.  I honestly has such a good time.  The locker room was beautiful!  The lockers cost about 9 grand each and is made out of some wood imported from Africa.

The tour allowed us to run through the tunnel and visit the media room.  After all of that we ended right back in the Pro Shop.  I will admit that I had a ball and there was no game being played.  I can only imagine what the game day experience is like......I plan to find out!

I've made a vow to visit the local stadium/arena whenever I am on travel.  It was so much fun and I'm sure other venues will be the same.  Some people like to visit museums....I like to visit sports venues. :-)

The New LeBron.........Superman No More

"In this fall, this is very tough, in this fall I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat." - LeBron James, 8 Jul 10

In the summer for 2010, almost the entire world, especially basketball fans, were on the edge of their seats as they awaited for LeBron "the King" James to announce what team he would be playing for in the 2010-2011 season.  There were rumors about his decision well before the regular season ended.  The media tracked his EVERY move.  It was a mess!


Towards mid-summer ESPN and LeBron James decided to host "The Decision" in which he would tell the world what they wanted to know.  In the days leading up to the hour long program sports writers, fans, current/former athletes blasted the show.  They called him selfish, pompous, arrogant, attention/media whore and other names.......myself included.  **Side Note: Honestly, I'm not a fan but that's neither here nor there**


I remember thinking to myself, "My Dwight (Howard) would NEVER do anything like that.  He is committed to wining a title with Orlando" as I was watching all of the attention surrounding where this ONE player was going to land.  At that point in time I was a Dwight Howard fan.  I would defend him to the finish.  Talk about his poor free throw shooting and I was pointing out a flaw in [insert player name]'s game.  


I LOVED Dwight!  More so for his personality than his play on the court.  In my eyes he wasn't a cry baby like Kobe.  Arrogant like LeBron.  Angry like Kevin G.  He loved the game with child like passion and it showed in his demeanor on the court.  He was always smiling, laughing and joking while helping his team get into the playoffs.  I could watch his interview for hours because of his personality....and his chocolate muscles :-)


Never did I imagine he would turn into LeBron James.  Like LeBron, Howard has thrown SEVERAL temper tantrums and has strung his team along since March of last year.  Hell, he even got a coach fired like LeBron!  His actions have caused me to no longer be a fan.


In an interview after the Magic lost to the Cavs, Dwight said something to the effect of he hopes to be like James one day.  I thought he was talking about on the court, not off.  Dwight is acting like a child whose parents won't buy him [insert popular toy here].  He is acting a damn fool in the middle of the store.  In my eyes he went from being Super Man to not being a man at all.


Congratulations, you are now the new LeBron James!