PROJECTS, WORK BEYOND THE SOUTH AFRICAN FULBRIGHT.

2010 WAS A BUST...MOSTLY OF MY OWN DOING...

2010-09-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

Brief entry here necessitated by circumstances still in flux over what happened to my teaching career with the Flint Schools. After 39 years I have been transferred to another high school in Flint. Imagine this happening after spending over 22 years at Southwestern Academy.

Everything's on hold for now. Sick leave is not fun, by any stretch of the imagination. And missing out on that Rollins College study gig was huge. I stayed in Flint and finished studying with my Flint colleagues in a history program that covered three years. Loyalty is important, 'eh? The travel back to South Africa will also have to take a back seat to what the rest of 2010 brings forth. Suddenly I'm feeling pretty lonely and isolated from a "routine" that became very comfortable. But teaching at Flint S.W.Academy was anything but routine.

Like stated above, there will more added to this sad narrative at a later date. As they say: the truth shall be known.

Life is too short to dwell on negatives--especially one of this magnitude. And when one gets to be my age, life is very short. In retrospect, I gave far too much to my teaching career and family lost out on that deal. We'll see where we go from here, John... Whatever you do, don't count me out of the game of life. I'll be back and in full strength...perhaps adding new projects to this blog. Time will tell...

JANUARY/2010: IT'S GONNA BE ONE HELLUVA YEAR THAT MIGHT INCLUDE A RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA AND SOME STUDY AT ROLLINS COLLEGE, FLORIDA!

2010-01-03T14:41:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I have been waiting to see 2010 ring in! This will be my year to return to South Africa, the scene of my most exhilarating "project" ever--the U.S. State Department Fulbright Teacher Exchange for the entire year of 2006.

Despite a few setbacks, mostly related to my exchange partner's husband, our time in South Africa was beyond compare to anything ever experienced by me--and I was so happy to have shared it with my wife and our then 7-year-old son, Ivan J.J. We learned so much and it will be with us forever.

I'm not exactly sure when the trip back will take place. The World Soccer matches are being hosted by South Africa, beginning in June. Depending on how the schedule of games plays out, South Africa will be a mess. I say that in reference to the infrastructure, mainly the highways. They have the best highway system in all of Africa, but when the world descends on that asphalt it will pretty difficult to get from point A to point B. As far as places to stay, I am not too worried--I have many friends/contacts.

The best thing will be wait until "my" kids graduate...which will be in November. Most of the students (learners), I had back then were 8th-graders. This is their senior year. They graduate! The problem will be how do I manipulate things here in order to get time away in South Africa? If I go in the summer, I'll have more free time to visit a few places that we didn't get the chance to see the last time around. Then again, the crowds might be there.

Another interesting project for the summer might be my participation in a program of study at Rollins College, Florida. The study project is funded by The National Endowment for the Humanities, through the Florida Council for the Humanities. Teachers will be selected from the USA to study the life and times of Zora Neale Hurston, famous for her writing done during the Harlem Renaissance. It's a week-long program of study that will include a day in Fort Pierce, Florida, where Zora spent the last three years of her life.

For me, the Fort Pierce connection is a big draw. Having graduated from St. Anastasia High School there, I am fairly familiar with the "turf" and the sad facts relating to Zora's being buried there in an unmarked grave. A few years after her death in January, 1960, the famed African American writer, Alice Walker, had a grave marker placed where Ms. Hurston had been laid to rest. The group that will be awarded the grant to study Zora will go to her burial place...and I want very much to be part of that teacher group.

So, that's it for now. I wanted to have an early entry here just to kind of lay out a couple of positive possibilities for 2010. There are lots of other positives in my life too...mostly related to my wife, Svetlana, and our soon-to-be 11-year-old son! My, my, how fast does time fly!

FORTRESSES ALWAYS FEATURE CANNON...THAT WERE USED TO DEFEND AND PROTECT THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF THE EUROPEAN NATION THAT CLAIMED OWNERSHIP

2009-09-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

The cannons are rusty and in disrepair now. Pointed outward, they were used to protect the interests of those who held sway over the slave fortress at any given time. First it was the Portuguese. Then came the Dutch and later the English. These cannon are relics of a time past and they remain where they stood for centuries, stark weapons of warfare used to defend the slavemasters' interests. Perhaps iron ore from mines used to fashion these cannon was also used to tool the iron bars on some of the open windows of Elmina. The same mine might have produced iron ore used to make iron, religious crosses that were used during worship services at the church built within the Elmina complex. Prayer went right along with the terror of human bondage...it was all to be expected. After all, G_d was on their side, right?

HUNDREDS OF YEARS LATER...IRON BARS AND THICK STONE WALLS SPEAK OF THE INHUMANITY OF ELMINA SLAVE FORTRESS

2009-09-16T17:26:00.001-07:00

Not surprisingly, many of the rooms used to house slaves at Elmina were without windows. As the slaves were readied for the waiting ships, they were moved to dark, windowless rooms...some of which are seen in photographs later in this series. The bars look weakened by virtue of age--and so does the mortar. I "tested" them and there was not even a hint of being able to bring them down. Just imagine being captured in a forested area hundreds of miles from this fortress. Then try to imagine being chained together with other captives and marched relentlessly over the land to the coastal area and the slave fortress Elmina. Surviving that tortuous journey, imagine being incarcerated for weeks, perhaps months, until European slave ships arrived to haul you off to an unknown destination. Finally, imagine being on a slave ship, along with hundreds of other forlorn slaves. The transatlantic middle passage, as it was called, might encompass anywhere from six to eight weeks. And if you survived all that, you were "rewarded" with a lifetime of human bondage in a new land...thousands of miles away from your motherland. It was the destruction of a people by fellow human beings who did not recognize their enslaved captives as human. No names were recorded--only a number. In some cases said number was branded on the forehead of the slaves.

PHOTOGRAPHS THAT DEPICT THE DREADFUL, TRUE MEANING OF ELMINA CASTLE AND SLAVE FORTRESS: IT WAS A DISASTER IN TERMS OF HUMAN SUFFERING

2009-09-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

This photograph depicts a southeastern section of the fortress--looking out over what is now fishing dwellings. There is much fishing there now. The port area, of course, was utilized to facilitate slave ships coming from European ports. At any given time those ships could be from Portugal, Holland, or England...depending on which European power was in control of the Elmina fortress. Perhaps at first glance the buildings look like a Mediterranean Sea recreation complex. No recreation took place here, though. The waiting slave ships were involved in a serious business proposition. Who was it that said "money is the root of all evil?"

GHANAIAN SCHOOL CHILDREN RECEIVE A LECTURE ON THE EVILS OF THE SLAVE TRADE...WHILE VISITING ELMINA SLAVE FORTRESS

2009-09-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

Above: School children and others gather outside the two rooms that were used to punish any slave being held captive at Elmina. The doors to the rooms were made of cast iron...they were very heavy and gave an omnious look to each room. This is the central walkway inside the fortress.
Below: The photo depicts the room that was used to "break" a male slave that resisted in any way. Does the skull above the door send a message? The message was death to those who enter here. No food or water. Almost no air to breath. Our small group felt the closeness of the room, which was no larger than a big closet. If you had to urinate or deficate, the floor was all that could be used. One can only imagine the smell inside that room. The iron door was closed on us and it was almost unbearable...within a couple of minutes. Death lurked inside that room--it was impossible not to feel it.

A CONTEMPLATIVE EDUCATOR FROM LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND...WHAT ARE HER THOUGHTS RELATIVE TO HER ANCESTORS?

2009-09-06T21:42:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I "intruded" on Vikky's private moment. The photograph was irrestible--the moment had to be captured. I don't think she knew I was there...I used the telephoto capability on my Canon. The wind picked up and her scarf flew in just the right direction at the moment I squeezed the shutter button...for the shot I was looking for!

I'll surely notify Vikky about the photo. And if she asks for it, I'll be more than happy to send her the digital shot. There are a couple of other photos taken at the same spot, but none equal this particular one. Importantly, it is not a posed shot. Is she reaching out for the sea? Will it reveal something to her? The pounding surf is missing, of course. Perhaps it was telling her something...who knows?

"THE DOOR OF NO RETURN" MEANT JUST THAT...THE WAITING SLAVE SHIPS BEGAN THE LONG, ARDUOUS "MIDDLE PASSAGE" TO THE AMERICAS

2009-09-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

The first thing one notices is the glare from the outside sun...through that sliver of a doorway. Perhaps the narrow iron gate jumps out at you. It matches the narrow doorway, of course.

Having been there, I clearly remember the thick walls and the stones beneath my shoes. Yes, I was wearing shoes...something slaves were forbidden to wear at that point. I reached down and felt the stones. They were somewhat cool and wet to the touch. They felt strange. I kept thinking that cliche: "If only these walls could talk." There was a grouping of flowers in a corner of the small, dark prison-like room. They reminded me of the flowers and mementos left at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

A huge difference between the remembrances left at the Vietnam "Wall" and in what you're looking at here is the fact that at the Vietnam Memorial they are placed at the designated name of the lost loved one. There are no names at Elmina. The slaves were nameless, faceless, and without humaneness to the slave traders.

Thousands upon thousands of human beings were pushed through that narrow doorway. Most would make it to the Americas, only to be auctioned off to work forever in the plantations. It is a truly sad history that involved the Europeans and also the local Africans who bartered away their own people.

A placque above the entrance to the cells near the "Door of No Return" reads: "This is in everlasting memory of our anguished ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots. May humanity never again perpetrate such injustices against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this."

TIME TO GET SERIOUS: ELMINA FORTRESS AND A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SLAVE TRADE THAT WAS BASED THERE

2009-09-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

The image looks "pleasant" in a way, doesn't it? If you look closely, there are tourists scurrying about the ancient walls of Elmina Castle now. It's called St. George's Castle and it was built to protect and serve the Portuguese--who arrived on the coast of what is now Ghana in 1471. A year later 200 soldiers made up of masons, carpenters and other artisans built what was the first permanent European building in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Portuguese eventually launched a slave trade from Elmina that became the envy of other European powers. Significantly, the Dutch were nearby and to make a long story short, an attack on Elmina came on August 29, 1637, and the Portuguese slave trade at Elmina, which lasted for approximately one hundred ten years came to an end.

Ironically, the Dutch were helped by local people to conquer the hated Portuguese. The Dutch, of course, took up the profitable slave trade where the Portuguese left off and remained in Elmina until the fortress was sold to the British in 1872. Some historians say that the slave trade continued there until about the 1860's--even though it was abolished by the English in 1807 and the Dutch in 1814, respectfully.

Elmina was designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. The Portuguese word "Al mina", meaning the mine, is the origin of the word Elmina. It was given this name because of the gold that was mined in the region, hence the coastal area was known earlier as the Gold Coast. When gold was depleted, the Europeans turned to "black gold"--and slavery produced human "cargo" that was taken to the plantations in the Americas.

SCHOOL GIRLS WITH SCHOOL UNIFORMS...MOST SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD REQUIRE UNIFORMS...

2009-09-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

These young girls were walking quickly, trying to avoid the camera. I innocently said something to them about posing for a picture and suddenly they stopped, wheeled around, and stood for this photograph. What really caught my eye was the doily-like wrappings around their ankles. I had never seen those before...they were cute, I thought. No smiles here either, which was a disappointment. Well, maybe one can discern a hint of a smile on three of the young girls. I wanted to ask them what grade they were in, but after the photo they took off running. I had to wonder what the heck they were thinking about the grey-haired foreigner who just had to have their photograph. Honestly, I think they liked having their picture taken...just like kids anywhere in the world.

TWO GHANAIAN YOUNGSTERS MAKE FOR A WONDERFUL, POSED PHOTOGRAPH...

2009-09-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

They caught my eye almost immediately. The green color was so vibrant against the blah of the cement porch; the blue sandles on the other kid helped set the juxtaposition. I wanted a smile, even a hint of a smile. They wouldn't budge...no smile. In retrospect, I really liked the composition, the colors, albeit no smiles. What's your take on this lovely photo?

GROUP PHOTO: THE MIDDLE PASSAGE/A SHARED HISTORY OF THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

2009-09-02T18:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, we were a dynamic group of dedicated educators--studying at the Kokrobitey Institute near Accra, Ghana, from July 29 to August 7, 2009.

Ten of us were from the USA; ten teachers from the UK; ten educators from Ghana. We enjoyed the scholarship of professors from those three areas of the world too. I don't know about the numbers of applicants from UK or Ghana, but I did learn about how many teachers applied from America....over 250! To be chosen as one of the ten Americans means it was a tremendous honor for me. I'm just a lucky, blessed guy!

Initially, the American group was simply told there would be ten educators from the UK. What we were not told was most of that group was from Liverpool, England. And most of them worked for the Liverpool Museums--specifically, the Museum of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition. Everyone knows that Liverpool was the original home of the boys they called The Beatles. Not many people know Liverpool's maritime history and the pivotal part it played in the transatlantic slave trade. Liverpool's involvement made it number one--the leader in ships leaving its port to what was then known as the Gold Coast. It was all a revelation to me.

GHANAIAN WOMEN AT FISHING VILLAGE AREA NEAR ACCRA, GHANA

2009-09-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

For those of you who remember my reference to "Big Milly's Backyard", this photograph has nothing to do with Milly or her backyard. Yeah, I know...you thought for sure the woman on the left was (Big) Milly. Wrong.

We were taken to this fishing area along the coast as sort of an introduction to Ghana. Personally, I didn't think it was a good idea to show our group such an impoverished location first. This photo works though, in having you think of the "Big Milly" moniker (I think).

The intrigue is over, okay? Big Milly's Backyard, also known as Wendy's Place (for reasons unknown to me), was an inexpensive campground, restaurant complex, located less than a km walk from Kokrobitey Institute. It's a perennially popular backpackers' hangout that is owned/run by an Anglo-Ghanaian couple. Very inexpensive place that also offers rooms and dormitory beds. The restaurant is known for serving top-quality seafood. The seafood, I swear, is caught right there from boats that depart from the beautiful, sandy beach.

I learned later the place also offered professional massages....hmmmmmm. They had live music performances on Saturday nights, which we missed. Oh, and they had a lively bar that featured drummers...lots and lots of drummers. Well, I missed the bar scene and skipped the massage, but I think we could hear the (loud) music on Saturday night from down the beach.

One (unwanted) thing I did take with me from a then delightful seafood lunch at the restaurant was a bad case of "Montezuma's revenge." Most Americans know that means I had the dreaded diarrhea, something one doesn't want/need in a foreign country (or even at home, I would think).

So let's be creative, huh? What would diarrhea be called when a Michigan teacher contracts it in Ghana? Please allow your creative juices to flow. Ouch! What a poor choice of words...

KOKROBITEY INSTITUTE...A STONE'S THROW FROM "BIG MILLY'S BACKYARD"

2009-09-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

At first glance, one would have to say the title of the photograph doesn't belong with said photograph. Wrong! Please allow me to explain.

First of all, that is the beach area we enjoyed while staying at the institute. A bit rocky, hence the "stone's throw" reference. What, a Ghanaian staring at the Atlantic surf pounding on the rocky shore?

Not exactly. That's Darren Earl (I won't divulge his surname). Darren's from Liverpool, England. He was one of the ten U.K. educators. A really nice chap--very animated with his never-ending stories. I imagine his classroom as quite interesting. I kind of interrupted his quiet time at the beach and apologized, then asked if I might take a photo. Darren did not mind the intrusion, so I snapped a couple of scenes. It was early morning and he was in a contemplative mood. I did my thing and vacated the premises.

As I look at the photograph now I'm wondering what was going through his mind before I interrupted him. He told me his family roots go back to the Caribbean area. We learned that part of the world was a prime destination for the slave ships that departed from what later became known as Ghana. What were his thoughts? Just try to imagine what they might have been...

KOKROBITEY INSTITUTE: SEMINAR ON SLAVERY, RESISTANCE, AND ABOLITION

2009-08-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

This will be the first of a few entries on my participation with what is officially known as: The Middle Passage: A Shared History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In my opinion, it was an immense success--exceeding my expectations.

Our hosts, the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition, did an excellent job in coordinating everything at the Kokrobitey Institute by the sea (the Atlantic Ocean). I will not mention people in this first posting; also, I will not enter into specifics. At this point, there will be no photographs. There definitely will be photographs in my next posting(!).

Initially, it was my understanding that the seminar would include teachers from the U.S., U.K., and Ghana. We were told there would be ten educators from each country. I felt extremely fortunate to be one of the ten Americans. We were informed that The Gilder Lehrman folks received about 250 applications from American teachers. Lucky? Damn right!

At one point in our many group discussions, I remember commenting on crossing the Atlantic Ocean in an army troop ship. It took eight days. I also distinctly remember telling the group that I was so sea sick that I actually prayed death would take me out of my misery. Be reminded that I was receiving three meals a day and had a bunk-type bed, navy-style. In other words, it was reasonably comfortable...all things considered. Nevertheless, I will never forget the sickening smell of vomit. The "head", as the toilet area was called, actually had vomit and human waste that slushed back and forth on the floor--following the rhythm of the waves that pushed the ship to and fro like a toy in a washbasin.

I was the only seminar participant who had crossed the ocean in a ship, so I thought I had a unique perspective.But one did not have to attend a seminar in Accra, Ghana to understand the degradation and suffering of captive slaves who were thrust into the holds of European slave ships, then shipped off for waiting plantations in the New World. The horror, if you survived, usually lasted anywhere from six to eight weeks.

The suffering of those enslaved Africans kept pressing in on me...as we returned to the USA from our classroom experience at the Kokrobitey Institute on Delta Flight #167. A fellow American teacher sitting next to me seemed to enjoy the movies offered by the Delta folks--you know, on one of those small-screens attached to the back of the seat directly in front of your nose. Yeah, one can chomp down on (nasty) food served up by a pleasant flight attendant while viewing a frivolous film. One of my teacher colleagues bragged about staying awake and watching all the offerings(!).

My "fun" was in following where our airborne people-carrier was located as we cruised high above the Atlantic. As I watched the screen, I suddenly realized the plane was at a point where there was no land in sight. None. We were flying at about 34,000 ft. Speed was approximately 575mph. The distance traveled was 3,234 miles (from Accra, Ghana...which was known as the Gold Coast during the time of the slave trade). We were about half-way to our destination: JFK in NYC. The small screen registered the total flight time to NYC at approximately 8 hours, 50 minutes. At the "no land in sight point", we still had 3 hours and 58 minutes to go. Outside temperature was listed at -36 degrees Fahrenheit.

All of the above figures were evident to me as we sped along--smack-dab in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. If the plane was a slave ship, there would be absolutely no land in sight. I imagined being on one of those foul-smelling hell-holes...or at least I attempted to do so. Impossible, really. Throw in a contempt-filled, viscious, hateful crew and a ship's captain that usually overflowed with racist actions against hundreds of "humans" that were considered as nothing more than "black cattle"...and there you have it. Just imagine the inhumaneness, if you dare.

So, those were my thoughts. I kept staring at the screen, waiting for land to appear. Finally, land did appear--it was Bermuda. Lovely, English Bermuda. It was all too easy for us...as we flew above the clouds on the way to our respective destinations in the USA. And I kept thinking about how deathly sick I had been on that army troop ship. Well, I obviously survived and continued my happy journey back to Flint, Michigan. It was all very easy. The troop ship. The Delta flight. And the knowledge that better things were in store upon landing.

Until the arrival of jet aircraft in the 1960's, most people crossed the Atlantic Ocean and other vast expanses of water, via tourist ships. My parents and their parents came across the Atlantic as immigrants from what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire--now known as the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. They came here willingly, searching for a new life for themselves and their children. Work awaited them. There was no slave master, no whip, and no chattel slavery. The hard work was there, but so was the distinct possibility of upward mobility.

History tells us that approximately 12-13 million Africans made the "middle passage" on a slave ship. Of course, those who died enroute were simply thrown overboard. Slave ship captains' journal writings tell us about the schools of sharks that followed the ships. Some slaves preferred the shark option if the chance presented itself...suicide was common. Many refused food, thus causing grave sickness. If a slave became sick enough to cause problems, said African was usually discarded overboard. Maritime insurance policies took into consideration a certain percentage of "cargo" loss.

Just imagine that for a moment...is it possible to comprehend the magnitude of the suffering?. Imagine the cruel hardship and extreme lack of humaneness. Then, imagine what waited for you if you were fortunate enough to survive the Atlantic crossing (with your body, mind, and/or soul "intact"). To me, the horror of it all is very much unimaginable.

MAYOR WILLIAMSON'S LAST PAYCHECK: A WHOPPING 88 CENTS! HMMMMMMMM, BUT WAS IT REALLY HIS LAST PAYCHECK, FOLKS?

2009-02-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

And there it is, folks...Mayor Don Williamson's LAST paycheck! The photo was taken (with Don's permission, mind you), on Friday the 13th of February (hmmmmmm), 2009. We were stuffing ourselves at Luigi's Restaurant, Davison Road, Eastside, of course. Mayor Don was buying, so I ordered what he was chowing down on: a steak salad (at the time I was wondering about his "health" issues). Anyway, it was pretty good. Also grabbed some of that famous Luigi pizza...definitely not good for one's circulation! Diet cola rounded out the lunch. I was there with my inauguration partner, Mr. Ken Laetz, along with two of our students from Southwestern Academy. Oh, my wife, Svetlana, and our 9-year-old Ivan J.J. tagged along for their last chance to "break bread" with the mayor. The ever lovely Patsy Lou was there--sat right across from us and we had a nice chat. I guess this photo is a keepsake now, since the former mayor is now insisting on back pay for all those years when he sacrificed and took only $1 for his services. According to The Flint Journal, he wants the Full Monty now(!). That doesn't seem right to me, but you know Don Williamson...never a dull moment. To ease things a bit, he says the money will go toward charities of his choice. That's pretty nice of him...if he gets the cash and does it. Still, it all just doesn't sit well with me. Don Williamson ran for election on the promise that he was working for only $1, so this thing makes him out to be a...what? In any event, it doesn't seem like something he'd want to carry over to his alleged intent to run for governor of this great state, does it? Hey, love him or hate him, the guy never fails to garner headlines. He's always helped our students, so I still kinda like him...warts and all.

MAYOR DON WILLIAMSON'S LAST DAY ON THE JOB: WE'RE TREATED TO PIZZA AT LUIGI'S!!!

2009-02-21T20:40:00.000-08:00

Everyone's smiling...and WHY NOT! Mayor Don Williamson doesn't have to report to work anymore at City Hall; now he can hang out with Patsy Lou at one of her dealerships. Patsy Lou's smiling 'cause, well just because. I'm smiling (that's me with the Obama hoodie on), because I just had my varicose veins removed from my right leg that morning...and also I ordered the same thing the mayor was eating: a steak salad. Ken Laetz is smiling because he's wearing that ugly flag tie and he got to eat some free pizza on the mayor's tab. Leah is all smiles because she's ALWAYS all pretty smiles! Terrance is smiling because Patsy Lou has her arm around his rather large waist. Of course, we're all there to give the mayor that home-made THANK YOU card for all the money he donated to help Flint Southwestern kids! Love him or hate him...the guy was generous toward kids in Flint's schools. That's a fact.

SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY STUDENTS HAVING FRIVILOUS FUN AT THEIR HOTEL IN MANASSAS, VIRGINIA

2009-02-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, they were acting "goofy." These were some of the great kids we were privileged to take to see the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama. They're from Flint Southwestern Academy and most of them had never even been near Washington, DC before. Manassas, Virginia...better known as a Civil War site, was our "home" for two nights. We were only about a half hour from Washington, DC, so the Best Western, which was actually west of Washington, was well-suited for our needs. I think some of us enjoyed that Mexican restaurant that was nearby...certainly we enjoyed the Spanish language expertise of Mr. Ken Laetz, one of the teacher-sponsors from our school. The kids knew when to be "goofy"...and they knew when to be serious. It was serious "business" witnessing a first in American history: the inauguration of our nation's first African American president!

AN AMERICAN FLAG HELD BY ONE AMERICAN...WITH A BACKDROP OF MANY AMERICAN FLAGS: JANUARY 20, 2009

2009-02-16T20:46:00.000-08:00

One simple American flag. One gesture of patriotism shown by an unknown American. Almost two million American citizens witnessing history in a never-before-seen fashion. We were there: twenty high school students from Flint Southwestern Academy, along with a like number of students from Jackson High School, Jackson, Michigan. Some of their teachers were there, along with a couple of parents. And there were two 9-year-old youngsters accompanying the older students. It was an unforgettable moment in history...captured on film, but better yet it was all captured in the hearts of those just mentioned, plus all the untold millions, perhaps billions, watching the event on television. An incredible experience!

OBAMA'S IMAGE DOMINATES A SEA OF PEOPLE NEAR THE REFLECTING POOL, NEAR THE CAPITOL BUILDING...

2009-02-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I was there...but not close enough to get a good photograph of the man of the hour. The sea of people doesn't begin to convey the compassion, humaneness, and cheerfullness that was experienced by everyone. Almost two million people gathered to witness history! Shoulder to shoulder, it was a love-in like none ever seen anywhere on earth. When this photo was taken, Barack was giving his speech following the swearing-in ceremony. It was bitter cold, but the warmth of his words brought tears to the eyes of many in the massive crowd. I was separated from everyone, as were most of our students. Yet, we were part of everyone--collectively in awe of what transpired on November 4, 2008. That awe extended itself to January 20, 2009!

WASHINGTON, DC: READY AND ABLE FOR THE "DUMP" OF THE CENTURY...

2009-02-16T20:20:00.000-08:00

You'll probably never see the Washington Monument like this ever again! This was the day before the inauguration and Washington, DC was READY! We learned that the largest number of portable toilets in all of history were positioned and ready for "action" in our nation's capital. Here some of them stood...like blue soldiers, ready for the over 5,500 blue doors to swing open and welcome their "guests." In all seriousness: that must have been the most "dumps" ever in one place in all of history! And just think...WE were there!

THIS IS IT...THE LAST DAY OF THE 2008 YEAR!!!

2008-12-31T16:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, indeed, where did the time go? My last posting had to do with the people of America electing our first African American for president...just look at what has happened since that time! Barack and Joe slam-dunked John and Sarah...it wasn't even close.

Oh yes, so much has happened since those exciting, invigorating times! My students got involved with the "Pennies for Pearl Harbor" fundraiser. We raised $500 in a little over a month and a half...quite an accomplishment considering the local/national economy! The money will help the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund build a new reception center--for visitors to the site of the USS ARIZONA, where close to a thousand sailors and marines are forever entombed. I told the kids that someday they might have the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor, whether it's a honeymoon, the military, or as a tourist, and they can proudly boast that they had something to do with the impressive new buildings (the dedication took place in November, '08).

Another project we started was to initiate a trip to witness history--taking 21 of our students to Washington, DC for the inauguration of America's first African American president, Barack Obama! I could write volumes about the battle that took place in order to take these kids to see this unprecedented event in our history...but I won't do that on this posting. Let's just say that common sense ruled the day. There were undeniable "evil" forces working against the trip, but good prevailed. We're going!

The trip will begin at 6:30pm, Saturday, January 17, with a pre-departure pizza party in our community room. We'll depart for Jackson High School at approximately 7:30pm, but not before the media interviews the students, parents, and others. As luck would have it, four of our own students are going to be trained in videography by two local TV stations (WJRT-TV12 and WEYI-TV25). Pretty exciting stuff: our own students will record the trip from beginning to end! Better yet...they will be reporting back for the respective TV stations and their work will be featured on some of their programming. TV25 will have one of my students writing a Blog, along with video for same.

There will be much, much more on this truly momentous event in a future posting! Right now I'm gonna start the celebration of the NEW YEAR...the clock is ticking...we have less than four hours to go. This will be the BIG YEAR...the year of the Obama inauguration! And we're going to be there...

BARACK AND JOE...A VICTORY FOR HUMANKIND!

2008-11-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

Yeah, that's right! Barack Obama and Joe Biden were victorious for all humankind. We are just now beginning to see changes in peoples' attitudes. This victory is something that will change America and the world for the better. I've seen it already.

It might be my imagination, but people seem to be a little more kind, a little more gentle toward each other. This election is transforming people. Kindly take a closer look at people, in particular people of color, as you pass by them. I give them a warm "hello" and they give a similar greeting in return...with a smile. It's noticeable. Folks know that we've entered into a new age...an age that leaves behind the bitterness of segregation and apartheid.

You might say I am naive. You might think I am "seeing things." Well, this is my humble opinion...things just seem to be different. Much better in my estimation. I've even noticed a change in my students at school. I think they truly know that there are no more excuses...they can achieve the highest, most powerful office in the land. Anything is possible for them. And they know it. That IS the transforming aspect of this election.

Go ahead: ask Michele Obama about being proud of America now. I know that I feel something different. It's as if we changed overnight. We are now a different people. As Obama said during the election: "We're not Blue states. Not Red states. We're THE United States...of America!" We are Americans all. The Obama victory opens the door to a new identify for African Americans. They are simply Americans. We are ALL simply Americans...period.

That is not to say that we should forget the past. The past needs to be studied and remembered for what it was...our past. The good news is that we are entering into a new age of race relations heretofore unknown to Americans. Hey, I'm just so proud to be alive and witnessing all this change!

The Inauguration is going to be a highlight for me and my family. I know tears of joy will stream down my face...that's the transforming power of this election. And I'm not forgetting Joe Biden in all of this either. Joe's MY man...a fellow Pennsylvanian, a guy who has worked hard for the last 36 years in the Senate (I have been teaching for the last 37 years). Joe is known for being outspoken; so am I. Once in a while the guy puts his foot in his mouth--I've been known for that too. God, I admire our Vice President-Elect!

Take it all in, America! The world watched and now they are congratulating us for our peoples' victory. Cuba is gonna change! Our relations with Iran are going be better...wait and see. African nations have gloried in this victory...especially the Kenyans. If only Obama could influence the leader of Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe, to take a hike! Imagine if the new president can make inroads for peace in the Middle East. Imagine peace! It's all too characteristic that Russia's leaders have reacted in a tense manner toward Obama. What a loss for them and their people.

New age. New presidency. New attitudes. New challenges. New, transforming ideas within a new context. God bless America and God bless Barack Obama and his new team in Washington, DC!

GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN, AKA, FELIX EDMUNDOVICH DZERZHINSKY, AKA, FELIKS EDMUNDOWICZ DZIERZYNSKI...

2008-10-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Here we go again, Sarah! After a little more research and some serious pondering, I've come to the conclusion that YOU are the reincarnation of the Polish Communist revolutionary, later founder of the All-Russia Extraordinary Commission to Combat Counter-Revolution and Sabotage--better known as the CHEKA. I am, of course, referring to none other than Felix Dzerzhinsky.

"Iron Felix", as he was later called (reference that name to Sarah's "Barracuda" moniker that she earned for her high school basketball predaceousness). Better yet, compare "the man of steel", Stalin, with "Iron Felix"--what is it with those revolutionary, Communist bastards entering the iron and steel age? Getting back to the "Barracuda", yep, she was known to be viscious and relentless against any opponent, first on the basketball court, later in the political-deal-making backrooms of that tiny, unknown village in Alaska--later in the thriving "metropolis" of Juneau, Alaska. Dzerzhinsky had those moments too (remember...Sarah would remind us all that Russia is only 60 miles from the shores of her beloved Alaska.

No need to go into Dzerzhinsky's Polish, Belarus, Lithuanian past here. The stamp of revolutionary activities was imprinted all over his life. He even spent some time in a Siberian gulag (shall we not forget that Governor Palin can view Russia from her dacha window). Hey, it's just an island, but at one time it was Soviet territory.

Vladimir Lenin regarded Felix as a revolutionary hero, and appointed him to organize a force to combat internal political threats--thus the creation of the CHEKA, the infamous secret police. Palin could easily be a force to reckon with if given the power by her boss, John McCain. Organizing a CHEKA-like group to combat internal political threats would be a natural for her. Let us never forget her moose-hunting skills...guns are nothing new to her--knives either. Hand her a hunting blade and she'll produce a skinned moose carcass as fast you can say CHEKA-mate!

According to historical documents, tens of thousands of Lenin's political opponents were shot without trial in the basements of prisons and public places throughout Russia. From what I've read, they loved firing a well-placed bullet through the back of one's skull. What, am I attempting to say the "Barracuda" would be capable of such horrific acts of terror? Sure, why not? Oh, she probably would not be directly involved with the actual "disposal" of opponents, as such. History tells us there was only one eye-witness account of Dzerzhinsky actually killing someone.

The unlucky chap reportedly came to Felix's office to complain about how he was being treated in the military. Unfortunately, the fool was drunk and he began to curse and say some negative things about Dzerzhinsky's family members. It's reported that Felix pulled out his revolver and immediately shot the poor fellow through the head! All those thousands upon thousands deaths attributed to "Iron Felix" and only one person ever saw him draw down on a foe and plug him like a moose in a bog. Amazing! It makes me wonder what Sarah would do to her former brother-in-law...you know, the one that was fired as a state trooper in Alaska.

An Alaskan inquiry found that Palin abused her powers as governor of the state. An investigator stated she was in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain. Hmmmmmmm. Abuse of power? Pretty scary thought: Sarah Palin running amok in Washington, DC! Felix Dzerzhinsky was known to have said, "A member of CHEKA should have a cool head, a hot heart, and clean hands." Perfect. That is, a perfect description of the Republican nominee for the Vice Presidency of the United States of America!

Cool head? Sure...just watch her wink at the camera and offer up those gleaming, white choppers...those white-on-white teeth to go with that, "You betcha" down-home, folksy, bull-snipping clamor! Hot heart? Hell, Sarah's ALL-HOT! McCain would have her available 24/7 to beat down the opponents--those presidents, prime ministers, potentates from around the world. They'd all be drooling over themselves just to get close to her hot heart (if you know what I mean...). Clean hands? Her hands are scrubbed clean (I've seen photos of her after she filleted a moose...cleaner hands than that lava soap my mother used to use on my twin brother and me after a day playing in the streets of Tarentum, Pennsylvania, when we were kids!). Like Dzerzhinsky, she'd come clean without any problems.

Okay, the history lesson has ended. Just remember that you read it all here first...Sarah Palin is Stalin, Khruschev, and Dzerzhinsky...all rolled into one! With a little more research, one could probably throw in Lenin, Bukharin, Putin, or any number of KGB/CHEKA operatives in the compare/contrast pool.

I'm stuck on the "Iron Felix" and "Barracuda" similarity. Given the chance, I truly believe the "Barracuda" could easily morph over to be the "Iron Barracuda." Scary thought, indeed!

PALIN'S "FOLKSY" STYLE MASKS HER STALIN/KHRUSHCHEV-LIKE INNER SELF...

2008-10-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

Let's get serious, Sarah! Folks seem to be caught up in your "folksy" style of addressing some of the most serious questions that have confronted our nation. Your toothy grin and curious habit of winking at the camera doesn't impress me--nor does it resonate with Americans that are serious about who we are and where we are going as a nation.

I am growing very, very tired of your cartoonish image...all smiles and no substance. Your performance with the debate with Joe Biden was lousy in my estimation; has anyone ever taught you about grammar? From all accounts, you were coached for many days on all the important issues and yet you left us all with a bunch of "folksy" phrases. Sad, very sad, Sarah.

You avoided questions and ducked out on some direct hits from Senator Joe Biden--almost like those wolves you hunt down up there in the Alaska wilderness. Yeah, that's right: do the folks know about your propensity for hunting wolves from airplanes? Do they know about your use of high-powered rifles against helpless, wilderness animals--leaving said animals either dead or writhing in pain?

Sarah, you keep talking it up with remarks about "Joe six-pack", as if the public favors someone in the White House who is just like them--sucking up six-packs of beer while that nuclear red-button stands ready for your trembling fingers. Give me a break, governor! Americans expect someone in high office to reflect something higher than the neighborhood "watering hole." Your "folksy", "Joe six-pack" comments will not impress world leaders, if indeed they even want to meet with you for anything more than giving your "charm" a spin.

Now I hear you're wading in on matters like McCain's concession of Michigan. What, now you will appeal to "Uppers" on gun issues, the NRA, and hunting, trapping, and the like? C'mon over to Michigan and respond to citizens in the cities--which won't happen because you would fall flat on your lovely, fair-skinned face.

Why are you being given a "pass" on your remarks? You are getting away with things because you are a a female. You're asked about what newspapers you read and you draw a complete blank...that's incredible! When asked about Supreme Court decisions, you are not able to comment on any decisions and you draw a total blank. I'd be willing to bet you could recall a favorite brand of beer...probably Budweiser, the suds that made McCain's wife very, very wealthy.

Everyone knows the "K.I.S.S." method of communication, right? Keep It Simple, Stupid, huh? Sarah, you keep matters too simple...much too stupid. I am going to keep it simple, but not stupid for you, Governor Palin: drop out of the race! You are not qualified to be our nation's vice president. And if anything should happen to John McCain, you are imminently NOT qualified for the presidency of the United States of America!

I have a female Russian friend who told me how much you have in common with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Yes, she stated that you'd look wonderful, straddling the podium in the U.N. General Assembly, bending over and beating one of your high-heels on it. It all sounds fairly sexist to me, but it would surely present you in a positive manner to the men in the forum.

Perhaps my Russian friend is on to something--a perspective that places Palin in the mold of the boldness of a Khrushchev. With a peasant's cunning, Nikita took over the position of Community Party Secretary following the death of Stalin in 1953. Emphasis on peasant here...the same sort of peasant outlook that Palin has (again, imagine not being able to comment on what newspapers she reads, when asked that question in an interview).

In 1956, Khrushchev launched an unprecedented, feverish attack on the excesses of Josef Stalin. In particular, Nikita bitterly attacked Stalin's purge of the military and questioned his decisions during WWII...that cost the Red Army casualities in the millions. In a word, Khrushchev's attacks were a supreme bid for power.

Most folks are familiar with Khrushchev's strong background in agriculture. Palin's background as governor of Alaska seems to relate to the state's oil reserves...she certainly reminds everyone at every turn about her ability to control the instincts of the robber baron Exxon Corporation and its initiatives in drilling for more oil in our polar state. Sure wish she would share that instinct with her buddy, John McCain.

Nikita's programs were put in place to increase the harvest and enlarge formerly barren lands, increasing their productivity through the use of what was surely slave labor. Palin's proclivities toward more oil production run parallel to Nikita's bold reform moves to dramatically increase farm production in the USSR at that time. Drill baby, drill!

Cracks began to appear in Communist leadership and direction at that time. International Communist solidarity was being questioned. One of the most outspoken critics was an Italian Communist Party leader by the name of Palmiero Togliatti. Yeah, that's the city in the former USSR where my wife, Svetlana, came from. It's one of the key automobile-producing cities in present-day Russia. It lies on the famous Volga River, in the heartland of Russia.

In 1956, Togliatti said, "Formerly, all that was good was attributed to the superhuman, positive qualities of one man; now all that is evil is attributed to his equally exceptional and astonishing faults." Palmiero was referring to Stalin, of course. Enter my blog posting on "Palin as Stalin" and one begins to see a broader image of this smiling, folksy, winking woman--who, in my estimation, is as dangerous and cunning (and potentially ruthless), as Stalin and Khrushchev combined.

Palin's on the offensive now. She's taking her "show" to the people--you know, the hunters, the "Joe six-pack" crowd. Why do feminists detest her? Start to ask that question and you begin to see Sarah enlarged for what she is truly worth, which is next to nothing.

Governor Sarah Palin has charm, a certain phoney, over-developed "folksy" appeal, and a nice set of legs. Yes, she has brains. Are they brains enough to power the engine of leadership at the highest level of government? No! The "barracuda" doesn't get it for me. To me, she is more of a fish (choose any type of fish of your liking), out of water. She is way over her head--running for the second most powerful position in our federal government. And I firmly believe she should withdraw and go back to governing her 680,000 polar citizens.

In conclusion, Stalin's power mania and deadly control manifestations, would have eventually brought some sort of military or government coup in the USSR--he would have been disposed of, save his death by natural causes (or at least that is what everyone is told to believe). Khrushchev's inability to overcome the handicaps of Berlin (twice), and his underestimation of American resolve involving the Cuban crisis, ended in his demise.

Lucky for all Americans, we will never have to witness the rise and fall of Sarah Palin...at least on the federal level. No doubt, she will continue to reap a few votes here and there with her "three bricks short of a load", "folksy", senseless remarks...with the news media lapping at her feet. If she were a man they'd never let her get away with her bricks...alas, she's an attractive, cunning woman--more dangerous than Stalin, Khrushchev, or any wild-eyed dictator that I can name!

SAY IT WITH A LONG 'A'...PALIN, AS IN STALIN!

2008-09-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it suddenly hit me...her name rhymes with Stalin (if you pronounce it so as to rhyme with Stalin). You remember "Uncle Joe", don't you? Ukrainian nationals remember him as "Butcher Joe"...and perhaps a few expletives that shall go unmentioned on this blog.

Sarah Palin's name is just the beginning. A Russian woman, an American citizen now, was discussing this with me the other day. Actually, there were two Russian women present during that conversation. Neither one had anything positive to say about the Alaskan governor...as a matter of fact, one was downright "nasty" toward her with scathing remarks that could scorch the hide of a jackrabbit. It should be noted that she was also rather unkind with her references toward Stalin. I jokingly tried to interject a kind word here and there: "She's pretty nice looking for a woman who has had five kids!", I said, under my breath.

It was all to no avail. Both of them agreed that Governor Palin (remember it rhymes with Stalin...as in Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, which was his original name...the STALIN moniker came about around 1913; more on that later), possesses a personal ethos that is alarmingly similar to Stalin's. Every school child and amateur historian identifies Stalin as a murderer equal to or greater than the Ubermeister of killers, Adolph Hitler, right? Well, my Russian friends said they read something about Sarah Palin that revealed some character traits that she holds dear to her potato farm, Idaho-bred, moose hunting, salmon fishing, All-American, beauty contest winning (she came in SECOND), basketball playing, wolf and polar bear killing, oil-drilling, designer-glasses, hair salon 'mama's", heart.

The character traits they referred to were: (1) ABSOLUTE SECRECY and (2) LOYALITY. The secrecy aspect of Palin's pallid character is in reference to those she holds near to her...the top echelon of her command structure. Sarah demands absolute secrecy concerning what takes place within her inner circle of decision-makers, friends, colleagues (it's a small inner circle from what I understand...therefore secrecy is easier to maintain). Hmmmm, beginning to look and sound like the Stalin guy...

The loyalty she demands is also absolute. One mistake and you're history...as in gone--banished. Of course, with Stalin, gone meant gone forever...as in dead (and no one ever found your remains). The same thing with absolute secrecy with our boy, Stalin: if you broke secrecy in any way, shape, or form...you disappeared overnight. Gone. Forever. Zippo. AWOL. History. Departed. Extinct...you get the picture, right?

Now, I'm not trying to link Governor Sarah Palin with such hideous acts of murder and treachery always and forever associated with Uncle Joe, but she does possess a certain look, THAT look, that HAS been linked to people losing their jobs...their livlihood...their position in Alaska's government (and the same goes for that little village she controlled for a couple of years). I've read that if you cross Sarah, you are dealt with in a severe, uncompromising manner. In other words, you're "toast." Oh, I also read somewhere the fact that she really didn't have "executive control" over that village--it was run by a city administrator. I suppose all she did was stand around and look beautiful for the boys at the office.

Getting back to the STALIN name and his defining moment. What's in a name, you say? Plenty! He took the Russian name Stalin, which means, "man of steel." I guess I've always wondered what would have happened if he had chosen a Russian name for , "man of titanium?" Isn't titanium harder than steel? Let's face it...Josef (which is what it became later), would never have made it as a Bolshevik revolutionary with the surname of Dzhugashvili. Hell, at every turn the Russians would have recognized him as a southern Georgian, which is exactly what he was! Okay, "Georgia" was part of Mother Russia back then and folks didn't identify him as an "outsider" anyway, (one could argue).

Look, the guy was a bit "religious" at first. When he was about 15 years old, he was sent away to a seminary to study for the priesthood. Just try to imagine young, devout Joe on his knees to those icons...it's a difficult image (no pun intended), to conjure up, huh? Maybe, just maybe, the language of the alter..."the Body and Blood of Christ" meant something sinister and totally different to him...meaning, he certainly got involved with a lot of bodies and blood later on in his life, right? Who really knows? The thought just occured: could you imagine being the priest hearing his confession at his bedside...before he passed on to...where? Heaven or hell? Hey, we're supposed to believe that all sins are forgiven if we are sincere about asking forgiveness and say a good act of contrition. Forgive his sins? OMG, please NOT!

Like our boy Stalin, Palin has religion. I'm told she is an Evangelical. Using my imagination, I am thinking what would happen if she suddenly broke out, speaking in tongues, while discussing world issues with Vladimir Putin? Hell, with his personality and that stoic stare, he'd probably reach for a bottle of good Russian vodka and try to get her to drown her dreadful profusion of unintelligible words in the stuff! Perhaps Secretary of State "Condy" Rice could be hired to interpret for Palin (Rice learned Russian while studying law at Stanford, I think.

It's been reported that Governor Palin believes the Iraq War is "God's War." She believes God is on America's side...at least that is what I've been able to glean from the news accounts, the interviews. That scares the bejeebbers out of me...she could make this terrorist stuff even more of a religious war! That is exactly what THEY want, Sarah! And they, those monster, Jihadist-loving terrorist bullies, supposedly want: someone like you, Governor Palin to call out the Alaska National Guard. Now, you just know that's got to have them shaking in their sandles!
Bottom line with this post: what the heck is gonna happen to the U.S. of A. if something happens to the "old man", as in John McPlain? Do we really (in our heart of hearts), want Sarah Palin...as in Josef Stalin...in charge of the Free World?

You know what? I just sat here staring at an etching I have of Stalin...and in my mind's eye, I removed the moustache. Holy, Jumping Bull-Frogs! Josef Stalin looks like Sarah Palin! Now, I'm talking about the facial features, of course. I'm not sure what Stalin's legs looked like (I can only imagine they were extremely hairy, sweaty, and exceedingly ugly). Palin's legs are, well, from what I can discern, quite beautiful.

I'm not worried about the similarities below the neckline. If you took one of those communist revolutionary caps and placed it on Palin's head, then added a moustache...yes, there it is! God help us if she and her "understudy" make it to the White House on November 4. I'm already starting to lose sleep over the thought! Oops, Sarah won't be sharing rooms or beds with John at the house on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Rather, she'll be with her hubby and family in that gorgeous mansion on the hill (it was built for the Secretary of the Navy way back when, I think)--up there near what is referred to as the National Cathedral. I think it is a much better location than the White House...and better suited for Palin's pallid pursuits. If she makes it there, she can order the National Park Service guys to bring in some moose, wolves, polar bears, etc. Ahh, the sound of gunshots are ringing in my ears already! Oh, then she can walk over to the National Cathedral and pray for the animals she just blasted...

SPIN-OFF: OWEN PATRICK FRANCIS HAMMERBERG'S SACRIFICE DESERVES MORE THAN A ROAD BEING NAMED AFTER HIM!

2008-08-31T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yeah, part of my "mission" to study the events of Pearl Harbor was to learn more about the West Loch area of Pearl Harbor, where Hammerberg lost his life while saving two fellow Navy divers from death.

In doing so, he bacame Flint's only Medal of Honor recipient from the WWII era; he was also Michigan's first Navy recipient of the honor. Additionally, Owen Patrick Francis Hammerberg, age 23, was America's last recipient of the Medal of Honor, awarded for his heroism under non-combat conditions. Quite a resume, I would say.

Flint honored him by naming a road after him; the date was 1954. In 1955, the USS Hammerberg, a Navy destroyer ship, was commissioned at Bath, Maine. My thinking is that if a Navy destroyer can be built to honor our Flint hero, then why can't Flint create a monument/memorial at the road named (posthumously), for his selfless act of saving two fellow Navy divers, while giving his own life in so doing?

It's gonna take Flint kids to get the job done...with the able leadership of their teacher, me, John Davidek. I'm not going to do this alone, of course. James Francis LeGrow, a Flint area native who did his student teaching with me at Flint SW Academy, will assist me in this worthwhile endeavor. We have lots of work to do...in convincing "City Fathers" that this project is deserving of its noteworthyness. We stand ready to do just that...

I'm willing to make presentations to civic clubs or any other local organizations...to get their attention to this important project. I'm told that the Ruth Mott Fund is partial to funding park projects, especially ones that improve the city aesthetically and environmentally. Add a little history, actually a lot of history to the mix, and we have a perfect match to bring the Ruth Mott people on board.

I want to involve our students at Flint SW Academy. Someone, who will go unnamed, at the highest administrative level within the Flint Schools, once told me that she hated history while in the Flint Schools. I was taken aback, telling her in a half-kidding manner that she didn't have me as her history teacher. After thinking about that shocker, I emailed her and told her that my kids were gonna be in touch with her throughout the school year...informing her about how much they LOVE history(!). I'm not attempting to be sarcastic or disrespectful...I just want her to know that there are MANY teachers in the Flint District that are more than capapble of "turning there students on" to history. Yet another goal for me this school year...

UP AND RUNNING: ANIMOTO.COM's CONTRIBUTION TO MY PARTICIPATION IN THE NEH WORKSHOP...

2008-08-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

A first for me, John Davidek! After receiving a 30-second video from a fellow NEH participant, Medody Dickison, a teacher at Wayne High School, Huber Heights, Ohio, I suddenly realized that I could muster up enough creativity to produce one too. In fact, it was relatively easy to do.

All I had to do was select a group of the digital photographs taken while in Hawaii...then speed them off to the masters at ANIMOTO.com and--voila'--a digitalized version of a video, using my images, was produced! They'll do a 30-second one for free. which is generous of them. For a whopping $3 they'll lengthen the video production to perhaps 2-3 minutes, which is even more generous of them! Music? They provide selections, or you can create your own...which I didn't have a clue as to how to accomplish that on my own. I chose some relatively mild "mood" music, one in which the lyrics cannot be understood. It came out quite well, I think. I'm gonna use it often in introducing Hawaii and what we studied while we were there.

I was so excited at my new-found "expertise" that I sent the video to just about everyone I know. It's "amateur, but it still evokes a certain professionality--largely because THEY were the ones who put it all together. I was thinking that we took thousands of images while in South Africa: next project, a video using those wonderful, beautiful photographs with an appropriate sound-track to showcase our year there. It might take hours and hours, but it will be worth it.

I'm not sure how I can utilize the newly created video on this blog, or anywhere else for that matter. Ivan, my 9-year-old son, where are you?

POST-NEH PEARL HARBOR: HISTORY, MEMORY, MEMORIAL...EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME!

2008-08-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, I did not have time to visit the Honolulu landfill. I recently read where the Danish are going so green that they are eliminating use of landfills altogether. I'm gonna send the Wall Street Journal article I read to Honolulu's city manager.

All expectations were met and surpassed regarding this study/travel experience! The presentations were excellent; visits to appropriate historical sites were well organized and timely. Cherylene Hidano, Program Officer, did a masterful job of making everything flow. Daniel Martinez, U.S. Park Service Ranger, was extraordinary in his duties--the man is truly an expert on events in and around Pearl Harbor. So many other professional staff from the East-West Center could and should be mentioned--everyone did a magnificent job in making the program successful!

Besides all the history, we learned about the "Aloha Spirit." Just about everyone on earth knows the word, "Aloha." We learned that it is much more than just a greeting. It is "an emotion which can't be seen, touched or heard, but if expressed from the center of one's being toward all of creation, it is found in all things and it is the connection of all things. That is the true meaning, the Hawaiian definition of Aloha.

CLOSELY EXAMINING THE WORD ALOHA, LETTER BY LETTER:

A - Akahai, meaning kindness, as expressed through gentleness

L - Lokahi, meaning harmony, as expressed through unity

O - Olu Olu, meaning pleasing, as expressed through gentleness

H - Haa Haa, meaning humble, as expressed through humility

A - Ahonui, meaning patience, as expressed through perseverance

Truly, I learned that the Hawaiian people, as expressed through their language, are deeply soulful/spiritual in nature. Later in the week, we had a musician, Jon Kay Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio, make a presentation that gave our group songs of remembrance, songs about loss, and songs reclaiming the memory of Pu'uloa, as Pearl Harbor is known to the Native Hawaiians. His presentation was titled, "From Fishponds to Warships." Jon's story, along with his wonderful renditions of authentic Hawaiian music were moving. His strong, melodic singing, accompanied by his knowledge of the guitar, had everyone sitting in stunned silence. He brought tears to my eyes when he spoke of learning a certain song from his mother at the age of three.

Importantly, we were able to meet and talk with many survivors from that era of history. It was extremely interesting to observe the Japanese educators interact with some of the survivors. Learning at its best--multiple perspectives personified!

I accomplished all my goals by participating in this meaningful workshop. It is now certain that the memorial envisioned to honor Owen Francis Patrick Hammerberg WILL happen in Flint! As Flint's only Medal of Honor recipient during WWII, Hammerberg deserves an appropriate memorial/monument at the road named after him. More on that later...

VISITING HONOLULU'S SOON-TO-BE-FILLED LANDFILL...THAT'S MY GOAL IF I HAD A LITTLE EXTRA TIME...

2008-07-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

With my bags packed, I see myself wondering where the time went. The workshop readings were discussed, analyzed, debated over; we bounced them off the presentations made by the staff at the East-West Center. The up-close and personal tours were pivotal in our overall understanding of what happened on that fateful day, December 7, 1941.

I'm talking in retrospect, of course. Our group of American educators, along with our Japanese counterparts, will owe much to our sponsors--I know this NEH workshop will be a truly valuable experience for me and the others. Gosh, it was important to know and understand how Japanese teachers relate the events of Pearl Harbor to their students in Japan!

This is me, John Davidek, thinking out loud...with a peek into the future, following this experience. I began to wonder though, what would I do if given the chance to remain in Honolulu for a week or two beyond the time alloted for our workshop? Sure, you're thinking that this guy is crazy! Anyone with any sense would head for the beaches...maybe grab a surf-board, huh?

No way! The first thing I would like to do would be to check out Honolulu's landfill. Yes, you heard me right...the city dump. Hey, they tell me that the garbage folks (sometimes referred to as sanitation engineers), are planning on exporting about 100,000 tons of trash a year to the mainland--in a effort to extend the life of its only landfill. It's been reported that at the present rate of dumping on the island of Oahu, the landfill will reach capacity within 15 years.

By visiting the Honolulu landfill, I'll be witnessing history. Barack Obama was born in Honolulu; I can only imagine that somewhere under tons of refuse are bags of garbage from the Obama household. No telling what treasure could be found, right? With time running out, the only landfill on the island will gone, so to speak.

But wait! My homestate of Michigan has been known to accept tons of trash from our Canadian neighbors in Ontario. I've talked to people and no one knows exactly where the trash is getting buried. I'm sure there is more room for Hawaii's garbage. Just imagine the goodwill that would develop between Hawaii and Michigan if we accepted their trash--we could become the dumping ground of the world!

Well, anyway...it's just a thought. Really though, it would be exciting to see Hawaii's only landfill and that would be tops on my list of things to see if I had some extra time after the workshop. I was even thinking that this might be the time to "go green" and inform my NEH classmates about the trash dilemma in Hawaii. If we brought our own trash bags on our journey, filled 'em up and brought them back to our respective states...well, you get the point. I can just imagine us as "ambassadors of trash."

Okay, as if that isn't enough to do if I had some extra time in Hawaii, I am going to suggest one other activity for me to do. I'd like to investigate, learn where the Obama's went to church in Honolulu. I know for a fact that they celebrated Easter and Christmas with a certain United Church of Christ congregation there. Obama's mother, Ann, later returned to Indonesia, and Barack would visit her and his half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, traveling from Hawaii.

So, that's it. You might think this would be a highly unusual way to spend an extra week in Hawaii, but I believe it would be pretty interesting (surely you realize this is all "tongue in cheek?). There is nothing tongue in cheek about the information given here; it is all accurate according to what I just read in The Wall Street Journal. And yes, I am voting for Barack Obama for president...it has absolutely nothing to do with trash heaps, landfills, or garbage! Then again, he IS a politician...

HONOLULU, HAWAII: SUN, SAND, AND FLOWER PETALS...AND A LOT OF WORKSHOP READINGS!!

2008-07-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

Never been there, huh? Me neither. I'm referring to Hawaii and all those nearby islands...what, there are eight main ones and lots of little, isolated tops of mountains pushing out of tropical ocean waters.

I've had the good fortune to have traveled to China and Japan before--not once, but twice! Each time, for whatever reason, the doggone plane didn't land in Hawaii to refuel or pick up more passengers/freight. So, this is a first for me...as it is for most of the other educators chosen to participate in a National Endowment for the Humanities workshop, "Pearl Harbor: History, Memory, Memorial." From what I understand, there will be 25 of us, chosen from all over America! And to make things even more interesting, we will be joined by eight educators from Japan. I did not know that was going to happen, so when I read about it I was very enthused.

We are lucky that our hosts will be from the prestigious Honolulu East-West Center and their AsiaPacificED Program. They will work in partnership with the National Park Service at the USS Arizona Memorial, the NEH, with additional funding from the Arizona Memorial Museum Association and the Japan-America Society of Hawaii. Support has also been provided by the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu.

More than anything, I am especially looking forward to the experiences/expertise of my fellow teachers--the ones who are expected to shape this experience to the abilities of their particular students. Just being in Hawaii will be of immense professional and personal value to me--and I'm absolutely sure for the others involved. Having those Japanese teachers there with us is a tremendous gift, as I am sure they will provide us with insights not even imagined before this opportunity.

Indeed, it is unfortunate that this unique learning experience will be so brief! With that in mind, I intend to share as much as I can, learn as much as possible, and depart with much, much more than what I arrived with. Then the fun begins, huh? When each of us figures how to best present all of our learning and experiences to colleagues, students, and our respective community. It will be an extremely worthwhile experience...I just know it!

Oh. I think the dates for this program were not submitted above. We are Session II of the Landmarks of American History NEH Cultural Workshop for School Teachers. We'll be together from August 1 to the 8th. I feel sad already...that it's such a short time period!

YAHOO! SUMMER VACATION MEANS HITTING THE BOOKS!!??

2008-06-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

Yep, I am "hitting the books" by sitting in a classroom daily at the Sarvis Center in Flint. I'm one of three "Fellows" from SW Academy; all of us are part of the federal grant brought to Flint by some enterprising grant-writers from the Administration Building.

It's called the "Teaching American History Grant" (TAHG), and it has been my professional pleasure to be involved/invited during the past year. Three local school districts are involved: Flint, Mt. Morris, and Bendle. There are approximately 35 teachers involved, most of whom are high school educators.

Last week involved learning about the Reconstruction Era in American History. The program administrators bring in university professors, experts in their field, to lecture and promote learning amongst our group. Toward the end of the week we were treated to a first-person account of the early Civil Rights Era, involving African Americans in Mississippi.

Friday, a bus picked us up at Central High School in Flint and escorted the group to Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit. I mistakingly thought it would be a boring day...in fact, it was fascinating to witness history "come alive" as one Chancey P. Miller took us by our collective hands and led us through Michigan's history via a long, extremely interesting walk through said cemetery. Part actor, part historian, and one-hundred percent enthusiast, Mr. Miller quite literally brought forth significant personages from American history--it was a sparkling performance not to be forgotten!

It was a week not to be forgotten for more reasons than learning at Sarvis and the Detroit cemetery. I "skipped" school Monday in order to stand in line at Kettering University to catch a glimpse of presidential contender, Senator Barack Obama.

Actually, my valued ticket was already in hand...the hand of Ms. Terry Love, that is. Ms. Love is now director of K.U.'s Wellness Center. She's a former student of mine...way back in her 9th grade Civics class, she'll gladly tell you. As a matter of fact, she is not bashful in telling folks that I was her teacher 35 years ago! I keep telling her (asking her), to keep that time frame quiet...because it makes her look old (she still looks quite young), and it makes me look like I have one foot in the grave (you can be the judge of that...).

Anyway, Ms. Love and I ended up seated in the "red ticket" section of the K.U. gymnasium. She managed to get both of us in the first row. Not bad, since Flint's mayor was in the third row; the president of the university sat behind us to the right! Our seats worked out to be perfect...Obama walked right over to us when he entered from behind the blue curtain drapped across the entire floor of the gym. He shook hands with me as Terry yelled out to him that that day was her birthday (he wished her a happy birtdhday!). Little did we realize that his handshake with me was captured on film by Associated Press photographer, Alex Brandon. And we certainly didn't realize that a Detroit Free Press photographer was squeezing off frame after frame of us as Obama made the rounds, shaking hands with everyone and anyone that reached out to him.

After Obama's stirring speech, he began shaking hands again...this time beginning at the opposite end of the semi-circle of seats--eventually making his way to us again. I got to shake hands with him AGAIN! This time he looked me directly in the eyes and said, "Thank you" to me. I think he remembered me as I led calls during his talk..."OBAMA...OBAMA...OBAMA!!!" Again, I did not realize it but another photographer (a friend of Lena Popova's), had taken photographs of Ms. Love and me.

Terry ended up on the front page of last Tuesday's Detroit Free Press; the edge of my face was there too. That's okay because Ms. Love deserved every bit of that front-page exposure! Today, Sunday, June 22, 2008, I discovered the photo taken by the Associated Press photographer on page A11 of The Flint Journal...in the "Talk Back" section. It was a wonderful, captivating photo of Barack Obama seemingly smiling from ear to ear as he looked at me reaching out to shake his outstretched hand! I quickly emailed The Journal to learn how to get in touch with Mr. Brandon...I want that photograph very, very much!

So that's it, a week of study that included one day of friviality with the future president of the United States, as I like to refer to Senator Barack Obama. One more week of study to go...gosh, can anything be more exciting than what occured last week? I doubt it very much...

Central Michigan University Public Radio Visits FSA!

2008-06-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

It's been some time, but our Denounce the "N" Word Initiative has gone the MPR route once again...this time a reporter from CMU visited school and interviewed serveral students and myself about the "N" word project.

Actually, the reporter, John Ketchum, interviewed me previously--about a month ago. He told me his supervisors were so impressed with what we were doing at FSA that they insisted he personally visit our campus and interview some of our key students. They wanted their listening audience to learn more about our Denounce the "N" Word Initiative.

Mr. Ketchum visited about a week ago. We were very impressed with his professionality and even more so because of his youth--John's 18 years old and is a graduate of Saginaw Arthur Hill High School. One of my students had fun talking high school baseball with him, since they both played at that level and I believe might have competed against each other in the Saginaw Valley League.

John had fun interviewing our own Mark Ingram about the project. Somehow the conversation turned to Mark's signing a full scholarship at The University of Alabama. As an All-State Football selection at running back, Ingram is assured a chance to play a lot of football for the Crimson Tide and former MSU football coach, Nick Sabin. Sabin established himself at Miami University before jumping ship to bring Alabama football back to national contention. Signing our very own Mark Ingram is a good start for Coach Sabin, I believe.

Several other outstanding students were interviewed, including Maurice Hood...my graduating senior who is going to be sorely missed. Our t-shirt campaign will continue in the Fall and I'm gonna need senior leadership again. Locating someone with Moe's determination and drive is going to be difficult.

The CMU public radio stint was recorded and the young report, John Ketchum, will put it all together for his listening audience. I'll try to figure out how to adapt the recording to this format so as to "spice" it up a little bit. It should be interesting...

DENOUNCE THE "N" WORD INITIATIVE MEETS WJRT-TV12's MICHAEL J. THORP!

2008-05-04T18:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our new association with Kathryn Hunter-Williams, creater of Flint's (Traveling) Afrikan Museum, we managed to obtain a spot on Michael J. Thorp's "NEWSMAKER" show! We were set to record in the studio of Channel 12 last Friday, May 2. It was the usual cast of students with one new, worthy addition (Justin McGarry). The "regulars": Maurice "Moe" Hood, Suleng Patrick, and Andrew Henke.

Little did we know that this was Thorp's last show...he announced that fact during the last minute of the program. Our group felt honored to be a part of his show that day--and he added to the "sizzle" of the show by being "right on" with his questions with ample compassion and interest. Mr. Thorp was just plain smooth, making the show alive and interesting. Afterwards, he shared something with us that will not be know by the general public until Tuesday, May 6. He's going to be running for political office, throwing his hat in the ring in an attempt to become a State Representative. I won't say where at this point because he did not want anyone to know until Tuesday.

Our part in his last program went extremely well. I say that because the kids were absolutely phenonomenal! Sincere and honest, they brought Ms. Hunter-Williams to tears at one point. She's been involved with denouncing the "N" word for about ten years now and it was just too much for her to take when Maurice Hood starting quoting Shakespeare at one point. I understood her emotional response; she's been "fighting the good fight" all these years and it was too much to behold--the depth of sincerity put forth by Maurice and the rest of my students. They are not your "ordinary" kids!

Afterwards, we drove to Paul's Coney Island, on Center Road. It was well known to Maurice and a couple of others in our group, but I had never eaten there before. The fare was good and I even met the owner, Paul...whatever his Greek name was. I told him I thought he was Macedonian and he looked a little miffed at that mistake. Seemingly, a nice guy. As luck would have it, his restaurant was featured on the front page of The Journal the next day, Saturday, May 3. It was touted as one of the first Smoke Free Michigan restaurants...smoke free before the actual law is in affect (soon). I'll go back again for sure. Three reasons: (1) good food/fair prices; (2) friendly service and nice owner; (3) smoke-free environment...something that's important to me, especially when I'm with my family.

Anyway, Now Ms. Hunter-Williams is going to help us reach the right person with Comcast...to do yet another show on our Denounce the "N" Word Initiative. We're ready. We're able. We're as enthusiastic as ever!

WHIRLWIND OF ACTIVITIES MAKE FOR DIZZY TIMES!

2008-04-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

We were invited to make a presentation to the BGSA (Black Graduate Students' Association) at Michigan State University recently. They wanted to learn more about our Denounce the "N" Word Initiative at Flint SW Academy, so Maurice Hood, Erica Ogburn, Andrew Henke, and I were more than willing to give up a Saturday to oblige them!

CLARIFICATION, PLEASE! This entry was made late at night and following its entry I suddenly realized that the previous entry described in detail the events surrounding our presentations at MSU. Oh well, read on for further, albeit brief, detail about the event. Importantly, it continues to describe coming "attractions."

The kids were terrific! High school kids making a presentation to university professors and their students...who ever heard of such a thing? We made two presentations...one in a classroom, the other in the auditorium of the Engineering Building on the campus of MSU. Both times, we shared a 7-minute DVD sent to me by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The DVD was voiced over by the SPLC's own, attorney Morris Dees.

It basically told of a tragic, cruel attack on a young boy at a county fair in Kentucky by a group of IKA (Imperial Klan of America) members. The SPLC is taking the Klan to court; the trial begins in November of this year and the object is to put them out of "business."

The SPLC has done it before and will do it again--that is, attack this viscious hate group with all legal means and bring them to their knees, thus eliminating their ability to function as a hate group. I say "good riddance to them!" And I must add: "more power to you, Southern Poverty Law Center!"

Well, that was one of our most recent activities relative to our effort. We sold a few t-shirts and made important contacts, some of which will continue our project at the college/university level. My students also got involved at The University of Michigan-Flint's recent community event that sponsored the rap/hip-hop performer, Common, in a performance at the school.

We managed to secure a vendor's booth on the university grounds, near the Recreation Building. It was a fun day, which began for me immediately following my teaching schedule that day, Wednesday, April 16. Andrew Henke and his girl-friend took over the booth I had set up and continued selling some of our t-shirts to the public. We only sold about 8 of them, but being there led to some good networking and contacts which will take us still further in our community effort to get the word out about our Denounce the "N" Word Initiative.

In that regard, we have a date with WJRT-TV12's "Newsmaker" show for Friday, May 2. I believe it will be Michael Thorpe's last show with Channel 12, so we will do our best to help Mr. Thorpe go out with some substance, less style. The show will be live...Maurice Hood and some of the cast of my supporters will be present. I'm sure we'll do well and following that event I'll have yet another blog entry to sustain the "projectsbeyondfulbright2006.blogspot.com" effort.

Stay tuned, folks! My next entry will tell of my fortune in obtaining a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant to study about the events of Pearl Harbor on the fateful day, December 7, 1941. Hey, yet another chance to take some of the Denounce the "N" word t-shirts to the island state now fairly well accociated with presidential candidate, Barack Obama.

MSU'S BLACK GRADUATE STUDENTS' INVITE A SUCCESS!

2008-04-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, indeed! It was titled, "The Awakening: Emerging Scholars Transforming Communities through Research, Collaboration, and Activism." It happened to be a dark, dreary day--but the auditorium of the Engineering Building was lit up by the sensitive, interesting keynote address delivered by Dr. Brenda Austin-Mills.

Using a power-point presentation, Dr. Austin-Mills gave a lively talk that boldly featured some of the most beautiful photographs I've ever seen of animals from all over the earth. She cleverly used the photos to discuss human traits and how we can and should communicate better as human beings. There was no doubt that her doctorate degree in Zoology led the way in her thoughtful presentation.

We stood out from the gathered students and staff from Michigan State University. All of us proudly wore our Denounce the "N" Word t-shirts. The "all of us" included myself, Maurice Hood, Erica, and Andrew (prefer not to use Erica's and Andrew's surnames until I obtain their permission; suffice to say all of the students are in my Sociology classes). I think we livened the place up, what with their youthful exhuberence!

Some of the scheduling was altered, but eventually we were given the opportunity to briefly explain our "N" word project to graduate students who made presentations before we were called to speak. We were moved to an alternative site, a classroom. There, we introduced ourselves and I informed the group gathered there about a DVD that had been sent to me by the Southern Poverty Law Center in Birmingham, Alabama. I made note of their very cerebral presentations and mentioned that what they were about to see would cause a definite visceral reaction. And the DVD did exactly that...it was disturbing and shocking to witness the terroristic nature of the United Klans of America and how they did what they did toward a young person of color.

The decision to use the DVD at the last minute was mine. I confided in my students and assured them the 7-minute DVD was a perfect addition to our presentation. As indicated above, it featured a legal case being pursued by the SPLC on behalf of the young man who had been almost beaten to death at a county fair near Brandenburg, Kentucky.

Members of a local group of white, racist thugs belonging to the United Klans of America descended on the victim and proceeded to beat him because, as they put it, he was a "spic." He was all of about 5' 3", weighing 145 pounds, while one of the Klan members was 6' 5" and weighed 340 pounds.

Lawyer Morris Dees, founder and chief advocate of the Southern Poverty Law Center, used secretly filmed sequences of UKA activities in Kentucky--outlining their hate-filled, racist meetings and songfests. The skinheads filmed were heard to utter and scream the "N" word and worse, in demeaning African Americans. Jewish people, gays, Latinos, and just about anyone who didn't fit in with their screams of Nordic superiority. The video footage was a horrifying example of rampant racism and hatred,

In the video, Dees made a point of informing viewers that the Southern Poverty Law Center, along with local lawyers in Kentucky, will be taking the UKA members to court in the Fall of this year. Even though members of the SPLC have received death threats, there is little doubt that their plan is to financially cripple the local branch of the UKA and in effect, put them "out of business." That same tactic has been used by the SPLC in breaking up hate groups from around the country, especially in northern Idaho. Interestingly, a map featured in the video identified a hate group centered in Traverse City, Michigan.

Anyway, our use of the DVD proved to be valuable in supporting our explaination for utilizing our Denounce the "N" Word Initiative as another tool in combating racism in America. The Southern Poverty Law Center recently identified over 850 hate groups in the United States, so that information alone seemed to highlight our presentation to the students present at the symposium that day.

After lunch, we were again asked to make a presentation...only this time it was given in the auditorium of the Engineering Building and there were many more students present. The use of the huge screen with the professional sound system, made the video even more powerful in showcasing hatred puncuated by the use of the "N" word. Maurice and the other students addressed the audience and fielded questions about their involvement in our project. When my turn came, I gave a brief history of how and why the project evolved to be what it is at this point. Ialso noted that I have been a member of the Southern Poverty Law Center since the year 2000.

All in all, the experience was even better than what we had anticipated it to be. I am very proud of the poised performance put forth by our students--they were just plain awesome in presenting to a college audience! We sold eight t-shirts too.

Important contacts were made and email addresses exchanged. We agreed that our presence at the symposium added much to the combined concurrent sessions offered by the graduate students present that day. We were honored to have been invited and I know we didn't disappoint anyone.

On the drive back to Flint, we basked in the knowledge that we did very well at the Black Scholars Symposium. It was billed as "The Awakening" and indeed it was for us and those MSU graduate students. Importantly, we felt as if we had awakened a college audience to our message of denouncing the use of the "N" word. We were very proud of that accomplishment, along with the fact that our goals were met and exceeded on that rainy, blustery Saturday!

Denounce the "N" Word Initiative...and More.

2008-04-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been a long, at times treacherous, journey since returning to Flint, Michigan following my Fulbright 2006 teaching experience in South Africa. Many, many downs...and a few ups! No sense in getting into the unglamourous details here; suffice to say that our return was difficult and my family and I did not expect (and/or deserve), the "welcome" we received from many of our so-called "friends" upon return. Enough said...

My Sociology students and I have created a class project that has developed into a mission, a chance to change the mindset of people about the use of the "N" word. I'm capitalizing it because it takes on that dimension--any way one wants to look at it.

We took our project to a couple of Flint City Council members and they embraced the effort whole-heartedly. Our class culminated the association with Flint City Council by creating a City Resolution, denouncing the use of the "N" word in Flint. The kids learned about similar efforts in other American cities and it was decided Flint could match efforts of cities like San Antonio and Baltimore...and why not?

After making a presentation to the Flint City Council in February, which was punctuated in a positive way because of it being Black History Month, we were given a standing ovation by the council. The kids, rightfully so, were very proud of that salute from the council...it meant a lot to them. It was also a high-water mark for me and my "main man", as I refer to student, Maurice Hood. Since that time, Maurice and I have formed a bond that becomes more pronounced as we go out into the community speaking on behalf of our project. Indeed, it has become a labor of love for all of us.

Importantly, we've created a denounce the "N" word t-shirt, which is selling quite briskly locally. Sales have also included schools and individuals from around the state and nation. We've also sold some t-shirts to customers in South Africa and even in Iceland(!). Soon, we'll be finishing up on a website and will also take the project to customers via eBay.

Any profits earned will go toward helping my school in South Africa--they need to purchase new computers because of a large influx of learners entering Norkem Park H.S., Kempton Park, from a nearby township called Tembisa. Many of my students were from Tembisa--8th-graders who needed much help with their lessons. For most, English was their second language. Many of them spoke three languages.

Maurice and I, and perhaps a few others from my classes, will be traveling to Michigan State University on April 12 to make a presentation to students recruited by the Black Graduate Students' Association. We've been asked to speak on our project and try to inspire youth to work in their respective communities to improve their lives there. It will be a challenge that we will gladly accept...knowing that we can and will motivate kids to become youthful activists. Of course, we also want to get the word out on our main mission, that is to change their attitudes toward the use of the "N" word.

We want people to change the "N" word to what we refer to as the "M" word: Mukoma. Mukoma is a Zimbabwean Shona word that means, "Honest, respected brother." The Shona are the majority ethnic group in Zimbabwe and we believe the "M" word is a much kinder, gentler way to greet each other. We definitely want people to discard the use of the vile, historically hateful "N" word. And we do not accept people attempting to rationalize the use of the "N" word by placing an "a" at the end of the word. It is, and always will be, unacceptable to us in any form.

My students and I want civility to return to normal discourse. We believe that civility requires that we strive to eliminate from our vocabularies the nastiness and hatred of certain historically vile/viscious words--and certainly the "N" word is at the top of the list of words that qualify to be scrutized. As bestselling author Stephen L. Carter stated in his CIVILITY: MANNERS, MORALS, AND THE ETIQUETTE OF DEMOCRACY, "Civility requires that we express ourselves in ways that demonstrate our respect for others." There is no way that the "N" word conveys respect in any way, shape or form.

We will press ahead with our mission--you can count on it! M.K.Gandhi brought down the British Empire with his steadfast, life-long, non-violent struggle against English presence in India. He was known to say, "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Well, we've been ignored and even ridiculed. People have laughed at us--Maurice has lost friends in the process of believing in this effort. No one has lined up to fight us yet, but we expect that dynamic to develop too. Make no mistake about it though: we expect to win. We expect this because we know in our heart of hearts our cause is right and just--and it is something we firmly believe in.

Please join us! Drop the use of the "N" word and adapt the use of the "M" word. You'll feel better about yourself and African American people in general. And it makes no difference what ethnic group you belong to or claim...the "N" word has to go. Please help us!