Tarnished Legacy

The life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.and Coretta Scott King are embedded in the very fabric of this country's make-up. His work and dedication toward the creation of a non-violent society where people of all races and backgrounds will never be forgotten. Even in this year's historic presidential election, presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, has drawn comparisons to Dr. King. A great orator, preacher, and leader, Dr. King's legacy continues to live on. In the words of his daughter, Rev. Bernice King, "In his short time on earth, Dr. King made an eternal impression." This statement is a challenge to us that in the time we have on Earth, we should look to make an eternal impression. But speaking of impressions...

I wonder what impression Dr. King would have of his children today if he were alive. On Monday, Dexter King filed a lawsuit contending his siblings had breached their fiduciary and personal duties to the King Center in Atlanta and their father’s estate, misused assets belonging to the center, and kept money that should’ve been channeled back into the center and the estate. The counter-suit came six weeks after Bernice and Martin sued Dexter, making similar claims that Dexter mishandled family money and failed to properly involve them in family business matters.

I have one brother and one sister and I love them dearly. I can not foresee any circumstance where I would take a blood relative to court or subject them to litigation of any kind. There are times that my brother, sister, and I fail to see eye to eye on things. When this happens, we go in the privacy of a room or building, yell, scream, and handle it amongst ourselves, not in public or in the media.

As an ordained Baptist minister, I accept the responsibility for playing the role of mediator or doing whatever it takes to reach an amicable solution. I would expect others to have that expectation of me as well. I am particularly disappointed with Rev. Bernice King. I am not sure of who is right and who is wrong in this case, but this is what I know for sure; apparently, her business dealings have given the impression to Dexter that there has been some money mismanagement for this situation to be escalated to this level among these siblings. Furthermore, as a minister of the Gospel, she should know that she will be held to a higher standard and it is my expectation that she should have done whatever was needed to avoid the ugly display that the world is witnessing between the children of this beloved family. It may not be fair to put this on Rev. King; however, this is the cross that we bear as ministers of the Gospel. She must realize this in all of her actions.

Branding is a marketing concept that focuses around a recognized name (Pepsi, Coca-Cola, ESPN, etc.). When your last name is "King", there is an expectation associated with that name. You know that in your bloodline, it is expected that you will do great things and make an eternal impression. Maybe Dexter, Bernice, and Martin have forgotten this. I am prayerful they will be reminded of who they are and the legacy they are charged with carrying. I don't think siblings arguing amongst themselves is what Dr. King had in mind. Prayerfully, this matter will be resolved soon. I could not live with being an accomplice in a tarnished legacy.

How It Should Be Done....

I have said it before and I will say it again; professional athletes make too much money. It is not because I am jealous or envious that I make this statement; it is because when I look at teachers, it was a teacher who inspired all of us to be the best that we could be. Yet, many teachers in the state of North Carolina and nationwide are paid far below what they are worth. But, this entry is not about the issue of teacher pay; it is about the right way and the wrong way of doing things.

First, let's look at the wrong way of doing things; Scott Boras, super agent for Alex Rodriguez, announced during Game 4 of the World Series that his client will not return to the New York Yankees next year. By opting out of his contract, Rodriguez will be giving away $72 million dollars in salary. He already makes over $250 million dollars. Ironically, this announcement was made on the same day that the Red Sox won the World Series, which is major league baseball's premiere event. This announcement could have waited a few days, but, because of A-Rod's desire to be bigger than the game itself, the anonouncement was made during the World Series. Definitely, the wrong way of doing things. Now, let me show you the right way of doing things.

Tim Duncan, the center for the world champion San Antonio Spurs, has just come to an agreement with the team on a two-year contract extension that is reportedly worth $40 million dollars. Notice the timing of this announcement; right before the start of the season so that there is no speculation of him leaving or what his plans are for free agency. Now, watch this very closely: according to Duncan's agent, he could have signed for much more, but he wanted the Spurs to be able to build around him in future seasons. (I will let you pause and digest that for a minute!)

For all that is wrong with sports, steroids, gambling, super agents, Tim Duncan represents all that is right with sports. He doesn't play on the flashiest team and he doesn't have one of the flashiest personalities; but what he has in heart and common sense, he is a hero and the sports world should be thankful to have him. A-Rod and Scott Boras, take note! This is how you do things the right way!

Aftershock

Does it surprise you in wake of the Jena 6 case that there have been at least two cases of a noose being displayed? What do you think this shows? It shows the same thing I have been saying for years; racism is very much alive in this country. The after shock of the Jena 6 is so rampant, that Katt Williams, comedian and host of the BET Hip-Hop Awards which aired last night, had the audacity to come out on stage wearing a noose. These copycat incidents could have possibly been prevented if this incident was prosecuted as a hate crime when it happened in Jena, LA. Was it prosecuted as such? Uh, no! So what do you have now? You have copycat incidents of an act that brings back harmful memories for a race of people who were tortured upon coming to this country because the authorities in Jena were not proactive in sending a message that justice will be served.

For all of you who still are having trouble comprehending the problem in Jena, LA, let me break down for you in simple laymen's terms of why millions of people are angry: it is the local government's handling of the case, plain and simple. By no means do I condone anybody getting beat down. However, no one needs to serve jail time for a high school fight. This youth has served 10 months as an adult. Is this not enough? Apparently not for the judge who, by the way, is the same judge who rendered his sentence for juvenile court. And what did he do out of revenge when the conviction was overturned? Sent him back to jail! Come on!!!

Please keep Mychal Bell and his family in our prayers. Let's pray that he will have some type of normal life. I mean, it isn't like he had machine guns and silencers in a safe in his house; but I digress.

Taking Responsibility

In case you have not been watching the news, we live in the era of accountability. With each passing days, many prominent individuals are being exposed for their transgressions. Whether your name is Jim Black or Marion Jones, everything you do will be exposed in the light. Martha Stewart, America's sweetheart, served prison time. If you are being deceitful and underhanded, eventually, you will get caught.

Clifford Harris, better known as T.I., was arrested this past Saturday hours before the BET Awards in Atlanta, GA on for attempting to buy firearms from an undercover ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) agent. Harris is a convicted felon on probation, which means that he cannot own firearms. On several websites, there is information of how this investigation has been going on over a week and a half. Harris' bodyguard has been cooperating with ATF agents, as he was busted by the ATF a week and a half ago.

I was real intrigued to see what the reaction would be from various blog posts on All Hip Hop.com and The Atlanta Journal constitution. Yet, with the seemingly airtight case that the ATF has, some people are crying that the arrest was racially motivated and that this is another attack on hip hop.

For the record, I am of African-American descent and I am sick and tired of us crying racism whenever one of our young superstars find themselves in trouble. Granted, all of the facts have not come out as of yet, but, come on!!! Why does he need all of those guns in his house? When you have silencers, that means you are about send somebody's son or daughter to the grave. Why do we defend this nonsense? People are calling the bodyguard a snitch and a sellout. For all my hard core thugs, I guess you will ride or die for your boy, which means serving jail time because you don't want to be viewed as a snitch.

When, as a people, we will begin to take responsibility for our actions? Michael Vick, T.I., Isaiah Washington, etc. When are we going to stop using the race card and promote accountability within our community? We need to call things for what they are and stop giving people a pass because of who they are and because of the color of their skin.

Let us begin teaching accountability within our community.