The Color of Poor

I can remember growing up singing the song "Jesus Loves the Little Children".  One part of the song said "Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in his sight".  It is an innocent song, but it sheds a much needed light that we sometimes forget as we merge into adulthood.  No matter your color, culture, ethnicity, background, etc. we all share some things in common.

I'm often puzzled when political fights turn racial in nature.  The only color that matters when it comes to money is green.  We often forget that there are wealthy people of all colors, and if that is the case then same can be said for poor people.  I'll say it clearly POOR has no color.  Poor doesn't know if you are form the Continent of Africa or from Europe. Poor doesn't discriminate concerning address, heritage, or history.  There are a lot of people that had a lot of money, but now are poor.

This simple blog is just to remind us that no matter where we come from we can never forget that everything we have is a blessing.  Don't let political posturing, or frivolous debates make you feel that you are so much better than your poor fellow neighbors.  Do you know what color poor is?

Just me

I Believe

Many of us have experienced various tests, challenges, and issues in this thing we call life.  Some of them caused tears.  Some caused immense mental and physical pain.  Some of them made us want to actually give up on life, and the challenges associated with it.  Yet, at the end  of it all you are still here to read this blog.

How did you feel after you made it through that storm?  Were you thankful that it was over?  Did it seem as bad as the initial scare?  Did you tell someone else your story, and how you overcame?

Quite often we go through different things in life, and those around us are completely oblivious to what is going on.  They see the smile, and the results of something that has happened.  Sometimes we sit back and watch as other people go through similar struggles, but yet we remain silent.  Some are silent to protect their ego.  Some are silent because they don't know what to say,  Some are silent just because they feel that if they had to go through it, then everyone else should be able to handle it.

I'm a firm believer in the idea, that some lessons can be learned through explanation rather than experience.  In other words, we can help a lot of people if we share our story.  It doesn't always have to be something huge.  On a daily basis, I share "simplewords" with friends on facebook and twitter.  I even wrote a book where I share "simplewords".  Those words are nothing more than my story and life experiences.  I'm asking you to do the same.

For the next 7 days, join me in the "I Believe" campaign.  During this time we will share as many experiences that we can through facebook, twitter, and even in person.  Whenever you get ready to share your experience begin by saying "I Believe".  Example: "I believe that God can make a highway of opportunity out of your dead end situation".  Whether or not you are a spiritual person is of no relevance.  This is simply an opportunity to create hope in the mind of someone else.  Will you join me in the "I Believe" Campaign?

Just me

Anthony J. Albury Jr., MBA is an Author, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach, Law Student, and Entrepreneur.  Visit his website at www.justanthony.org to learn more about him, for booking information, and to purchase his book.

Penn State Scandal Shines Light on NCAA Hypocrisy

USC, Ohio State, and The University of Miami are three recent targets of "Big Brother's" NCAA sanctions leveled against sports programs for infractions.  The infractions in and of themselves were not illegal according to the laws of the land, but simply violated some internal law of the NCAA.  The sanctions are as follows:

USC:
• A postseason ban in football following the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

• A loss of 30 total football scholarships over the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons.

• A vacation of all football victories starting in December 2004 and running through the 2005 season. This includes the national championship win over Oklahoma on Jan. 4, 2005.

• All statistics vacated for Bush, Mayo and women’s tennis athlete Gabriela Niculescu in the games which the NCAA deemed them ineligible due to rules violations.

• Reggie Bush (NFL) and O.J. Mayo (NBA) must be disassociated from USC athletics.

• An acceptance of USC’s self-imposed penalties on its basketball program, which included a forfeiture of all wins in 2007-2008 and a one-year postseason ban.

• All titles won during ineligible games must be vacated and trophies and banners must be removed.

• A vacation of wins in the women’s tennis program from May 2006 to May 2009, for long-distance telephone violations committed by a student-athlete.

• A reduction of recruiting days for the men’s basketball program in 2010-2011.

• Four years of probation.

Ohio State:

• Vacated 2010 Big Ten championship

     - its 12-1 season 

     - victories over rival Michigan and in the Allstate Sugar Bowl 

• Coach Jim Tressel released 

• Star quarterback Terrelle Pryor leaves

• Several players suspended for games in new season

University of Miami:

• Travis Benjamin, Marcus Forston, Jacory Harris, Adewale Ojomo, Sean Spence — Suspended 1 game

• Ray-Ray Armstrong, Dyron Dye — Suspended 4 games

• Olivier Vernon — Suspended 6 games

As clearly indicated, in each of these sanctions players were issued punishment for either their doing, or the doing of someone else associated with the program.  Would you believe if I told you that the infraction involved college players receiving money or gifts?  Yes these students were given stiff punishments for receiving gifts.  Never mind the fact that they make billions for the NCAA and their respective institutions.  That's an argument for another time.

What I want to point out is how quiet the NCAA has been in light of this Penn State Scandal.  I held my opinion until I read the Grand Jury Indictment.  I must tell you, if you have an ounce of human decency, there is no way you can read it without cringing and become furious.  The accusations in that document, if true, show a very sick side of humanity.  Yet, the NCAA has said.................................... NOTHING.  They are quick to punish students for taking gifts, but have made no statement about a program that allowed the molestation of young boys go on for at least 15 years.

This is the hypocrisy known as the NCAA.  They can publicize, pursue, and punish athletes, but remain silent in the shadows as one of the programs with the "faux" appearance of being squeaky clean, covers up one of the most disgusting acts of serial child abuse I've ever seen.  In addition to this, rather than speak out against it they allow Coach Paterno to retire at the end of the season.  

Does anyone remember the Duke Lacrosse players that were accused of a crime?  Were they able to finish the season out?  Yes I know Paterno didn't commit a crime, but did his actions go far enough to prevent the criminal acts of Jerry Sandusky to cease?  Did he follow-up with the AD or his other superiors?  Did he put Sandusky on administrative leave while the issue was being investigated?  Yet, in all of this the NCAA remains shamefully silent.  

It is blatant hypocrisy.  You tell students that they will be punished for accepting gifts, but coaches can retire into the sunset when they allow an accused child pedophile to continue to work under their guard.  I'm not here to argue what Paterno should have been done.  My simple is point is what the NCAA hasn't done.  Will the NCAA only stand up when a student athlete steps out of the boundaries of  their "sacred" by-laws?  Will the NCAA only speak up when the infraction is by someone without a huge reputation like Paterno?  The light is on you Dear NCAA, either speak up now or forever hold your peace.

Just me