Gotta show some love not only to Q-tip and Amanda Diva, but a spotlight to a good friend/poet/singer/sister of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc...Shanelle Gabriel...Google her...lol
Q-TIP - New Music Video - Man Woman Boogie
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Coaching and Correlations
I can't believe it, but I've been assistant coaching my old high school's wrestling team for two years now. This is the second year of course, and my first year was great. This year hasn't been as exciting, but definitely a learning experience for me. It's one thing when you experience something from one angle, but you learn so much more when it's from the other side of spectrum. I was once apart of the very team that I coach. Granted there were different people and personalities, but definitely similar experiences. Here are a few things I've learned and examples of similar situations other people are in or I've been in to see the correlation...
I also have been mentoring outside of my fraternal organization and in more ways than one coaching is very similar to mentoring, tutoring, teaching, and a slew of other things. You make the correlation it is there though. When you teach someone else something you are efficient in over time you become a professional; an expert; and sought for advice on a regular basis.
One of the very first things I noticed is that I entered the coaching realm not only to give back to my high school, but to get out just as much. In teaching these young men some of the knowledge I have come to gain while wrestling through the years and the skills as well I am learning more about the sport and what I need to work on to be a better coach and wrestler. It's the endless circle of what is called reciprocity. This realization is what keeps me coming back day after day even though a lot of them are knuckle heads.
Second, if the minds of babies are like sponges, then the minds of young adolescent high school boys must be like mops! All the pick up is the dirt and grime of your day-to-day conversations. I'm not gonna front...I swear a little bit, but that's because when it comes to wrestling I'm very passionate about it. I know what I'm talking about it, because I've been doing it for over nine years. Now they're not picking up on my swearing ways but I noticed in one of my athletes that he's picking up an old habit of mine, which was an uncontrollable temper. He gets frustrated easily and I did not notice that last year. In any case I just have to watch certain things I say.
Third, I definitely don't get paid enough for the amount of time and energy I put into what I do. Along with that comes the realization that it isn't about the money, which is crazy. What means more to me is making sure these young guys take something from their experience being on the team; plain and simple.
Finally, I love my old high school, but I see myself making more of a difference with public school students or inner city youth. They actually have a program called "Beat the Streets" where they have implemented wrestling programs all over the city throughout many high schools. The thought is great, but there need to be good coaches out there and I know I can take a beginner public school and turn them into some of the most feared and respected wrestlers New York State has to offer. That's not being cocky though. That's just me being confident ;-) Wrestling is a sport that is dominated mostly by Whites, and here in NYC African-Americans and Latinos can take over this sport. They just need the right guidance.
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I also have been mentoring outside of my fraternal organization and in more ways than one coaching is very similar to mentoring, tutoring, teaching, and a slew of other things. You make the correlation it is there though. When you teach someone else something you are efficient in over time you become a professional; an expert; and sought for advice on a regular basis.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Abstinence
I was surprised, but overall excited to see Jamie Foxx encouraging women to remain abstinent on a radio interview a few days ago. Not too many people encourage that. They just say use condoms and stay safe. Hearing that some people choose not to use condoms, and still have monogamous partners, proves that most people let desire get the best of them without using that thing that lies between the ears.
This past weekend on a bus ride to a tournament with my High School wrestling team I was asked by a curious teammate, "so when did you lose your virginity?" This was so random, but I chose to give an answer, and replied, "When I was nineteen." Everyone on the bus was surprised, especially the gentleman that asked. When I put the same question to him he replied, "Thirteen!!!??" I couldn't believe it. At thirteen all I was thinking about was getting straight A's, not getting a beating from my uncle or aunt for not completing something they asked me to do, and reading. I was baffled. He explained how it happened. In short, he had a girlfriend of four months and told her one day, "I want to see if it can fit." It fit and he's been having sex ever since...SMH...Then I explained why I waited so long, and it brought me back to the cornerstone of why I had originally wanted to wait until I was married to have sex.
(clouds appear and all that is seen is white)
(the mist settles and clears up and there sitting at his desk is 14 year-old Amir)
It started in one period of my Freshman year in High School. My teacher, Mr. Homer, was a cool guy. Married for a long amount of time with a few children who he loved and adored. So explained to the class the main reason to wait until you are married to have sex. And it went a little something like this..."When the time comes and you get a little older, and you meet that special someone. A special someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with, you will have experienced many things in your life thus far. You will have had friendships and relationships, if you decided to take it that far. Through the good and bad you will have accomplished tons of things that will mold you into the man you will come to be. Now, when you present yourself to that special someone and vice versa, what will you be special to your union that you haven't shared with anyone else? The sacred act of "making love", "sexual intercourse", or just plain ol' SEX. What a gift to share with just one person. How sweet to have waited, and waited and given in to only person."
Now in a perfect world that sounds great. It sounded great to me. I went with it wholeheartedly and didn't falter through High School. I always did it for myself and for my own reasons, though. When you're 17 and younger you really don't understand all the intricacies that come a long with sex. When I made the decision when I was 19 I was ready...well not really, but I thought so. But through it all I have learned a lot. That's what's most important. Learning. But this young one's coming up are losing their virginity at these ages it's crazy!
This past weekend on a bus ride to a tournament with my High School wrestling team I was asked by a curious teammate, "so when did you lose your virginity?" This was so random, but I chose to give an answer, and replied, "When I was nineteen." Everyone on the bus was surprised, especially the gentleman that asked. When I put the same question to him he replied, "Thirteen!!!??" I couldn't believe it. At thirteen all I was thinking about was getting straight A's, not getting a beating from my uncle or aunt for not completing something they asked me to do, and reading. I was baffled. He explained how it happened. In short, he had a girlfriend of four months and told her one day, "I want to see if it can fit." It fit and he's been having sex ever since...SMH...Then I explained why I waited so long, and it brought me back to the cornerstone of why I had originally wanted to wait until I was married to have sex.
(clouds appear and all that is seen is white)
(the mist settles and clears up and there sitting at his desk is 14 year-old Amir)
It started in one period of my Freshman year in High School. My teacher, Mr. Homer, was a cool guy. Married for a long amount of time with a few children who he loved and adored. So explained to the class the main reason to wait until you are married to have sex. And it went a little something like this..."When the time comes and you get a little older, and you meet that special someone. A special someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with, you will have experienced many things in your life thus far. You will have had friendships and relationships, if you decided to take it that far. Through the good and bad you will have accomplished tons of things that will mold you into the man you will come to be. Now, when you present yourself to that special someone and vice versa, what will you be special to your union that you haven't shared with anyone else? The sacred act of "making love", "sexual intercourse", or just plain ol' SEX. What a gift to share with just one person. How sweet to have waited, and waited and given in to only person."
Now in a perfect world that sounds great. It sounded great to me. I went with it wholeheartedly and didn't falter through High School. I always did it for myself and for my own reasons, though. When you're 17 and younger you really don't understand all the intricacies that come a long with sex. When I made the decision when I was 19 I was ready...well not really, but I thought so. But through it all I have learned a lot. That's what's most important. Learning. But this young one's coming up are losing their virginity at these ages it's crazy!
When I have children I will devise a similar speech the way my Religion Teacher did, but in my own way and in my own words. I will always tell them that the decision will be their own though (i.e. when they are old enough to be out of my house, until then they will be having NO SEX...hahahahah!).
[God bless a very close brother to me as well. He's expecting a new born, and I'm very happy for him. He's going to be a great father. I will come to him for advice when the time comes for me.]
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