As a teacher, this piece of clothing is the bane of my existence. — If I could go back in time and find the inventive and creative mind that invented this piece of warm clothing, I would cuss him like he ate the last piece of my birthday cake. I own several hoodies, and they are great on a chilly evening as preventers of…

What I witnessed explains why you can't judge a book by its cover — It was the end of a long day in a public school. It was a quiet day, but working with needy kids can drain the soul from a saint. However, the wife needed me to run some errands after work, and I know she could use the help since her…

But it's not an easy task — It's challenging to build bridges with other human beings. We all have different experiences, ideas, cultures, and beliefs. It's these differences that create the quilt we call human existence. However, these nuances in the human equation can create barriers to building genuine relationships. Most of my readers know I’m a…

America is losing a generation of young black talent to gun violence — I stepped into juvenile detention to visit a student who was leaving the next day for the county jail. 18 with a murder charge looming over his future. When you work closely with troubled kids, they become like your own. You love them as you love your own children. …

Santa Clause is long gone, and Rudolph is dead — My Christmas spirit is really in the dumps this year. It's been low since my mother passed away in 2009. She was the queen of Christmas. It was her favorite Holiday. She would decorate the table with her seasonal tablecloth, new placemats, and sometimes a poinsettia. She would order cookies…

It is a silent what’s up — Recently I was driving through my neighborhood to take care of some trivial task when I noticed a young African American boy walking over the tracks. He was an average middle school student who, I assume, was walking home. …

I believe we all want to leave a legacy — Recently, I was thinking about the end, contemplating when my days on this planet are done. Now, I am not rushing to be casket sharp. I like being upright and in good health. That's a blessing. In this life, we are guaranteed a birth certificate and a death certificate. We…

A bit of politeness goes a long way; trust me — For 17 years, I've navigated the frigid temperatures of the Midwest. However, the attitudes here are just as chilly. Here folks don't wave or speak to you. They can be your neighbors and may only say something when spoken to. Occasionally, you may see neighbors hanging out, but in my…

Black actors and actresses owe her everything — Gene Roddenberry created a show in 1966 that imagined humanity as a better version of itself in the future. There was no war, poverty, money, or any of the ills that almost destroyed humankind. Instead, we made it to a more enlightened and prejudice-free existence. …