have u done ur summer reading?

jj blogging...

ok, so i know i just did the post about Souled Out? yesterdaybut its so relevant right now that i gotta talk about it...

in the book, shaun powell talks about michael jordan being a "slave to the swoosh". looks like ur boy lebron is following in his footsteps and reliving this at the 2008 olympics. dont get me wrong, every athlete wants to be sucessful off the field and be sought after for endorsements and sponsorships, but at what cost? i should prob shut up, bc i could only hope to reach jordan and james status 1 day, but how much of jj will i have 2 leave behind to do it?

yall really need to read this book.

may i make a recommendation...

jj blogging...

if you missed the reference i made about the '68 olympics or are as concerned as i am about black athletes in america, please check out the book Souled Out? by Shaun Powell.

i was so intriqued that i emailed the author. that was about 6 months ago and still no response, but its all good...

anyways, if u have read it, leave a comment. i would like to discuss it.

what in the "jim crow" hell is goin on in china???

jj blogging...

ok, i'll admit that i have only heard a little bit about this, so please feel free to comment and correct me if i'm wrong...

the 2008 summer olympics are in beijing and supossedly local business are refusing to serve black athletes and fans that will be in town for the festivities. **blank stare**

there are so many things wrong wit this situation, the first being the obvious racial discrimination (again, not sure if the story is true. imma try and find the article that i heard referenced and post that info. i am by no definition a journalist, but i want to provide facts and information, not just my opinion).

i always thought asian people both overseas and in the states were really into the hip hop culture, so how could they not like black people? and if its one situation that black people are the most accepted i would think that its sports and thats why i'm confused.

u will see this topic as an ongoing post because i have got to do research and find out more information about this. if it is true, i am especially interested in what black olympians have to say about this. i know many black athletes do not have the mindset that tommie smith and john carlos had back in mexico city in '68 (<-- and if you dont know what this is about, google it) but someone has got to speak out against this.

slight change of plans

ok, so originally the plan was to use this blog to talk about primarily my aspiring football career and also just comment on being black in sports and in america but its starting to take on a life of its own. so, what i have decided to do is to dedicate a separate blog to each discussion.

i'm still working on the title and layout for the new blog and will give you details as it materializes. for now, i will still distinquish my post as "jase blogging" and "jj blogging".

thanks for all the love and support i've been receiving. i hope that you will follow the new blog as well and def feel free to invite a friend.

in response to your comment...

tam wrote:

"The question that I have for you jj is do you think that black america will EXPECT Obama to be our Moses and help the black community with its struggle, i.e. black on black crime, single parent home, fatherless children, etc?"

jase blogging...

this is a great question that i have debated with friends many times and my short answer is yes, i think that black america will definitely expect President Obama to completely rehab the black community. its interesting that you mentioned Moses because i also feel as though that if he does anything short of perorming a miracle in terms of fixing the problems of the black community, american society will be extremely critical and judge him harshly. if the high school drop out rate, unemployment rate, and gas prices dont drop dramatically within in months of him being elected, i think that people will not only question the competency and motives of Obama, but they will also question the leadership ability of blacks in general.

i think that black america has made positive strides in many fields and that america has moved in a positive direction as far as embracing equality, but i still think that blacks are judege more harshly and have to overachieve before their achievements are recognized.

thanks for the question. i started this blog because i wanted to start a dialouge so feel free to hit me up anytime and i will do my best to post a response in a timely manner.

random thought...

jase blogging...

the democratic national convention is coming up and before you know it, it will be time to vote for our next president. what if obama wins? dont get me wrong, i want him to win, but i question if i'm ready for the changes that will bring.

honestly, i think we still live in a society that sees black men in a very narrow scope (just ask CNN, lol). but, if obama wins what will society expect from me? will it expect me to stop playing football because it is the stereotypical route for black males to find their way out of the hood? or will it take away affirmative action? if a black man made it to the white house, do i really need help getting into college or corporate america?

so far, what society thinks of me (or black men in general) has not turned me away from following my dream... just something to think about

black in america

jase blogging...

did u guys catch part 1 on the CNN special "black in america" last night? judging by facebook statuses and IM away messages, many of you did. for those who didn't, i'll give a little recap:

part 1 focused on black women and the black family. some of the topics addressed were single-parent homes, the alarming rate at which black women are contracting HIV, and the decision of successful, black women to date outside of their race because there arent enough black men on their level (which is sad to hear as a black man trying to succeed in life, but at the same time i guess its understandable because we've always explored options with other races with no regard to the effects it has on our community).

tonight is part 2 of the 2 part special and the focus is on the black man. i've seen a couple of commercials and can guess what some of the main topics will be:

• criminal activity and the judicial system
• hip hop culture
• "down-low" homosexuality (which will be directly related to the fact that so many black men experience it in jail and dont know how to deal with it once they're out)

many ppl in black communities and the american society as a whole believe that rap music and sports are 2 of the only options for black men to rise above their surroundings and be successful in life and i cant wait to see how CNN will address this. as an inspiring athlete, i have mixed emotions about this. on one hand i agree because i have seen ppl that come from humble beginnings use these forms of entertainment to gain money, power, and respect in a society that isnt always accommodating to our type. but, at the same time, i believe that ppl think that if thats the path you choose, its because you're not good at anything else. like by default, because i am atletically inclined, i'm not smart and there's no way i'd ever make it in corporate america.

while i may be grindin toward one particular aspiration, please believe i have a plan b, plan c, and many other options in life that dont include a jail cell or early grave.

i cant wait to see how mainstream media has typecast me this time...