As a child growing up, I remember, like most children, how badly I wanted to be a superstar. There were days I spent hours writing songs, singing, rehearsing lines from movies I had written and a whole host of other things to prepare me for fame. Although I ultimately took another path in life, I have thought a lot lately about my desire for fame as a youth particularly in light of the death of Michael Jackson. I truly believe that sometimes God’s rejection is his protection of you but I wonder who really ever protected this man.
The truth is it took me a moment to write this post because I had so many mixed emotions. Honestly, I’ve never been a huge Michael Jackson fan, or for that fact, music fan but even Michael Jackson's death struck a chord with me not because he was an iconic genius but because of the human frailty of his life and the recognition of him as a triumphant tragic figure.
Let's be honest. all of us have been touched by Michael Jackson in one way or another. He truly is the greatest celebrity of all times but he also highlights for me the tragedy of fame and fortune as well and the necessity of surrounding yourself with people vested in your life in a world or culture of vultures. Now, don't get me wrong, Michael did benefit from the celebrity life. After all, he made lots of money probably more than any of us could ever imagine. But he also experienced more pain than any of us could ever imagine. I bet if you could ask him whether the money was worth it, you may hear a resounding no because my sense is that underneath all of the sequenced gloves, jackets, and behind the moonwalk and the plastic surgeries lay a guy who only wanted what he never had: a childhood.
Many of us underestimate the blessings of a normal childhood. But, many of us as children, no matter how challenged our childhood, were able to do things most kids do: play freely with other kids, go to movies, etc. Michael Jackson, and many child stars, are never really able to do that. They live in a bubble and no one can imagine living that life forever.
What I feel most sad about with Michael Jackson’s death is that his life was one of talent and turmoil. Here's a man who devoted his life to entertain us and share his talent around the world. He brought us great music, interesting dances, bridged the black and white divide in the music industry, solidified the music video as a novel form of art and created fashion trends. Come on, admit it. How many of us had the Michael Jackson red jacket or the sequenced glove. Ok, I know most of us won’t admit it now but we did. It was cool. It was hot. It was the style. But for all this talent, there was turmoil. He lived in a bubble and has his personal life and demons displayed publicly for the entire world to see. When most of us leave our jobs, we can go home. He couldn’t and he spent his life around a group of yes men, people who used his fame and talent to obtain wealth and a litany of lawsuits because people saw him as a deep pocket: a way to amass quick riches.
In the end, Jackson was a triumphant tragic figure. I hope in death he finds what he never did in life: true peace and serenity.
Posted below is the video to Michael Jackson’s song Childhood. In an interview, he says it was the most honest song he ever wrote and it’s his attempt to get others to understand his intricacies and what many of us termed weird behavior. I encourage you to listen to it and if you ever think fame and fortune is worth the tradeoff this video may teach you differently.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
President Barack Obama: Father-In-Chief
Happy Father's Day to all Father's out there. There are so many wonderful fathers doing a great job raising their kids and playing an active role in the lives of their children. We sometimes forget this because the role of fatherhood has in so many ways become devalued by society. But as I've learned over the last several years, there is nothing that contributes to the strength of the family and the success of our children than having fathers in the home or playing an active role in the lives of our children.
This is why I've been so impressed by President Barack Obama not in terms of his policies but in terms of his message about fatherhood and his continuous acknowledgement to the world that the greatest role he plays to date is not that of commander-in-chief but that of father-in-chief.
In acknowledgement of all the fathers out there, I want to thank you for contributing to the success of our children. But as a community we still have a ways to go to continue to help our young men understand the valuable role they play as fathers. As such, I'm reposting a speech then Sen. OBama gave on the campaign trail last year on Father's Day. The lessons espoused are truly great lessons that serve as tremendous building blocks to help strengthen our community.
Additionally, how do you think President Obama has, if at all, changed the perception of the role of black fatherhood whether in our community or on a societal basis?
This is why I've been so impressed by President Barack Obama not in terms of his policies but in terms of his message about fatherhood and his continuous acknowledgement to the world that the greatest role he plays to date is not that of commander-in-chief but that of father-in-chief.
In acknowledgement of all the fathers out there, I want to thank you for contributing to the success of our children. But as a community we still have a ways to go to continue to help our young men understand the valuable role they play as fathers. As such, I'm reposting a speech then Sen. OBama gave on the campaign trail last year on Father's Day. The lessons espoused are truly great lessons that serve as tremendous building blocks to help strengthen our community.
Additionally, how do you think President Obama has, if at all, changed the perception of the role of black fatherhood whether in our community or on a societal basis?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The "N" Word Finally Laid To Rest By A 10 Year Old
Who says our children aren't intelligent and articulate? Check out this video of a 10year old's participation in an oratorical contest for his church. A great example of the power of our youth and all their potential.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Minding Your Money: Reading Statements Are Critical
I wonder how much money the average person loses from not reading their bills, bank statements and a whole litany of other financial instruments and invoices. Over the last 2 years along, I have uncovered no less than 7 mistakes that could have amounted to me pay more than $1000 erroneously from overbillings and mistakes had I not taken the opportunity to really scrutinize my bills and financial statements. Below are just an example of a few of those mistakes.
1. Bank Statements. Believe it or not, I had a bank submit the same check twice six months apart. Because I am meticulous about reviewing my financial statements, I found it odd that a check I wrote to my nephew as a graduation present in May was clearing in November. What was more odd, I was convinced he, like any youngster, wouldn’t sit on it that long. When I reviewed my financial statements from May and June, I saw that the same check had already cleared in May. My bank did an investigation and found that too be the case and refunded me the money. However, this lesson disturbed me because I had no idea why any bank would present for payment the same check twice and it made me wonder how often this must happen. The amount of the check: $100
2. Hospital Statements. A few months ago, I received a bill from the hospital for $625 for lab work. The way the bill was written it appeared that this was the amount I owed after my insurance payment. I almost paid the bill but after a more careful review, I noticed a statement in the bill that actually referenced that I had no insurance. When I called the hospital, I learned the bill was never submitted to my insurance company because someone had failed to attach the copy of the insurance to the record although they had it in their system. Savings: $625.
3. Doctor’s Statements. Last week, I received a bill from my children’s pediatrician. In reviewing the bill, I saw the charges related to fees incurred in December and January. Once again, I almost paid the bill but then I began to think it odd that I’m just now receiving a bill for the charges. Upon calling the pediatrician, the assistant informed me that we had no outstanding bill and they hadn’t sent us a bill. Their records, in fact, showed we were all paid up. Savings: $45.
While the items above only provide a few examples, it’s important to note that this can happen with any of your bills or financial statements and I have seen this was increasing frequency over the last two years in my own situation. As such, I think the following can be of assistance in making sure you don’t overpay due to such mistakes or errors.
1. Read your bills and financial statements carefully. I know this sounds like a given but I’m amazed at how quickly many people review their bills and financial statements. Try to make sure that every item is accounted for and that every check cleared was correct. You will be surprised how often banks clear checks and deduct the wrong amount from your account (ex: I’ve had checks that I wrote for $50 once clear and $60 was removed from my account). It’s important that you do t his because you have only a limited amount of time to correct changes with respect to banks and credit card companies. Also reviewing your statements carefully, will also allow you to uncover fraudulent charges as well.
2. Keep Records for At Least Two Years Or Longer. I advocate keeping copies of your financial statements and bills for at least two years. This way you can have these records easily at hand if you need them. If I had not kept copies of my bank statements, I would have had to pay money to get another copy to show that the bank presented the same check to me twice. Because I had the records on hand, I was able to produce that information to the bank when I met with them.
3. Don’t assume. Never assume that the bills you receive whether from a doctor’s office, a hospital, a credit card company or even your gas bill is accurate. Scrutiinize it for accuracy and mistakes.
In the end, it’s important that you do a careful review of your bills and financial statements. It may take more time, but in the end you could end up saving a good deal of money from overpaying and mistakes and errors.
1. Bank Statements. Believe it or not, I had a bank submit the same check twice six months apart. Because I am meticulous about reviewing my financial statements, I found it odd that a check I wrote to my nephew as a graduation present in May was clearing in November. What was more odd, I was convinced he, like any youngster, wouldn’t sit on it that long. When I reviewed my financial statements from May and June, I saw that the same check had already cleared in May. My bank did an investigation and found that too be the case and refunded me the money. However, this lesson disturbed me because I had no idea why any bank would present for payment the same check twice and it made me wonder how often this must happen. The amount of the check: $100
2. Hospital Statements. A few months ago, I received a bill from the hospital for $625 for lab work. The way the bill was written it appeared that this was the amount I owed after my insurance payment. I almost paid the bill but after a more careful review, I noticed a statement in the bill that actually referenced that I had no insurance. When I called the hospital, I learned the bill was never submitted to my insurance company because someone had failed to attach the copy of the insurance to the record although they had it in their system. Savings: $625.
3. Doctor’s Statements. Last week, I received a bill from my children’s pediatrician. In reviewing the bill, I saw the charges related to fees incurred in December and January. Once again, I almost paid the bill but then I began to think it odd that I’m just now receiving a bill for the charges. Upon calling the pediatrician, the assistant informed me that we had no outstanding bill and they hadn’t sent us a bill. Their records, in fact, showed we were all paid up. Savings: $45.
While the items above only provide a few examples, it’s important to note that this can happen with any of your bills or financial statements and I have seen this was increasing frequency over the last two years in my own situation. As such, I think the following can be of assistance in making sure you don’t overpay due to such mistakes or errors.
1. Read your bills and financial statements carefully. I know this sounds like a given but I’m amazed at how quickly many people review their bills and financial statements. Try to make sure that every item is accounted for and that every check cleared was correct. You will be surprised how often banks clear checks and deduct the wrong amount from your account (ex: I’ve had checks that I wrote for $50 once clear and $60 was removed from my account). It’s important that you do t his because you have only a limited amount of time to correct changes with respect to banks and credit card companies. Also reviewing your statements carefully, will also allow you to uncover fraudulent charges as well.
2. Keep Records for At Least Two Years Or Longer. I advocate keeping copies of your financial statements and bills for at least two years. This way you can have these records easily at hand if you need them. If I had not kept copies of my bank statements, I would have had to pay money to get another copy to show that the bank presented the same check to me twice. Because I had the records on hand, I was able to produce that information to the bank when I met with them.
3. Don’t assume. Never assume that the bills you receive whether from a doctor’s office, a hospital, a credit card company or even your gas bill is accurate. Scrutiinize it for accuracy and mistakes.
In the end, it’s important that you do a careful review of your bills and financial statements. It may take more time, but in the end you could end up saving a good deal of money from overpaying and mistakes and errors.
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