Open Letter to President Biden

Dear President Biden, 

As I’m sure you’re aware West Point, NY was the epicenter of a horrific storm on 09 July 2023. What you might not be aware of is West Point is actually part of a larger town, The Town of Highlands. The Town of Highlands is comprised of the Village of Highland Falls and Hamlet of Fort Montgomery, Bear Mountain State Park and the aforementioned West Point.

It was raining hard, but lately it’s been raining hard so we thought nothing of it. As the first upgrade of our newly purchased home, last summer we put in a new driveway and drain to control any incoming water to be safe. When you live in a Town named Highlands, you try to be prepared. I checked the drain at least 3 or 4 times over the course of an hour to see how it was holding up. It was doing a great job funneling the water away from my attached garage. But then in what seemed like an instant everything changed. The water started gushing into the driveway, the storm drains were suddenly overwhelmed and my new drain was no match. Water gushed through my driveway, into my backyard and started finding it’s way into my garage. I grabbed the flood barriers I had purchased and strategically put them in in back of the closed garage door but it was too late. Before I knew it, the water was ankle deep. I quickly went inside and we grabbed every blanket and towel we owned to put it in front of the door to the living space. It worked pretty well keeping that at bay but a new problem arose. The water was about to flood my fiancé’s large SUV. I hurried into the knee deep water to move the car to higher ground just in time. Crisis averted. At least for us. We were now at a standstill and in all of the commotion the power had gone out. So I did what every red blooded American would do when you can’t do anything else. I looked at my phone. The ordeal we had just gone through was quickly put into perspective when I saw what the rest of my town was going through. Absolute destruction. Cars being swept away, houses being displaced. Buildings decimated. People lost homes and even worse, one lost a life. We mourn for her death, we mourn for our town. Anyone who loves this town will never be the same.

What I have seen since that day could not make me more proud. Volunteers helping others by providing food, shelter, and water. Facebook pleas for help being answered within minutes. People taking displaced individuals into their homes. It shows the community that we have, it shows the heart and perseverance that is engrained into our citizens. It shows why we were once nicknamed “Hometown, USA.” Our town came together to help each other, but we need more help.

I personally work in West Point for the United States Military Academy. I’ve worked on West Point for 26 out of my 40 years of life. My story is not rare, it’s the story of many in our town. I’m pretty sure 8 out of 10 people I know from the Town of Highlands have worked on West Point at some point in their lives. So, it’s ironic that I'm trying to appeal to the government when the truth is...we ARE the government. Over the years we work on West Point and live in “The Gateway to West Point”, we watch cadets turn into officers. We watch officers move up the ranks. And inevitably, we watch them all leave West Point behind. Such is the life of a soldier. Yet we remain. We are the glue of the preeminent leader development institution in the world. In some way, people like us are the glue of our country. But right now, our community needs our country to be OUR glue. We need our country to put us back together, to make us whole again. This is why I ask, please approve FEMA funding for our residents. Basic homeowners insurance is not going to cover it. I have already been denied, as have countless others, so we…need…help. Mr. President, Hometown, USA needs your help.

                Sincerely,
                                Bryan Fox

Ready to Meet Him

redentertainment.com

The date is May 11, 1998. Like most Mondays, a 15 year old boy and his friends walk into the local music shop on the way home from school. You see back in the day new albums came out on Tuesdays, but at Uncle Phil's, release date was Mondays. "Can I get the new X album?" "Yeah, it's right here. It's got a bonus disc with some Def Jam shit on it." The boy hands over a 20 and gets 5 back. No coins, no tax, that’s just how he rolled. "See ya next week" And there my love for DMX began.

I don’t know what it is about sad moments these days, but all I want to do is write and get my feelings on paper (err…on screen). If you’re reading this, there is a good chance you too are mourning the loss of a man that was so troubled, yet so endearing at the same time. X hit the scene just as I was coming of age. These are especially influential times in a person’s life and DMX played a huge role in mine. In 1996, when 2Pac died, a void was created inside myself, and HipHop in general. Biggie died the following year and rappers seemed to be an endangered species. Enter DMX. From the moment we heard his verse on LL Cool J’s 4,3,2,1, it was clear that this man was special. His seemingly limitless energy was contagious. You couldn’t help but get caught up in the whirlwind, reciting lyrics with an enthusiasm that you never felt before. You couldn’t passively listen to X, he wouldn’t let you. You know the feeling. First you’re nodding your head, next thing you know, you’re literally barking like a dog. Not in a silly way, but in a relentlessly carefree manner. The music brought something out of you that you never knew was there. That was his gift; he had the uncanny ability to transmit his energy right through your body.

 Independent.co.uk

Unlike the slow buildup of the greatest Intro in the history of rap on It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, his impact in the culture felt sudden. I know he had worked his ass off for years before he hit mainstream, but he seemingly came out of nowhere and had an effect nobody had had before, or since. I would argue, no rapper in history has debuted and had such a large impact in such a short period of time. His first appearance on a major song was the aforementioned 4,3,2,1 feature in December of 1997; and by December of 1998 when he released his second platinum album in seven months, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,  he owned HipHop. DMX was the first rapper to have his debut and sophomore albums release at No. 1 in the same year. While he had an immediate impact, it was not short lived as he was also the first rapper to have his first five albums debut at No. 1. His influence was immeasurable.

One of the most beautiful things about music is it allows you relive memories. As my boy Sam Ballah and I discussed, those first two albums will always bring us back to the layup lines before a basketball game. You best believe the energy of DMX was an effective pre-game hype soundtrack. I remember on December 21, 1999 Christmas came early when …And Then There Was X was released the very same day as 2Pac + Outlawz – Still I Rise; my personal favorite day in HipHop history. I can still almost sense the feeling I had a few weeks later when I initially got bass in my trunk and the first song I played was X’s What's My Name. With my back window shaking in the rearview mirror, I sat in that West Haverstraw parking lot rapping along with an intensity that can only be accomplished while listening to Dark Man X. I can remember through a sun and “milk and cookies” induced haze, finally seeing DMX live at the Rock The Bells festival. He was the headliner of numerous legends that night…and he killed. And then further down the line, I reminisce speeding down the highway rapping Get At Me Dog with my later-to-be fiancé Khalilah. And believe it or not, that was the moment I knew she was the one.

therooflesschurch.com

I could write forever about his accomplishments, I didn't even mention the acting. I could talk about how his songs will always be a staple at sporting events. Or I could delve into his extremely difficult childhood and the demons that haunted him into his adult life. I could talk about how he had an amazing knack of showing vulnerability without being soft. About how there was a prayer on every single album that showed a depth we rarely get to see from rappers. But you have the music for that and if you’re interested I highly recommend E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX. Maya Angelou once said “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Thank you Earl Simmons, may you finally be at peace.

Shout out to the Sources:
Cleveland.com
DailyRapFacts.com  
Forbes.com
Wikipedia.org

Out-Rage

Trump on February 5 to Fox News: “This thing’s (COVID-19) going away. It will go away like things go away”

Trump on February 7 to Bob Woodward: “You just breathe the air and that’s how it’s passed. And so that’s a very tricky one. That’s a very delicate one. It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flus. This is deadly stuff.” 

Trump on March 19 to Bob Woodward: “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down,because I don’t want to create a panic.”

Cue the justified outrage at President Trump. Trump lied. Ya don’t say?!?!?! Of course he lied, that’s what he does. Is there anyone on either side of the aisle that is truly shocked by the fact that Trump lied? I’m not sure why we expect any more of this man at this point. I must admit, the desire to prevent panic is the most presidential statement I have ever heard from Mr. Trump. And let’s be completely honest, there is absolutely no way that Donald Trump has the capacity to speak candidly on any subject, much less about the biggest public health crisis in our lifetime and create ANY sense of reassurance. His entire platform is based on hyperbole and inciting extreme reactions. 

However, if behind closed doors he knew this was a serious problem, why did he do nothing? That’s the egregious issue here. Not that he downplayed it with words, but that he downplayed it with actions. He could have minimized the issue verbally and still taken preventative actions to mitigate the spread. Why did he continue to have rallies where mask wearing was optional? Why did he encourage people to ‘LIBERATE’ their states knowing the social distancing measures were warranted to combat this ‘deadly stuff’? He knew how contagious and deadly this virus was and instead of lessening the impact, he actively exacerbated it. 

 “Woodward said he believes his highest purpose isn’t to write daily stories but to give his readers the big picture — one that may have a greater effect, especially with a consequential election looming.”  

The outrage at Trump should be universal, but I was also going to join others and go in on Bob Woodward for withholding this information when lives were at stake. However, the more I read his rationalizations on saving the information the more my mind slowly changed. Now, it is possible that public pressure from this information could have forced Mr. Trump’s hand to put actions in place, but is it likely? Does Donald Trump strike you as the type to cave to public pressure or is he the type to double down on his convictions regardless of consequence or merit? If attacked, Mr. Trump rarely acts rationally and he doesn’t change his mind, he instead aims to change your reality. Fact is, we have no idea how Mr. Trump would have reacted, and his followers have shown us they will go along with anything. Mr. Woodward’s initial goal was to do a series of on-the-record interviews and write a book to present an overall picture of the Trump presidency before the election. He has said if the book release date had been after the election saving this information would have been “unthinkable.” I initially planned to argue that there is no higher purpose or greater effect than saving lives, but we cannot be certain it would have made any difference. If Mr. Woodward had gone public, Mr. Trump most likely cuts off communication and the book to paint the picture of the presidency is never written. We don’t get Trump’s true views on race, on the military, or on his relationship with foreign leaders. There is so much more information that would have stayed in the shadows.

While we will never know the impact Mr. Woodward’s interviews could have had in the early stages of the pandemic, we do know that in times of crisis, journalism is not the key, leadership is. Mr. Trump’s response to the pandemic has been irresponsible, but these new revelations make his response downright reprehensible. Make no mistake, his inaction was not because he didn’t believe COVID was a threat, it’s because he doesn’t care. It’s because, as he so eloquently said, “It is what it is.”

Sources:

NYTimes.com

USAToday.com

WashingtonPost.com

SPEAK Up...AND Dribble?

On March 11, 2020 Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID and NBA suspended the season. The following day my alma mater St. John’s was leading #7 Creighton at the half when they went into the locker room. They never came out. On that day, all American sports shut down. It shocked the country; It shocked the world. Life as we know it really has never been the same. On May 25, 2020 George Floyd was pinned face down by police for 8 Minutes and 46 seconds resulting in his death in Minneapolis, Minnesota and widespread protests ensued. Countless black people have been murdered by police, but this time it felt different. This time it felt like there was real momentum for change and progress. Fast Forward to July 31. The NBA returned, in a “bubble” in Disney World to limit exposure to COVID. It was great to have sports back. Part of our lives became quasi-normal again. Then on August 23 Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times by police officers while leaning into his car in Kenosha, Wisconsin as three of his children sat in back. He is currently paralyzed from the waist down. An overwhelming reminder that any momentum we had for change would be a Marathon, rather than a sprint (we still see you Nipsey). On August 27, the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their playoff game against the Orlando Magic and all NBA games were suspended. Other sports followed suit, again the world is in shock. Later on, we find that in an informal poll the LA Lakers and Clippers both voted to discontinue the season. I think that would be a mistake….

Let me preface this; I will support the players in any decision they choose to protest injustice. There is more than one way to fight inequality* and we should never discourage anyone from following the method they choose. However, I believe this is a unique opportunity. The bubble is the only chance for the NBA season to continue so if you leave the bubble, that's it, the season is over. The NBA being active has given the players, and the league for that matter, a voice that didn’t really exist before. Prior to entering the bubble numerous players were out joining, and in some instances, leading protests. Truth of the matter is, I didn’t really know this until the league returned and the NBA helped deliver that information. I’m sure I am not the only one who was ignorant to the players’ efforts. Slogans of equality were on the back of the jerseys, the court reads Black Lives Matter. We are seeing these messages every single night. The bubble is the biggest megaphone the players will ever have. If they leave now, they are just another protester on the street. I’m not saying that’s not a noble or worthy cause, but the opportunity to do more is right there in Orlando. In the bubble, they have leverage. Americans love their sports and the NBA has given us a taste of that normalcy we had been craving and we're clamoring to watch the playoffs. This is the perfect opportunity to invoke real change. No march will be as widely seen as where the NBA is right now. Get on Zoom calls with team owners, civil rights and social justice advocates. Be the experts’ microphone and work WITH them to come up with a list of demands and give a realistic timetable. Let the bubble be the pulpit. Use the team owners’ power and political influence to enact those petitions. If the requests are not being taken seriously, players can always boycott again because they wouldn’t have given up the leverage they have right now. The deeper we get into the playoffs, the stronger that leverage becomes. If the game schedule interferes with meetings, then work with the NBA to adjust the schedule. If the NBA relents, THEN leave. If players leave now it sends a very powerful message, but then what? Did anything really change? If players leave now, they leave without having demanded any specific changes. Asking for “change” only goes so far, we need substance. Hearts and minds of those who don’t “get it” will be a much longer struggle, but systematic legislative change can happen immediately. If efforts come up empty, the option for players to leave is still there in a month and might even have a greater impact than if they left now. They would have at least attempted to use the influence they have and at the very least would have exposed to the world the ugly truth that outside of changing the name of syrup and rice, the powers that be don’t actually aspire for progress. Players have the power right here and right now…so use it.

*A2D’s Sam Ballah inspired that line.

Edit: Source tells ESPN's Adrian Wojnrowski that the players have decided to resume the playoffs

Image from SBNation by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images 

Dear Kobe

Dear Kobe,

From the moment I saw you with the sunglasses on your forehead joking about taking your talent to the NBA, I could tell you were going to be something special. A little later you took Brandy to your high school prom. You were a star before anyone knew you.

ABC30.com

It wasn't really arrogance, but it was more than confidence. It was faith. Faith in yourself. Faith in your will being deeper and stronger than everyone else. Faith that you would get where you wanted to be simply because you wanted to be there. Outside distractions, outside influences would not be an impediment. You never hid your intelligence or thirst for knowledge but you did it with a bravado and edge that we had never seen before. While Allen Iverson was always loved for keeping it real because of the hard life he had come from, you were able to keep it real in a different way, but no less...real.

The Presumption

“Innocent until proven guilty.” It’s a concept we learn at a very young age. Maybe as young as when we learned about the freedom of speech. If you’re like me, you’ve probably even jokingly used the phrase when being reprimanded by parents or teachers. It’s ingrained in us as Americans. But the term does not apply to the system of bail. In reality, the bail system is “guilty until proven innocent…unless you have enough money.”

Open Letter to the (Rational) Trump Supporter

Dear (Rational) Trump Supporter,

First and foremost, congratulations. For the fifth time in history, the electoral college Trumped (pun intended) the popular vote and your candidate has become the president-elect of the United States. For you, I know this is a triumphant day to beat the democrats and especially to beat the woman that you think is oh so evil.

Taking a Stand, By Taking a Seat

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." 
-Colin Kaepernick, NFL Quarterback

The words were strong, the actions were stronger. As with every sporting event, the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers game this past Friday night was preceded by a rendition of our National Anthem. As is custom, all of the athletes, coaches, and fans stood on their feet, removed their caps, and listened, hummed, or even sang along with the Star Spangled Banner. However, there was one person whose absence from standing was conspicuously noted, the 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. And that's when things got real.

Sick and Tired

• I'm sick of seeing innocent black men die. I'm sick of seeing innocent police officers die. I'm sick of these deaths not surprising me. I'm sick of people only seeming to care if the victim is on their "side." I'm sick that people think there are actually...sides.
• I'm tired of people saying we live in a post-racial world. What does that even mean? Yanno when we'll actually be in a post racial world? When everybody looks like Jesse Williams. We don't have to deny race to rid ourselves of racism. We just have to accept and embrace each others differences while realizing we have more in common than not.
• I'm sick of people blaming Barack Obama for race baiting. Really, are you serious? I'm sick of others saying Obama doesn't do enough for race relations. Do you realize the impossible position he is in? As he has said many times, he can't just be the black president, he has to be the President of the entire United States.
• I’m tired of people saying "comply with police officers and everything will be alright." If you’re reading this, you probably know me and know that I am a whiteboy. I’ve been pulled over numerous times in my driving life and while watching the officer approach my vehicle I’ve never once thought ‘Am I going to die today?’ It's not that way for everybody, but that's the way it SHOULD be.
• I'm sick of people stating on social media, "if you don't agree with what I have to say, then unfollow me." No, that's counterproductive; if you don't like what I have to say then engage me in a conversation. Maybe we can find some common ground and move forward, together.
• I'm tired of people thinking Pro-Black means Anti-White. I'm tired of people thinking Anti-Police Brutality means Anti-Police. I don't know about you, but I definitely have the capacity to see and understand the nuances involved. 

Cup O' Fiz 09/25/15

***Spoiler Alert***

If you watch either Blackish or Empire and have not watched last night's episode, read no further.

Last night two shows that have become part of my rotation debuted for their second seasons. These days I rarely watch shows on the day they air due to my trusty DVR. However, after one trip to Facebook around 9:05, it became quite apparent that I would not be able to go on social media without first having seen Empire. Some shows are just like that, you better watch ASAP or it will undoubtedly be ruined...So I watched.