Tag Archives: African-American

A Different Kind of Father’s Day Gift

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I recently experienced chest pains and freaked out…

Freaked out because I don’t get sick.

Really.

The last cold I had was 2 years ago and I was “on the mend” within in 48 hours of the onset.

More important than that, I am afraid of the doctor.

There, I said it.

The even more shocking news is that I am not alone.

For all of our bravado and machismo, the majority of men would prefer to suffer in silence and/or simply ignore a medical ailment than face it and make the trek to the doctor’s office.

Fact. African-American men among all racial groups are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer at an advanced stage – moreover they are more likely to die from prostate cancer.

Fact. Diabetes is 60% more common in African-American men that in White men, and, get this, limb amputation is higher in African-Americans men than any other group.

Fact. African-American Men have higher cancer death rates than Whites.

Diabetes. Sickle Cell Anemia. HIV. Alzheimer’s Disease. High Blood Pressure. Stroke and Depression. While these diseases are color blind and affect everyone, there is a higher incidence among African-American men.

My dad survived prostate cancer and cardiac disease.

His prognosis for both was dramatically positive.

This was, in part, due to early intervention and a willingness to seek the appropriate medical attention.

Father’s Day is just around the corner.

Whether you are a mother, grandmother, father, grandfather, uncle, aunt, wife, daughter, son or simply a caring friend, encourage all of the men in your life to make the trip to the doctor’s office for a physical exam. If he is reticent or unwilling, threaten him. That is the course of action that got me to the seek treatment.

If “he” is 45+ years old, a PSA Blood test is strongly suggested too.

Much more than a tie, bottle of wine or a subscription to Netflix, the gift of love is one that can only be measured through actions that demonstrate what is most important.

"The Black Boogie Man Shot Me," said the cop

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If one “happened” to be a Black male in West Philadelphia in the early morning hours on April 5th, there is a good chance that “they” were pulled over and questioned.

Police Sgt. Robert Ralston claimed to have been shot by “a Black man with corn rows.”

He later admitted that the gun shot wound was self-inflicted and that the story was a lie.

This brought to mind two separate cases, both from the early 1990’s with eerily similar circumstances…

In Boston, Charles Stuart murdered his seven-months-pregnant wife, but told authorities and the media that the culprit was “a raspy voiced Black man.”

What followed was a “Black manhunt,” producing an alleged suspect, Willie Bennett. Mr. Bennett was singled out by Stuart from a police lineup.

In an effort to give his story credibility, Stuart, too, had a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

Stuart ultimately killed himself, jumping off of a bridge.

The other case involved Susan Smith, the former University of South Carolina Union student who murdered her two sons.

She claimed that a Black man stole her car and kidnapped her kids.

Susan Smith later claimed that mental health issues impaired her judgement.
Smith is currently serving time and will be eligible for parole in the Fall of 2024.

Clearly, all three cases fuel negative and damaging assumptions about race.
The initiation of searches and hunts for the Black Boogie Men do nothing more than raise the bar on racial discord, mistrust and suspicion.

For the full Ralston article click – here

A Pioneer Passed Away. A Work Ethic Passed Along.

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I first heard of Mr. Llewellyn in the late eighties through my mom.

At that time, she handled government and public relations for the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

I recall being impressed not only by the fact that a Black man was the owner of major beverage bottler, but also by the fact that, during this period, the company was touted as being the fourth largest Black-owned business in the country.

Over time, I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Llewellyn speak publicly. One of the many things that he would often speak of is the work ethic his father passed along.

It struck a chord with me then and continues to resonate and have a place in the manner in which I approach my own career and work ethic.

I was saddened to learn that this great Black pioneer and trailblazer had passed away, but pleased that his obituary in the New York Times made mention of what impressed me about J. Bruce Llewellyn many years ago.

 

“Throughout his life, Mr. Llewellyn repeated his father’s dictum that blacks must work twice as hard as whites to achieve half as much.”

click here to read the full obituary.

Cooking with Grease – 14 Suggestions

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In his book, Kitchen Confidential – Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, Anthony Bourdain, the chef and host of the Travel Channel show, No Reservations, serves up lots of advice.

Okay, admittedly most of his advice deals with the restaurant business, culinary insights and food preparation.
However, in one of the book’s final chapters, “So You Want to Be a Chef – A Commencement Address,” Bourdain shares fourteen suggestions to prepare for and guide a life in the restaurant business.

I found these suggestions to have varying degrees of applicability to life, regardless of one’s profession and thus decided to share them.

1. Be Fully Committed
“Be ready to lead, follow or get out of the way.”

Mediocrity is equal to achieving a failing grade. If one is going to “phone it in” or simply get by on the strength and commitment of their co-workers, they are guilty of cheating. Cheating themselves and cheating the team.

2. Learn Spanish!
“It will be personally rewarding and professionally invaluable.”

Latinos are the fastest growing population in this country. One needs no more rationale or reasoning to emerge oneself into this diverse and rapidly emerging culture.

Suggestions 3 – 6 take on a special significance for me. As an African-American male having worked in professional environments where I was often-times a minority, I have found that there are certain (negative) stereotypes that some associate with African-Americans. I suspect that these stereotypical viewpoints are the product of limited experience or ignorance. Regardless of the reason, I take pride in exceeding other’s expectations of me and my professional capabilities.

3. Don’t Steal
“In fact, don’t do anything you couldn’t take a polygraph test over.”

4. Always Be On Time

5. Never Make Excuses or Blame Others

6. Never Call In Sick

7. Lazy, Sloppy and Slow are Bad
“Enterprising, crafty and hyperactive are good.”

One’s appearance, level of productivity and output are a direct reflection of the individual.
Again, carrying my own personal baggage, I find it rewarding to exceed expectations and “set the bar” high. It sets a standard of excellence for my peers and, more importantly, those who will eventually follow in my footsteps.

8. Be Prepared To Witness Every Human Folly and Injustice

To my thinking this is simply a confirmation that we are all bound to encounter things that will surprise, and in some cases, frustrate us in the workplace. The true test is how we choose to deal with the situation.

9. Assume The Worst
“About Everybody. But don’t let this poisoned outlook affect your job performance. Let it roll off your back.”
Okay, the last part is often easier said than done, but…Bourdain goes on to say, “Just because someone you work with is a miserable, treacherous, self-serving, capricious asshole shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying his company, working with him or finding him entertaining.”

What more can I say? Really?

10. Try Not To Lie
“Don’t lie about it. You made a mistake. Admit it and move on.”

Again, enough said!

11. Avoid Restaurants Where the Owner’s Name is Over the Door.+

Everything doesn’t have direct applicability, but my take on this is is that one should avoid people who live in a self-absorbed bubble.

12. Think About That Resume
“How will it look…if you’ve never worked in one place longer than six months? If the years ’95 to ’97 are unaccounted for? Under ‘Reasons for Leaving Last Job,’ never give the real reason, unless it’s money or ambition.”

Your resume is a snapshot of who you are, what you have done and what you can offer.

13. Read!

Bourdain encourages people to read cookbooks. I place no parameters on what an individual reads, I just think that people should read…more and with greater frequency.
Books, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and package labels. Reading enlightens us and broadens our perspectives and world view.

14. Have A Sense of Humor About Things.
“You’ll need it.”

To quote a philosopher (Ludwig Wittgenstein) –

“Humor is not a mood, but a way of looking at the world.”

Good Hair

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On February 25, 2009 I sent an email that contained the following text to friends, clients and co-workers.

It also included the link below.

A co-worker recently asked me,
“What is with your obsession with hair, barber shops and beauty parlors?”

Obsession? No.
Fascination? Yes!

The answer is steeped in both African-American cultural and marketing identity.
Did any of you, outside of Carol Sagers, know that the Black-hair industry is a $9 billion business?

That is $9 billion with a “b!”

I recently had the opportunity to view a new (not-yet-released) documentary from Chris Rock called “Good Hair.”

This term is all too familiar to African-Americans and, in the hands of Rock, one can well imagine what he reveals on the subject…with both humor, informative insight and candid style.

From frank discussions about relaxer (“creamy crack”), the Bronner Brothers Hair Show and their “Hair Battle Royale,” weaves, jheri curls, wigs and finger waves, “Good Hair” explores the financial ramifications of an industry that is fueled by African-Americans.

I walked away from the film further convinced that, even in the midst of economic challenges, (and in some cases, hardship), African-Americans buy what they want…all marketers have to do is provide them with compelling reasons to select their brand and/or product.

On February 23 “Good Hair” was released on DVD.
…and the Black Hair care industry is still a $9 billion (and growing!!) business.