Fruit for Thought: the Intersection of Education, Culture, and Performance

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 13th, 2002 __________________________________________________________________________________ Black Men Allowed: The Barbershop’s Traditional Role in the Black Community "… is  the final spin of the chair…    a  reflection of a reflection…   that  sting of wintergreen tonic   on  the neck of a sleeping snow haired man…   when  you realize it is your turn…   you  are next"   --Kevin Young   Eddie Priest's Barbershop & Notery... (Closed Mondays)   Directly across the street from the School of Business, marked with the un...

Before my current writing life, there was  The Hilltop ,  Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form. From The Hilltop Archives Originally published in   The Hilltop , Howard University — September 13th, 2002 __________________________________________________________________________________ When Shoeboating Goes Overboard This everyday phenomenon is occurring in inner cities around the country: children picking up basketballs, bats or tennis racquets trying to emulate their favorite athletes whether on basketball courts wanting to be like Mike, or on a court not traditionally dominated by black athletes in hopes of one day being the next Venus or Serena Williams.    Television plays a major role in shaping our children's perception of the appropriate behavior while participating i...