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 — March 28th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ When All Hales Broke Loose The beauty of sports is that no team stays on top forever.   The leaders of the pack are supposed to fall every once in a while. That's what keeps the underdogs motivated - knowing  they  could be the  David  that slays the mighty Goliath.   And for Hales Franciscan, a Catholic high school on Chicago's South Side, the sleeping giant woke up.   While most of the nation was focused on the NCAA tournament, the drama that is the Illinois High School A...

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 — March 28th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ Time Management March Madness and Spring Break in the same week; it doesn't get any better.   Well, actually, I can think of one thing that could top the first two rounds of non-stop NCAA basketball, which is, of course, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Tournament.   The same weekend the NCAA tournament commenced, the IHSA state basketball tournament began. NCAA basketball had to take the back burner because my high school made it down state.   I had to support them.   I ...

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 — March 7th, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ When Silence is Too Loud Given the stage that athletes perform on, they are expected to maintain the status quo regardless of person beliefs. However, there are those who exploit the system and use their position to promote change.    Craig Hodges is a political activist who had a wicked jump shot. After the Bulls won their first championship in 1991, Hodges used the team's visit to the White House to make a statement.    Hodges went against the norm and wore a dashiki while his teammates ...

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 — March 3rd, 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________ The Propaganda Might be Televised The smell of war is in the air. So where does that leave the sporting world? Try: up the creek without a paddle.    If this war does happen, the U.S. attacking Iraq, that is, and if the networks, mainly CBS, decide to continue with complete coverage of events, the NCAA Tournament will be moved to another station.   All 64-plus games will not be broadcast on CBS, but one of its sister networks. CBS is owned by Viacom, and under their discretion, they can choose ...