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 26th, 2004 __________________________________________________________________________________ The Track Bison are Heatin’ it Up "The group is hungry," Head Coach Michael Merritt simply stated.  It's been a little over a month since MEAC Championships left a few of the Bison with a bad taste in their mouth.  The 60 hurdles left David Oliver Nicholas Wright and Bianca Roberts with brushed egos. There were just a few of the stumbles and stutters, but as Coach Merritt explained, it's part of the sports, falls and trip-ups. When it rains it pours and it wasn't the men's luck." Despite fin...

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 12th, 2004 __________________________________________________________________________________ Joker, Joker, Deuce, Ace Have you ever taken time to sit and watch EPSN's broadcast of The World Series of Poker? Well I have and I say damn... I thought watching a golf tournament without Tiger was boring. How wrong I was.  I don't play poker, better  yet,  I think gambling is an addiction. Anything that you have no self-control over and makes you lose sight of reality is unhealthy. For the record, Sony's Black Box is not an addiction. Ask any male; it's a healthy way to pass away the hours o...

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 5th, 2004 __________________________________________________________________________________ Take it Down a Notch Alright, everybody just calm down for a minute, take a deep breath and relax.   Woo-Saa...   You feel better? Because y'all are starting to piss me off.    This criticism about The Passion of The Christ is getting out of hand. I saw the movie; as a matter of fact, once I come across another 9 dollars and an quarter, I am going to see it again. But what I won't do is turn this column into a Biblical debate. For one, this is the sports section and two, I am a little asha...

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 5th, 2004 __________________________________________________________________________________ This Time It’s Not a Game: The In-Depth History of GameTyme My cousin had just moved here from North Carolina and I helped him get a job  at  a Popeye's in Silver Spring, MD; We were living on Kenilworth Avenue at  the  time. I had to pick him up late one evening and had no money (my cousin  had  a couple of dollars for gas) and no one to call on for help at that  time . I said a prayer and stepped out on faith to pick him up from work.  I was no less than a mile and a ...