DR. KING A DREAM MAKER 1963 / BARACK OBAMA A DREAMER 2008

Dr. King delivers his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech

On Thursday August 28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado Barack Obama before 85,000+ and millions more watching by television throughout America accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for the President of the United States of America. The nomination makes him the first black man ever nominated to lead a major party in its bid for the White House.

There are times in our life where certain events take place and you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing. Forty-five years ago on August 28, 1963 I was headed to downtown Washington, DC with several of my college friends from Winston-Salem State University. Barney Hood my roommate and teammate from Decatur, III wanted to be here for the March on Washington so bad he convinced a friend to put an airline ticket on her credit card. New York City and Winston-Salem basketball legends, Jack Defares and Carl Green drove in from the “Big Apple.”

We all met at Ben’s Chilli Bowl on U Street NW (recently celebrated 50 years in business). We then walked to the famous Florida Ave. Grill another DC eatery landmark for breakfast. It seemed like everyone had the same idea, when we arrived every seat was taken. I had an inside connection, a waitress by the name of Mae. If you wanted to be seated in a booth you had to wait your turn in line but if you sat at the counter you could be seated right away as seats became available. Today I needed a booth because I was traveling with out of town guest. Despite the long wait the home fried apples and potatoes, grits, bacon, eggs and hotcakes made everyone forget the long wait. I did not hear one complaint. It was a beautiful Saturday morning without the hot and humid weather known to the Washington community in August.

We decided to start our participation in the March by walking from the Florida Ave Grill to the mall (approximately 5 miles). We had a great time lying and signifying all the way to the Reflecting Pool on the mall. I don’t think any of us realized the significance of the March until years later, I know I didn’t. I had no clue I was just happy being with my boys.

I now look back and picture the thousands of people gathered here, back then you would have had a hard time trying to convince me there were not a Million marchers in DC that day. The official count was 250 thousand (a quarter of a million) had advanced on the mall to hear Dr. King’s now famous speech “I Have a Dream.”

Forty-five years later the benefactors of “I Have a Dream” are now on Fortune 500 Corporate Boards, Bank Presidents, Mayors, Governors, Coaches, Managers and General Mangers of sports franchises throughout the sporting world. There are too many who think they got there by themselves.

My DC family roots go back to 1893. I grew up in a housing project in NE Washington, DC. My mother was on welfare raising three boys alone, a fourth brother was being raised by my grandmother. In 1963 I was still trying to avoid going to hell in a hurry as my Brown Middle School Principal William B. Stinson had said. He predicted to my mother I would not live to get out of high school. I am glad I fooled him.

I am a benefactor of the March on Washington and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Today Thursday August 28, 2008 I have not only lived to get out of high school but through my non-profit organization Kids In Trouble, Inc. my wife Hattie and I have helped hundreds of others get out of high school and beyond. My innovated programs aimed at troubled children here in the DC metropolitan area and sports talk pioneering efforts in radio and television are now common place. They have been adopted in communities all over America. Annual community organized Christmas toy parties for needy children and the phrase “Inside Sports” were started and coined here in Washington, DC.

I never dreamed the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech would one day find me interviewing some of the greatest athletes and sports personalities in the World. Personalities such as, Muhammad Ali, Red Auerbach, Hank Aaron, Jim Brown, Wilt Chamberlain, Dr. J, Angelo Dundee, Gale Sayers, George Foreman, etc. have all been guest on Inside Sports

The March and Dr. King’s Dream has also allowed me to break bread and have the ear of some of the most powerful politicians in America, men like President Richard M. Nixon, Strom Thurmond (R-S. C.), Bob Dole (R-Kan), Lou Stokes (D-Ohio), etc. my Middle School Principal would never have dreamed it. In November of this year Hattie and I will celebrate 40 years of marriage and in December we will celebrate 40 years of hosting and coordinating Christmas toy parties for needy children. Dreams do come true.

The three former Winston-Salem State University students who joined me for the march made their own impact. The late Barney Hood would go on to become a teacher and businessman in his hometown of Decatur, III, Jack Defares would become a teacher in the New Jersey school system and Carl Green found fame as a star player on the World famous Harlem Globetrotters. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech looked like it touched and influenced all four of us.

My Spingarn high school teammate Andrew Johnson remembers that day, the March and the speech all too well. He had a front row seat on the Reflecting Pool. He was a working DC Metropolitan Policeman assigned to the march (that is Officer Johnson looking up and standing directly under the left hand of Dr. King). My friends and I were located in the crowd somewhere near the middle of the Reflecting Pool. Andrew says “It was one of the most amazing demonstrations I have ever seen. People were all over the place some literally on top of each other. The march was so peaceful the DC Police Department could have taken the day off. The march ended that evening and 250,000 people left town as quietly as they had come in.

In the troubled Shaw/Cardozo area of Washington, DC Andrew and I would later join forces to fight juvenile delinquency. My job as a Roving Leader (Gang Buster) for the DC Recreation Department and his as a foot patrolman would make this reunion possible. Officer Johnson would later be promoted to the rank of detective. His law-enforcement career would end as a "Top Cop" for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). With the DEA He made it to the rank of supervisor before retiring in 1995. Today he can be found tutoring inner-city children and serving as an active member of the Board of Directors of Kids In Trouble, Inc. Forty-five years after the March on Washington and Dr. King's "I Have Dream" speech, Andrew Johnson is still trying to make a difference.

We never thought in our life time we would see a black man make a serious run for the White House. The Presidential bids by Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were never taken seriously by black folks or white folks. They both had hidden agendas. In 2008 they were quietly reduced to spectators and cheerleaders like the rest of us.

We are hoping that the August 28, 2008 nomination of Barack Obama will inspire another generation of minorities to be all that they can be like Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech inspired us on August 28, 1963. Barack Obama is living proof that dreams can come true.

TENNIS: A GAME OF LOVE!

U. S. OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT

BERNIE CHAVIS SHOWING LOVE-LOVE & LOVE

On September 3, 2008 a former hoop star turned amateur tennis player Bernie Chavis will make history as an author on the hollow grounds of the U. S. Tennis Open. Bernie is a native Washingtonian who now lives in the suburb of Meadowbrook, Pa. He will showcase and autograph his new book titled “The Games of Tennis-An African American Journey (Breaking Racial Cultural Barriers in Tennis and---Society).”

His journey is far from his roots as an outstanding all-around athlete in the DC Public schools of Washington, DC. Bernie was All-Met in football and basketball at Eastern High School. He parlayed his athletic skills into a basketball scholarship to Villanova University in Philadelphia. The city of brotherly love has been home ever since.

His remarkable journey into the elitist World of tennis takes a hard an objective view of the not too friendly love affair between blacks and whites. Despite the groundbreaking efforts of tennis greats Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe in the 50’s and 60’s “LOVE” has nothing to do with it.

Unlike most outstanding athletes who are born with that competitive spirit Bernie knew when to quit. When he discovered he could no longer run and jump with the young boys on the talented rich basketball courts of Philadelphia he walked away. His next court would be a tennis court. It was there he could apply the same techniques that made him an outstanding basketball player to play at the highest level capable—foot work and hand and eye coordination. He fell head over heels in love with the game. The most enjoyable aspect of his new World, he could compete and play with men his own age. Once on the tennis scene he discovered the many doors that were closed to people of color on the other side of the net.

Bernie remembered growing up in a segregated Washington, DC (the Nation’s Capitol). He never forgot the second class citizenship experiences of his hometown. He says, “One of my first recollections highlighting the impact racism concerned the Howard Theater, the most popular movie and entertainment center in Washington’s black community.”

He had a difficult time trying to figure out why was it that white folks could flock to one of the busiest sections of the black community and have an All-Access Pass but he was forbidden from entering any of “their” establishments anywhere in the city.

Bernie’s childhood friend and my high school teammate, Spotswood Bolling, Jr. was a part of a landmark decision handed down by the U. S. Supreme Court in 1954. He was a part of the Brown vs Board of Education decision. The decision was Bolling vs Sharpe and ruled upon on the same day by the same Supreme Court.

There were two different decisions made because Brown vs Board of Education was national and Bolling vs Sharpe was to insure desegregation locally. DC then as now had no Congressional Representation it is still called “the plantation on the Potomac.”

In the early1980s shortly after turning to tennis as an alternate athletic outlet, Bernie discovered “The more things changed the more they remained the same.” While playing tennis at the Garden Fair Tennis Club located near his home he developed a personal friendship with the manager of the facility, Bob Fossler. One day Mr. Fossler indicated to Bernie that all the tennis boards he was involved had begun to seriously discuss the need to diversify the composition of their organizations and to engage people of color. Remember this is almost 40 years after Jackie Robinson and Athea Gibson made their professional debuts.

He then invited Bernie to be a member of one of those boards. Upon his recommendation Bernie submitted his application and was accepted. His membership placed him on the Board of the United States Tennis Association Middle States Philadelphia Area Tennis District. Thus began his roller coaster ride inside the sport of tennis’s dark and blind side.

Bernie joining the USTA was just appetizer, he has served as National President of the American Tennis Association (ATA), the oldest African American sports organization in America. President of the U. S. Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) in the Middles States Section. He would later be named the first black to serve as President of the USTA Philadelphia Area Tennis District (1994) and the first to referee a USTA national championship tournament, the Men’s Senior Grass Court Championships at the Germantown Cricket club in Philadelphia. In 2005 he was named a “Living American History Maker” by the Berean Institute of Philadelphia. Like Frank Sinatra, Bernie has taken the blows and did his way.

I would love to be a book on the shelf to witness and capture the re-actions of friends and foe during the signing. The more interesting moments will be to see if any of today’s black tennis stars and future black stars show up to support his courageous effort to make their paths easier. Richard Williams the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena will be the first in line and I am betting his daughters won’t be far behind. On the other hand James Blake the bridesmaid of the men’s tour will distant himself until he sees the William sisters purchase their first book. His advisors will caution him to keep his distant.

The Games of Tennis-An African American Journey is a must read for every person of color who thinks that they have arrived and that includes parents, teachers, coaches and all advocates of children who claim they are making children first.

The book reflects the thinking of America and how it really feels about people of color. During Bernie’s journey he discovered that every black face he saw was not his brother and every white face was not the enemy. He has never forgotten that it was all white men who made the decision of Brown vs Board of Education and Bolling vs Sharpe. Their decision was based on Love-Love and Love.

Books available at http:/www.barnesandnoble.com/ http://www.amazon.com/ http://www.borders.com/ /

ART MONK: NICE GUYS DON'T FINISH LAST!

Art Monk’s induction into the NFL Hall of Fame was a long time coming. He is one of the best reasons why the players and coaches should decide who is worthy of entry.

Monk played 16 years in the NFL and should have entered the hall on his first year of eligibility. He was denied entry for 13 years because there were many in the sports media (writers, columnist and editors) who didn’t like his attitude when it came to the sporting press. He learned early in his career the members of the media could not be trusted. They ran hot and cold, especially those in the Nation’s Capitol, home of the Washington Redskins.

He never thought he was obligated to give and interview and answer their stupid questions like “what were you thinking when you dropped that ball for a touchdown” or the classic question asked of QB Doug Williams by a reporter at the 1988 Super Bowl, “What does it feel like being a black QB playing in the Super Bowl?” Monk never played their game during his entire NFL career. He knew 90% of the writers surrounding his locker after each practice and each game never played the game. Many would not know the difference between a post pass pattern and the Washington Post newspaper.

One major league baseball manager was heard to say “The qualifications to be a sports writer in America all you need is a driver’s license.” Art Monk could not have agreed more.

During his acceptance speech I think the most provocative statement he made was when he said, I was fine with the waiting game you guys were playing. I am honored to finally be inducted into this sacred fraternity, but football does not define who I am.”

What was Art Monk on a football field? On Sunday afternoons in football stadiums around the country he was Mr. Consistent, Mr. Clutch and Mr. Dependable. Monk was drafted in the first round (18th pick overall) of the NFL draft by the Washington Redskins in 1980 out of Syracuse University. He was a running back at Syracuse but the Redskins immediately made him a wide receiver. They have had a lot of success in turning running backs into great wide receivers. Running backs like Bobby Mitchell and the greatest wide receiver in Redskin history, Charlie Taylor. Taylor was an electrifying runner after the catch, he could entertain and thrill you with a short catch over the middle or a long catch down either sideline. He was also a devastating downfield blocker. In my opinion Art Monk is second only to Taylor on the All-Time great wide receivers who played for the burgundy and gold.

Roland ‘Bubba’ Grimes and Bryce Bevill are DC homegrown and Syracuse alumni. They are the co-authors of a new book titled “TOTAL FOCUS of Character, Academy, Discipline, and Faith.” Grimes says, “I remember the day the skins drafted Monk after trading away 12 years’ worth of first round picks under Coach George Allen. None of us had heard of the guy but from day one he was an absolute stub on the football field and many of us tried to learn his game and follow his work effort.



Art Monk befuddles the sports media with his discipline and focus. Not only has he excelled in football but he also is just as accomplished in his walk with Christ and leadership in his own home. These are very difficult domains to balance in the NFL with all the travel and temptation at every NFL stop. However, I think the guy’s life is truly just beginning now that he can invest more time into his family, community and his role as a trustee at our alma mater, Syracuse University. Now is the time that he can be outspoken and advocate on any stage for anything that tugs at his heart.”

Art Monk’s 14 year career with he Washington Redskins was a highlight reel of consistency. He once set an NFL record with a catch in 164 straight games. When it was 3rd down and five yards or longer we all knew who the quarterback would be looking for. He wore number 81 Art Monk. He was a quarterback’s best friend and cornerback’s worst enemy. He was a nightmare to most cornerbacks who seldom stood taller then 6 foot and over 180 pounds. Monk was 6’3 and 210 pounds. To see him running in your direction was double jeopardy. The cornerback was left thinking “Is he coming to knock my head off or to catch a pass?” Advantage the wide receiver. I will take a great wide receiver over a great cornerback on any given Sunday. The wide receiver knows where he is going and the cornerback has to guess. The cornerback on an NFL team is usually the team’s best athlete. The cornerback position is the most difficult on the field. Congratulations to Darrell Green on his induction. His NFL 20 year odyssey and tenure was unbelievable.

When Art Monk retired after the 1995 season he held the career record for receptions (940). He was a three time Pro Bowl selection and a first team All-Pro in 1984. Monk played on three Super Bowl Championship teams. In 1984 he set an NFL record with 106 receptions in a season. He was named to the All-Decade Team for the 1980s. Where is the media beef?

He was never a controversial personality in the locker room or in the community. There were never any whispers about drugs and he was never seen chasing skirts all over DC like many of his teammates. The one thing that I admired about Art Monk, even though he was surrounded by flawed teammates who where pretending to be Christians, he never allowed their behavior to interrupt his walk with God. Dexter Manley is his friend and not his leader.

Unlike most of the players you would usually see gathering at midfield to pray after the conclusion of a hard fought game, he was serious about God and his place in his life. He was a model citizen. Art Monk was a great catch for the NFL Hall of Fame.