A Warped POV by A. Dacosta Brathway

February 17th, Tuesday/ Oh that wacky world of the NBA! What a weekend! All of the fanfare and the activity this past weekend has my brain spinning... What? The Allstar Game? What about it? wait a minute... You think I'm talking about the allstar game? Noooooooo... I'm referring to the four month hiring and firing of Terry Porter! What the hell was that? How do you fix what is not broken, get rid of "The Matrix," bring in Shaq, bog the offense down, run a coach out of town (D'Antoni), bring in a new coach (Porter), expect massive improvement with all of the changes, not get it; then, fire (Porter), hire from within the system, shop (arguably) your best player and expect all to be well? Hire a blog writer named Steve Kerr , that's how!
Okay, I get it! He played in the league with MJ, who is teaching classes at the MJ School of NBA Business on how to be a NBA general manager. My question is, who is overseeing Kerr? MJ?
So, the other question I have is, when is Kerr going to be held accountable for his actions? If Porter is to take the hit for being the wrong man for the job, how is Kerr the right man for his job?
My hat is off to the NBA marketing machine. They do a great job of promoting the NBA. I wish I could make a suggestion to them for a promo: I would like to see them do that Where (Whatever) Happens promo. I would suggest that they do "Where Kerr Happens" and have his profile picture with his old uniform number underneath like they do on those police blotters! That would be (NBA) fan-tas-tic!

A Warped POV by A. Dacosta Brathway

February 17th, Tuesday/ Private education, as well as public education, seems to be a big mess in America. I understand that money is always at the base of many problems so... Considering the state of the economy and considering the priorities of those in charge of the money, it only stands to reason that the children will ultimately suffer./ I had the opportunity to have a conversation with two 11 year old boys that I know who attend a private "Christian" school. There is a school master who has no other adults working at the school. There are about 20 students ranging in age from 8 to 17and the school master is the only teacher. The students are divided by two classrooms and they are not taught any one specific thing by the school master. They are instructed to watch a selected DVD about "whatever," then they are to study and be tested on whatever the homework assignment is, based on the DVD. They receive grades based on how they do on the tests that are based on how they do with their homework. What I do not understand how they can receive grades based on what I described if no specific one subject is discussed? I mean, I asked if they learned anything about math formulas' and sentence breakdowns, to which they replied "no!" My question is how will they be able to get in an "accredited" college if admissions is based on a GPA that is not in place at their particular school? In other words, how are they going to achieve higher learning if they are not prepared in the early stages of their young lives? / Then there was some conversation about their recess sessions where there was no "present" adult supervision. One of the two boys had a broken arm and the other had lacerations and a torn coat received during a couple of those recess sessions. No accountability was was offered to the parents relating to those altercations. / Now, the other side to this phenomenon is how could a parent allow their child to attend such a place, with or without this knowledge, based on the, seemingly, lack of accreditation? When checked into, there was no knowledge of a governing body to regulate the school's curriculum. / So, what should be done? Should those kids stay in that particular school or should they be exposed to the harsh reality of public school and receive an accredited education while getting their collective asses kicked, while under adult supervision? In other words, where can a child attend a school their parents can be assured that they will be safe while studying to insure their future? The answer to this question is with those who are in charge of the money. For some reason they do not seem to think that this dilemma is all that important. I mean, let's get real: What is the alternative to any of this? What was that? Home schooling? Who's got time for that? Last time I checked, kids need to eat so that they can have the strength to learn but where is the money going to come from if the parent(s) have to work even when the economy is so screwed up?(By the way, is a Catch 22 related to Murphy's Law?)

A Warped POV by A. Dacosta Brathway

February 3rd, Tuesday/ Okay, now that the reality of having a Black president has set in, let's get back to reality. When are we, as a society, going to get off the deal of having a surrogate image raise our children? I am talking about this Michael Phelps person (character, caricature, whatever...). Olympic swimming champion? Right. Multiple gold metal winner? Right! Role model? Wrong! Don't get me wrong. What Michael Phelps has been able to accomplish is remarkable. It's damn near unbelievable! I'm thinking that it will be quite some time before we see another human being even come close to what he has done in a swimming pool./ That being said, he is also a drinker and a pot smoker. Now I raise the argument: Should he be allowed to just apologize for his transgressions and go on his merry way and be allowed to maintain his role model status in good standing, or should he be recognized for who he really is and afford the same scrutiny like everybody else? OR, should alcohal and canabus be reevaluated and reclassified as a necessity in the spirit of athletic achievement, therefore allowing the "average joe" to live his, or her, wildest dream of being super human in the pool, or on the court, or on the field? I mean, is apolgizing in an appropriate time frame (You know, like the five second rule when you drop food on the floor and be able to pick it up and eat it in five seconds) enough time for him to be able to repeat an offense out of the eye sight of a camera or video recorder to be posted on You Tube for the world to see? If image is driving sales of whatever product other than alcohal and weed, should he still be allowed to sell whatever product and rake in millions of dollars in the process while others his age be burned at the stake for the same offense?/ My bad! Maybe what I should be asking is could someone please explain what "double standard means?"

A Warped POV by A. Dacosta Brathway

January 31st, Saturday/ Happy New Year everybody! (I'm saying this like I have a whole bunch of readers!) Anyway, another year has gone by and I am truly blessed to have been allowed passage. My whole opinion has flipped since Obama slid in as President> What the France? What is going on? How did that happen? Is change really coming or am I just caught up in a weird dream that I cannot wake up from?
Don't get me wrong. I'm feeling the change but I am not feeling like because Obama is Black, Black folks in America have some sort of an advantage. I mean, I'm thinking that if I went to the White House, they would still frisk me down and ask me what the f#&k do I want with him? There are still some people who are angry that Obama got in. Here's some advice: Get over it because he can do no worse than Bush! We're lucky he even wants the job! And, squash all the talk about being qualified for the job and being ready for what is ahead. It may take 2 presidents to straighten this sh!t out! If the condition of the country was such a priority, the Texas cowboy should not have been allowed 2 terms! But hey... Let's be real. This is America! There is still racial prejudice and racial profiling and biased opinions and bigotry and deception and whatever else that is vital to keeping our great country divided. Black President, White President... What's the difference? Save some of that negative energy when a Hispanic gets in, then a White woman will get in then maybe a white gay woman will get in or maybe even a Black gay man... What do I care? I'll be dead by then.

My Warped POV by A. Dacosta Brathway

December 3rd, Wednesday/ Ain't this a bitch! Obama got in! And... and... In my lifetime!!!

A Slice of Burnt Apple Pie by A. Dacosta Brathway

Well rounded fruit w/ a seedy core,
harvested & brought on ships
to bore...
to maintain cheap cost labor
& preserve the favor
of the mindset
of that time...
Looked upon as the
acceptable flavor
when cooked in the Southern ovens
of the cotton fields...
Baked just right
until the crust darkens
& hardens...
w/out pardons until the work is done!
False perceptions fed to like minds,
holding the image of a false Utopia,
living said lifestyle
as the juice drips slowly
from the cracks in between the crust
on the window sills of the big White House.
Sunday mornin' breakfast
is just the right time,
to quarter and make a point
to teach the lesson
by dividing the joints
& dispersed among the gods around the table
to enjoy the fruit of your labor
while you sing freedom songs in the mud
& mourn the loss of your religion & your manhood.

Funny how time just seals all wounds
but the pain still lingers as the experience
is all relative.
"Things are so much better!"
they say while you psychologically suffer,
all ignorant to your mental illness.
Back in the day you came from inventors,
now reduced to relentors
as your History escapes you because of your lack of focus,
watching the daze go by.
Used to be a welcomed sight,
indigenous & all,
now an eyesore as gentrification sets in.
The technology has replaced you
& is less labor intensive,
yet far more entertaining
'cause the "new sex" is on cable TV,
brought to you by BET
or whomever else is shooting
the new rump shaker video
& Master Bates indulges in the new taboo.

(c) A. Dacosta Brathway 2008

A Warped POV by A. Dacosta Brathway

Wednesday, October 15th.../ Well... It has finally come to a head! I have been hearing this for years. I never thought it would come to this but it is here and it is alive and well! Ever since the '60's, there was talk of it. There were "militant" groups claiming that it was going to happen, in the form of a revolution, but the movement died when the government offered jobs to the leaders of said movement and television exec's proved that it (the movement) would not be televised. The next time I heard it was in the WWE when there was a band of rogue wrestlers threatening to take over. ("Hulk Hogan" actually led the group but reverted back to "HULKAMANIA" as a result of the backlash from the fans!) Then it happened! A subculture developed in the South Bronx. It was harmless in its origin. There was weird dancing on cardboard; there was graffiti on the subway trains and the walls of buildings, but it was harmless stuff. The music changed but it was no big deal. What? Rap to sampled music... Okay, so some guys ripped off some music that was just lying around. I mean it wasn't like the old heads was bitchin' about it. (Not at first anyway) It was a new perspective. So what if a guy couldn't sing? He could rap (talk) to music. It basically served the same purpose. There was politically conscious music and music where the lyrics described a guy wanting some booty from his girl...(or a girl!) There were songs that described all kinds of scenarios. Rap was no different except in its presentation.

But, now I see the "reality show" has brought back the premise of which I started. The movement is back and it is being portrayed thru hip-hop. The movement is called "The New World Order!" TV sit-coms are dead! TV dramas are dead. Game shows don't have a chance... I don't care what the Neilson Ratings show! The reality show genre is producing shows that allow gangsta rappers to dictate how business is done. And why not? The economy has fallen apart under the watch of those who are supposed to have a handle on OUR money. We are fighting a war for whatever reason. The Stock Market is flipping like pancakes at a Sunday breakfast! We finally have a, seemingly, worthy Black candidate for president but things are so messed up, he will not be able to fix it; which, in turn, will make him look like some rank amateur (which is probably a step up) when it is all said and done!/ Hey Fiddy (Cent), let me be on your show? I could use $100,00.00 right about now! Yo Diddy, holla at me about those vacant spots in one of your ten companies! You said it yourself that there was plenty of room left at the end of "I Want To Work For Diddy!" Shit... I could work for Russell Simmons and think of funny ass clothes to wear. If the hip-hoppers can pull off wearing prison wear and make it a fashion statement, how hard is it to suggest wearing a platinum belt to fashion crazy teanagers? And, I would solve the problem by dispelling any notion that the wearer is nobody's bitch and/or there is a load in his drawers!/ The New World Order...Who would have "thunk" it? Now you can come out of the 'hood, uneducated by formal means, dress all wacky, speak in Ebonics and make a crap load of cash, live in a mansion, drive a Bentley, and act like you come from "Inherited Old Money!"