Educational Excellence

Happy Monday, All!

How were your weekends? I hope they went well. You know, life has it’s ups and downs and twists and turns … as many of us sometimes learn … So, I keep going with the flow, that’s how I roll!

Saturday night, as I went from channel to channel (I don’t have the onscreen “insert” on my Mom’s old tv!), I noticed that there were some “stars” like Alicia Keys, Jay Z and Beyonce, The Roots and a few other talented musical groups. There was also the Prime Minister from India and the female Prime Minister of Norway on the program talking about their commitments from their countries towards ending “extreme poverty” by the year 2030! I think that they’re referring to “world poverty” because India’s Prime Minister promised to get a toilet for everyone in India by a certain year, which escapes me … but it’s in the near future. Then, Norway’s Prime Minister pledged something like $250 million USD annually towards making improvements “world wide” to end extreme poverty. What a concept, heh?!

Sunday morning as got ready for yoga, I watched a couple of tel-evangelists … Steve Alessi from Metro Church in Miami and Joel Osteen out of Houston, TX. Their messages were similar to mine from last week about “miracles”, regarding those of “us” who may not have been treated so well in our lives, had some bad breaks – nasty divorce, job loss, serious health issues … and need a “miracle”. They both suggested that “one’s time will come” when the angels do their magic in your life OR … that person comes along with that opportunity that you need. Our Creator is working to bring those things to those of us who mayn’t have fared so well! Beautiful concept, too, isn’t it!? And as I stated, one’s got to believe in miracles … in order for them to come true!

So, The Global Citizens Initiative is a huge movement seeking to deal with the major core issues to bring basic “humanity” to the entire world! There is a lot of support for the Initiative and one can join free and become more aware of their initiatives. In closing, I just wanted to mention a story that I saw on “60 Minutes” in addition to the close up on the POTUS with questions and answers. Very very enlightening. The story that I am referring to is one about a boot camp that convicted persons can attend to eliminate lengthy prison sentences. While it was intense and interesting, I think that most boot camps have been closed down in Florida after the death of that teen-aged boy at a boot camp here in Florida a few years or so ago when the young man died after being told to run by guards, and, when he didn’t (and couldn’t!), they attacked him. He lost consciousness and died. This “camp” on “60 Minutes” had a few success stories and seems to be trying to rid “boot camp” options to prison of that negative stereotype for being mis-managed! Do what you can to be a “global citizen”. Reach out and help someone … touch someone … even inspire someone when you can!

Peace,

John I. Cook

Happy Friday, y’all!

Sure … I got this … T.G.I.F.! Okay, your turn!! Is there anyone or anything that you want to thank for being here today? Go for it!

There is no wonder that I was a sociology major in college … I love people! I love observing them … and us … to note how we behave in certain circumstances. I like learning about others and what makes THEM tick. Of course, I often take a close look at myself and how my life may be a lesson for others. Yet, there are some things that happen in life that one cannot explain! The best moments are those when listening to explanations by humans … of a clear miracle, definitely “caused” by something “greater than ourselves”. Now, it could even be a conglomerate of “persons, places and things” beyond our understanding … unless you believe! In what?! In miracles!

Okay, here is my first example. How many of us remember the homeless woman being beaten by a California State Trooper near Fresno that was caught on video by some motorists passing by? How many of you thought that the trooper would get away “scott free”? I did … for a moment. Then I thought to myself, “If justice is not served HERE, it cannot be properly served anywhere in these here United States!!” It was served! Not only did the woman NOT die nor suffer any serious injuries, she was awarded $1.5 million dollars!! Take it and twist it however you wish … but … she cleaned up nice, and hopefully, will do much better with the earnings from the law suit. Do you believe in such miracles?!

Here’s a second one, though I “twisted” it a bit to fit the “miracle” category. Just a few days ago, another incident with a South Carolina state trooper took place … and was caught on camera! It was when the trooper had stopped an African American man and talked to him a bit and finally told him to get his license. The man went into his car to retrieve his license with the door opened … and him unarmed … yes, again … UNarmed! When he turned around to show the trooper his license, who happened to be a young white male, the trooper began discharging his firearm at the black man who immediately put his hands up. He was hit by the trooper’s bullets … twice maybe … and didn’t die, or er uh … and wasn’t killed! MIRACLE!!

Okay, here’s the last one … and again, I twisted it a bit so you can see the miracle. Four middle school boys in Miami brought “guns” to school. One had a gun in his waist band at school and another had a LOADED gun in his backpack … AT SCHOOL!! When I witnessed the photographs on the news of the young men being taken into custody, I saw how small and frail these young black boys were!!! Wow!!! Here’s the miracle …. Other students at the school reported what they had seen and heard … IMMEDIATELY!! Administration was alerted, police and their dogs were called in and the middle school in Miami was shut down. Parents worried for their children’s safety and many tried to get into the building, but to no avail. Yet, NO ONE was killed … not even a shot fired!! The youth were arrested and taken to a juvenile facility. May they learn to study and live at school without guns!

The choice is yours … to believe … or not to believe. I believe in miracles … look at US!

Peace,

John I. Cook

Happy Hump Daaaaayyyy, Yeahhh!

Mid week isn’t so bad either. I mean … it could be Monday again?!!!

First things first … So, in my last e-mail/piece, I wrote something that an old college chum brought to my attention when he asked if I wanted to write “White Public Schools … ” or “White PLAINS High School”. So, I told him that it was supposed to be “White Plains …” and that it was not a Freudian slip!! Thank you Lloyd Lawrence, Esquire! White Plains was very progressive, integrated its school district upon the passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) which also called for the desegregation of public schools. White Plains was not just “white” and sought to include ALL the members of that community when possible. Of course, we had our racial tensions, too, and the High School erupted into a “riot zone” around the time I attended St. Paul’s School (1969 – 1972) in Concord for prep school! It was … and is not … a perfect City but I don’t knock White Plains High School.

It appears that our lives move in cycles. Ultimately, our bodies expire. Do you believe that YOU have a soul? A spirit? Or do you believe that when this physical existence ends … so do YOU? This is something that most people don’t contemplate … until the end. I remember when my mother was struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease, though I didn’t think she was on her “death bed”, she would often scribble things in a little Bible that I gave to her when I had completed this “program” I was attending. I still have it … it is underneath the small computer table in my living area. There are some meaningful words that she scribbled in it … including the day that I gave her the Bible … July 12, 1990 … one day before my birthday! She also had written in the rear cover: “The Shadow of Death … 9 – 14 … John 14 1 – 2 Transformat Heart”. She kept this little Bible with her … and I retrieved after her passing. Peace be still …

A gentleman that I have never met in person who graduated from Princeton and played football there, Mr. Steve Williams, suddenly passed away over this past weekend. I know that there are a lot of “Princetonians” (and non-!) who knew Steve personally, some enjoyed his splendid photographs, as did I, that he had posted on social media from time to time. He owned and operated his own video production business. His passing, too, was unexpected … as was my mother’s when she fell and hit her head during the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma. This caused her brain to bleed internally … and went undetected until she fell into a coma. I guess that all I am trying to say is … “What do you think your loved ones would want you to do once they pass on?” I suggest: “Carry On!” in a most respectful and spiritual manner, making and keeping their lives an integral part of yours!! After all, we ALL are connected!

Peace be with each of you,

John I. Cook

It’s Monday … yes, it is! Let’s get this week started, okay?!?

True … it is the first day of Fall 2014. Temperatures are changing in some areas as the rain continues to pelt South Florida …. making it a tad bit cooler!! Still, I have a lot of gratitude today … just because! Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the International Day for World Peace at an event hosted by the Brahma Kumaris Hollywood Meditation Group. It was held at the Hillcrest Country Club Hollywood, FL. It was very memorable as singers sang, flutist fluted, meditations and music filled the air there as we overlooked the golf course from the event room. It was also the “Day of Gratitude” and the first “People’s Climate March” held in New York City, which was attended by 100,000 people there! “People do make the world go ’round!”

Most of you know that I taught history in the White Plains Public Schools System for 10 years. I often had occasion to add tidbits of history lessons that weren’t in our books. And, as Sandy Nobles says about the Black Holocaust, “It’s something that you won’t find in your children’s history books … not because it didn’t happen, but because it was one of the most horrific events in human history!” Now, I don’t write this piece to play “one up-manship”. I am writing it to shed some light on a subject that has been tucked away from human memory for so long.

The event was held at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center where Dr. Edmond Abaka, associate professor in the history department at the University of Miami also has an art work exhibit which is part of his new book, “House of Slaves and The Door of No Return”. This book is quite remarkable in that it pulls together so much “unwritten” history about the castles and dungeons that sprang up along the “Gold Coast” of Africa in Ghana. When one has the chance to see the fortifications built in Africa by Portuguese and Dutch slave traders, not to mention to “tools” used to transport the slaves to “the door to no where” on the Atlantic Ocean where they were transported for many many years across the ocean to America, one can truly see the crimes against humanity. This was truly an inhumane system of “chattel” (property) slavery. It was as dehumanizing as it can get!! Dr. Abaka mentions in his book, “Even the routes of sharks across the Atlantic Ocean had changed, since they, too, followed the slave ships to get that “free meal” of a human who could not make it to no where!” …. Peace be still!

There were others who participated in this event directed by Ms. Sandra “Nefertari” Nobles, retired guidance counselor from Broward County Schools, which has been designated as an official “Black Holocaust Memorial Commemoration” Day in Fort Lauderdale! My hat goes off to you, “Sandy”, and all the hard work you put in. Dr. Abaka’s book is available now since its release on September 10th, 2014, and his exhibit is in the African American Research Library and Cultural Center for another week, I believe. Thanks to all who participated … It was a great lesson!

Have a great week. Be inspired by others who paved the way for us …

Peace,

John I. Cook

Happy Friday, y’all! “Yes, yes, y’all!” T.G.I.F.!!!

Somehow, the weekends seem like mini-vacations to me sometimes. Now, I still go to the gym … maybe teach or write something … usually able to find something “enlightening” for me … hang out downtown FTL at “The Club House” even!! But when I have some great things to do like I have this weekend, I feel rather grateful!!

First of all on Saturday afternoon from 1pm – 5pm, one of my sister Edna’s friend, Sandy Noble also from New York and a retired Broward County Schools employee, is having a “Black Holocaust” event at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center on Fort Lauderdale’s Sistrunk Blvd. It seems that there will be a variety of education and entertainment (dancing and drumming and spoken word) there. I plan to attend. Then on Sunday, there is a World Peace Meditation at Arts Park in Young’s Circle here in Hollywood, FL, from 6 – 7:30pm. It is sponsored by some very good friends from the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Group Hollywood including Roz Reich. I understand that Sister Veronica who leads BK Florida will be in attendance, if not at the Miami BK Center! Looking forward to it.

Now you all know how much I have advocated attempts … every and all … to “Stop the Violence” and seek to share my meagre knowledge and “takes” on issues and events. I just like to keep myself thinking about improving human relations and inviting any interested others to read with me … and chime in, too! These next two “stories” are horrific at minimum. Over a week ago on the weekend, a young man came to his mother’s home in Davie to find her murdered in the bathroom with multiple stab wounds. She is a member of the famous “Halliburton family” and was married to a renown professor. The entire families mourn their unnecessary loss, though the murderer, a 20 year old convict of multiple home invasion cases, was finally found hiding at his girlfriend’s home in Sunrise, FL. He is clearly being charged with murder.

The most horrific incident that I’ve heard of lately was just a few days ago in Belle, FL, Gilchrist County, just 30 miles from Gainesville, FL. A father of a young woman fatally shot his own daughter and her six … yes SIX … children … ranging in age from three (3) months to ten years of age! According to Gilchrist County Police, this is not the first time that they responded to a call at that home for some sort of domestic violence. This time, it was for murders! As the police closed in on the father, Don Charles Spirit, he turned the weapon on himself and committed suicide. I just don’t understand the ease with which some folks commit cold blooded murder, especially on innocent children!!!

As difficult as it may seem, we must each do our part to “Stop the Violence” … yes, even while living in a world seemingly full of violence.

Peace be with you!

John I. Cook

Happy Hump Day …. yeahhhh!

As the school year continues and hurricane season looms in The Tropics, the POTUS authorizes and conducts air strikes against ISIL forces and is gaining support from many nations to challenge the terrorists in that region. So much going on while we live our personal lives to the fullest. Is anyone feeling any anxiety regarding the international arenas? How about in your own “hometown” arenas?? Is there anything “poppin'”?

Here in SoFlo, it seems that another love affair has gone wrong. Last weekend when Tanya Gonzalez, an employee at “Mojito Hut” in Bayside near the AA Arena, had finished shopping with her aunt at the Dolphin Mall or thereabouts in Miami, she and her aunt said good-bye for the last time. Tanya is … er uh … was a very attractive 28 year old Latin American woman that was very close with her family, including her biological father who flew down from the New York/New Jersey area as well as her mother’s “new” husband in Miami, who suddenly disappeared from the family’s radar. After that shopping trip with her aunt, she was supposed to go home and then meet up later with her aunt. That never happened. She also didn’t show up for work on Monday either. Suspicions rose and the ex-boyfriend, Roy Blanco, became the prime person of interest. Various reports had he and his mother renting a car for “work” first; then they rented a small watercraft that they were supposed to keep in the waters of Miami. Soon after, Blanco, the small boat then out of gas, a Siberian huskie and his mother were found in Key West hanging around an open field.

The search continued for Tanya as family members feared the worse when calls to her cell phone had gone straight to voice mail. No one had heard from her and soon … the ex-boyfriend and his erratic behavior, including the aforementioned car and boat rentals, drew suspicion. Neighbors near that field in Key West called the police to investigate the trio’s strange behavior in that field. As officials closed in, people in the area took note of Blanco’s mother’s behavior. One local gent described her facial expression as one that had seen a ghost! Soon, Blanco emerged from the woods wielding a knife, saying nothing to officials, and stabbed himself in the stomach. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but to no avail. His self inflicted wounds proved fatal.

Tanya Gonzalez’s new model BMW was found in Miami … with a body in the car. It was Tanya Gonzalez … What?!?! Now, amidst the grieving process, the family is also left with trying to figure out what happened, not to mention understand WHY this happened. Blanco and Tanya had been considered “exes” by the family, friends and media. So many co-workers,, friends and family members described Tanya as a very caring and peaceful person, responsible and close with her family … and now gone! Blanco’s mother was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be okay … and may be facing charges, depending on what the investigation unfolds. It just goes to show, as Tanya’s biological father wept and said, “Love your children every day! Hug them and kiss them … tell them how much you love them. Keep them safe . . .”

Peace,

John I. Cook

We’ve got a Monday on our hands, I am glad to say! I always try to keep looking “up” nowadays and sometimes looking past the challenge. Now I am like many people and try to avoid encounters where I have little or no control! It is not that I need to be in control of anything other than myself but it is more comfortable “knowing” the outcomes of your efforts. It can’t always be that way and I was fortunate enough to have come through such circumstances recently! It was like a miracle resulting from “faith” and “works” (biblical reference). Some of you regular readers may remember my piece “Stay the Course”. I had to put the same anecdote into practice the following week … last week.

I just remember my parents, especially my father, being on their knees nearly every night when I had gone into their bedroom to say good night. When I was much younger, like 9 or so, I used to sleep with my mother until I dozed off to sleep. She would often put me into my bottom bunk bed with my brother “Hank” on the top one. Yes, indeed, I was a “momma’s boy”. But my father still liked me … still supported my efforts … still dropped on his knees and prayed some nights with me right by his side. So, I know what faith looks like. Both of my parents went to work every single day … so I know what works looks like, too. They always taught me to be the best that I can be and to do the best that I can do. For me, this behavior is like “priming” the flow of goodness.

So, just remember, there are times when extreme faith … coupled with hard work … can yield the things that we need most in our lives. Of course, I want to thank each of you for reading, and, when moved to do so, passing me on to others!

Have a great Monday and a super week.

Peace,

John I. Cook

Happy Friday, All!

It is definitely in order for me today … this whole week … my whole life … T.G.I.F.!!! It’s been one of those weeks … though it actually started last weekend as I was trying to figure some things out with my finances, with an “ex” I was attempting to help and my own self-esteem. There were a couple of moments when I just wanted to talk to my Mother … I was actually looking around in the air for a sign … for a message … how should I handle the circumstances that I was in?! As I listened in meditations, I heard them BOTH say, “Make us proud son, make us proud!” I decided to do so … ‘nough said.

Where do we each get our values? How do we learn what is important to us? Is it trial and error? Is it, “Somebody told me!”? Is it, “I like doing this and it makes me feel good inside!” Or perhaps, “I am so special, I can do anything I want. I’ll figure the rest out later!” One of the things that has always intrigued me academically has been just this – where do we all get our personalities from? Are we born with it? Are we taught to be who we are, as many “socialization” theories suggest, learning our role from our role models … our parents?! Perhaps we have selected super heroes in our lives … The most beautiful actress or the wealthiest rap star … maybe the most ingenious entrepreneur?!?! Why do we want to be like “them” … someone else … and NOT ourselves?!? Can we each learn how to formulate that daily adventure of “defining ourselves”?

The verdict has been handed down in the Pistorius case where the “Blade Runner” was not found guilty of pre-meditated murder but still faces lesser charges involving his negligence in his behavior that early morning that Reeva Steenkamp was shot through the bedroom’s bathroom door … and killed. Would his parents be proud of this? How about Ray Rice and his wife Janay?!? After viewing the videotape for the second time and noticing the spitting that was taking place between the two … I mean … I’ve gotten angry a few times like it appears they BOTH were … but … I never “cold-cocked” a woman like that because she spit at or on me!!! In observing their behavior during their walk onto the “domestic violence” – trap of an elevator, and with Ray Rice’s gait as he followed her onto the elevator … waiting to spit in her face as she was trapped in the elevator, I could see that he was “setting her up” for something dastardly. Damn, Man!

Okay, okay … so this is what I am saying. Over the years, I have learned to ask myself over and over, “Would what I am about to do (or did!) make my parents proud of me?” Now, I also have some dear friends … Karen and Steve Bozzone … who let me stay with them some years ago while in the throes of battling one of my demons. They were very patient with me … they trusted me … they gave me a reason to at least think, “Would they be proud of me if I do this?” Nowadays, I have internalized a mechanism that keeps me on the “up and up”, humble, happy, honest … yes, and simple! All the complications that surround circumstances when “people become other people … act like other people” and avoid being “themselves”, usually ends up way more intrinsically dysfunctional (not achieving ones goals) than originally planned. I hope you get this … If not, shoot me a line or two! Let’s chat!

“Be yourself, because You are YOU!” – John I. Cook, St. Paul’s School Yearbook, June 1972

Peace,

John I. Cook

Monday, Monday ….

Can Monday be a fun day, too?! Why can’t everyday be a celebration of life?! I know like most of us that life has it’s “ups and downs” or “twists and turns”. Yet, how do you feel when you stay on course with what you believe is your mission, your journey, even? Surely there are those moments when “self doubt” may fill the air. Still, there are those other moments when you may tell yourself, “I knew I should’ve tried something else! This isn’t working out! It’s too difficult!” Whatever we tell ourselves is “what it is”!

I know all of this is easier said than done. I step out in faith so often that it feels like nearly every step I take today IS on faith!! Sometimes, I am just not sure what the outcome will be but I stay the course. Those distractions come … and go. Yet, as evidenced by Serena Williams winning her title and joining the ranks with two other professional women tennis players, it’s far more rewarding if you can stay the course. Everyone may not be such a champion as Serena, yet you can be your own “champion” for those things you hold dear to your heart. Just stay the course.

Last night, when I stepped out and looked up amidst the the swirling thoughts I had in my head about problems, challenges and answers, I noticed the full moon just sitting there majestically in the sky. I usually just hunker down and watch a program like “60 Minutes”, which I did, and then some of the animated programs, but they had some special on about “Utopia” … modern day style!!! I couldn’t stomach it so I took a cruise down “The Strip” aka “A-1-A” alongside the water of the Atlantic Ocean and taking in the most beautifully captivating sight of the full moon … just hanging there above the Ocean!!! Of course, I had some fun music on the radio and had had a rather decent day. I had worked through some pressings items on my personal agenda and was stepping out in faith on one or two major items on my agenda!!

Yes, even football season has started and folks are once again absorbed in “Fantasy Football” as well as the real NFL Football games, selecting and cheering for their favorite teams and jeering and jinxing the opponents!! We do seem quite like the ancient Romans when it comes to our attraction to competitive sports. I just admired the vast number of people at the US Open there in Queens, NY as the crowd cheered their favorite player and even applauded the “underdog” when she or he scored, too! Try to keep your “eyes on the prize” if you have determined it is something very important to you. Don’t let strong winds and naysayers take you off your course. In fact, ask them if they could help you in staying on your course, too!

Have a great Monday … and a wonderful week!

Peace,

John I. Cook