Ongoing Tradegy (Part 1)

Baxter's Buzz

It has been quite some time since I've posted a blog. I felt compelled to ask a few questions aloud (well, at least on paper..). The tragedy in Connecticut on Friday shook me and those around me differently than any recent tragedy that I can remember. Many of my coworkers have children, and with the number of nieces, nephews and young cousins that I have, the cowardly action from Friday made me feel extremely vulnerable. As human beings, we feel an obligation to protect the innocent: Women, children and the elderly. This story is a reminder of not only the issues that we have, but the differences as well.

Whenever there's a violent act that captures the nation's attention, the battle between pro-gun people and anti-gun people grows stronger. I honestly don't feel strongly one way or the other. I believe that guns are definitely a problem, but they don't shoot themselves. I feel like guns is only truly one part of this problem, but I don't necessarily feel that they are the main problem.

It's Bigger Than Hip Hop

I'm 31 years old and I will continue to listen to hip hop when there are artists that I want to hear. But I will not support nor defend anything outside of that. I get so sick of hearing about fights and scuffles between grown ass millionaires and their entourages. I believe that it is irresponsible behavior on a number of levels. These folks won't learn until...you know what? Most of these fools will never learn, I am sad to say.  I like a number of artists when the music feels authentic. When the music is real and the artistry is there. Hip hop was built on saying the most creative rhymes, bragging about how much better you were than everyone else and expressing yourself through fashion. One of the best (if not the best) songs ever is "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. It shed light on their community and what people were dealing with. It referred to the struggles that people in urban America were facing. It was never to be glorified though, only to be given a voice. Well what is considered "given a voice," is up for interpretation. There are many rappers (not to be confused with artists) who claim to be exposing the world to what goes in the inner cities, but they are really trying to make a quick buck exploiting themselves and their community. The talk of drug dealing and killing by young people who make tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars is ridiculous. Most of these rappers are not leading the life that they're promoting and if there are, they're as dumb as they believe us listeners are for buying that garbage. These record executives have the most important role in all of this. They decide what's "hot" or not and whatever they say the forecast is, that's what it is. I will save the conspiracy theories for another time, but if the executives wanted to make catchy songs that promoted eating your vegetables and finishing school, these kids would be creating records about Masters degrees and asparagus. This is a topic that I am clearly incapable of doing justice, however, the part I have addressed is the easy stuff. The conversation will continue although I'm not sure if we'll make much progress.

Ignorance

One of my family members hurt my feelings earlier this week. Not with words directed at me (I'm way past that), but with his words in general. We all say stupid things. If we're fortunate, we won't say things that are offensive in addition to being stupid...ever. But when you say things using social media, it is like saying it over and over and over again, reminding people of your ignorance. Even if it was just a temporary case of ignorance and not full blown, it all looks the same. We are our own brand and every message we post on Facebook or Twitter or any other social media platform, we contribute to how people view us and our brand. Ignorance doesn't discriminate so I won't talk about a person's upbringing, but when I know someone's history, I look at their ignorance in a different light. Jobs need to be applied for, impressions need to be made and reputations need to be preserved. Listen: I think a lot of stupid things are funny and I have many opinions that may appear controversial, but my secret is that I DON'T POST THEM ON FACEBOOK! Genius, right? Kids grow up and become their own people. When it comes to our family, we just have a certain vision of how we'd like that person to be. Truth is, there are more disappointments than anything else. What are you gonna do? The truly ignorant have no care about who they offend and then there are some who grow up and realize  how foolish they were (that would be me!). How will this particular family member end up viewing themselves from 2012? That is yet to be seen.

Interesting Week

by Baxter E. Hall This should be a very interesting week. My 12 week class starts and I'll find out if I got the promotion I interviewed for last week. One thing that won't change for me is my appreciation for life. I mentioned in my last post that I was looking for links to my family. I have succeeded in some ways and in other ways, not so much. I have realized my accomplishments and I am no longer afraid of them. I have spent so much time and energy on my failures, but haven't given myself enough credit for the goals I have achieved. I also realized that nobody owes me anything. I thank God for guiding me to this point along with some close friends and some family members. There are others who could have made things easier for me, but that isn't the way my life goes. That is why I am so grateful because nothing has been taken for granted. Everyone is trying to live their life and life is hard, so I am holding no grudges. I am simply trying to be the best person that I can be. I am free from guilt and trying to free myself from regrets. My focus is on today and tomorrow. It is pretty difficult to move forward while looking behind you. Many times we allow our demons to creep up and prevent us from progressing. We get so hung up on what we've been through, but life doesn't care. Life will chew you up and think nothing of it. You don't get extra credit in school because you were born to a crack addict. You don't get a bonus check at work because you overcame obstacles that others didn't overcome. You have objectives to complete and that is what you're judged by (along with inner office politics, occasional schmoozing and petty beefs). Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery. But if you dwell on yesterday, history will repeat itself.

Family (un)Ties

by Baxter E. Hall

I've been trying to locate many of my family members for the past few weeks and have started to make some headway. I've always focused on what was in front of me and not worried too much about the past and things that were already done. So as I get older, I realize that there are many holes in my story and as question was answered, two others were asked (It's like carrying laundry and socks keep falling out of your hands). Being of African-American descent, it already limits the amount of information that you can acquire (Because of that whole slavery thing).

That sucks, but couple that with the fact that there are family members in the same metro area that I don't know, there's a bit of sadness that starts to creep in. It has effected my sleep, my mood and view of many family members (Not to mention the fact that my wife and I could use more money and we are still waiting to get pregnant for the first time). So I've been somewhat depressed, to say the least.

Ok, Good News: I re-connected with one of my cousins from my mother's side of the family. We both lost our moms at a young age (Although she lost her mom even younger than I did) and we've always felt a disconnect between ourselves and the rest of our family. Our families didn't do a good job of keeping us in contact with one another and we just went along with our separate lives. And although we couldn't bring our moms back, maybe we could have help comfort one another.

I realized that my cousin enjoys writing just like I do (She's already written her first book so I have some catching up to do), has a blog (I have 2 blogs, but big deal, she's already written a book!) and she's also done some rapping and singing. It was crazy to realize that not only do we share some of the same pains, we also have similar interests.

We both know there are many questions we have, but we now have each other to accompany us on our journey. There will be some more sad times, but I am looking forward to coming up on the other end smelling like a rose. Hey, you don't make it this far by letting a little sadness deter you from your journey. I'm ready to tie up some of these loose ends.

Shut Up And Listen!

by Deon Carson

The world of boxing is coming to a change of the guard not only in the ring with stars like Floyd, Manny, Hopkins, and Marquez set to hang of their gloves soon; but also in the world of promotion. With the old kings of the sport like Bob Arum, and Don King being at the end of their run a boxing is about to get a major shot in the arm. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson have officially started their own promotional company called TMT Promotions, and they have hit the ground running. TMT promotions have already signed Yourikis Gamboa, Andre Berto, Billy Dibbs, Zab Judah, Callestino Callerbo and Andre Dirrell. And with up and coming star Adrienne “The Problem” Bronner showing indications that when his contract is up he may jump on this ship as well; Fifty and Floyd have strong armed their way right in the mix of things.


This new blood is a wonderful thing with the old promoters holding up fights the public wants to see due to old grudges it’s time for some new life in the game. I am a “real” boxing fan and I know that fights like Donaire vs. Mares or Rigenaux, Rios vs. Bronner, Brook vs. Guererro and yes Mayweather vs. Pacquiao along with many many other fights are being held up by old men (Arum, King) who should have been out of the sport long ago. Another thing is I’m glad that former and current fighters

Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are setting a new standard for boxers to follow once they hang their gloves up. Paving the way for people who have actually shed blood sweat and tears to actually lead the sport they sacrificed so much for. Boxing is a true gladiator sport, and I feel the gladiators who survived should lead the way in guiding the next generation.

Shut Up and Listen!

by Deon Carson      

   I’m going to answer some questions that have been asked of me, and also respond to some comments.

Will Tom Brady’s legacy be tainted if he doesn’t win another Super bowl? Brady has 3 rings; that’s 2 more than Favre, 2 more than Young, 3 more than Marino, 1 more than Elway, 1 less than Montana, I think Tom’s legacy is safe.

What’s wrong with U.S. Olympic boxing? If you’re a really good amateur boxer in the U.S. these days you turn pro instead of waiting for the Olympics (see Adrienne Bronner, and Gary Russell Jr.). And who wants to train all of that time miss out on that money and possibly get robbed like Roy Jones (1988 Olympics), and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (1996 Olympics)?

Could the 2012 Olympic basketball team compete with the 1992 team? Unless you can tell me who Magic, Stockton, Mullins, Bird, and Barkley could guard from this team I would have to say yes. In a 7 game series it would be crazy to bet against Jordan, but to say the 2012 would not be able to hang with the 1992 team probably shows a little biased.

Does the acquisition of Dwight Howard make the Lakers the favorites out west? If that were the only new addition I’d say no, but with Jamison, Nash, Meeks, the re-signing of Jordan Hill, and Devin Ebanks I would have to say yes depending on Howard’s health, of course.

Final thought for all of my boxing fans, I am very excited about the Andre Ward Chad Dawson fight. Two gifted athletes in their prime fighting it out for the belt, whoever wins this bout will vault themselves into my top 3 pound for pound list.