(10-02-2016 07:34 AM)AdoptedMonarch Wrote:  

(10-01-2016 11:59 PM)johndavidblue Wrote:  

(10-01-2016 11:37 PM)ODUMonarchs Wrote:  ...Many of these kids have no fathers in their lives. Is that the fault of the child. I am not making excuses...
Sent from my XT1254 using CSNbbs mobile app

but you are.

the thing is..this lack of fathers...that is a problem. 72% fatherless rate with Blacks. 17 percent of Asians, 29 percent of whites, 53 percent of Hispanics and 66 percent of Native American.

And how many mothers have multiple fathers within the multitude of kids?

This is a statistic you cannot ignore. Men need men to show them how to be men.

Whether it is an "excuse" or not, it is a reality. (Even with a strong, reliable father in my life, I managed more than once to put myself in unforgivably stupid situations. I cannot imagine how I would have made it to adulthood if I didn't have a father at home to keep me straight.)

And, much more important, you are exactly correct that this statistical reality cannot be ignored. The "circle of unity" does not ignore this situation. It is a full-on acknowledgment of it -- in a much more responsible and respectful fashion than that of Colin Kaepernick and his wannabe followers.

I truly do not understand why this is at all controversial. If anything, I get the sense that it is those who are upset by the circle of unity who are hoping to ignore the unfortunate reality of so many fatherless American boys.

If Americans can sort this out then what an accomplishment that will carry on to generations to come. I just don't agree with the banner of BLM. To me, that movement is toxic. If I can rally with fellow Americans on these issues under a more unified way and type of expression then that is great.

To those that are appalled by comments that don't align with yours, understand that this is how things get resolved. You aren't superior. You aren't enlightened.

Sports has always had political elements and statements in it.

We all bring personal experience into our everyday lives. Biases good or bad are learned though our experiences.
The COU stated at ODU is so much more than a racism awareness act.
These young men are saying that others do not understand how they are feeling.
But they want to provide a positive statement about that without disrespecting our country or citizens.
Nothing but positive things can come from this.
# WALT

Watch, Accept, Listen and Tolerate!!!!

(10-02-2016 11:21 AM)Ole Blue Wrote:  Just so sickening to read some of the comments in this thread. I'm glad there are still some folks here bringing the real ness who aren't ignorant to the world around us. If you have a problem with a circle of unity then you're proving the point of why it's necessary in the first place. That's all I will say on the matter.

Why are you sickened by people that have a different opinion than you? The world around us. Hmm... I lived in the community that the Charlotte shooting occurred in. I have lived in one of the most violent neighborhoods in Charlotte. I have also lived in other countries and states. I am not sure what other world around me experience that you would consider.

Here is my issue: It was stated that the circle of unity was a response to concerns over the Charlotte and Tulsa shootings. I know nothing of the Tulsa shooting, but it appears that the Charlotte shooting will be totally justified considering the evidence. So explain to me why I should support the concern of an officer protecting a neighborhood? I feel like supporting this action says that the officer was wrong in the Charlotte case. I support the officers that protect my community and my concerns are for the rise in violent crime, homicides, and robberies in Charlotte. Maybe as a society, we should focus our efforts on improving poverty (the ultimate cause of crime) versus trying to demonize those that put their lives on the line so that we can watch a football game safely. This circle of unity is a form of protest no matter how much you try to disguise it.

Like I said, any time you inject politics in entertainment, you can expect to lose some money from some and gain some from others.

(10-02-2016 04:29 PM)Dowless Wrote:  

(10-02-2016 11:21 AM)Ole Blue Wrote:  Just so sickening to read some of the comments in this thread. I'm glad there are still some folks here bringing the real ness who aren't ignorant to the world around us. If you have a problem with a circle of unity then you're proving the point of why it's necessary in the first place. That's all I will say on the matter.

Why are you sickened by people that have a different opinion than you? The world around us. Hmm... I lived in the community that the Charlotte shooting occurred in. I have lived in one of the most violent neighborhoods in Charlotte. I have also lived in other countries and states. I am not sure what other world around me experience that you would consider.

Here is my issue: It was stated that the circle of unity was a response to concerns over the Charlotte and Tulsa shootings. I know nothing of the Tulsa shooting, but it appears that the Charlotte shooting will be totally justified considering the evidence. So explain to me why I should support the concern of an officer protecting a neighborhood? I feel like supporting this action says that the officer was wrong in the Charlotte case. I support the officers that protect my community and my concerns are for the rise in violent crime, homicides, and robberies in Charlotte. Maybe as a society, we should focus our efforts on improving poverty (the ultimate cause of crime) versus trying to demonize those that put their lives on the line so that we can watch a football game safely. This circle of unity is a form of protest no matter how much you try to disguise it.

Like I said, any time you inject politics in entertainment, you can expect to lose some money from some and gain some from others.

The Circle of Unity is our coaches and captains idea as a positive acknowledgement of the issues going on in our country without be disrespectful. All have a right to protest the anthem, but those protests will be viewed as disrespectful by most. The ODU team is getting out in front of this by being unified and showing respect to all.

(10-02-2016 04:29 PM)Dowless Wrote:  

(10-02-2016 11:21 AM)Ole Blue Wrote:  Just so sickening to read some of the comments in this thread. I'm glad there are still some folks here bringing the real ness who aren't ignorant to the world around us. If you have a problem with a circle of unity then you're proving the point of why it's necessary in the first place. That's all I will say on the matter.

Why are you sickened by people that have a different opinion than you? The world around us. Hmm... I lived in the community that the Charlotte shooting occurred in. I have lived in one of the most violent neighborhoods in Charlotte. I have also lived in other countries and states. I am not sure what other world around me experience that you would consider.

Here is my issue: It was stated that the circle of unity was a response to concerns over the Charlotte and Tulsa shootings. I know nothing of the Tulsa shooting, but it appears that the Charlotte shooting will be totally justified considering the evidence. So explain to me why I should support the concern of an officer protecting a neighborhood? I feel like supporting this action says that the officer was wrong in the Charlotte case. I support the officers that protect my community and my concerns are for the rise in violent crime, homicides, and robberies in Charlotte. Maybe as a society, we should focus our efforts on improving poverty (the ultimate cause of crime) versus trying to demonize those that put their lives on the line so that we can watch a football game safely. This circle of unity is a form of protest no matter how much you try to disguise it.

Like I said, any time you inject politics in entertainment, you can expect to lose some money from some and gain some from others.

Listen to the words of wise men.

Old Dominion coach Bobby Wilder: “Let’s start doing things to unify the country rather than add to the noise.”

(10-02-2016 11:00 PM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  Old Dominion coach Bobby Wilder: “Let’s start doing things to unify the country rather than add to the noise.”

Sounds good, but this Circle of Unity is just more "noise" to use Wilder's term.

(10-01-2016 10:10 AM)goherd24herdfans Wrote:  

(09-29-2016 04:22 PM)SoMs Eagle Wrote:  

(09-29-2016 02:42 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Being an old white guy, perhaps my take on this is incorrect, but this is how I see it and why I believe it is not only a good move but also a really smart one.

It is clear to the most casual observer that young black men in this country are highly concerned about the number of recent cases of police killings of black men. It is something they live with on a daily basis. The recent actions by Colin Kaepernick to protest during the national anthem highlighted the level of concern and brought the focus onto black (and white) athletes across the nation. Coaches at every level from high school to the pros are witnessing up close and personal the impact this is having on their players.

Without a doubt, how to best deal with this issue has become a front burner concern for both coaches and players. The question became, how can the players's concerns be addressed in a positive manner without going to the extreme measure of showing absolute disrespect for the flag and this country that it represents. Coach Bobby Wilder met with his team captains, and the circle of unity was the solution they jointly came up with. This allowed a joint statement of protest and team unity at the same time, and was not done during the national anthem. This allowed the protest to occur without being divisive among players and fans alike. Frankly, I believe it was a stroke of genius that will ensure what could be hugely divisive and disruptive to a team does not have that impact.

I am a 24-year veteran of our armed forces. The flag does have special meaning for me as it does for most veterans. I have seen it on the caskets of way too many young men, friends of mine, to not have a deeply felt dislike for any open demonstration of contempt or disrespect of our nation's symbol. At the same time, I understand the deeply felt concern that our young black athletes feel about the unwarranted deaths of their brothers, for no apparent reason other than the color of their skin. I think the circle of unity is a profoundly appropriate means of openly addressing this issue in a way that is acceptable to both young black men and old white guys.

This kind of BS is the exact problem here. There is no great "unwarranted" killing of black men going on. Period. No doubt it has happened. Just as it has happened to white people. But the problem is a lack of respect for law and order. You wave a gun around at the police, don't do what you're told and give them reason to believe they or someone else is in danger and they should use whatever force necessary to incapacitate you. BTW, the 'gentleman' killed in Charlotte had spent six years in prison for,you got it, shooting someone.

Agreed 1000%. There is no injustice. There is no great oppression. The oppression is their own laziness, and the government giving them free money and housing, effectively resulting in a whole culture of dependency. They want a better future? They could literally go to college for free, they get a leg up in the hiring process of large corporations because of their race and affirmative action quotas. They have literally every advantage in the book, and they squander it by doing drugs, becoming criminals, then they cry "racism" when they get caught up in a crime, reach for, or point a gun at police and get shot.

I can't just read this post and not respond. First of all I am a 40 year old black male, raised by two hard working parents who are together. So yes my mother and father raised me and raised me well. My father who served in the Vietnam War taught me the value of hard work and to never quit on being successful in life. I try and forced feed these same principles in my son and daughter. I worked hard to make good grades so that I could go to college. GPA was 3.4. Back in the 90's the old SAT was out of 2400, I got a 1785. Went to college and got in debt up to my eyeballs in student loans. Didn't know that there was a college a black man could go that was free. Even the HBCU's do not offer free tuition. Applied to 4 different colleges but only got excepted to one. I guess that affirmative action that you mentioned must of passed over me. Graduated *** laude with a degree in Information Technology and a Masters in Advanced Networking and got turned down 5 times before I got a job offer. I would of love to have that "leg up in the hiring process of large corporations" that you mentioned. Maybe they didn't get the memo? Never did drugs, never became a criminal. Never even shot a gun. I make good money and live in a very good neighborhood. Never had the government give me a dime except in my pay check because guess what, I worked for that. All of this that I have for myself is because I worked hard for it. So please don't put all of us together in the same lazy pot. There are some injustices and there is some oppressions. It might not be as big as what the BLM movement or the kneeling protestors may have us believe, but to say that they is none is probably suggesting that you are really blind to it or just don't want to admit it. I can without a doubt acknowledge that some of the black race has some serious issues. Lack of education, lack of employment, black on black crime, even the occasional not obeying the law which results in shooting deaths, whether justified or not. We have some serious issues that frankly I don't have an answer really on how to fix it. But when I read your comment I also realize that there are issues on your side as well. Until we can get pass the anger, blame, mistrust, and ignorance on both sides then the issue will never go away.

I will now exit back to the AAC board. Be blessed and have a good day.

(10-03-2016 02:37 PM)pcm0103 Wrote:  

(10-01-2016 10:10 AM)goherd24herdfans Wrote:  

(09-29-2016 04:22 PM)SoMs Eagle Wrote:  

(09-29-2016 02:42 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Being an old white guy, perhaps my take on this is incorrect, but this is how I see it and why I believe it is not only a good move but also a really smart one.

It is clear to the most casual observer that young black men in this country are highly concerned about the number of recent cases of police killings of black men. It is something they live with on a daily basis. The recent actions by Colin Kaepernick to protest during the national anthem highlighted the level of concern and brought the focus onto black (and white) athletes across the nation. Coaches at every level from high school to the pros are witnessing up close and personal the impact this is having on their players.

Without a doubt, how to best deal with this issue has become a front burner concern for both coaches and players. The question became, how can the players's concerns be addressed in a positive manner without going to the extreme measure of showing absolute disrespect for the flag and this country that it represents. Coach Bobby Wilder met with his team captains, and the circle of unity was the solution they jointly came up with. This allowed a joint statement of protest and team unity at the same time, and was not done during the national anthem. This allowed the protest to occur without being divisive among players and fans alike. Frankly, I believe it was a stroke of genius that will ensure what could be hugely divisive and disruptive to a team does not have that impact.

I am a 24-year veteran of our armed forces. The flag does have special meaning for me as it does for most veterans. I have seen it on the caskets of way too many young men, friends of mine, to not have a deeply felt dislike for any open demonstration of contempt or disrespect of our nation's symbol. At the same time, I understand the deeply felt concern that our young black athletes feel about the unwarranted deaths of their brothers, for no apparent reason other than the color of their skin. I think the circle of unity is a profoundly appropriate means of openly addressing this issue in a way that is acceptable to both young black men and old white guys.

This kind of BS is the exact problem here. There is no great "unwarranted" killing of black men going on. Period. No doubt it has happened. Just as it has happened to white people. But the problem is a lack of respect for law and order. You wave a gun around at the police, don't do what you're told and give them reason to believe they or someone else is in danger and they should use whatever force necessary to incapacitate you. BTW, the 'gentleman' killed in Charlotte had spent six years in prison for,you got it, shooting someone.

Agreed 1000%. There is no injustice. There is no great oppression. The oppression is their own laziness, and the government giving them free money and housing, effectively resulting in a whole culture of dependency. They want a better future? They could literally go to college for free, they get a leg up in the hiring process of large corporations because of their race and affirmative action quotas. They have literally every advantage in the book, and they squander it by doing drugs, becoming criminals, then they cry "racism" when they get caught up in a crime, reach for, or point a gun at police and get shot.

I can't just read this post and not respond. First of all I am a 40 year old black male, raised by two hard working parents who are together. So yes my mother and father raised me and raised me well. My father who served in the Vietnam War taught me the value of hard work and to never quit on being successful in life. I try and forced feed these same principles in my son and daughter. I worked hard to make good grades so that I could go to college. GPA was 3.4. Back in the 90's the old SAT was out of 2400, I got a 1785. Went to college and got in debt up to my eyeballs in student loans. Didn't know that there was a college a black man could go that was free. Even the HBCU's do not offer free tuition. Applied to 4 different colleges but only got excepted to one. I guess that affirmative action that you mentioned must of passed over me. Graduated *** laude with a degree in Information Technology and a Masters in Advanced Networking and got turned down 5 times before I got a job offer. I would of love to have that "leg up in the hiring process of large corporations" that you mentioned. Maybe they didn't get the memo? Never did drugs, never became a criminal. Never even shot a gun. I make good money and live in a very good neighborhood. Never had the government give me a dime except in my pay check because guess what, I worked for that. All of this that I have for myself is because I worked hard for it. So please don't put all of us together in the same lazy pot. There are some injustices and there is some oppressions. It might not be as big as what the BLM movement or the kneeling protestors may have us believe, but to say that they is none is probably suggesting that you are really blind to it or just don't want to admit it. I can without a doubt acknowledge that some of the black race has some serious issues. Lack of education, lack of employment, black on black crime, even the occasional not obeying the law which results in shooting deaths, whether justified or not. We have some serious issues that frankly I don't have an answer really on how to fix it. But when I read your comment I also realize that there are issues on your side as well. Until we can get pass the anger, blame, mistrust, and ignorance on both sides then the issue will never go away.

I will now exit back to the AAC board. Be blessed and have a good day.

This is a great post!