Book Reviewed: The Golden 13

 Prior to World War II the Navy’s record when it came to race relations was…well…dismal. Opportunities for blacks within the service were very limited in part due to a major written report that warned of what might happen if African-Americans were allowed to serve onboard a Navy vessel alongside a white crew. These attitudes were a reflection of what was going on in the nation outside of the service. So as the nation fought for freedom overseas, blacks were not afforded the same here at home.

The Golden 13 describes a major change within the Navy. Under pressure to change, this branch of the military would create a test program in which 13 men would become the Navy’s first black officers. Based in part on personal interviews, this book tells why these men joined the service in the first place and describes what they faced as they worked their way up the ranks. Dan C. Goldberg gives us a good mix of historical background along with the personal stories of these men, leaving the reader with a view of what was at stake and why these men were the right group to face the challenge.

The Golden 13 is well written and fun to read. The writing is unbiased, a simple telling of a story that should not be forgotten. The narrative covers a topic that must be acknowledged as we cannot run away from the fact that racism is a part of our history and in some areas is still an issue today. But in acknowledging the problem we must also acknowledge situations where people of both races worked towards change. This book is a record of just such a situation, revealing a major step towards this nation fulfilling its promise.

I give The Golden 13 two thumbs up, recommending it to anyone who enjoys history and to those who are interested in learning about where the United States used to be and how we got to where we are today.

The Golden 13: How Black Men Won The Right to Wear Navy Gold by Dan C. Goldberg. Published by Beacon Press Books.

Book Review: Blessed By The Best

Blessed By The Best is a must read for any fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and suggested reading for all NFL fans, giving a glimpse into the life of Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins. The full title of the book is Blessed By The Best, My Journey to Canton and Beyond and it is written by Michael Bradley who worked with Brian Dawkins to put together an inspiring book about overcoming physical circumstances as well as emotional turmoil. The book reads as if Dawkins is in the room with you, telling you his life story.

From a writing standpoint this book almost seems as if it is unedited, as if a recording of Dawkins was transcribed word for word. I think this adds to the charm of the book as I really felt that I got to know the character of the man who spent 235 pages telling me about himself, his family, his teammates and most of all about his God. This makes it a fun read which left me looking forward to what Dawkins will do with the rest of his post football life.

I give Blessed By The Best two thumbs up, recommending it for sports fans and for anyone who needs the inspiration of learning from someone who overcame a number of obstacles. I also recommend it for anyone who wants to learn about one man’s spiritual journey, delivered with honesty about his ups and downs as he continues to learn to trust in God.

Blessed By The Best: My Journey To Canton and Beyond by Brian Dawkins with Michael Bradley. Published by Camino Books, Inc. Philadelphia

Random Thoughts for May 31, 2023

Memorial Day 2023

I’m writing this a couple of days after Memorial Day 2023 and as always, I thank God for those who served and died for the United States of America. I have a lot of family members who served in the various branches of our military and quite a few of them served in or near areas of conflict. Fortunately, they all made it back alive but many of their fellow soldiers did not.

This Memorial Day I want to thank all of the Gold Star Families out there for their sacrifice on behalf of our nation. I wish I could thank each of you face to face and give you a big hug. Above all I want you all to know that you are not forgotten.

If you don’t know about our Gold Star Families, please read What is a Gold Star Family? on the USO website.

Uvalde, Texas: One year later

It has been a year since a teenager walked into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and killed 19 children and two teachers. 17 other people were injured that day and as mentioned in numerous news stories this month, many questions remain unanswered. While listening to NPR on May 24th I heard interviews with some of the parents of Uvalde as they shared stories of the children they lost. Each story served as a reminder that we lost 21 people that day and that we also lost their dreams and so much more. I heard the pain that is still there as these parents continue (I hope) to heal and as they ask if there is something that can be done to prevent the next school shooting. I also heard a reminder that there is a problem and I fear that in our current political and spiritual climate, we might not be willing to reach for the right solutions.

I do believe that we have a gun problem. We also have a mental health problem. We have a problem of people turning a blind eye, not wanting to look at the signs within their loved ones that they need help. We have a problem because our family units are quite often broken. We have a problem because we have lost our coping mechanisms. We have a problem because (in my opinion) our anti bullying programs seem to fail the very vulnerable populations that they claim to want to protect. But most of all we have a spiritual problem that leaves people feeling empty and hopeless, and (again in my opinion) the blame for that just might fall at the foot of the church.

I suspect there are many of you who disagree with that last sentence and that’s fine. I just ask one thing of you, especially if you are a Christian. Please pray! Seek God and ask His opinion. Let Him guide your heart in how we as the body of Christ should respond to the problem of gun violence in our nation. After all, the church should definitely be about protecting the lives of people in our country.

Joe Gilliam: The First Black Starting QB in the NFL

They made history. Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs were the two starting quarterbacks in Super Bowl LVII making it the first time that both starting QBs were black. This was something I heard quite a few times leading up to the game and every time I heard an analyst mention that fact I thought of one name: Joe Gilliam.

In 1972 the Pittsburgh Steelers used the 273rd pick to draft Joe Gilliam who, during his college career at Tennessee State, passed for 5,213 yards and 50 touchdowns. While under center he helped his team win two Black College National Championships and his performances earned him induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. His on the field play and off the field popularity would earn him the nickname “Jefferson Street Joe,” given to him by one of the school’s coaches (in reference to one of the roads near campus, according to ESPN.com).

Even with his success in college the odds were against Gilliam playing quarterback in the NFL. Back then black college quarterbacks were generally converted to wide receiver however the Steelers, and head coach Chuck Knoll, decided to keep Gilliam at the quarterback position where he served as backup to Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw.

When the players went on strike in July of 1974 Bradshaw walked the picket line while Gilliam, and many other players around the league, chose to report for preseason training camp. Bradshaw’s absence opened the door for Coach Knoll to start Gilliam and Jefferson Street Joe took full advantage as the Steelers finished the preseason as the only unbeaten team with six wins. His success earned Gilliam the right to start on opening day against the Baltimore Colts. While I’m sure this was controversial, it does not seem as if it was done as a political statement. According to several sources, (including an article on CBSSports.com), Chuck Knoll believed that Gilliam was the best choice and he was not the only one who believed this (more on that later).

There had been other black quarterbacks who started professional football games like Marlin Briscoe who started for the Denver Broncos in 1968 but that was in the AFL before the merger which wasn’t official until 1970. Joe Gilliam was the first black to start at quarterback in the NFL but being first brought with it a certain amount of backlash. Based on the hate mail Gilliam received, it seems NFL fans were not ready to see a black man under center. Still, he would lead the team to a 4-1-1 record before being replaced by Bradshaw who would finish the season by leading the team to a win in Super Bowl IX. Unfortunately, after being benched Gilliam’s life took a turn for the worse, marked by substance abuse and homelessness (according to ESPN.com). He would eventually have to pawn his two Super Bowl rings (both from his time with the Steelers) in order to make ends meet (according to ESPN.com).

I first heard of Joe Gilliam from my uncle who played quarterback for a semi-pro team in Gary Indiana. He spoke of how Joe Gilliam was a better quarterback than Terry Bradshaw, something Bradshaw himself has publicly stated (as reported by CBSSports.com). This led to my first understanding of how blacks were seen in football and in sports: athletic but not smart enough. Knowing this I celebrated when Doug Williams led the Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII. I was also proud to see Hurts and Mahomes in this year’s Super Bowl, although I wish the score had gone the other way.

It seems weird to say that in my lifetime the idea of a black quarterback was in general something that was rejected by the league and by fans. I’m glad to see this kind of thinking go out the window as we debate whether or not a black quarterback might one day be crowned the GOAT.

For more on Joe Gilliam see his listing on the Black College Hall of Fame website: https://www.blackcollegefootballhof.org/inductees/joe-gilliam

For the ESPN.com cited in this post:Gilliam had 'given his life to God'  https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2000/1229/982102.html

For the CBSSports.com article cited in this post: Remember When: Joe Gilliam takes Terry Bradshaw's starting QB job https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/remember-when-joe-gilliam-takes-terry-bradshaws-starting-qb-job/

Who Shall Stand In the Gap?

The list was very long. God spoke to Ezekiel, listing all of the wrongs committed by the people of Israel and their leaders. It quickly becomes clear that they were a nation that was in rebellion and God had decided to do something about it. But first, as He had so many times before, God would give them one more opportunity. He would search for that one man: the one who could stand in the gap before God. The LORD searched for that one person who, like Moses in the wilderness, was devoted to God and to the people and who was qualified to intercede on behalf of the nation. Finding none, God poured His anger out on the people (Ezekiel 22:30-31).

On both an individual and on a national level, I suspect our lists today are just as long as what was described to Ezekiel. If God were to look for one person to stand in the gap today, would he find such a person? Fortunately the answer is yes. In fact we benefit from having that Man standing before God, interceding on behalf of the believer right at this moment. Jesus of Nazareth, God’s only begotten Son, stands at the right hand of God. There He speaks on the behalf of all who believe in His name, talking us up in prayer before the One Who created all things (Romans 8:34).

Those who have received the gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ need not worry about what will happen when we stand before the Father. Jesus has already put in a good word for us. We need not worry about God’s wrath. That was poured out on Jesus on our behalf. Jesus died on the cross, paying for our salvation with His life and redeeming us unto the Father so that in Him we might have life. He is already standing in the gap on your behalf. Remember this as you seek in prayer.

Mr. Incredible, Real Life Fatherhood and an Explosion of Straws

"Why would they change math? Math is math!" Mr. Incredible

I took my family to see “Incredibles 2” this past Father's Day. We all enjoyed the first movie and had hoped to see a sequel. When Disney announced movie 2 we knew we had to see it as soon as possible. I also had an ulterior motive in going to see the film. After reading one or two critiques which said the film portrays dads (represented by Mr. Incredible) in a negative light, I wanted to see for myself if this was yet another bad dad film. Considering the movie takes place in 1962 when family roles were a lot different than today, I was pleasantly surprised by a realistic portrayal (at least in my experience) of what it's like to be dad.

For the record "Incredibles 2" is an entertaining, though somewhat predictable movie. The action sequences are a lot of fun and while this is a superhero movie, it does a great job of poking fun at everyday life. Incredibles 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, in the parking lot right after Dash's track meet. Though the supers once again save the day, the world would still rather they stay in hiding. Against this backdrop Elastigirl is offered a job where she can fight crime while changing perceptions about supers.

Mom's new job means a number of changes in the family, including Mr. Incredible taking on a new role as a stay at home dad. I doubt this was very common in 1962. Back then most dads worked and would have scoffed at staying home with the children. There would have been bruised egos and a lack of know how if they were forced to take on the task. When judged by 2018 standards of course Mr. Incredible looks bad. I also suspect fifty-six years from now we will look like we didn’t have a clue to those looking back upon history.

With a precocious super powered baby, a moody teen whose having boy troubles and a son learning elementary school New Math, dad is in over his head. And yes he does make some silly mistakes, in at least one case making matters worse. He loses sleep. Eventually he loses his temper. He has to turn to Edna Mode and Frozone for help. For most of the movie it looks as if he is failing at his job. And as he struggles to figure it all out his day begins to look very familiar.

As any parent will tell you, when you are running late something will come up missing. Once when we were running late for my older son’s football picture day, he couldn't find his cleats. As we searched for the cleats my younger son discovered a box of 1000 drinking straws. Unfortunately toddlers (which he was at the time) are not good at opening boxes. Somehow he ripped the box in half sending the straws all over the family room. The sight of my son surrounded by a sea of straws would have made for a good picture had I had time to get my camera. It also made for a good laugh, which I would have enjoyed if not for the sound of my dog throwing up in the dining room.

I now had missing cleats, straws on the floor and vomit to clean up. There was only time to take care of two problems. I left the straws knowing I could explain things to my wife when she showed up for the football game. There was only one flaw in my plan and boy was it a big one. Instead of going straight to the field, like she said she was going to do, my wife decided to go home where she discovered that we no longer had any clean straws. In hindsight I should have cleaned up the straws and left the vomit. I could have then denied having any knowledge of the dog throwing up, which would have kept me out of the dog house.

Like Mr. Incredible I have made many mistakes while taking care of my children. Yes at times the house turns into a chaotic mess but eventually everything gets cleaned up. We found the cleats and on other occasions the remote, or whatever other item becomes lost at inopportune times. The children forgive me when I mishandle situations with their friends. Eventually even my wife learns to laugh at things, that is after she cleans up after me (just kidding). The same was true for the Parr family in “Incredibles 2,” where the kids survive Mr. Incredible's mistakes. Eventually one even compliments the job he does being dad.

“Incredibles 2” is not a disparaging portrayal of a father. It is an animated telling of what it's like for real dads, both in the 1960’s and today. We do our best, which often is less than perfect. Eventually we figure some of it out and everyone survives. But I still don't know why they would change math!

Have We Lost Our True Heroes?

From time to time I like to watch tv (actually more often YouTube) with my sons. I want to know what they are watching and what influence the programming will have on my kids and on their peers. Recently I watched an episode of a show which left me in complete shock. The show's heroes were looking for a way to help a friend. In the end they chose to rob a bank, framing an adversary for the crime. After surprising my son by calling the heroes the bad guys, I had to explain how a true hero would never rob a bank. The conversation left me pondering a question: one I would like to ask you now. Have we lost our true heroes?

This is something I find myself thinking about ever since watching a PBS series covering the history of television. In one of the episodes the show's creators looked at the evolution of the television hero. Early heroes were clearly defined, often wearing white and always doing what's right. Over the decades our heroes have become more "real" which tends to translate into more flawed. As a result our heroes have picked up a tendency of wrestling with internal moral dilemmas almost as often as they wrestle with bad guys.

The PBS episode talked about a number of different heroes over the years, many of which were characters I grew up watching. My earliest memories of tv heroes were of Superman and of the Lone Ranger, though I watched them in rerun. There were people like Speed Racer, who occasionally made a wrong decision or two but always had his heart in the right place. The PBS series moved from these types of heroes to people like Hawkeye Pierce on MASH, who once performed an unnecessary surgery in order to get an inept officer off the battlefield. This moral dilemma challenged the viewer to decide if it is right to do wrong if doing so would save lives.

The PBS episode ended by talking about the show “Dexter” in which the hero kills bad guys who would have otherwise escaped justice. The official webpage for the show describes Dexter as a crime solver by day and serial killer by night. As the local forensics expert, he is able to hide his crimes from the investigators with whom he works. I have only watched one episode of Dexter which I admit I found entertaining. It is also perhaps one of the most challenging programs in which to find a true hero. Even Dexter struggles with whether or not his life as a vigilante is acceptable and so should the viewer.

While I understand the entertainment value of having a hero who also qualifies as a bad guy, the trend is still troubling especially in a show aimed at kids like the one with our friendly neighborhood bank robbers. The target audience for Dexter is old enough to process whether or not the ends justifies the means. And while most kids understand that robbing a bank is wrong, the message sent when the "heroes" are the robbers is not the one we need today. When this is what we present as good we lose something important. We lose our heroes and in the process we lose our children.