Posted by Chapter Commander Strider on January 9, 2020:

The Marble Steps

I just had a Great conversation with my friend Russell Neverdon Sr. We spoke about our passion about Baltimore City & we each ended up speaking about the time when our neighbors, Our teachers, the churches and especially our parents made sure to be a part of our lives. Good,bad or indifferent someone was always there to make us accountable for our actions and behavior.

We spoke of a phrase that I’m sure everyone has used at least one time in their lives...” It takes a village” a phrase that goes back as far as the origins of the African culture which places emphasis on Family & the Community especially when taken care of our children.
As Russell and I spoke about our personal history in Baltimore City one of the fondest memories we both seemed to recall is how important it was to maintain the “Marble Steps”

If your Not from Baltimore City “Marble Steps” were used approximately through the 19 century to help decorate the front of Row homes in Baltimore City and some of its surroundings. The 60% of the marble used in Baltimore came from Beaver Dam and as supply started to deplete homeowners actually tried to substitute their steps with concrete or even paint.

Question , Why do the the Memories of the “Marble Steps” mean so much to people like me, Russell Neverdon & most of the Resident’s of Baltimore City ?? The Answer is Because those “Marble Steps” refresh a time in my life when those Steps centered around my security, my family, my friends, my neighbors and of course my village.

The magic of Those “Marble Steps” bought a sense of pride to communities where collectively and without fail, every weekend someone was out front scrubbing the “Marble Steps” as far as the eye could see and that ritual of pride of washing and gathering around those steps or stoop as the term is often used help reinforce and shared a common belief that we are all a part of each other, we are all responsible for each other and we are surely histories proof that it takes a village.

Russell Neverdon, Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane and for all of your work in the Village.

Look for Russell Neverdon on a future episode of Beyond the Streets

Posted by Chapter Commander Strider on September 24, 2014:

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE The Celebrities, The NFL & Us
Domestic violence can be like a lifelong long struggle for a victim as well as an abuser and it usually goes on in silence until something traumatic causes it to be public knowledge such as injury, legal matters or a 3rd party steps in for an intervention but when any kind of crime or negative action is displayed in public by our popular celebrity’s the awareness, recognition & cause can take on a life of its own. Case in point the Ray Rice incident continues to be the topic of the day. It’s hard not to look for the appearance of privilege with the NFL, Ray Rice or any other sport or TV celebrity who looks to be excused from infractions, legal penalties or accountability because of privilege.

It’s sad that once our idols are caught in a negative limelight depending on how bright their star shines we tend to soften our usual view of morality and overlook what we personally consider is right because we want our celebrity to give us that season end trophy, we want that next TV episode, we want that next album or whatever it is that our heros or sheros normally provide.

If the Rice video would have been a viral video of a 200 lb John Q Nobody (especially a black John Q Nobody) delivering a knock out punch to a woman in an elevator the social network would have exploded with enough rage energy to power a small city. Town’s people would storm the castle with torches and law enforcement would be tripping over themselves trying to be the first to clap on the cuffs but nope, its Ray Rice football star.

NFL superstar Ray Rice is seen on a general public casino elevator video camera delivering a left hook to his significant other knocking her out cold, with no clear body language to indicate his remorse at that time other than the concern that he couldn't lift her enough to pick her up off the floor but at least he took time to make sure she was not indecently exposed as he kicks her legs shut before a crowd gathers.

Although Ray Rice was initially given a 2 game suspension (In the world of John Q Nobody we call that Probation) but now since we have a new video that shows without a doubt the details involved in this attack & it’s crystal clear that we can NOT find an excuse to blame anyone else for the attack but RAY himself.

So now we have to act, something has to be done, who do we blame for this? Meanwhile sport fans, domestic violence victims and advocates, even the president of the United States has thrown in his 2cents speaking about “how horrible Rays action was” People all over the country are kicking up dust but some folks still scratch their heads and say "No! Not Ray, the season just started"

Who is to blame for this?, The NFL already punished him with a 2 game suspension thingy, TMZ has spilled the beans and made the video public and now the Football team owners and league officials scramble to pretend they had no prior clue that the damage was this real. We want answers damn it!! Who can we blame? We have a game to play!!

But wait? Check this out? In typical textbook domestic violence victim fashion the good wife (Janay Rice) stepped up to defend her man. I would love to know what is going through her mind. As embarrassing as it was with the 1st video where Ray received a light punishment and despite the hype, Janay & Ray still got married, Ray got to keep his job, the majority of the public forgot & forgave but NOW..It’s different.

Now the vision is clear thanks to TMZ and that darn security camera. Ray Rice caught on video assaulting his spouse “BAM” DING DING DING...winner by Knockout!

The video goes viral, Ray is dropped from the team, his endorsements are no longer valid, his football Jerseys are being burned or traded and even the Raven franchise is honoring Ray Rice merchandise returns.

I know it looks dark but remember the good wife is here, forget the fact that none of this would have happened if Ray Rice would have kept his hands to himself, forget about the fact that the man she loves gave her a Mike Tyson type punch to the face that bounced her off a wall, a railing and finally the floor but through all of that Janay Rice is still able to lash out at the world for upsetting her man by saying:

"No one knows the pain that the media & unwanted options from the public has caused my family"

We need to forgive Janay for these comments because this behavior is typical of most domestic violence victims plus she was knocked out and missed most of the confusion and fuss. Honestly with the high profile celebrity status of a NFL Ravens player especially one as talented as Ray Rice who lives in the spotlight and gets tons of attention wherever he goes how can she blame the media and the un-wanted options from the public for all the pain her family is going through, hell everybody knows that Atlantic City casinos have been promoting fight events as long as there have been fight events so why should their fight which was caught on a surveillance elevator camera recording be any different?

Janay went on to say that “we (the public) are making them re-live a moment in their lives that they regret everyday and it is a horrible thing"

I totally agree with Janay on this because no matter where you go or what you do people cannot stop talking about this and what is really really unfortunate is that WE (the public) have an UN-WANTED OPTION to re-live it with them! UGGG!

What really gets me is the part when Janay said that they were “hurt and embarrassed and expressed outrage that her husband lost his career over the assault" –REALLY? WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?

Call me crazy but lets go back to what if Ray Rice was (John Q Nobody) he would have not only lost his career but he would have also lost his teeth, his job and the ability to move freely without pain from all the broken bones that he would have suffered from the “Rodney King” butt kicking the police or casino security guards would have given him as they were dragging him off that elevator to send his ass to jail for such a violent attack on a female. – People wake up and sniff the smelling salt!

She posted that "To take something away from the man I love that he was worked his ass off all his life for just to gain ratings is horrific,"

Laughable...No one took anything away from Ray...he gave it away the minute he threw that left hook between floors but of course Janay missed that moment because of her sudden trauma nap and as far as ratings go…No one had to take anything away from Ray to get ratings, there isn’t a news group in the country that hasn’t gained viewers thanks to that video.

My advise to Janay is that she is the victim and she does not have to advocate for Ray, take note little lady because If you think Ray was pissed in that elevator just wait until reality kicks in and he realizes that those million dollar salaries and endorsements are disappearing almost as fast as any proof of anyone in the NFL who had prior knowledge or may have seen that incriminating video of what happened in the elevator before TMZ released it to the public.

Janay wrote. "THIS IS OUR LIFE!"

Again I agree “Your life” but it is a life you chose to play out in the public eye for everyone to see.

This is so disturbing on so many levels. I have had more than enough 1st hand memories of my childhood experiences with domestic violence and even more as a Guardian Angel to know the reality of the pain involved. The sad dangerous truth with this situation is that those of us who have no fame and fortune continue to live everyday in the jaws of domestic violence have suddenly become just a little less important.

So because it’s Ray Rice we look for a reason to overlook public opinion, the ugly truth about the long term affects and we try to downplay the seriousness of domestic violence because football fans want to get Ray Rice back in the game... Domestic violence is real and it’s calling us out from the football field but we try to push it back under the rug just like we did with mental illness before all the school and mall shootings. Domestic violence has been around along time and in one way or another it is paided forward by both the abuser and the abused.

When I watch those videos of Janay and Ray (only my opinion)

I see the body language of a MAN who has very little control of his temper while under the influence who threw his weight and presence around to taunt, agitate and provoke a response and when he got that response "He Struck" violently.

I see the body language of a WOMAN - who did not seem intimidated by the running backs jumps & gestures and when taunted or touched struck back without hesitation as if it was a reflex, muscle memory or habit. Mind you she did not use enough force to damage or hurt but just enough to show that she was un-afraid for her safety maybe because this may not have been the first time these 2 bumped heads or maybe because she had never thought that the man she loved could ever hurt or cause her harm.

I see a couple (2) people who may have a passive aggressive relationship that seemed to have escalated in that elevator in Atlantic City. Not sure if this is the first time these 2 had confrontations but after this latest bout if I were a betting man I would say it will definitely be their last.

Ray Rice is talented, young and can be a big influential advocate when it comes to awareness on domestic violence. There is no doubt that it was his dedication and hard work that helped him reach his goal to become a professional football player and like most celebrities and sport figures who reach a level of success and empowerment after time may feel as though the rules and laws in general no longer apply to them.

Violence is bad enough but domestic violence in my opinion cuts the deepest, your abuser is usually someone you know and many times someone you trust. The emotional and mental stress can do you as much damage as a physical beating.

How many victims sleep in fear every night just praying for a moment of peace before the pain sets in again.

How many children fear adulthood because they don't want to repeat the cycle in their future?

How many relationships have been pushed away due to insecurities & attachment disorders & the only love you’ve ever known came with lies, beatings and emergency room visits?

Ray Rice should be counting his blessings; this is a man who has trained and conditioned his body to give & take beatings, poundings & hits on a regular basis. Anyone who has trained in self defense knows just how easy it is to un-intentionally take a life or cause serious injuries. The punch Ray delivered to Janay alone was enough to cause such damage but remember she also took 2 or 3 more hits from bouncing off the walls before she even hit the floor.

Janay should a take a moment to think about what happened to her in that elevator and appreciate the fact that the damage was not permanent or fatal. I hope she realizes that she is not responsible for the repercussions of her husband’s actions. Don’t be the victim where people point their finger and say “you did this, this is your fault’

I’m not sure if Ray Rice should be banned from football for life but he surely deserved a stricter punishment than a (2) game suspension. (Of course a little Jail time wouldn’t hurt either).

We all blew it though, we have stepped on, covered up and un-covered, back tracked and screwed up the truth, responsibilities and facts so much that all the would have, should have and could haves can’t be untangled for clarity and we have no clue how to proceed.

Poor Ray Rice has backed himself in a corner of fubar hell. Keep in mind that (John Q Nobody) would’ve been still in jail waiting for a court date.

To make matters worse in the aftermath of the Ray Rice incident where no more attention is needed, here comes another NFL professional, Adrian Peterson with allegations of child abuse charges where he allegedly beat his (4) year son with a wooden switch “And the hits just keep on coming” (No pun intended)

Although we really know nothing about our celebrities true personalities and character other than what we see or learn about them on TV, radio or the playing field, Ray Rice like most celebrities & sport figures become role models and heroes whether they like it or not either voluntary or in-voluntary just like the police, parents, teachers, religious leaders and definitely the superstars whose fame and fortune is achieved by those who admire, fund and support them. Anyone who has power or influence over others has the responsibility to lead by example.

When the world of the internet, texting and smart phones with the magic to record & transmit video of our dark side which can be captured and shared in an instant for the whole world to see. (Over & over) can’t control how we behave then we are totally out of control and I fear for the future. If you ever feel yourself coming un-glued outside the confines of home sweet home, just say “Cheese” and suffer the consequences.

Strider

Posted by Chapter Commander Strider on January 21, 2013:

Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King

In 1964 when presenting Martin Luther King Jr. with the Noble Peace Prize

Gunnar John Chairman of the Nobel Committee said these words:

“Today we pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., the man who has never abandoned his faith in the unarmed struggle he is waging, who has suffered for his faith, who has been imprisoned on many occasions, whose home has been subject to bomb attacks, whose life and the lives of his family have been threatened, and who nevertheless has never faltered"

This January we celebrated the birth of a man who lived everyday of his life with the unselfish sacrifice of carrying the burdens of not only his entire race but of people everywhere. In his honor we have attended the parades and watched the specials but how many people have actually taken the time this year to at least try to fathom how great a gift his accomplishments were ? As I think of the MLK days, when African Americans, people just like me, faced great challenges to simply walk the streets to be recognized as a race of proud and dignified people, and where the only want cared about was the hope to be treated as nothing more than equals in the human race,

I ask myself, could I have walked the path That Dr. King walked? Could I have dreamed of the future he fought so hard to create? Could I have stood so strong for what I believed when it seemed like the whole world opposed me? Could I have restrained myself from violent retaliation while watching the demise of those who stood beside me?

If I could go back in time and speak with Dr. King I would love to tell him that thanks to all he and others fought for in the past we as a country have come a long way since his famous speech nearly 50 years ago. Race relations and civil rights have improved quite a bit, Equality is not a taboo concept as it was in 1963 and the country elected a black president in the white house. How great it would be to see the expression on his face.

But would I have the courage to tell him that as a race we still have further to travel. Could I tell him that in 2012 we closed out the year with 217 homicides in Baltimore City? 20 more murders than the previous year of 2011. Could I tell him that as of August 26 2013 we have reached approximately 150 homicides so far in Baltimore City. Would I be able to tell him that the majority of the homicide victims were African–Americans, a result of black-on-black crime and senseless selfish acts of violence?

would I have the courage to look him in the eye and tell him “In our present time, even with all you and others have sacrificed...and all you have taught, the biggest obstacle we face now … is each other”? Like so many African Americans of the past, Martin Luther King Jr. paid the ultimate price for our pride. Let’s live the dream.

Strider

.“The Aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of a beloved community, while the aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness. ---Martin Luther King Jr. (Special Thanks to Todd Wheeler for the photo)

Posted by on November 30, 1999:

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