Remembering JFK

I remember JFK train station from my days at UMASS Boston.

I remember crossing JFK Street in Cambridge enough times to draw a picture from memory.

I remember visiting the JFK library, and did "see his 'D' at the Museum".

I remember visiting the Eternal Flame at Arlington National Cemetery.

I remember watching his brother preside over a swearing-in of new US citizens, aboard the aircraft carrier named after him.

I remember best, and still can't get out of my head after twenty years, an excerpt of JFK's famous speech, thanks to a college video editing project. Today it still inspires me.

Zumbi dos Palmares - A Symbol of Freedom

Wikipedia

Every once in a while someone will ask me, "Why did you name your company Zumbi Mobile Solution?" or "What's a Zumbi?" I try not to chuckle at the latter, as it's a good, important, and honest question. Zumbi dos Palmares was a born-free, Afro-Brazilian freedom fighter.

I discovered Zumbi in 2000 during my first trip to Brazil. When Brazilians wanted to find out about more about me, they asked my birth-date. When I would respond, the reaction was always the same; pleasant surprise. After the fifth person's reaction, I decided to ask what the deal was with that date. "You don't know?" she said. "Every Brazilian knows this." I explained that I wasn't Brazilian.

I found out that slavery in Brazil was officially ended on my birth-date. My visit also coincided with 500 years since Brazil was discovered, so a few carnival themes included songs or references to Zumbi.

So what does Zumbi have to do with Zumbi Mobile Solutions? The freedom and peace of mind technology can provide the human race, by solving the problems of our times, and particular those that adversely affect the African diaspora.

"November 20 is celebrated, chiefly in Brazil, as a day of Afro-Brazilian consciousness. The day has special meaning for those Brazilians of African descent who honor Zumbi as a hero, freedom fighter, and symbol of freedom. Zumbi has become a hero of the twentieth-century Afro-Brazilian political movement, as well as a national hero in Brazil." - Wikipedia

PS. After four trips to Brasília, I still haven't found that bust of Zumbi. Perhaps next time. Eu quero ver...

Trayvon Martin Sunday

Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's mother, was the honorary guest today at Saint Paul A.M.E Church, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where my daughter visits to sing with the youth choir once a month. While Ms. Fulton was only able to attend the first service (I was at the second), I was told she gave very brief but powerful words to the congregants.

Pastor Rev. Melvin E. Wilson had asked everyone to don a hoodie to the services in remembrance of Trayvon. I had to admit that at first I was a bit taken aback. The only times I wear a hoodie is when I'm home working on my motorcycle or other manual labor. This was Sunday, going to church with my daughter. We'd both be wearing hoodies.

The first thought in my head was, I really don't want to be DWB today, not even by chance, not with my kid in the car. But then I thought, there really isn't anything inherently wrong with wearing a hoodie. It's just the fear of becoming a target (e.g. KWB). So, I had another conversation with my daughter (at her level), about who Trayvon was, who killed him, and why he got killed. We also talked about being perceived as being a treat because of one's appearance, including skin color, and how to mitigate that.

In the service it was remarkable to see three and four generations of congregants, of all backgrounds, with hoodies. Professor Chales Ogeltree gave the word (i.e. sermon) for the second service; focusing on remembering Travyon and those before him (e.g. Emmett Till), honoring Trayvon by understanding the laws of our municipalities, to listen to and teach our children about "the rough side of the mountain", and not letting our fears keep them in the dark about the realities of life they ought to be aware of. Unfortunately, my son is too young to understand at the level of his sister. However, I've kept the church program, so we can start to have the conversation, one hoodie at a time.

A Definition of a Veteran

Borrowed from Mount Rushmore for the dedication

Someone who writes a check to the US government, payable for up to his or her life. I heard this last Sunday from Brigadier General Paul G. Smith, Assistant Adjutant General of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, at the dedication of the Medford, Massachusetts Veterans' Honor Roll Park. The ceremony was to add to the Honor Roll, the names of all Medford residents who served in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

While I wasn't deployed in any of those conflicts, I remember vividly (then) General Colin Powell announcing the start of Operation Desert Storm, only a few days before my graduation from Basic Training. Gen. Smith made it a point to acknowledge all veterans, including those in attendance. I was taken aback by the overwhelming public attendance and support. Please remember to thank a veteran and offer your support however you can. The smallest gesture can have such an impact.