Trolling the Buckeyes cause I Roll with the Tide

Yeah, that’s me on the campus of the Ohio State University in front of “the Shoe” with my Alabama crimson Tide t-shirt on. Why? Cause that’s how my petty is set up. This was no accident. Oh no. I intentionally wore my Bama tee to troll OSU fans. All in good fun though. Buckeyes have the bragging rights since they defeated the Tide in the 2015 Sugar Bowl of the first College Football Playoff series.

As I was there in the Horseshoe taking my pics, I was greeted with a die-hard Buckeye fan who very appropriately told me to get out of there with my t-shirt. That’s us flipping each other the bird just like we should. Nothing like sports to bring people together just to flip each other off. Just good ole rivalry fun.

LaKo’s Lesson of the Month: Be a kid. Have fun.

Do you remember when you looked forward to the next day? Have you recently let your inner child come out? If you answered no to both of these questions then you haven’t been having fun.

As adults, we juggle many responsibilities. Work. Spouse/Partner/Significant Other. Kids. Bills. Illness. And on and on. So much so that we often lose ourselves in the midst of doing what we have to do. Let me tell you that that’s no way to live. What are we doing those things for if we don’t take a minute to enjoy life and have something to look forward to? We know work is on the to do list for Monday morning, but do we look forward to it. Heck nawl!

That’s why I’m working hard at never growing up. Yes, I’m a responsible adult, but I want to remain in touch with the kid in me. I recently did this by taking a bike ride with similarly-minded women. Although I was only anticipating riding for five miles, ten at most, we actually rode for 20 miles.  Yes, 20 effing miles. There were a few times when I caught myself smiling for no reason at all.

If you watch the news or are connected via any social media platform, you know that the world is experiencing very challenging times. There are a lot of angry people out there. I’m willing to bet that those angry folks are not having fun. So, go out and be a kid again and have unfiltered fun.

Let me know what childlike fun you had or plan to have in the comments.

LaKo’s Lesson of the Month: Impact

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

This is a great quote by a person of great significance in sports, Jackie Robinson who integrated Major League Baseball. It says that his integration of baseball was not only important because of the opportunities it gave to other players of color, but also opportunities to people in other areas. Many of the changes that come about in society come about when there is acceptance in sports, arts and entertainment.

In this day and age when you have so many team athletes only concerned with their individual statistics or endorsement deal, Jackie Robinson provides a reminder that their are higher ideals to achieve. Never more in recent history has this been as needed as it is today. In small ways our lives are impactful whether that’s our goal or not. So, imagine if we can be intentional about the impact we want to have on others. I’m sure Jackie Robinson didn’t have a goal of his number 42 being worn each year by every player in the league. But, that’s exactly what happens because he was intentional with the sacrifices he made and that impact is being recognized.

What are your intentions on impacting the lives of others?

LaKo’s Lesson of the Month: Principles

Before there was Colin Kaepernick, there was Mahmoud Abdul Rauf of the NBA. Like Kaep, Rauf didn’t stand for the national anthem because he viewed the American flag as a symbol of oppression and tyranny. Rauf’s NBA career ended early because of this protest as it seems Kaep’s may as well. As of this writing, Kaep is still a free agent QB where lesser talented QBs have been signed. Unlike Kaep, Rauf did not get the public support that Kaep has gotten. During the NFL season, Kaep’s jersey was number one in sales and his teammates honored with the team’s most prestigious award. Not receiving support makes his decision even more heroic. Like Muhammad Ali, Rauf stood on his principles which have stood the test of time. His legacy can serve as inspiration for future Kaepernicks.

Nike just keeps doing it. This time with the hijab.

On International Women’s Day, Nike announced that it was developing a sports hijab, Nike Pro Hijab for Muslim women athletes that should be available in spring 2018. In last year’s Olympic Games, Ibtihaj Muhammad made headlines for being the first American to compete in a hijab and then the first to win a medal. Since the election of our 45th President, affectionately called Cheeto Satan and Marmalade Mussolini by some, attacks on women wearing the hijab has increased. So, this comes at a crucial time.

For those who don’t know, the hijab is worn by Muslim women as a part of Islamic practice to signify modesty and decency. Because of the requirement for modesty in dress, Muslim women athletes can’t exactly wear what most of us wear when we are working out at the gym. So, this is an important step for Muslim women to have access to top athletic gear. Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari is already wearing the Nike Pro Hijab.
I foresee non-Muslim women like runners who want to become more aerodynamic and unbothered with their hair wearing  the Nike Pro Hijab. This is a nice stride in normalizing the hijab in American culture and bringing it to the mainstream. I hope that the sports hijab becomes a fashion statement for all women athletes. The more that it is worn and seen can lead to fewer incidences of bullying and hate crimes against Muslim women and girls.

This isn’t the first time that Nike has taken the lead to fill a need. In 2015, Nike developed the LeBron Soldier 8 FLYEASE with Matthew Walzer who was physically unable to tie his shoes. This shoe allows him to wear his favorite basketball shoe and not have his parents tie his shoes or wear an unattractive shoe that focuses on the disability. For this and now the sports hijab, this Adidas girl really appreciates Nike who just keeps doing it.

 

LaKo’s Lesson of the Month: March 2017

With March being Women’s History Month and since my daughter dressed as her for Black History Month at school, it is only fitting that the lesson for this month comes from Serena Williams. The Greatest of all Time!! And I will fight you if you bicker about that point. Kidding, sort of.  Serena reminds us to inspire and uplift each other. A point that shouldn’t be forgotten during these challenging times.

LaKo’s Lesson of the Month: February 2017

When you’re naturally gifted at something, you can easily fall into the trap of slacking off and taking that gift for granted. What I know to be undoubtedly true is that success comes from hard work. That should be comforting if you believe you don’t have any special gifts or talent. That’s not true by the way. So get out there and fulfill your dreams.