Raising Cain.....
Cam Newton, my son, and the thousands like them.

Arrogant, Gaudy, Pompous, Showy, lacks humility.....are the words often used to describe the handsome chiseled jaw, athletic, intelligent 26 year old phenom QB of the Carolina Panthers; who happens to be the NFL MVP that keeps racking up the accolades on his way to his biggest career stage yet. The 50th Superbowl game will be played today, where CAM is favored to lead his team to victory....that smile, the banter and witty comebacks in interviews, the big kid that loves the kids and they him.

Reminds me of my sons, especially Boy1. I will NEVER forget the comments of a teacher about my then7th grade son. After a teacher unfairly and rudely yelled at and humiliated El, he walked out of class into the hall at the behest of male teacher who was concerned by his coworkers actions.  Later the comments of a white male teacher who had never taught either of my two sons (who attended the same school I worked at), felt the liberty to address me in the hallway and said " you know your son is a little arrogant and given the situation that happened, you may need to talk to him".

I got close and responded " as a white male you will never know the amount of courage and confidence you need to navigate this society as a black male. What you view as arrogance and insubordination, we call confidence, self esteem, and self worth." While I have never been a black male I am the product of one,related to and befriended by several, I married one, and I bore three.

We are a naturally humble, hardworking and proud people, so please don't ever make the mistake again of judging me or mine. My son a 13 year old honor student athlete was there playing soccer and basketball, with NO discipline file at all. Boy1 went on to Westlake High School, graduated from North Springs High School with honors, and is currently a Junior in college on a soccer scholarship.
WHS taught him to be a good sport, the importance of community, and teamwork. His style is much like that of Cam Newtons, we encourage and celebrate these young men and their success! When you spew negativity...it fuels their fire to be GREATER. At their young ages they have had to overcome insurmountable odds that many of their peer on the football and soccer fields have not. Good luck to the most powerful QB in the game today.

#younggiftedandblack