Who Was Mr. Emmett Till?

This week, a lot of Americans heard the name Emmett Till for the first time. The reason Mr. Till’s story came back into the news was because racism is still alive in America. For those who may have missed the story, three Ole Miss University frat boys decided to post a picture of themselves along with their guns beside a monument in honor of Emmett Till. So, who Was Mr. Emmett Till?

Emmett Till was born on July 25, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1955, he was visiting family in Mississippi. During that visit, Mr. Till was accused of whistling at a white women. Oh, did I mention Mr. Till was a 14-year old African-America boy, being accused of whistling at a white women in Mississippi during the 1950’s? What was the punishment for this so called crime? Mr. Till, a 14-year old boy on vacation was lynched by two white men.

During the 1955 farce of a trial, the two white men accused of this horrific crime Roy Bryant and J.W. Milan were found not guilty by an all white jury. In 1956, the two men acquitted of the crime admitted publicly they had killed Mr. Till, but were protected by double jeopardy. Also decades later Carol Bryant, the white women who had accused Mr. Till of whistling at her admitted she made up the whole story.

Why am I sharing Emmett Till’s story in 2019? Because it is part of our history that should never be forgotten. Even though things have improved in America, we still have a long ways to go. I think the photo of the three white frat boys standing next to Mr. Till’s memorial proves that fact. Or the story of the white woman in North Carolina who defended herself for calling an African-American woman the “N Word.”. That is why I will continue to be a voice against racism.

Emmett Till would have turned 78 this week. What would he have accomplished in life? Maybe he would have become a doctor, lawyer or teacher. Maybe he would be a grandfather today, enjoying his grandchildren. Sadly, Mr. Till never had the opportunity to “Maybe” see any of these things. His young life was taken way too soon based on a lie and hate.

You may have noticed, I referred to Emmett Till has Mr. Till during this blog post even though he was only a child when he was murdered. I did that out of respect for Mr. Till and his family. Oh, how I wish that young 14-year old boy would have had the opportunity to become Mr. Till. ~OC

July 27, 2019 0

Criticizing America is Not a Sin

Over the last week or so, there has been a lot of debate about criticizing America. Some people believe if you criticize America and it’s leaders you should pack up and leave the country. Others, like myself believe it is healthy to discuss the warts of America. That does not mean we do not love America. Actually, it shows that we really love this nation.

America was built on people having the right to share their concerns about this beautiful country. These debates have shaped this nation. Let’s take a look at some of those debates.

Women’s Suffrage. In 2020, we will celebrate 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment. This gave women the right to vote. Did you catch that date? Women have only had the right to vote for 99 years. The brave women of the Suffrage Movement were criticized for criticizing the way things were being done in America. Can you imagine the Sunday dinner conversations? But those brave souls did not pack up and leave America. No, they pushed forward until the 19th Amendment was ratified and signed on August 18, 1920.

End of Slavery. Who can forget we actually fought a war against each other over this terrible part of American history. Imagine if some very brave people would have stayed silent and not criticized America about the sin of slavery. We would never have seen the passage of the 13th Amendment which was ratified and signed on December 18, 1865.

Civil Rights Act. For some this seems so long ago, but this landmark act was signed on July 2, 1964. That was only 55 years ago. Some people reading this were alive during this turbulent time in America’s history. Some were on the right side of history, while others fought to hold on to the terrible past of America. The brave souls of the Civil Rights Movement were criticized for wanting to make America a better place for all. Some gave their lives for that freedom. What if they would had stayed silent? Where would we be as a nation?

I could go on and on with examples of how America was changed for the better by people who criticized her. Think about all those people involved in the examples above. Today, we celebrate them. But during those struggles, those same people were being beaten and killed for speaking up. So before you pass judgement on those brave enough to criticize America, remember America was built on people criticizing her. Oh, by the way, criticizing America is not a sin. It is a right that many have died for. A right we should continue to fight for. ~OC

July 27, 2019 0

Church In America

I saw this sign posted on some friends’ social media pages this week. Some of these friends would call themselves Christians. This photo made me angry and sad all at the same time. I almost posted something ugly in response, but God reminded me two wrongs don’t make a right. Yes, this church was wrong to post this message. Anyone who liked this photo, gave a thumbs up or a smiley face was wrong.

I am concerned that too many churches have become more concerned about politics and less concerned about the gospel. If this church and it’s leadership were more concerned about the gospel, they would have looked at that sign and decided to post something that would bring people together. But I fear, like so many churches in America, they put their political beliefs over their obligation to love God and love people. Even people they disagree with.

Did that church have the right to post that sign? Yes they did. Would I feel welcome in that church? Probably not. Sadly, that would not be the first time I didn’t feel welcome in a church. So my challenge to churches across America, is to be more concerned about living out the gospel of Jesus Christ and less concerned about living out your political beliefs. Thanks for listening. ~OC

July 26, 2019 0

I Love America

I love America. I love the freedoms we have. I truly would not want to live anywhere else. But I also realize that America has its problems, just like any other country. What’s great about America, is we have the right to criticize the things that need to be changed. Well, at least we used to.

I am concerned with this new sentiment of Love It or Leave It. We have all heard someone say it. Heck, I even saw it on a church sign. Really? Note to self, never attend that church. If you have used this statement, I would encourage you to check your heart. Also check your America History. America was build on people being able to share their concerns about this country without the threat of being told to “go back to your country.” Even though those who dare to criticize America, where actually born here in the Good Ole USA.

I know some will be upset with this post. How dare I think it’s okay to criticize America? I make such criticism, not because I hate America, but because I love America. We have to stand up for people even if we do not agree with their opinions. That is their right. A lot of great people died to give them that right. We have to be willing to look at the good and bad that makes up America. The day we stop allowing people to criticize America, is the day we become like a communist country and lose what has always made America great. ~OC

July 24, 2019 0

Truly Living

I love technology and social media. If you follow me at all, you know I have multiple social media pages. I love it. With that said, I wonder if all our technology has made us slowly stop living. I mean truly living.

Have you been at a restaurant, church or basically anywhere and looked around? Almost everyone is buried in their phones or computers. Sometimes this happens has we are sitting in our living room with family/friends. We have become so obsessed with checking our social media pages, I believe we have stopped truly living. We seem more concerned about how many friends we have on social media and less concerned about the actual friends we have, that would love to hear from us. We have become walking zombies, constantly looking for the perfect update to post on our social media pages. I am not pointing fingers, because I have been guilty of doing the same thing. Hello! I am writing this blog post from my cellphone.

Sadly, we don’t value friendships, conversation or just hanging out these days. We seem more concerned about posting the next great post. If we lay our phones down for a minute, we might miss what someone had for dinner. Meanwhile we are missing life. There is always going to be a new project, task, or social media update we have to complete. My fear is we are losing the true meaning of life. The art of truly living.

So this week, I challenge everyone including myself to put down the phone/computer and truly live. That could mean meeting a friend and spending time catching up. That could mean taking a walk and just enjoying time with nature. You don’t have to take a picture or video to prove you did it. Maybe you can use your phone to actually call a friend or loved one and have a real conversation. Take the time this week to truly live. ~OC

July 22, 2019 0

Today I Choose

When your dealing with multiple life threatening health issues, each day brings different challenges. Some days those challenges can seem overwhelming. What’s awesome, is each day I am able to choose how I deal with those challenges.

When my crazy beautiful health journey started over 17 years ago, I made the choice to embrace my challenges and really live life. That is not always easy. My body is really not my own anymore. Most of the time my body feels foreign to me. But even in those tough moments, I still get to choose how I deal with this new reality. Do I allow my challenges to consume me or do I choose to overcome those challenges?

If you have followed my story at all, you know the answer to that question. I have made the choice to truly live. Even though it would be easier to sit around and take it easy, I choose to take trips with my beautiful bride and make amazing memories. I choose to use my story to encourage others dealing with their own crazy beautiful journey. Heck, I even chose to write a book. I choose to live a positive life.

I believe my positive outlook on life, has gotten me through some of my toughest days. I believe my days as a long-distance runner, has given me the mental strength to deal with the health struggles I deal with on a daily basis. I know my faith has helped guide me through this crazy beautiful journey. Because I know this journey is only temporary.

Each morning, we choose how we life today. Here are some choices I make daily.

Today, I choose to be a Warrior.

Today, I choose to be an Overcomer.

Today, I choose to Thrive.

Today, I choose to Live. ~OC

July 20, 2019 0

When Life Throws You A Curveball

As I sit in the Infusion Room at Florida Cancer Specialists, I am surrounded by a lot of hurting people. My fellow patients were just living an ordinary life, when life threw them a curveball. Their lives will never be the same. Their family and friends will never be the same.

Life can change in a moment. None of my fellow overcomers were planning to deal with cancer or other health issues they are currently battling. Most were probably going to work everyday and trying to provide for their families. They probably had plans to take vacations and for some others to enjoy retirement. Then life threw them a big curveball. Most probably never saw it coming. I know I didn’t. I wasn’t prepared for my life to dramatically change. I am sure my fellow patients were not prepared for the curveball that came their way.

As I look around this room, I see stories of overcoming. I see people doing everything they can to get their old life back, but embracing their new one. I see some faces that have been on this journey for a long time and I also see people who are just starting the journey. We are all trying to navigate this new reality. Some are doing better than others, but everyone is battling.

As you go through life today, remember everyone is dealing with something. With some, you can see their pain. It is written all over their body. But there are others that the pain is not easily visible. Everyone’s journey looks different. That is why it is so important to treat people with love and respect. To live a life of compassion. Because you never know what curveball has been thrown their way. ~OC

July 19, 2019 0

Silence Is No Longer An Option

This past week, has been a tough one in America. For the last few years, I have kept fairly silent about the things going on in Washington and around our country. I have spent my time praying for this nation and her leaders. I have spoken with some close friends about the issues facing our country. I made the choice not to share my thoughts in a public way. Then the President of the United States decided to comment that four women of color should go back to their country because they have some different beliefs than he does. Then he stood silent at a political rally, while his supporters chanted “Send Her Back.” These comments were directed to four American citizens. Regardless of what you think about their political views, they are American citizens. As Americans, they have the right to their views and should not have to deal with racist comments from the leader of the free world and his supporters. Yes, the comments from the President and the chants of his supporters were racist. A lot of people will disagree with me on this subject, but in my opinion there is no debate.

As I spoke with some of my friends of color this week, they shared that on more than one occasion they have been told to “go back to their country.” Their home country is the United States of America. My friends shared how hurtful these comments made them feel. As a white man in America, no one has ever told me to “Go back to your country.” I do not believe I have ever heard that comment directed towards a white person. That is why I feel the comments by the President and his supporters were racist.

I may not agree with everything the four Congresswomen stand for, but I do stand for their right to say it. That is what America was built on. The freedom of speech and to express your opinions. These four women are elected leaders. If their constituents disagree with their views, they can vote them out. But in America, we should never tell fellow Americans they should go back to their country. They are already living in their country.

I will continue to pray for America and her leaders. I am thankful to live in this beautiful country. With that said, I can no longer stay silent, when I need to speak out. I encourage everyone to pray for this country and our leaders. I also encourage everyone to speak up when needed. I still believe better days are ahead for America. Let us stand together with all of our fellow citizens and demand more from our political leaders. And more importantly, demand more from ourselves. ~OC

July 19, 2019 0

I Refuse To Be Silent

Several people have suggested the reason I am not getting a lot of speaking engagements, is because of the things I share on my blog. They believe my choice of topics scare some people. Some people have suggested I stop sharing controversial topics. What I hear is, stop sharing on thought provoking topics and stick with sweet and positive post. Sorry I cannot do it.

Let me share, that everything that I write is what God has put on my heart. I always pray before I post anything on my blog. Some things I have written will probably never be posted. My intention is never to shock people with my post. I have no desire to be a “Shock Blogger.” Not sure if I just made up a new phrase. No, my desire is to make people think. To encourage people to have real conversations about tough topics. To never be afraid to speak up.

So, I will continue to share what God puts on my heart. If that means people don’t want to hire me to share my journey, that’s okay. I will never stop speaking out on topics that I care about. If you don’t care for my blog post and do not want me speaking to your organization that’s fine. I would probably not be a good fit anyways. I truly believe there are organizations that will welcome me and my crazy beautiful journey. Do not be afraid to reach out. ~OC

July 18, 2019 0