Rodney's Rambling's

Voids filled with darkness Stranded on the pit of despair Watching the crowd float by Wondering when, if, can I find solace. Searching for something, lost in the darkness Needing something not sure what has been lost Seeking something within the moment of nothing Wanting something not sure of what. In the moment, just before i would give up Out of nowhere, without warning the clouds cleared, the sky became blue and into my nothingness the sun did shine. Bright hopes of wonder, sweet dreams of bliss Smiles beyond measure, conversations fill the voids Kindred spirits entwine, souls discovering their twin Passions unfold, joy meets joy -when the Sun Shines. 

  Change is constant, but transformation is rare. How do we transform our institutions to maximize diversity, resources, and opportunities? Often, we are forced to change as people, resources, and opportunities change. We must constantly adjust to the ever-changing environment in which we operate. But how do we do more than react? How do we initiate action that not only deals with these changes but anticipates them and, in many ways, precludes them? We cannot consistently react, failing to plan, anticipate, or initiate policies, procedures, and activities that promote growth and innovation.  Change is reactive, and transformation is active.  Change is important; transformation is essential if we are to do more than survive but thrive.  Transformation leadership requires us to consistently be agents of positive and intentional change that expands possibilities, abilities, and realities for our various constituencies.  Some continue to do the same things and expect different resu

  I am not the problem I am the solution I am not the question I am the answer I am not the sickness I am the remedy. I am the chip in the cookie of life I am the rainbow after the storm I am the diamond in the mountain of reality I am the gold at the end of the rainbow I am all the possibilities that be I am self-actualization. I am not the object of your fantasy I am the subject of my destiny I am not the drama you pretend I am the main character in my own story I am not the reason why you failed I am the reason why I will succeed. I am the petal in the bouquet of tranquility I am the vision of what can be I am the captain of my own ship of state I am the the promise of tomorrows yet to come I am the culmination of all the reasons why I am self-actualization. I am not the problem I am the solution I am not the question I am the answer I am not the sickness I am the remedy. I am the cool breeze in the heat of the night I am the wonder in the middle of the dream I am the dream that co

  Miami University has two unique and linked programs that foster excellence and highlight our commitment to underrepresented students and our partnership with local schools.  These programs, Camp Excell and Cincy Scholars are what the future looks like. Camp Excell is a summer camp that involves as many as 100 youths from Cincinnati Public Schools and 50 from Middletown Public Schools.  From the 7th to the 9th grades, the youth spend four days and three nights at Miami.  During this time, faculty from across every division of the Campus conduct a class session, sharing their passion for learning.  Youth are introduced to subjects from robotics to accounting, nursing to cell biology, and newts to music concertos.  The youths explore the full range of possibilities that college offers. In the process, they leave here excited about what the future holds.  With such knowledge, they are better equipped to engage and take the necessary preparatory courses in middle and high school to ensure

 I am actually grading essays...here is a surprise..   Dr. Coates There are thousands of people around the world who would love the opportunity to attend college. I fortunately was blessed with the opportunity that most from my area did not get. The area I came from there are three choices that you have coming out of school. You either received a scholarship for an athletic or academic purpose, go and get a regular nine to five job, or get involved in street activities. Since the end of my senior years I have witnessed three of the people who I use to associate myself with shot and two dead. God has had favor over my life and blessed me with athletic abilities to be able to receive an athletic scholarship to a public ivy school. Before coming to college Ive always seen movies of how college would be. Coming on my official visit to Miami I learned a lot about the college and how prestigious this college really is. It has one of the top business schools in the United States. I learned ho

  Blood stains the holy lands. Threats and egos ride the plains. Tweeted policy replaces diplomacy. As beggars crowding corners decry. Missiles fly and babies' cry. Mothers die, fathers wonder why. Revenge retaliates against yesterday's sin. Thousands flee but there's only tragedy. Rape, pillage, destroy and kill. Evil cloaked in nationalism, religious piety and deception.  Reclamation of what was lost in hell's disasters. Prophets of doom shout again, again.  Hope tweaked from tiny remnants. Victories gleaned between idle moments. Prayers assail any GOD’S who'll listen. Maybe it’s time we sought forgiveness. Redemption songs of freedom linger. Diverse Voices in chorus's render Dreams struggling uphill. Perhaps today we'll learn to heal.

Without plan, purpose, or intent an Angel dropped into my world. Within minutes, seconds became hours and hours became days, and days became months. There in that space between time your voice captured my heart. Frighteningly, overwhelmingly exotically you ascended into that place long ago that had been vacant sunshine filled the darkness. A breath of fresh air, dreams within the madness  A sigh of relief, wonderfully, amazingly, surprisingly. Our conversations travel the globe  the depths of which untold realities unfold, new horizons come  into view as we discover each other. Against the backdrop of all that was my spirit wonders, is this real. Then, in that space between yesterday and tomorrow when darkness yields to light, anxiety to trust when a new day dawns in the mist of chaos the fog clears and i see you, my spiritual twin. Just Like That!

 I choose to walk alone because I choose not to be complacent, or just settle for less, submit to drama chaos and constant problems  I choose to walk alone because I will not submit to indifference, to idleness or drama.  I choose to walk alone because i am not looking for a mother to cuddle and nurse me, nor a daughter thats needs to be raised. I choose to walk alone because i believe in karma and reciprocity, so while i am a giver, I also need to recieve. I choose to walk alone because i am not looking to rescue anyone or be rescued. I walk alone because i will not submit nor am i looking for submission. I want a partner to walk with me, not infront or behind me  I walk alone because i am free and looking for another liberated soul. I walk alone because I am not trying to complete some one, or someone to make me happy. Two halves do not make a whole. Only two whole souls, free from the past can enter into a wholesome life and relationship.. Till I find that complete soul, willing t

 For the record – I’m still here. .​ The doctors advised my mother that she should terminate her pregnancy, as the fetus would not survive the delivery. My mother said no, and I was born. Upon birth, the doctors said I would not live to see my 2nd birthday. I survived. Many considered me the black sheep of the family, no way I would make it to see my 18th birthday. I did. Vietnam was scheduled to be my last hurrah. I am a decorated combat veteran. Winning the disdain of many of my peers. There was no way I would get past my freshman year; such stupidity and foolishness would never be good for anything more than washing dishes or sweeping floors. Well, a B.A., 2 M.A.s, and a Ph.d. later. The last 2 from the University of Chicago…What can I say? Drugs, suicidal tendencies, post-traumatic stress disorder, and just plain off -no way I could survive; I would drop along the side of the road, be arrested, or fall down a manhole. Damn, I am still here. Through it all, failures have bee

  O.J. Simpson had it all - a Football superstar and talented actors appearing on TV and in the movies.  He was a major influencer sought out by both advertisers and corporations.  He had the fame and life the life of the rich and famous. He had the money, the homes, the cars, and the fantasy that many Blacks could only dream about.  But it all came tumbling down as he was accused of murdering his wife.  Although acquitted, the image America and the Black community were left with was an angry, brutal, toxic Black male with a fetish for blond, white women.    This article will explore the stereotypes long associated with Black men in America and, in the process, demonstrate through Simpson’s tragic life what happens when one internalizes them.       In many ways OJ was the stereotypical version of the  American dream of racial progress.  He was the testament to how far we had come to realizing Kings dream.  He was John Prentice (SidneyPoitier), coming to dinner.  Simpson was the g

  Thanks to the God of the universe, those who have continually supported me, and the 100k+ unknown readers.  Wow.  What can I say?   To those annoyed at my consistency, my tenacity, my ghetto stubbornness to dare shine the spotlight on my accomplishments.  I have but one thing to say…I am who I am..I will not shut up and dribble, I will not be silent.   Since the Africans first appeared on the shores of America, they have been told to keep silent, do their work, and be still.  They have been told that whatever they need -the massa will provide.  But the enslaved were not quiet, they were not cajoled into complacency, and they damn sure did not stay in their place.  No, they shouted, proclaimed, and reclaimed their dignity, they celebrated their accomplishments, and they “pissed off” their captors. I am reminded of what Mathew says:  Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

  All religious tracks/dogma can be used to distort the message. Did not Satan use scriptures to lure Adam and Eve, and then to try to confound and confuse Christ. Here is the simple message from Christ -Know that you all are the Sons/Daughters of God. Believe this and you will be saved. Jesus had an epiphany that we as the descendants of Adam and Eve are born of and by God. That we had access to God without any middle men (priest, rabbi, minister, etc.). He observed how these had placed a damn in the flow of the "Holy Spirit" thus none were being saved and none were finding God. His mission was to remove this blockage, he gave his life because he dared to confront the religious elites of his day. Now we have another set of dogmatic renderings of the message, and for many the way to God is blocked with dogma. As a young man, I thought I knew it all. I mean, I had been to war, I had seen a thing or two, I was full of myself. I came to the startling realization that I actuall

  When I was young, I went to church and sought to see what God had in store for me.  I went to be entertained, to be edified, and to be.   Then, as a young adult, I fell away, as I found that the perfect little community was not so perfect,  that the folks there had many problems,  and that the preachers, singers, deacons, mothers, and fathers were all too human.   Then as I matured, I again walked into that building -not looking but trying to give,  help, and serve. As a mature person,  I realized I had been given much and had to give even more.   So, now my church experience is richer  as I have learned to give more than I take.   In that way, I have learned the difference between a religion and a church. Religion is transactional, and the church is relational. This relation requires that I understand that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, a son who sacrificed for us, and what our duty is to sacrifice.  This journey has taught me the 5 pillars of sacrifice: