Stereotyping

Today I went to the Fairfield Mall to exchange some Christmas gifts along with friends at various stores within the mall. At one point in the day we went to a shoe store where a white 20-something male was approaching a black customer walking into the store. The black customer was middle aged, had a nuclear family, articulated his words and had a nice gold watch on his wrist. The man seemed pretty financially stable, and on the surface a solid, upstanding middle class citizen in every sense of the definition, yet the sales associate at the shoe store saw only one thing on this man, and it was color.

He didn’t sling racial slurs at the customer, or treat him in any manor resembling racism, but he did try to oversell the items inside the store as black people have a notorious stereotype for overspending on their purchases. No matter that this man was a father, a husband, a college educated man who probably had a good job. Nowhere in there is any recognition of economic sensibility and experience as observed and concluded by the sales associate.

In the popular sociological book “Blink” such scenarios are put into deeper perspective, this perticular instance only heightened my understanding of such a stereotype description by allowing me to relate it the book. As people we usually only recognize the most obvious characteristic about the individuals we encounter, and more times than not that characteristic is one of color. Call it racism if you will, but I assure it happens amongst members of the same race as well as ones of seperate race. We ignore the other features of the opposite party in communication, in favor of quick processing and assessment of the conversee in the hope that our extravaganza would be more efficient. Those who can truly master all facets of the person’s appearence and personality will be most personable and friendly with the people they interact with on a day-by-day basis.

My question for you is, why do we constantly stereotype and profile the people around us? And is it okay?

Mailbag

Send me your emails. I’ll select 10 for a mailbag, I’ll do one mailbag a month. Give me stuff, with questions… and I’ll do what I can. This is a fun thing, I’m not Dear Abby.

matt_casey13@hotmail.com

Iverson trade

I’m a week late, but let me talk about this trade.

The trade is bad for the Philadelphia 76ers, unless they trade Billy King there General Manager (GM) too. King sucks, and has destroyed the Sixers over the past 10 years. The 76ers made the Finals once in that span, going in 2001, but every other year has been a disaster. King has never been able to supply Allen Iverson with a formidable cast of characters to accompany him on the basketball court. The players King gives him are washed up, and the wrong pieces for an Iverson team. Iverson needs a big man who can set picks, and roll. He needs a point guard who is completely unselfish, and can shoot the three. He needs a forward who can hit open shots, and a power forward who can bang around in the paint. He has one of those, Kyle Korver, the forward who can shoot and make open shots. The 76ers received Andre Miller, a 7th year point guard who is 3rd in the league in assists, but at the same time is making 14 million dollars a year, and the ever marketable Joe Smith a center, in the deal. But the big part of the deal are the 2 first round draft picks, guranteed top 20 next year. Like I said, they need to trade King for that total of 3 lottery picks to be beneficial for the 76ers. Tank the season, get Greg Oden, that will help. Smith’s contract expires at the end of the year, being an element that the 76ers were looking for, an expiring contract. The 76ers will have about 20 million in cap room to work with next year and the 3 lottery picks, but was it enough for a Hall of Famer, all time legend, and a career 28 ppg average, with 6 apg, and a Philadelphia icon? Not in midseason anyway, the Sixers should have made this deal in the off season, and they should have made it with Boston, Denver didn’t have as good of goods to give Philly, and Iverson won’t do as well in Denver.

The trade is bad for Denver. It gives them hope of winning a title with both Iverson and Carmelo on the floor, the #1 and #2 scoring leaders in the league (that is after Melo’s 15 game suspension.) But the problem is just that. Melo has spent his whole life trying to proove people wrong. He went to Syracuse because he couldn’t be a high enough pick in the NBA draft out of high school, he got drafted after LeBron and Darko, Denver was criticized for not drafting Dwayne Wade after his breakout season, Melo has been snubbed for not making the All Star game yet when Chris Bosh, James, Wayne, and others have made it, and on top of all that, Wade won a title before Melo. Melo has been incredible this year averaging 31 a game and leading the Nuggets to the 3rd best record in the best (before the suspension.) He’s taking the 4th most shots in the league, compare with Iverson taking the most shots in the league. Melo is still in the phase where he is trying to proove he is something that he knows he is, but others don’t know it. He’s bent on making something of himself, and producing things in his career. A veteran such as Boston’s Paul Pierce would have realized the blessing to play with Allen, and would sacrifice shots, and make it possible to get wins and maybe even a title. Melo still wants to be the man, and he won’t concede too much slack to AI, I predict. Not enough shots, and not a capable point guard of dishing the ball out with Miller gone. J.R. Smith won’t be happy (the previous #2 scorer,) and Nene the Nuggets’ power forward, can’t bang around in the paint without losing his knee again. So where did Allen need to go?

As earlier I pointed out Boston. Boston would have been a great place to go. AI and Pierce on the same floor would have been phenominal. Pierce have given some stardom to AI, and they would have worked together well to acheive wins. Gerold Green, Rajon Rondo, and Brian Scalabrine (expiring contract) could have been given to Philly in exchange for AI, with Philly also getting a 1st rounder. Boston was desperate to get this deal done, with Danny Ainge, the Boston GM throwing everything except Al Jefferson and Paul Pierce at them (even throwing the much coveted Sebastian Telfair.) But Philly didn’t bite, Philly didn’t want young explosive talent and a first round pick, they wanted journeyman point guards, and the chance to screw up the 2007 NBA draft which has been dubbed as one of the deepest drafts in history.

The best team for Allen Iverson would have been the Los Angeles Clippers. On the clippers AI gets Shaun Livingston, a pass first PG, Elton Brand a pick and roll forward who can score at will when needed, Chris Kaman the banger inside, and big time defense from Quintin Ross. The Clippers could have given up Maggette who has asked for a trade, and some draft picks as well as the expiring contract of James Singleton.

Neither team comes on top with this deal, I think, but if anyone it is Denver. They become instant contenders, and the Nugget fans will enjoy the fire of AI for the next few seasons. It may even be amazing and continuous if Carmelo and Iverson can work together for good, instead of evil.

Rome

I can’t say that I have ever woken up in the morning and for no apparent reason have had the uncontrollable urge charge into me directly from way, way, way, way out in left field with the demand to play it. One morning I just woke up and said “Rome.” I kid you not, this really happened.

Rome: Total War, is a game of magnificent enjoyment and optimal strategy. I love it, it loves me, things are pretty swell between us (unlike me and Winter, grr.) I go around conquering stuff, defending stuff, and thinking about stuff. I’ve owned it over a year and still play it at least a few times a week… sometimes binges occur which can be either really ugly or really pretty pending on who you are and your perspective.

Hip hip hooray for Rome.

A letter

Dear Winter,

Hello winter, you may have heard of me, my name is Matt Casey. I know you may be harboring some cold feelings for me still after all these years. I’m sorry that I denounced you as my favorite season 7 years ago, but it was time to move on to better seasons. I’m sorry I chose Autumn. However, Winter, you have so many great qualities to offer, none of which you are putting on the table as of now.

Where is the snow? How can I make forts, shovel, and go sledding without the snow. These are awesome past times in your time of year, and yet still you keep them away from us. I do not care for your maniacal laughter, Mr. Frost, I choose instead your chilly warmth of hot cocoa, and frozen hands. Why won’t you come to us?

You gave us a glimpse on Christmas evening, but not enough of you to make your friend Parson Brown come to life. You tease us, torment us, and give us inspiration here and there, but ultimatel crush our dreams. You’re like the captain of the cheerleading squad who gives you a smile and a wink, but never anymore. Please give in and come to us., give us a chance to embrace you.

I wanna make it right Winter. I don’t want you to feel lead on, because I’m sticking with my guns, and my guns are, well in singular sense, Autumn (Autumns?) but I nevertheless miss your presence with your bountiful and beautiful snow powdering the ground, cascading off trees, and creating an aura of happiness everywhere.

I miss you,

Matt Casey

Bitterness

About a month ago the radio took away one of my favorite radio stations, ever. 95.7 The Point. This radio station played 80’s music, something I once thought was incredibly corny, but something that grew on me overtime and something I couldn’t put down. I listened to it in the car and when I was in the shower (I blare the radio while showering every morning.) I grew attached to Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Journey, Styx, and many, many other great bands. Their music may be cliche, repetitve, and corny, but dangit I liked it. Then one day, without warning, it was taken off the air. There was no warning, no countdown, no farewell, just nothing. I turned the radio to 95.7 and discovered something absolutely horrifying. My feel-good, jammin’ radio station had become a monster. This monster is incredibly conservative and pumps out conservative, Democrat-hating propaganda. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannety, Clark Howard (somewhat bearable) now flood the airspace of my car. Why? Well, I feel like it is my duty to hear the other side.

 For those of you that don’t know, I am a Democrat. While morally conservative, I am liberal on things such as healthcare, the war, social security, and other social reforms. I am conservative on abortion and gay marriage, but that just about sums it up. To hear Limbaugh talk is absolutely excrutiating. He is the Ted Kennedy of Republicanism, both equally craptastic. Sean Hannety just fires me up into a rage. Whereas Rush just aimlessly throws opinions around like their candy, with no factual backing, and an extreme manipulation of any fact, Hannety takes it a step further by receiving phone calls on the air live. If the caller says one thing in the most subtle way that is contradictory in the least bit to the war, or any phenominon juxtaposed alongside the caller is ripped to shreds. Badgered, and bombarded in some sort of cross examination fashion. At this point it becomes very hard to drive, as the rage is building. Curse you Sean, curse you. It is one thing to be hardcore conservative, but holy cow, you do not need to belittle those of unsimilar (because it doesn’t have to be completely opposite) opinion to yours. Just take the call, acknowledge the opinion, and let it be.

 This was no better showcased than the time Sean was on the phone with Tony Snow, White House Press Secretary for the president. Tony Snow looked at the recent 92 page Iraqi War report objectively, exploring the suggestions put out by the biparty committee. Of course, Sean would have none of this. Anything remotely negative towards the war, which were in fact 72 suggestions, was hogwash, not patriotic, and downright treason. Sean, get a life. Open your mind a little. And quit living in your own, disgusting bubble.

Houston Basketball

A few years ago Sidney played Fairlawn in a game of high school basketball in the Sidney High gym. Our stands were packed, and the atmosphere was electric. That was my favorite game I had ever been to in high school athletics, in any sport. My second favorite was the Sidney basketball game against Piqua, once again, stands were packed. The student section was alive with chants and excitement. I loved it. However, no other game in my 3 years at Sidney High School had been like that. The support was not there.

I heard tales of Shelby County League basketball games and their abundant noise, spirit, and quality. I figured it must be true due to my experiences at the Fairlawn-Sidney game. The fans for both teams pack the gym, with home fans, and dedicated road fans. The schools are in close proximately to each other, so it is easy for this to happen. The teams have been in the same league with each other for almost 80 years, and they truely have rivalry with every school in the league, with the exception being Fairlawn. But even when Fairlawn had a quality team, they were hated, history being ignored, and the present being embraced.

I wanted to be apart of this in my senior year. I love basketball at any level. It may be my favorite sport, even though I am a fan of all trades. A stats freak, and anything in relation to the games I so love. If these things were subjects in school, and topics on the ACT, I would undoubtedly be a Rhodes Scholar, and that’s enough of tooting my own horn.

I began a search for a Shelby County League team that I would root for. I took some of the criteria for this search from Bill Simmons, one of my favorite writers of anything, and sports columnist for espn.com. Bill, who had been inspired by the World Cup, had decided to choose an English Premier League team of which to root for, year in and year out. His criteria for finding such a team, included uniform quality, history, talent of the present, fan base, and rival team. I made all of this criteria applicable to my search.

After going through all of the county league teams I narrowed it down to 3: Russia, Fort Loramie, and Houston. I ruled out Fort Loramie because of their jerseys, and their long tradition of excellence. And what really seperated them were their fan base. I could not stand their fan base, their school was too big, and I felt the people that went there were far more crass than the rest of the league. I did not want to belong to an elitist society of basketball. This left Russia and Houston. Russia also had a tradition of excellence. Winning 8 state titles in 30 years, and being on top of their game for almost a decade. Russia, however, was too far away, and too good for too long. I wanted Houston.

The red and white of Houston gives you that old Hoosiers feel. I loved them, they weren’t too fancy like Russia’s, and they were really gutsy. Houston has a black basketball player on their team, Brandon Hughes. It’s not so much that he’s black, but that he is a really cool guy. I know him from IUTIS softball, and his personality is vibrant. I love that he is the only black basketball player in the Shelby County League, which makes him even cooler. If this could not get any better, it is his afro that takes the cake. That thing is a beast, I can’t get enough of it. Houston is in close proximity to Sidney, making travel to the games easy. The history of the team is not nearly as voluptuous as Russia or Fort Loramie, but last year they had a memorable, out-of-nowhere run to the sweet 16 of Ohio hoops. This year, almost the whole team is back except for Brian Feathers and Matt Mullen, a pair of critical seniors, but Feathers is easily replaced by Hughes in the post, and Mullen by a few role players on the team. This team can go places this year, the fans are scrappy, just like their fans. I love it. And their rival? Fort Loramie. It doesn’t get better than this. I’ve gone to the games this year, last night being my 3rd. The team is 2-1, and lost the game to Loramie on the last shot of the game; 51-49. I lost my voice from cheering so hard, and were accompanied by Nate Clendenin and Derek Bowden. This will be a season of bliss, and I’m not getting of the bandwagon, go Wildcat basketball!

His glory

For the past couple of months I have been meeting weekly with a man named Ron, who is a Jehovah’s Witness. This man is remarkable. I feel more and more close with him each time he comes over. Over the past 3 weeks Ron has opened up to me about his life, both past, and present more than ever. I feel a more intimate connection with him and I feel that the closer we get as friends, the better he may understand the Gospel as presented as a Christian.

Ron’s religion has many flaws in it, many of which are probably a result of bad theology, or bad history in the Catholic church back in the Roman days. Ron’s beliefs are strong, and his words are well backed, but his interpretions of things are manipulative, and are sometimes in an outright ignorance of the true meaning of the text. His words talk themselves in circles, and every now and again he stumbles on what to answer. He challenges me, and I challenge him. We go back and forth in a gentleman’s way, and standing pat on each side. However, I feel Ron may be starting to break from his Witness ways. It’s tough to completely gauge this as he has been strong in his faith for almost 40 years, but I believe that his talks with me, and a few other strong Christians are challenging his beliefs, and pointing out inconsistencies in enough aspects that he may be swaying from what he preaches.

Biblical authenticity is unparallel. If science has done anything in correlation with the Bible throughout time, and the same with geology, it has been in action of strengthening the relevance and accuracy of the Word. The Bible is harmonious in prophecy from Old Testament to New. Countless prophecies, over 300 in fact, are fulfilled in the New Testament, mind you these prophecies are made hundreds of years apart. They are specific and rich, and fully fulfilled. The Bible does not contradict itself in any instance, but solidifies the words of one book to another. Truly inspired by God, and truely steadfast throughout the course of history, it is recognized by secular and religious alike as the most accurate ancient text ever. Even more so than the Illyiad, Beowolf, and several other ancient texts. No other text was produced as widespread, or with such a painstakingly dedicated work ethic to its reflection.

It is the truth, the consitency, and the facts, that make Christianity the Truth in my mind. Undoubtedly. It is why I can feel I can successfully defend the faith for Christ, when put up against a seasoned veteran such as Ron. It is not completely by my own will, but by God’s and also His that I can debate such hot button topics with Ron, and still have an ever developing relationship with him. I am so thankful for the opportunities at hand, and the fruits that are constantly being beared as a result. Thank you.

Other things

        I feel compelled to write about something more, but I am not entirely sure of what to write about. Have I cheated my reader’s with just talking about teachers? Perhaps I should dabble back and forth with the teachers and other occurences. I have been thinking about writing about some of the things I have been reading in the Word, some movies I have seen, and some projects friends and I have been working on lately. By the way… you can see them. Go to Corey King’s myspace webpage and you can see our victorious Lip Sync act. Oh yeah, we won, it was really cool. I love the video. Also, you can see “Hanzel und Gretel,” a terrific, terrific film done by Steven Billups, Zac Watson,  Anthony Dinzeo, Eric Renner, and myself… basically the Lip Sync crew in action once again, but I myself am new to this film crew. I felt welcomed and cozy! 😀 Anyway, you can catch that on Google video, searching “Hanzel und Gretel,” it’s the fairy tale with a Saw twist. Video quality is poor online, awesome on CD, but nonetheless available to you. With video quality being bad online, it helps to know German.

I leave you with this. Please just give me a day or two to think about to write, it really shouldn’t be that hard. Should I dabble, or finish out with the teachers?

Excuse the pig, the hog would have known better

    My experience with Mr. Robert Tenney is a short, but blissful one. I first knew him as the man that shows Dr. J, a popular yet quirky physics professor in old videos, and I also knew Mr. Tenney as the lunchline bouncer. He seemed like a really nice guy, and I liked having a few words with him here and there. My senior year in high school I elected to bypass AP Biology and take physics so I could experience Mr. Tenney before I graduated, I did the same thing with Herr Keiser.

Mr. Tenney is an incredible teacher. He can teach anything. He puts things in a way that anyone can understand it, and he’s OCD. He uses various colors on the board for fear of the mathematics becoming too mundane, and everything in his room is arranged perfectly symmetrical. It is incredible. He just knows when somebody steals something and it irks him to no end because the room is no longer symmetrical. He is so easy to get off topic, but that is really okay. For reasons other than you are thinking right now. It is because we see the human side of him when he gets off topic, not all business, but friendly. This is not to say he isn’t friendly while he is teaching, but this, this is much more open than the lecture. We learn of Colorado and its blue skies, open prairies and mountains. We learn about his son, his wife, Ohio State, and experiences of his childhood. We learn about Mr. Tenney the man, and I love being able to do that. He works so hard, and helps so much.

He and his brother Mr. Wagner are a great team. Although they do not teach the same subject, they know each other so well. Working together professionally for over 30 years, and attending the same university, and working in the same lab station. They are good friends, and likewise, very similar in personality. Mr. Wagner is another teacher that has had a great influence on my life. Mr. Tenney just makes me happy, makes me feel warm, and he is definitely unforgetable. I know he would listen to anything I would say to him, and he would try to help me. We always go back and forth with each other with the jokes and that is a great deal of fun. Rapier wit of two people, one old, one young, going head-to-head, I love that sort of thing. And I love Mr. Bob Tenney, giver of Dr. J, and beholder of the greatness that entraps us all known as physics (and AP physics.)