This weekend everyone is jumping on the 911 bandwagon. I am in no way saying that we shouldnt be honoring those we lost and the hundreds who responded to aid those whose lives would never be the same.

The concern I do have is that we become complacent about all the other issues in our current society. We have, of course, the ever present œthe economy sucks conversation. This feeds into, œwhat are we doing about poverty, in general?

I see more concern about the poverty in third world countries than I do here at home. It is not about spending more money on welfare but implementing training programs that allow people to earn a living.

It is about supporting entrepreneurial ventures, small businesses, etc. that put people to work where they can actually see that they make a difference. It is about rebuilding neighborhoods so that the residents can have pride in their communities.

We have forgotten about racism. Our political correctness has driven it underground such that we dont talk about it or hear so many racist remarks. As far as I am concerned, it is not much better now than it was in the 60s. Oh we have legislated opportunities and in doing so have we placed limitations on what is possible for all people.

Back in the day, it was evident where the lines were drawn and the boundaries set. People knew their œplace. That it was obvious didnt make any of it right. There is a movie out now called œThe Help. It is a terrific reminder of what people did to people because of their fears and to justify their very existence.

I am white and I was there. I was in every neighborhood in the country at one time or another. Ft. Apache, the Bronx (NY), Brewster Center (Detroit), Chicago (Southside), Queen Anne playground (Los Angeles), Las Vegas (Westside), Portland, OR (Albino). Houston, TX (5th Ward), etc., etc.

What was I doing? I was looking for the best basketball players I could find for my college team. Where did they hang out? The neighborhood playground, of course.
Those young men all live in my heart. They had their problems like everyone else and they wanted to do well like everyone else.

It seems that there was an unwritten code that no one messed with the coach. I never had a single incident in any city from 1960-1986. In fact, I can remember climbing five flights of stairs in the projects of Fort Apache to visit a prospect and as I was stepping over the winos and drug addicts someone was hollering, œIts okay, its the coach.

I think everyone recognized that there was an opportunity for one of their own to get out of the neighborhood and have a better life. An opportunity to have their dreams.

Even before I started coaching I had the experience of being told that I could eat in a restaurant in St. Louis but my friend and teammate, Lenny Wilkins, could not. We were told that we would have to leave. Lenny would go on to have a phenomenal career as a player and coach in the NBA. And, yes we found another place to eat.

I do not think the athletes of today have any idea what players endured in ways that paved the path for todays players to become millionaires. Basketball has become the black mans game. Conveniently, this gives white America something that justifies how well the black community is doing. In my whole lifetime, the way for a black man to succeed was as an athlete or musician. Yes, we have those who hold many elite positions, including the job of President of the USA. I still am wondering what has the projects continue to exist. Are we proud of that?

Erase poverty and the majority of our social problems will disappear. It could start by stepping past our prejudices and fears and creating relationships.