I was sad to find out that Irene Cara had passed away. She was a terrific singer.

What A Feeling

When I was down and depressed her song, Flashdance…What A Feeling, always picked me right up. For instance, when I had unfortunate passings in my family plus a very bad injury to my neck, hearing her song on the radio uplifted my spirits. In What A Feeling, her words and the background heart throbbing music made you feel alive after a very dark depressing time.

I remember when I was a kid, my mother and sisters would listen to What A Feeling and silly me would imitate Jennifer Beals dance moves from the movie Flashdance. That came to a quick end when I knocked over a lamp in the living room.

Irene Cara passed away but her legacy lives on forever

PS: But anyway, Irene Cara’s passing is very sad but her spirit and music will live on for generations to come.

Jussie Smollett was sentenced on Friday, March 11, for allegedly faking a hate crime. The entertainer and activist was sentenced to 150 days in a Chicago jail and Smollett believes the sentence was racially motivated.

Jussie Smollett sentenced

Smollett, 39, told his defense team before sentencing that he expected jail time and believed he’d be treated more harshly for the non-violent low level offense than others convicted of similar crimes due to the color of his skin, sources told TMZ.

For Smollett, it just might be further evidence of systematic racism within the judicial system.

He reportedly told his team he was “dead on” in predicting the outcome, calling it “unfortunate” and “sad.”

Despite testimony from his 92-year-old grandmother, his siblings, letters from a multitude of prominent organizations and celebrities asking the judge to show leniency, Smollett was sentenced to jail as he predicted.

Aside from 150 days in Cook County Jail, Judge James Linn sentenced Smollett to pay $120,000 in restitution, $25,000 in fines and 30 months on probation.

Maintaining his innocence

Smollett has always maintained his innocence and after sentencing, he again vehemently denied his involvement in the crime he’s accused of.

“I’m innocent … I’m not suicidal”, Smollett said, walking handcuffed with a fist in the air.

Post sentencing, the Smollett family and attorneys held a brief press conference expressing their disappointment and disdain over the sentence. Smollett’s grandmother, 92-year-old Molly Smollett, said reporters need to do better investigative journalism suggesting there are pieces to the puzzle the media missed. A sentiment shared by the family.

Was Smollett set up?

Was Smollett the subject of a modern day lynching? Though the exact words didn’t come out their mouths, the Smollett family seems to believe so.

Jojo and Jocqui Smollett were on Roland Martin Unfiltered on Friday, speaking with the journalist about the case and Jussie’s sentence.

“The only proof they have are two brothers saying my brother told them to do it”, said JoJo, Jussie’s older brother.

Watch the interview on YouTube.

To say the least, the Smolletts and defense attorneys believe the evidence was merely hearsay. They believe the word of two brothers, who they said had a history of homopobia and was jealous of Jussie, shouldn’t have held in court.

Chicago prosecutors said they have “overwhelming evidence” that Smollett orchestrated the attack because he received a homophobic letter and his employer didn’t take it seriously.

The “overwhelming evidence” was:

– the Osundairo brothers saying Jussie Smollett told them to do it

– surveillance video of them buying the items

– surveillance video of them driving in the area of the attack four days before

– Uber data that the Osundairo brothers were in the area at the time of the attack

– a $3,500 check for “services” rendered

– Smollett tying the noose tighter

– Smollett failing to hand over his cellphone

Prosecutors say Smollett didn’t intend on the brothers getting caught and just wanted to bring attention to hate crimes given the climate in America and the hate mail he received.

Smollett’s attorneys say there was too much reasonable doubt calling the Osundairo brothers “sophisticated liars”, are “the worst type of criminals” and are very smart.

Did jury convict on hearsay?

Chicago prosecutors didn’t show any correspondence (text messages, emails, voicemail) of the three orchestrating the alleged hate crime, there is no true validation the $3,500 check was for the alleged crime, or validation they were planning the attack when they were seen on surveillance driving in the area four days before.

There is, however, a gray area and that is, how did the Osundairo brothers know Smollett would be in the area to carry out the attack late at night in the bitter cold?

Judge Linn called Smollett a narcissistic who doubled down after the case was initially dismissed and he only had to pay $10,000 in restitution and do community service. Smollett intended to sue the Chicago police department and prosecutors. The suit was dismissed and then a special prosecutor was asked to look into the case. New charges emerged.

Needless to say, Smollett’s attorneys will be filing appeals. Attorneys filed a motion to have the sentenced stayed as it’s being appealed. Judge Linn denied those motions and Smollett was hauled off to jail.

Recently, former Kansas City police detective Eric Devalkenaere was convicted of murdering a Black man in his own driveway. He was sentenced to 6 years but gets to remain free while he appeals his sentence. Smollett went to jail immediately for a class 4 low level felony.

Maybe Mr. Smollett is right about the judicial system.

It also leads me to question why he would spend thousands of dollars on his defense, try to sue, when he essentially got away with it the first time?

He doubled down. Which makes me believe he is either unhinged or just maybe he’s actually innocent.

The first thing on my mind is the Women’s Army Corps’ all-Black 6888^th Central Postal Directory Battalion is finally getting recognition for the job they have done during World War II.

Image was from U.S. Army Center of Military History

It is incredible that their work only got recognition now and not immediately after World War II. These women should always be remembered for their service. For instance, because of these women and their strong dedication, they made sure that members of the United States Government personnel, military, and workers of the Red Cross received their mail and packages. There was a point in time that the mail and packages were not leaving the warehouses because of the dangers of war. The mail was stacked to the ceiling. However, the 6888^th overcame all dangers. The 6888^th Central Postal Directory Battalion from the U.S. Army Center of Military History states “the 6888^th Central Postal Directory Battalion produced great results in Birmingham: With the new tracking system they created, the women processed an average of 65,000 pieces of mail per shift and cleared the six-month backlog of mail in three months. The women adhered to the motto of, ‘No mail, low morale,’ providing essential support for the U.S. military in the European theater by linking servicemembers to their loved ones back home. They achieved unprecedented success and efficiency in solving the military’s postal problems.” In closing, these women had to deal with Nazi attacks from U-boats and on-going war explosions. Their work they have done for the United States should never be forgotten.

Harlem Hellfighters) posing with their awards for gallantry in combat.
National Archives, Washington, D.C. (533492)

The next thing on my mind is that the Harlem Hellfighters are finally getting the recognition that they deserve. This incredible unit were engaged in combat longer than any American unit during World War One. Now in 2021, the Harlem Hellfighters are finally recognized for their efforts of keeping the United States safe from ever being taken over by an aggressive foreign power. Their recognition is way overdue and it is about time that history takes more of a look of what many great African Americans have done to sustain and build the United States of America.

A Thing Mu (Image is from the Boston Globe)

Another thing on my mind is the Olympics of 2021 in Tokyo. One athlete very close to home that stands out is Athing Mu. This New Jersey superstar from Trenton dominated her competition in the summer games.

By dominating her competition, she made history by becoming the first American woman to come first in the 800-meter race in over fifty years.

She is a great inspiration and role model for all young women in the U.S.

Her dedication to the sport and to make history with her gold medal win only will inspire more Olympians to step forward. Trenton’s Athing Mu wins gold in 800 meters at Tokyo Olympics | Video | NJ Spotlight News

Image is from Kenosha News

Besides Athing Mu, another Olympic champion that is on my mind is Lee Kiefer. Fencing is to me a very interesting sport that apparently takes great concentration and skill to defeat your opponent. To Kiefer’s credit she defeated Inna Deriglazova, the defending champion from Russia. It has been a while since someone from the United States won a gold medal in fencing. However, Lee Kiefer made sure the U.S. did not have to wait any longer. Lee Kiefer wins USA’s first-ever gold medal in individual foil | Tokyo Olympics | NBC Sports – YouTube

Anastasija Zolotic (Photo Source: Sports Illustrated)

Image is from Sports Illustrated 

Another great Olympic athlete on my mind is Anastasija Zolotic. Anastasija Zolotic in my opinion displayed awesome skill in her sport of taekwondo. The way she was able to move her legs and her body to score points was incredible. The flexibility to participate in that sport is a very big must. She will be another athlete history will remember for being the first woman to win a gold medal in this sport. Way to go Anastasija Zolotic. Olympic gold medalist Anastasija Zolotic greeted with cheers, applause – YouTube

Zaila Avant-garde, 14, from New Orleans, Louisiana, holds the trophy after winning the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, U.S. July 8, 2021. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

Image is from PBS

On to another topic that is on my mind which is the National Spelling Bee. At one point in my life I was a great speller. Today as I get older, I have a tough time spelling things. That is why I use spell check. Anyway, the National Spelling Bee is in my opinion one of the toughest educational competitions that kids participate in. That is why my hat is off to Zaila Avant-garde. She not only became the first Black American to win the National Spelling Bee championship but also a very dedicated hard worker. To spend countless hours of studying and memorizing these challenging words to spell only says that Zaila Avant-garde will have a very bright future. Way to go!

The next thing on my mind are my students Ja’Shawn Gadson, Jose Jordan, and Luis Martinez Martinez who got their art work published in Prehistoric Times Magazine issue 138. Good job to all my students and to my students who participated in the Robert Rines analysis of the underwater Loch Ness Monster photograph which was also published. Artwork and project done at Asbury Park High School, Asbury Park New Jersey.

Image is from Spider-Man Films Wiki – Fandom

Furthermore, another thing on my mind is Michael Clarke Duncan’s Kingpin in the movie Daredevil. It is very unfortunate that Michael Clarke Duncan passed away. He was a great actor. He will be missed. It would have been great to see him reprise his role as the Kingpin for a sequel to the Daredevil movie starring Ben Affleck. In Daredevil Michael Clarke Duncan made a huge presence on the screen. From his size to being feared, I thought he did a good job playing this Marvel Comics character. At the end of the movie, he discovered who Daredevil was and promised to make his life a living nightmare once he gets out of prison. Unfortunately, the sequel to the ending of Daredevil will not be made. It is in a forever cliffhanger and left up to our imagination. Hopefully in Heaven, Michael Clarke Duncan is making the sequel.

Another thing on my mind is Apollo Creed from the Rocky film series. The one thing that played on my mind was what made Apollo Creed change his mind about giving Rocky a rematch. At the end of the first Rocky, Apollo told Rocky there will be no rematch. Rocky replied something to “I don’t want one.” However, in Rocky II, Apollo caught up with Rocky in the hospital and told him “I am going to give you a second shot.” What I think happened in my opinion is that when Apollo left the ring after the first fight with Rocky, he was heckled. The crowd screaming at him that he could not finish off a club fighter, you’re a disgrace. I think by being heckled that is why Apollo then demanded Rocky face him again. The last thing on my mind about Apollo Creed is would he have fought Clubber Lang if Rocky lost to Lang. In Rocky III, there was a high chance Rocky was going to lose to Clubber Lang yet again. If that happened would Apollo have come out of retirement to take on Lang? If he did that what would happen? I think if Apollo came out of retirement, I think he may have beaten Lang but by decision.

Besides the Rocky film series, another thing on my mind is the biggest mistake in The Rise of Skywalker. The huge mistake in The Rise of Skywalker was brining back the Emperor. Why did they do that? They should have made Kylo Ren the head of the First Order. Not only should he have been made the leader of the First Order but also take on the role of his grandfather by creating a Darth Vader helmet. That would have been cool, having Kylo Ren wearing a Darth Vader helmet to honor his grandfather. They should have made Kylo Ren into a new more powerful Darth Vader. Then it would have shown how Darth Vader from the past could have been in control of the Empire.

In addition to The Rise of Skywalker, another thing on my mind is that the Mandalorian series did something really cool. What it did was showed who Boba Fett really was.

As it turned out, Boba Fett was really not a bad guy or a good guy. Instead, he was a person who showed loyalty to who was paying him. That was it. What was cool was that he worked for Darth Vader and the Empire and then showed allegiance to the Mandalorian character who was more of a good guy.

Commercial Break: King Komodo created by Todd Tennant takes on Predator, Terminator, and Alien

The next thing on my mind is the video game from Sega Genesis called Altered Beast.

Recently a friend of my mine got a small version of the Sega Genesis system which has many games on it.

One of those games is Altered Beast. I tried the game out for the first time and it reminded me of the television show Manimal.

On this show the hero changes into a panther, hawk, cobra, etc. to help solve crimes. In the game Altered Best, the hero can change into a werewolf, dragon, a bear, and tiger. Very entertaining if you have nothing to do on a hot Saturday night. See Manimal transformation: Manimal (panther transformation sequence) – YouTube