Old School Thoughts

Last evening, on the 27th of May 2022, Martha Buford Green joined me to give her definition of Old School. Martha shared experiences of living in the North with a focus on the disparities affecting others in the South. It is becoming clearer that Old School deserves to be examined as a period of persistence, unity, and a continuous fight for the inalienable rights to be and know freedom. What are your thoughts?

As I assess my life and impending role as a patriarch, I am leaving a message for my granddaughter and others to think about as they experience life and love. I may or may not get the opportunity to have this type conversation, personally, but through this medium, I can have my voice heard as a means of sharing wisdom. After listening to the podcast, what would your message be?

My birthday represents freedom based on the day the House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to end slavery. I always picture myself responding to the day of being told that freedom has come after 246 years of traditional bondage. All that is important to me is to search for family members dispatched along the way. Every time I meet new family members and friends, I feel that I have given another blow to the history of American slavery.

The second part of my conversation with the father and sons trio was filled with advice, maturity, and leadership. I asked all three individuals if the historical event has sunk in with them and what advice would they share with those following their footsteps? I was profoundly impressed.

On 6 May 2022, families and friends gathered at the University of South Carolina Horseshoe to witness the commissioning and pinning of twin brothers: Juwan and Travon Biggers. I requested an interview with them and their father, 1SG (Ret) Hunter Biggers III, and they all accepted. Please listen to this story of US/African American history. Like all of our past and present historical figures, these three men deserve that same honor. May God continue to bless and protect them.

Throughout my adult life, I have heard of African Americans being referred to as “forgiving people.” We seem to embrace it to a fault because we fail to hold people accountable. That leaves us as being exposed as vulnerable and weak. This title has to do with me questioning how we respond to situations affecting us, our communities, and our legacies. People and events are erased each time we forget the past. I hope you enjoy this episode and pass it on.

I decided to record this episode because I got the opportunity to be a playground teacher for a day. On 14 April 2022, I was spending time with my granddaughter on a nearby playground and we got the opportunity to interact with other children like old school days. Not only did I get to see the children have fun, I enjoyed being a playground teacher for a day. Until next time - Be Good!!

On 4 April 2022, Gloria and I made an unplanned drive to Greenville, Georgia. We drove “through the back roads” to see the names of small cities along the way. When I reached Greenville, I stumbled across relatives filled with promising information. I revisited another Antwone Fisher moment. Though I don’t know what the future holds, I left feeling good!

This episode focuses on a time when we shared the propensity to build by sharing the spirit of giving and receiving in the community. There is a difference between legalize segregation and segregation and some of us don’t recognize it and didn’t see it coming. I hope you enjoy the episode and share with others. Until next time - Be Good!!

This is part three of my conversation with Alberta Winston Casey Foster that took place on 19 March 2022. This has been an enjoyable lesson and I have loved every bit of it! I truly love all of my matriarchs! Please listen and pass on to others. This was truly a Master Class.