Dexter's Vantage Point!

The proposed 700 million bailout plan was scrapped by congress by a vote of 228-205. Congress is scheduled to meet again this week to hopefully hammer out a deal. Irrespective of ones political affiliation I believe the people have grown weary of empty rhetoric and promises. It’s time for so meaningful results. I think if something isn’t achieved soon we’ll be headed for another Great Depression. The government is supposed to be “by the people, for the people.” We now hopefully see the latter isn’t true. It’s about government control and big business. I believe if you work hard for your earnings and pay taxes you should have a voice in how your dollars are allocated. In short, if the American people will be affected by such a vast decision by Congress the people whom it will affect should be involved in the decision-making process. Doesn’t that make sense? The Harrison Square project is a local example of what’s going on nationally. In my opinion Harrison Square was forced down our thr...

NBA star Allen Iverson held a celebrity flag-football game in Baltimore, Maryland in July. Fellow NBA player, Josh Howard, of the Dallas Mavericks participated in the game. While the National Anthem was playing Howard stated the following on video: "The Star-Spangled banner is going on. But I don't even celebrate that shit. But I'm black. God-damn Obama and all that shit." African American journalist like ESPN’s Scoop Jackson suggested, “to come off unpatriotic is not good.” I personally don’t have a problem with Howard’s statement. Many allowed his obscenities to deflect from his underlying message. Once you analyze his words he’s actually making a relevant statement. Allow me to dissect for clarity. “The Star Spangled Banner is going on.” The song means nothing little to Howard because African Americans were systematically oppressed under the ole red, white and blue. While America is typically noted for its positive efforts this country has also committed heinous ac...

As I was leaving the YMCA last week after a workout I encountered a gentleman as I was walking to my car. As I was opening my car door the gentleman said from afar, “As salamm alakaim,” which is an Islamic greeting meaning “peace” or “peace be upon you.” I really didn’t know how to take his greeting initially because I’m not a Muslim. I’m just someone who is trying to live his truth. I rarely delve into the religion discussion for various reasons. But I think now is as good of time as any to share my personal thoughts on the church and religion. First off, I’m a child of God who has been given the precious gift of life. I'm of African heritage and I’m a citizen of the world who resides in America. I believe in humanity irrespective of perceived differences in terms of religion, color, sexuality, and social status. I don't subscribe to nor confine myself to the jurisdiction of a specific religious. I’m merely a spiritual being. While I think all religions are good I chose not to...

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards suggested three years ago, "A scared man won't gamble and he won't leave his wife alone at home, I'm not scared." Obviously Edwards no longer subscribes to the latter. Under Edwards’ leadership the team is more conservative than Ronald Reagan was when he was president. The Chiefs looked dismal in their home opener losing to their arch rival the Oakland Raiders 23-8. The offense was horrendous as usual. Herman “you play to win the game” Edwards simply isn’t putting his team in a position to win. Last year team lost nine consecutive loses and kicked off this year with two more. Despite getting younger and hiring a new offensive coordinator in Chan Gailey the offense still stinks. The Chiefs are being held hostage to the conservatism of Herman Edwards. I think he needs to get his ship righted soon or the organization should get another coach. It pains me to write this column because I love the Chiefs. I’ve been a die-hard ...

Covering the US Open was a dream come true. I believe in dreaming big, living hard, and never giving up. It's the stuff champions are made of and in my own way I consider myself as such. I guess dreaming big, living hard, and never giving up makes things you want come your way. I've been to the US Open six times as a fan but this was the first as a journalist. When I went to the grounds to pick up my credentials on the grounds I was nervous. I felt as I was getting ready for a big match. This time I was entering the stadium as a writer first, fan second. At first it was a bit difficult to separate the two. I did a good job because I kept it real. I wrote good columns, networked and watched great tennis. I had big fun. I met people I've never would have met if I didn't have a vision. All dreams are possible because I just did something I consider big that I've always wanted to do. Hit a wagon to your dreams and have at it. My overall experience ranks up there with th...

Moments after Serena Williams won her third career US Open title the first person to greet her courtside was her father Richard Williams. He was smiling from ear to ear as he watched one of his two champions secure another Grand Slam for the family. Richard Williams had raised and coached two African American champions who dominate a sport historically reserved for whites. Lets put this into perspective. Could you imagine if Tiger Woods had a younger brother just as good as in terms of talent challenging him each Sunday to win Grand Slams? Enough said. Richard Williams' has been hailed as a genius for what's done in raising two tennis champions in one household. I'd agree he's a genius but I'm more impressed with how he did it. Just like Frank Sinatra's hit "I Did it My Way," Williams surely did it his way. Williams taught himself the game and passed on his knowledge to his daughters. He didn't have his children in USTA tournaments traveling the co...

When Arthur Ashe won the US Open in 1968 he ushered in the “Open Era” of tennis which allowed both professional and amateur players to compete against each other. Ashe’s historic victory planted the seeds of change in tennis that have clearly manifested over the past four decades. When Ashe beat Tom Okker in the final he received the winners’ trophy and $20.00 per a day in per diem while the runner-up received the winners’ share of $14,000 because Ashe was an amateur. The money was simply part of the sacrifice he made so the future generation of players would benefit today. I was fortunate enough to have met Ashe in 1992 before a lecture he gave at Indiana University. In our brief conversation I expressed my love for tennis and asked how I could get better. He softly stated, “You have to practice.” Now, sixteen years later I’ll be attending this years’ US Open as a credentialed journalist writing about the man who kicked off the Open era in tennis. When I met Ashe I knew he was a prett...

Despite losing his number ranking to rival Rafael Nadal Roger Federer has looked extremely sharp entering the second week of this years’ US Open. He enters the second week of the last Grand Slam of the year looking like the Roger Federer of old. Federer entered the US Open as the defending champion but unlike years past he has no Grand Slams in his pocket. To start the year he lost in the semi-finals at the Australia Open to Novak Djokovic. In an exhibition match in March at Madison Square Garden Federer narrowly bested the elder but spry Pete Sampras in three close sets. In June Federer was crushed at the French Open by Nadal 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 in one of the most lopsided finals in Grand Slam history. At Wimbledon Nadal halted Federer’s run at a sixth crown in a match for the ages. Nadal was finally able to do on Wimbledon’s green grass what Federer has yet to do on the red clay at the French Open. Win. Their epic clash at Wimbledon was reminiscent of the Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe final ...