Dexter's Vantage Point!

The Associated Press recently reported two Neo-Nazi skinheads were arrested October 22nd for plotting to shoot and decapitate 102 random African Americans and attempting to assassinate Barack Obama. According the A.P. report Daniel Coward, 20 of Tennessee and Paul Schessleman, 18, from Arkansas were determined to get the job done. The report stated, "They seemed determined to do it. Even if they were just to try it, it would be a trail of tears around the South." The report continued, "They said that would be their last, final act — that they would attempt to kill Sen. Obama. They didn't believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying." When asked about whether he’s concerned Obama stated, “I have the best protection in the world. The secret service.” First it was Mike Huckabee joking about the possibility of someone shooting Obama as he spoke at N.R. A. convention. Hilary Clinton raised the possibility with bringing up the assassinati...

I was recently in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida for the World Series. Despite my beautiful surroundings I can’t afford to take my eye off the ball. I surprisingly encountered a bit of trouble settling on a topic to write about. I quietly wondered: “What’s the real story here?” I could’ve written about the Tampa Bay Rays unbelievable season. After being the worst team in their division now they are the best. I could write about the last years’ World Series winner the Boston Red Sox and how they persisted this year but still came up short in defending their crown. Finally it hit me. It’s not about the glitter and glamour of being at the World Series-it’s about historical perspective. It’s about who paved the way for me to be here in this professional capacity. Yeah, that’s the story. I must pay homage to the marquee African American writer of his day. His work opened the door of possibility for the African Americans who write today. Few know this pioneer’s birthday falls during Game Two ...

Before game two of the World Series I had several goals I wanted to reach and I did. They were to go on the field with all the reporters/writers and just take in the atmosphere. The second goal was to go to the FOX both and ask analyst Tim McCarver about whether baseball pioneer Curt Flood should be in the Hall of Fame. I managed to get into the FOX booth 9 minutes the start of game two and I spoke to McCarver briefly. We both agreed that Flood should be in Hall of Fame. I'll see what I can do to get Flood his due! After walking down the stadium stairs and eventually on the field I looked to my left and there's Dick Vitale. I exchanged a few words with him and kept it moving. After walking a few steps I'm noticing the people I've watched on TV for years and we were all on the same field. ESPN's Chris Berman and Peter Gammons. I spoke at length with MLB.COM and TBS analyst Harold Reynolds about baseball, sports, and life. After taking in more of the scene I realize...

After personally watching the Rays split the first two games with the Philadelphia Phillies in Florida I saw first hand what a special group they really are. Whether the Tampa Bay Rays win this years’ World Series or not I feel they are winners. As much as I love and follow sports I must admit this team flew under my radar. Like most of the baseball world I’ve now taken heed to the message: the Tampa Bay Rays are for real. I predict they’ll win it all. The Rays are collection of young players who were unknown to most in the sports world. Their claim to fame was being the worst team in baseball last year. Now they are on the cusps of shaking up the baseball world. Of course they are playing a game while making millions of dollars but they don’t play for the money. This squad truly plays for the love of the game. The way this team plays they’d play in an empty stadium with passion. I think they’d play at a public park just as hard as they are now playing on the world’s biggest stage. I ...

Before game one of the World Series I was settling into my routine when suddenly I saw T.B.S commentator Harold Reynolds. Formerly of E.S.P.N. Reynolds was killing time before he was to go on air. We had a brief conversation consisting of my admiring his work and for him to keep it up. We took the picture shown here and parted ways.While taking in the scene on the field prior to game two of the World Series Reynolds recognized me and extended a pleasant hello. After a brief conversation we both kept it moving as the media was asked by security to leave the field it can be prepared for play. Approximately 20 minutes later I again ran into Reynolds in the media area over in the stadium. We again engaged in a conversation about baseball, Curt Flood, and about athletes speaking out. We spoke for approximately a half hour. Indeed the time was appreciated and rewarding. We both agreed that we need more African Americans playing baseball. Just 8.2 percent of players in the Major Leagues are A...

The juice finally gets squeezed from OJ Simpson NFL Hall of Fame running back OJ Simpson will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. Simpson was convicted in a Las Vegas courtroom on twelve counts of robbery and kidnapping. Simpson, along with several cohorts, burst in a Las Vegas hotel room seeking to secure memorabilia from those who reportedly stole it from him. Nicknamed “The Juice” during his playing days Simpson was known for his elusiveness on the field. Unlike the past Simpson couldn’t elude the courts this time because the judicial system finally managed to squeeze the final drops of freedom from the “The Juice.” Some suggest Simpson didn’t receive a fair trial and he was convicted based on his past. I believe the latter, along with the racial composition of the jury, and shady media coverage spelled the end for Simpson. Let’s examine. During the1995 murder trial Simpson had a male judge in Lance Itto. The jury was comprised of nine African Americans, two white, and one ...