Archive for March 2008
Number One
I’ve been honored by being chosen the Number One college player of all time. It is a very special honor for me because I have been picked ahead of some of my heroes and many superb collegians. When I’ve been asked about my status, I have always deferred to Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell as Read More »
Read MoreBenjamin Banneker: The Colonial Da Vinci
Historians routinely praise Thomas Jefferson as one of the smartest men of his time. He was educated, well read, a prolific writer (hey, he wrote the Declaration of Independence!), a dedicated statesman, and one of the most powerful men in the country. One can only wonder at what kind of self-confidence and courage it must Read More »
Read MoreFit after 50: Staying Flexible With Yoga
(Photo left: then; Kareem 1981. Photo right: now; Kareem 2008) Yoga scares some people. They imagine a white-robed cult of New Age zombies sipping herbal green tea and smiling vacantly. For some, the problem is the word itself: yoga. Funny-looking, foreign and too exotic. Okay, for you we’ll call it “power-stretching” or “ultimate breathing” or Read More »
Read MoreQ & A at the American Library Association
I would like to share with you such great time I had responding to audience questions at the ALA Midwinter Meeting President’s Program, Jan. 13, 2008, speaking about my greatest basketball memory, the reason I changed my name, how to get reluctant youth to read, my new book “On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Read More »
Read MorePolitical Maelstrom
It seems that I have stepped into the political maelstrom forming as the November elections approach. Rocky has asked about how the Republicans are trying to portray Obama as a Muslim and how it might affect the race. I don’t think it should affect the race because — it shouldn’t affect the race. Sen. Obama Read More »
Read MoreSonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus
I received an inquiry in February from Jacques who wanted to know if Sonny Rollins plays the saxophone on the Rolling Stones’ “Tattoo You” album. The answer is yes. It is always a pleasure to have a reason to reach out to Sonny and have a chat. Sonny is a major figure in the evolution Read More »
Read MoreCastro Moves On
(From left: Castro at Hotel Theresa, Harlem. Top right: Castro and Malcom X. Bottom right: Fidel Castro) Cuba has gotten some intense media attention recently because of the “retirement” of Fidel Castro, who has passed power on to his brother Raul. Most informed people see this as nothing more than a sham. Raul Castro will Read More »
Read MoreWith Barack …
I’ve been all over cyberspace as one of the participants in will.i.am’s music video (Yes We Can) supporting Barack Obama. I’m very pleased to be one of those who feel that he has what it takes to be president. I first met Senator Obama in the summer of ’06 at the Senate building in DC. Read More »
Read MoreDr. Daniel Hale Williams: Heart surgeon
When you watch TV shows today, it’s not uncommon to see black doctors charging up the paddles and shouting “Clear!” or “Somebody get me a rib-spreader, stat!” When I was growing up, however, a black doctor on TV was a rarity. A black nurse, sure. Sometimes. There was the sitcom “Julia” (1968-1971) starring Diahann Carroll, Read More »
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