Rico The Opinionist

  When I read where former NBA player, turned head coach of the University of Memphis basketball team,   Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway ,  signed a five year extension deal of 12.25 million dollars to stay on as head coach of the University of Memphis  tiger basket ball team I was like, “Damn! That's ALL!?” Former tigers head basket ball coach,  John Calipari, damn near made that much in just one year as head coach of the tigers. This was coach Penny's first year as head coach of the, until recently, lackluster University of M emphis basketball team. In his first year as head coach, Coach Penny brought back life and excitement to the team. Most importantly, he brought back wins. To top it all off, Coach Penny recently sent two powerhouse players to the NBA.    When Penny initially signed on last year as the head coach, he reportedly accepted (in my opinion) an extremely low amount of money to resurrect a team that was on life support. He reportedly ...

  I saw this picture of gospel singer, Smokie Norful, circulating on Face Book on some black men’s pages and I just had to stop to read some of the comments on some of those pages. Sadly, a lot of the comments about the image in the photo clearly came from of places of ignorance, false doctrines and even insecurity. Some even implied that there was something gay about the picture. There is absolutely nothing gay about a man who is a father accepting an emotional token and/or a physical expression of love and appreciation from his son regardless of how old the son is. He is still this man’s child. Clearly, Smokie’s teenage son loves his daddy very much. What I see is a dad who created a trusting, loving, secured and stable environment for his child to grow up in. It is apparent that his dad has been a nurturing father. When his son is officially grown and out of the house, that loving father and loving son bond will still be strong. Can't be mad at this.   As a Masters Leve...

  In my opinion, pregnant teenage girls should NOT be given a baby shower for her irresponsible behavior. Throwing a baby shower for these girls only encourages this irresponsible behavior. This also encourages single motherhood, which most often times leads to another child being born into poverty and in a dangerous a dangerous neighborhood. If you take a look at it, you will notice that more than likely houses where these baby showers are being thrown for these un-wed, uneducated, financially strapped teen mothers to be are absent of fathers or men in general. Yes. I said it. The women in our community promote teen pregnancy. They promote fatherlessness. They couldn’t care less about the mental and emotional development of a black baby because they want to have a party and by any means necessary. I think today’s society has made it very comfortable for young girls to just get pregnant without any fear of being shamed or without even having to have a thought about how the hell ...

Over the past year, I've seen these two particular pictures of saggin black men all over social media. One or both of these pictures have been on mainly the IG and FB pages of black men with the usual title, "Black Men, Stop This Shit!" Of course, several older black men would respond with the most condemning comments and older black women over the age of 30 would come right behind them with their, "Yes, that's right. We don't want to see their asses out in public!" affirming comments. Then, I would get on one of these SIMPin for coochie coupons posts and say ....."This is not a black men's issue." “ It's a black female issue." And of course, I find myself in a condescending back and forth dialogue with forty and 50 year old black women who vehemently disagree with my assertion. Well, needless to say, I take these out of touch, out of the game, over the hill grandmas to school. I quickly inform them that more than likely these ...

  I have heard this so-called Bible verse all of my life. I am of the belief that it is not required that the poor should be among us. Moreover, isn’t it amazing how we start every year off with a new year’s resolution that we usually don’t live up to during the rest of the eleven months of the year? During black history month, we remember and celebrate the past (historical) efforts, achievements and monumental strides that have been by African Americans in this country and even the world. During this particular month we also acknowledge the current accomplishments of extraordinary African Americans in the country today. During the rest of the months of every year, the accomplishments, efforts, and the birthdays of Presidents, inventors, and entertainers are recognized. I wonder when there is ever going to be a day, a month, and even a year when the poor among us will be acknowledged and poverty eradicated in this country. Sure, we have the little television commercials that sho...

  I think a battery of psychological exams should be given to EVERY female who DECIDES to become a single mother knowing that she can't afford a baby. I think these tests should be mandatory for any single and never married woman who decides to get pregnant without a good paying job, an education, transportation, health insurance, stable housing, and a plan in place for child care that she can actually afford with her own money and resources.   I think that she should be given a battery of psychological tests to see if she is even sane and emotionally stable enough to be a decent mother to an innocent child who did not ask to be brought here. I think that since she decides against getting prepared educationally, economically, and even emotionally before allowing herself to become pregnant by a man who is not a loving, supportive and financially stabled husband, she should foot the entire bill that comes with rearing a child by herself. These psychological examinations shoul...

I am sharing these thoughts because I want all of us in the black community to know that none of us is above having the truth spoken about us as a group or as individuals. The truth is, many of us in the black community are purposefully playing games when it comes to walking the path of freedom and independence. We are hiding behind the Bible, social organizations, our social statuses, the walls of our suburban neighborhoods, multiculturalism, diversity, individual interests and just plain ole fear of being independent from this white supremacist culture and system. I am of the opinion that most of today’s American blacks are afraid of a revolution! I want end this article by sharing why I think Black people in America will never be respected by whites and any other racial and ethnic groups in this country.  The main reason that Blacks in this country will never be respected in this country is because Blacks never really fought (in an actual war) in this country against the white m...