Tuesday Triumph: Obama is an International "Brother"

Last week we saw the photos of President Barack Obama in Europe being feted by all kinds of Kings, Queens, etc.  They showed large crowds of people of every hue and nationality greeting the President with adulation and adoration.  Every public moment was recorded and shown on all the networks and cable channels.  I admit it...I was proud beyond belief.

But then I received a photo in my email that CNN didn't use.  It came from a BROTHER about a BROTHER greeting a BROTHER. 

The gentleman in the photo is what's called a "Bobby"...a british police officer.  He clearly is in a position of trust and honor to be able to get that close to The President of the United States...especially since we know the level of threats President Obama is subjected to on a daily basis.  "Bobbies" are the ultimate professionals.  They are focused on their jobs at all times and tradition holds that they fix their gaze upon the post they are charged with guarding and securing.  Remember they are not supposed to shake hands, but clearly, the two BROTHERS couldn't resist the historic moment. The black royal cop never imagined in his wildest dreams that he would usher a black American president into the British corridors of power.   The officer whose skin is brown no doubt did his job; but in doing so...he acknowledged his own personal triumph:  Shaking the hand of the first African-American President of the United States.  I know that's right my brother.

For every triumph I, as a black woman, felt at the election of an African-American man as President of the United States, there is no comparison to the pure camaraderie a black man must feel when he sees a "brother" take his rightful place in the world.  Does it erase every slight, every injustice, every cab that has passed them by or every job that they have been passed over for?  No, I think not.  But it does give a measure of satisfaction...and triumph.

They were once Kings...and as one of their Queens; I'm happy for them all!

"There is this beacon out there that says if you create a challenging, demanding, yet nurturing and supportive environment, if you show these young men the possibilities and you discipline them to realize those possibilities, you can turn these statistics about black men around."

-Michael Lomax

Tuesday Triumph: Serena and Venus Williams

“Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.”

At only 27 years old, Serena and Venus Williams have overcome insurmountable odds to become two of the best athletes to ever play a sport.

Serena is currently number 1 in the world, she is the current US Open and Australian Open singles champion and has won 20 Grand Slam titles: ten in singles, eight in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles. She also has won two Olympic gold medals in women's doubles. She is the most recent player, male or female, to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously. Serena has won more career prize money than any other woman, in any sport. 

Venus, formerly ranked number 1, is now ranked World No. 5. She has won the Wimbledon singles title the last two years and is the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open doubles champion.  A 16 year participant on the Women's Tennis Association tour, Venus has won 56 titles, which includes 17 Grand Slam titles - seven in singles, eight in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles. She has won more Olympic gold medals than any other tennis player (male or female) in history - one in singles and two in women's doubles.

These stats make them terrific athletes but it is their character that makes them terrific women.  I have watched every match they've played for the last few years either on television or in person, so I remember the pain I felt for them both when they played Indian Wells back in 2001.  You might remember that Venus was injured and had to withdraw from the semifinal match against Serena before the match. The crowd booed that night and booed Serena again when she played in the final. Boos that were peppered with clearly racist taunts from the overwhelmingly white crowd.  Venus and Serena both  vowed never to return and they haven't.

Now here comes the part that makes me love them so much:  They have lived up to that promise, even as new WTA rules punish players who skip one of the tour’s so-called mandatory events; of which Indian Wells is one. They refuse to play this tournament just like artists refused to play "Sun City" during the days of apartheid in South Africa. 

The decision to boycott this "mini-major" tournament causes the Williams sisters to sustain injury to their world rankings and lose money from the bonus pool — or face a two-week suspension and a $75,000 fine unless they  opt to engage in promotional activities in support of the tournament within a 125-mile radius of the event.  In the face of all that...they still say, "no, we will not give you the pleasure of making money off our God given talent after subjecting us to racist insults and treating us with disrespect." 

I know that's right!  It is always easy to say what you believe; but it takes great character to stand up for what you believe when the pressure to compromise your values is right there staring you in the face.

I've had the great privilege of watching them play tennis all over the world and to get to know them as women and friends and I can assure you what you've heard is absolutely correct.  They are graceful under pressure, gracious in the face of defeat, patient when faced with ignorance, giving to those less fortunate and united at the hip in friendship and love for their family and each other. 

Venus and Serena are TRIUMPHANT champions who excite and inspire us; not because of what they do as athletes to make a living...but because of who they are as women as they live their lives.

TUESDAY TRIUMPHS...Losing 160 pounds...physically and mentally

Tomorrow is April 1st which means that I've hit another weight landmark.

I am now within striking distance of having made it 3 1/2 years within 10 pounds of the same weight I am today! 3 1/2 years at under 160 pounds after starting at 307 pounds.

I never thought it possible, I didn't even think it probable given my track record. I certainly never thought I'd be brave enough to talk about it in public. The physical toll it took changed my life; but the emotional toll made me whole. With consistent exercise, smart food choices and portion control, I know I'm on the right path. Although I'm confident that I'm finally at a place where my body has settled into a comfortable and maintainable weight, I know that this is a battle I will wage for the rest of my life.

You might remember that I wrote a story in Glamour Magazine around a year and a half ago which told the basics of my weight loss journey which started way back in August, 2003. I was as honest and open as I could be in a written forum; but I can tell you that it is not until you speak the words out loud to someone who knows your struggle that you really release ALL the demons that have haunted you. Oprah Winfrey gives me the opportunity to do just this on Wednesday (April 1st) on The Oprah show.

There is a reason Oprah is the best at what she does: she provides a safe place to share...and share I do. What started for me as shame, fear, anger and regret has slowly turned into pride, security, forgiveness and triumph over a mountain I never thought I could climb let alone conquer.

If you or someone you love has stared down a demon and triumphed; walk a little taller today. I sure am. Thank you Oprah.

(To watch the promo for The Oprah Show...click here. For viewing times of The Oprah show in your area...check you local listings.)

TUESDAY TRIUMPHS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Today is my 47th Birthday.  I'm healthier and happier than I've ever been and I have God to thank for it.

Actually, I wasn't supposed to see 47.  Heck, I wasn't supposed to see 20.  At 19 I was in my last year of college and I was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor in my chest. The tumor was growing daily and it had wrapped itself around my esophagus, lay between my lungs and under my heart.  I was given nine months to live.  I'd always wanted to be a lawyer so something in me said fight and I did.  I found a doctor who didn't think the tumor was inoperable and he (after 8 hours of surgery) removed it and got it all out.  I was back in class 7 days later.  Eight weeks of radiation, five days a week followed.  I graduated from college on time, went on to law school and began living my dreams.  My thyroid was destroyed in the process which caused me to gain weight over the years...but other than a scar down the center of my chest; you'd never know I got a death sentence over 25 years ago.  How good is God!  

I used to be ashamed of the scar; but as I have matured...I've focused on what is important.  I'm alive.  I'm healthy.  This scar saved my life.  So when I feel sorry for myself or forget the blessings of life, I look down at that scar.  It is my badge of honor.  

It is my triumph.