March On Washington

Left to Right: Ken Riley, Rattler Quarterback; Eddie Jackson, Sports Historian; Dr. Beverly
Barber, Former Health Chair , Physical Education and Recreation Department; Bobby Lang, Former Rattler Track Coach 

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, Florida A&M University held a forum on Samuel G. Freedman’s book "Breaking the Lines." On August 27th, panelists and moderator discussed the influence of black college football in the civil rights movement.

Freedman is a journalist, author and a Columbia University professor who has written six nonfiction books and he runs his own writing seminar every spring. “Breaking the Lines” is Freeman’s first book on sports.

This book focuses on former FAMU football coach, Jake Gaither and Gambling University’s former football coach Eddie Robinson during the 1967 Orange Blossom Classic. It captures unlikely heroes of the civil rights movement through the eyes of football.

“If you can make a social change through football in the south you can change the world,”said Freedman. “It was a great honor and sacred trust...these athletes and coaches of HBCUs made great contributions to the movement.”

The panelist were Eddie Jackson, sports historian; Ken Riley, rattler quarterback; Bobby Lang, former Rattler track coach, and Dr. Beverly Barber, former chair health, physical education and recreation department.

Eddie Jackson was a 26-year-old journalist during the 1960s and he remembers when the Tallahassee Democrat didn’t cover FAMUs away games. "The press said 'Jake is a good coach but he’s a good black coach'," said Jackson. He said FAMU vs. Gambling University was “the most important game in black college football.”

On November 29, 1969, the first football game between a historically black college and a predominately white university was in Tampa. There were 45,000 to 50,000 people in attendance. “It was a lot for us as a people to have won that game,” said Dr. Barber. She said there were no riots at the University of Tampa there were only black fists in the air.

Dr. Barber was the first female choreographer for the Marching 100 and she was also the cheerleading advisor. In 1964 the band had their first piece of choreography. She said when FAMU would go to Miami for an away game Haines City was the only rest stop allowed for African-Americans.

“There’s a lot of history among our panelists. I had no idea about the extend of their contributions they made through history,”said Freedman.

Michael Smith, interim athletic director commended the panelists for overcoming their struggles and being fearless. “They realized there were opportunities for us as they broke the lines then we can connect the dots for greater opportunities.” He said the coaches were visionaries and they were not only looking at what was in front of them but what was ahead of them.

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Breaking The Lines

Samuel Freedman

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Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, Korean War Memorial

African Museum

Today I went to the African Museum

 














Love,
      The "Museum Lover" Phoenix

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Food Allergies and DC Living

It's my last week on DC; I leave on Friday to head back to Orlando, Fl. I find it interesting the level of food allergy awareness in this city, it's intriguing. I have noticed organic dry cleaners everywhere and gluten free seems to pop up on every food menu. 

While dinning at a Cuban restaurant the waiter ask does anyone have food allergies. I am always hesitate when eating at restaurant because the choices tend to dwindle when you're basically allergic to everything and your allergy test is five pages long including trees on the list. I end up eating salads and I watch others eat flavorful meals with sauces. 

It seems as though the food industry is changing and allergies are becoming an epidemic in a lot of children. One in 13 children have a food allergy and the numbers are rising according to an NPR's Buffalo Station. There are numerous vegan restaurants and I found an organic chinese food place near Woodley Park Metro. 

There is hope for people with severe food allergies and that we can eat like everyone else and order foods that are tasteful with desserts that taste yummy without wheat. A vegan/vegetarian place in Columbia Heights has delicious cupcakes that didn't make me breakout in and turn my stomach in knots with harsh pain. I've blogged about this place before, Sticky Fingers bakery. 

If you're planning a trip to DC and you're worried about food allergies or seasonal allergies. Yes, I have those too. It will not be a hassle. As, I said I have seasonal allergies with a list of trees I'm allerguc to and grass. I had one day when my nose was running and itchy and it wasn't as bad as watery eyes when I was younger. One day out of two months I was here, I'll call it success.

If you have questions about eczema or food allergies do not hesitate on contacting me. I'm twenty-two years old and I've manever some lifestyles changes that will help.

Love,

 The "Allergic"Phoenix                                

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DC Summer: We're Going To The Zoo

It's been awhile since I've went to the zoo. It's been years to be exact and the only time I remember was in elementary. A starfish was the only animal I remember touching. It's was pink, rough, sticky like suction cups but beautiful. So I woke up this morning and said it's free so why not and besides this was apart of my exploration phase of the summer.

DC's Redline takes you directly to the Woodley Park Zoo in Washington, DC. It's about a ten minute walk from Woodley Park Metro Stop and it's acoss from 7-eleven  store. I advise you to buy water and snacks from 7-eleven because the zoo is expensive.

If you are parents you will drop a pretty penny for ice cream, hamburgers or wraps for you dehydrated and hungry child. I broke down and bought an icea cream for $4.25 and that was painful as I swiped my card. The zoo is fairly large and it's free admission but if you would like to purchase a map then it's $2.00. Not bad for that price especially if you don't want to wonder and you know what animals you want to see.

After I purchased the map I wondered why I paid for it because there are sign everywhere pointing in various directions to see specific animals. But I'll look at the purchase as a souvenir even though I only look at the map when it was time to leave. I could't remember which way I came, maybe it was the dehydration. Overall I had fun looking at the animals.

Tips
1. Bring food/coolers into the zoo to save money
2. Buy a map just in case.
3. Wear walking shoes
4. Go to the zoo when it's not as hot in humid. Animals are sleep on hot and humid days.

Pictures

Love,

 The "Zooleger"Phoenix                                

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