Jay Kersting's Blog

Let me by opening with a statement regarding Dr. King.  It seems to me as a 37 year old white man, that Dr. King often gets too much credit and, at the same time, not enough credit for the status of civil rights in the United States today.

First, I say too much credit because it seems that the things, the values, that Dr. King advanced back in the 1950's and 1960's have been turned back from both sides of the racial divide.  Groups like the Ku Klux Klan and the Black Panthers not only still exist in the 21st Century, but in some areas they even seem to be flourishing.  Then you have groups that could do a lot of good, but they would rather turn people into victims to advance their cause.  The NAACP seems to be of that flavor these days.  

I think that if Dr. King was to come back for a visit, these things would make him cry.

Now, the flip side of things.  As a child of the 1970's and 1980's, mainly in suburban and rural America, it was rare that I would interact with African-American children.  In fact, the only times that I recall, were when I was visiting my grandparents in Elgin, Illinois, and we would play with the neighbor kids, Rodney and Brigette.  They just so happened to be African-American.  I didn't care then, nor do I care now.  I ONLY mention it because it is the LACK of acknowledgement that makes it noteworthy.

I think Dr. King would smile at that.  But, that was never a goal.

When I worked at WNOX, Hallerin Hilton Hill had a subject he would bring up on occasion.  It was...."Some of my closest friends are........"  Now that was a fun topic, because Hal could turn it in different directions.  Political, ethnic, racial, socio-economic, etc.  But the best part was that the statement could show various biases that people had.  Hal was a genius when it came to taking a somewhat innocent statement and use it to expose biases that many of us never thought they had.

Oh, and for those who don't know him, Hallerin just happens to be African-American.  And that is NOT why I count him among my great career influences, it is because he is good as what he does.  Same goes for Dave Foulk, he happens to be a white man, and I consider him to be among my great career influences.

So, what do you think Dr. King would think if he came for a visit to the U.S.A. today?

Oh, and who are some of your closest friends?  Does that show a hidden bias within you?  Didn't think it was there, huh?

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Jenna Bush is NOT having a White House wedding.  Katie Couric is saddened by that news.

My thoughts?  Do what YOU want Ms. Bush.  Do not do what your parents want.  Do not do what your sister wants.  Do not do what your grandparents want.

If she wants to get married in Crawford, Texas, fine.  As long it is her decision.

Oh, and I guess if her fiance is not totally opposed to it.  As if his opinion matters, really.

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The New England Patriots will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

I am officially sick and tired of ALL things Boston/New England.

I called the Red Sox the "mojito of sports teams"....meaning everyone pretends to like them because they are trendy, but to be honest, they are really nasty.

The Patriots are pretty much the same.  Everyone is on the bandwagon.  Everyone thinks Tom Brady is sooo...this, or that. The Pats linebakckers are....

I am sick of the Patriots.  I read David Halberstams book on Bill Belichik, and I have respect for him after reading it.  But even that has not turned me in to a fan.

Folks, if you are a fan of a team, why must you jump on the bandwagon of another team once your team is out.

Or do too many people have too much money riding on the games?

In case you couldn't guess, I am for the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.  But, I am not buying a jersey.  Not even a t-shirt. 

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