minorities interests blog

 

“And the stone that the builders refused shall be the head cornerstone, and no matter what game they play, we got something they could never take away..”

 

Bob Nasta Marley in “Ride Natty Ride

 

Sometimes an individual is blessed with some qualities that is overshadowed by his outward appearance and at such times the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” becomes apposite.

 

The world can be a lonely and cruel place to be at times and there are individuals in the world who are in the business of killing dreams because they think they know better than the rest of us. While these people who enjoy killing dreams are going about making sure that dreams are not realized simply because of their own assessments of the dreamers, there are also people who believe in giving others a chance no matter how hopeless others may perceived them or their dreams to be.

 

When God makes someone a shining star there’s no force in heaven or on earth that can dim this star. People have been known to shine against all odds encouraged often times by people who are dedicated to good works, people who rejoices in other people’s achievements or their abilities to achieve great things despite perceived handicaps.

 

Some people love to pretend that they can see with eyes closed. Their minds are closed to any kind of reasoning that does not conform to their prejudices and these prejudices make them attempt to kick against and try to destroy a flower that has been destined to blossom.

 

In the end our stories will be told and condemnation shall not be far from the lips of those who are opportune to see perpetrators of evil as they really are, stumbling blocks in the way of other people’s progresses and their failure to effectively block will be hailed as observers will see them turning into stepping stones, helping rather than barring men of destinies from reaching their goals.

 

 Someone we regard to as a nonentity, an imbecile, a handicap or even a social miscreant might turn out to be a shining star that brings the best out of others.

 

It is not often that a movie moves me to tears; I like to see myself as a man, one whose heart is rigid, perhaps a man whose heart is made of stone. Those are my defenses, my armor against the world’s wickedness. I was taught not to show weaknesses, a man is not supposed to do that, I in turn preach the same sermon to my kids, as boys, they are told to hold firm to their emotions. Weaknesses are not virtues when you are a man lest your enemies get to know what melts your heart and use that against you.

 

I, however, am always fascinated by good deeds; my heroes are people who, to their own detriment, stood up for those who are incapable of standing up for themselves. I appreciate people who gave voices to the voiceless, people who carried on their backs the burden of others without complaints, the real heroes, people we ought to point out to our children as examples of good souls so they would see the good in making others feel loved.

 

Sometimes we hasten to judge and at those times we commit sins because we judge without having all the facts, even if we have all the facts, who made us a judge over others? There are a thousand and one reasons why people turn out the way they do and without sufficient information we usually end up committing grave injustice, perhaps that is the reason why the bible enjoined us not to judge.

 

James Robert “Radio” Kennedy is one man whose story will make you cry and laugh at the same time. If you don’t know this man then I enjoined you to watch the movie “Radio” starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as James Robert “Radio” Kennedy and Ed Harris as Harold Jones the Coach.

 

So much has been written about “Radio” as he is fondly called in Anderson SC. It is a thing of joy to know that South Carolina General Assembly in its 116th Session, 2005-2006 honor and recognize the lives of James Robert "Radio" Kennedy and former T. L. Hanna Football Coach Harold Jones, both of Anderson County, for their lives of service to T. L. Hanna High School and for being an inspiration to their community, the State, and the nation. http://scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/4267.htm

 

This world will be a better place if we honor people who had and are having such a tremendous positive effects on individuals and communities all over the world instead of honoring those who will not bat an eyelid in stealing from the people and then turn around asking for honors. The South Carolina General Assembly also deserves commendation and emulation with regard to the part they took in honoring these heroes.

 

 

*Jim Mathis, an international speaking professional and Trainer wrote about Radio thus:

 

LIVING WITH SPIRIT!

 

James Robert "Radio" Kennedy

How could a man who never officially attended a high school become the spirit of that school for over 35 years, no less of an entire community? That is the story of James Robert "Radio" Kennedy, of Anderson, South Carolina. Cuba Gooding, Jr. plays the 57 year old Radio in the current movie of the same name. What is his story? How did he become so famous? What role have others played in his notoriet?

At age 5 James suffered irreversible brain damage in an auto collision. When the coaches at T.L. Hanna High School, in Anderson, first found him he was hanging around the practice field with a transistor radio (his constant companion) in his pocket. They would ask his name and other information, but the only noise they heard at the time was coming from the radio. "He always had that transistor," said Hanna head football coach Harold Jones, who then coached the junior varsity. "That's why we gave him the nickname - Radio."

Radio burst into Jones's world when he wandered onto the athletic field during practice in 1963 and began mimicking the coach. Jones took up time with him and he soon got Radio to talk through a rewards system. Harold wanted to keep Radio coming around, so he adopted him as team manager. Little did he realize that Radio was there to stay. Radio showed up for all practices and games. One time a coach tried to lie to him about the time the team would leave for lack of room. Radio showed up an hour earlier than the scheduled departure time. Another time the team bus was so crowded that he was forced to stay behind. Hanna lost the game that night. After that he was with the team for the next 13 games and they won all 13. Ever since, Radio has had a spot on the bus to all games.

The coaches adopted Radio and he became a T.L .Hanna fixture. He began attending track meets, basketball games and even greeting fans at the gate. He never would have dreamed how much Kennedy would have blossomed, and how much the students would accept him. Nor did he realize at the time what an effect he had on the players and students at the school. At Hanna, he has been accepted as a regular student. He reports first thing each day to the school nurse. Radio spends the school day mopping and running errands for teachers. He gets grades just like the students do. (Usually all "A's" in mopping, but an occasional "C" for good measure). At one time they tried to make him a "Senior," which would have meant graduation and departure, but Radio claimed he was a "Junior" and remains one to this day.

The community has adopted Radio, as well. Numerous articles have been written about him in the local paper. There is even a section devoted to him online called, appropriately, "Radio, The Heart of Anderson." He has his own song, played on local stations, "Everyone knows Radio," the lyrics say. But Radio's pride and joy remains his "Wall of Fame," the numerous articles and awards displayed at Hanna High School. He understands that he has won a place in the hearts of the people at the school - and he is proud.

On Saturday, November 1, 2003, fire ravaged Radio's home. He lived there with other family members. Radio was up before the smoke detector went off in time to warn everyone. No one was injured and the fire was put out in ten minutes, but almost all of his memorabilia was destroyed. The community came together to put the family up in a motel temporarily. Jones said, "The community will help find another residence for them." "They got wiped out," he said. "It's kind of sad, but I believe the community will rally."

You can believe they will rally for "The Heart of Anderson," James Robert "Radio" Kennedy.

 

 

Read also (http://www.chasingthefrog.com/Reviews/03/radio_review.htm)

 

 

*JIM MATHIS is an International Speaking Professional and Trainer. To subscribe to his FREE personal and professional development newsletter, please send an email to subscribe@jimmathis.com with the word SUBSCRIBE. An electronic copy will be sent out to you every month. For more information on how JIM and his programs can benefit your organization or group, please call 888-688-0220, or visit his website: www.jimmathis.com