Passing the Torch from Baby Boomers to Millennials to Gen Z

Whether baby boomers can accept it or not, a changing of the guard has taken place with  millennials and the up and coming Gen Z generations leading the charge.

They are not thinking or behaving the way they are expected to.  Perhaps it's because the "old way" of doing things doesn't work for them.  Most baby boomers had traditions and values passed down to them from their parents.  Not true with millennials because a lot of their baby boomer parents were too busy focusing on careers, keeping up with the Joneses, and being helicopter parents.  

So now we have two younger generations rising up to make their own mark in the world.  And they're doing just that.  It shouldn't surprise us that social media and social media campaigns have inspired them in ways their older parents and grandparents can't seem to understand or appreciate.

For instance, according to an article written by NerdWallet, when a number of young activists learned that Wells Fargo was among those providing financing towards the construction of the South Dakota Access pipeline at Standing Rock, they immediately withdrew their money and deposited it elsewhere.  The same goes for Justin Garrett Moore who transferred all of his savings to a black owned bank and spearheaded a #BankBlack campaign.

Soon television executives, sports owners and venues may feel the brunt of this new generational power.  A report released by L.E.K. Consulting indicates millennial and Gen Z sports fans are bypassing cable television and totally abandoning traditional sports for online video game tournaments and other "eSports." These changes are likely to have implications on viewership for professional sports leagues like the NFL, MLB and NASCAR, and networks like ESPN, Fox Sports and individual teams.

"The old model is under pressure," says Alex Evans, Managing Director in L.E.K.'s Sports practice and a co-author of the study. "Traditional sports organizations rely on TV, especially cable TV, to attract new fans and to generate revenue now through ownership of regional sports networks. But they will likely come under increasing pressure to change their model, especially 5 to 10 years down the road. 

Perhaps it's time the older dogs learn some new tricks in an effort to stay relevant.

From Baby Boomer Bev to Senior Influencer

A lot has happened since my last post (October 2022), I turned 66 and am now a part of the social security crowd.  (And believe me, it's CROWDED!)  

My husband and I took two wonderful trips between June and December:  Montego Bay, Jamaica and Las Vegas.  We wanted to go back to Vegas to see how much had changed since we visited about 17 years ago (it was the first trip we took together before we got married).  

The biggest change in my life, however, is being classified as an "Influencer" on the various social media platforms as "Auntie Bev--the Vocabulary Builder." It's funny because I recall hearing young people talk about wanting to be an "Influencer" as a career path.  

Influencer definition:  a person or something that influences another.

I never intentionally set out to be a so-called influencer, although my goal for doing what I do is to help others build their vocabulary and communication skills.  If anybody is an influencer, I would say it's my grandson because HE is the one who INFLUENCED me to step out into the social media space and share my knowledge of vocabulary.  As a result, in the past year or so, I have garnered  more than 1.5 million followers through Facebook, Instagram and TikTok (combined).  

What point am I trying to make?  

Don't allow your age to hinder you.  I've seen more and more older adults sharing their creativity and knowledge.  You might be a great cook or you might want to share inspirational messages.  If you have a pet, share it with viewers.  Have you ever heard of pet influencers?  Yes, they really do exist and animal videos are the hottest videos out there.

The internet is vast.  There's room for everybody.  If you're serious about trying to attract a following, keep at it and don't get discouraged by lack of views initially.

Finally......

If you have a gift, share it.  Your vibe will attract your tribe.

Making a Difference in the Lives of Others

There are some people who always talk about making a difference and then there are those who actually DO it without all the talk.  Eric Moore was the latter.  When I checked into Facebook before bed Sunday night, I read the news but couldn't quite process it.  I thought people were singing his praises because of some accomplishment until I saw the letters R.I.P. I was heartbroken!  It didn't seem real.  He just celebrated a birthday and, because of procrastination, I didn't even get a chance to wish him a happy one.

Although Eric is no longer with us in the physical body, he will always remain with me (and countless others) in spirit.  His social media page is flooded with accolades for all he has meant to students, black sports information directors and black college sports in general for more than 40 years.  

I met "Mr. Moore" in 1977 as a student at Ohio University.  He taught RTV-400 (film editing class).  It was a required class.  Imagine my surprise when I saw he was black.  He was the ONLY black face in the Communications department.  He was young and handsome and very personable.  I just knew I was going to do well in his class because he wouldn't dare fail a sista'  Yeah, right!  After a few missed assignments, he pulled me aside and told me I needed to get my act together because I wasn't passing.  I decided to drop the class and sign up again at a later time.  And guess what?  I got him again!  This time I was like a sponge in learning everything he had to teach about editing.  I had something to prove and I wanted him to know I was determined to shine.  (I finished with a B in the class as I recall).

Over the years, I stayed in touch with him to thank him for lighting a fire under me and not letting me slide for the Black and Proud movement.  Every time I had to splice some audio tape in the newsroom, I thought of him and all that I had learned.  He was my mentor.

Who knew that when I moved to NC our paths would cross again.  He was in Raleigh--less than 30 minutes from me.  We would see each other at the CIAA Tournament games and catch up for old time sake.  We chatted on the phone occasionally and I always asked about Betty and the children (who weren't the "little ones" I remembered).

What I discovered was he never stopped teaching and helping young people develop their media craft. A number of us from Ohio U fondly reflect on his guidance and support.  He poured so much  of his knowledge into so many and made everyone feel important.

So much love pouring out on his FB page:

The man… The legend… The GURU!!! My first mentor in the athletic profession who helped develop me over rhe years! Rest easy  Eric N. Moore! You are the best to do it on this side of heaven! You will definitely be missed.  ~Tonia Walker  

I am truly grateful for knowing Eric N. Moore! My Sports Information days became so much easier when his “little Worrisome Child” would call him if I could not figure something out and he would calmly say, ”T, just breathe it’s nothing a click or the push of a key can’t fix.” T.t. White

In each life, if you’re lucky you get chance at having incredible wisdom, personal experience, intelligence, laughter and genuine care and concern pass your way, it makes you soar. Eric N. Moore was indeed an educator ahead of his time and wished that for us all. ~Ricardo Morgan

If you had a stressful day, his laugh would definitely change that. Mr. Moore, as I always called him, was one of the more selfless people I have come across. He took pride in helping others succeed. ~Sean Robinson

 "Moore, 71, was an innovator with his www.onnidan.com website, but more than that he helped anybody in the business who needed it."  John Dell

He truly made a difference and I am forever grateful that our paths crossed.

(photo courtesy of onnidan.com)

When Teens Lose a Loved One

My grandson's great grandfather (on his father's side) passed away unexpectedly sometime between late last night and early this morning.  He died in his sleep.  My daughter called us shortly before 2:00 am with the devastating news and, without hesitation, we got out of bed and rushed over to the house where family members had already gathered.  

I could see the heartbreak and pain on my grandson's face.  He and his "pawpaw" were very close and "pawpaw" made no secret that Jarod was his favorite out of all of the great-grands.  In that moment, I was at a loss for words but I needed to hug him and let him know it was going to be all right even though it didn't feel that way at the moment.  Jarod has never experienced death on this magnitude.  Yes, he has known people who died but they were either very old (and expected) or they were casual acquaintances who got mixed up with the wrong crowd which led to their untimely demise.

I couldn't help thinking that Jarod was going to experience this trauma many more times as those he loves pass away.  I knew, in that moment, that I wouldn't be able to shield him from the grief he is going through now and what he will feel in the future.  

Death is never easy to deal with and it's got to be extremely hard for young people who spend their young lives loving their older grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.  

I can't do it now but at some point I will let him know:

1.  It's OK to grieve.  It's normal.  Holding your emotions inside will only create turmoil on down the road.

2.  You will get through it, even though it doesn't feel like it right now.

3.  You're not alone.  Others have feelings they have to work through as it relates to the loved one's death.

4.  Cherish the memories and when you're ready, share them with others.  It will help the healing process.

5.  Allow your best friend to be there for you.  Shutting everyone out can lead to isolation and a state of depression.

The experts say it's never a good idea to direct what a grieving teenager should do, say or feel.  Don't force them to talk if they don't want to---but when he's ready I'll be there.

I know my time is coming, too, at some point.

Young People Prefer a Mortgage Over Marriage

 

The pandemic has put a number of things on pause over the past couple of years----and one of those things seems to be marriage. According to a recent survey, on behalf of Coldwell Banker, more young people say they are committed "to have and to hold" a mortgage rather than to take a trip down the aisle "for better or for worse." As a matter of fact, 82 percent of unmarried Americans would rather invest in a home than pay for a big expensive wedding.

85 percent of unmarried females say they would rather invest in a home than spend money on a big, fancy, expensive engagement ring.

77 percent of the respondents say they prefer to pay a mortgage than spend money on a luxurious vacation.

 45 percent of Millennials and Generation Z say owning a home is an important financial goal for them compared to 30 percent of people 55 years and older. 

47 percent of the respondents say they choose homeownership over renting.

 44 percent of college graduates say owing a home is a more important financial goal than paying off student debt. 

  In 2021, there were an estimated 1.9 million weddings. The average wedding cost $25, 764. Meanwhile, the number of new homeowners increased by more than two million. So for better or for worse, to have and to hold....it looks like mortgages are winning out over engagement rings. 

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Coldwell Banker from October 21 - 25, 2021 among 2,027 adults ages 18 and older. 

What to Do and NOT DO in a Foreign Country Part III

First and foremost, if you're going to be traveling out of the country you need to know what the weather is going to be like.  Just because it's Fall in the United States with cooler temperatures (normally), that may not be the case in other places.  We expected it to be warm in the Dominican Republic in September but it was "muy caliente!!!" and the humidity was totally unbearable for me as someone who has difficulty breathing in extreme heat because of congestive heart failure. It was impossible for me to prepare for that kind of heat so it was imperative that the air conditioning worked WELL in our room!

Other things to know: 

What is the primary language?  You can't assume everyone speaks English everywhere in the world.  As a matter of fact, out of 195 countries in the world, 67 list English as their primary language.  If you don't know the language, find an app to assist you.  There are quite a few to choose from like Google Translate,  TripLingo and make the effort to say a few words in the primary language.  I can't tell you the number of times I said, "Hola!" "Como Estas?" Muy bien, y tu?" and "Gracias." Thankfully, taking Spanish in high school and college helped out. 

Check your room thoroughly:  Don't just assume that when you walk in and it looks nice, that means everything is OK.  We had to change rooms twice.  The first time was because the TV didn't work.  The second time was because there was no jacuzzi in the room that was part of the package deal.  Because we arrived on a Tuesday, it was easier for the hotel to make the changes rather quickly but if you check in on a Thursday or later, you may have some frustrations.

If there's a concierge service, take advantage of it: It may cost extra, but it is well worth it in my opinion.  At the Resort we stayed at, the concierge is known as the Butler and it took us a couple of days to find that out but once we did it was smooth sailing from there.  Anything we needed or requested was handled by the Butler service.  

 Know where everything is:  If you are staying at a resort or all-inclusive hotel, take some time, after check-in, to know where things are.  It may require you to walk around but if you do it early on you won't end up wasting a lot of time trying to figure out where to go when you should just be relaxing and enjoying the trip.  

Know what the main currency is:  We spent time trying to figure out if we should exchange our American dollars into the currency of the Dominican Republic, which is the peso.  We learned that our dollars would be accepted.  As a matter of fact, one peso is the equivalent of $0.018 on the dollar.  

Please Understand the Tipping policy and tip generously:  Even if you stay at an all-inclusive, you may want to consider tipping for various services (unless it specifically says ALL-INCLUSIVE INCLUDING TIPS).  Prior to leaving for the Dominican Republic, I asked a couple of people I knew in the U.S. what was the customary tipping amount.  I was surprised to learn that the average was $2.00 (because ya'll know in this country, servers would feel totally insulted if you left them a $2.00 tip on a $20-$30 meal).  Because the currency is different in the Dominican Republic, a $5.00 goes a long way.

See and Do as much as you can:  The purpose of a vacation is to get away and enjoy yourself.  If you're traveling to a foreign country, that's all the more reason to take advantage of all the country (area) has to offer.  You may never get the opportunity to visit again.

Know what you can and cannot eat or drink:  There may be items on a menu that sound appetizing but you need to think about your digestive system and the impact eating such items will have. Even when the food sounds similar to what you may have eaten in the past, it may be prepared differently.  In the Dominican Republic, it is NOT SAFE to drink the water unless it's bottled water and you need to see them bring it to you in the bottle!  They also warn against eating raw fish or cerviche.  At one of the finer restaurants we went to, there was goat on the menu, which is a delicacy there, but we weren't willing to experiment.

Be Friendly:  When you're in a foreign country, you are going to meet people from other parts of the world.  That's a grand opportunity to learn more about their who, what, where, when, why and how story.  Perhaps that's just the journalist in me (lol!)  I met a couple who was honeymooning from Canada, a man from Ukraine, people from other parts of the Caribbean and it was fascinating to talk to them.   For those of you who know me, you know I'm a very outgoing person.  I never meet a stranger.  I believe we as human beings share more in common than we have in differences.  Communicating with others helps create the memories of a lifetime that you can share---just like I'm sharing with you.

The Airport and Flight Experience When You Travel Abroad Part II

Before you arrive at the airport for your international trip, it's a smart idea to do a couple of things:

1)  Check with your travel agent (if you used one) to make sure everything is in order.  If you have to make any changes (like a name change) try to do it well enough in advance because your airline ticket must be an identical match to what's on your passport.

2)  Check on travel restrictions.  Depending on where you're going will determine what restrictions are in place due to COVID.  This website has information to help you know what the restrictions are:  INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL  Although we didn't need to show proof of vaccination prior to leaving, it was mandatory that we be tested prior to arriving back into the United States.  It's also important to know what type of test is required for you to return.  And be sure to set up that test with the hotel once you get there because you probably won't be the only one trying to get tested on the same day.

3)  Check in with your airline.  When you go online, you can choose your seat or get an upgrade and get additional information regarding the flight's status.  You should also check to see how much you'll be charged for your baggage.  American charges $30 for EVERY bag.  

4)  Know what to pack in your carry-on.  If you pack toothpaste, lotion, or face cream, it will be confiscated.  The smart thing to do is to put those items in the checked luggage so you won't end up without them. 

5)  Once you arrive at the airport and check in with your passport, you may find out you have to complete paperwork in order to get into the foreign country.  (We learned that if you don't fill it out PRIOR to arrival at your destination, you will not be admitted until it's completed---no matter how LONG it takes).    

6)  Be prepared for some discomfort on the plane.  Depending on where you sit and how long your legs are, you could in for some discomfort.  The longer the flight, the more discomforting it could become.  If you can afford it, you should do business or first class. Our flight took approximately three and a half hours so it wasn't too bad.  And thankfully, there were no Karen's, Becky's or Billy Bob's on any of our flights!

7)  You may be subject to a random customs check in the foreign country.  There is no rhyme or reason for it.  Some people just get singled out.  

8)  Look  out for the hustlers! Prior to traveling to the Dominican Republic, we were warned about people who would be trying to talk us into buying timeshares:

TIMESHARE ADVISORY - When you arrive at your destination, even before you leave the customs area, you may be approached by many aggressive timeshare sales agents. Timeshare sales agents are very persistent and may entice you with offers of complimentary breakfasts, free transfers, discounted tours, etc., in exchange for your attendance at a presentation designed to sell their property. Timeshare selling can and does take place in many locations, including the airport, hotel lobbies, and even on the beaches and streets. These sales agents are in no way associated with your ground transportation operator or with Costco Travel.

In my next post, I will share some do's and don't while vacationing in a foreign country.  

Things to Know When Traveling Abroad Part I

 

The last time I traveled out of the country was in 2006.  Needless to say, quite a bit has changed since then.  First, I didn't need to have a passport to travel to St. Lucia and there was no world-wide pandemic.

In mid-September, my husband and I traveled to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic to celebrate his birthday.  It was intended to be a surprise for him but it was full of surprises for OTHER reasons!  Here are some things you need to know before traveling out of the country:

1)  Everyone is trying to leave the U.S.!  When countries started to open back up again and the United States eased some of its travel restrictions abroad, everybody was trying to get away after being cooped up in their own little bubbles for so long.  Passport offices were swamped with appointments causing longer than usual delays in receiving service.

2) You need a passport.  This goes without saying---but it's important to know that if you don't have one, it could take weeks just to get an appointment at your local post office or passport center.  We started the process in early June and was unable to get an appointment until mid July.  Then we were told it could take up to 16 weeks to receive our passports, provided everything was in order.  Getting them in 16 weeks would've meant we would have to cancel our trip.

New passport application fee:  $110

Execution fee:  $35

Picture fee:       $25 (Walmart can do it for a cheaper price)

3) Sign up for an Expedited Passport: This is only necessary if you need the passport in a hurry but then there's no 100 percent guarantee that if will arrive in time if your trip is less than six weeks away.  You will pay an extra $60/person.  We were told paying extra would shave off about 2-4 weeks for expected arrival time.  That was cutting it EXTREMELY CLOSE for us but we paid the extra fees.  

4)  Make sure all of your documentation matches:   Documentation you will need to present are your driver's license, your birth certificate, and social security card.  Your passport is supposed to reflect what's on your driver's license.  I had a problem because my DL still shows my maiden name but I was initially told that wouldn't be a problem because I had my marriage license to show I was legally married.  THAT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE TRUE!!! 

5)  What to do when there's a DELAY:  My squeaky clean husband received his passport in about two weeks (the first week of August), while I was still trying to understand why we didn't receive them at the same time.  If you are married, I've learned it's not unusual to receive them separately but I was still in a panic.  Then two weeks before we were scheduled to leave I received an email from the Passport Office in New Hampshire telling me my passport application wasn't approved because the documentation didn't match. I was also told I would receive an email with follow up instructions on how to resolve the problem.  Long story short, the email never came less than 10 days before we were scheduled to leave so I went to another passport office to figure out what to do.  They advised me to get my Congressmen involved which I certainly did.  While I will admit I do not care for the politics of Senator Thom Tillis, I will publicly say he came through for me and made it happen.  The Friday before we were supposed to leave, I received my passport.  (I also believe God's divine intervention had more to do with it).

"Be vigilant in hope.  Be patient in trouble but keep on praying." (Romans 12:12) 

6)  Know important dates:  On the passport application, you will be asked about your parents birthdates and where they were born.  You will also be asked about your divorce date (if applicable).  My husband and I both had some challenges in getting this information.  

7)  Don't try to hide information from the State Department:  What I mean by that is don't omit any other names you may have used over the years.  Even though I hyphenate my name, I am tied to a social security number so the government can easily find out information if I omit it.  Omitting information could put you a a no fly zone list.

8)  Stay in touch with your travel agent or the airline for updated information:  Because of COVID and the Delta Variant, the rules for traveling may change.  Just like with "fake news" there is a lot of conflicting information out there.  For example, we initially thought we would have to be tested just to get on the American Airlines flight but that was not the case.  I did learn, however, that Delta was requiring their passengers to be tested before they travel to Italy.

In my next post, I'll share information on what happens once you get to the airport and arrive in a new country.   

Employee Mental Health and The Pandemic

In case you didn't know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month.  This year, probably more so than in years past, mental health is even more important because of the pandemic.  No doubt about it, the pandemic has taken its toll on all us in one way or another.  

• As a matter of fact, a recent survey, conducted by The Conference Board, indicates 60 percent of U.S. workers are concerned about their mental and psychological wellbeing in the wake of the pandemic's aftermath. 

• More than one-third of respondents also expressed concerns about their physical wellbeing, including fear of getting sick. 

• Another one-third worried about social wellness and belonging, such as opportunities to connect with others. 

• Spiritual wellbeing was of least concern, with only 10 percent reporting they were worried about feeling a sense of purpose in what they do.

When it comes to the generations, Millennials appear to be the group who are most concerned with their mental and psychological wellbeing. The survey also indicates they are also more concerned than other generations about professional and financial wellbeing. 

• GenXers were more concerned about social wellness and belonging than other respondents. 
• Baby Boomers are more concerned about physical wellbeing than their generational counterparts.
• Women were more concerned about spiritual wellbeing and slightly more concerned about physical, professional, and financial wellbeing than men. 
• Men were slightly more concerned about social wellbeing than women.

What was surprising to me about the survey is that an overwhelming number of employees said they felt their supervisors genuinely cared for their wellbeing.

Let's see how much that changes in the next year.  How has the pandemic affected you personally?
 

Stop Jumping on Every Bandwagon

 

Dear Fellow Black Folks and Well Meaning White Folks,

I think we can all agree that the Derek Chauvin GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS was a VICTORY for the majority of us, not only in this country---but around the world.  No one will ever forget seeing Chauvin's knee on the neck of George Floyd for more than 9 minutes as he cried out for his mama and yelling "I can't breathe!"  The image of Chauvin kneeling nonchalantly on Floyd's neck will be edged into our minds forever.  

Meanwhile, just hours before the Chauvin verdict, police in nearby Brooklyn Center, MN shot and killed a 20-year-old black man named Duante Wright, whose crime at the time was having an expired registration tag.  The police officer, Kim Potter, claimed she was going for her taser but pulled out her Glock 9mm handgun and fatally shot him.  There have been stories circulating about whether or not there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest on aggravated robbery charges, which USA Today clearly determined was FALSE. There has been a lot of disinformation about the young man.  My point here is if he didn't have an expired registration tag, perhaps he wouldn't have been a target that day.  We should not be giving the "trigger-happy" police a reason to stop us because we know they will and if they believe they are justified, they will surely do it and then all hell is likely to break loose.

Next, we have 13-year-old Adam Toledo, who was gunned down while running away from the police in Chicago. The video in that case seems to show him dropping something on the ground right before he turned around to put his hands up. Police and the media claim it was a gun.  My question is: If it was,  what was a 13-year-old doing with a gun?  Who gave it to him and why was he out during the wee hours of the morning on March 29th? 

Then we have 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant of Columbus. OH who was gunned down by Officer Nicholas Reardon, who was responding to a call about someone with a knife threatening bodily harm to another.  Now this case doesn't sit well with me.  There are too many unanswered questions that I haven't heard responses to.  For example:  Who made the 9-1-1 call to report the incident?  Family members say it was the deceased, however, that has not yet been determined.  You may say it doesn't matter who made the call.  The fact of the matter is a young girl is dead at the hands of the police.  While I agree with you, I'm looking at it differently.  The video I saw clearly shows she had a knife and was lunging at someone.  If the person she had been trying to stab was my daughter or grandson, I would be grateful that their lives had been spared.  Once again, we don't know all of the facts but many of us are up in arms over the fact that a cop killed an "innocent child" who had her whole life ahead of her.

My question is:  why was this child in a foster home when her mother was living in the same area?  Why did she feel the need to defend herself with a knife?  What led up to the confrontation?  Various media outlets are putting their spin on the situation and family members only want you to know she was "smart" "loving" and an "honor roll student" but no one knows for sure except Ma'Khia (who can't tell us) and the other parties involved (who may be reluctant to talk or may try to sway public opinion their way).

Unfortunately, we are now living in a world where so much unreliable information is being spread and because of the state of the country, we are sucked into the drama.  We are demanding police departments be defunded and every cop who shoots a black victim go to jail for life (or receive a death sentence).  The truth of the matter is, not every person who gets shot by the police is innocent.  Just like there are bad cops, there are bad people who commit violent crimes without regard to the lives of others.

And then we have some gold-digging family members who grieve for the sake of a GoFundMe page.  Dear White people:  Don't let your bleeding heart liberalism make you foolishly open up your wallets to support a not so worthy cause.  Perhaps those family members should've thought about the value and importance of life insurance.

Now I know this is not going to be a popular post among many and I will be criticized for not being down for the Black Lives Matter Movement, but I just want to state for the record, I'm not prepared to jump on EVERY bandwagon until I have all the facts.  Perhaps, that's the true journalist in me.  

The Havoc of the Pandemic on Your Finances

 

A new survey indicates many Americans believe the pandemic has seriously altered their financial situation, which may force them to delay their retirement or not be able to retire at all.    

When news of the COVID-19 wildfire started spreading out of control across the country, many businesses were forced to shut down. As a result, millions of us lost our jobs. (I was one of them). Even though unemployment benefits were made available it didn't prove to be enough to make ALL ends meet for some families.  When you're trying to live off of $600/week with more than $3000/month in household expenses, it can be more than challenging.  Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers were busy complaining about how some people were making more money by collecting an unemployment check than they did on their jobs. (Perhaps if they raised the minimum wage to something people can actually live off of, no one would give a damn about unemployment!)  

According to the survey, 1 in 5 people say the pandemic has forced them to delay their retirement or no longer retire at all.  The study also found that nearly 30 percent of Americans have saved less or stopped saving for retirement all together because they lost their job or another reason.  Nearly 40 percent say they have or will likely withdraw money from their retirement plan.  

The survey also reveals the fact that younger adults have struggled with navigating their finances the most:  62 percent of millennials and 51 percent of Gen Xers say the pandemic has made their finances more complicated and is forcing them to re-think the priorities in their lives.  On the other hand, just 27 percent of baby boomers say they are facing financial challenges.

In another survey conducted by Pew Research, the picture was even more bleak:

1 in 4 adults say they have trouble paying their monthly bills. 35 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 and 30 percent of those ages 30 to 49 say they have had trouble paying their bills. This compares with 22 percent of those ages 50 to 64 and 10 percent of those 65 and older. 

1 in 6 adults say they have borrowed money from family or friends or gotten food from a food bank. 

Blacks make up 40 percent of those who say they used money from their savings or retirement to pay monthly household expenses, compared to just 29 percent of whites.

28 percent of Blacks said they had problems paying their rent or mortgage, compared to 11 percent of whites.   

Some economists are saying it could take up to four years to fully recover from the pandemic.  What do you think?  Do you think we'll ever fully recover?

When will Confidence Against COVID be Restored

Will we ever return to "business as usual" since the invasion of COVID-19 more than a year ago?  According to a new Pew Research Center survey nearly 60 percent of Americans believe it will take a  more than a year before most businesses, schools, churches, etc., return to what they were prior to the pandemic.  

Although more than four million businesses received emergency loans from the Small Business Association (SBA), a study conducted by researchers at Harvard Business School and The University of Chicago indicates over 100 thousand small businesses have closed their doors forever.  Meanwhile, the Pew Research Center study shows that only 16 percent believe businesses will be able to bounce back in 6 months to a year.   A whopping 81 percent believe it will take a year or more for the job market to recover.

When you examine the study along gender, racial, income status, and political lines, it reveals the following:

60% of women believe it could take two or more years to return to some sense of normalcy, compare to 53 percent of men.  

64% of Black Americans believe it will take longer than a year to resume a normal life, compared to 56% for Asians and 51% for Hispanics.  

People in the upper income brackets are the most optimistic about when life will return to normal.  49% believe the country will get back to business as usual in 6 months to a year compared to 43 percent of people who fall into the middle income bracket and 40% for lower income.

Republicans account for 44% of people who think it will take more than two years for jobs to return in comparison to 26% of Democrats. (Wonder how different these numbers would be in Trump were still in office)?    

It's been over a year now since we've been dealing with the pandemic that has taken more than 500 thousand lives.  Personally, I don't want us to return to "business as usual."  I want to see us grow from this mess and implement new strategies to avoid a similar disaster in the future.  Perhaps it means getting rid of ELECTED OFFICIALS on the local, state and national levels to make that happen.  What do you think? 

Why is Easter a Floating holiday?

This inquiring mind wants to know.....why is Easter a floating holiday?

When I was five-years-old Easter was on April 22; At the age of 10, Easter was on March 26; In 1972 it was celebrated on April 2; Last year the date was April 12 and now in 2021, we recognize Easter on April 4.  So how do all of these different dates play out for Christians who believe Jesus died on a specific date?   

As a child I was taught Jesus died on the cross on a Friday (which we observed as Good Friday) and He arose three days later.  No specific date was ever given and as a child I never questioned it.  My main concerns as the time were seeing the Easter Bunny, getting a cute little dress to wear to church, coloring Easter eggs and getting an Easter basket.  The date seemed irrelevant.  But today my mind is piqued with curiosity on why Easter is celebrated on different dates?  Is this more symbolism rather than actual fact?

Here are the facts I've gathered:

Easter is determined by the Jewish calendar.  Easter's date varies so much because it is dictated by the moon. Easter falls on the First Sunday after the full moon date.  (In 2021, that date was recorded as March 28). If the full moon falls on a Sunday, Easter is celebrated the following Sunday.  Because the Jewish calendar is tied to solar and lunar cycles, the dates of Passover and Easter fluctuate from year to year.

Easter is mentioned only once in the Bible (King James version).  The other versions refer to the Passover. 

In the Hebrew Bible, Passover is a festival that commemorates the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.  Easter, meanwhile, is a springtime Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and freedom from sin and death.  

Good Friday is a day set aside for Christians to remember and mourn the death of Jesus and then to turn around three days later and celebrate His resurrection.  Twelve states have made Good Friday a public holiday:  Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota.  NC celebrated Easter Monday  from 1935-1987 because of an early 2oth century tradition of state government workers taking the day off to attend an annual baseball game between N.C. State and Wake Forest.

Easter actually started out as a pagan festival celebrating Spring in the northern hemisphere, prior to Christianity.  To be a pagan meant you worshipped many gods but when Christianity came on the scene, we were taught there was only one God to worship.

There was a German tradition known as the Easter Hare, where bringing eggs to good children became a custom.  When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, they brought the Easter Hare tradition with them and the wild hare they used to use was replaced by a domestic bunny rabbit and tied directly to the Easter celebration. 

Since there is no exact recording of the death of Jesus that probably explains why Easter is a floating holiday.  And man, with his greed and capitalism, has done his best to make the most of it.

Why Going to an HBCU is Important Part II

 

This is an update to the original post I wrote in August of 2019:  

Let me first of all say, I am NOT a Stephen A. Smith fan.  I understand what he does and, perhaps, why he does it but I don't like his antics with all of the yelling and "I know it all" attitude.  I do, however, respect him a lot because I truly understand that to get where he is today has been no easy task.  He is to be applauded for that.  Another black man paving the way......

Today, I was watching First Take with Stephen A.  and Max Kellerman and I was rather moved by Stephen A's tribute to HBCUs.  I watched him do it last year but this time it was different.  It seemed more sincere.  LESS of Stephen A. and more about the HBCU he represents--Winston-Salem State University (WSSU).  I got to hear from students who went there and their reasons why---they ALL said the same thing:  They felt like they were a part of a family there and were nurtured in addition to being educated.  Their motto:  Earn to Learn, Depart to Serve.  That resonated so deeply with me because I never thought of my alma mater as very nurturing (as a matter of fact, it was just the opposite. At Ohio University, I felt like I was being thrown into the lion's den and had to fight daily to escape). I have no doubt I received a good education there but that's all it was.  I went out into the world to show everyone what a great school I went to.  OU did not encourage me, in any way, to go out and serve in the same way HBCU students are indoctrinated to do.  I have often wondered had I gone to an HBCU would I have had similar success in radio and television news?  Perhaps, I would've had even more.  But who knows.

I am so happy my daughter chose to go to an HBCU (North Carolina A&T University) even though I had my heart set on her going to my alma mater.  And I can honestly say right now I am excited to be affiliated with another HBCU--North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where I work part-time as a Writing Consultant--helping students find their unique voices through their writing. Their motto is:  Truth and Service.    It is a position I absolutely LOVE and it is my way way of giving back.  It is my way of nurturing young minds and being connected with a "family."   

Here are some other HBCU Facts you may not know:

60 percent of all Engineering degrees are earned by black students

70 percent of black dentists and physicians earned degrees from an HBCU

40 percent of blacks in Congress come from HBCU's

HBCU's  only have 1/8 of the average size of endowments that PWI's have

Cheyney University of PA was the first HBCU founded in 1837

In addition to Stephen A. Smith (WSSU), other celebrities attending HBCUs include Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State), Samuel L. Jackson (Morehouse College), Taraji P. Henson (NC A&T/Howard University) and Chadwick Boseman, a.k.a "The Black Panther" (Howard University).

And there were many notable Black Scholars including:  Poet/Playwright Langston Hughes (Lincoln University),  Biologist Ernest Just (South Carolina State University) Mathematician and computer scientist Katherine Johnson (West Virginia State University), and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Colbert King (Howard University). 

These are just a few examples of what makes going to an HBCU so special.

Karma Needed and Appreciated in 2020

 

To say it's been one hell of a year is clearly an understatement! When I look back over all that I've been through personally and professionally in 2020, I know it is by the Grace of God that I am still able to persevere.  In addition I have watched in horror as people of color have been beaten and murdered at the hands of police and vigilantes like Kyle Rittenhouse.  We continue to fight against social injustice, police brutality, the Covid health disparities and economic hardships ON TOP OF being led---no, I mean  dragged by an illiterate and non-functioning Trump Administration.  

But that's not what this particular post is about. Today I experienced some karma that was so needed and truly appreciated.   Here's what happened:  I went to the post office to purchase some stamps and mail some Christmas cards.  I put the stamps inside the case of my cell phone and then proceeded to go to the beauty supply store.  I made a purchase there and then went to the Dollar Tree to get some more Christmas cards.  While in line I noticed a woman behind me who had a few items so I offered to pay for them.  She said, "Happy Birthday to me!"

"Oh, it's your birthday today?", I said.

"Yes, it is and I was just buying some items to wear."  Now mind you, we're in a dollar store that doesn't sell clothes.  Her items consisted of Christmas tree ornaments, a wreath and some lights I believe. 

"Well, Happy Birthday to you!  My daughter's birthday is next Tuesday."  My husband then chimed in and said his daughter's birthday was today also (which I obviously forgot).

After the clerk rang her items up she continued to thank me and I asked her to just pay it forward when she could.  She said she would.

Now once I got back in the car, I realized I didn't have my stamps and assumed they had fallen out of my phone when I made the purchase. So I asked my husband to go back into the store to see if he could find them.  No such luck.  I then told him we'd have to go back to the post office to get another book of stamps because I really needed them to finish my Christmas card mailings.  (I also knew I was going to spend another $11 because the post office doesn't give refunds on lost postage).

Then I thought, perhaps I should go back to the beauty supply store where I FIRST went after the post office to see if, by chance, someone had found then and turned them in.   When I walked in there was another young lady at the register.  I told her I was looking for the person who waited on me about 15 minutes earlier because I had lost a book of stamps.  And guess what?

The cashier said, "Yes, we found them!" Then she handed them to me.  All I could do was cry, thank her, and think about the KARMA that had come back to me for a small gesture I did for someone else.  I needed that---especially on a day like today when I woke up dealing with some health setbacks.

When I was a child, my parents used to say "What goes around comes around."  KARMA is real.  How you treat others will come back to you---good or bad.

COVID and Thanksgiving

I just came across another survey that, once again, shows the differences between baby boomers and millennials.  In the midst of a pandemic, Lending Tree conducted a survey to find out how much money people, who are planning to host a Thanksgiving dinner, will spend on all the fixins'. Based on the responses, millennials plan to outspend baby boomers by a 3 to 1 margin.

Here were some of the key findings:

On average, Americans will spend around $475 to host Thanksgiving, which is up more than 50 percent from 2019.  Those who are hosting say the additional expenses are being used to make up for holidays that weren't celebrated earlier in the year due to Corona. Millennials expect to spend $556.46 while baby boomers say they will be spending less than $175.  So when you go to your daughter or son's house for Turkey Day this year expect a Happy Thanksgiving, Valentines, Memorial Day, July4th, Birthday celebration! 

41 percent of Americans plan to host Thanksgiving this year, up from 33 percent last year (when there was NO pandemic). 

Hosts say they will spend roughly 8.5 hours preparing for the holiday feast and someone will take off from work to prepare.  (Why, when we're all working from home anyway?)

42 percent of the hosts surveyed say the worry about heated debates that could  break out at the dinner table. (Perhaps everyone should be required to leave any perceived weapons at home because Donald Trump's name is sure to come up!) 

22 percent are nervous about discussing politics.  Only 22 percent? (Having a woman of color as the second in charge of the U.S. should generate some lively discussion or to discover how many family members truly believe the election was stolen from the bully baby in the White House).

15 percent are concerned their guests will argue about the pandemic.  Again, only 15 percent?  My question for the survey would've been: "Will you be requiring ALL guests wear a mask?"

10 percent say they are concerned about "family drama." 

38 percent of the hosts surveyed say they plan to borrow money to cover Thanksgiving costs, including charging a credit card or taking out a holiday loan. (Perhaps Lending Tree will drum up some more business since they do give out personal loans) 

32 percent say they will use coupons and shop around for the best deals.  Or perhaps they can check out the Food Bank in their community and get a free Thanksgiving food basket. 

The Right to Vote After Death in North Carolina

 It's uncertain if baby boomer Anne Ashcroft knew she would be dead on Election Day when she voted by absentee ballot in Brunswick County, North Carolina back in September.  Sadly, however, she did pass away on October 11th.  Her death meant her vote would be thrown out because there is a Law on the books in the State that says voters must be alive on Election Day in order for their absentee OR early-in person vote to count.  Her daughter, who just happened to be the Brunswick County Elections Director, says she was the one to ask the Elections Board to reject her mother's ballot.  She said, "Honestly, when she was voting her ballot, she was under hospice care.  So I knew that she may not be alive on Election Day."

North Carolina is one of 17 states that prohibits counting ballots of someone who dies before election day. Those states include Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan, where 864 ballots were rejected in their Primary earlier this year because voters had died before the election even though they were alive when they filled them out.

My guess is a Law like this was put into effect primarily by Republican led State legislatures as another method of voter suppression.  If a person is eligible to vote, they should be allowed to and their ballot count should they die before Election Day.  We have no control over death but we do have control over our vote when we are alive.

As for 62-year-old Anne Ashcroft, no one knows how she may have voted but Brunswick County, NC is heavily Republican and have voters have cast their ballots for a Republican President in the last five presidential elections.  

 To learn about how North Carolina voted in 2020, click here:  Politico

How to Find the Right Doctor

 If you're over the age of 50, you probably have at least one doctor.  As a matter of fact, most of us probably have two or three.  I've had pretty much the same doctors for the past 20 years.  They know me quite well and have seen me at my best AND worst during that time.  Earlier this year I saw a survey in AARP Magazine that caught my attention because it was about how people go about selecting the best physicians for themselves.

The survey was conducted by the University of Michigan in conjunction with AARP.  Of the 2,256 people who participated, a whopping 93 percent said the most important critical factor in selecting a doctor was whether or not he/she accepted the medical insurance they're covered under. I can see why that's important because no one wants to incur additional expenses if they don't have to. If your physician isn't covered under your private health insurance plan, you'll end up paying 100 percent of the cost. If you are retired or underemployed, the added medical expenses could become a burden. The IRS will allow you to claim medical expenses if you are itemizing your deductions if you have unreimbursed expenses BUT they have to be more than 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income.  For example, if your AGI is $50K for example, the first $3750 of qualified medical expenses (7.5 percent of $50K) don't count for deduction purposes.  

On the other hand, it may not matter if you find a doctor you believe gives you the absolute best care, has a bedside manner second to none, and you don't go to the doctor that often.  

After knowing whether or not the doctor is covered under your plan, survey participants listed the following as other important elements:

Ease in getting appointments:  61 percent
Doctor's years of experience:  42 percent
Recommended by family/friends:  23 percent
Medical school attended: 17 percent
Same gender as patient: 6 percent
Same race/ethnicity:      2 percent

So now that you've seen this list, what are YOUR Top 3 choices for selecting a doctor? '

To learn more about deducting medical expenses go here:  IRS

Lessons from The Fly

If you watched the Vice Presidential debate Wednesday night between Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence you probably got distracted when a "fly" flew on the side of Pence's brylcream looking hair.  Out of nowhere, the fly just sat there calmly on top of his head for roughly two minutes.  As a result, social media blew up last night with all kinds of meme's and comments like:  

The #FLY was the big winner not Pence. He can smell $#&T from a mile away. #TrumpFailedAmerica #VicePresidentialDebate2020 #pencefly

The truth of the matter, from my perspective, is that little fly was the most compelling part of Pence's presence on the debate stage.  If you listened carefully, he avoided answering the moderator's questions directly and tried to use the same bullying tactics Trump demonstrated when debating Biden the week before.  What woman in America (or perhaps the world) hasn't been subjected to a man trying to "outtalk her" or "put her in her place" or make her feel like she's "less than" he is.  It's a never-ending cycle but it's gotten old and Pence showed a lot of women what a lack of compassion and disregard for a woman's intellect and opinion looks like.

But let's talk about that fly and some little know facts about flies in general.  Why did the fly choose to land on Pence's hair and not Kamala's?  Why did the fly seemed to be unmoved by Pence while he was talking?

Well, did you know:

1)  Oil is an important food for flies.  Oily hair is an attraction (remember how Pence's hair looked).  Also, some body odors are more attractive to flies than others.

2)  House flies defecate A LOT! It is speculated that house flies defecate every time they land on something or someone.  Do you think Pence washed his hair when he went home or did he become a nest for future flies?

3)  They can spread a wide range of diseases.  Due to their feeding and breeding habits, house files come in contact with a range of harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli.  These flies often spread the bacteria onto us by contaminating our food, cooking utensils and glassware. 

4)  They have unhygienic breeding habits.  House flies will lay their eggs on feces, rotting carcasses and decaying fruit.

So based on this information, one might conclude that Pence had a lot of oil in his hair and a body odor that was attractive to the fly.  Perhaps if he had been wearing a cinnamon, lemongrass or lavender fragrance, the fly would've left him alone because, according to experts, they hate those smells.

But this wasn't the first time a fly took center stage at a political debate.  Maybe you recall a fly landed on Hillary Clinton's eyebrow during the second round of the Presidential debates in 2016.  Just like Pence, she was unfazed by it and we all know the outcome of that election. 

Does the fly know something we don't? Hmmmmm............ 

What My Grandson Has Learned from Number 45

This post was inspired by a conversation I saw on Facebook between a white woman I knew and one I didn't know.  The woman I knew issued a warning to parents about the state of the world and how our children were being influenced by all of the negativity they're seeing around them. The woman I didn't know responded this way: 

  

Bullshit!.....children learn from what they are shown in their homes.  I can't ever learning from politics any of my lifes lessons. (I intentionally didn't clean up her grammar.  That in itself makes a statement).

Of course, I took issue with her post and responded.  Here's what I said:

All I can say is IGNORANCE is bliss.  It's a fact children do learn from home, however, there is a lot of influence from peers and social media so if one thinks children are not paying attention to what's going on in the world, they are truly ignorant.

My grandson is 14---just started his first year of high school.  Sadly, he's learned more from the presidency of Donald Trump than he's learned in the classroom.  Here's what the Corrupter-in-Chief has taught him:

1)  Never apologize to anyone EVER

2)  Science is stupid

3) Don't serve in the military.  Protecting this country from foreign adversaries is for losers 

4) Anyone different is bad

5)  Cheaters CAN win!

6)  America is the only country in the world

7)  Women are less important that men

8) Be afraid of anyone who is not white

9) Facts and truth are not important

10) Low paid people are not important

11) Lying is fine, people are gullible

12) It's okay if your father cheats on your mother

13) Never take responsibility.  Blame others

14) You can hurt others badly, if it benefits you

15) You can lie, cheat and steal and be considered a hero

16)  The police can shoot you just because.....

17) BLACK LIVES DON'T MATTER

But here's some other things my grandson has learned:  

1)  Having morals and values goes a LONG way in your life

2)  Racism is alive and well

3)  Life isn't FAIR but you play the hand you're dealt to the BEST of your ability

4)  He has a strong support system to help get him through

5)  Trouble don't last always

6)  Women are to be respected and appreciated

7)  Gold diggers really do exist so be mindful ALWAYS

8)  Take nothing for granted

9)  Be RESPECTFUL to everyone

10)  Knowing how to communicate effectively and with clarity is important

11) You can have a lot of money and still be ignorant

12) Mama and Grandma don't play that when it comes to bad behavior so he better recognize!

The sad truth is many white people want to play blind, deaf, or dumb when it comes to the stupidity and outright mean-spirited behavior of  Trump. In their ignorance, they see this man as demonstrating strength and power and the only one who can keep all things unequal under the law. What's worst is the media is going out of its way to make sure we ALL know how corrupt and inept he is to be President.  The only way a child isn't exposed to this is if they don't have access to any type of media  and they have no friends.