March Madness from a UNC Fan's Perspective

Welcome to the final days of March Madness 2016, a month of late night games riddled with mythology and lucky charms that extend from locker rooms to living rooms. 'Tis the season when emotions run higher than a long leaf pine.

We devote ourselves daily to watching college basketball, especially those in the Tar Heel state. Despite our rich basketball heritage, we understand that tournament time can be unpredictable. Regardless of ranking, seeding and predictions, we know that anything can happen. The most zealous coaches, players, and fans aren't content with leaving it all up to chance. Superstitions lead the way.

As a die-hard Carolina fan, I have learned all sorts of rituals and/or tourney traditions. I joined the ranks of the superstitious in 2012 when my alma mater was more likely to win when I watched the games on the couch with my Grandmother Gladys. Our tradition involved Gladys wearing her Carolina Grandma sweatshirt, and I would wear my spaghetti-stained Carolina Alumni sweatshirt. Although we didn't win the national championship that year, we had a great season. Gladys and I shared special moments that I will always cherish.

My good friend Kelly shared a childhood memory of her beloved Gigi, Arlene Sturdivant. When the Tar Heels are down, she swears that she can still hear the sounds of her late grandmother's upright Wurlitzer piano. When the Tar Heels started to struggle, Gigi used to head into the parlor and begin tickling with ivories with motivational tunes from the Methodist hymnal.

One of the most well-known superstitions in basketball started with my all-time favorite Tar Heel, "His Airness" Michael Jordan. After leading UNC to a national championship in 1982, Jordan believed the uniform shorts he wore that year were lucky.

He continued wearing the shorts under his uniform during his wildly successful career with the Chicago Bulls (rumor has it that he never washed them). In order for Jordan to wear them under his NBA uniform, he needed to wear longer Bulls shorts to cover them. He is often credited with creating the style of wearing longer shorts in the NBA and solidifying the way for several other superstitious rituals.

The NBA changed the rules for Jordan, but the NCAA has had pressure to deal with its fair share of superstitions from players and coaches alike.

I recall people making a fuss in 2012 when Baylor won all four games in which the team wore new glow-in-the-dark neon green Adidas jerseys. They were quite ugly, but the superstitious Bears coach, Scott Drew, petitioned the NCAA to allow the team to wear the neon jersey in the Elite Eight match-up with Kentucky. Baylor was considered the "road team," which would indicate a change in uniform. The NCAA denied Drew's request, and the Bears lost 82-70. Some say it wouldn't have mattered against a dominant team like Kentucky and suggested that Baylor's coach should be more concerned with who the team was playing rather than superstition.

I didn't pull out my lucky sweatshirt when Notre Dame made history last year by winning its first ACC tournament against my beloved Tar Heels. I didn't think we needed good mojo until I realized that the Fighting Irish were wearing lucky shoes. The New York Times writer Ben Shpigel described them best in his article "Notre Dame Rides a Streak with Shoes like Highlighters." "It was as if they had been marinated in puréed Skittles, coated with ectoplasm and then dunked in Citrus Cooler-flavored Gatorade."

The loss was bad enough, but for superstitious fans like me, those shoes added more insult to injury.

"Those hues have streaked across basketball courts over the last two and a half weeks, offending traditionalists, clashing with the Irish's gold jerseys and blinding viewers at home. As the Irish are quick to mention, the colors have also propelled them to six straight victories, including in the ACC tournament championship game against North Carolina."

I haven't read much about UNC basketball rituals for this tourney. Years ago, former UNC players Kendall Marshall and Harold Barnes reported Coach Roy Williams had a few rituals. They claimed Williams usually throws away his tie and suit after losing a game. I've watched carefully to see if this is true, but it's hard to believe. Roy is a fashionable guy and wears some bright and colorful ensembles. I am almost certain I have seen a repeat tie or two after a loss, but I can't confirm that fact. I would hope that rather than throwing away things, he would donate them to worthy causes.

We have some challenges ahead and, needless to say, I am interested in what the superstitious are doing in the locker room, the benches and their living room couches. From temporary tattoos or lucky underwear, what are people willing to do to bring luck to our favorite team in the Sweet 16?

Win or lose, I suspect there will be a moment of looking to the Carolina blue skies with nostalgia. Memories of being Tar Heel Born and Tar Heel Bred never die, and I am thankful for the opportunity to celebrate traditions of all kinds. I have calmed down with my rituals, but it looks like this Tar Heel tourney team might motivate me to pull my lucky sweatshirt out of retirement. It started getting a little smelly, so I haven't worn it. That being said, does anyone know how to remove a spaghetti stain out of a Carolina sweatshirt without washing it?

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Just Sayin' by Antionette 

The Devil wears a dark shade of blue

Antionette Kerr is a freelance journalist and author of "Just Sayin': Conversations my mother would never let me have at a southern dinner table." You may email her at kerr@thewritefolks.com

Don't Dab Through Black History Month

I feel a column coming on. This is coming from a Cam Newton fan who wants to celebrate unapologetic, "true to yourself," confident role models but look forward to the days when that extends beyond quarterbacks, rappers, people who have slept and/or been in videos with Kanye (I know the Amber Rose/Wiz Khalifa/Kanye West feud is SO last week)

Breaking News: Amber Rose, Wiz Khalifa just friends despite spending time together after Kanye West feud

Dr. Charles Stone, Courtesy of
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

But what if we spent time trolling the internet for gifted "thinkers" like Melissa Harris-Perry and the late Dr. Chuck Stone Sr., both North Carolina educators that have changed the FACE of journalism? Stone, author of "Tell It Like It Is," challenged bias reporting. 
The reporter- turned professor- turned advocate- turned role model was often called "flashy" by his colleagues. A.K.A. "King Strut" seemed to understand that leadership would require more than walking around UNC's campus showing off his wide brim hats, colorful suspenders and designer bow ties. When Stone was threatened, he rushed into the fight for social justice, and never seemed intimidated. Dr. Stone didn't "break the internet" for a day ...the man “broke” journalism in a way that changed the spread of mainstream information. His lessons influenced many including the late Stuart Scott. What if we searched for role models in classrooms? What if we celebrated the gifted intellectuals who share their skills daily? 

I've enjoyed dabbin' with Cam and the boys during this awesome football season, but it’s Black History Month and time to salute those who have something more precious than a football to hand to our children.  

Just Sayin'

Radio fun with the folks at WLXN/Majic999

I've always enjoyed working with Willie Edwards! He has been great to work with throughout the years and has provided information to our hometown about upcoming events and opportunities. So when the women of WLXN1440/Magic999 stopped by my office to ask when I wanted to be "on-air," 
I literally rushed at the opportunity 

(that's right I showed up on the wrong date).  

When asked if I would come back, the next day, 
to promote our agencies new Financial Fitness program, 

Photo Courtesy of Corie Odden

Willie pulled me aside... 

"I almost never do this but, what do you want for breakfast?"

Leave it to me and Willie's co-anchor Corie Odden to put his secret out  

on social media. 

The Majic999 website describes it best...

Photo Courtesy of Magic999

  "Wake up to a fresh and fun start every weekday morning from 6 am - 9 am with veteran radio host, Willie Edwards and newbie, Corie Odden.  You will get what you want to know before you walk out the door.  Stay up-to-date on happenings around the Triad from entertainment news, traffic and weather!"

These two are a lively addition to my morning commute. 

Tune In!

Celebrate National Hugging Day

Just Sayin'

Embrace the habit of hugs

Read the full column online at The Dispatch.com

Thursday is National Hugging Day. It’s a perfect time to celebrate the deed of opening our arms in acceptance. While it may seem silly, yes, there is an internationally recognized day of observation. Surprisingly, those mere seconds of simple embrace have legitimate health benefits.

Why do I say this? Well--- I suddenly found myself in a relationship with a hugger. And before you judge me for being too mushy, know that hugs also have scientific benefits. Neurologist Shekar Raman, MD, said in the Huffington Post "A hug, pat on the back, and even a friendly handshake are processed by the reward center in the central nervous system, which is why they can have a powerful impact on the human psyche, making us feel happiness and joy.

”

Full Disclosure: I was not the “huggy” type and had been somewhat perturbed by the people who insist on entering my personal space without permission or consent -- well, that and a breathing problem that was aggravated by certain fragrances.I’ve taught others (especially younger women) the subtle skill of avoiding creepy hugs at functions ranging from business meetings to family gatherings. Behind the scenes, friends giggled at my convoluted maneuvers designed to avoid unsolicited hugs. As a side note, announcements such as "Get over here, I'm a hugger," or "You can hug me, I will not bite" do not ease the angst of non-hugger types. Some of my best tricks include a stiff-armed hug, aversion handshake and a hugless high-five. Hug-enthusiasts in my circle have called me out for such antics.

I commend the hugger in my life for his determination. He began by soliciting lots of hugs (because he needed them), but then I found myself needing them more and more. At least one friend declared that I’ve “gone soft,” and I tend to agree. Consider me a recent convert to what my beau and I jokingly call the “Hug Life.” I'm not out hugging everyone, just yet, but I am certainly embracing the benefits at home.


Hug skeptics needing more empirical evidence should check out the "Meanings of Hugging: From greeting behavior to touching implications" by Sweden’s Lena M. Forsell and Jan A. Åström in Comprehensive Psychology who write, “The aim and focus of this article is to present some circumstances under which hugging occurs, as well as to describe its development from a focus on greeting behavior to therapeutic effects, reflected in emotional, physiological, and biochemical alterations.”

Who is your hug dealer?

I've been practicing the one arm polite pat and the full bear hug in preparation for the National Hugging Day festivities. So go ahead huggers out there and spread the sweet love! It is your official day to hug it out. I promise not to resort to any of my old aversion tactics, but may I still suggest asking first?

Timeless Lessons Learned From Star Wars

Click here to read my full column in Published in The Dispatch

  Lesson VII: Everyone needs a common sense friend like Han Solo.

At first glance, Solo seems like a reckless gambler, but his appearance in Episode VII solidifies his heroic status. Harrison Ford’s character was introduced in Star Wars in 1977. He and his furry pal Chewbacca accepted a request to transport Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO and R2-D2 on his ship, the Millennium Falcon. Eventually, the common sense guy was swept up in a plot to save the galaxy from evil. He fell in love with Princess Leia Organa on board The Millennium Falcon, and declined a reward in order to rescue their friends. He didn’t just fall in love with Princess Leia, he fell in love with the idea that good can overcome all evil circumstances. Han possessed something that the powerful Jedi force did not, a connection with the ruffians of the galaxy. Despite his fate, Han Solo’s friendship can be summed up by the essences that he's the lovable cowboy kind of friend that everyone needs.

Lesson VI: One must learn to walk that thin line between love and hate.

This will make perfect sense for those who followed the love story of young Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader) and Queen Padmé Amidala. At the risk of losing his Jedi status, Anakin married Padmé on her planet of Naboo. The marriage remained a secret, as Skywalker would have been expelled from the Jedi Order. Ultimately, his marriage to Amidala is blamed for his fall to the dark side of The Force. While watching his wife die during childbirth, the evil Darth Sidious was able to seduce Anakin to the dark side with the pretense of saving her life. The Jedi Knights emphasize teaching the control of one’s emotions to those in power, and Anakin Skywalker is a prime example why this lesson is important.

Lesson V: Be careful who you vote for.

As a pacifist, Queen Padme’ rallied the Senate to vote for new leadership; a vote that ultimately led to the rise of Darth Lords. In the midst of her planet being bombed, Queen Padme’ said it best “Wake up, Senators…you must wake up! If we offer the separatists violence, they can only show us violence in return! Many will lose their lives. All will lose their freedom. This decision could very well destroy the very foundation of our great Republic. I pray you, do not let fear push you into a disastrous decision. Vote down this security measure, which is nothing less than a declaration of war! Does anyone here want that? I cannot believe they do.” She would later learn that indeed some politicians would profit from war, especially her colleague and confidant who goes publicly by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine but is actually Darth Sidious.

Lesson IV: It’s impossible to see the future so trust your instincts.

In episode I, II and III, the Jedi council could sense that there was a disturbing element in training Anakin Skywalker. Throughout the films they expressed a sense of concern but ultimately even the wise Yoda defied his instincts with words such as this, “Impossible to see, the future is." They moved forward with training the being that would become Darth Vader, who in turn set out to murder all Jedi Knights.



Lesson III: In the powerful words of Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, “Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”

As we approach the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  holiday, we have a real life example of how legends can impact policy and change. That lesson needs very little explanation.

Lesson II: The language of love and loyalty are both universal.

We see this demonstrated in Star Wars from the squeals of the stumpy R2-D2. Although he speaks in droid throughout the films, his sentiments are clearly understood. And then there is the huggable Wookiee warrior, Chewbacca, who continues to help humans restore freedom to the galaxy in past and present trilogies. Han Solo's fuzzy side-kick only speaks Wookie (which sounds like a series of groans, grunts, and growls) but is armed with a big heart and an unwavering loyalty that translates easily; reminding us that the social construction of language is not the only form of communication.

Lesson I: “Do or Do Not, There is No Try.”

This, one of the most well-known slogans in the film series, made its debut in The Empire Strikes Back as young Luke Skywalker is training to use the Force. When Master Yoda instructed him to lift his ship out of the water, Luke doubted his strength, saying that a whole ship was different than a rock, but Yoda insisted that the difference was only in his mind. When Luke said, "Okay, I'll try," Yoda responded, "No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try."

This year you could look to Star Wars for inspiration and approach your goals with

a Jedi-syle mindset.

Peace, love and may the Force be strong with you in 2016!

Reflection On Stevie's Church of Wonder







I almost fell out of my seat when my beau explained that he was taking me to see Stevie Wonder for our anniversary! Here are some reflections from the evening.

Reviews could never do justice in conveying the profoundly moving, lift-up-my-hands, neck hair-raising, practically spiritual experience delivered by the musical prodigy who we call Stevie Wonder. So I want to begin by saying that this is not a review of the last leg of what Rolling Stone has dubbed the "best demonstration of the boundless capability of American music itself." This column is all about praise and accolades for the prophet of peace, equity, love and funk.
Let me testify to the magnitude of the evening that began in a sea of adoring fans, waiting outside of the Charlotte Hornets' Time Warner Cable Arena. People of all generations exchanged their most beloved verses found in Wonder songs. I giggled out loud when the woman next to me cheered as the doors opened, albeit slightly later than expected. She waved her hands in the air and shouted “Hallelujah! I don’t want Stevie to start without me.”
We plowed down the aisles of the packed arena seeking to experience the flagship album from one of the most iconic musical figures in the past 60 years. Wonder’s songs of the “Key in Life” were acclaimed by Elton John and Prince as “the best album ever made.” The late Michael Jackson called the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack his “favorite Stevie Wonder album.”
Wonder began by dedicating “Love’s in Need of Love Today” to the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks. “Part of my heart is very broken because we as artists ... possess a desire to see a better world, to see people coming together. Yet it seems to me that all you people who are sighted are far more blind than me. … My heart is broken about the people in Paris; the nine people shot in church in South Carolina; the kids shot in Chicago.” The band led into the very first song on the 1976 “Key of Life” album. In a tearful moment, the crowd sang along:

"Love's in need of love today
Don't delay
Send yours in right away
Hate's goin' ‘round
Breaking many hearts
Stop it please
Before it's gone too far."

To Paraphrase One of My Favorite Quotes From The Evening

The crowd rocked and swayed through over three and a half hours of music as Stevie played familiar hits including “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Sir Duke” and “Have a Talk with God.” Stevie also shared the stage with glorious members of a local Baptist church choir, strings, a 30-piece orchestra (all local), six backup singers and a six-piece brass section that he referred to as “some of the funkiest horns on the planet.” He went on to transport us to a “higher ground” of human emotion.
One of my favorite aspects about the performance was the way Wonder wooed the crowd into the feeling of an intimate session. Occasionally, a zealous fan, moved with the emotion, could be heard yelling “We love you, Stevie.” He would smile cleverly and then acknowledge him or her with a “What’s up?” With a call-and-response style of collaboration, Stevie got the men from the audience caught up in singing the hook of “Knocks Me off My Feet.” My own beau, a man who refuses to sing even in church, chimed in with Wonder:

"There's sumptin 'bout your love
That makes me weak and
Knocks me off my feet."

Here is Stevie Wondering Performing this Song Life in London

Meanwhile, Stevie inserted homilies ranging from the importance of arts programs in schools to world peace. He also opened the stage for spirited local artists and backup singers to perform songs of their choice. He provided all six backup dancers the opportunity to share a song ranging from Etta James to Fetty Wap. The one he referred to as “the preacher’s daughter” sang “I love the Lord”; cries of “amen” echoed while the artist closed her eyes and bellowed in a way that brought the crowd to its feet. In the end, she took a bow and explained, “I thought I was back at church.” Stevie replied, “Yes, the Church of Wonder.”
The concert was the perfect example of the divine infusion of love in Wonder’s music. Blood vessels are blamed for his eyes not developing sufficiently and his retinas being detached, a medical condition called retinopathy of prematurity. Despite this, Wonder gives credit to God for overcoming the odds and for his musical abilities.

It is said Wonder initially cultivated his love of music at Whitestone Baptist Church and learned to play the piano at age 4, followed by mastering the harmonica, drums and bass that led to a blessed legacy of music. “Many years ago, there were those who said, ‘Well, you have three strikes against you: You’re black, you’re blind and you’re poor.’ But God said to me, ‘I will make you rich in the spirit of inspiration, to inspire others as well as create music to encourage the world to a place of oneness and hope and positivity.’ I believed him and not them.”
Honored with 25 Grammy Awards, an Oscar and a Golden Globe, Wonder is an inductee into the Rock 'n' Roll, Songwriters and NAACP halls of fame, and he was the youngest beneficiary of the Kennedy Center Honors. He has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is an assigned U.N. Courier of Peace with an exceptional spotlight on persons with disabilities. Forty years later and Wonder still has "IT."

The concert may have marked the final week of live performances in the U.S. before leaving thousands in a state of Wonder. Nevertheless, I am not alone in saying this was the concert of a lifetime, and “Songs in the Key of Life” is now a soundtrack permanently etched on my soul.





 

I'm a Tar Heel Born and Bred!

It is a "great day to be a Tar Heel!” suggested hashtag “#GDTBATH ” that began appearing in my newsfeed a few years ago. The tag is a product of the UNC General Alumni Association’s marketing accolades and touts accomplishments of the nation’s first public university.

Photo: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

General Alumni Association

 

The hashtag is often followed by announcements such as: Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine ranked UNC the number one best value in American public higher education for a “remarkable” 10th time in a row. UNC-Chapel Hill also topped the list of campuses that provide the best value to in-state students and the “Top 10 Best Value Public Colleges for 2014″ list published by Princeton Review and USA Today.

 

While the university has experienced unprecedented academic and athletic scandals, the past few years have not damaged the reputation of the nation’s oldest public university. The university continues to be named as one of the top public and private colleges recommended as the nation’s “best values” for undergraduate education based on more than 30 factors analyzed in three areas: academics, the cost of attendance and financial aid. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine explained its selection: “Although Carolina’s admission rate remains among the lowest on our annual list, its students are among the most competitive, and its in-state cost, at $17,000, is not much higher than the average price ($16,140) for all public universities. For students who qualify for need-based aid, the total price for this top-tier university drops to an average of $7,020.”

 

 

As a young girl, I didn't dare dream of going to Carolina until I fell in love with the campus as a junior in high school. I remember staring out of the window of the activity bus that transported the cheerleaders for the 2-A boys' basketball state championship. Many of us had never been on the campus before that evening. We had chills as we walked on the floor of the Dean Smith Center and sat on the sidelines staring up at the championship banners hanging from the rafters.

At that moment I decided to apply to UNC-Chapel Hill. As I learned more about the cost of education, my options were limited, and I considered myself lucky to live in a state that had reasonably priced options for higher education. I would like to think that even if I didn’t have limited financial resources, I wouldn’t have considered applying to an out-of-state college. After all, nothing could be finer!

 

Graduation Day!

 

 

The next time I stepped onto campus would be my freshman year in college. So when the GAA encouraged alumni to reflect on the past, present and future as the university celebrated its 22nd birthday, I did indeed. In fact, I had the privilege of sharing my birthday with the historic moment, and family and friends joined me to sip, paint and celebrate at Van Gogh’s Palette. The Duke fans gave me a hard time about selecting a painting posted by GAA a few weeks prior. Our tribute to the past was inspired by a Starry Night style painting featuring UNC-Chapel Hill’s symbolic Old Well. The structure was modeled after the Temple of Love in the Gardens of Versailles and completed in 1897.

 

 

My most recent birthday celebration with family and friends
Van Gogh's Palette
http://www.vangoghspalette.com/
 

 

During my time of reflection, I recognized that the past few years of turmoil have not defeated my school spirit. True Blue fans will always cherish the Southern Part of Heaven. We do not need accolades to confirm what we know in our hearts. UNC-Chapel Hill remains a priceless gem for our state, nation and the world, and that is why

 

EVERY DAY is a Great Day To Be A Tar Heel!!!