Old School Thoughts

This episode is a compilation of topics that carries us from family and traditions, in Alabama, to a discussion about Nancy Green versus Aunt Jemima. Martha and I are always exploring the history of our families and the separation of Africans throughout the Diaspora. I was lucky to meet Ms. Latika, a native of Alabama and long time resident of Chicago on 20 April 2024 in Columbus, Georgia. On the...

Martha and I have decided to return to our roots with the podcast. We had to "slow down" for evaluation and reflection. We are using "slow down" as a metaphor for using deep thoughts and experiences when analyzing our history. The African American community has been told so much and led to believe in things that are marred in fallacies. We can't continue to live and exist t...

On Sunday, 31 March 2024, Martha and I decided to go out on the front to reflect on how we celebrated and recognized Easter as children. We remembered the colored eggs, Easter outfits, the gathering of family, and more. We also acknowledged how "Happy Resurrection Day" has become the new greeting. Where did that come from? By whom? When?

I chose this topic because Martha and I are always discussing whether we know how are prepare ourselves for an argument. I am not interested in debating every topic that comes up because someone feels that everything is worth an opposing view. Sometimes opposing views are not worth a continuous response. Sometimes you have to just say it and leave it. The truth is always subjective.

During this episode, I asked Martha to help me understand why some people are committed to making others rich? Who did you make rich, lately? We went out on the front porch to tackle the subject.

Martha and I have returned to the microphone to talk about distractions while sitting on our vicarious front porch. This is our first recording since February 18, 2024 - but now we are back!

This episode is a continuation of S5:E18. Martha and I welcomed Spence and Dewayne back to Old School Thoughts to expand our conversation on African American entrepreneurship. What are the challenges? Why do we give up buildings in certain locations when other ethnicities do not have to grapple with the same concern(s)?

Martha and I had the pleasure of having SFC Richard C. Spencer (aka Spence) to join us on Old School Thoughts to discuss our values. In January 2024, I was parked at the commissary on Fort Moore in Georgia and noticed a soldier gathering grocery carts to return to the entrance of the commissary. I was blown away with his action because I had done the same thing because I can't understand why t...

Martha and I opened the mic to Dewayne because he wanted to discuss the complexities of business planning in the African American community or amongst African Americans as a networking relationship. The conversation was so insightful and led us to expand on some areas that caused us to reach our stopping point. We ended the conversation with an agreement to return for an extended episode. Let us k...

Martha and I are questioning the truth about family genealogy. On 24 January 2024, I made a discovery about my family that I feel very strongly about, but it comes with perplexing feelings and thoughts. Martha joined me in this finding of my/our family's research because Martha is also related to me on my paternal side, as well. On many occasions, I have stated that our family does not belong...

This episode is a tribute to Ella Sheppard, born into slavery in 1851 and died in 1915. She was the daughter of Simon Shepphard and Sarah. She and her parents were property of Andrew Jackson residing on Jackson's Hermitage plantation. She is known as the matriarch of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. This is another example of African American history that we are left to present as trivia information....

Martha and I decided to return to the front porch, on the eve of celebrating the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Holiday, to discuss and evaluate 99 years of violence against the people of Jessup County, Mississippi, that led to the tragedy of Mississippi Burning. We are asking our listeners to watch the movie and evaluate what the timelines of history from 1865 - 1964.

Martha and I have decided to return to the front porch to talk about various conversations. Martha decided to pose the question about our (African Americans) ability to focus on one cause. She stated that when we were enslaved, we singularly focused on freedom. During the Civil Rights Movement, we singularly focused on equality of voting, education, transportation, and etc. Today, we seem to be to...

Here is the question: What would you do, if you found out that what you were doing was wrong? I would usually ask this question to people who would approach me under the umbrella of religion, but I apply it to every point of learning. I have asked Martha and Dunbar to join me in discussing this topic. How did you feel the first time you decided to challenge a belief or tradition that you grew up w...

This episode is an extension of S5:E11. Jarrett Dunbar rejoined Martha and me to expound on his assessment of how gaps are generated and sustained amongst African Americans. There seems to be an influence that comes from the college/university classrooms that impact our younger generation as they are beginning to enter the world stage of learning. Then, there is the question, "Have African Am...

Martha and I were blessed to have Jarrett Dunbar as a guest on Old School Thoughts because we wanted to hear his perspective on a segment of life based on his experiences. Dunbar questioned the gap that is developing and that can continue to broaden between people of "New School" and those of us who are "Old School." I clearly learned a lot and look forward to our next conversa...

The last thing I heard from Martha, as we were hanging up from our phone call, was "Frank, what are you going to give as a title?" At that time - I really didn't know because I usually listen to the finished recording alone to actively listen. This time I initially titled it, "Sometimes We Need Word of Mouth." That triggered me to recall what we would say, in our community,...

In this episode, Martha and I are discussing the kind of counseling we received that was homegrown. That kind of counseling that came from mothers, fathers, relatives, and neighbors that taught you how to survive harsh words and situations. One of those forms of counseling was presented in a parable which stated, "Sticks and stones might break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Whe...

After chatting for over one hour, before recording this episode, Martha and decided to open up sharing our thoughts and experiences about the Old School phone booth(s). How many of you remember using the phone booths? What were some of your experiences? We followed up with another conversation about the amazing Grio Award ceremony, created by Byron Allen, that was televised on CBS on 25 November 2...

On this episode, Martha and I opened by answering the question about what makes us feel up and down about managing this podcast. Our passion, for the podcast, is so serious because we embrace the responsibility to leave a legacy behind to prevent a gap generation. If you can recall, we define the gap generation as that generation that doesn't seem to care about old traditions and mores that we...

Martha and I decided to pause from continuing another full discussion on "A Cup Of Sugar" in order to speak on an another topic that questions what's it gonna take for the community to become educated on issues to properly defend nonsense. We thank you for listening to us and providing feedback because our hearts are in the right place to engender old school thoughts and to preserve...

In my world, growing up, mothers sharing ingredients with their neighbors was a tradition - a custom of old school activities. I can recall neighbors either calling or sending one of the children to the house or apartment to retrieve that cup of sugar, egg(s), vanilla, flour, or some other ingredient(s). As I was reflecting about that period, I was wondering if this is still going on and posed it...

Today, Martha and I decided to move the scene of our conversation vicariously to the front porch like our ancestors would do. Though we never pick one topic and or rehearse a specific topic, we wanted to present this particular discussion as a means of exhaling or shooting the breeze. We have also discussed meeting on the front porch once a month. Thank you for your comments. We enjoy reading what...

This episode kicks off our series to discuss the need for a 50-year plan when it comes to uplifting our communities, churches, organizations, businesses, and more. Martha and I agree on the fact that we fail to plan beyond the immediate to five years. Our affluent society plan for generations while most of us plan for our individual lifetime. We have to change the way we speak and communicate. A p...

In this episode, Martha and I are discussing the "Cloak of Silence" that is happening concerning the future of "Super Prisons" scheduled for Alabama, Georgia, and Nebraska. Are you aware of these super projects? You don't build larger facilities to maintain the same or less population. You do it to increase the number of prisoners. Let's explore this topic together and...