Old School Thoughts

Martha and I returned to the front porch to discuss the negative impact of being or acting shy. When growing up, I used to hear friends use the term as if was a complimentary thing to say, but what it did was deprive themselves of sharing or receiving information. We can't afford to lose family connections because of certain situations, like stating that your family is private - because it affects the closeness of future generations. As a group of people, we are already distant and lack trust without having pride in being shy or private. What are your thoughts?

Martha and I returned to the front porch to pay tribute to the generations of mothers who have nourished, sacrificed, endured, gave life, and everything else out of love. We acknowledged our respective mothers, children, relatives, friends, and all ancestral mothers whom we search for through genealogy. Happy Mother's Day to all of your relatives.

Tonight, Kenya and I went out on the front porch to Analyze how the actions of the president are creating distractions that are possibly keeping our eyes off of the prize progress and equality. We missed not having Martha available. How do you see the distractions?

We lose a lot of time evaluating and assessing where we are in the present and how we expect to be in the future. After having a conversation with Mr. Trenton Thompson (20 years old) last week, I saw myself in a mirror. Mr. Trenton approached me and asked, "Sir, what advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?" Then my son introduced me to the president of Burkino Faso, Ibrahim Traore'.

A homage to all the good things Easter brought to us in addition to bunnies and eggs

Kenya is celebrating her birthday, so Martha and I decided to go out on the front porch. Our goal was to recognize our incredible young people who are doing great things and pursuing their dreams. When we, as adults, are given the opportunity to talk to young people are we dropping the right seeds of knowledge? That is what Martha attempted to do tonight and what we did, yesterday, with two of our respective young relatives. If you see a young person doing great things, tell them and pray for their protection. We have to keep our eyes on the prize of the Promised Land. The Promised Land is a metaphor for achieving the equality that was promised per the Declaration of Independence.

It is great having Martha and Kenya back, as a team, to discuss another impromptu discussion that is impactful within the African American community. This is not to say that these issues only belong to African Americans, but the impact of slavery, forced migrations, lynchings, abductions, name changes, and more are isolated events that have had the greatest impact on the unity of African American families within the United States and other people of African descent throughout the Diaspora. As a family genealogist and lover of family, I am always assessing how deep is our love for searching for and reuniting families. What are your thoughts? How do you assess this topic?

Kenya was on a special assignment and left Martha and I to steer the ship. So, Martha and I decided to go out on the front porch to talk about the importance of people/groups participating in a meaningful dialogue. Martha and I had a mutual agreement that we lose a lot of momentum due to selfishness and the need to be greater than others. Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the succeeding leaders did not have a contingency plan to continue the impact and strategies of the battles won. Our organizations and communities are not collectively preparing a Project 2029. They are still talking 2025. What are your thoughts?

Evidence of a Crime? Against who.....? This Week's topic is based on a "good hair" and Black people's perpetration of European beauty standards. Who is the criminal? Our European ancestors or a crime we impose on our fellow African Americans?

Tonight , our inspiration comes from a Facebook post about African Americans returning to Africa. Someone responded, "they need to leave behind their dysfunction." What does Dysfunction actually mean?

I asked Martha and Kenya to join me in a discussion about how we should be prepared and trained to respond to issues that we consider to be insulting/offensive. We spent this time assessing the difference between affirmative actions, DEI, and DAR. It is important for us to use history and knowledge to pinpoint the cause and effect of discrimination and racism as a response to accusations pertaining to privileges, policies, laws, mentoring, and more.

Martha, Kenya, and I went out on the front porch to discuss how we approach gathering and sharing of information pertaining to African/African American history. The focus was not specifically on genealogy research, but on history all together. What should we consider? Do we apply timelines of history? Do we consider the impact of slavery, escaping to avoid harassment and possible death? Do we consider years of enslavement without counseling? Do we consider the lost connection of family? What is your approach?

Martha, Kenya and I returned to Old School Thoughts to explore this complex question of What's in Your Hello? This discussion is an exploration of how we, as people speak to each other and or how we do not speak to each other. We try to answer this question based on our personal travels, by regions, by experiences, and by race. What connects us and what causes our antennas to rise?

I chose this title because I asked Martha and Kenya to return for another episode to answer this question: If African American history was banned from public schools, colleges, and universities, what responsibilities do we have to teach that history? Should we look for responsibility from churches, organizations, fraternities, sororities, home - where? I really enjoyed the conversation. Are we, as African Americans, prepared to teach our history?

Martha and I were blessed to have Kenya Hicks as a guest on the front porch. Knowing your history is a vital part of knowing who you are. Martha and Kenya did what historians should do when it comes to exploring African history, they expanded their viewpoints to include the African Diaspora. This conversation deserves a continuation.

I chose this topic for today's episode because I have so much love for family, the unity of Africans (throughout the Diaspora), the history of our ancestors, the gifts they left behind, and the ways in which they conquered insurmountable odds. I also chose this topic because Martha and I put so much effort into leaving a legacy of Old School Thoughts, wisdom, and a sharing of experiences for present and future generations. Apathy is causing us to lose so much: politically, personally, and historically. Effort is a terrible thing to waste.

When we rallied together, the burdens were weakened. What I mean by this statement is that when friends and family members suffered any kind of hardship, there was always somebody there to lend time, money, meals, or whatever to soften the pain.

First thing: Happy New Year to all of you and your families! This is our first episode of 2025. Based on many of our conversations, with others, Martha and I are concerned about the future of Griots in the African culture throughout the Diaspora. What I am poking at is the desire for people, in general, to search Google to measure the accuracy of realtime information shared during conversations. Google it is becoming the mantra - as Martha would say. When our elders or gamily Griots share information, they pass on what they know and how experiences impact circumstances. We are concerned that Google might significantly hurt our culture and traditions. Martha and continue to apply Old School Thoughts to situations because if we don't pay attention, significant lessons will vanish from our traditions and cultures.

Martha requested to go out on the front porch to discuss the importance of knowing how food helps and or affect us in a negative way. Though neither of us claim to be a nutritionist, Martha wanted us to come together to bring attention to our health since diabetes, high blood pressure, and other ailments are prevalent in the African American communities, culture, and race.

Today, Martha and I returned to the front porch to assess two statements that our parents and other adults would express in their disappointment of some things we would say or how we would behave following some experiences of education. They would say, "You are an educated fool" or "You are too smart for your own good." If you have heard one or both of the statements, what are your thoughts?

Martha and I decided to go out on the porch to discuss the 2024 presidential election. We touched on demographics, trust, privileges, and more. On 6 November, my granddaughter asked me, "Pa Pa, did you see the vote on television?" I responded with, "Yes." She came back with, "Who won - red or blue?" Following our conversation, I was impressed with her and her parents. They are instilling in her the importance of voting and politics. She is willing to talk about something adults are not comfortable talking about. Out of the mouths of babes.....

Martha and I are back and we are here to discuss the dynamics of family unity and separation. We also spoke about the importance of talking about politics. We, as African Americans have been taught not to talk about religion and politics, but we should. How do we plan for 18, 20, 50, and 100 years? That is an important question for us to ponder and answer. Send us your thoughts. We Love You and Be Good!!

This episode is a result of a special request from Charnita Hill. Martha and I joined Charnita to bring more attention to the sacrifices, experiences, commitments, and more that caregivers and those who require care have to live with. This episode requires further discussion(s) and actions. If you are able to relate to this discussion, please submit a comment.

Today, Martha and I focussed on two different "Villages" as we discussed people can build a strong Village and how people can destroy a Village. When I speak of a Village, I think about how adults stepped in to help others - even if that help meant adopting others. They would do it and that is what I see at Frank Chester Senior Citizens Center located in Columbus, Georgia. We also talked about the dangers of allowing others to enter and infiltrate your village. It really does take a village to raise a community.

Martha and I met, again, on the front porch to talk about a number of things, but we started with sharing tidbits about the presentation given by Charles and Dawn Casey on Saturday, 15 June 2024. They were the first speakers to support my latest initiative to have guests to step on the Zoom stage to talk their personal journey(s) through genealogy. They did a magnificent job! - Martha and I went on to talk about how discipline, from our parents and other ancestors, shaped lives in positive and negative ways. This conversation stemmed from a discussion I had the opportunity to listen to amongst a group of "Old School" women. - We also added the need to discuss politics throughout the year. This is very important!

Martha and I had the distinct pleasure of joining Dewayne to learn about his humanitarian mission to Nairobi, Kenya. We met at the Columbus Public Library in Columbus, Georgia. Dewayne provided responses to why he chooses to help people from abroad when he and his friends could give to people in his own country. He spoke on misconceptions and more.

Martha and I are continuously returning to the porch to express our thoughts about history, reality, community, self reinvention, and more. We shared our individual thoughts about what we have witnessed and experienced in these expressions of thoughts. When you go about your day(s), what do you think about?

Martha and I decided to swing on the front porch, again. Before we started, we took the time to honor the military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy and for those freedoms we fight to keep. Children In The Kitchen is a reflection of how some of us were able to cook our favorite meals at such a young age. What was your experience(s)?

Martha and I had to halt our pre-episode conversation to go out on the front porch because the topic was getting too hot!! We elected to invite you all to the front porch because there is another generation of children who are about embark on adult life after graduating from high school. We need to keep them in prayer because we will have to depend on them to mature as adults, educators, politicians, business leaders, and more. They cannot afford to be late. What are your thoughts?

This episode is dedicated to the women of Gees Bend, Alabama. It is also a tribute to African American culture. Martha and I got to watch a YouTube documentary about the women quilt makers of Gees Bend and we were blown away by the history and culture of that community of women. This concerns me because our young people are growing up in a generation of high tech which keeps them from building their own toys as we did as old schoolers. What do we do to keep them safe and active during summer break from school. I always pray for our young people and encourage others to keep them in prayers. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Martha and I decided to go out on the porch to discuss the planting of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. This podcast is about sowing seeds of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding for future generations to discover. How do you forgive?

During this episode, Martha allowed me to share with all of you a conversation I had with a stranger that turned into a surprising revelation about my family. The second half was given to Martha to talk about the interview between Shannon Sharpe and Amanda Seales on the podcast titled, Club Shay Shay. It is an excellent interview. Please look it up on YouTube. Thanks to all of you for your support and definitely to our cohost: Martha Buford Green.

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 following day, she and I were discussing her son's prom pictures when the topic of Old School in Alabama surfaced. Ms. Latika is living history for all of us - to be so young! She is an Old Spirit. Martha and continued on to discuss ploys some people will use to distort African/African in America history and how we, as African Americans, should accept the mess. I hope you enjoy this episode.

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 this way. We have to collectively rely on our African American experience(s) because African American history can be and has been altered to appease others. We hope you get something positive out of this episode. Thank you for continuing to support Martha and me. We love you and be good.

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 there is no motorized cart puller available for the young workers. On that day, I approached SFC Spencer and introduced myself to share with him my thoughts about what he had done. I also asked him to join Martha and I on our podcast to share with all of us his reason for doing such an unselfish act. He agreed and here we are.

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 know what your thoughts are and pass this episode to others for answers.

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 to us, they are to be shared beings. I would like for each listener to think about our ancestors and what they endured to search for and or regather families. Some families decided to move on and some accepted the truth. I am interested in your thoughts.

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. I apologize for incorrectly stating her father's name in the episode. Please schedule time to research the timeline of Ella Sheppard.

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 too distracted and or conditioned to focus on one singular goal. Due to everything that is happening in our society, from 2023 - 2024, the African American agenda has faded from the upcoming election process.

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 with? Those beliefs and traditions that shaped you might be under personal attack (internally and externally) as you grow and or mature. So, I am asking each of you, what have you learned that caused you to think differently about previous beliefs and traditions?

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 Americans lost touch with language(s), religion(s), culture, family rituals, and more?" Are we too diverse, within our race and ethnicity to discuss and or reach some kind of understanding/agreement? What are your thoughts?

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 conversation.

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, about those who say too much out of turn. We would taught to say that the person "Spilled the Beans." Though this is a public platform, Martha and I have to agreed to keep the information close hand for our listeners to pass on by word of mouth. That is how effective our ancestors and organizations operated. That used effective "Word of Mouth" while using public technology.

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." When we lived in overt segregation, I knew the likelihood of hearing hurtful words, but parables like - sticks and stones - would provide you with an appropriate combat to use against anybody of any age. I think that our soft approach has negatively impacted our children and their ability to survive emotionally. I really would like to hear your thoughts about this topic.

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 2023. This was the second annual presentation to recognize Blacks/African Americans who give of themselves for a better good. When Byron closed the award ceremony, he challenged all people to speak the truth about history. If we fail to present the truth, we will allow others to control the narrative. What are your thoughts about the Old School phone booth and the closing remarks of Byron Allen?