Sights Sounds and Thoughts

By Cheryl Mattox Berry

You never know what kind of day it will be, who you’ll run into or what you might stumble upon. Everyone has a story or opinion to share if given an opportunity. Here are my latest encounters.

Training Ground

Six long-legged brown girls, who looked to be in middle school, were running in the sand on Hollywood Beach. At first, I thought they were playing a game until they zipped past me the third time. I stood, looked down the beach and saw a man – their coach – giving them hand signals. They lined up again, pushed off, digging deep, knees high. Future Olympians?


The Internet’s Far-Reaching Effect 

Conversations at cookouts are free-wheeling and interesting. At a weekend BBQ, the host mentioned that she had developed an Internet friendship/mentoring relationship with a 20-year-old Syrian refugee. She spoke proudly of how he has grown over the last three years after fleeing his homeland and settling in another country. She encourages him to be kind and look for like-minded people.


History Repeating Itself?

While pumping gas, I struck up a conversation with another customer about the power outage in our neighborhood. The conversation soon turned to Donald J. Trump. The man, who was Jewish, complained about anti-Semitic remarks from the new administration. When people in power turn on Jews, it spells doom for everyone, he warned.


Jam-Packed Month

I have a love/hate relationship with February, aka Black History Month. I look forward to learning about pioneering  people and important places in my community. However, too much is stuffed into 28 days. Some weeks, there were two and three events that I wanted to attend held on the same night. Why not spread these activities throughout the year? Around here, it’s dead in April, June, July and August, and everyone is looking for something to do. I welcome the day when organizations realize black history can be celebrated any time of the year.

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