This installment of "A Closer Look" is by far one of my favorites! Samantha and I had a blast conversing with Relationship Expert Jill Payne! Enjoy and Stay Close!
Intensity. Integrity. Intelligence.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Mr. Ambition Heads to Washington, D.C.
Thaddeus is a Co-Host at KTSU's "A Closer Look" on Saturdays at 8am on 90.9 FM, "The Choice" in Houston, Texas. Not only is he a radio personality, but he also is an activist, writer, basketball coach, mentor, orator, culture critic, politico, and veteran of the military.
"What I hope to learn from my internship is how to write effective policy, how to debate and research it, and attain skills on how to lobby legislation, but policy and networking skills are what I really want to learn because in this fast-paced and competitive field, writing not rhetoric sets one apart therefore, I want to become more adept in policy writing," said Thaddeus.
When Thaddeus gets to Congress, he hopes to accomplish great things in the future such as working on laws that lock up people of color unfairly, changing the sentencing laws when it comes to crack versus cocaine, marijuana possession, self-defense laws, stop and frisk policies, and laws against racial profiling.
"When I heard the verdict from the Zimmerman trial, I felt somber, a little bit emotional. I couldn't muster up the energy to talk to anyone. Before bed, I laid on the floor, staring at the ceiling for about thirty minutes. That moment reaffirmed why I have to go to Congress from a policy standpoint. I am from Jackson, Mississippi. I've seen the ways in which laws work against my people. I am well aware of the prison industrial complex and how it disproportionately affects people of color. Many friends and non-friends are in jail, brothers and sisters who look just like me are locked up all across this country. Something has to be done about it, and I feel I am the person that can be a vessel to foster solutions,” said Thaddeus.
When Thaddeus leaves Texas Southern University, he will attend law school and move into public service because a lot of African Americans do not trust the government therefore, they stay away from it, consequently, choosing fields like entertainment and athletics from a place of familiarity.
"My life is not particularly attached to any career; I'm more so answering a calling on my life. Although Congress is a personal goal of mine, I understand that greatness can be achieved via any career path. Martin King told us in my favorite sermon The Drum Major Instinct, that greatness is achieved by serving others, regardless of one's socioeconomic status. My overall mission is to motivate young people of color to be great and take over the world, so I really want to do more lecturing and motivational speaking to young people. Every move that I make, I do it to inspire someone else, the young man fighting to get out the ghetto, the little girl back in Mississippi, Jamal growing up in a one parent household, Latisha from Third Ward who has been told what she can’t do, or that young teenage mother who stays up late changing pampers and writing essays,” said Thaddeus.
Thaddeus is not only a scholar, but he is an excellent example of how to make change happen and will do an exceptional job at his internship with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation this fall. He will definitely be a future leader that will be remembered for decades to come!
Contact Damien Thaddeus:
3100 Cleburne St.
Houston, Texas 77004
Cell: (832) 703-9783
Damienthaddeus@yahoo.com
DamienThaddeus.Blogspot.com
Twitter: @Damien_Thaddeus
Instagram:@damienthaddeus
Written by: Kimberlee Mason (www.kimberleemason.com)
Monday, July 22, 2013
Legacy of a Cracked Vessel
The highway of life has
forever presented mankind various opportunities to lead abundant lives.
Marriages, childbirth, new jobs, and fruitful relationships are a few examples
of how humans make the best of this life. Moreover, the ways in which we
utilize the time between womb and tomb is imperative to how we will be
remembered when it's all said and done. For several years now, I have been
obsessed with my very own death and more specifically, my lasting legacy.
How will I be
remembered? How will I be eulogized? That may seem imbecilic, but I
have felt for many years that I won't live long on this Earth, therefore, I
must be prepared for that great Day of Judgment that no man can escape.
At my funeral, I have
just one request and since it is my funeral, I would assume this small request
would be granted. As I lay peacefully in my wooden casket with draped in the
most fashionable garb, I want Martin King’s Drum Major Instinct played over the
loudspeakers. This sermon is the very reason I began to ponder over my last
days. It brought me into a new world of deep, social consciousness; therefore,
it would only be right for it to usher me out. The Eulogizer will have an easy
task sending me out. They won’t have to read off my vast list of
accomplishments, degrees, and awards. Any mention of personal accolades or any
mode of self-aggrandizement will not be permitted. I do not want to be
remembered in such a manner. I want the world to say that Damien Thaddeus was a
deep thinker, loved his neighbors and enemies unconditionally, and served
mankind in a radical manner. That’s what the eulogy will read. That’s what my
life’s work will say.
I want the record to
show that I used my intellectual abilities to advance the conversation on
social ills and help alleviate suffering in impoverished communities. As I
travel this long and winding road of servant leadership, I pray that I can use the bully
pulpit of public life to speak out against massive injustices in America and
around the globe. I want the record to reflect that I wrote books, essays, and
gave speeches/lectures on how to improve the lives of the poor and destitute. In my academic
endeavors, there is no doubt I, like many others, “want to be important, to surpass
others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade” (King), but the record must
reflect an insatiable desire to inspire, gain paideia, and serve in order to
aid the least of these.
Whenever I release that
final breath, I hope those that knew me understand I had “a soul generated by
love” (King). I pray my actions and behaviors bled with agape love, the same type
of love that Palestinian Jew named Jesus exhibited during his purposeful trek
on Earth. When professional colleagues slandered my name or my work, I turned
the other cheek. When naysayers unfairly criticized me, I blessed those who cursed
me. My friends, it is a serious challenge loving people who don’t love
themselves, but let the record reflect that I pressed on loving my brothers and
sisters no matter the conditions. I want the world to understand that my deep
and abiding love was consistent and not contingent on any feeble circumstance.
When my heart beats for
the last time, let the record show I served humanity in a radical fashion. I pray my
mode of service inspires others to serve. Everyone can achieve greatness
through high quality service. One doesn't have to be on the highest portion of
the economic ladder to serve. One doesn't have to have titles before or after
the name. My friends, “you only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by
love. And you can be that servant” (King).
The new mantra of
modernity is Y.O.L.O. This maxim reminds us in times of fear, confusion, doubt,
or indecision that we only live once and one should live well. Within that same
vein, we must be reminded that we only die once. Some philosophers would argue
that living is essentially learning how to die. Others would assert that one's
death invigorates life in others via deep inspiration. On my day of expiration,
brothers and sisters, let the final record reflect that Damien Thaddeus learned
how to die through deep love, incredible courage, and authentic service to
mankind as a whole. Along that trail of learned finality, I hope I inspire a
soul or two. Then, my living or dying would not have been in vain.
Contact Damien Thaddeus:
Activist, Blogger, Organizer, Public Speaker, Culture Critic, Poltico, Radio Host
3100 Cleburne St.
Houston, Texas 77004
Cell: (832) 703-9783
Twitter: @Damien_Thaddeus
Instagram:@damienthaddeus
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