Episode 23 It's All a Dream (Football's Back)

September 3, 2019

The NFL season is nigh upon us!  I'm ready for it, in the latest episode I'm joined by my friend Aaron and my brother Cory.  We're talking Fantasy Football, the strategy you may apply and why it's fun to play!  Also as we speak the Cowboys are trying to get a deal done with star running back Ezekiel Elliott. I give my thoughts on that contract dispute! 

Episode 22 The Follow Up & Football

August 28, 2019

I've reached a bit of a milestone in my podcast journey. This will mark episode 22 of the Zero to One Hundred podcast! Initially I always envisioned this to be a bit of a season finale for me, and it would pick right back up at the start of football season. Don't know why I zeroed in on the number 22, could be that my favorite football player of all time is Emmitt Smith and his number was 22. It could be that most TV shows before this golden age had like a 22 to 24 episode season count. Point is I wanted to do an episode where I had the opportunity to air some audio that I had to edit out of some earlier episodes. Also, this gave me an opportunity to look back on how far I've come in producing each episode. I'm bias but at least in my mind it's gotten better with each posting. Now I haven't been as up to date on the blog as I should have with posting each episode. But I figured I'd embed some missing episodes on this post as well. So if you primarily listen to the podcast once I post it through my blog here's the missing episodes:

Episode 17 Remembering Nikki- Which was about my sister who passed away in April. I miss her tremendously, and included in the latest episode I get some memories from the rest of her Kids that I didn't get to include in episode 17.

Episode 20 Are You Not Entertained- Which was my reaction to the Mueller testimony before congress. I know that most people seem to have A.D.D when it comes to Trump and his administration, but I hope people remember all this joker's foul acts come election time.

As I state in the episode this and been a great experience and I appreciate all those that have supported the blog and the podcast! Be sure to comment or email me at 0to100pod@gmail.com follow me on Twitter @wcwpoet

Episode 21 Chess Not Checkers/ I'm Confused

August 19, 2019

I'm Confused

Earlier this week it was announced that Jay-Z would be partnering with the NFL. Initially reported the deal was for him to be in charge of Super Bowl entertainment and social justice initiatives. Later reports from TMZ stated that the deal would include a significant stake in an NFL franchise. This news has prompted a series of mixed reactions. Some seemed to praise the "not just a business man, I"m a Business, man" while most seem to blast the hip hop billionaire as a sellout, and other harsh critiques. Writers like Jemele Hill and activist Shaun King blast Jay-Z for the partnership, stating that this was at the expense of Colin Kaepernick's career. As of this post the #JayZNFL was trending, again with some supporting, but the majority blasting the move. None seem to be more angry at the move than Carolina Panthers safety and former Kaepernick teammate Eric Reid, I'll discuss his issue later. A lot of the backlash seemed to come about when false reports stated that Jay-Z spoke with Kaepernick before the partnership. Which wasn't the case, nor did Jay-Z ever present it as such. A reporter asked Jay-Z if he had spoken to Kaepernick? Jay-Z answered that he had spoken to him, he didn't specify the time, because the truth was he spoke to Kaepernick and other NFL players after the partnership was completed.

This is the start of my confusion, if people were angry that Jay-Z didn't talk to Kaepernick before the deal, or that he presented it as if he spoke to him but didn't WHY SHOULD THAT MATTER? I must've missed the point where the blood of Martin Luther King Jr was used by the spirit of Malcom X to anoint Colin Kaepernick as the savior of the Civil Rights movement and all social justice acts must go through him. Why would Jay-Z have to seek permission from him in the 1st place? That's one part of my confusion, the 2nd part comes from those that equate the NFL as this evil racist organization that's responsible for all the social injustice against black people in America. The whole point of Colin Kaepernick's protest was to bring awareness to police brutality and the inequity of justice for people of color here in America. That effort was a rousing success, as more players took up the call and began to protest as well. Now if a person that supported that message and has been a strong advocate for social justice now partners with an organization that before didn't take part in social justice programs, is now in a position to lead that charge, HOW IS THAT A BAD THING?

During the press conference Jay-Z stated: “I think that we forget that Colin’s whole thing was to bring attention to social injustice so in that case this is a success — this is the next thing. There’s two parts of protest: the protest, and then there’s a company or individual saying ‘I hear you, what do we do next?

I included that quote because I don't feel like people are seeing the bigger picture. The point of a protest is to spark CHANGE! If you're protesting and nothing happens from that then what was the point of the protest? To my friends that I know are boycotting the NFL when the issue began I would ask, what do you want the NFL to do? I'm confused by the fact that a SPORTS LEAGUE is being held to a higher standard it seems than members of congress, the senate, or even the White House. Did I miss the part where the NFL became the United Nations? IT'S A SPORTS LEAGUE and in reality a BUSINESS! But I'll hear "Billy they didn't like their players kneeling and wanted them to stop" guess what yeah, but THEY STILL ALLOW THEM TO DO SO! You know who doesn't allow their players to do so the NBA, it's in their contract that they can't! The commissioner Adam Silver stated it, you know what I don't hear? NOT ONE WHISPER OF CRITICISM. The point of a boycott is for it to end at some point once you get the desired result. If the protest of players was about social injustice, and the NFL is now partnering with someone who's done a lot for social injustice, that shows that your protest was successful in making them move!  It'd be like if Martin Luther King Jr. and others after the successful Montgomery bus boycott then stated "we got what we wanted, black people can sit wherever they want" and then go "yeah eff those buses we're not riding them anymore". DO YOU SEE HOW INSANE THAT WOULD BE! Yet that's what people are doing to the NFL here.

When Kaepernick began his protest, the racist that opposed him successfully to an extent flipped the narrative to what he was even protesting. They framed it as he's disrespecting the flag, he's disrespecting the military! Which none of that was true, now I feel like those that were supporting his message have flipped it, it's gone from bringing awareness and fighting social injustice to this millionaire no longer has a job! That brings me to Jemele Hill's criticism, her article states that Jay-Z's partnership with the league essentially helps banish Colin Kaepernick.  Like I stated earlier you have to look at the BIGGER PICTURE!  Is it about social injustice or is about Colin Kaepernick HAVING A JOB?  Also how do you know that Jay-Z being put in a power position isn't a way for him to get Kaepernick back into the league, a sentiment thought by artist like Cardi B. If he has a significant stake in an NFL team perhaps he would advocate for said team to get Kaepernick.  But again what was the point of the protest to begin with social injustice or one guy getting a job.  Now some will say why do they have to be mutually exclusive?

That brings me to good ole Eric Reid. Who went on a rant blasting Jay-Z, especially when the news broke that he would become a part owner of an NFL team. A move Reid calls "despicable", I'll try to understand his view point here. A friend I had dinner with stated her issue with the move, not that she was canceling Jay-Z, and she had other reasons to dislike the NFL which is fine and valid. But here was her analogy, "Let's say a friend of yours was working for a company, and the company did that friend dirty. But then you turn around and do business with that company." In her estimation and others that's wrong and that's foul. Now to me this situation with Jay-Z isn't the same because while Jay supported Kaepernick, it was his message of social injustice he supported. To me he doesn't fit that analogy, you know who does though? ERIC REID, he was a teammate of Kaepernick and was one of the first players to take part in the protest. He also joined onto a lawsuit that Kaepernick filed against the NFL, for claims of being black balled. By here's my issue and confusion with Eric Reid's anger, IT'S HYPOCRITICAL AS HELL!

Let me explain Eric Reid was out of work for about 2 months, he didn't file a separate lawsuit. He latched onto Kaepernick's lawsuit which was settled and split the settlement money with Colin Kaepernick. The lawsuit was the fact that neither player could get job in the NFL. There's one problem before Eric Reid settled he was SIGNED by the Carolina Panthers. I'm confused if you were suing the league because you weren't signed, but then you got signed and you took more money away from an actual player that was black balled and hadn't played in a FULL YEAR! How were you supporting your friend and teammate? Eric Reid signed a 3-year extension with the Carolina Panthers for 3 years 22 million, 10 million guaranteed. Let me get this straight you think the NFL is racist and you hate the fact that your friend Kaepernick doesn't have a job, YET you're perfectly fine with taking away part of his SETTLEMENT MONEY EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE SIGNED BY A TEAM, THAT EVEN GAVE YOU AN EXTENSION? To my friend's analogy I'd add this if a person who knows that friend, gets the opportunity to get involved with that company, and make changes from within so that it's better than before, why is that a bad thing? Out of Jay-Z or Eric Reid which one is despicable? Yet from Jemele Hills and the Shaun Kings I hear crickets.

Thus all my confusion, I love people that speak out on social injustice and protest. But I love even more people who actually act to put in place change. There's so much more on this topic that I'd like to share, and I'll be doing so with some other guest, so check out the Zero to One Hundred Podcast and here what we have to say. Let me know what you think of the Jay-Z and NFL partnership. Hit up the comments, or email the show at 0to100pod@gmail.com follow me on twitter @wcwpoet.

Episode 19 The Pop Culture Connoisseur

June 22, 2019

As mentioned in the episode description and mentioned in the conversation with my wife, she calls me a entertainment junkie. As stated in the conversation and the title of the episode Pop Culture Connoisseur has a much more pleasant ring to it. Do I watch a lot of TV? Absolutely, do I constantly sprinkle movie quotes or other pop culture references into everyday conversation? For sure, but junkie or addict is a bit harsh! I don't think I'm alone in that regard. More than ever fans of pop culture are bigger parts of society and the world of entertainment. Look at the evolution of the San Diego Comic Con. This little known convention at one time was for the comic book geeks/nerds that would make the trek, to meet comic book creators, grab cool merch, and maybe meet an actor from a cult fave TV show to get an autograph if you're lucky. Now the Comic-Con is an entertainment/pop culture Nirvana. Where big business takes place, the Hollywood elite attend this convention regularly. If you have a successful launch at Comic-Con, you are well on your way to a potential block buster.

In this episode I share my opinion on a lot of the big Comic-Con news. I hit on a multitude of topics, but for time constraints edited the audio down to highlight my Marvel Studio reactions. Just like in earlier episodes I'll include that cut audio in some future installments. There was so much to cover, and speaking of Marvel Studios. That group has Comic-Con presentations down to a science, with the crowd constantly eating out of their hands. There was so much excitement from what they presented, like the presentation in this episode I didn't even get to cover the fact that Black Panther 2, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and more is on the way. While that topic makes up a large chunk of the episode, the high light to be sure like all Zero to One Hundred episodes are the conversations. It was fun talking movies with my wife and my niece Samiyah. The best part of revisiting movies with my wife is getting her reaction to films she's never seen before, and me seeing if these older movies even hold up. I truly appreciate all the support I get for the Zero to One Hundred podcast, the last 3 episodes in particular have me on cloud 9 in regard to what I've been able to produce. I look forward to continuing on, if you'd like to be a part of an upcoming Follow-Up episode please let me know. You can email me at 0to100pod@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @wcwpoet. 

Episode 16 40 Acres & A Mule!

June 30, 2019

Just under two weeks ago there was a hearing in Washington, D.C. in regards to reparations.  The point was a House panel to explore the possibility of reparations for black people in this country.  This came after senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (aka Turkey Neck), took upon himself to dismiss the idea all together.  Feeling as if reparations had already been given to black people in this country through Civil Rights legislation, and Barack Obama being elected president. I guess the majority leader failed to realize that all Americans, black people included actually voted him President, it wasn't given to us.  The hearing was highlighted by author Ta-Nehisi Coate's eloquent and powerful opening statement to the hearing.  Mr. Coates proceeded to layout the facts as to while Mr. McConnell's thoughts on the matter were dead wrong!

The incredibly troubling thing that @I found while I was researching this subject for this episode, was the amount of people that have received some form of reparations payment.  While freed slaves were promised 40 acres and mule, no one living or dead ever received any compensation from what was a billion dollar industry.  Slave owners themselves actually received compensation before black people did, I found this info from an article in the NY Times.  Also in the same article highlights how even slave owners outside of the US received some form of compensation, due to freed slaves.  What's even more insulting is the fact that it's even a question to do so, where as victims of the holocaust never had to face such scrutiny or questions in regards to receiving reparations.  Payments are made to them to this very day.  Needless to say it was a very deep and thoughtful conversation I had with author of Sale City, Saquion Gullett in regards to this very subject.

Thank you for supporting the Zero to One Hundred Podcast, and as always let me know what you think?  Email the show at 0to100pod@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter @wcwpoet.

Episode 15 The Disney Debate

June 26, 2019


My apologies for the tardiness in posting the latest episode a little later than usual.  Next episode I hope to have a much quicker turn around on!  So in the latest episode of Zero to One Hundred, this was a result due to a tangent I had with my brothers when we were reviewing John Wick Chapter 3.  My brother Ricky had the audacity to claim he wouldn't have Lion King in his top 10 Disney movies, which to me is utter insanity.  So that lead to us each coming up with our very own top 10.

The criteria was simple we were limiting it to hand drawn Disney animated films!  Pretty much the classics so while yes Pixar movies are Disney, and Tangled, Frozen, and Big Hero 6 and Wreck It Ralph were good. I felt like let's just stick to the Disney movies most of us grew up watching.  It was interesting putting it together, how much does nostalgia impact the choice?  How do you factor in your differing taste as an adult as opposed to when you were a kid?  My brothers now have kids of their own, how did that experience watching with them factor in?  Overall it was a fun endeavor, and while we definitely didn't agree I'm happy with the end results.  So check out where your favorite Disney movies rank, let me know what you think.  Email me at 0to100pod@gmail.com or reply in the comments.  Follow me on Twitter @wcwpoet

Episode 14 Double Up!

June 17, 2019

My apologies for the late post, but due to Father's day events I wasn't able to post the latest episode on Sunday.  I gave this episode the title of Double Up, since we tackle 2 subjects in one episode sports and politics! As promised in this episode is the 2nd part to my political conversation with Ebony and Christina.  I also share my thoughts on the outcome of the NBA finals, and my opinion on the USA Women's National Team utter destruction of Thailand in the Women's World Cup.

While there is no political spotlight this episode, I'll make sure it will be included in the next.  Due to time constraints I didn't want to rush it, so it'll be better served to have it's own time in the next episode. For the final segment I touch on Twitter's latest entrant, OJ Simpson. So check out the latest episode follow me on Twitter @wcwpoet and email the show at 0to100pod@gmail.com