Wednesday, February 29, 2012
It's Just Good Living!
As a trainer I always observe who's in the gym, particularly those I haven't seen in a while. This morning I saw a friend who'd been out at least a year. I didn't have a chance to speak with her but later sent her a text as to how good it was to see her back in the gym. My heart shuddered when she replied: "It's good to be back..I'm still mourning the loss of my son." Turns out her son was killed about a year ago. I encouraged her to remain strong and continue to remain active while grieving. But she was at the end of her rope, despite a strong support system: "...sometimes i really just want to give up. It's too painful." I immediately stopped texting her and called. I'm sharing my experience to accentuate the fact that we never know what a person is going through, what pain they are feeling and how they are handling it. Sometimes a friendly 'hello, friend I haven't seen you in a while' makes all the difference in the world for a person struggling with grief (or any issue). As a person who lost both parents in a span of two years, i can attest to that. Next time you see an old friend, speak, give em a hug! It's just good living!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Relationships: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly!
We've all been in bad relationships and even some good ones! Was Whitney Houston's troubled relationship with Bobby Brown one of the reasons for her decline? What's a good, bad and ugly relationship? Which category does your relationship fall under? Join me this Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 5pm central for a provocative and enlightening edition of TVR! My special guest will be Dr. D. Ivan Young, Relationship Expert. He'll take your calls live this Sunday on TVR!
The Village Report. Raising Awareness. Inspiring change.
To call in to the show, dial 347.215.9517 from a landline or mobile phone. Press 1 on your device if you'd like to ask a question or make a comment. See you on air!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Next TVR: Is Black Support for the Prez Declining?
Date change!!
Are we taking his re-election for granted? Is there a sense of urgency in the black community ensure four more years? Join me Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 5pm central for an enlightening discussion on President Obama's chances of being re-elected.
The Village Report. Raising awareness. Inspiring change.
Are we taking his re-election for granted? Is there a sense of urgency in the black community ensure four more years? Join me Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 5pm central for an enlightening discussion on President Obama's chances of being re-elected.
The Village Report. Raising awareness. Inspiring change.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
TVR is back online! Sunday, Feb. 12: Cheaters!
My show, "The Village Report with W. Eric Croomes: Cheaters" on "The Village Report" is airing 02/12/2012 on BlogTalkRadio. See the details and set a reminder at http://tobtr.com/s/2847957. RSVP to my facebook event:
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A W. Eric Croomes Comment: The Nexus of Parenting, Relationship and Youth in the Black Community
In the past three weeks our Dallas/Fort Worth community has been rocked by a trilogy of murder, deviant parenting and the loss of a promising young life.
First we watched in agony as a young mother egged her middle-school age daughter into fisticuffs with another young lady; we reacted in horror at the news that a nineteen-year old young man had been pushed to his death in front of a train because he refused to give up his Ipod; and we were shocked at yet another incident of domestic violence when a young man, apparently distraught regarding the end of his relationship, gunned down his children’s mother, her stepfather and her younger sister’s boyfriend.
It is tempting to wag our heads in disbelief and dismiss the above incidents as common occurrence. Then we don’t have to accept our responsibility.
We must, however, view what happened with a different set of cultural lens. Then we’d see the nexus of parenting, relationships and the perplexing issues touching our youth. We’d see the three incidents not as isolated events, but rather as a continuum of the decline in values that has rocked our country and, by default, our community.
The common ingredient in all three scenarios is violence. We live in a violent culture; our relationships are touched with conflict. The messages we get on an almost daily basis is use force to get what you want. Hence, a mother teaches her young daughter to use her fists; a group of young men use group intimidation; a man employs a bullet.
What’s happened to us? How did we fall so low? And, most crucially, who is responsible?
It’s easy to point out fingers in all three incidents. But here’s the greater point: in a very real sense, all of us – by default – is responsible. We all share in the plot and execution of every conceivable incident of crime in our community when precious lives are taken and even more precious lives are left in tatters.
I am responsible when I don’t use my God-given voice to speak to a person reeking with self-destructive behaviors. Each of the offending parties comes from a family unit. Somebody had to catch wind of a young mother’s angry spirit; somebody had to witness the slow descent of one of those young men into the abyss of negative peer pressure; surely someone had to glimpse the despair of a young man who didn’t quite know how to handle the end of a relationship. And maybe someone did try to intervene at some point, at some time. But was it enough? Could more have been done?
But maybe it’s you reading this piece that may need the most attention. I have been for the last year embroiled in a bitter child visitation and access war with the mother of my youngest son. Words have been exchanged; no doubt insults hurled. But at the forefront of my mind I keep this one positive truth: it doesn’t have to be this way. And that leads me to find other, more diplomatic routes to intervention. But we can commit to doing better, to take a more active role in the lives of those whom we know to be spiraling out of control. We may or may not change outcomes, but in the end what counts is having tried. In trying, we at least prevent the ruined lives left in the wake of tragedy.
First we watched in agony as a young mother egged her middle-school age daughter into fisticuffs with another young lady; we reacted in horror at the news that a nineteen-year old young man had been pushed to his death in front of a train because he refused to give up his Ipod; and we were shocked at yet another incident of domestic violence when a young man, apparently distraught regarding the end of his relationship, gunned down his children’s mother, her stepfather and her younger sister’s boyfriend.
It is tempting to wag our heads in disbelief and dismiss the above incidents as common occurrence. Then we don’t have to accept our responsibility.
We must, however, view what happened with a different set of cultural lens. Then we’d see the nexus of parenting, relationships and the perplexing issues touching our youth. We’d see the three incidents not as isolated events, but rather as a continuum of the decline in values that has rocked our country and, by default, our community.
The common ingredient in all three scenarios is violence. We live in a violent culture; our relationships are touched with conflict. The messages we get on an almost daily basis is use force to get what you want. Hence, a mother teaches her young daughter to use her fists; a group of young men use group intimidation; a man employs a bullet.
What’s happened to us? How did we fall so low? And, most crucially, who is responsible?
It’s easy to point out fingers in all three incidents. But here’s the greater point: in a very real sense, all of us – by default – is responsible. We all share in the plot and execution of every conceivable incident of crime in our community when precious lives are taken and even more precious lives are left in tatters.
I am responsible when I don’t use my God-given voice to speak to a person reeking with self-destructive behaviors. Each of the offending parties comes from a family unit. Somebody had to catch wind of a young mother’s angry spirit; somebody had to witness the slow descent of one of those young men into the abyss of negative peer pressure; surely someone had to glimpse the despair of a young man who didn’t quite know how to handle the end of a relationship. And maybe someone did try to intervene at some point, at some time. But was it enough? Could more have been done?
But maybe it’s you reading this piece that may need the most attention. I have been for the last year embroiled in a bitter child visitation and access war with the mother of my youngest son. Words have been exchanged; no doubt insults hurled. But at the forefront of my mind I keep this one positive truth: it doesn’t have to be this way. And that leads me to find other, more diplomatic routes to intervention. But we can commit to doing better, to take a more active role in the lives of those whom we know to be spiraling out of control. We may or may not change outcomes, but in the end what counts is having tried. In trying, we at least prevent the ruined lives left in the wake of tragedy.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
No Glory Without a Story: How to Move Past the Hurt, Guilt and Mistakes of Your Past
A critically-acclaimed anthology of writers who share the power of the pen to relate how they overcame some incredible odds to claim their God-given, brand-new future! Whatever challenge you are going through, you will be inspired by these valiant men and women of God who's only reason for participating in this project is to empower the reader!
I am honored to have been asked to participate in this life-changing literary project!
No Glory Without a Story! Real stories. Real struggles. Real victories!
Empowered reading!
W. Eric Croomes
Available soon on Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com! For ordering information call 214.493.2875 or 817.504.7257
And join me for the launch of my Conversations on Being Black and Male in America book tour Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 2p to 4p at the Dock Book Store in Fort Worth, Texas 6637 Meadowbrook Driv 817.457.5700
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
W. Eric Croomes presents: No Glory Without a Story!
W. Eric Croomes Presents
Hello my friend! I am excited to announce the publication of the critically-acclaimed book, No Story Without a Story, How to Move Forward in Victory after the Hurt, Guilt and Mistakes of Your Past, to be released June 10, 2011 (M&M Consulting)! This is a book that is edited by Dr. Mia Y. Merritt and compiled by twenty authors whose sole mission is to help readers move through some of life's toughest challenges we as authors have been through!
No Glory Without a Story is an anthology of writers who intimately share how we overcame some very difficult times in our personal lives - broken relationships, parenting issues, financial challenges, depression, infidelity to name a few - how our testimony was shaped and how that testimony can help empower you!
In my chapter - Their Eyes Were Watching Daddy - I write about fatherhood: my story, my lessons and my advice to men who are seeking to remain relevant in the lives of their offspring. As the father of two sons born during two very different periods of my life, I am seeking to be the best father I can be and I want fathers who are struggling with their role to know they have a kindred soul!
No Glory Without A Story is the culmination of a dream of our editor, Dr. Mia Y. Merritt, who desired to compile a literary medium of authors who would directly share their own life stories toward the purpose of empowering those who are going through tough times. I have posted her information below to let you discover more about this incredible woman of God who is changing the world!
I am inviting you to join me on June 18, 2011 from 2pm to 4pm at the Dock Bookstore in Fort Worth, Texas, as I begin a substantive conversation regarding the general issues in No Glory Without a Story and the specific challenges of being black and male in America in relation to fatherhood, relationships and the economy. More information to follow!
No Glory Without a Story! Real stories. Real struggles. Real victories!
Empowered reading!
W. Eric Croomes, contributing author
W. Eric Croomes is an author, motivational speaker and editor of TheVillageReport.Net, a monthly blog-mag dedicated to the educational, economic, social and spiritual empowerment of the African American community. He is host of The Village Report with W. Eric Croomes, a weekly issues and answers talk-show that airs on BlogTalkRadio.com.
Eric is a graduate of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, and is founder and executive director of Their Eyes Were Watching Daddy, a non-profit support group for unmarried and divorced fathers.
In 2002, Eric self-published Dance in the Dark, Poetic Reflections on Love and Culture, a collection of his original poems and essays.
Brotha2Brotha, Becoming Healthy Men from the Inside Out, a spiritual primer for black men is Eric's second self-published book and was released in September, 2006.
Learn more about editor and publisher Dr. Mia Y. Merritt at:
www.miamerritt.com
Contact information for W. Eric Croomes:
W. Eric Croomes
Cell: 214.493.2875
wericcroomes@yahoo.com
Like us on Facebook at: Their Eyes Were Watching Daddy
Hello my friend! I am excited to announce the publication of the critically-acclaimed book, No Story Without a Story, How to Move Forward in Victory after the Hurt, Guilt and Mistakes of Your Past, to be released June 10, 2011 (M&M Consulting)! This is a book that is edited by Dr. Mia Y. Merritt and compiled by twenty authors whose sole mission is to help readers move through some of life's toughest challenges we as authors have been through!
No Glory Without a Story is an anthology of writers who intimately share how we overcame some very difficult times in our personal lives - broken relationships, parenting issues, financial challenges, depression, infidelity to name a few - how our testimony was shaped and how that testimony can help empower you!
In my chapter - Their Eyes Were Watching Daddy - I write about fatherhood: my story, my lessons and my advice to men who are seeking to remain relevant in the lives of their offspring. As the father of two sons born during two very different periods of my life, I am seeking to be the best father I can be and I want fathers who are struggling with their role to know they have a kindred soul!
No Glory Without A Story is the culmination of a dream of our editor, Dr. Mia Y. Merritt, who desired to compile a literary medium of authors who would directly share their own life stories toward the purpose of empowering those who are going through tough times. I have posted her information below to let you discover more about this incredible woman of God who is changing the world!
I am inviting you to join me on June 18, 2011 from 2pm to 4pm at the Dock Bookstore in Fort Worth, Texas, as I begin a substantive conversation regarding the general issues in No Glory Without a Story and the specific challenges of being black and male in America in relation to fatherhood, relationships and the economy. More information to follow!
No Glory Without a Story! Real stories. Real struggles. Real victories!
Empowered reading!
W. Eric Croomes, contributing author
W. Eric Croomes is an author, motivational speaker and editor of TheVillageReport.Net, a monthly blog-mag dedicated to the educational, economic, social and spiritual empowerment of the African American community. He is host of The Village Report with W. Eric Croomes, a weekly issues and answers talk-show that airs on BlogTalkRadio.com.
Eric is a graduate of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, and is founder and executive director of Their Eyes Were Watching Daddy, a non-profit support group for unmarried and divorced fathers.
In 2002, Eric self-published Dance in the Dark, Poetic Reflections on Love and Culture, a collection of his original poems and essays.
Brotha2Brotha, Becoming Healthy Men from the Inside Out, a spiritual primer for black men is Eric's second self-published book and was released in September, 2006.
Learn more about editor and publisher Dr. Mia Y. Merritt at:
www.miamerritt.com
Contact information for W. Eric Croomes:
W. Eric Croomes
Cell: 214.493.2875
wericcroomes@yahoo.com
Like us on Facebook at: Their Eyes Were Watching Daddy
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About the Editor
- W. Eric Croomes
- Arlington, Texas, United States
- W. Eric Croomes is a writer and playwright based in Irving, Texas and a native of Phoenix, Arizona. Eric is a graduate of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Arts in religion and sociology and is founder and executive director of Millennium Men of Color, a non-profit black male advocacy group. In 2002, Eric self-published Dance in the Dark, Poetic Reflections on Love and Culture, a collection of his original poems and essays on love and relationship in the African-American tradition. Three to Eight, a play examining the hours when most teens become pregnant and most juvenile crime is committed, was Eric’s first theatrical release and debuted at the 2004 Black N Blues one act play festival at the African-American museum in Dallas. Brotha2Brotha, Becoming Healthy Men from the Inside Out, a spiritual primer for men of color, was released in September, 2006. Eric’s next book, Thoughts in Black and Male, is slated for release in spring 2008. COMING SOON: THEVILLAGEREPORT.NET Visit Eric at www.wericcroomes.com
January 19, 2008 issue of Golfweek Magazine
and I didn't say 1958!