book review, Racing While Black

Racing While Black
How an African-American Stock Car Team Made Its Mark on NASCAR

Leonard T. Miller, Andrew Simon

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As I began to read the book, I remembered in my mid-teens I had been to a drag race in Albuquerque in the mid-1970s that featured "Hell On Wheels": the car had a tank-styled theme. And, my first stepfather had an audio album recording of drag racing sounds. That's right, and album of nothing but drag racing...

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The book chronicles the experiences of a father and son who love racing and choose to own a team with the goal of participating in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). For all of their successes, there are many instances of overwhelming...and surprising examples of...lack of support from various types of people, white and black. Frustration is a constant theme within the book, as well as a love and passion for racing.

The negative responses from some Caucasians was not surprising. The described instances of unfulfilled agreements, and reneged commitments, greatly disturbed me. Those who said they were going to be helpful and abandoned Miller remind me of the phrase, "shooting oneself in the foot": they shot themselves in theirs (and shot Miller in his at the same time). There were potential sponsors that gave the impression they would participate, and never did. And major business organizations, and individuals, made commitments and did not honor them...but did attempt to take some credit for any glory and success that may have occurred.

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(Half-way through the book I thought this will make a great mini-series, or movie...and then I find...)

Leonard T. Miller is the screenwriter of the upcoming movie "Silent Thunder" which is based on the book by his father, Leonard W. Miller who is the first black owner of an American car racing team. HighRoad Entertainment has optioned the rights...

Power 1490, KJYK-Tucson, Reunion

Power 1490 Reunion

at Pearl Nightclub

Location:

445 Wetmore Rd (at Oracle) Tucson, AZ 85705

Saturday, May 22, 2010

begins at 9:00pm (to 2:00am)

15 years ago, Tucson's groundbreaking, underground Hip-Hop station, Power 1490 was turned off--with no notice, no goodbyes, no explanations.

The Power 1490 DJs have stayed in touch over the years, and for the first time in over a decade, are all getting together for The Power 1490 Reunion party at Pearl Nightclub.

Come meet and party with all your favorite Power 1490 DJs you used to listen to in high school! From Killer Keith, to Bruce St. James, M.C. Boogie D, Slick, Gary The Sandman, Brett The Man, Fat Head, R Dub, Kid Loco and many many more--they'll all be there! Plus Power 1490's DJ Blade will me in the mix with your favorite jams from the 90's!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and the only time all the Power 1490 DJs will be together at one event, so come join us and re-live the old school, when we used to cruise South 6th Avenue, buy tapes at Loco's Music, and of course listen to Hip-Hop on the AM dial...

Power 1490 Jams!

the suicide tourist (FRONTLINE - PBS)

the suicide tourist (FRONTLINE - PBS) - Slick Show's MySpace Blog |

— Five months after being diagnosed with ALS, Craig Ewert arrived in Switzerland for his scheduled suicide. A story about struggling to live ... and deciding when to die.

It caused me to think about Andrew Koenig, Michael Blosil...my friend, Judi McHenry...and the father of Keith Olbermann.