I had a great opportunity to take some great photos of an Occupy Chicago pre-rally, in downtown Chicago.
Corner of Jackson and Lasalle, October 10th, 2011
Student: Mr. Bobb, I have a serious question to ask you later on. Is that cool?
Me: Yeah that’s cool. Is everything all right?
Student: Yeah. I would ask you now, but there’s too many students around, and it might be inappropriate. I don’t want to be offensive.
Me: Okay, that’s fine. Just find me later.
Student: Actually, I want to ask you now…
Me: (thinking this must be serious) Go ahead.
Student: How in the world did a guy like you manage to pull such a bad female? I mean SHE BAD! How did you do that? I saw the picture and was like, “Dang she gotta be thick”. Mr. Morris don’t think she thick, but I think she is. How did you do it?
Me: …
Student: Was that inappropriate?
(moral of the story: be careful who you accept on facebook)
Tavis Smiley speaks concerning the state of urban young men in the public school system. Urban Prep Academy is featured.
Student: Mr. Bobb, if I get a 4.0, would you write me a letter of recommendation so I can go to DePaul like you did?
Me: Absolutely Sir!
Student: Thanks, I’m going to give you a pat on the back.
Me: … Huh? Why?
Student: Well I want to say thank you, but I don’t want to rob you of your masculinity by giving you a hug!
Student: Mr. Bobb, you look like you belong in an Ashley Stewart commercial?
Me: Really? You know Ashley Stewart is a plus sized women’s clothing store, right?
Student: …uh yeah… I knew that Mr. Bobb. You’re a woman plus sized model.
(he clearly didn’t know what Ashley Stewart was… and I’m clearly not plus sized, nor a woman).
In November 2009, I had an amazing opportunity to travel to the beautiful country of Kenya. Though undoubtedly enamored by the natural beauty of the Motherland, I was equally captivated by the movement for female empowerment throughout the region. The Green Belt Movement, started by Nobel Prize recipient, Wangari Maathai, was a organization that emphasized the empowerment of women, through the medium of agricultural sustainability.
Today the world has lost a remarkable leader. I am glad to have had the opportunity to experience her movement first hand, and I am hopeful that the movement will continue to thrive. Thank you for your contribution Wangari Maathai. May your legacy continue to live on.
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its paths adorn
I dream a world where all
Will know sweet freedom’s way,
Where greed no longer saps the soul
Nor avarice blights our day.
A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the earth
And every man is free,
Where wretchedness will hang its head
And joy, like a pearl,
Attends the needs of all mankind-
Of such I dream, my world!
