NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
SBS 318 - 01 Due: 4 / 11 / 05 "Amer-I-Can" 5. 2 yards per carry, never missed a game, won the rushing title every year but one; there was a lot of contenders but if you have to select one, you have to pick Jim (Brown) as the greatest running back in history"- Bob Costas Multi-media, press, and prevalent negative propaganda would leave one to believe that Athletes are, besides accumulating points, only capable of drug abuse, domestic violence and extortion. Being a collegiate student-athlete, at times I too have fallen prey to such malicious stereotypes. However, what may not be read about in daily periodicals nor seen on the nightly news, are the positive things that athletes do outside of their respective sports. For example, the proceeds and efforts of African- born professional basketball player, Dikembe Mutombo to his native village, are rarely mentioned. One would be hard-pressed to find any information about Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn's "Single Mother's Home Buyers Program." Most importantly, as successful as its curriculum has been, archives on Jim Brown's "Amer- I-Can Foundation" for advancement and self-esteem elevation, seemingly have been esoteric. Jim Brown is to running backs what Superman is to cartoons.
Standing 6 ' 2 " and packing a solid 230 pounds on a square-shouldered frame, he was an explosive fullback. He played only nine seasons for he Cleveland Browns and led the NFL in rushing eight times. Nevertheless, unlike most athletes, Brown retired when he was on top. At age 30, he decided he'd rather star in movies than on the gridiron. When he left the game before the 1966 season, no player had ever ran for as many yards as he had (12, 312) nor scored as many touchdowns. Yet and still football was not even his best sport; he is the only athlete ever to be inducted into the halls of fame for professional football, college football, and lacrosse.
Despite appearing in more than 32 movies and chartering the Negro Industrial Economic Union to assist Black-owned businesses, he created the Amer-I-Can program, in an effort to turn gang members from destructive to productive members of the society. Through involvement in several in-prison and "aftercare" programs (i. e. Vital Issues Project, Jobs Plus and Coors Golden Door), Brown an experienced community-activist, recognized that in order to be successful in any type of retraining or education, the attitude of the recipient was the key. Such programs addressed life management skills, human development and self-esteem issues, which carried over to the philosophy and current structure of the Amer-I-Can Program. The Amer-I-Can Program is a 60 to 90 hour, 15 chapter, Life Management Skills curriculum that is designed to empower individuals to take charge of their lives and achieve their full potential.
The objective of the program is to cause participants to examine their past conditioned behavior patterns and to systematically apply proven methods to overcome behavior that negatively influenced their lives. The beauty of Amer-I-Can is that is applicable to all people as it transcends race, age, gender, religion, and socio-economic status. Amer-I-Can boasts to exchange an "I Can't" for "I Can" attitude in the mental's of ex-convicts and gang members trying to find a new beginning. It is based on the assumption that all who felt they could make a positive change in their life would.
Though not an Amer-I-Can participant, nor alive to see Jim Brown play, the mission statement and general applications of the program greatly appeal to me and my situation. Having done my fair share in the California court system, I understand the importance and relevance of such a resource. Much like the prejudice that is dealt when people find out I'm and athlete, the same assumptions are frequently impressed upon former prisoners and gang members. It is a type of strange paradox that when youth are alienated from society they turn to gangs and criminal activity for acceptance, and after time has been served or re-commitment to positive lifestyles has been made, society will continue to alienate those parties because of what they formerly were.
It is a marker or tag analogous to a social security card or fingerprint used to identify some sort of negativity that once plagued a life. The obstacles set up by society can be of an unparalleled difficulty and so such a program is not only an outlet but a necessary means to get back on track. A Southern California native myself, the true power and efficacy of this program was apparent when I found out it was Brown and his organization who were responsible for the truce and union of the infamous blood and crip gangs.
Free research essays on topics related to: gang members, management skills, athletes, running back, athlete
Research essay sample on Gang Members Management Skills
