THE SCENE: 74 degrees F, 82% humidity, partly cloudy skies.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH, Overhead/Out Front Claps, Imperial Squat Walkers, Plank Walk Outs
THA-THANG:
Meander mosey to Waxjob Hill
AMRAP: 8 Minutes Each Round/1 Minute rest
Round 1: 10 reps 3,4,5,6 Body Builder – Run Up Hill – 10 reps 1,2,7,8 Body Builder
Round 2: 10 reps 4 count Shoulder Taps – Bear Crawl Hill – 10 reps WWII Sit Ups
Round 3: 10 reps Carolina Dry Docks – Bernie Up Hill – 10 reps 4 Count Flutter Kicks
Mosey back to the Grinder
Round 4: 10 reps/leg Step Ups – Skip 40 yards – 10 reps Merkins
MARY:
Box Cutters, Windshield Wipers, LBCs
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
Total of 21 including two young sons (Coconut and Nightmare) of 3 Rivers and FNG Palmetto (Darren Macy)
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
There was a lot of turbulence in the 1960’s. They were marked by assassinations, a nuclear war threat, the Vietnam War, war protests, racial tensions, and a growing drug culture. I entered high school in 1966 into a newly expanded, air conditioned building in a small town 45 miles southeast of Houston, TX. Lamar Consolidated High School was being integrated with the closing of A. W. Jackson, an African-American only high school. With a student population of almost 2,000, things went very smoothly from my teenage perspective.
We are presently in a period that has some resemblances to the 1960’s when it comes to racial tensions. In the 50 years since my graduation from high school, there have been far too many incidences that remind me of the deep rooted inequality and prejudices that still exist in our country. Each time these incidences occur and at various other times I pull out a small clip from my wallet. It is from March of 1970 and it has been in all of the wallets I have owned over the past 50 years. It is a short letter to the editor of Newsweek magazine. It is titled, Absurdity and Insanity:
Well, I suppose that all of those white rioters in Lamar, S.C. (NATIONAL AFFAIRS, March 16), will go home, wipe the dust off their cars, shine up their “America, Love It or Leave It” signs, watch the evening news and be disgusted with the young revolutionaries, go to church on Sunday and, when election time rolls around again, vote for George Wallace who will protect them against all of these damn dissenters. BOB MAYHAM
Given the events around the death of George Floyd, I decided to do a little research about the Lamar SC Riots and came upon an article about some of the black students riding the buses the day two of the buses were overturned by white rioters. The article concerned a 50th anniversary gathering of several students. Mary Timmons was 16 years old at the time and was in one of four buses stopped. Hers was not overturned but I can only imagine the fear she must have felt. A quick search on Facebook and I sent her a photo of the Newsweek clip and a personal note on Facebook Messenger. I wrote on May 28th:
Dr Timmons. I was reading about the terrible tragedy in Minneapolis with the merciless death of George Floyd. Similar travesties happens far, far too often. Each time I pull out this little short letter to the Newsweek editor from March 1970. I have carried it in my billfold since my senior year in high school, 50 years ago. I was sharing this clip with a Facebook friend and giving her some background about it. Today in a Google search about the Lamar Riot I came across an article with your name in it. I thought I would share it with you. Much has happened in the past 50 years. Progress has been made but the rate of change has not been fast enough. You obviously endured great pain 50 years ago. May God’s grace continue to engulf you and help you be a light to others.
It wasn’t until June 8th that I receive the following:
Thank you so much Bob.
We never know whose lives we touch as we going through. God always has a purpose beyond our imagination. What we go through is not about us, but to help strengthen others during their time. I am so happy to be a witness in this hour we are in. I never thought fifty years later we would be facing the world of change. What is so beautiful is we have the world standing with us.
I was touched by her words. Perhaps this time around we will get it right as a society, as a country, as incredibly blessed creatures of a loving God.
MOLESKIN:
Insert any personal comments, notes, devotion content, etc.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Insert information about upcoming events, 2nd or 3rd F opportunities, and any other announcements.
THE SCENE: