IN PHOTOS-POEMS & VIDEOS

THE BELLS-HATTIE T & HB

A BLACK MOTHER’S LOVE-HER CHILDREN,

MARYLAND STATE SENATOR ANGELA ALSOBROOKS MAKING CHILDREN FIRST.

In 1969 white students were bussed in from a Seventh-Day Ventists Takomac Park, Maryland high school. The students were volunteer tutors for the Kids In Trouble Saturday Program in DC. They became the standard-bearers for high school students nationwide receiving college credits for volunteering in their communities. (Afro-America Newspaper)

Boxing Champions from the Kronk Gym in Detroit, Michigan, Thomas ‘Hit Man’ Heans and Hilmer Kenty participate in a Kids In Trouble Fight Night in DC.

Cardozo High School swimming coach Hattie T teaches survival training to her students.

NFL Films video tape Washington Redskins football players, MVP RB Larry Brown, and LB Harold McLinton teach water safety at the Kids In Trouble Saturday Program for a nationally televised audience.

Kids In Trouble’s first Christmas Toy Party for elementary school children (1968). My Virginia Sailor football teammate LB George Kelly was Santa’s Helper. The party was held at the old Turner’s Arena in NW DC.

KIT Santa’s Helpers are Super Bowl MVP QB Doug Williams and Jim ‘Bad News’ Barnes (NBA)

Former Spingarn High School basketball coach, the late Rev. William Roundtree looks on as former student/athletes, HBell and Byron Kirkley assist as Santa’s Helpers for his youth center.

HBell and youth on a tour of the Charles Houston Recreation Center in Alexandria, Virginia. They are standing in front of a statue of NBA pioneer Earl Lloyd. The first Black to play in an NBA game in 1950.

“Some time ago, there was a man who had a dream that sparked a plan, he took one Hattie as his wife and ventured forth, fulfilling life.

Then came along a certain morn and “Inside Sports” was born.  Yes, Harold Bell would bring his show of sports of sorts to radio.

His moral strength would play its part with gifts to kids to inspire and give them heart!  The obstacles that lined the course he fought with fury and force!

Today, with Hattie standing tall he answers life toughest calls.  With love for all along the way.  It is for whom the Bells toil for everyday!“

Author / May 1980

Murray Brooks (Doris)   

A GRIEVING MOTHER’S TEARS

Who is Harold Bell?  From where I sit, a man obsessed with youth and children’s plight.  He is a man who walks swiftly away from compromise, aggressively wanting things right.  Who is Harold Bell?  From where I sit, he is an arrogant rebel with youth as his cause.  He keeps raising their issues without fear or pause.

Why does Harold Bell do what he does, and why does he do it his way?  It may be because many others who did it are longer doing it today.  It may be that those who have risen to the heights don’t quite remember any more.  For once they have left the place of their birth they throw away the key that once opened the door.  Harold Bell is no diplomat; perhaps he doesn’t know how the game is played! Perhaps he is naïve to think that “Superstars” are coming back where he stays.  Could it be that it is not vogue to court the poor, or not want a black child to die, or maybe it is politically incorrect to ask the question why?

Maybe Harold Bell speaks up too much, or perhaps he is far too crude.  Or maybe he has spoken out against the establishment, or maybe he has just been rude.  But Harold Bell didn’t invent rudeness nor does he speak as loud as some, for leaders have known through the ages that justice goes to the beating drum.

Harold Bell perhaps understands that silence somehow appears to be consent.  And he knows that our oppressors flourish when our heads and backs are bended.  He also knows that children maybe homeless or parentless or in pain.  He also knows that their need to survive is real and to reach out to our children the World gains.

Thank God Harold Bell has access to the media so that we can read and listen to his candid outspoken word.  Thank God for readers and listeners who understand motivation is what we need.  Thank God for those like Harold Bell, who speak out against “Kids killing kids,” crack, heroin and speed.

It is hard for me to understand why some may dislike Harold Bell!  He is such a nice guy it is hard to believe some would turn him off while little children die.  There may have been a word that even Harold Bell could say that would have caused the listener to save a child along the way.

But such is life we can’t always please, so why expect it of Harold Bell?  He did not create today’s problems and who are we to judge we do so little well?  At least he is study on the course and he is consistent from year to year.  We need more Harold Bells who understand our plight and “A Grieving Mother’s Tears!”

Author

Earl Tildon / August 1993

photo credits / fred sheppard

THE SOUNDS OF INSIDE SPORTS!

 

WHATS IN YOUR WALLET?