Before we get this “old school" party started, Dr. Wade would like to give a high-five to Chicago’s 102.7 (V103) crew, inspiring work all around, “old school for life.”  In honor of those generations who don’t have a clue about how good life was "back in the day", and to verify stories they may have heard, I felt it would be a great idea to start an open dialog by painting an extensive picture of “RESPECT” to show “new school” how good life was during the “old school days.”

This is an open and interactive site and we invite all “old school” alumni and “new school” to log on and continue painting the picture.  Our hope is that new school will get a clear vision and be filled with a spirit that will make them want to step up to the challenge to create a “new world” made from “respect, character and kindness.”  New school, it’s up to you to care enough about your neighborhoods block-by-block, communities, and the world to take part in the responsibility to make it safer and better for all.

New school says, “Old school is out,” ‘new school’ is in.”  I’d just like to first point out the difference and the reality between the two.  During the old school days we fought daily and some got beat up and beat down, but we lived to fight another day!  We valued and loved life; no one wanted to die, nor did we literally think about killing.  New school, for the most part, does not value their lives or others; they kill and are proud, tattooing “RIP” on their arms.  New school, please help us understand how you can kill over turf you don’t even own?

Even though the world’s a very different place today (lacking respect and kindness), there is no reason, nor any excuse for the present behavior of human beings.  Life is the most precious gift you will ever receive.  We live in the greatest country in the world and you can be, do and have anything you dream.  The secret: “You” have to have a vision "a dream" a plan, a willingness to work hard at least six days of the week and most importantly, learn the art of ENDURANCE.  And with a strong faith in God all your dreams will come true in the "divine order of time." You do not have to be a rocket scientist, doctor, lawyer or baker to be successful.

In honor of: Steve Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Diana Ross, The Staple Singers, Michael Jackson, Cher etc., etc., etc., "let’s get it on" by showing Self-Respect and RESPECT for others.      

Let's begin painting the picture; "back in the day,” everyone knew their neighbors, block-by-block, adults respected each other, we talked to them with respect and common courtesy -- saying “thank you,” “excuse me,” and “please” was like breathing -- automatic.  We played and settled our conflicts -- “differences” -- without killing.  We were proud and took care of our neighborhood/community.  Neighbors called our parents when they saw us acting up/out in public. Everyone called them “nosy neighbors,” however, the neighborhood was safer and everyone knew who was crazy and who to stay away from.

In Chicago’s Madison Park, an area within Hyde Park, Mr. Johnson, the grounds keeper chased us off the lawn and confiscated our footballs and all the other balls he got his hands on.  We gave up our seats on the bus for seniors and women.  We knew when to be seen and heard and we did not see and hear every adult thing by twelve months old.

Parents did not use the television as a baby sitter and we could not watch 24/7.  Television was not as vulgar or violent and children were not allowed to act in adult violent movies.  Television was not as vulgar or violent.  Many, many, many, more children could read, write, spell, add, subtract and communicate without talking loud and cussing!!!  For the most part, we were not “Stuck on Stupid,”  we had common sense and shared opinions.  Music was “real music” using instruments, full of love, and you could understand every word in songs.

More importantly, men referred to one another as “man” or “brother” and men respected women because women knew they had the milk and how much it was WORTH.  Most folks, when in public most were well groomed: their clothes were clean, they smelled clean, and their hair and nails were clean.  Men took their caps off when entering a home, building or restaurant; they knew the time and place to wear jeans and gym shoes and they dressed for most occasions to impress.

Most importantly, we respected our parents and parents respected us.  Parents had some say over our bodies, wardrobe, and outings.  They knew our friends, and their parents.  Families ate dinner at the table, had polite conversations on our daily activities, even invited the neighbor children over to share a meal.  When we were put on punishment, there was no “time out” -- we lived out each day of that punishment.  We respected our teachers; and the PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) knew one another and respected each other.  Parents knew what subjects we had, when our exams were, and lipstick and dating were not allowed until “Sweet 16” and “Gentle 16.”  Girls dressed so that boys had to use their imaginations, boys called girls by their birth names and picked them up at their homes for a date, because they had to meet their fathers.  And for the most part, old school fathers and stepfathers were there!

Bottom line: In the old school days until you turned 18 -- “grown” -- and could move out and “get your own house” so you could do “whatever” you wanted to do “in your house.”  In the “old school house,” we were respectful, did what we were told, when we were told and most of us did not like it “one bit” -- we all talked big stuff under our breaths.

However, most of us survived with a sense of dignity, integrity and gratitude.  The few who had “hard heads” dropped out of school, got jobs, got pregnant, got involved in drugs, went to jail, became homeless or are no longer with us.  There were about eight who were so smart, they went on to college early.

In honor of "Old school" and RESPECT have fun continuing painting the picture…….... “New school,” we welcome and challenge you to begin painting the picture of a “new world.” In the meantime, old school will continue to reminisce about the past, shake our heads in disbelief about the present, and hope the future will some how reflect the FUN we had "back in the day." I leave you with a shout-out to my favorite comedian, Chris Rock, here's to "teaching the children some stuff, other than mommy be back."

______________________________"Old school for life."____________________________

Please assist us in brining back "Old School Respect" by donating to the "Polite and Powerful™ Project." Our motto: "You can't get any cooler than behaving like a lady or gentleman."

• Assist us in doing the work our government cannot do because it’s not their job.

• Assist us in doing the work most parents don’t have time to do because they work two-three jobs, have other issues and may have lost hope. 

• Assist us so teachers can teach and children can learn discipline and how to solve conflicts

• Assist us in instilling in our society that, “Having good manners matters.” 

• Assist us in educating children on the fact that, being polite is not only self-empowering, it’s self-fulfilling and “COOL.”

• Assist us in educating children year round in life/social skills and character traits to create healthy, happy, well-rounded, productive and proud Americans.

• Assist us by being encouraged with a positive attitude, patience, and kindness towards all human beings.

Your support communicates that "having good manners matters."

Thank you in advance!

Have Fun painting the picture.....................

Make a donation today - $9.99 minimum
100% goes toward the Polite and Powerful™ project.

$9.99 $ (i.e. $10.00)

The Polite and Powerful™ project is a major attempt to deal with some of the unrest among today’s young people. It seeks to build a solid foundation base on high “self-esteem”/”self-worth” and respect for others. The project’s educational, entertaining and challenges young people to understand, there’s a time and place for everything and “having good manners will always matter.”  The life/social skills’ focused on will give them the “POWER” to make all their dreams come true. Your donations will assist in expanding the project and allow children who cannot afford to attend the opportunity to participate.  Your donations will help make the “playing field equal.”   For more information please contact us or go to our under-construction Web site www.politeandpowerful.com.

Thank you and God bless you for your
Old School and New School Assist.