don't postpone joy.

Friday Night Lights has not been cited as a majority favorite or classic by anybody I have interacted with, but in my mind based solely on the phrase titling this post it has immense merit. Coach Taylor embodies the articulate morality behind commitment- to a team, to a family, to friends, and to yourself. I only viewed season one and part of season two (from what I hear the show goes downhill after- perhaps I’ll explore this for myself one day) but the seasons inspired me to embrace certain responsibilities and strive harder to achieve goals I care about. 

The phrase “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” is chanted by the Dillon Panthers as they get pumped for the game. I took away the sense of viewing any situation with knowledge and accepting the self-evident emotions within your heart as ultimate prerequisites to gaining victory in any situation, not just football. It’s the core applicability of the phrase and the motivational discipline demonstrated by the players, coaches, friends and families in FNL that leave you feeling inspired- a feeling which is difficult to duplicate in real life. 

I am the stone that builder refused

I am the visual

The inspiration

That made lady sing the blues

I’m the spark that makes your idea bright

The same spark

That lights the dark

So that you can know your left from your right

I am the ballot in your box

The bullet in your gun

The inner glow that lets you know

To call your brother son

The story that just begun

The promise of what’s to come

And I’m ‘a remain a soldier till the war is won//

In November of 2008 I spent my Thanksgiving break in Gatlinburg, TN with my family and friends to enjoy the fresh mountain air, the changing colors of the foliage, and some high-quality satire. My friend Curran and his family were with us, and he brought several DVDs for our entertainment. Seasons One and Two of the Boondocks- a controversial, intelligent, and hilarious show addressing issues relating to stereotypes in race and commentary about America’s political and social scene- made their way to TN with us and I was hooked from the first notes of the intro song (by Asheru- lyrics provided above.)

While I have never concerned myself with race relations to the extent the show delves into Afrocentric culture, rap, African-American controversies and issues I nonetheless enjoyed the show thoroughly. Episodes such as Huey’s Christmas special entitled “A Huey Freeman Christmas,” “the Return of the King” in which MLK Jr., rather than being assassinated is put into a coma and awakes to a new culture he attacks in a fervent speech, and “the Itis” which indicts the unhealthy food culture and demonstrates political exploitation in the last few moments remained in my mind after watching them.

I am revisiting the first two seasons after recently realizing that the show is returning for a Third and final season, which centered around Obama’s election in last week’s premiere episode (Bill Maher had an inspired guest role indicting ignorance, a major theme in the show.) Already upset that this is the last season, I am excited that television with pertinent, intense, and important messages still exists and eagerly await next week’s episode.