GERALD GARTH

I still have a certain level of conviction that doesn’t let me wear bare arms in church - even over 10 years after leaving. Sunday, I saw a young man, about 23 with such, and I had to do what I call a self-check—that is, get a grip on my own judgment and thoughts. I remember the elders of my years in church would lead with Pharasaical phrases and elitist responses to the expressions of my generation. They would shun and scorn unstockinged legs and razored lightening bolts

Less than two weeks into the new year and “resolution check!” My belt is down a couple notches and my arms are filling out my tees a little better—check. I’ve got a handle on managing a full-time job, full-time school, and full-time board commitment—check. I talk to my mama and God everyday—check. Seems like everything is in a good place. Until I look at the love department. Year after year, I square myself up in the mirror and give myself a good talking-to. (“You is sm

“Oh My Thirties” co-host and friend, Corrinne Williams, shared this title gem from her grandmother with me. The original phrase inverted blessing and forgiveness (which are arguably interchangeable), but in either order, the phrase spoke to me personally. In our most recent podcast, “Forgiveness,” Corrinne and I unpack all the ins and outs of forgiveness, particularly as it relates to an absent parent. But in true OMT form, we dived into the layers of unforgiveness and how

Today would have been the 75th birthday of my grandfather, my PawPaw. “Frog,” as he was affectionately called was a spitfire of a man—a lion and a lamb. A man of average height, but built like a tank. He got the nickname Frog from his running days. While he was strong and low to the ground, he moved with grace and speed. Of course, by the time I came around, Frog’s running days were long gone, but he still had that spring in his step that made Frog, Frog. Something that

During holiday times, many of us put extra stress on ourselves to maintain the perfect weight, host the perfect dinner, buy the perfect gifts—and what is the common thread? Unrealistic. From Halloween to New Years, Americans are bombarded with images of perfect couples with perfect engagement rings, perfect kids with perfect manners, perfect cars wrapped in perfect red ribbons—meanwhile, I’m drinking $2.00 wine alone from a tumbler in mismatched socks. Not so perfect, right?

I see in me that my capacity goes to eternity in what I feel for you. My love, my life, my thoughts, my doings all express how I'm real for you. I'm full and overflowing, swelling, never-ceasing, my love for you is Ever-increasing, swollen like rivers, spilling over and growing over. Its power is stronger than an ocean. The power of love knows no limits. Its capacity knows no end. My love peaks mountains and pits seas. Encompasses the skies and out numbers the sands and the

I once read that an oppressed people long for a group to oppress. Does this explain why groups are so quick to divide? All these subcategories! I won’t even begin to ramble off the titles and designations groups have. Preferences are one thing, but to be rude, bitter, and just down right ugly is unacceptable. And it’s generally some extreme sub-sect that seeks this high horse. Now I will say, there are some things that turn my head (and stomach) more than others. But a w

All it takes is one. One person to get you. To see your talent. To take a risk on you. To believe in you. And we’ve all seen it; it can all change in a heartbeat. The business is all about perception. Nobody knows who you are or what you’re about or how extraordinary your talent might be—and then one day it changes. Or it changes once you show them. And then all of a sudden, everyone’s interested. But to get to that “one” you have to create opportunities to be seen. And it ta

Viola Davis has openly addressed the comments made by New York Times writer Alessandra Stanley. Stanley recently said Davis was “less classically beautiful” while referring to Shonda Rhimes, producer of How to Get Away With Murder, as an angry black woman. In response to that article, New York Times public editor, Margaret Sullivan, said it was “astonishingly tone-deaf and out of touch.” Sullivan also noted, “The readers and commentators are correct to protest this story.” Sh

Sesame Street has become synonymous with childhood wonder and knowledge. For generations, the show has offered learning of ABC’s and 123’s through songs, activities, and the like. But outside of these key lessons, Sesame Street has made it a point to showcase diversity. Celebrities, the child actors, and even the puppets themselves gave young viewers faces that looked like theirs. One of the latest new faces is that of Lupita Nyong’o. As a dark-skinned actress, Nyong’o’s