Oakland Raiders Need Black Roses on Black Friday: Courage and Strength

Thanksgiving is a family day. It is a day when we are thankful for all of the wonderful things we have experienced, or that we possess.

Good health, sound mind, healthy children, a job, and friends and family are just a few of the things for which we express appreciation.

When the family is large and competitive, they have a great time "kidding" each other about their favorite football team.

Well, I am in Texas, so most of my family was pulling for the Dallas Cowboys. In college football, we were split between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies.

There was a moment when folks got a little loud. Here is the reason: One of my nieces got her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas, and her Ph.D. from Texas A&M.

Her husband got his bachelor's in engineering from the University of Texas, and his M.B.A. from Texas A&M. So, who did they pull for? It was confusing.

Finally, they stuck with the University of Texas.

When the dust from that decision settled it was time for a new target. Me. I became the one picked on and questioned about being a die-hard Oakland Raiders fan. They wondered why, and they were bold enough to ask.

I gave them my short version of why I am a consistent and dedicated supporter of the  Raiders. Yes, I debated their current standing in the NFL, but I insisted that Oakland has the potential of rising up in rank, no matter what the situation may be.

So, we looked at the game. There was a point when most of the family decided that Oakland had lost any hope of winning, and the group, using a majority vote, changed the channel during the last few minutes of the game.

I shouted out, "Don't do that, because Oakland may win it in the last few seconds."

The matriarch in my family looked at me with a gaze that said, "Are you serious?"

Well, you know what happened. So, Nov. 27 is Black Friday for more than one reason.

Black communicates mourning. Yes, Raiders fans should be saddened because things are not looking good right now. The team is up one day, and down another.

Our record for 2009 is 3-8, and "The Terrible Towel" just may bring more tears to our eyes next week. I hope not, but I must deal with reality at this point.

Now, tell me, what do we do in times like these? Well, we redefine the meaning of some of these experiences. Here I go, trying to squeeze some positives out of a dim and dark situation in 2009.

Here is what I want to say, using two quotes:

"It is true that black is the color of death. But death does not always cause mourning.

"It can also be the beginning of new things, a journey into unexplored territory. The black rose, because it symbolizes death and passing away, also indicates a major change or upheaval in the future.

"In that sense, the black rose also means the death of old habits and the old order. It inspires confidence and enthusiasm by signaling the birth of a new era of hope and joy."

Another quote reassures us:

"The black rose, tragic in its dark beauty, is not always symbolic of unhappiness. The Irish have used the lyrics of 'the Little Black rose' during their ongoing battle with the British. Similarly, many anarchist and anti-authoritarian groups have also adopted the black rose as a symbol of mutiny and strength.

"Therefore, the meaning of the black rose also includes courage and resistance."

In conclusion, I hereby present the Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation with a black rose. Courage, and resistance to failure, strength and mutiny against those who believe we can never rise above the challenges are what should be proclaimed.

We are going to redefine what most people tag as "loss" and call the "lesson."

We are in a stage of preparation, and because there are many covert and overt issues that must be dealt with, we know that we need time to diagnose, and prescribe remedies to reverse the trend we are currently experiencing.

Accept your black rose, and clasp the courage and strength to continue believing in the Oakland Raiders. 

Source of Photos: Photobucket