High Expectations for Your Children and for the Oakland Raiders

Have you ever sat on top of the world, tumbled down, bounced around with a frown, hovered low, near the ground? Sometimes, I feel that has happened to the Oakland Raiders. Nevertheless, I have faith. I have high expectations.

Well, if your team dominated for about 22 years and then in recent years is fighting to get back on top of the mountain, you have got to persist, prepare and prevail, and never giving up on your team.

Well, I feel that way about the Oakland Raiders.  We have got to get back on top of the world.  It will be symbolic for many who have hit rock bottom and want to rise up, fly and glide like an eagle, high up in the atmosphere of achievement in NFL football.

Let's just say, I have a lot of old-fashioned courage or spirit.

For example, I chose mathematics as a major when few African-American women were recognized for high achievement in mathematics. 

The parallel is that it took hours and hours of study and preparation to understand topology, finite element methods, and splines. 

Similarly, I expect that same intense, focused, and hard work to be exhibited by the Oakland Raiders. 

If I, a woman, can achieve in mathematics, then the tough guys on the team can lift off the ground and ascend higher up in the NFL.

If I, as a single parent, raised a high achiever who graduated in the top one percent of her high school class of 700 students, then the coaches at Oakland can inspire a winning team.

That same child matriculated with a triple major from Rice University and landed a good position with the government. She is fluent in three languages.  Once more, I expect great things from the Oakland Raiders.

Again, that child has traveled all over the world, then surely the great team who dominated the NFL for about 22 years can lift off like a space ship and head toward higher elevations.

The child was coached.  The child responded.  The child achieved.

The Oakland Raiders have good coaches.  We expect the team to respond.  We expect the Oakland Raiders to achieve.

It's simple.  In educational psychology, there is a concept called "teacher expectations." There is another concept which says, "To whom much is given, much is required."  We, the fans, have great expectations for the Oakland Raiders.  Now, give us what is required!