My name is Robert Williams, I grew up in Chicago, Illinois, amidst beloved rascals and vagabonds (i.e., Stompdown, poochie, bucky, fatdaddy, and nate) at the intersection located at 55th Garfield & Normal in the south side community named Englewood.

The Invisible Dragon has been maintained since March 2007 as a personal journal of collected experiences.  Subsequently, the blog’s purpose was to chronicle my clinical depression treatment.  Also, as important, I expected to journal my spiritual transformation into a better person, husband, and friend.  Not to forget, too, the Tao Te Ching (The Way) would help in the transition from being a nasty ego-driven brute to a less ego-driven brute.  Read my blog page titled, “How I met the Tao” for more insight on Daoism.  Nevertheless, I found my (peace) of space.

In August 2009, I returned to school as a result of repeated failures at business and life.  I needed a place to recover, discover, and refocus.  Recently, (December 2011) I have become a student interested in postsecondary developmental education and black male student-athletes.  Presently, I’m a student in the doctoral program at Northern Illinois University in Curriculum and Instructions in the Literacy Education Department.  The poor boy, from the ghetto, a scholar perhaps?  Drum roll please.

Football, since the age of five, has been in my life religiously.  I played youth and high school football in Chicago, ill with honors.  I subsequently walked-on at Eastern Illinois University (1980-83) and earned three-time conference honors and earned two First-Team Kodak All-American (1982-83) awards.  After college, I played two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers before blowing out my knee.  In September 2007, I was inducted into Eastern Illinois University’ Athletic Hall of Fame.

As you might envision, I am not, anti-sport.  Sport, specifically amateurism, however, has major issues.  I’ll investigate significant topics, e.g., college free labor exploitation, and academic that is plagued amongst the institutions.  Without question, the present state of amateur sport e.g., youth, scholastic, and college is in disarray.  By the way, I have a twitter account (stickwithfb) which injects important information and recent news on the topic.  Hit the follow button and stay abreast of critical but well investigated theories, sentiments, and opinions.

In sum, too, I will fuse musings on other subjects, i.e., school-to-prison pipeline, disparities in school discipline, and postsecondary developmental education).  Lest I forget, I am bi-lingual as my mother and grandmother spoke profanity fluently.  I will, on occasion, use it in their honor when applicable to illustrate a point.  If you’re offended, I am apologetic, nevertheless, chalk it up as a lesson in diversity, linguistics, and ethnic culture.

Enjoy the Dragon