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From 1994 to 1998 I was one of a few thousand African Americans attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I enjoyed every little bit of blue heaven that I could soak up during those four years. I made some lifelong friends – and memories. Part of those memories were the victories that our women’s basketball and track teams kept bringing home each year (I won’t mention the men’s football and basketball teams … but know we had that on lock too). At the center of these victories was Marion Jones.  We weren’t best buds, in fact I don’t believe we spoke to each other once during my tenure at UNC. But of course I knew who she was. I was friends with some of her team mates and walked passed her a couple of times going to and from class. I tell you that to say that I had no real vested interest in her.  We were classmates at best and strangers in reality.  At least that is what the evidence suggests.  The thing is I couldn’t help but connect with Marion when she was being investigated and ultimately convicted of steroid use. While I have never been an athlete, I have been at the top of my game before and I know the extreme pressure you feel to produce as a result of that. Marion got caught up.  We all do at some time or another.  And like Jones, our poor choices not only impact us but people around us (Jones and her team mates lost their Olympic medals and her family lost their matriarch for a period of time).  The difference between us and Jones? She had the spotlight.  So, should she be forgiven? Why not? Does not Jesus forgive us for our trespasses? Who are we to not then forgive her for being human?

A few days ago Elev8.com posted the story below.  I was happy to see the article and even happier to have the opportunity to share it with you.  As a Tarheel, mother and black female I understand her plight.  As a PR strategist by trade and passion I was happy she was willing to be transparent with her life; it may just save someone else facing the same struggle.  Now, if she can only continue to be honest and call a spade a spade.  Marion, please let us know if and how racism and sexism molded your decision.

(From Elev8.com) Just about the only thing that was able to catch up with Olympian Marion Jones was the law. Now John Singleton’s new film, “Press Pause,” examines the long, glorious, ultimately tarnished career of the track and field superstar and asks: should she be forgiven? The documentary debuted Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN as part of its “30-for-30” series.

Through interviews with her coaches, teammates, attorney, husband and sportswriters, Singleton takes viewers on the roller-coaster ride which has been Jones’ life. The movie follows her from budding track and basketball star at the University of North Carolina to becoming the first woman to win five medals (three gold, two bronze) at a single Olympics to accusations of doping, lying to federal investigators, imprisonment and finally, comeback. Jones, now age 35, is currently a guard on the Tulsa Shock WNBA team, and a mother of three. Her second autobiography, “On the Right Track,” was recently released by Simon and Schuster.

While Singleton’s portrait of a woman trying to put the pieces of her life back together is compelling, the film shies away from the two lingering questions at the crux of Jones’ story: what role did racism and sexism play in her conviction and is she still not telling the whole truth about her steroid use?

Read more.