Genealogy: Another Update

If you've been following this blog, then you know that I have taken an interest in the history of my family.  Recently, I have been researching whether I could possibly be related to the McMahons of wrestling fame.  My personal investigation into the matter has (thus far), produced this, along with this update. 

I'm happy to report that my research has been progressing well.  In case you missed it, here's a brief summary of what I'm talking about. 

"A few months back, I was doing some research concerning my family tree, and relatives (I was able to trace my parents back through multiple generations).  In the course of my exploration of this topic, I happened upon a relation (on my father's side of the family) that is linked to a family of McMahons...realizing this, I have started to wonder whether I could be at least distantly related to the McMahon wrestling dynasty".  

Moments ago, I took it upon myself to continue my examination of this issue.  Having done that, I think I may have happened upon a breakthrough.  It's a little hard to explain this, but here goes. 

As the result of my searches on Ancestry.com, I have found that my grandfather on my father's side (George Boland Sr., 1903-1962) was married to a Margaret M Curtin (1904-1979).  This woman was the great-granddaughter of a Mary McMahon, from County Clare, Ireland.  Through additional research, I have discovered that the McMahon wrestling family has its roots in the same area of Ireland that Mary was from.  This points to at least a reasonable possibility of a link between my family and the McMahons of WWE. 

OK, this is where the plot thickens a bit, as there is one more mystery yet to be unraveled.  Vincent Kennedy McMahon is the great-grandson of a Roderick James McMahon (1848-1922).  It is this man who immigrated from Ireland, thus starting the American side of the McMahon family.  My Ancestry.com research hits a (pay) wall in the generations before Mary McMahon; I do not know who her parents were, and if she had any siblings.  This unknown has proven to be the final part of the puzzle. 

You see, if Mary was (a) sister to Roderick James, then the evidence shows that I am indeed related to the wrestling McMahons.  At the moment, I have no idea whether this is the case.  However, if true, this would be an astounding coincidence (as I am a huge fan of WWE).  To quote Joey Styles, my reaction would be something like "oh my God"!

Obviously, this is a subject that I will continue to resolutely study.  I'll let you know what the outcome of my investigation is. 

"Until next time....if there IS a next time"  - Don Pardo, former announcer for WNBC-TV

Random Rant: Documentary Film Review

Right now, I'm watching "Uprising: Hip-Hop And The LA Riots", a documentary exploring violence and unrest in that city.  In my review, I find it necessary to explain the background of the film.  

On April 29, 1992, Los Angeles exploded in violence.  African-American residents of the area, angered by the acquittal of policemen in an excessive force case, destroyed whole sections of Los Angeles in acts fueled by rage (see the Rodney King incident).  Things got so bad that, in addition to the California National Guard, the US Army had to be dispatched to quell the violence.  When it was all over five days later, two thousand three hundred and eighty three people had been injured, and another sixty-three people killed (in addition, estimates of property damage were over one billion dollars).  

"Uprising" is a very interesting film that explores the roots of the LA riots, and what role hip-hop music played in them.  With the caveat that I haven't yet watched the entire movie, here are my thoughts on said film.  

This movie suggests that in 1992, African-American citizens of Los Angeles were tired of talking to the police about "law and order".  Black Angelenos, feeling that they were the victims of injustice, wanted action.  This, the film implies, was the main reason behind the rioting, which is hinted at as being justified.  What the documentary fails to explore is the opposing "devil's advocate" argument; it presents the events as being a one-way street, so to speak.  

I believe that to truly understand an issue, you must look at it from all angles, not just one.  To this end, I find that "Uprising" implies that whites, and only whites, were responsible for the violence of 1992.  This is an argument that I disagree with.  Yes, whites were to blame for much of what happened in the streets of Los Angeles; that is a sickening fact.  However, African-Americans are not without fault in this case.  Indeed, many blacks set fires, committed brazen acts of violence, and destroyed property (ask Korean shopkeepers about this; they were forced to take up arms in defense of their businesses).  

Now, it stands to reason that African-Americans are as much at fault for the events of 1992 as whites are, or anyone else.  However, "Uprising" doesn't discuss this point of view at all.  This being the case, I cannot give the documentary a totally glowing review.  

On the "Boland Movie Scale" of one to five stars, "Uprising: Hip-Hop And The LA Riots" receives a "captivating" three and three-quarter stars (thanks to long-time movie critic Susan Granger for the inspiration behind said scale).  The film is an interesting perspective on history, and what can happen when anger gets out of control.

A Graduation Speech

I can't claim to be a frequent speechwriter, or by any means a literary expert.  However, I'd like to think I've learned a little about life in my thirty-seven years on this planet.  As such, allow me to share the speech that I would give to the Class of 2019, if I was tasked with giving such a speech.  

(Speech Follows)

First off, I need to congratulate all of you on your success thus far.  Although it may not seem like it, you have spent four long years within the halls of your school.  In that time, you have faced many different types of challenges, but risen to meet all of them.  Now, a new challenge awaits you; that of creating the future.  

It's traditional at graduation ceremonies to give advice; I'm going to continue that tradition.  To that end, let me talk to you about life, dreams, and challenges.  

An old television commercial once said that "on the road of life, there are passengers and there are drivers".  In this case, you must be a driver, and take command of your own fate.  You see, nobody can drive down the road for you; nobody can sail the ship which you are in charge of.  It's up to you to live your own life, and to forge your own identity.  

I have to tell you that my life hasn't been an easy one, or simple.  I've had to fight my way through many tough times.  That's part of life; it's a bit like a prize fight, in that every day, a new round begins.  In my experience, I have found that "it's not about the dog in the fight; it's about the fight in the dog".  Life's not always about who can jump higher, or run faster.  More often, it's about who has more passion, and who has the most heart.  If you live your life with boldness and passion, you will find it to be a life well-lived, as will others.  I will suggest that you remember this as one of life's little lessons.  

Here's another important lesson that I have learned.  A great man once said that you must not "have any belief whatsoever in how others judge you; for your greatness will silence them all".  This is something that I very much believe in, down to my very core, I believe in myself.  However, it doesn't matter that I believe in my own abilities; what means more is that you believe in yours.  If someone tells you that you aren't good enough, ignore them! If they say something can't be done, prove them wrong!  Don't be afraid to dream big, or to pursue your dreams with reckless abandon.  For it is the dreamers and the thinkers that ultimately change the world.  

On the subject of life lessons, I have one more piece of advice for you.  One of my English teachers used to take inspiration from rock music.  In class, he would often recite lyrics from well-known songs, and then open discussion on the song's meaning.  On one occasion, I recall that I complained to this teacher about a poor grade that I had received.  The teacher, one Mr. Daley, said something that has stuck with me to this day; "in the immortal words of Mick Jagger, you can't always get what you want".  I believe this to be one of life's indisputable truths.  Sometimes, things won't go your way; sometimes, you will fail.  Nevertheless, don't give in, or ever give up! Instead, learn from your mistakes, and turn your failures into fuel for your successes.  Even when things seem to be at their worst, your greatest victory may be just around the corner.  

In my final words to you, the Class of 2019, I will say this.  Many people like to talk about the future as if it's some far-off moment.  What they don't understand is that the future is now.  Whether you realize it or not, you are and will be the architects of that future.  The choices that you make today will shape tomorrow.  There is but one thing that is certain in life; that is change.  The time has come for you, the members of the Class of 2019, to change the world.  

"The future is what you make it; make it a good one!" -- "Back To The Future Part III"