I once voiced my opinion in my 11th grade math class and compelled my teacher (a middle-aged black woman) to call me a “Negro.”
“Negro!” she yelled—unable to refute the logic of what I was saying, but willing to risk her job just to shut me up.
I don’t remember the topic of discussion that day, since she and I had had several such incidents, but that moment marked my realization of the impact of words and opinions.
My name is Dante a.k.a. “Omel360” and I would like to welcome you to omelthreesixty.com
This is a place for me to voice my opinions and to reflect on moments in my life that have influenced them—like that incident in high school.
Omel360 is an Internet username I created in college when I would spend hours in the computer lab chatting on Yahoo Messenger and CollegeClub.com. (Remember CollegeClub?)
The name Omel means “lion-hearted.” I found it in a book of African names and thought it sounded cool. I added the “360” to represent “completeness,” as how a lion’s mane revolves 360 degrees around its head, completing its crown like the corona of the sun—or at least, that’s how I explained it to the women I tried to impress online.
I named the website omelthreesixty.com because I’m open to discuss all facets of life (completeness)—no matter how minute or significant—and explore underlying contexts to gain a more comprehensive perspective.
I’ll post a new column every Monday and Thursday, respectively, in which I’ll discuss current events in the news, life experiences, what’s going on in Charlotte (my city of residence), or whatever random thoughts come the mind that warrant expression.
I’ll also give some insight into my personal makeup, so be sure to visit my “Favorites” page to see some of my pop cultural, philosophical and aesthetic interests.
See what albums I listen to after I end a relationship, and what books I read to learn how to convince the person I broke up with that it was all their fault.
My “Song of the Week” selections will appear in the side bar and each post page will also feature a song related to the particular post.
Hear selections you may have heard before, and some other stuff that has compelled people riding in my car with me to ask, “What the hell are you listening to!?”
The “Song of the Week” will be updated every Monday and moved to the “Music” page at the end of each week, where it can be played from an accumulative playlist.
Those are some of the site’s features and the site is continually evolving, so be on the lookout for features to come.
I would like to thank everyone for visiting and supporting omelthreesixty.com—where we keep it three sixty (had to say it)—and I look forward to chatting with you all on Mondays and Thursdays. I’ll see you then.
Oh, and as for my math teacher—she never received any administrative discipline for calling me a Negro (nor should she have), and I eventually failed the class and had to retake it the following semester.
Lesson Learned: Being a smartass can smart your ass if your ass isn’t actually smart.