New Press – Jet Magazine
May 5, 2010
3 Comments
NBA Star Honors Single Moms
Dallas Mavericks All-Star Shawn Marion remembers how difficult it was growing up in a single-family home. “I know what my mother went through to raise me and my (three) sisters,” Marion said. ”It’s hard work and they need some help … so why not pamper them a little bit.” Marion, nicknamed The Matrix, has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier talents – and he gives all the credit to his mother, Elaine Marion. “Seeing my mom work two and three jobs grounded me a lot. It taught me you have to work hard to get what you want,” he said.
Hey Shawn,
I just wanted to write cuz I just read the article in JET.. that was such a great article! I admire your mom so much for rasing you and your sisters alone! She has done a beautiful job as a single parent & I do have to say she does inspire me so much! I am also a single parent but of only one little girl and thats hard enough for me as it is lol but I do admire your mom so much for taking the opportunity and going back to school to get her degrees. Hopefully I find the time to get back into school and get at least one degree in my lifetime lol anywas, Shawn you have a great mom and I really do admire her strength as a woman so much!
Hey Shawn,
I want to wish all of the single mothers that raise their children alone “Happy Father’s Day” including your ambitious strong Mother. I think your Mother should write a book to inspire other single mothers because she was so determine to achieve her goals and raise her children to be successful positive Black people. In our society many people have so much negative views about Black people and feel that every Black person is a “statistic” or will be a “statistic”.
I believe that it’s not where you come from, but where you go in your life. There are always obstacles in a person life and growing up in the inner city can be a major obstacle, but you have to be strong enough, have ambition and be determine to overcome all of your obstacles that cross your path.
I want to buy all of your kids in your camp in Chicago school supplies so that it will help their parents out financially for their upcoming school year. So can you post how many students attend your basketball camp on your website. You can inspire all of the kids who attend your camp in alot of ways because you overcame the odds and all of the obstacles in your life. To many Black Athletes and Celebrities don’t want to be considered Role Models, but they don’t know that they are to many Black youths. Many of these children don’t have a father in their life and they look for other figures to teach them about life and how to be a man or woman. In the inner city their is alot of negativity that these children see and have to live around. I know for a fact and from my personal upbringing being raised in the so called “Hood”. Unfortunately, so many children admire all of the negative aspects of individuals in their neighborhood and it end up bringing them into that negative lifestyle.
You are a “Role Model” to many people and never be afraid to be considered one. You can make a big difference in a child life or an adult life. We are not the so called “Black Statistics” that some people in our society believe that we are
and we can make a big difference in so many other peopIe life. I feel that “God” is the ultimate and best father to have because he guided you, me and many others in the right direction in life. Many people feel that they didn’t have a Father in their life, but God was in their life and is still in their life guiding them and looking down on them.
I want to post this to all of the people that read your comments on your website: “Whether you have a Father in your life does not determine the life that you want and can have. Just remember that “God” is the ultimate and best Father to have and he will guide you in the right direction only if you want to go down the right road in your life. Your life is what you make of it”.
Shawn continue doing what God put you on this earth to do. God Bless you and your family. Stay positive. Don’t forget to tell your Mother Happy Father’s Day because she did a wonderful job. Also tell your mother to write a book because it will inspire many young teen mothers, single mothers and other people in many ways because they can raisde positive children and achieve their goals also. Peace !
Miss East Coast from N.Y.C
You and your mother “WON”! You did it Shawn! Your mother “WON”! You and your mother both “Won”!
You know I am so happy for you! God answered my prayers! I can’t wait to see you and your family on your parade float. Our life is like a balloon because we keep rising to the top no matter what! I think everybody should have that mindset of thinking. It is those “Treasured Memories” that keep many people striving to achieve their goals and to be successful. It is those “Treasured Memories” that make some people stronger. It is those “Treasured memories” that make us tougher and able to overcome the obstacles, issues, hatred, jealousy, pressure, drama, and nonsense.
Life is like a trip to me because you never know what is going to happen on your trip, or who you will meet. Whether you are going to have any problems, or if you are going to end up having a good easy ride. Sometimes a person life is not easy, but as long as they stay focus, have faith, dream and have that determination to reach their goals that same trip can turn out wonderful in the end regardless of the many obstacles that that person endured. Those are the “Treasured Memories” that I’m talking about. The memories and people that you can not forget because they are part of your life and your journey. “Treasured Memories!”
Sincerely,
Miss East Coast