Who Am I?

I found myself craving some chips and a soda and it wasn't any in the house. So at 10pm, I ran out to get me some from the local 7-Eleven. Good ole, 7-Eleven. Most of the times dependable and they had what I needed tonight. Some comfort food.

I was cleaning up the other day and found my favorite shirt and actually had it on as I walked to the store. But what would people say about me? Who would they think I am (as I pulled up my pants for lack of a belt)?

You see, my shirt says actually more about what I used to do versus who I am today. It is a snapshot from a time when I used to live in Georgia and liquor was my preferred drink. Yes, I survived "FREAKNIK". Now for those of you who never experienced this event, it really was a chance for African-Americans to come together in Piedmont Park of the outskirts Atlanta and hang out for an entire weekend. Basically shutting the city down. If you thought you were somebody, you were there. If you were nobody, you found your way there, by hook or crook. This was a weekend when the economy went up, but also the hem lines, the attitudes, the violence and the club prices.

So the shirt I was wearing has an "NFL" type of logo on the front that stands for "National Freaknik League" and a big "97" on the back as tall as the front logo. So I am on my way to the store with this ten year old shirt and my jeans that I have trouble keeping up without my belt. Never leave home without it!

So who am I? To the store owner, I am just a customer. To other customers, I am some middle aged wanna be young person (was it the gray in my beard?). To others, a fellah that just couldn't let the ten year old t-shirt go. To me, I am the same guy from ten years ago, however, I am smarter, wiser and more grown up. I am not an alcoholic and have given up liquor since then. I am not a party-goer, but still like to dance. I am not faking my age by wearing trendy clothes. I am Ashley Hoover.

A young, black, gifted brother with a lot of potential still yet untapped. I am a Christian, a Cultural Anthropologist, an Encourager, a Believer, a Nature Maintainer, a Sports Enthusiast, an Artist, with potential that again is still yet untapped.

I am sure you have seen me hanging on the corner, throwing trash to the ground, laughing with my friends walking down the street, coming out of the liquor store, sitting in a classroom, singing in the choir, playing sports, taking my kids to school, mentoring, tutoring, and hoping for that day...

when you don't judge me by my exterior (my Freaknik shirt and baggy jeans), but by my interior (the potential that is yet to be birthed if given a chance and can be nurtured by someone like you).

Matthew 7:1-6 "Do not judge or you too will be judged".