Hypocritically Hypercritical(Cam Rascoe) Calvin Combs, married father of six, pillar of the community. A man of faith dedicated to the service of his fellow man, was this Calvin Combs. A motivational speaker who mentored, coached youth sports, taught Sunday School, led food drives and many other charitable acts over the years. Once a member turned Deacon in his home church, Calvin was recently elevated to Elder due to his service and dedication. Oh so proud was he of himself for the life he led. Calvin believed the Lord was pleased with his works, not bad for the product of the union of an addict and a young convict. Mr. Combs was certainly a survivor. He'd overcome dire circumstances to become a productive and contributing member of society, breaking the cycle of self destruction within his family. Calvin Combs, the rose that grew from the concrete.
Patriarch of the Combs family, he was intent on providing a better life for his children than he was afforded as a kid. It was important to him that he be a great provider, protector and example of what a good Christian Family Man should be. Despite all of the good he'd done, somewhere Calvin lost himself along the way. Sins come in all different forms, they are not always in the physical.
“Those of us who profess to be the most Holy and righteous are just as sinful as those we profess to be so much morally greater than.” CR
Life would offer Calvin this valuable lesson causing him to examine himself as a Christian and a man.

Calvin arrived home from church on a sunny February afternoon after conducting a rehearsal of a skit he wrote for Black History Month. He loved winters in Florida almost as much as he loved to lend his talents and serve at his church home. Happy, the congregation should be pleased with his artistic vision. Entering his home, he heard a conversation that dismayed him.
“And then they just took it and ran off! I am so mad! I don't even think he had a...”
Gerald paused as he heard his father enter the house.
“What's going on in here? Are you okay son? What did they have?”
His loving wife attempted to calm him down so that they could explain to him exactly what happened.
“Honey please don't get too upset, everything is alright. Some boys took Gerald's phone and his wallet.”
“What, where were you at? Did you call the police? Are you alright son?”
He walked over and embraced his eldest son around the head and neck as he sat. His wife Karen and Gerald calmly explained to Calvin what happened the night before.
Gerald was approached by two boys as he walked to his car after leaving a party. They threatened him and insinuated that they had a firearm. Gerald saw something shiny bulging out of one of the kids' pockets. They said they had a gun. Gerald assumed they were holding so he gave them everything without arguing or being confrontational. It was over in a matter of seconds and minutes later he was on the phone with the authorities. He was interviewed, offering a statement and description of the vehicle and suspects. The foolish teens, three in all, were apprehended in less than two hours. They were joy riding around in one of the kid's auntie's car. Bad behavior and a dumb decision could quite possibly cost these young men many years of their lives.

Calvin was angry. How dare some young punks rob and threaten his son! He wanted to see them in prison, for many years. They represented the decay in our society; who runs around jacking kids for cellphones anyway? Calvin was disgusted by them and couldn't wait to have them removed from his fair community. He was determined to use everything in his power to punish the offenders and make an example of them.
Calvin enjoyed great influence in local politics and law enforcement. Through his years of service and dedication to his community, he had cultivated strong relationships with people of prominence, power and influence. Calvin intended to use all of his clout to get the book thrown at those no good hoodlums. They would have many years to repent for their transgressions, but of course Calvin wasn't concerned with their rehabilitation, only their incarceration. He was certainly self righteous and restless for retribution, which left him blind to redemption. These souls weren't worthy of being redeemed, only punished.

Calvin had these thoughts on his mind as he drove to a lunch meeting he scheduled with some of his law enforcement friends. Two community leaders and local politicians were invited as well. He certainly didn't mind footing the bill to grease the wheels and get this investigation rolling, but it wouldn't be necessary. William West was a Congressman, member of the private club they were meeting at and the first son of a prominent business man. The West family owned groves, real estate and several businesses across Orange County. Like many wealthy families in the area the West Family gained a large portion of their wealth from The Ocoee Massacre. November 2nd 1920 in the northern parts of Ocoee, African American Families were burned out of their homes, run off their land and murdered for daring to vote. Their wealth was confiscated or destroyed and the offending parties were rewarded with their property and belongings. For years the saying in Ocoee would be “Don't get caught here after dark!”. This was directed to people of Color so that they would understand their place and the harm that could come to them if they were ever to forget. No African Americans owned property in or worked for the City of Ocoee until the late 1980's, and then there were very few. The streets of Ocoee bear the names of the murderous families to this day.
Calvin and William worked hand and hand to support and grow several charitable organizations in the area aimed at helping the less fortunate. William knew of his family's history but was truly determined to be a good man and to somewhat make amends for what occurred many years before he was born. He was aware that he wasn't responsible for what took place but he also understood that his family benefited mightily from these horrible crimes.
William wanted to give back and was happy to offer Calvin his assistance once again when asked to meet with the others. It gave William an opportunity to show off the elegance of the lavish private members club he was fortunate enough to belong to. William arrived early to see that their table of six was set just right. He was soon joined by his guests.

Calvin, the guest of honor, was last to arrive. When he pulled up to the entrance he spotted the valet and doorman standing at the entrance in their uniforms. As he got closer, he could see something familiar about the men. He tried to place them in his mind, before he could, one of them called out to him.
“What's up Coo coo Cal!?”
He hadn't heard that name in years, it was startling and almost ominous to his ears. In his youth Calvin was often referred to as “Coo Coo Cal” because of his brazenness and sometimes irrational behavior. He hurt as a youth so he often acted out in an effort to share his pain. Still processing what he heard, the voice called out to him again, drawing his attention.
“Damn boy, you done came up!”
As he walked around the back of his vehicle his mind flooded with memories, now standing directly in front of the two men. Jabo and Sticky! Calvin couldn't believe that it was them.
“What's up man?”
“You tell me Big Time.”
“I'm here for a meeting. What's up Sticky?”
The two men embraced
“You know me, staying with the sticky icky!”
They all laughed at Sticky's reference to the amount of marijuana he still smoked on the daily. Just seeing him took Calvin way back.
“Man, you ain't changed a bit.”
Jabo looked Calvin over, proud of what his homeboy had become.
“Yo, we need to get up sometime.”
Calvin nodded his head.
“Yea man, y'all still over on Baywood?”
“You. Know it.”
“I'll fall through Thursday around 2:00pm cool?”
“Yeah man.”
The old friends embraced and exchanged numbers. Calvin looked forward to getting together with his homies and reminiscing about the past but he certainly didn't intend on adding them to his inner circle. He couldn't believe that Jabo was still living in his mother's house. Nonetheless they had history and he had love for them.
“Well, we ain't gonna hold you up. I know you probably got some important business to take care of in there. Just holla at me. Don't worry I won't let Sticky fire up in your car.”
They shared one last chuckle as Jabo opened the heavy wooden for Calvin allowing sunlight to pour into the foyer of the lush palace for the privileged.

Calvin was ushered through the main dining room and into the library where he would be dining. After being greeted warmly by all in attendance, Calvin took his seat at the foot of the table. After a few pleasantries and small talk, two servers entered the library wearing tuxedos and white gloves. They pulled the doors shut and began spieling the chef's specials and featured entrees for the evening. The amuse-bouche consisted of white spoons filled with ceviche topped with aji amarillo. Calvin certainly found it amusing to his mouth, a perfect palate setter. He looked around the table as everyone dug into the shared appetizers of grilled octopus served over humus, sea scallops resting in risotto with squid ink tuile and beef tar tar. He wanted to wait until everyone ordered their soup, salads and two hundred dollar gourmet entrees before he started speaking to them about the problem he wanted solved. Looking around at all the decadence and lush furnishings, a slight feeling of shame came over him. He thought to himself about how many families he could feed with the cost of this one meal which left him quite conflicted and convicted.

Once everyone was settled in with half full bellies and glasses of wine in hand, Calvin started in with his pitch. He stood and held up his glass to toast his gracious host as “the help” scurried around removing flatware and replacing cutlery with appropriate silverware for the next course.
“Gentleman I would like to offer a toast to our gracious host and dear friend, William West.”
The men responded in turn.
“Here, here!”
Calvin continued on. “The reason I have asked you all to join me today is that there is a growing problem in our fair city and I want to help put a stop to it! My son was the victim of a heinous crime and I come to you today in search of a solution. Don't worry, he is fine, the whole family is fine, but our streets need to be kept safe!”
Each of the gentlemen inquired about the safety and well being of his son and family. Again, he assured them that everyone was well. As he explained what happened to his son he became more and more impassioned. His speech started to sound more like a sermon offered by a Baptist Preacher, yet he was Presbyterian. As he riled everyone into a fury, he spouted something that caused his mind to flood with a memory, followed by an epiphany. Then he again felt convicted, causing him to stop in mid sentence.
“I mean really, who goes around the streets jacking kids for their phones and wallet? Only the worst...”
Just then it dawned on him. Those words, “Only the worst” he remembered them being said to him some thirty years ago. He didn't quite remember what came after those words, only the way it made him feel. Calvin Combs was a very different person when he was in his late teens.
Lost, in perpetual passionate pain with a need to share it was young Calvin, lacking in guidance and direction.
The scars of his tumultuous childhood were hidden from the naked eye but manifest themselves in him acting out. He was raised by the streets and his peers, which left him with fraying moral fiber. Being a star athlete, ladies man and tough guy brought him accolades from the homies. “Putting in work” or committing crimes offered him supplemental survival income and increased his clout around the hood. Many mistakes were made by a young Calvin, one of which he almost paid for with years of his freedom.

After standing silent for several seconds, Calvin snapped out of it to see everyone staring at him with puzzled looks on their faces. He broke the silence.
“I am terribly sorry gentlemen, please excuse me for a moment.”
He turned to a staff person and asked where he might find a restroom. The gentleman offered to escort him to the lavatory. There were ten large restrooms down a long and wide hallway, each of them were themed. Calvin looked around the huge safari themed bathroom. There were actual heads of big game mounted on the walls. Calvin shook his head as he marveled at the waste. Again he thought about how many people he could help with the cost of just one big game hunting trip to stroke some billionaire's ego. He looked at himself in the full length mirror and shook his head at who he had become. Calvin washed his hands and face in the sink then looked up into the vanity mirror at his face. He saw him again, he hadn't seen him in years. Young Calvin was staring back at him; more memories of who he once was filled his head.
La Gear boots removed, socks used as gloves, young Calvin and friend burglarize the house next door to a house party he is attending. Strong arm robberies, batteries, grand theft are just some of the crimes young Calvin committed. He wasn't an awful kid, just misguided. He was still hardworking, polite, kind and respectful to his elders. The boy could be redeemed; Calvin could now see that.
The one time he was arrested as a youth is when he heard those words, “Only the worst”. Now he was using them on young men, forgetting who he once was. He knew in his heart that he should be trying to find a way to help these boys instead of burying them.
He was so angry when he heard what they had done to his son, he wanted them to pay. He now realized that he was called to help these kids instead of ruining their futures. He knew they could mature to become young Calvin Combs serving their community and church homes. Calvin understood that not everyone could be saved, some people are just evil and are determined to do harm. Not everyone could be saved, but it is our duty as Christians to make an attempt.

Calvin decided that instead of encouraging his powerful friends to contact the district attorney so that they could get the book thrown at the offenders, he would pitch his mentoring program for troubled youth. Being a powerful motivational speaker who could relate to the underprivileged, he was beginning to see it as his duty. Calvin wanted to mentor the children who had already found some type of trouble and have had a taste of the system. They were the most at risk. Calvin prayed for guidance and discernment before rejoining his friends. He made his return with a warm smile covering his face.
“Are you alright Calvin?”
“I am fine, something just came over me.”
“I know this has to be really stressful for you and your family. Don't you worry, I will get the DA right on it. They won't get away...”
Calvin interrupted.
“Sorry to interrupt you. I was thinking about something a little different. I want to prevent crime in a different way.”
Calvin proceeded to share with the men a merit based system equipped with work study, tutoring, counseling, apprentice programs and scholarships.
“This all sounds very impressive Calvin. I believe that I can find funding and donations. The fact that you want to start with these two kids is amazing. You have a big heart my friend. I only wish I could be as gracious.”

With West onboard everyone else fell in line, trying each to offer more assistance than the other. Impressing William West was very important to each of them. That meeting was the birth of a wonderful program that assisted many young people in need of direction and opportunities. The meeting also helped Calvin to remember who he once was and in doing so serve his purpose and calling. He could now see clearly his own self righteousness. The log had been removed from his eye. Hypocritically Hypercritical was Calvin, judging while conveniently forgetting his crimes and sins.

Carlos Rodriguez, Jamel Simmons and Carter Phillips would later become mentors in the same programs that altered their lives for the better. All three college graduates and entrepreneurs, they sometimes joined Calvin on stage to share their testimonies. They became an extension of Calvin's large family and members of his home church. Whenever any of them shared their story of being helped by their victim's father, Calvin would be sure to share how his young brothers changed his life as well. No longer the critical hypocrite looking down upon those awful sinners and committers of crime was Calvin. He now again, saw himself in them.

“We all reside in glass houses and that's just fine, for my sins are no worse than yours and yours no greater than mine.” CR

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