How Important is Reading to You?

There’s nothing like a good book, right? I agree, and I’m dismayed every time I read about the demise of books and the de-emphasizing of reading. Reading is the forerunner to accumulated knowledge and our livelihood depend on it! I allude to the countless stories abounding online and in social circles relative to how the internet makes books obsolete. I’ve turned this over in my mind more often than not and always come up with the same conclusion - that reading, in all of its virtues real or imagined are still important to me! My first encounter with books began with a question mark and continues today emphatically as an exclamation point! I cannot remember the first book I read, nor can I recall how many, but I do profess to have an on-going love affair for the written word. As such, when I was quite young I was in awe of the local librarian of the elementary school I attended. 

Of course, she was the first who impressed upon me the many virtues of reading for pleasure, and later reading for knowledge. Mrs. Kimbro, the respected and revered head librarian at Miami’s Douglass Elementary in the Overtown section of the city was indeed special. She lit fires that are still burning within my literary soul, the embers simmering and smoldering ready to be illuminated at a moment’s notice. She instilled in me throughout my lifetime that books are commodities that will place you at the forefront of any presentation through imagery and intuitiveness.

How important is reading to you? The purpose of this essay is to bring to the front the basic realization that reading is fundamental and how it has revolutionalized my intelligence quotient. At this point in my life, I know that the basic fabrics that weave my soul and invigorate my mind are riveted in place by the plethora of books I’ve accumulated over the years. My personal library is bulging at the seams, where purging is a time I come to loathe. Somewhere down the line I have to depart with a title that the inner soul would admonishes me to keep. We as individuals in the information age rely on technology to stem the tide to thwart ignorance at every turn. Thus, we are stimulated by many things, and influenced by circumstances relative to experience(s) central to certain nuances thrust upon us by insensitive intellectuals - like ridding the public of books and eschewing the benefits of reading. 

These among other maladies in our academic surroundings are being circulated in academia; and today we STILL wonder why Johnny can’t or won’t read. Too many young people are missing out on the pleasures and opportunities that come with reading. Back in the day at Mrs. Kimbro’s domain, I was a rambunctious kid thirsting for knowledge and she constantly challenged me to understand what I read long after I left her school. Yes, she was an integral part of that village that raised me, and kept me focused on all things literary.

I’ve asked myself what are the signs that I missed that have given people the audacity to suggest that reading has become passé? Moreover, is it that pronounced where technology has systematically redirected mindsets to forego status quo for a perceived new way of assessing knowledge at the expense of reading? Although I won’t attest to the aforementioned, but I WILL adamantly surmise that for some it comes down to a lack of interest, and for others a lack of ability. Lack of ability is the fulcrum that is turning the wheels of illiteracy and is my greatest concern. I feel that it reverts to the genesis of the problem: parental dysfunction in familial settings and communal disinterest where schools are placing emphasis on assessment testing vs. nurturing children in the fundamental aspects of why books are still the elements of learning.

 I would like to see families take an inherent interest in making sure that their children are reading, visiting libraries, and developing written and oral communicative skill; I worry about schools not providing the best curricula of inclusion for disadvantaged children not affording the opportunity to move forward; and lastly, what exposure are youngsters getting to books in general, and the ability to excel specifically?

If reading is important to you as it is to me, then wouldn’t it behoove you to allow initiatives to share in its relevancy so other can be enlightened? I’m an advocate of family literacy and know of no other way to champion the cause. We as concerned citizens and parents should be yelling loud and long for justice to be served. The myth and misplaced forum for the ‘No Child Left Behind’ debacle is enough to hone our minds for a greater challenge. Reading is still important to me; it’s fundamental, necessary and needed, so let’s endeavor to do our best to take some child in your midst and nurture him with a story; read for yourself for both knowledge and pleasure. READ – your life depends on it!

Will Registering to Vote Make a Difference in the African-American Political and Social Landscape?

I’m reading a book that is an eye-opener and one that I feel should be required reading to understand why voting should be as natural as walking! The apathy that usually permeates depressed and disenfranchised communities often bypass the need to stand up for issues that may directly affect challenges and change. Oftentimes we’ve seen other minorities and foreigners come to the shores of the United States expecting a new lease on life. Efforts are made to bolster and better living conditions with hard work, networking, sharing resources, and establishing a communiqué that keeps the analogy of ‘helping your own’ survive the times has been crucial to success. Have African-Americans living here since the beginning of the 16th century taken all of this in stride over the years? Are they in position to reap benefits because of strong economic gain and social affluence? Is there strength in their numbers to suggest a cohesive and united front? If you answer yes to any of these questions you’re not seeing the pictures that have been hanging for all to fathom. 

Moreover, you like me may feel the angst and consternation of misplaced priorities and dreams unfulfilled because of laziness and a lack of initiative to be both respected and privileged. The answer ‘No’ certainly is in line with what has to be done and what has been agonizingly true in a people that have had varying degrees of success, but nothing tangible to say that the scales are balanced.

Leverage for political office and favorable standing for societal influence in any culture will be fraught with undesirable results if nothing is done where there’s strength in numbers. Numerical influence is better represented in who votes, what is at stake, why one should vote in the first place, and when it is necessary to do so. For as long as measurable results have been calculated to gauge and judge progress people of color have been at the bottom of the totem pole – unrepresented and inaudible in being recognized as viable and valuable commodities to challenge change. Author Edward Delon offers a unique and comprehensive guide in dispensing information on the ways and means of the voting phenomena. 

In his new book, UNDERSTANDING WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE comes appropriately in these times. The political landscape has changed with Blacks projected to be overtaken by the Latin/Hispanic cultural bloc. With this shift in paradigm, new mindsets must be applied to the policy and procedure for constituency to have greater meaning.

Another election cycle is underway. We have an African-American running for office offering hope and change. On the other side of the political coin are candidates that will vie for votes with only one thing in mind – to be elected under pretenses and grandiose notions of helping the downtrodden. The author offers sound instruction on why it’s necessary to be understanding of the political process, and in the interim offers the basics of citizenship, how politics affect the society in which you live, Immigration issues, the Electoral College, and the importance of informing themselves about issues on the periphery and the candidates themselves. Other pertinent subjects that feed into the need to vote are given ample room to be explored. I found the book to most informative, especially with it reading like a text full of charts, statistics, and resources.

In closing, I would like to offer sound opinions on why I think one should buy this book. I opine that we must be motivated and moved to make a difference in who is elected for beneficial results. I want people to be a part of the political process, stop sitting on the sidelines and get involved; understand how and why social science has a lot to do with why you should be voting; and, I definitely want all concerned to embrace the complex if not competing ideas of civic life, politics, and how government can be a boon instead of a ball of confusion! Edward Delon has given you the wherewithal to make a difference. Why not invest in the book and be enlightened!

A Word About Prayer from Me to You

You're never to young to pray, nor too old to stop praying. This essay mainly are for the young ones who may not understand the importance of establishing a relationship with God. If this bit of advice is something you can identify with, give me a moment of your time, will you? Praying is important and needed in your life. From birth you have learned to communicate. We as parents and teachers will always find your efforts endearing and, if we think honestly, the trust and confidence you’ve expressed has humbled us. We know and love you deeply and imperfectly. God, who gave you life, knows and loves you perfectly. Love and awareness of our human limits impel us to help you to learn and understand prayer, and communicating with God. 

By praying ourselves, our hope is to always know that you are following our examples when we talk to God. I believe that you truly want to know God as you’ve shown signs of an eager heart and a willing spirit. There’s a special place of rest that He preserves for us as grown-ups, and as you learn to communicate with Him, you too will find this special place of rest. It takes time and obedience to truly get it right…and as you progress, God will be right by your side!

The key to all of this is for you to gain confidence in your initiation to start praying more and understanding how to do so. It can lead you to re-examine your own attitudes about prayer. As a leader and Deacon here at Koinonia, I endeavor and pledge myself and all the help needed to make sure that you are instructed properly how to pray and get support. Prayer is the beginning of a personal relationship with God. Take what you’ve learned from new member orientation classes to be used to help build the Kingdom and be responsible children and young adults. I hope too, that if you have questions or comments you’d let them be known.

Share your concern with your parents, listen to your Pastor or any of the Elders and Deacons of your church as they share the wisdom of the Word. It wouldn't hurt to pray more in earnest, and DO let someone from time know your experiences with bowing your head and paying homage to Him. We want to see what amount of progress you're making!

The Soul of A Man

The soul of a Black man should be profound and practical should someone ask about content and character. The depths that are ours, deep within our psyche are the volumes of consciousness that make us who we are. We are men of color - Black men tried, true and transient at times. We are who we are because time has shaped our mindsets and given us definitive stereotypes that we are still endeavoring to grip for positive results. We are constantly being asked - what is it that makes us the way we are? My response is simple. I tell them I am who I am and iniquity has given me my lease on life to have changed and tell a GOOD story!

Early on I knew my destiny, but had problems accepting it and making it the entity that would give me confidence. I kept a store inside of me, as I kept my emotions captive. I was shy and introspective and lacked verve and vivacity to allow me to be open with my thoughts. I was told that I was sensitive, and I grew to believe it seeing much around me succumb to my penchant for change. I got the chance after enlisting in the military and attending college. I came away intact and armed with new truths that shaped me as a man. I saw the world, met people of stature, married, had kids, and have run businesses. I am the man that time created. I am a writer!

All my adolescent years became a portrait of me framed for the notion of telling stories and being good at it. I began to write and envisioned becoming an author. I thought putting my thoughts on paper would be a nice life but never stopped dreaming. I studied hard, researched on my own, read laboriously for information on all things literary. And in the interim I learned HOW to write; I paid close attention to how specific writers wrote their stories, especially language and sentence structure; I took a few writing courses, but mainly I gained a penchant for talking to those that I'd befriended along the way. What's inside MY bears witness to a world of expressionism that is opinionated and quite open.

The career I’ve carved learning to be a respected as a journalist and freelance writer is best exemplified in my view from the catbird seat. That’s my voice viewing life as I see it as wit, words, and the wisdom thereof. The road that I and my brothers travel is not an easy one. What are we thinking about then? What else is on the minds of men? Our minds are not idle, and my mind is full and reverberating. I’m a conversationalist at heart and will talk to anyone willing to debate realism vs. ambiguity. I've always wanted to run as fast as I could to the finish line of life, where God would be there to shake my hand and say, “well done my faithful servants” I want to be deserving of this, because I do not want to see women continuing to be the head of households, and where my community is not run by matriarchy. I want my young folk to take inventory of their lives so that self, family and community are interwoven for sustained awareness. I want black-on-black crime to cease for Agape Love to permeated using a sense of connectivity, commitment and the commission of good intent.

My soul is my temple and my spiritual being is alive bubbling to the top waiting to explode! I'm striving for inner peace and ways to teach my children for the next generation. I want us Black men to finally get it together so that we are inferior to no one and that we have balanced the scales. I would want you to know me as I am!

Winners in the Face of Adversity

Signs of the times will have us in direct contact with the pertinent things that are prevalent to take heed of what's right and what's wrong in our lives. We go about our business and we are products of our environment and certainly the barometer to measure worth pertaining to all of the above. We Black men have been challenged in greater proportion than in any other time in our lives. We at times have searched for answers, and have given quite a bit to eschew some of the ill-will that surrounds us, but to some there are much more to do. We have to search within to apply much more to arrive at solutions. These are the times where we have to just put our feelings out there. We hurt, and are susceptible to scrutiny and critique.

I read a book recently there I'd like to share with you. I read it, reviewed it, and have come to realize that my colleagues and many others are just normal folk on the fringes of an impartial society that breeds brokenness. The book's characters are trapped in life, or in situations that they don't want to be in; some are looking for a way out, and others beyond hope BC. But a familiar thing happened along the way toward redemption. When you find the Lord and He gives you an amplified ear to hear His still small voice - you MOVE! This book, THE TRIUMPH OF MY SOUL is here for you, complete with my reflections. Read it and know that redeeming value is all in how one tackles his/her adversity.

The trials and tribulation that God allows us to traverse says a lot about challenges and change. We are broken on purpose to have the wherewithal and ability to keep our heads to the sky, and know that if there’s a will there’s a way. TRIUMPH OF MY SOUL by Elissa Gabrielle is the first of several books in a series that will give voice to human conditions that cater to the angst and adversity that color our spiritual Diaspora as people of color. These are inspiring stories of victory over adversity, and the ability to know the difference between living vertically vs. horizontally. The Triumph of My Soul ably delivers poignant testimonies with heartfelt stories of love, hope, faith, redemption and inspiration.

With this firmly in mind, the authors therein presented in this anthology spoke with heart-felt vigor and preservation of mind opening their souls to succeed beyond and despite the ‘brokenness’. These are their stories, and in the midst of the storms, there’s courage, faith, and wisdom to call upon He who strengthens us. You get a chance to read each entity and perhaps rejoice knowing that “this too shall pass”. Author Elissa Gabrielle assembled a worthy crew of writers to expound on these ideals of hurt and pain illustrating personal vistas in discovering solutions and applications. Albeit, not all of the stories in this set are created equal. There are a few that weren’t as strong as others which are typical of anthologies of this nature where balance may not be in the offering. In this case though, nothing is taken away from the overall tone of success that I render.

How far must one travel to know that a new lease on life is eminent, or there’s a saving Grace in adhering to that still small voice? I found ardent answers as I read each story and imagined how I could be the recipient of His loving embrace! The authors bearing their souls are some that I’m familiar with, and others that are cutting their literary teeth for the first time. 

The emotions and struggles seemed up front and personal. I can hark to the stories that touched me most. To wit: Jessica Tilles’ ‘Julian’s Grace’ showed how one can go beyond living for the moment to enable a deeper value of an innate love beyond the surface. It’s a gut-wrenching love story that demands your attention; my favorite by Allison Deese – ‘Discovering the Joy Within’ is the story of how a teenaged mother rallied against the forces of nature to triumph over an abusive lover, and how examples were shown to give credence for perseverance. Then there are stories depicting adolescence where maturity materializes in the end for new leases on life, and where the downtrodden can realize how victory can be won by exhibiting due diligence.

In times like these we need shining examples of inspired triumph in the face of adversity, and this collection of short stories are yours to revel and rectify ways to ease issues that may be definitive in helping rather than hurting. This is the benefit of the empathy that compelled me to put my feet in the shoes of the authors that bared their souls. If this is the mettle that Ms Gabrielle adheres to, then the subsequent books that will be part of her lore will give notice that she is a force to be reckoned with. Grab this book, read it, and know that there’s a silver lining behind every dark cloud! Kudos to you Elissa for bring this coterie of writers together to share what it means to do what it takes to be winners!

Change, Hope, and the Audacity to Run for President

Change is not something that people readily accept, and when it impacts on the top job in the nation, well, you’re only as effective as your last voting choice. How relevant is it to how the next president is chosen, then? For all practical purposes the world now knows who Barack Obama is, and his intent. Who would have thunk it to think that a man of color in such a short time has positioned himself to seek the top job of the land? Running on a platform of challenging change, he is doing much more than turning heads. Is it his year? Witness his winning a Grammy for his book, The Audacity of Hope. Give more meaning to him winning eight straight primaries along the way to a total of 21 states proves to some extent that his popularity is much more than a lark. People indeed, are clamoring for change and believe in his quest. Check out the opinion polls, talk shows, and political pundits who are steadily jumping on the band wagon. You will see much more than hope for those looking for perhaps a new lease on life. Changing allegiances to represent the wishes of constituency is another welcomed sign. Audacity in my opinion is a moot point when you have some willing to defy unprecedented gall.

In these un-united states, it’s surely an oxymoron that he purports to unify the nation and do away with status quo. How? Better yet, WHO is this guy with a name that eschews common wisdom in the naming rights of all mothers who endeavor to be different? In an earlier correspondence I asked the question: Is Amerikkka ready for a darker shade of pale in the White House? I will readily admit that in the last two presidential elections my vote was non-existent, and like everybody else I’m fed up with the Bushes. I surmise that this is the chance in history to have an African-American president. Am I remorseful for not adequately casting my lot at the time to make a difference as it pertain to race and ethnicity? I have mixed emotions, but I DO support the fact that change is inevitable and for the first time in quite a spell we have someone willing to bring it about. Voting just because a Black man is in the race is not all folly, especially if you have mindsets that feel that it would be just another ‘achievement’ to add to the coffers of Black history lore. We people of color need and should demand more than just rhetoric and technical jargon while you run for president, Barack Make it real for us and provide substance to the promises of change.

We all know how Bill Clinton charmed us for those 8 years he spent on Capitol Hill, now comes Hillary with a new set of initiatives and reasons attempting to sway constituency to her side. In another day and time, I certainly would vote for Hillary, but not this time. Nosiree! I want to see history made and with a viable agenda for Obama to come true and translucent. I opined in that earlier note that “it was always easy to stifle and' retard my vote in lieu of voting just because I was registered Democrat, and (it) was expected to do so unequivocally. Today is a new one, and I’m encouraging all young folk to support this beacon that wants to give light anew. Do it because you believe that he is the best choice to unify this nation. Along the way as I scrutinize this race in earnest, I've refrained apologetically to those that may have a different persuasion, but I want them (young folk) to understand the power of the polls. As I close Barack, you go on with your bad self – continue to have as much audacity as it takes to gain a good footing on the pedestals of preeminence. I salute you and will pray for your deliverance!

A Meaningful Contribution: A Tribute to Dr. Asa Hilliard III (1934-2007)

The African-American academic Diaspora has lost another giant. It doesn’t take much for me to give definition to the vast amount of content that has had meaning to our daily existence as people of color. In all of us we can usually finger a few that have contributed to your development in mind, body, and spirit. Asa Hilliard was one of those people for me. He was an educational psychologist and a leading proponent of Afrocentric studies in public schools. He died Aug. 13 in Egypt, where he was on an annual Africentric historical study tour with students. He had complications of malaria and died in Cairo. Since 1980, Dr. Hilliard had been the Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Urban Education at Georgia State University. He previously had spent 18 years on the faculty of San Francisco State University, where he became dean of education. I met him during his visits to Atlanta from California. I was an inquisitive student that wouldn’t take no for an answer and he was always there, diligently answering all of my questions.

In the span of a 50-year period, I’m sure I can come up with a few other names to add to a list of prominent people that have influenced me -- and my memory is long. There was the librarian during the adolescent years of my elementary education, Mrs. Kimbro, who first introduced me to the power of knowledge and all of the aspects of reading; and in Junior and Senior High School Henry Mott and Quentin North respectfully, gave lip service in ways where the chalkboard was rendered obsolete because they demanded absolute undivided attention, and expected application where needed. In the armed services no matter where I was stationed there always were distinguished officers that I gleaned valuable information from; but during my college years in Atlanta at Morehouse that was special. It was there that I first met Dr. Benjamin Mays, who at the time had already retired from the 'House, and had been elected president of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education, where he supervised the peaceful desegregation of Atlanta's public schools. He published two seminal autobiographies, Born to Rebel (1971), and Lord, the People Have Driven Me On (1981), of which I still consort to today.

But Asa Hilliard stood out. He truly exemplified a man among men and an erudite scholar to boot. When I was feeling sorry for myself, and exhibited little respect for the man I was destined to become, it was Asa who taught me what self-respect meant in an Afrocentric pedagogy; we fought tooth and nail against unequal treatment within the Georgia University system during sit-ins, where my fellow students including a young incorrigible Samuel L. Jackson acted out a part that would rival any of his movie trailers; it was Asa Hilliard who reined us in and gave us a methodology to fight the establishment better; and when I needed to see first hand how my ancestors lived, it was Asa Hilliard who organized one of the first Africentric tour of Egypt – I was one of many who benefited from that inaugural trip. Subsequently I was personally introduced to Molefi Asante (http://www.asante.net/biography.html) and many of the leading African American Studies scholars and members of the 1974 Morehouse Chapter of the National Council for Black Studies were able to embrace the philosophies of such activists as Maulana Karenga, James Stewart, Leonard Jeffries www.africawithin.com/jeffries/leonard_jeffries.htm and Wade Nobles. It was Asa Hilliard who instigated it all. Yes, meaningful content is being in the right place to be filled to the brim with knowledge that feed the soul to know who you are, where you come from, and where we as a united front should be going.

I was able to validate my meaningful content with what I learned by embracing and implementing a set of innovative training guides known as the "African-American Baseline Essays." (http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/mc-me/be-af-ss.pdf) The essays developed by educators in Portland, Ore., viewed ancient black Egypt as the birthplace of the philosophical, mathematical and scientific theories that formed civilization. And I used them as guidelines teaching and mentoring to youths through the years. Without Dr. Hilliard, these important educational tools wouldn’t be what they are to curricula nationwide in our school systems. His visits to South Florida in general, and to the Miami-Dade Public School System in particular should be assessed and appreciated with the utmost of pride as he helped generate change in how Black children looked at Black history.

My tribute to Dr. Asa Hilliard is a reminder that inherent knowledge should go much deeper for long lasting testaments in being educated the right way. And if I was allowed to lay on your tombstone these words -- "Mr. Hilliard, you left me much, and gave me more incentive than you’d ever know...the Lord called you home while you were doing what you did best. I will miss the southern comfort of your unique interpretive analysis in academia -- where you made African studies and minority achievement your chief concern during a long career as a writer, consultant and lecturer. Rest on my Brother, and know that you will be missed!"