Book Review - Unsolicited

Friday, October 1, 2010   about 4:50 PM     

         It was the telephone.   My good friend, Hilda, was calling.  I answered, continuing to watch TV.  Judge Judy was about to rule.  Totally engrossed, I didn’t want to miss the conclusion – but friend talked; I listened; I responded; she talked.

         Then I was interested in her words.  She mentioned my book, “Black Star Girl”, saying she spoke about it to someone, her friend – Elaine, maybe.

          Here was an excuse to ask Hilda if she had a chance to read it. 

          “Me?”  “Yes, of course.  I love it.  It’s wonderful.  I keep it beside my bed – pick it up and read chapters randomly.  I read it and keep on reading it.  I love it.  I’m so proud my name is in it.  I tell everyone.”

“You know,” Hilda added, “I read a lot but I've never paid attention to Acknowledgements.   Now I do.  I never paid attention to publishing dates or Prologs or Epilogs.  Now I do.  Your book is wonderful.”

           My eyes pooled with tears of joy, which she couldn’t have known because it was a telephone conversation.

            I knew she was a prolific book reader.  I thought she just didn’t take the time to read “Black Star Girl”.

           “I didn’t tell you?  Yes, I read it and I love it!”  

           I admitted to thinking she now reconsidered the wisdom of allowing her name to be published in that first book of mine.  Maybe she was sorry she had done so.

           “No!” she exclaimed, proceeding to emphasize, again, how proud she was of the book and to have been included in its pages.

            Her encouraging words were a blessing I sorely needed.  They are preserved here with thanksgiving for the ability to refresh my being with the moment.

            Buy and read “Black Star Girl’ (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, for your Kindle, Nook, or other E-reader also).  The vivid and personal portrait is an insightful social-historical documentary.   It is modern Black History, published and available for purchase since March 2010.

                                    The names of those mentioned in this writing 
                        have been changed to protect the individuals’ privacy.

Lent Photo-A-Day Challenge

The United Methodist Church extended an invitation for those inspired to post on social media, each of the 40 Days of Lent, a photo portraying the 'word of the day'.  I was excited to accept.  A hashtag is included with each social media posting, i.e.,  #rethinkchurch.  The consistent hashtag is omitted for this writing.

1^st Day of Lent - “Gather” was the word of the day. They gather outdoors for a Summer Sunday Worship Service.  

2nd Day of ‪Lent. "Voice" the word of the day. Listening for, seeking His voice in and out of Church. ‪

3rd Day of ‪Lent - Look, Church parking lot, Fall day preparing to feed the hungry. ‪ "Look" the word of the day.

4th Day of Lent –Word of The Day – Injustice. Folk of goodwill, 1, 2, 3, 4 and more peacefully oppose injustice. ‪

5th Day of Lent, the word is Celebrate. This Valentine's Day and everyday celebrate, encourage love with word and deed. ‪

6th Day of Lent - The word is Settle - Eagle Scouts don't settle for anything less. Family and friends applaud with pride. ‪

7th Day of Lent, Word of the Day - Go. On the go, sharing self with those not able to be out and about. ‪

8th Day of ‪Lent – The word of the day is 'mighty'. Mighty is the power of faith. ‪

9th Day of Lent - Refuge, word of the day. Refuge from violence and oppression needed by many.

10th Day of ‪Lent – Word of the day – Love. John 13:34 . . . “ . . . you also are to love one another.” ‪

11th Day of Lent – Jesus died. I can live to help make the world a better place. ‪ Word of the day – Live.

12th Day of Lent - Celebrate life; see the majesty. ‪Word of the day – Celebrate

13th Day of Lent - A vision of peace. ‪ Word of the day – Vision.

14th Day of Lent - Word of the day - Covenant.  I've read of five biblical covenants. Another covenant? ‪ 

15th Day of Lent - God’s creation provides sustenance and shelter for God’s   creatures. ‪ Word of The Day – Shelter

This concludes the first of three installments 

 Look for the second installment within 2 weeks.

For posts of other participants in this Lenten project

Go to #rethinkchurch.

Black History - Who Am I?

Think “Reparations”.  What is my history?  I believe I’m entitled to know.  

Each time I read about the thrilling family history discoveries for a notable person, politician, entertainer, sports figure, etc.  I cringe.   With a bit of guilt I think, “it’s not fair”.  I’m entitled to know as much about me as current science is able to determine.   I’m special.  My people were forced into slave labor building the economic foundation that made America the world power it is today.

I’m the descendant of a slave; the shackled survivor arrived in America via ship hundreds of years ago.

Our family bible notes a great, great grandfather was released from slavery when he was 19 years old.  Where was he born?  Who were his parents?  Where did they live?  What were their accomplishments, or misadventures?  Who am I?

The same technology and expertise that informs the  ‘brand name individuals’ among us could also inform others and me.

There is a need to know.  Modern day immigrants know where they come from.   We don’t.   They are told, just as we are that Africa is where our ancestors lived.  Africa is the largest of all the continents.  Which country in Africa did my ancestors call home?

 “I am somebody” would have deeper meaning for many black citizens once they know who they are.   America needs this.  Our Nation will be stronger for doing what is possible.   There should be minimal out-of pocket expense to the descendant of an African snatched from his/her neighborhood hundreds of years ago and brought to these shores crammed in the hold of a cargo ship

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and his “Finding Your Roots” production company might give excellent attention to this desire of mine.   I envision the establishment of a funded not-for-profit project providing the history over a specified number of years.  He might be convinced to expand his organization and take on this task important to America.
                                               Think “Reparations”.