In our recent interview with Nakia Jones, we discussed the reasons behind writing her book “The Truth Divided” and gained some insights into the book’s title, the Black Lives Matter movement, and what the book can do for all who read it.
Q: What is discussed in your book and why did you feel it needed to be written? A: In my book, I discuss why I became a law enforcement officer and the challenges of being a women in law enforcement and being an African American mother of two sons and dealing with the divide between the color of my skin and the uniform I wear. The difference is I can remove my uniform, but I can't remove the color of my skin. The book also talks about the first time I felt the divide between law enforcement and the police during the Rodney King beating. It also touches on black on black crime as well as Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter, and the importance of them both to me .
Q: Would you call “The Truth Divided” a “tell-all” kind of book?
A: No, “The Truth Divided” is not a tell all book. There were many things I couldn't discuss. The next book will definitely fill in a lot of the blanks. Q: Were there any parts of this book that were difficult for you to write? A: The entire book was difficult to write because it’s about such an emotional topic, a subject that has a mass effect on our country, even outside our country, today. Q: What did you learn through the process of writing this book, about yourself and others? A: I learned that writing and reading this book has begun to help me heal. It also has taught me that no matter what the color of your skin is in a lot of ways we are all saying the same thing. Lives matter and rights have no color. I also believe that if we can just dispel some of our fears and biases we will all be capable of living in harmony. Because, at the end of the day, we are all one race, the human race. Our skin, hair and eye color may be different, and we may have come from different regions, but we are all human beings and one race is not superior to another. Q: How do you feel “The Truth Divided” will help the Black Lives Matter movement? A: I believe this book will help the Black Lives Matter Movement, because it allows others to see what and why we are fighting and why the movement is so important. It also will help people understand why a movement like this even exist and that it’s not to downplay or be against any other race. Black Lives Matter understands and has never disputed that ALL LIVES MATTER. It is just right now it seems to be fact that the only lives that seems not to be a part of ALL LIVES MATTER are BLACK LIVES. Q: What do you hope that “The Truth Divided” will do for people? A: I pray that this book first of all brings Unity and Understanding between Law Enforcement and the Minority Community, as well as it becomes a teaching tool to dispel the myths and biases that we learn when we are younger, which in turn will end racism. I also hope that it brings the Minority community together and also to let Mothers of African American sons know they have a voice.
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I recently had the opportunity to speak with homelessness activist, motivational speaker, education enthusiast, musician, and author Michael Gaulden. We spoke about serving homeless youth in America and the need for more support. All questions are asked by me (Lyn Lomasi) and all responses are Mr. Gaulden's words. What is one area you feel is lacking when it comes to serving homeless youth in America? Explain the area, how it's lacking, and how you think this could be changed. I believe that homeless youth are lacking the proper education for an opportunity to liberate themselves. We are talking about individuals who have been traumatized at a very early age and we must take a trauma informed approach when educating these students. Traditional schools and methods of teaching do not work because they fail to acknowledge that a child cannot focus on school if their life is falling apart. For example, picture an unaccompanied youth who roamed the streets all night and has no access to toiletries or a shower. How can you justifiably expect them to come to school with a sharp mind ready to take an exam for the final grade? We must acknowledge first that homeless youth exist and are prevalent in our communities. Secondly, we must acknowledge their circumstance and do our best to help supplement the basic needs required to live. The Monarch School, the K-12 institution for homeless youth where I work, has a parent resource center, showers for families and students, family dinners, bus passes and resources to help remedy some of the everyday struggles of homeless youth and their families. Although we can’t house them, I believe a safe environment that is proactive about homeless necessities is required for the growth and development of homeless student learning. After their basic needs are met, give them opportunities to develop, such as internship programs (like the one I coordinate) and/or college preparatory programs to provide guidance and allow a homeless child the same liberties as any other student. I can attest that all you need is an opportunity and a positive environment to learn and grow. Are there enough organizations, individuals, and grassroots organizations reaching out to homeless youth? Why or why not? Not at all. A major factor is that people believe that homeless youth are myths or consist of snobbish suburban kids in open rebellion. We need to understand that this is simply not the case. There are millions of homeless children, in families, unaccompanied, couch surfing, domestic violence victims and many more who are homeless because of unfortunate circumstances. When the average person thinks of a homeless youth, their mind takes them to a mischievous sixteen year old. The average person cannot see the three and four-year-olds in tents or five-year-olds crying from shock in shelters. I have seen young children, seven and eight, break down from mental depression. Middle and high school children drop out because the system does not address the life skills they need. People have a hard time digesting the thought of Foster Care kids who would probably be homeless if child protective services had not come. So the concept of homeless children is unthinkable. It is such a desolate situation but we must address it. If we acknowledge the problem with good intentions, I am positive many more organizations will bloom once we have fully understood the magnitude of youth homelessness. After all, I doubt any one wishes to see children homeless on the street. Does the state of homelessness in America seem to be getting better or worse since you were affected years ago? Explain. This is a hard question. Innately I would want to say worse because it is all I see. However, I ponder if it has indeed worsened or if this is how it has always been. More light has been shown on homelessness as a whole over the past years and the numbers are rising. It may be a direct correlation to the lack of jobs, resources, opportunity, unstable environments, natural disasters, and viral outbreaks that force good people into homelessness. If you look at the metaphorical glass with this perception it is easy to say that homelessness has worsened and people are as desolate as ever. However, the light has barely begun to shine on homelessness and youth homelessness. It is not like you can take a census poll. Most data comes from shelters and third party organizations, maybe some live counts, but most homeless people are ghosts floating through society. There are millions of them. Good people who have vanished into that world. Good people who are ashamed to search for opportunities because of sheer humiliation, and those who do realize there are few to none. When I was lost in homelessness, I saw homeless people everywhere from all places united under one demoralizing umbrella. If you look at the glass through this perception, you could say it has not worsened but has always been this way; endless transience as far as society can reach. But one thing is for certain, I believe it is not getting better. I do not have an answer for the elderly homeless or the veterans harassed on the street. It is truly a tragedy outside of my personal realm of control. However, if we educators educate the homeless youth, if we equip them with tools to survive life, mentors, support, and opportunity, they can then go forth and graduate college or learn a trade, start a business, and liberate themselves. Thus, ending their homelessness themselves and hopefully their future offspring, materializing a new legacy. I am a huge believer of “teach a man to fish, he can eat for a lifetime.” If we try and save kids, they will be rescued momentarily. If we assist them in saving themselves, they will forever be free. But, they cannot achieve success alone. Questions for Author Michael Gaulden? Would you like to add anything to this discussion? Agree? Disagree? Have a story to tell? Please feel welcomed to comment below.
By Phoenix Desertsong, Concerned American Citizen
It's finally time to stop choosing sides in the wake of the US Presidential Election. It's well past time to step back and reflect on just how divided we've become. It's time to set rhetoric, dangerous and otherwise, aside and focus on what we all have in common.
It is the opinion of many in America that this country has elected a man that is extremely unpredictable. His early actions in transition have been hailed by some. To others, they are questionable at best. Much louder voices than mine have called out hypocrisy on both sides. And it's true. People are understandably upset at what Trump stands for. He is continuing to say and do some things that many Americans are going to hate. Some of these things are going to and already have destroyed some lives. But this is not all Trump's fault. In fact, Trump embodies a greater part of the American population that many would like to believe. I voted for neither major candidate. I voted for a third party candidate who best reflected my own views. Perhaps in the eyes of many that was a wasted vote. But no, it was still exercising my right to vote for the candidate who I best felt represented me. I may not personally like most of what Trump is proposing and I may be befuddled by a great many of his choices for his Cabinet. But what worries me most is how loud his supporters are in support of bigotry, homophobia, sexism, racism, and xenophobia. It's extremely important to understand that these people always existed. While they are not the majority of Americans, they are a loud and powerful minority. In some ways it's sort of a good thing that Trump won. We got to have a coming out party for all that's evil still in America. Is that all Trump's fault? Not really. Many would have rather had Hilary win. But now that a Trump win has legitimized some of the worst elements of American society to rear their ugly heads, it's now clear who the true enemies of freedom and democracy are. We do indeed have a chance to Make America Great Again. I'm not sure it was ever truly Great to begin with, but over the past 200 plus years, we've made progress. Will all this progress disappear overnight? I don't actually think so. That is, as long as we all come together. conservative and liberal, Democrat and Republican, and realize most of us are not political at all. Most of us just want to live our lives and be ourselves. We need to see the painful realities of what the Red vs Blue political party system has done to us. I fear that there is a social civil war on the horizon unlike no other in the history of this country. I hope that I'm wrong, but I'm sure we are going to watch things get much worse before they get better. In the meantime, we have to stop beating on each other over whose fault this election is. We need to remember that this election is over and that we need to make the best of what has happened no matter where we stand on the political spectrum. I'm on America's side, not with any politician. Some are saying good things. Others are not. But we are just all people, and we just need to let go of political affiliations. We need to look in the mirror and recognize our own shortcomings. As a nation, we cannot stand divided. There is not yey the liberty and justice in this country that our Pledge of Allegiance mentions. Yet that is what the flag many of us as kids in this country were led to believe. If we are truly going to Make America Great, then we need to realize these ideals as best as we flawed human beings can instead of just using them as patriotic rhetoric. Let's just move on, and truly Make America Great, shall we? by Dennis Townsend, Contributing Writer If the whole world is a stage, then the United States of America, and I use the term loosely, is front and center in the eyes of all who are watching this spectacle we are calling Election 2016. The best Hollywood writer could only dream of coming up with a story line so complex. By the time the general election takes place, we will be so close to another civil war that the term “United” may become a thing of the past no matter who becomes president. Once upon a time when you ran for office as a politician you would talk about issues that were important to your constituents such as taxes and jobs for the people. But as we have progressed more as a culture, the list of important issues gets a little bit bigger, and as in the case of the current political situation in the country, weirder. If you are a wise politician you give the people what they want, or should I say, promise the people that you will “try” to give them what they want and then you play the right tune on your flute, you know, the song of doom that preys on their fears, and they will mindlessly follow you anywhere. And it doesn’t hurt if you’ve got your own money to burn and can finance your game plan because everybody loves the person who doesn’t ask for money. There is a push in America to stop bullying and countless hours and resources have been put into teaching our young people about the horrors of bullying. Some young people have committed suicide from being bullied and the families of those lost loved ones know all to well that a bully is a long way from a role model. Would you want one to become president of your country? Fear, that insidious feeling of doom and that feeling of self preservation is so powerful for some that they make irrational decisions. A opportunistic slick talker can turn fear into a handsome ally to gain the confidence of the people. A person who fears Muslims wants everybody to fear Muslims because of the actions of a few. Tell people that there are terrorist coming into your neighborhoods and the next thing you have is an old time lynch mob where you hang the suspect without a trial. What makes Donald J Trump so popular with his followers is that he is saying what they want to hear based on their fears. His suggestion that we do not allow anymore Muslims into the country implies that all Muslims are terrorist. And I can only imagine the outrage as he tries to register the Muslim Americans that are now in the country. By telling the country that Mexico is sending America their worst citizens to rape and rob the country, he planted another seed of discrimination, not to mention his intentions of making Mexico pay for a wall all along the Mexican, American border. Donald Trump, a man who has done absolutely nothing for the country, and yet with the tongue of the Devil himself, has succeeded in dividing this country to the point that another civil war is not far away. There are those who say they stand for Trump because he will close the borders and we will all be safe. Isn't the solution worse than the threat? Mr. Trump has stated that if he wins, there should be a statue of him in Washington D.C. I agree, the first man in the history of this country to make fools out of so many people including the “beloved” Republican party. For Trump, conning his way into the White House would be his greatest crowning achievement. And we would go down in history as the only country foolish enough to elect a reality show host to run what use to be known as America. If that happens, heaven help us all. DLTPONCH33 by Dennis Townsend, Contributing Writer How many times have you heard, “don’t eat this, cut back on that, drink plenty of water”, etc, and your plate should look like a rainbow. Then you’re suppose to portion it just right and chew a certain number of times before swallowing. You could go crazy just trying to eat right. There are numerous diets out there that say that they can get you down to the ideal weight, but at what cost? You are bound to lose a vitamin here or a chemical there that will require you to supplement a particular diet with a multi-vitamin. There are hundreds of multi-vitamins on the market and each say they have the ideal formula to bring your body back to life. Pushing multi-vitamins is a billion dollar a year business, what else would they say? Americans have always had a long standing relationship with pure cane sugar that goes so far back, there are those who actually go into withdrawals from not having their daily supply, But adding pure sugar to certain products for consumer ingestion got to be expensive and we all know that businesses thrive on their bottom line profits so chemist went to work on a cheaper sugar replacement In 1970 the solution was born, “high fructose corn syrup.” The biggest contributor to the increase in diabetes diagnosis in the last 25 years, and what’s worse, we are hooked on the stuff. Today, there is a big push to steer us away from this addictive chemical. Trouble is, they have no substitute sweeteners that can even come close to the same taste of our beloved sugar. We consume one half billion Twinkies a year, and chase down whatever we eat with fifteen billion gallons of soft drinks flavored with high fructose corn syrup. Krispy Kreme doughnuts produces 7.5 billion doughnuts a year; that’s a doughnut fried every 22 seconds. I don’t know about a lot of you, but my mother fried everything in lard which in the late 50’s and early 60’s was the ultimate frying grease. She didn’t learn about vegetable oil or olive oil until the 70’s, and as a child growing up in the south, she learned from her mother who also used lard. Yet, my mother lived until she was 76 years old and was never concerned about high cholesterol. Every year the Food and Drug Administration approves a new chemical for human consumption, and did you know that some of these chemicals are dual use chemicals. One such chemical compound that is well known is “shellac”, which was originally made for woodwork, and is now responsible for putting the shine on those jelly beans eaten during Easter. Next time you see a shine on that juicy apple, thank the Kerria Iacca insects who gave up their lives so you could see yourself in the shine on that old wooden cabinet. They always talk about reading the labels on what we are about to consume, but in order to understand a lot of what these compounds do one would have to be a chemist. It is true that we are becoming overweight at an alarming rate in this country and millions are being made on America’s desire to lose pounds. And everyday they come up with something that’s bad to eat and every other day they change their minds so what’s a body to do? The choice is naturally yours as to what you chose to eat, but as for me, I’m going to eat what’s yummy and if I got to go, I will go with a smile on my face and pure sugar on my lips. DLTPONCH33 |
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