On September 13th and 16th of 2016, I posted two tweets regarding Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling during the national anthem. I did not take a position on his patriotism. In one post, I asked a (why) question and stated facts in another. The first was an attempt at setting a firm basis in reality and therefore having a significant and meaningful conversation. After Bill O’Reilly’s take on history and his book, l had to write a second post. In my second post, I used a metaphor, figuratively stating he had a megaphone, able to reach a large audience, thereby causing a snowballing effect with what he says. I also left out the hyphen and used a lowercase (r) and put the (i)  before the (e) in O’Reilly’s name; a fishing technic, as fishermen, we know it’s the bait, and sometimes it’s luck. But where you fish and what you’re fishing for will determine what you catch. I caught a human grouper. Groupers feed on other fish. I was immediately attacked. First, telling me, I wasn’t a historian. In the first place, I never made that claim. The veracity of it all, I was a high school dropout. I stated I had written a book and had read history (meaning books)– in which a list of which is included in the book.  That does not make me a historian. But, in his bio, stated he was a historian but identified himself with a picture of a cartoon.  I wonder why?  “The Wrecking Crew” by Thomas Frank is one of many that can give a methodical timeline.  My grouper also said I didn’t know how to spell.  I guess because of the misspelling of O’Reilly’s name. So busy trying to consume and discredit my blog, the not-so-friendly grouper didn’t realize he was feeding on my bait.   It has become common in our society to argue as opposed to listening for points to compromise on. Many politicians are previous practicing prosecuting attorneys. If not, they’ve learned the method of discrediting their opponents to win by using what is called in the black community a form of “Yo mama jokes.” My question is, with elected leaders of this mentality, who will speak for America?

My Grouper, who identifies himself naturally anonymously, has opened the door for me to plant a better seed. Besides my publisher, WestBow Press’s one-time media bliss, I have promoted my book by sending postcards and emails to colleges, libraries, and churches of all denominations all across America.  “Guidance: Against the Odds, The first 39 Years” is not a classic, but metaphorically speaking, it could be a “Rams Horn” for the virtual walls that continue to divide us.   My book is an autobiography, but in reality, it’s not just about me. It’s about millions of African-Americans who have experienced the life of being on constant defense to survive.  In that respect, many blacks probably would not be interested in reading something that would cause them to relive pain and suffering. But, it could be a reference point for understanding on the other side of the fence, leading to constructive conversations. America is in denial as to the extent racism and stereotyping are destroying its inner fabric, as the cycle keeps repeating itself, generation after generation.
During the Industrial Age, being told, “I had to walk 10 miles to school, barefooted,” was not believable in my youthful listening.  Along those same lines, many things I wish to forget and blanket out from memory must be told to my grandkids.  Likewise, if told in general conversation, they will probably not be believable.   My book was written for them while omitting many humiliating details, but even more so for a socially deteriorating America. One cannot understand another unless there are open lines of communication. Walking in ignorance of the shoes of another is a sign of fear and/or blindness by hate.  As long as there are Groupers out there, we will never heal a decaying society. With the opening of the new Smithsonian African American Museum, time will only tell by the ratio of black to white visitors if America is trying to heal. When there are no enemies within, the enemy outside cannot hurt you.
(African Proverbs)