“GUIDANCE AGAINST THE ODDS” is a biography of a portion of seven decades of living.  Written not for want of recognition ….  to become a writer, nor for monetary profit, but the desire and need for acceptance.  Recognition as a man and as a human being and to set an example for my grandchildren. Recognizing the reasoning behind the tuff love from a dad after becoming a father. The psychological upheaval of being demeaned as a man yet required to perform as a role model as a father.   A book journey, written with no writing experience exuding seven decades of repressive psychological experiences. Seven decades of navigating the swamps of intolerance while biting the tongue at the red lights of inequity. Seven decades of controlling words and emotions for survival, subverting dignity in a land of free speech.

The SOUL of man will exist outside of time forever.  In contrast, a quiet soul among the living may never be heard, stunted in a field of extremist extroverts within the provinces of hate and under the parasol of demagoguery.  My soul has been silent, but “Guidance Against the Odds” will carry it through the sands of time.   A voice in print etched in history alongside warriors of the past such as Gabriel Prosser, a literate enslaved blacksmith 1776-1800, Nat Turner, an enslaved African-American preacher 1800 -1831.  Two men who suffered inhumanely, until they could no more, far more profound than my soul could ever envision.

With “Truth isn’t truth,” and “Alternative Facts,” mentalities abounding, the American mindset has been hijacked and diverted, void of compromise by naysayers. At the same time, peaceful souls crave conversations of substance, with positive views. Inside my soul, it is the heroes and sheroes of the past to whom I turn for civility.  Written quotes of rational content make you think resolutely rather than indulge in sardonic anger.  As Americans under the Constitution, we must understand with gravity, ” The limits of a tyrant are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.” (Frederick Douglass 1818-1895.)  For, “There are two things I’ve got a right to, and these are, Death or Liberty – one or the other I mean to have.” (Harriet Tubman. birth? – 1913) Because in the end, “You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him.” (Booker T. Washington 1856-1915)

We, the people, in the year2020, must make “The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery?” (W.E.B. Dubois 1868-1963) For, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” (John F. Kennedy 1917-1961)

In the end, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” (Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”   “Memories of our lives, of our works, and our deeds will continue in others.”  Rosa Parks (Rosa Parks 1913-2005)

In light of the present political atmosphere and climate change upon us, “When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked: In 2019, what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?”  (Elijah Cummings 1951-2019) 

The voice of my soul tells me to have no fear, to vote, and keep on writing, for it is my “Guidance Against the Odds.”