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- Oct 02, 14
- Aug 19, 14NO Blacks. NO Immigrants. No Cash.America...in 2019.Oprah, Whoopi, and the President have my book. DO YOU?!GONNA FINISH 2014 STRONG!!
Goal: Sell 999 by the end of the Year!41 DOWN...958 TO GO!Diva Blue Publications is going to achieve a mighty goal: We are going to sell 999 copies of "Passage Home" in the remaining days of 2014! Using the hashtag #999PassageHome, tell everyone you know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to buy a copy of the book or to download the eBook. Click this link to buy your book, show your support and watch as the Diva Blue mercury rises!! - Aug 15, 14NO Blacks. NO Immigrants. No Cash.America...in 2019.Oprah, Whoopi, and the President have my book. DO YOU?!GONNA FINISH 2014 STRONG!!
Goal: Sell 999 by the end of the Year!23 DOWN...976 TO GO!Diva Blue Publications is going to achieve a mighty goal: We are going to sell 999 copies of "Passage Home" in the remaining days of 2014! Using the hashtag #999PassageHome, tell everyone you know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to buy a copy of the book or to download the eBook. Click this link to buy your book, show your support and watch as the Diva Blue mercury rises!! - Aug 15, 14NO Blacks. NO Immigrants. No Cash.America...in 2019.Oprah, Whoopi, and the President have my book. DO YOU?!Comments from recent readers:
John H. Gordon (New York, NY): "Read it on the plane cover to cover, couldn't stop. You hooked me in, even though I had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen, it was the HOW that I was intrigued to know. Extremely interesting premis/storyline. I liked how the entire family was roped into it, unwittingly. I know this was meant to be a short story but I hope you make it bigger...I really hope you make it a movie. It reads like a film. It's visual. It's suspenseful, mysterious, dramatic. If not a movie, pls make it a full-fledged novel...black fiction almost sci fi. Badass smart strong multi dimensional fallible vulnerable black people in the future. Not enough of that in fiction shelves today. Ok that's my 2cents. Congrats to you."
Dred Carpenter (Atlanta, GA): "6am and still up reading Passage Home. My God woman!... I had to force myself to put it down and come over here and SLAP YOU! This is beyond good... it's captivating, it's clever, it's creative... it's just too many damn things! Ok, back to the book. Lawd have mercy I need to go to bed. ... As I read closer and closer to the end I read slower and slower wanting it to never end lol. I'm excited about the next one. I can't wait. You got me all twisted up in the game with this one. lol... that damn Jamison!"GONNA FINISH 2014 STRONG!!
Goal: Sell 999 by the end of the Year!23 DOWN...976 TO GO!Diva Blue Publications is going to achieve a mighty goal: We are going to sell 999 copies of "Passage Home" in the remaining days of 2014! Using the hashtag #999PassageHome, tell everyone you know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to buy a copy of the book or to download the eBook. Click this link to buy your book, show your support and watch as the Diva Blue mercury rises!! - Aug 15, 14On July 7, 2014, my wife, Michelle and I were invited to the White House for the first ever LGBT Innovation Summit. The White House summit included a collective of entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders who share a desire to tackle the major challenges faced by LGBTQ communities through new solutions using technology, partnerships, mentorship, media, networks, and creative, market-driven, scalable models. For President Barack Obama's 53rd birthday, I sent a copy of Passage Home to my contact at the White House, who personally delivered my novel to the President.The President has my book. Do you?!7 DOWN...992 TO GO!Diva Blue Publications is going to achieve a mighty goal: We are going to sell 999 copies of "Passage Home" in the remaining days of 2014! Using the hashtag #999PassageHome, tell everyone you know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to buy a copy of the book or to download the eBook. Click this link to buy your book, show your support and watch as the Diva Blue mercury rises!!
- Aug 11, 14Diva Blue Publications is going to achieve a mighty goal: We are going to sell 999 copies of "Passage Home" in the remaining days of 2014!Using the hashtag #999PassageHome, tell everyone you know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to buy a copy of the book or to download the eBook. Click this link to buy your book, show your support and watch as the Diva Blue mercury rises!!
- Aug 10, 14
Thank you to Professor Danielle Powell, Professor Jared Leising, Chris Zempel at the University Bookstore Bookstore and all of the faculty and staff for including "Passage Home" into a number of courses at the University of Washington, Bothell and Cascadia Community College near Seattle. I felt my heart drop into my stomach and tears well up in my eyes when Chris sent these photos to me this week. - Aug 10, 14
The US will not allow Dante Terrell Smith to re-enter the United States.
The US will not allow Mos Def to re-enter the United States.
The US will not allow Yasiin Bey to re-enter the United States.
Passage Home. - May 17, 14
- Apr 24, 14
4/24
It's National Pig In A Blanket Day!! I kid you not. I couldn't make this up if I tried.
IN CELEBRATION of National Pig In A Blanket Day, I'm giving away a promo code for $15 OFF "Passage Home"!!
The book is $16. With this code, you pay $1 plus shipping. I am going to give it to the first TWENTY FOUR (24) people who do the following FOUR (4) things...and you MUST do ALL of the following...before the code expires on April 26th:DO ALL FOUR OF THESE THINGS AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE PROMO CODE FOR $15 OFF!
1.) TWEET (copy/paste): If you haven't read #PassageHome by @teresadowelvest, get it NOW at www.PassageHome2019.com! Use Code: EASTER for 15% off until April 26th!
2.) TWEET (copy/paste): We will knock until u answer. Read @teresadowelvest #PassageHome www.PassageHome2019.com @Oprah @TheEllenShow @IAMQUEENLATIFAH @nytimesbooks
3.) LIKE and SHARE (copy/paste) both the Passage Home and the Terésa Dowell-Vest pages with the following message (be sure to tag the pages in the post):
Terésa Dowell-Vest is giving me a copy of her novel, Passage Home, for $1! You can get YOUR copy at www.PassageHome2019.com for 15% off if you use the promo code: EASTER (all caps) before April 26th. Passage Home: No Cash. No Blacks. No Immigrants. America...in 2019.
4.) LIKE, then RE-PIN or SHARE this Pinterest pin: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/350577152215999248/
These four things have absolutely nothing to do with National Pig In A Blanket Day...but it got your attention...so...YAY! lol
If 24 people BUY Passage Home today, I will give the $15 off code to 24 additional people!
Thanks y'all!! Becoming a best selling novel takes hard work...and some hustle! I'm all about the hustle! Let's GO! ;-) - Jan 07, 14Hi.My name isOrAnd I wrote a bookThat is all.To order your copy: http://blur.by/1cidDTbTo order your autographed copy:To get the "Passage Home" eBook for $2.99!!Get YOUR copy of "Passage Home" at Amazon.com for your Kindle!iBooks: Get YOUR copy of "Passage Home" for Apple devices at Blurb!RADIO SHOW AND BOOK TOURCOMING SOON!!
- Dec 19, 13THIS is for you!!If you have NOT ordered an autographed copy and would like to, go to http://passagehome2020.blogspot.com/p/the-only-place-to-get-your-autographed.html.Today's Update: 91 books left to sell, 13 days to go!
- Dec 16, 13This is a story I've wanted to tell for many years.
Originally, I envisioned "Master Piece" to be a full length, two act play. In 1996, while in grad school at Cal State, Long Beach, I wrote in one of my journals this idea of "confronting" D. W. Griffith, the director of "The Birth of A Nation." The first act would be as it appears in my short film: Griffith is getting ready for the premiere of the film and the black woman in the room is a voice from the future cautioning Griffith that his words and work will have meaning and with have consequences. The second act takes place in the present. The black woman is in present time and the man is still Griffith, but he looks homeless, unkept and raggedy. He's in a sort of limbo, warning the young woman about the potential consequences of a screenplay she was writing. Now, in 1996 I didn't know what her story would be but I knew it had to be as dark and as possibly polarizing as TBOAN. The second act would be Griffith warning the young black female writer that her "masterpiece" could bring danger. We'll come back to the story itself in a moment.In 1996, I was completely disenchanted with the film industry for lauding a film with damaging and ugly images of blacks during the Reconstruction era." Add to that, the romanticizing Klu Klux Klan, and Griffith's "Nation" was no home for me or mine.D.W. Griffith Without much question, I demonized Griffith and the first act of "Master Piece" would be MY opportunity to confront and hold accountable this fellow artist. I saw the film for the first time in undergrad at James Madison University. It came back up for me in grad school because my MFA thesis would be about the interwoven nature of black theater, black film, black history, and black politics in America. I decided to dig in on "The Birth of a Nation" and research Griffith to glean some understanding of why he made the film. What I learned was mind blowing. Griffith and his wife were near bankrupt after producing over 400 plays and short silent films. He wanted to be a successful storyteller so desperately that he left himself and his wife just shy of ruined. He was presented with an opportunity to adapt Thomas Dixon's novel, "The Clansman." Griffith wanted no parts of this at first...at first. Once money and fame, exposure and opportunity were involved, the deal felt better. Griffith also made it clear all around him, his focus was to make the best movie he could. He wanted it known that he nor his wife, in no way, endorsed the Klan. He would soon discover his disclaimer would fall on deaf ears. He was a supporter by association and that sealed his fate.Due to the outcry by the NAACP, protesting the film, Griffith's next film would his attempt to steer correct the ship. "Intolerance" was to be both his apology and his atonement to glorifying the Klan. While artistically and critically, "Intolerance" surpassed TBOAN, it never matched the sensation of the Klan propaganda film.SO...I tucked away the idea for a few years...until I took a position at the University of Virginia in 2000. I was the Program Director of the African American Heritage Program for the Commonwealth of Virginia at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. It was one of the greatest opportunities of my life...and for as long as I live, it will continue to be among the highest experiences. I am a child of Virginia...born and raised. I walked the grounds of every major planation and slave quarter in the state. Somewhere along the way, I became angry...and then cynical. My thoughts,"If I walk one more plantation...""If one more sweet and nice white person tell me about the history of the ground and then take me to the slave quarters as the LAST stop on the tour...""If I have to listen to these people talk about the greatness of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or James Madison and how they are the greatest Americans who ever lived...while OWNING humans...""What if one day...they just decide to send us back?"BOOM!And there it was...my second act. There it was, while standing at the foot of Monticello, the idea for "Passage Home". The "masterpiece" of the second act of "Master Piece" is "Passage Home". I told one of my co-workers, a fellow writer, that I had this idea and it scared the shit out of me. I didn't want to explain the details, not because I thought he would take the idea, I simply didn't want to speak the idea out loud. The events of the next few years would then shape me creating "Passage Home": continued work at the VFH; the events and aftermath of 9/11 as it related to the economy and immigration; I moved BACK to Los Angeles in time to experience city and statewide protest over pending immigration laws and reform; and finally relinquishing my own personal fear to tell the stories I want to tell.And so...here we are in 2013, and I'm cuttin' loose! I wouldn't be surprised to run into Griffith some time soon to help me continue this story. - Dec 10, 13
I'm reaching out to all my friends and supporters ALL OVER THE GLOBE!! No matter which continent you call home, YOU can get "Passage Home" TODAY!! Let me know you're out there!! Tell me what you think of my novel!! SOUND OFF WORLD!!!
HELP ME MAKE "PASSAGE HOME" A BESTSELLER... - Nov 24, 13
Up all night for a cause every night cause if I don't it won't get done for me. This is the motto of every hustler making their dreams come true. I do love to sleep...I just don't get much of it. 2013 has been a test of my heart: ups and downs with "Genesis"; the completion of TWO films ("Shirts vs. Skins" and "Master Piece") and publishing my first novel, Passage Home.
I quit smoking.
I fell in love and became engaged.
I watched My Mini suffer and heal after brain surgery.
I cussed a lot.
I smiled a lot.
I learned a lot.
I know what I'm made of.
I know it's all about to change.
It's written.
It's all ready done.
2014 is coming...regardless.
I don't sleep...
so clearly I won't have time for bullsh!t.
Not even from myself.
www.passagehome2019.com - Nov 20, 13Thank you to Dr. Annise Mabry of Back2Us Radio and Michelle Alexander of A Gurlz Guide for giving me the opportunity to talk about my novel "Passage Home"! To listen to my interview with Michelle Alexander, get comfortable and click the link below! Enjoy...and THANK YOU!!!
To order YOUR autographed copy of "Passage Home", click this link: http://passagehome2020.blogspot.com/p/the-only-place-to-get-your-autographed.htmlListen To GLBTQ Internet Radio Stations with Back To Us on BlogTalkRadio - Nov 20, 13SO...SH!T JUST GOT REAL!!
My novel Passage Home includes an all purpose card called "The Dracel Card", the new US citizen identification card. This card, depicted in my profile pic, is a black, smooth, hard plastic card with a bluetooth thumb reader for identification security purposes.
The Dracel Card, named for the card's creator, Jamison Dracel, is an id hub including one's driver's license, passport, bank card, holds medical history, credit history, and DNA info. In chapter one of "Passage Home", the POTUS kills currency. As a means to "reset and restore" the US economy, we no longer use dollars and cents and have switched to a points system. So a loaf of bread may cost .5 points...gas could be 2 points per gallon...rent may be 100 points...all expenses swiped from the card. Your wages are deposited directly into your personal account, all of which is managed by a master server Atlanta, GA. All of our information now exist in a digital form.
ALSO, the government abolishes the Social Security program and gives every citizen a new federally issued number, which is encrypted into The Dracel Card. Every citizen is given a card, a points account, and a number. If you do not HAVE a card, you do not have an account, nor do you have points...thus you have no means to live in America. This, essentially, seals the borders. If you can't prove citizenship, you can not live in this country.
And though the card works on a federal level, the cost to execute the card is underwritten by a private corporation, The USA Corporation. Jamison Dracel is the VP of Public Relations for the USA Corp.
SO, with the invention and implementation of one card, the USA Corp changes America.
And what did we wake up to this morning and has taken the news by storm today? The Coin (https://www.facebook.com/onlycoin) /https://onlycoin.com/
Yeah...lol...I'm gonna ride this 'til the wheels fall off... - Oct 31, 13Thank you to Michelle Alexander, Founder and Creator of www.agurlzguide.org for publishing the first formal review of "Passage Home"!Visit http://agurlzguide.org/passage-home-book-review to read the full review written by Ms. Alexander.We have 66 Copies of Passage Home available in this SECOND batch of books ordered!! The first box of books sold out in the first weekend!! After November 5th, you will have to get the book from the website until a signing is scheduled in your area. Get the book NOW!! Please share this link with all...ALL...your friends and family. http://passagehome2020.blogspot.com/2013/10/advance-copy-sale-extended-to-october.html
- Jul 03, 13
12:24am.
Jamison can't sleep. He toss and turns, waking his wife."Honey, really?"
"I'm sorry. I'm just...I can't sleep."
"Right...I couldn't tell."
Silence.
"Ok...What's going on?"
"What happened to all those people?"
"All what people, Jamison?"
"The people..."
"Honey, you are not responsible for those people."
"Those people believed in the promise of America."
"Those people were not American."
Jamison looks at Katherine...stunned. He had not expected such a finite and cold response from his wife. Katherine sits up and turns on her bedside lamp.
"Seriously, Katherine?"
Katherine, catching Jamison's look and quickly responds by gently caressing Jamison's face.
"Ok, Jamison. Let's start this again.
It's quiet in the room. Jamison is aggravated and begins looking for his cell phone on the side table.
"Where is my phone? I must have left it..."
"It's ok. Let it be for a moment."
Katherine pulls Jamison closer and begins to hum. It doesn't seem to be working at first,
"Jamison, just let it all be for a moment."
Jamison closes his eyes and relaxes, sinking into the comfort of her song.
"Don't think you're handling me."
"Is it working?"
After a pause,
"Yes."
She hums even more. Jamison is calm again,
"Quieting the beast."
"You're no beast, honey. You are gentle...compassionate. I know your heart. I know your concern for all people is what makes you a great man. It's that concern that gave you the idea for the card in the first place."
"Got tired of seeing good folk work a lot and make a little. Gas, food, everything...why? Why did it get so out of hand and how was it expected for us to pay for it."
"Honey, you gave us a solution. YOU did that. You gave us a way out when so many saw no way out. The homeless have homes, the jobless have jobs, and the hopeless hopeless have hope. You did that. You gave America..."
Jamison jumps up out of bed and begins pacing about the room,
"Stop! Just...stop. Stop campaigning me. Stop...handling me. I'm not some public relations tidbit for you to manage. I am a man. I am a MAN! And because of me, a lot of other men where sent away. Millions of other men watched everything they worked for bagged in plastic bags and tossed. Communities destroyed..."
"Ok...first of all...relax and get over yourself. Hundreds of thousands...not millions. And yes, you are a man...A man...ONE man and you, honey, did not shepherd MILLIONS of people into concentration camps or gas chambers. You are not some Hitler plotting a demise of non-Americans. They weren't suppose to be here. Point blank period! You can not help that your system weeded out those who were breaking the law and ciphering money and resources from our..."
"Who the hell are you??! Who have you become?! You were giving out hot meals and volunteering at shelters and practicing law pro bono for the very people you just dismissed! The woman I met rolled her sleeves up and gave her time to help others."
"And now I'm helping you. I'm helping you. YOU are my project now!"
Jamison stops cold in his tracks. Katherine knows she has gone too far. She works quickly...smoothly,
"You are the cause I believe in. You are the greatness I rest my hopes. You are the southern star in my northern sky. It is for YOU I roll up my sleeves and give my all. You, Jamison. And you are worthy. Why don't you know that?"
"I don't have my family!"
"I AM your family!
"You are not my father. You are not my brothers. My entire life I had three best friends who taught me everything. I had parents...oh my God...my mother..."
"Jamison...listen. Listen to me. I am here with you. I am. I want the best for you."
"You want the best for you."
"Jamison."
Knowing they both are fighting dirty, they are both quiet. Katherine is the first to break the silence. She says quietly,
"Ok...Yes. Yes, I do. Ok...yes. Here we are. You wanna do this? Fine. Yes. I want what's best. I want what's best for you...and I want what's best for me...and...I want what's best for this country."
Jamison is put off by that last bit and turns his back on Katherine. She continues,
"No. No...you don't get to turn your back on me. I am here. I believe in you and I'm going to stand here and fight and fight hard for you...just like I do every day.
She drops her tone,
"Jamison. I'm standing in front of the next President of this country...if you want it. I'm standing in front of the man, my man, who single handedly saved a nation. People of ALL races, religions, creed, colors, ethnicities, sexual orientations, so forth and so on, look to you as Dr. King's dream personified."
"That's not what I want."
"But that's what you are."
"Who. Not What. I'm a person. Not a thing. I'm not a pawn for the USA Corp. I'm not, Katherine."
Jamison sits on the bed. Katherine stoops down in front of her husband, kneeling on the floor. She continues her campaign,
"No, baby. You are not. You are this country's future leader. You have already begun the work. We...have begun the work. If you were to go on the air tomorrow and say you're running for the office of President of the United States of America, the world would say, "Finally." And yes, we can talk to your family. We can show them you are still the same Jamie they love."
Katherine can see she's breaking through,
"They have to meet you halfway. You will reach out to them, but they have to reach back."
"My father is the one. He is an old fashion man. He is a man of old time standards, morales, values, and beliefs. He won't understand why I'm working for the USA Corp or doing the work I'm doing. Ever."
"Honey, ALL of your brothers work for USA Corp, in some way. Craig is building their ships. Dexter is building their highways and paving the way for you to win over Africa. And Frank teaches at a beautiful private school in Charlottesville endowed by USA Corp. USA Corp is not the issue here. The issue is you."
"Me."
"You. Yes, you left and made your own way. They blame me for taking you away from them but you had choices. We had choices. Choices that got us here, for better and for worse. We can fix things with your family. You can fix things with your father, but you can't let go of all you've achieved to do that. Get him to see that you have brought honor to the family name Dracel, not shame."
Katherine gets up off her knees and sits on the bed next to Jamison,
"Jamie, we are the same people...and somehow we're not. We're better than where we were before. Yeah, you married a woman who rolled her sleeves and got dirty, but now...well...silk doesn't look good rolled up."
They share an slightly uneasy chuckle. Katherine continues,
"We will empower the next generation to step in, step up, and roll up their sleeves. That's how we keep this country moving forward. Being the change we want to see in this nation."
The room is quiet. Katherine cups Jamison's face in her hands.
"Now, it's up to you to believe it too."
"I do."
"Good."
"Ok."
Silence falls on the room for a moment.
"I'm going to call Dad now. Wait...where is my phone?"
"Now? It's kinda late...for him. And that's probably why you couldn't sleep. Your phone isn't strapped to your hand."
Jamie goes to the closet and checks his suit jacket pocket and pulls out his cell phone out of his inside pocket. He looks at the phone and sees he's miss three calls from Craig and two from Franklin. Katherine attempts to take the phone away from Jamison,
"Why don't you do that in the morning. Besides, you could use some rest. I think the days ahead are going to be life changing. Announcing the Sankofa, treating America to trips home. You will be celebrated. Call your dad in the morning."
Jamison phone rings. He looks down at the caller id and answers the phone.
"Hey Craig, I..."
Silence.
"Ok. Yeah. I'll be right there."
Jamison hangs up the phone and keeps his head down, focused on the phone in his hand.
Silence.
He looks up,
"My dad died." - May 19, 14
"I would like to propose a toast."
Shane lifts his glass and hold Dexter's gaze over candlelight. The two men are having a romantic dinner in Dexter's office.
"To going home and starting a new life together. To a new America...a new world. Dexter, you paved a road to a new life for millions of people."
"I just thankful that road brought me to you."
Shane blushes and smiles. Dexter leans in and they share a kiss. Shane, feeling a little lightheaded from the kiss, continues,
"Wow. Tonight is our last night. Hard to believe we've been here 4 years. This place has become our home."
"Feels that way, huh? Liberia...a free nation. Made of freed men from who came home from America."
"You're sounding like you want to stay."
Dexter takes a long look at Shane and then answers,
"I am home, where ever you are."
"Ummmhmmm...Baltimore."
"Hampton."
"Oh wow...right...the HU Pirates."
"Yessir! A might better than being a HU Bison."
"Honey Howard, The FIRST HU."
"Baby Hampton, The REAL HU."
"Name someone other than yo'self who went to Hampton?
Dexter gets quiet and smiles.
"See...and then you flash that dimple and I'm all, "Go Pirates"
"Arrr..."
They guys giggle playfully and kiss again. Shane cups Dexter's face and whispers,
"I don't care where we go. I just...I just wanna be with you."
"I love you Shane."
"I love you too Dex."
There is a knock at the door. The two men sigh and look at the door. Shane suggest to Dexter,
"We don't have to answer it. We can pretend we're not home."
The voice from the other side of the door speaks.
"I saw the lights on guys. I know you're in there."
"Nobody's home."
"Come on guys. Let me in and talk to you before they round us up and ship us out."
Dexter gets up and opens his door. It's Dr. Mackie. He's a lot more relaxed than usual as it's clear he's been drinking and celebrating,
"Hey fellas. I just wanted to come by and say it has been a pleasure working by your sides...both of you."
Dexter smiles and warms to Dr. Mackie,
"Come on in Dr. Mackie."
"Steven."
Steven walks into Dexter's office.
"Thank you. I don't to interrupt or anything...don't want to stay long."
"It's ok, Steven. What can we do for you?"
"I wanted to give you a parting gift...a little something as a thank you."
"Thank you...for...?"
Steven hands both men an large envelope with their names on them.
"What is this?"
As Dexter ask the question, Steven answers and Shane opens his envelop,
"It's my personal gift to you."
Shane pulls out his papers and reads the cover page of the report,
"It's our DNA report? You ran our DNA?"
"In setting up the coast and all the DNA banks, my team had access to blood work and DNA of all the troops on this assignment. Now, everyone else will have to go through the proper channels to get their OTP..."
"OTP?"
"Original Tribal Profile."
Dexter and Shane are a bit stunned and look at Steven and then each other, jaws dropped. Dexter speaks first,
"Original. Tribal. Profile."
"Wow...I can't tell how that sounds yet..."
"Fellas, this is going to be crucial information when the Sankofa kicks off. I just wanted to give you a head start."
The room is silent...awkward looks bounce around the room between the men.
"Ok. Well...I just wanted to say thank you and wish you guys well. Hope the wedding is..."
Dexter and Shane both look at Steven,
"Oh yeah...everyone knows. Was it suppose to be a secret?"
Dexter slightly shakes his head.
"I guess not. Clearly nothing around here is."
"Well, all the best. I know we didn't get off to the best start but I'd like to think we did some great and important work here together.
Steven lingers,
"...not that I'm looking to invite myself to your wedding...but..."
Dexter and Shane just watch Steven as he struggles and continues with his statement,
"...I'd...well...I'd like to be there in celebration of your union."
The guys are quiet for a moment and then Dexter give a slight chuckle,
"Aight Steven. You'll certainly get an invitation to the wedding."
"Yes, we still need a flower girl."
Dexter suppresses laughter by flashing Shane an approving smile. The joke isn't lost on Steven,
"Cute...that's funny."
"Don't mind Shane...of course, Steven. We'd love to have you there. And thank you."
Steven shake hands with both men and leaves the office.
"I'm serious about the flower girl. Honey, he looks like he could walk an aisle and shake loose a petal or two."
The two men laugh and embrace. Shane continues,
"I can't wait to marry you and live our lives and grow old together."
"Sounds nice."
Their kisses are interrupted again by another knock at the door. Dexter says out of frustration,
"Oh my goodness! Really?! We've been here 4 years and I've not had this many people in my office..."
Dexter opens the door and standing in the doorway are three members of the USA Corp security.
"Major Dexter Dracel?"
"Yes...?"
"We are here to inform you of your flights have been arranged for tomorrow."
"Flights? We're leaving on the same flight out in the morning."
"No sir. The USA Corp is sending a fleet of custom luxury airliners to take everyone home. The USAC would like to extend this gift to all the men and women who built this highway."
"Wow Dex, close the door. Let's see if someone else comes up and knock on the door bearing gifts."
"Major Dracel, your flight will leave at..."
"Excuse me...ok...here again, you're speaking about separate flights. I want you to go to your boss or leader or whoever is it you work for and tell them we are flying home together."
"Sgt. Baker will follow shortly behind."
"No, he won't."
"Sir, we have orders..."
"From a General?"
"No sir."
"From a Major General?"
"No...sir."
"From a Colonel?"
"No..."
"...another Major?"
"No. Sir."
"Then you have a REQUEST from a civilian. I do not take orders from a civilian. You go back and tell your 'boss' that Sgt. Baker and I will be flying back on the same flight at..."
"6am."
"0600."
"Sir?"
"0...six...hundred."
"Yes sir."
Dexter shuts the door in the young man's face. He stands facing the door for a moment and turns to find Shane smiling, beaming with pride at Dexter.
"What is it? What is that look?"
"You. Reminds me of the day in the conference room when you and the flower girl got into it. SO sexy..."
They share a sweet chuckle. Dexter looks Shane deep into his eyes,
"I'm never leaving you."
"I'll be right by your side too."
"Good. Thank you."
The two men kiss.
The kiss is interrupted by Dexter's desk phone ringing. - Oct 02, 13
Norfolk General Hospital
2pm
Waiting is hard when there is nothing to do. Sitting in a doctor's office, Craig nervously look around for a book or a magazine or a pamphlet, anything...just to give himself something to do. Les is sitting in his chair. He is calm. He isn't moving. He has no interest in reading. He turns his attention to his son, who insist on fidgeting in his chair.
"Son, I will knock you out and leave you here if you do not sit still."
Craig stops moving about and turns to his dad.
"Pop...I feel like I should be doing something.
"What? Would it pain you to be still for a moment?"
"Actually, yes. You know I don't like doctors and hospitals and whatnot. Haven't been here since..."
"Son. Be still."
The two men sit quietly for a moment. Les is perfectly still, looking straight ahead. Craig is still for 1...2...3...4....he last 5 seconds and then begin digging in his pocket for his cell phone.
"Lord, my son has ADD, ADHD, and XYZ. Can't sit still for one minute with his old man."
"I'm just checking for messages from 'the yard'. The Magnolia is going to be finished next Friday. Pop...she's a beauty. She's for mom."
Slowly a soft smile creeps up over Les' face. Seeing this, Craig sits still, takes in his father's show of pride, smiles himself and lowers his head as he feels himself blushing and not knowing what to do with this rare show of approval from his dad. Les whispers,
"Lift your head up, son."
Craig slowly sits up in his seat,
"Yes sir."
The two men share a sweet chuckle with each other.
Dr. Alex Harris enters the room, breaking up the father-son moment. He enters the office with some urgency, but slows as he approaches the men.
"Gentlemen. Thank you for coming in on such short notice."
Craig speaks up,
"Sure thing doc. Your call sounded pretty urgent and Pop only has one speed."
"I never rush. No need. Nothing requires me to be in a hurry."
The room is quiet. Craig and Les sit looking at Dr. Harris, who pauses to find his words. He opts to turning on the flat screen monitor on his desk. He then presses a small green button on the Dracel Card reader on his desk. It's the small rectangular box the size of a cell phone, connected, wirelessly, to the monitor. Dr. Harris looks up at Les.
"Mr. Dracel, may I have your card?"
"For?"
"It'll be a lot easier to explain if I can pull up your medical history and walk you through..."
Craig interrupts,
"Wait a minute wait a minute wait a minute...what's this about doc?"
"If your father would just swipe his..."
"My son asked you a question."
All three men are motionless, especially Craig, who tries to play off his surprise reaction to his father's words,
"I'm not giving you my card until you answer his question. What do you want with my card?"
The three men sit quiet. Dr. Harris is uncomfortable.
"Mr. Dracel..."
Craig interrupts,
"Mr. Dracel? Dr. Harris, you've known our family over 30 years..."
Dr. Harris never takes his eyes off Les,
"Mr. Dracel...without papers, a chart, or this monitor to help me explain your case,"
Craig interrupts again,
"His case? Doc, what is goin' on here? His case..."
Les still doesn't move. Dr. Harris only looks at Les. Les speaks,
"How long?"
Quiet falls over the office, silencing Craig immediately. Dr. Harris takes in Les' question,
"You know?"
"Yes."
"Knows what?!"
"Is that why you won't let me swipe your card?"
"Why? So you can tell me when I'm going to die? Who wants that news flashing up on a screen?"
"We could have began treatments earlier. We could have started chemo...created a plan..."
Les takes his wallet out of his jacket. He slowly opens his wallet and takes out his card. The doctor reaches for the card. Les holds it closer to himself.
"How did you know? I haven't...I haven't been in for a physical in some time. It's been a couple years. Why did you call me in here?"
The doctor pauses and then replies,
"The card called us."
Craig says quietly,
"The card...called...you?"
"Yes."
"How in the hell....did the card...call...you?"
Dr. Harris adjusts himself in the seat and takes off his glasses,
"It's an software adjustment within the card.
Craig looks confused,
"Within the card?"
"Yes. Each of these readers are connected to the main server at the USA Corporation headquarters in Atlanta. If there is an update in the software, if the card needs to gain a new feature, the update is sent to the reader. It only requires a swipe of the card and the card's software and functionality are updated."
"So, the cards can be altered...at the reader?"
"Yes...and no. It's still incredibly secure. No one can access another person's information without their card and consent. At any rate, the card has undergone its first update and so far it's proving to be a great success. The USA Corp partnered with the Center for Disease Control and created a library....a database...of DNA."
Craig is so put off by this conversation with Dr. Harris,
"Man...please...don't do this. Don't go down some crazy science road neither one of us can follow. Keep it real simple. You'll find that monitor and that card reader thing thrown up again the wall and into a thousand pieces and I won't give a damn because my name is on it...so...speak plainly."
The doctor continues,
"Ok. The USA Corp has created a DNA bank cataloging the DNA of all Americans to be used medically, historically, legally. This DNA information can be used as prolifically as how we once used a driver's license. This is medically beneficial because the DNA profiles allow us to see all types of diseases and ailments most people are prone to develop as it relates to their lineage. The card helps us catalog an entire family and see what issues we should red flag, offering preemptive care. We may be able to treat diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's...well before they show up. It's a great advancement for medicine. Not so great for insurance companies, the private, profit sectors of the health care industry, or the pharmaceutical companies that profit from treatment...I mean...it's hard to make money off the diseases you cure. For those of us who believe in wellness and want to cure cancer, fight diabetes, maybe even give the CDC some insight on how to arm ourselves against contractable viruses and diseases, this technology is...well...it's nothing short of miraculous."
Dr. Harris looks to Les,
"Mr. Dracel...Les...I hope you understand what your son has done...by creating this card. Jameson, gave the world a fighting chance against...everything."
"Except me."
Quiet again. Craig looks at his father. He switches his focus to Les' card, which Les is still clutching,
"How did the card call you?"
"Well...the silver thumb reader has a nanoscopic biotone calibrator in it."
Craig and his quick "I will break ALL this shit" look prompts Dr. Harris to begin again.
"The silver thumb reader has a tiny razor that pricks your skin once a month. It happens so quickly that you won't feel it and because the razor line matches the contour of your finger print, your finger will look red for a few minutes but not bleed. It reads the slightest amount of blood and send data into the mainframe. This is an advancement in card security, preventing non-citizens from creating counterfeit cards...and it gives physicians a monthly look at our patients. So...when they choose not to come in for a regular check up, we can see them anyway.
"So then...why ask for the card? You get the information anyway."
"We don't get everything. We don't get the patient. We use the card to pull up your information so you can know you carry all of the information with you. You can do additional research. Follow your own progress."
Craig addresses his dad, hoping to encourage him to give his card to Dr. Harris,
"Ok...well, Pop, that doesn't sound too bad..."
"No."
Les puts the card back in his wallet...his wallet back in his jacket.
"No."
Craig looks at his father, who continues to look ahead. Craig keeps his focus on his father but addresses the doctor.
"Doc...what is it?"
There is silence over the room again. Dr. Harris looks at Les, searching in his face for an answer or an allowance to answer Craig. Les gives him nothing. Les speaks,
"Once, there was a man. He was simple. Didn't have much. He enjoyed a very simple life. He enjoyed his family...his kids...his wife. This simple man had a home. He had acquire a little wealth. A man of good health. And then one at a time, he lost all that was important to him."
"Pop...you are not Job."
Les looks at Craig,
"No...I am not. I am not Job. Job had private talks with God. Job held on to his dignity as his faith was restored. No...I am not Job."
Les looks to Dr. Harris,
"When I give my card to you, you can have it. I don't need a swipe of a card to tell me I'm dying. I knew that was going to happen anyway. Why spoil the surprise ending?"
Les stands up, takes his card out one final time and places it on the doctor's desk. He looks back to Craig,
"Now...take me to 'the yard'. I want to see The Magnolia."
Les walks out of the office, leaving both Craig and Dr. Harris in their seats. Craig slowly gets up and begins for the door. He stops, turns back to the desk, slowly picks up his father's card, holds it for a second,
"Show me." - Jun 20, 13
Mid afternoon on a Saturday. Franklin walks into the kitchen and find the refrigerator door open with a person bent over inside, scavenging for food. Franklin slows his pace, and quietly continues to approach a woman, standing in the open refrigerator.
"Can I help you find something?"
The woman is startled and jumps out of the open frige.
"Dad! Good God you scared me."
"Ummmm...well, you gave me a bit of a scare when I came around the corner and found some strange woman in my kitchen."
"Daddy..."
"Oh...yes, Daddy. The dirty laundry can't be too far behind."
"Daddy...I needed a break from all the chaos at school."
"Wait. You're not on some break?"
"No. The school decided to shut down this week to try and handle the protest. Plus, the school has to hire new custodial and grounds staff. You know the government deported all the undocumented residents, so there are a lot of jobs left open. I mean, I guess it could be good for people looking for work but it's not so good when your physics lab partner suddenly disappears."
"No, Selina is a citizen. She was born here."
"Yeah, well, her parents weren't and she didn't want to be here without them. A lot of kids are leaving with their folks despite having a right to stay. Dad...we really need to do something about this fridge. Where's mom?"
"Alex has a soccer game today."
"And you didn't want to be there?
"Mom's soccer. I'm basketball."
"Stereotypical."
"Learning big words in college huh, Rian?"
They laugh.
"So...the people disappearing and being deported...I'm so sick of people blaming Uncle Jamie's card. I mean, I have to say, I think it's kinda cool how everything is in one place. I carry my iPhone and my DC and that's it."
"Your DC?"
"Yeah. Do you know how embarrassing it is to say your own name every time you talk about the card?
"Yeah, actually I do. Ok...let's go to the grocery store. I guess if you're gonna be here for the weekend. We may as well stock up on...what do you college kids eat nowadays?"
"Free. If it's free, we eat it."
"Well, glad to see some things haven't changed."
At the grocery store, the entrance is blocked by a crowd of protesters. They are mainly Latinos. The protesters are yelling for the customers to boycott the store for laying off all their Hispanic workers. Franklin and Rian walk up to the door. They are yelled at by the protesters but do not feel threatened. They enter the store and as the doors close behind them, the sound of the protest outside is silenced. The soothing sounds of smooth jazz plays over the speaker system in the store. The two head to the produce section first. They find the produce fresh and plentiful. There is a small sign stuck in the various fruits and vegatables, "Grown, harvested, packaged and delivered by the USA Corp. From American fields to American tables...daily and fresh."
Rian chuckles,
"Wow...and to think all of that fits on a little sign."
"Don't know why you're surprised. Our entire lives is on a little card."
"Dad, you don't sound happy about what Uncle Jamie has done. I don't know. I think it's cool. I mean, not the sending people away part, but the fact that we're using technology to streamline information and it does seem to be helping with the unemployment rate.
Franklin stops dead in his tracks.
"Ok. I'm not mad at your uncle. I'm disappointed this wasn't better planned...thought out. There are consequences to what's happening in this country right now, and while we're eating fresh produce and prime meat from the butcher courtesy of the USA Corp, millions of families are being displaced. My kids...your friends...our neighbors..."
Franklin looks around and out the front doors.
"This is America right now. There is chaos just outside our doors and while we think it's safe inside, we're not. We're trapped.
Rian looks at her Dad. Franklin remains fixed on the door. Rian takes her dad by the arm.
"I think we're going to be ok. We're Dracels. Embarrassing as it may be sometimes, our name is on the card. I think we're safe, Dad."
"Safe or a target. Depending on who you ask."
"Wow. Really Dad? You should really have more faith in Uncle Jamie. He didn't create that out there. America's been broken for centuries...since the beginning. Stealing a country and then vilifying the people you robbed...no we didn't create that out there. What Uncle Jamie is doing is resetting America. Rescuing a country from itself."
Franklin is looking deep in Rian's face. He looks as if he's looking at a stranger.
"Are you serious?! Do you honestly believe Jamie's ridiculous card, chalk full with ALL our lives on it, further disenfranchising the people who..."
"Who what? Need jobs? Who now have better health care because a doctor can now scan the patient's card and see their entire medical history just through blood and DNA scans...also on their card? Or are you talking about the people who can afford gas, food, and other necessity because it's all built around the info on your card? You make $8 a hour, you scan your card for groceries or gas, you're not instantly broke because you pay the same amount as the guy who makes $1,000 a hour. You talking about THOSE people? THOSE people are just fine. They are preparing their kids for college. They are saving money for the first time in their lives. They are voting without hassle because all their information is right there. Can not be denied. Those people? Those people are happy in America...for the first time. Those people...or should I just say We, Us, and Our? What Uncle Jamie did was said 'Welcome Home' finally. We are home...finally."
"Then we are home in a house with no lights. It's dark in here baby. That outside is NOT America. That outside is tearing families apart...is destroying peoples' lives...people who have been here their whole life. Yes, many have benefited but many are suffering and no one is paying attention to that. People are being sent to places they don't know and can't possibly call home because they've never been there before. It's a dark time and your Uncle Jamie doesn't have the power to turn on a light bulb. He's a puppet in all this. Look out there! Somewhere in all that chaos is Selina...her mom...her dad."
"Yeah...well...like you said, she's a citizen. She must have her card and she'll work it out for her family and will be back in class next week. Citizens are not being deported. Uncle Jamie made the card, not the immigration laws."
Franklin looks at Rian with disbelief and sadness as she walks off and continues shopping.
Rian and Franklin make their way to the cashier, an African American woman wearing the name tag, Betty. Out the windows they see the police has arrived and is trying to manage the chaos. Franklin takes out his card and swipes it. The screen reads, 'Thank you Mr. Dracel. Have a nice day.' The cashier looks up at Franklin and says,
"Are you related to him?"
"To...?"
"You know who she's talking about, Dad." Rian turns to the cashier, "Jamison Dracel is my uncle...his brother."
"You must be proud of him. Thanks to the economic reform and the card and whatnot, I have a job, have seen a doctor and a dentist in the last year. Hadn't done any of those things in a long, long time. Your brother is a very good man. You must be proud."
Rian speaks up, "He is. Radical change can take some getting use to. All through out our history, Dad, with great change has always been great chaos. But it's getting better. We are getting better. Isn't that right Betty?
"Yes ma'am. Much better."
Rian grabs the groceries and walks away from the counter. Franklin is left standing, looking at Betty.
"Thank you." he says.
"Thank your brother for me. He saved my life."
"Yes. Yes, I will share that with him."
Franklin walks up to the store doors to Rian. The doors slide open and suddenly the wave of sound from the protest pours in. Franklin and Rian calmly walk pass the protesters and to their car. - Aug 01, 13
The celebration has begun.
Dignitaries from all the coastal countries of west Africa are present along with officers of all the regional military bases and a group of American civilians, mainly medical doctors and engineers. Seated in the front row, next to one another, are Jamison Dracel, Jamison's wife, Katherine, and Dexter Dracel.
Dr. Mackie steps up to the podium.
"Hello everyone. Good Afternoon and welcome on the Liberia gateway to the Mandela Liberty Transcontinental Highway. My name is Dr. Steven Mackie, civil engineer with the USA Corporation. I am so pleased to open today's ceremony. I'm pleased because a month ago, when I first arrived, I had no idea why I was here."
The crowd offers a knowing chuckle.
"Today, I address you with the greatest amount of pride and faith in the historical partnership, ambassadorship and good will that is about to take place on this great continent. I now realize it was best that I learned what my job would ultimately be, in small steps. Anything more would have indeed been far too fantastic to bear. And now, it is time to share with you, the greatness of this highway."
Dr. Mackie pauses for the round of applause and cheers from the audience. During the applause, Dexter speaks just under his breath,
"America, don't ask, won't tell. What trick is about to be pulled out of Uncle Sam's hat now?"
Jamison slightly leans over Katherine and whispers to Dexter,
"Oh, you are going to love what is about to go down here today. And I assure you, it is the last of the secrets. We saved the best for last. You should have invited Sgt. Baker over to sit with you for this occasion."
Dexter gives Jamison a look that could kill him dead where he stood, were it possible.
Dr. Mackie continues,
"Ladies and gentlemen, unveiling the next phase of the Mandela Liberty Transcontinental Highway, we welcome the Senior Vice President of American Public Relations and the creator of the Dracel Card, Jamison Dracel."
The crowd jump to their feet in excited applause. Surprised and looking around, Dexter slowly gets up to his feet and share in the applause, though he seems genuinely confused by the reception. Katherine is standing proud and smiling lovingly at her husband.
"Thank you ladies and gentlemen...thank you. Go ahead and take a seat. You are all too kind. Find myself feeling like Jay-Z up here."
Dexter scoffs and whispers to himself,
"Really? Jay-Z?"
Katherine responds without breaking her Stepford Wife smile,
"Yes, in fact, he hand delivered Jay-Z, Beyonce, and little Blue Ivy's Dracel Cards to them personally."
Dripping with sarcasm,
"Of course he did."
Dexter slightly shakes his head, finding it hard to appreciate his brother's social and corporate rise.
Jamison continues at the podium, sounding both presidential and like a black southern minister,
"When we first began this project, it was hard to see where it was going. As we cut this ribbon today, some three years later, we see exactly where it is going: the future. Africa is home TO millions and home OF billions. There is a small number of people on this planet who's lineage does not trace back to this vast continent. Today we cut the ribbon on this highway, and open the doors home. We are going to bring some of those BILLIONS...home. Ladies and gentlemen, today, we change the world!
"Laying along the west coast of Africa, from Senegal to South Africa, the Mandela Liberty Transcontinental Highway will serve many purposes. First, it was be a transportation artiery, giving us and all the neighboring countries, access to all the coastal nations and hundreds of local towns and villages. With the assistance and generous funding of the USA Corporation, many of these villages will be given a new chance at economic development and success. How will we do this, you may ask? Tourism.
"Under the leadership of civil engineer, Dr. Mackie, and my big brother, Major Dexter Dracel, the Mandela Liberty Transcontenital Highway was constructed to UNITE African nations. The MLTH is also a west African coastal corridor made with the American traveler in mind. Beginning in August of 2020, a little more than a year from now, the USA Corporation will launch a tourism inititaive that will also be an economic development program for coastal west Africa. The American sons and daughters of Africa are coming home."
The audience gives an warm and enthusiast round of applause. Jamison continues,
"I want to publicly thank these two men...first, the man who has been at the forefront of this project since the beginning. He is a role model to me my entire life. My big brother, Major Dexter Dracel, is a leader among great men and women who have changed the face and the wealth of Africa. Folks credit me with doing that in America with the card that bares our name but the work my brother had done here will eclipse that which has been accomplished in the United States. This highway is a road of vision and grand path of destiny and my brother has walked every inch of it in the last three years. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask that you give a big round of applause and your appreciation to my brother and one of my best friends, Major Dexter Dracel."
Dexter remains planted in his chair at first. Slowly people begin standing up for a grand ovation, forcing Dexter to stand up and offer a wave of thanks back to the crowd. He is the first to take his seat again and gives his attention back to Jamison, who is arrogantly smirking back at Dexter. Dexter does not seem pleased with this attention. In fact, he looks pensive as, moment to moment, he is uncertain of what the ceremony is about to bring.
"The other man I'd like to give a warm and public thanks is Dr. Stephen Mackie. He has promoted to the lead civil planning and development engineer on the MLTH for USA Corp. As you know, Dr. Mackie's job has been designing the finishing touches on this highway. One might assume the 'finishing touches' would be on and exit ramps, railings and signage, plant life and rest areas. Yes..."
The audience chuckles. Dexter doesn't stir.
"Yes, a part of his job in the beginning was to design all of those necessary items from the most northern point of the Mandela Highway to the southern most by the cape. That took all of six days for Dr. Mackie to design and send a team to execute. No, we did not bring Dr. Mackie over to design public toilets and sign posts. Dr. Mackie and his team have designed a series of ship ports along the entire west coast of Africa. A series of matching ports have been created along the eastern seaboard in American, from Maine to Florida."
There is a murmur of comments rolling through the audience. They quiet as Jamison continues,
"The United States of America and the USA Corporation along with the heads of government from all the countries the Mandela Highway touches have partnered to create the most amazing, historical travel experience known to man, Sankofa 2020."
The crowd erupts in applause. Jamison attempts to quiet the audience before continuing but opts to speak over the crowd,
"YES!! We are giving American citizens, black Americans in particular, the trip of a lifetime: Passage Home."
The crowd jumps to their feet and applaud with a wild ferocity. Jamison raises his arms to settle the crowd and get them back in their seats.
"Didn't I say we are here to change the world today?"
The crowd laughs and give a more controlled applause.
"Ok, Sankofa 2020. Amazing name, huh? Sankofa means to go back and get...to return and seek. The Adinkra symbol for sankofa resembles a heart. There is another symbol takes the shape of a bird. The is a proverb, 'Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi.' "It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.' Home. But where? Where is home? I mean despite what American education would have you belief, Africa is a pretty big and diverse place. Where will the average modern African American return? Many of us have a hard time drawing our lineage beyond out great grand parents or our great great grand parents. We know the bookkeeping system blacks in chains was unreliable, at best...but blood does not lie. DNA...does not lie.
"Dr. Steven Mackie has lead a large team of scientist and doctors, up and down the ENTIRE Mandela Highway, and has work with the African leaders you see up here today, in developing a database of destiny, as I like to call it. DNA banks have been set up by the hundreds, all throughout the western nations. Members of all of the existing tribes along these shores have participated in DNA screenings and have volunteered their blood samples to create a living directory.
"While in the clinics, the sick are being treated for the variety of diseases and illnesses suffered among the masses. The malnutrition is now fed. Local doctors are trained by our own and are administering antibiotics, ensuring a coast of stronger nations for our homecoming.
"Back home, thanks to the Dracel card, every American citizen DNA code is encrypted in their respective card. Citizens will receive an email stating they have been matched with their original tribe. Each port in America has been assigned African ports to which the people on that respective ship will sail to be reunioned with their ancestral relatives.
"The ships are all luxary cruise liners...the finest you have every seen. And...before you ask who's paying for all of this, consider it a gift from USA Corp. Not a single penny...or should I say not a single point of American citizen money will be used to fund Sankofa 2019...I mean 2020. USA Corp is funding the entire initiative.
"And finally, Sankofa 2020 is going to be unveiled in America, next week, on the Fourth of July. They same day all of you American officers, soldiers of freedom and peace, will return home to be reunited with your American families first. Yes, you are going home!"
The crowd is now completely delirious. People are crying and embracing one another. Jamison finishes,
"You have been relieved of your duty as of right now!"
One of the hanger tremendous doors open wide to reveal a troop of men and women, all dressed in black uniforms march out in tight formation. The "new" soldiers all walk in unison with a stone look on their faces and do not break despite the overwhelmingly loud cheering. Dexter stands to get a better look but he is not cheering. In fact, his face also carries the same stone expression.
"The USA Corp has hired a military trained force of men and women to watch over the highway, care for the safety of all American citizens as well return home in Sankofa! THANK YOU!"
The crowd explodes in one final applause and cheer. Jamison steps down from the podium, hugs and kisses his wife. He shakes the hands of Dr. Mackie, the dignitaries, and makes his way back to his brother.
"So, big brother. Didn't I tell you?! Change...the...WORLD!"
Dexter looks at Jamison, totally astonished, says nothing and walks away. Jamison is left, standing in disbelief that his brother said nothing,
"Are you serious?! Nothing?! You have NOTHING to say?!"
Dexter keeps walking through the crowd and finds his way to Sgt. Baker.
"Shane..."
"Dex..."
Shane grabs Dexter and hugs him, completely dropping protocol, not caring if anyone is paying attention,
"Dex, we are definitely going home. AND...we have a wedding to plan!"
Dexter says nothing. His attention is fixed on the military group dressed in black and still standing at attention,
"Shane...have you noticed..."
Dexter pauses and continues to scan the private troop of soldiers before he speaks another word,
"...have you noticed..."
Dexter begins to walk in the direction of the USA Corp troops. Shane stops Dexter, without force, by taking his arm,
"Dex...are you ok? Have I noticed...?"
Dexter is still fixated on the troops. He answers,
"Have you noticed they are all white?"
Shane turns to study the faces of the troops. Dexter continues,
"Every west African nation on the continent welcoming black Americans by the millions...and not a single black face among them."
Dexter turns to Shane,
"And that doesn't concern you?"
Shane follows,
"The better question is why doesn't it concern your brother?"
The celebration continues all around the two men...all but them. - May 19, 13
It is the most beautiful day in Monrovia. The sun is shining on a small crowd of military officers, civilians and dignitaries on the airfield right outside Dexter's office. The crowd has gathered to celebrate the completion of the Mandela Liberty Transcontinental Highway. Today is the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Dexter is looking out of his window onto the airfield. He reaches in his desk drawer and pulls out a metal lock box. He takes a seat at his desk, swivels his back to the door to continue looking outside, places the box in his lap and runs his hand over it. He reaches in the drawer again and pulls out a small flask of whisky. He opens the flask and takes a quick swig, cringing at the sting and burn of the swallow.
"Big guy like you...flinch like that...that's gotta be gasoline in that flask."
Dexter is startled. He swings his chair around to find Jamison standing in the doorway.
"Jamie..."
"Hello Dex. Shouldn't you wait until AFTER the ceremony to have a strong, stiff one?"
Dexter just looks at Jamison. Jamison continues,
"Oh wow. I'm sorry...that...that came out wrong. I just meant..."
"What do you want? What are you..."
"...doing here? Wow. All that before, 'Hello Jamison. How's my little brother doing? Congrats on your promotion."
"Promotion? Really? You call destroying..."
"Oh no...not you too. I've been doing this with you guys for the last month. I was really hoping I had an ally in you. I mean...you have an ally in me."
Dexter pausing to maintain control over his temper, he chuckles,
"Jamison...what are you doing here?"
Jamison answers confidently...nearly cocky actually,
"I'm uhhh...I'm USA Corp at this shindig. I am the face of the largest, most important corporation on planet Earth. I am the face of the company and the country who will bring money and wealth to the entire CONTINENT of Africa. I am USA and I am Corporation. I'm am here to cut the ribbon on this highway and deliver the Motherland to freedom and prosperity."
"You're an idiot."
"And you're finished here."
"What?"
Dexter looks confused. Jamison takes a small black card box out of his jacket pocket.
"This, my loving brother, is your...wait for it...wait for it...your Dracel Card. You'll need it when you go back home."
"When I go back home? I'm stationed here until..."
"Until now. All US military have been released from duty here. This is not just a ribbon cutting ceremony. The USA Corp is going to announce the changing of the guard, so to speak. The troops are going home and there will be a TRUE celebration here today."
Dexter is completely stunned and thrown off guard. He turns and takes another look out his window on to the field towards the festivities.
"And who will take our place? The people here aren't ready to take over the security, the check points, the tolls, the..."
"The USA Corp will be..."
"Dex, the ceremony is about to..."
Sgt. Baker enters the office without knocking, interrupting the brothers with his intrusion. Jamison gives a long look at Sgt. Baker. He smiles slightly and then turns his attention to Dexter. Sgt. Baker instantly realizes his misstep and quickly tries to recover,
"My apologies sir. Major Dracel, you are requested to be present on the field as the ceremony is about to begin."
Sgt. Baker turns to Jamison,
"I'm sorry, Mr. Dracel. I did not mean to interrupt your conversation. That was rude of me to have..."
"No worries..."
"...Sgt. Baker."
"Yes, no worries at all, Sgt. Baker. But I do have one question...for you, Sgt. Baker. Do you always address your commanding officers by their first name...Sgt. Baker?"
Sgt. Baker looks nervously at Dexter and then back to Jamison,
"Sir, in a moment of excitement I..."
"Sgt. Baker, thank you. I will be out shortly."
Knowing he has been saved, Sgt. Baker exhales a sigh of relief,
"Yes sir."
Sgt. Baker leaves. Jamison is standing next to the door with a smug grin on his face. He stares directly at Dexter, who finds it difficult to keep his focus on Jamison. Jamison continues,
"I'm not going to ask. I'm fairly certain you're not going to tell."
"Get out."
"Brother, I'm just trying to side with you."
"Get. Out."
"Besides, he seems nice..."
"GET OUT!"
The final shout echoes through the room and into the hallway and then a restful quiet. The brothers are still for a moment. Dexter turns his back and looks out the window towards the podium and the airplane hanger behind it. Jamison steps forward to place the card on Dexter's desk.
"You'll be needing that."
Jamison turns to walk out the door,
"And don't be too long. The Dracel brothers have a show to put on. So get your face right and let's go."
Jamison exits the room, leaving Dexter alone, still looking out the window. Dexter slowly turns back towards his desk and takes a seat. He takes a key out of his pocket and opens the metal box. Inside the box is Dexter's passport, some photos, his birth certificate, his social security card, a marble ring box and $188 in cash...one bill of each domination. The silence is broken,
"Sir...?"
Dexter looks up to see Sgt. Baker standing in the door.
"I'm so sorry, sir. I hadn't realized your brother was in the..."
"It's ok."
"But sir, I'm..."
"Shane...it's ok."
Dexter gets up from his chair, walks around his desk to Sgt. Baker., who is standing nervously at attention. Dexter steps up closer and closer and whispers,
"At ease, Shane."
Sgt. Baker relaxes and exhales a bit.
Dexter closes his door, returns to Sgt. Baker. The two share a brief kiss and embrace. Dexter says while in the comfort of Shane's arms,
"It's all gonna be ok now."
The military band begins to play signaling the beginning of the ceremony,
"Dex, we should go now. It's starting."
Dexter releases Shane and pulls himself together. Tugs at his shirt...fixes his tie. He then crosses back behind his desk, caps his flask, takes a last look at a photo of himself and Shane, takes out the ring box, closes the box and places them back in his desk drawer. He puts on his jacket and grabs his cap.
"Dex..."
"Yes, Shane?"
"I love you...and I'm incredibly proud of you."
Dexter looks up, tears filling his eyes,
"Thank you. Shane, I love you too."
Dexter looks out the window once more,
"Shane, it is a beautiful day. It is the most beautiful day I've ever seen in Monrovia."
Dexter turns back to Shane,
"We are going home."
"We are?"
"Yes, we are. And when we do, I want to marry you."
"What?"
"Yes. Shane Baker,"
Dexter goes to one knee and presents the ring box,
"Shane..."
Dexter opens the ring box to reveal a platinum band with a black onyx embedded on the face. Shane gasps at the sight of the gesture and the ring,
"Wait Dex...wait...what are you doing?!"
"We are going home. I want to go home, to America, starting a new life and starting it with you. We have no idea what we are about to face there but whatever it is, I want to face it with you. America is new now. We will love and serve the army, our country, and our God...together."
"Ok."
"Are you afraid?"
"Dex, no. I am not afraid."
"Do you trust me?"
"Completely."
"Will you marry me?"
"Absolutely."
Dexter takes the ring out of the box and slide it on Shane's finger. Dexter gets up and the two men hug and kiss each other in celebration of their engagement. Dexter is glowing. He is beaming with happiness and is now ready to take on the ceremony.
"Ok...NOW, let's go out, cut this ribbon, and celebrate."
The two men walk out of the office and out towards the airfield.
It is a beautiful day, indeed. - Jul 02, 13
The house is quiet. The news is on. No one is in the living room, but the front door is open. The screen door is closed so flies and other unwanted guest know not to just wander up into the house. The afternoon sun pours amber into the living room through the windows and wire mesh screen, showing off the dust lingering in the air like ultra fine confetti in a late day parade.
Les is making his way up the walk and into the house.
"Mags! You got another postcard! This one came from your son...all the way over there in Africa. Dex is fine...says he misses home. He's ready to come home Mags."
Les stands in the living room and looks at the card.
"Jamie came home Mags. He came home and he brought all that mess from Washington here with him and Mags...Mags...I know you would have wanted me to hug and say welcome home son, but I just got so mad..."
Tears begin to well up in Les' eyes,
"...I just got so mad Mags. I know you would have done better if you were here."
Composing himself,
"I'll try again Mags. I'll try again and do better Mags. And Mags...we should be proud. He's done well. All our boys have. I don't like this card business but I am proud of Jamie. He works hard...all our boys do. This card, Mags, is from Liberia. A free country. Been a free country all along. Dex is making a difference. Frank is a teacher, making a difference. Craig puts in a hard days work EVERYday and making a difference. And Jamie is here, working with the President...the President of the United States, Mags. He is making a difference."
Les steps up to the wall and pushes a button pin through the postcard from Dexter.
"Our boys are good, Mags. You should see them, Mags. You really should see."
While Les is looking over the wall of postcards, news anchor, Jenny Cox, continues on the television.
"And protest continues throughout the country as more buses and truck loads of Mexicans and Canadians are escorted to the nations' borders for deportation. The President is very clear in stating that this process isn't simply "something done to the Hispanic". Anyone without proof of citizenship and is not issued a Dracel card is being escort out of the country. On the opposite side of the story, the unemployment rate has improved tremendously as this deportation act has freed many jobs now assumed by American citizens. The Department of Labor reports that there has never been a more secure time in American history in the work place. Yes, knew this change would bring about protest and defiance, and that it would potentially get worse before it got better. We are now seeing signs of the "better"."
"In other news, the price of gasoline per gallon is 99 points per gallon. Not since the year 1998 have we seen a national average of the price of gas rest under a dollar. With more of America working and spending more, the economy is experiencing the greatest boost since the 1990's. Not even the 1980's and the consumptive "Me Generation" experienced such a robust time economically. President Robert Johns' approval rating has skyrocketed in recent weeks as a result of the radical changes in this country. With growing support and confidence from the American people, President Johns can expect reelection with little contest."
"In international news, the Mandela Liberty Transcontinental Highway is nearing completion. Reporter, Maxwell Dodson is joining us from Washington DC after a press conference with the USA Corp and White House with an update on this initiative. Maxwell,"
"Yes Jenny... the USA Corporation and the White House have met with the dignitaries and civil leaders of the over 20 different countries on the western half of the African continent to discuss the economic development that is the highway and in what ways these African nations can potentially benefit as more Americans are likely to visit there in the coming years. Spokesperson, Jamison Dracel, creator of the Dracel Card, spoke to reporters today to give his weekly update on the card and the economy. Today Dracel added that a new initiative is in the developmetal stage, one that would intice more Americans to travel abroad but to also consider less traveled locations throughout Africa, as well as Europe and Asia."
The report cuts to Jamison at his weekly press conference,
"This is a time for growth, not just in America, but a global growth. As our economy and morale grows stronger, that will trickle out to our allies and friends in every direction of the planet. We are excited about the Mandela Liberty Transcontinental Highway and what it will mean economically as well as culturally, to have Americans, and all of this world's citizens, visiting Senegal, South Africa and all points in between. We will learn so much from our friends in all the nations along the coast and, in turn, pour millions of tourist dollars into each respective nation the highway touches, and beyond. Our goal will be to build transportation arteries throughout the continent and bring economic strength all over Africa."
Les takes a seat in his arm chair, which is well worn and caves to the shape of his body when he sits. He takes a long, deep breath before saying,
"Yes...he IS making a difference. Mags, ask the Lord to watch over our boy...all of them."
-
Posts
- Oct 09, 14
I want to thank my friend Lynn McKenzie for bringing this video...this message...to my attention. It is ok to be vulnerable. It is ok to be uncertain and open. We fear what we don't know because we aim to be "in control". I am a card carrying control freak who fail to realize until now that I've been "in control" of very little in my adult life. I suspect I own more control over my life as a child than as an adult. We were fearless as children. We ran and played and didn't worry about falling. If we fell, we hurt for a moment but if you were like me, you reveled at picking the scab that formed over your wound. Now, we don't play! We are so careful and cautious and we forgot how great it felt to be fearless. We can be...fearless. - Sep 23, 14
You have a hole in your soul if this doesn't move you. I watched this TWICE today, once alone and the other with two office mates, and it restored me. This is a brilliant shot in the arm for anyone who teaches, either in a classroom or at home. So...basically that's anyone with children and/or students in their lives.
I've CRIED watching this TED Talk. It's amazing. It's inspiring. And when you finish watching, and you're on your feet cheering, the sobering final piece of information that Rita Pierson died just months after filming this will take your breath away. We need MORE of people like her.
Thank you Rita Pierson.
Rest Well.
Leave your favorite quotation from this speech in the comments on this thread. You won't be able to pick just one.
- Aug 26, 14For your first day...To the students:Make it a great year, young ones! You get this time of your life once...ONCE! Whether in K or in 12, push yourself to be your BEST self.
You will surely want these years back if you find yourself having to settle for the job you REALLY don't want or the college for which you had to settle. The algebra you think you'll never use again may NEVER come back around in your life...but it is CRAZY important now, so go with it! Be fearless in your achievement. Be hungry in your growth. Demand more of your education and your educators. Our mission is to help build YOU!South Cobb High School
Austell, GA
Meet us at the warehouse called "school", "campus", "grounds"...and let us help you make your tomorrow, today...every day.American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Hollywood, CATo the Class of 2015:
On this first day of your "final" year, charge yourself with the task of being humble and hungry. Yes, you are currently the "big man or woman on campus" but you will only rock that crown for the next 10 months. You will then find yourself in the freshman class, a rookie, a newbie, a maggot in basic training, or some other lowest on the totem pole name this time next year. So be leaders this year. Mentor a freshman or sophomore in your school. Give your time and tutor a kid in middle or elementary school. Give your community a little of your time and energy. Thank your parents or guardians...daily. And be hungry to continue growing and meeting challenges where they meet you for it all builds character. DON'T COAST to the finish line! Yes, you have made it to this top of this hill...but remember two things: you did not make it alone and it is only a hill.Prince George's Community College
Largo, MDCascadia Community College
Seattle, WATo all the parents:Thank you and Congrats on making it through the summer!! I wish I could treat you all to a glass of wine or a shot of Starbucks!Make a Wish Foundation
Seattle, WA
Thank you for early morning wake ups and the late after school pick ups and the weekend athletic events and the plays (bless her heart...she is 16 playing Lena Younger in "A Raisin In The Sun") and the concerts (bless his heart...his arm ain't even long enough to play the trombone) and the field trips and the glitter and the Elmer's glue and the Crayola crayons because the no name crayons don't color right! You believe in your kids...whether they know it or not. Your faith and trust in us, the teachers, is pure grace. For 13 years, AT LEAST, you share the growth of your children with strangers...people outside of your family...and that is an act of selfless love.
Educating your child with a team of people you trust on blind faith is an act of the God in you. Thank you. Simply, thank you.With my Nephew, Loren
Atlanta, GATo all my fellow educators:Buckle the chin strap and let's make this a great year! No Auto Pilot! No Easy Way! No Path of Least Resistance!!Fall 1993, James Madison University
With my professors/forensics coaches, Audra Colvert McMulllen and C. Lee Mayfield
I've had those semesters where I was just uninspired. They were quickly squashed by my time OUT of the classroom!Fall 2013
With C. Lee Mayfield
Challenge yourself and your students will follow! I love teaching primarily because I love being a student of the world. I raise my glass to my fellow teachers...my fellow students!
Happy 2014-2015!!
TDV - Aug 19, 14NO Blacks. NO Immigrants. No Cash.America...in 2019.Oprah, Whoopi, and the President have my book. DO YOU?!GONNA FINISH 2014 STRONG!!
Goal: Sell 999 by the end of the Year!41 DOWN...958 TO GO!Diva Blue Publications is going to achieve a mighty goal: We are going to sell 999 copies of "Passage Home" in the remaining days of 2014! Using the hashtag #999PassageHome, tell everyone you know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to buy a copy of the book or to download the eBook. Click this link to buy your book, show your support and watch as the Diva Blue mercury rises!! - Aug 12, 14On July 7, 2014, my wife, Michelle and I were invited to the White House for the first ever LGBT Innovation Summit. The White House summit included a collective of entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders who share a desire to tackle the major challenges faced by LGBTQ communities through new solutions using technology, partnerships, mentorship, media, networks, and creative, market-driven, scalable models. For President Barack Obama's 53rd birthday, I sent a copy of Passage Home to my contact at the White House, who personally delivered my novel to the President.The President has my book. Do you?!7 DOWN...992 TO GO!Diva Blue Publications is going to achieve a mighty goal: We are going to sell 999 copies of "Passage Home" in the remaining days of 2014! Using the hashtag #999PassageHome, tell everyone you know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to buy a copy of the book or to download the eBook. Click this link to buy your book, show your support and watch as the Diva Blue mercury rises!!
- Aug 11, 14Diva Blue Publications is going to achieve a mighty goal: We are going to sell 999 copies of "Passage Home" in the remaining days of 2014!Using the hashtag #999PassageHome, tell everyone you know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to buy a copy of the book or to download the eBook. Click this link to buy your book, show your support and watch as the Diva Blue mercury rises!!
- Aug 11, 14
Thank you to Professor Danielle Powell, Professor Jared Leising, Chris Zempel at the University Bookstore Bookstore and all of the faculty and staff for including "Passage Home" into a number of courses at the University of Washington, Bothell and Cascadia Community College near Seattle. I felt my heart drop into my stomach and tears well up in my eyes when Chris sent these photos to me this week. - Jul 07, 14Ok...Imma need Lil Mo to understand the follow things to make clear the point...and I quote from the classic film, "Purple Rain": "HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"1.) Prince wore a damn dew rag around his head in "Under The Cherry Moon" AND the Superbowl..."HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"2.) Prince ain't GOTS to hit ALL them notes! Hell, he INVENTED 70% of them his damn self! "HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"3.) Prince got ON prettier underwear than you so you coulda just SAVED yourself a tweet and all this embarrassment by just pissin' on yo'self. It would have made less news...or NO news..."HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"4.) Prince made a PRETTY chick jump into a lake she ain't even know the name of. YOU...TRYIN' TO HOLD YO' PEE SO HE CAN MAKE IT TO THE STAGE?! Child please..."HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"5.) Girl...Forrest Gump in Greenbo, Alabama, knows who Prince is...probably met him! Don't nobody know who a Lil Mo is! I can hear Forrest now, "A Lil Mo whuuut?" Meanwhile...regarding Prince... Forrest said, "HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"6.) Prince made a white lady say "wrecka stow" repeatedly and out loud in a crowded restaurant before that "Kiss" (where he consummed her entire face in "Under The Cherry Moon", but I've digressed)...you and yo' lil tweet? "HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"7.) Prince DID "Under the Cherry Moon" AND "Graffiti Bridge"...and didn't care if we didn't like them! We loved him! "HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"8.) Prince said his name is a symbol I can't even type...let alone say...and the ENTIRE world called him what they could. I have NO reason to even SAY your name...it may as WELL be a symbol! Girl... "HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"9.) Prince is an ORIGINATOR! Your Lil Tweet and your Lil Kermit meme were played and a show of how "interesting" you really are: not so much. GIRL...YOU TRIED PRINCE! This man doesn't even allow the awards he win share a podium with himself, "HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CHOO!"10.) Prince is a legend with 40+ years of doing something you have YET to do: Make Music. "HE...DOESN'T...CARE ABOUT...CHOO!"Now...let me go listen to "Adore" because he cares about me! Had to when he made that song...LOL...I'm so serious...wooo...I ain't even gonna bother with a photo of...wait...WHO?!
- May 15, 14Man walks down the street.
Man sees another man living on the street.
Man walks by homeless man saying,"This has nothing to do with me.This is not my business."Man walks by man and his wife in public.
Man hears man and his wife arguing.
Man sees man hit his wife.
Man walks by battered woman saying,"This has nothing to do with me.This is not my business."Man walks by flyer attached to nearby street sign.
Man reads that a child is missing.
Man reads license plate number of possible abductor.
Man doesn't commit information to memoryor to a cell phone phone...just in case...because,"This has nothing to do with me.This is not my business."Man walks past a newspaper box.
Man sees newspaper in the window of the newspaper box.
Man reads headline: 260 Nigerian School Girls Abducted.
Man keeps walking saying,"This has nothing to do with me.This is not my business."Man walks up to my house.
Man stands well outside my gate.
Man does not know my partner.
Man does not know my body.
Man does not know my life.
But man has made THIS his business.So man walks pass
The newspaper box...
The sign of the taken children...
The battered woman...
The homeless...
Walks into his church...
Walks into Congress...
And states HIS business.America. - May 01, 14It's MAY!!It's my birthday month!
For the last three years I've created the TDV Birthday Soundtrack, a YouTube video playlist to celebrate my day...my life.
For my 39th bday, I invited you, my FB fam, to post a video on my page and received 70 amazing songs and videos.
For my 40th bday, I posted videos of the top hits from my birth year, 1972.
For my 41st bday, I posted 41 videos of my favorite 80's songs.
What shall it be THIS year for 42? Suggestions?Here are the TDV Soundtracks from 2011, 2012, and 2013!!The Love!: TDV SOUNDTRACK 201139th Birthday1972: TDV SOUNDTRACK 201240th BirthdayThe 80's: TDV SOUNDTRACK 201341st BirthdayTDV SOUNDTRACK 201442nd Birthday???What Say You? - Apr 24, 14
4/24
It's National Pig In A Blanket Day!! I kid you not. I couldn't make this up if I tried.
IN CELEBRATION of National Pig In A Blanket Day, I'm giving away a promo code for $15 OFF "Passage Home"!!
The book is $16. With this code, you pay $1 plus shipping. I am going to give it to the first TWENTY FOUR (24) people who do the following FOUR (4) things...and you MUST do ALL of the following...before the code expires on April 26th:
DO ALL FOUR OF THESE THINGS AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE PROMO CODE FOR $15 OFF!
1.) TWEET (copy/paste): If you haven't read #PassageHome by @teresadowelvest, get it NOW at www.PassageHome2019.com! Use Code: EASTER for 15% off until April 26th!
2.) TWEET (copy/paste): We will knock until u answer. Read @teresadowelvest #PassageHome www.PassageHome2019.com @Oprah @TheEllenShow @IAMQUEENLATIFAH @nytimesbooks
3.) LIKE and SHARE (copy/paste) both the Passage Home and the Terésa Dowell-Vest pages with the following message (be sure to tag the pages in the post):
Terésa Dowell-Vest is giving me a copy of her novel, Passage Home, for $1! You can get YOUR copy at www.PassageHome2019.com for 15% off if you use the promo code: EASTER (all caps) before April 26th. Passage Home: No Cash. No Blacks. No Immigrants. America...in 2019.
4.) LIKE, then RE-PIN or SHARE this Pinterest pin: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/350577152215999248/
These four things have absolutely nothing to do with National Pig In A Blanket Day...but it got your attention...so...YAY! lol
If 24 people BUY Passage Home today, I will give the $15 off code to 24 additional people!
Thanks y'all!! Becoming a best selling novel takes hard work...and some hustle! I'm all about the hustle! Let's GO! ;-) - Mar 06, 14
This is a SOS to myself. I've lost my way and I need to find my heart, fire, passion, drive...again.
I gave up on my dreams when I joined Facebook. .. / .-.. . ... ... . -. / - .... . / ...- .- .-.. ..- . / --- ..-. / -- -.-- / ...- --- .. -.-. . / - --- / .---- ....- ----- / -.-. .... .- .-. .- -.-. - . .-. ... / .-- .... . -. / .. / .--- --- .. -. . -.. / - .-- .. - - . .-. .-.-.- / .. / --. .- ...- . / ... - .-. .- -. --. . .-. ... / .--. . .-. -- .. ... ... .. --- -. / - --- / .-.. --- --- -.- / .. -. ... .. -.. . / -- -.-- / .-- .. -. -.. --- .-- ... / .- -. -.. / .. -. - --- / -- -.-- / .... --- -- . / .-- .. - .... / . ...- . .-. -.-- / .--. .... --- - --- / .. .----. ...- . / .--. --- ... - . -.. / --- -. .-.. .. -. . .-.-.- / - .... . .-. . / .. ... / -. --- / ... ..- -.-. .... / - .... .. -. --. / .- ... / .--. .-. .. ...- .- -.-. -.-- / .- -. -.-- / -- --- .-. . / -... . -.-. .- ..- ... . / .. / - .-. .- -.. . -.. / .. - / .. -. / - --- / -... . / .-..-. .-.. .. -.- . .-..-. / .- -. -.. / .-..-. ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. . -.. .-..-. .-.-.- / .. / --. .- ...- . / .. - / .- .-- .- -.-- / -.-. .- .-. . .-.. . ... ... .-.. -.-- / .- -. -.. / - .... . -. / .-- .- ... / .- -. -. --- -.-- . -.. / .-- .... . -. / ... - .-. .- -. --. . .-. ... / .... .- -.. / .. - / .- -. -.. / -.-. .- .-.. .-.. . -.. / -- . / .-..-. ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. .-..-. .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-- .... . -. / . -. . -- .. . ... / ..- ... . -.. / .. - / .- -. -.. / -.-. .- .-.. .-.. . -.. / -- . / --- ..- - / -- -.-- / -. .- -- . .-.-.- / .- .-.. .-.. / --- ..-. / .-- .... .. -.-. .... / ..-. .- .-.. .-.. ... / --- -. / -- . .-.-.- / .-- .. - .... / . ...- . .-. -.-- / -.-. .... . -.-. -.- / .. -. --..-- / .. / .... .- ...- . / --. .. ...- . -. / ... . ...- . -. / -... .. .-.. .-.. .. --- -. / ... - .-. .- -. --. . .-. ... / .--. . .-. -- .. ... ... .. --- -. / - --- / -.- -. --- .-- / -- -.-- / . ...- . .-. -.-- / -- --- ...- . .-.-.- / ... --- / -. --- .-- --..-- / .. - / .. ... -. .----. - / - .... . / ..-. .- -.-. - / - .... .- - / .. / -.-. .- -. / ... . . / - .... . / ... . -..- / --- ..-. ..-. . -. -.. . .-. ... --..-- / - .... . / -.-. .-. .. -- .. -. .- .-.. .-.. -.-- / .. -. ... .- -. . --..-- / .-- . ... - -... --- .-. --- / -... .- .--. - .. ... - / -.-. .... ..- .-. -.-. .... / -- . -- -... . .-. ... --..-- / - . .- / .--. .- .-. - -.-- .----. . .-. ... --..-- / ... --- -- . / -- .- -.. / - . . -. .- --. . .-. / .-- .. - .... / ..-. .. .-. ... - / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. / .--. .-. --- -... .-.. . -- ... / .- -. -.. / .- / ... . -- .. / .- ..- - --- -- .- - .. -.-. / --. ..- -. / - .... .- - / ... -.-. .- .-. . ... / -- . .-.-.- / .. - .----. ... / - .... .- - / - .... . -.-- / -.-. .- -. / ... . . / -- . .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .- -. -.. / .. .----. -- / ... .... --- .-- .. -. --. / - .... . -- .-.-.- / - .. -- . / - --- / .-. . --. .- .. -. / -- -.-- / .... ..- -. --. . .-. --..-- / ..-. --- -.-. ..- ... --..-- / .- -. -.. / -- --- ... - / .. -- .--. --- .-. - .- -. - .-.. -.-- --..-- / -- -.-- / - .. -- . .-.-.- / .- / ..-. . .-- / -.-- . .- .-. ... / -... .- -.-. -.- --..-- / .. / ...- --- .-- . -.. / - --- / ... - --- .--. / .-- .- - -.-. .... .. -. --. / .- .-- .- .-. -.. ... / ... .... --- .-- ... / .- -. -.. / .-..-. -... . .... .. -. -.. / - .... . / -- ..- ... .. -.-. .-..-. / -... . -.-. .- ..- ... . / .. / -.. .. -.. -. .----. - / .-- .- -. - / - --- / .-- .- -. - / - .... . / .-.. .. ...- . ... / --- ..-. / --- - .... . .-. / .--. . --- .--. .-.. . / .-- .... --- / .- .-. . / -- .- -.- .. -. --. / .- / .-.. .. ...- .. -. --. / .- - / -.. --- .. -. --. / - .... . / - .... .. -. --. ... / .. / .-- .- -. - . -.. / - --- / -.. --- .-.-.- / .. / .-- .- -. - . -.. / - --- / -- .- -.- . / -- -.-- / -.. .-. . .- -- ... / .... .- .--. .--. . -. .-.-.- / .- -. -.. / .. - / ... .- -.. -.. . -. ... / -- . / - .... .- - / .. / ... .- .. -.. / - .... .- - / .-.. .- ... - / ... . -. - . -. -.-. . / .. -. / - .... . / .--. .- ... - / - . -. ... . .-.-.- / ... --- / -. --- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- --. .-. . .- - -. . ... ... / .. ... / -. --- - / --- -. / ..-. .- -.-. . -... --- --- -.- .-.-.- / .- -.-. .... .. . ...- . -- . -. - / .. ... / -. --- - / --- -. / - .-- .. - - . .-. .-.-.- / .. - .----. ... / .. -. / .-. . .- .-.. / .-.. .. ..-. . .-.-.- / - .. -- . / - --- / -- .- -.- . / -.--.- .--. .-. . ... . -. - / .- -. -.. / ..-. ..- - ..- .-. . / - . -. ... . -.--.- / -- -.-- / -.. .-. . .- -- ... / -.-. --- -- . / - .-. ..- . .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- -. --- .-- .-.-.- / END .-.-.- - Feb 02, 14
Norfolk, Virginia.
7:50pm
"Craig. Craig! Come here, Craig!!"
Lester is yelling from the living room to the kitchen. He is watching the television from his favorite arm chair, well worn and sunken from years of retirement. Lester, is a 70 year old retire dock worker with more time on his hands than he cares to have. He is sitting entirely too close to the television. Craig, his 30 year old son comes running out of the kitchen, responding to the urgent call of his father.
"Pop! You ok! What is it?!"
"NO! No, I'm not ok!!"
"Well, what is it?!"
"They makin' another Jesus movie!"
Craig is annoyed that he was alarmed by such a trivial matter. Lester, however, does not take lightly every act of man.
"That's what you got me all panicked about?! I thought you were having another heart attack. Man, instead, you're in here giving ME a heart attack! And why are you sitting so close to the television, man? You know, I told you about that before. Heart failure, bad eyes, high blood pressure, and..."
"But you're not listenin' to me, son. Them Hollywood people think they can just take ANYBODY'S life and make a million dollars off it! Jesus deserves a royalty check after all that! Don't you think?! How many Jesus movies you think out there?! Most famous man in history and people just use him up...Bill Withers level use him up. And all to make a dollar."
"Well, that's about to change. No more dollars to be made. Credit...points. My life just became a video game. My hard work for some lousy points on a card."
A silence fall between the two men. Craig looks at the tv but not really focusing on it,
"How did we get here?"
"Jesus got tired of being misrepresented."
Craig smiles slightly.
"Is that so, Pop?"
"Yeah! Wouldn't you get tired too if someone keep trying to profit off your misery?"
"They do. It's called work. The USA Corp is building all these new ships down at the docks. Big, luxury cruise line type ships...a lot of them. Looks like a lot of people going on trip."
"Speaking of trips, did you check the mail? Did Mags get any new postcards today?"
"Why are people still sending those things? Mom's been gone for five years now. People are sending these things more than ever now."
"They send them because they love her. And I keep them for her for the same reason."
"Why didn't you just take her to get her own postcards?"
"Why don't you just check the damn mail?"
"Pop, I didn't mean..."
"Look, you don't think I wanted to take your mother everywhere she wanted to go? You think I liked seeing other people send her cards from all over the world...showing her places I couldn't take her?! I hated those postcards all over the wall. I use to stand right there, looking at them for hours after she'd go to bed, resenting every last one of them and the person who sent them."
"So, why didn't you take them down?"
"And take away your mother's joy? She would sit there and write letters, thank you cards...stories in her notebook...a story for every postcard. She'd create her own adventures. She told stories of the places she would and the food she would eat there. She amazed me. How could she know the scents, the flavors, the colors? One night I told her to take the postcards down. I was tired of being taunted by them and I told her to take down her wall. She told me it broke her heart that I only saw a wall of postcards. She read one of her stories to me."
Les gets up out of his chair and crosses to the wall. He gently pulls a tack out of the wall. The tack has a daisy shaped shirt button glued to it.
"Mag hated sticking tacks into her precious cards. Tape would destroy the corners...pull the paper off. She found a bunch of old buttons and glued them onto the tack to make them look like decorative art themselves."
Les took the postcard carefully in his worn, slightly trembling hands.
"This card was the one that saved me...saved me from destroying my love. She took me to Ghana. Told me of a home village of kings and queens...princes and princesses. The food sweet, rich, plentiful...to be eaten delicately at our fingertips...savored. Warm winds wafting the sweet sand and salt waters to our huts. Yes, ours, for we were there. Your mother took us there. She welcomed me along to a new adventure every Sunday evening. It got so I couldn't wait until Sunday. By Wednesday I was asking for a new story...a new voyage with my partner. She was my atlas...my guide...my ship. The Sweet Magnolia. Now...go check the mail, son."
"Ok, Pop."
Craig heads to the front door. The last of the commercials conclude and the news resumes. Lester scoots closer. Just as the newscaster begins, Craig walks back into the house with no mail in his hands.
"Resources have just confirmed that the President has just signed the United States Economy Restoration Act. The dollar bills currently in your pocket are, at this very moment, has no value."
The two men are completely fixed onto the television.
"Any mail?"
"No."
"Well, would you look at that? The Imperial King has no money."
Les looks at Craig,
"So now how much am I worth? And Jesus certainly ain't gettin' a royalty check."
The newscaster continues...To read more or to order YOUR copy of "Passage Home"To order your copy: http://blur.by/1cidDTbTo order your autographed copy:To get the "Passage Home" eBook for $2.99!!Get YOUR copy of "Passage Home" at Amazon.com for your Kindle!iBooks: Get YOUR copy of "Passage Home" for Apple devices at Blurb! - Jan 30, 14
A few days ago, I had a "posting conversation" looking at passion versus romance. Here was my take on the comparison:
I don't want that soap opera, heightened "Scandal" stuff.ABC's "Scandal" It's entertaining...and desperate. Come Valentine's Day, a card written by their writers would be great...fun. But the everyday type thing I want...not the "Scandal" thing.Photo: NY Times I think folks tend to confuse passion for romance. Certainly passion is lovely...as long as it doesn't become desperate...which is nearly impossible. The definition of "passion" is an uncontrollable emotion or suffering. It means you will sacrifice and endure all sorts of things for something for which you can not live without. It's why an artist may forgo eating, new clothes, and rent in order to pay for headshots, paint, or music. They are willing to suffer for that which they hold "passion". An example of a further extreme, the "Passion" of the Christ...the 'suffering' of Christ. Passionate...not necessarily romantic. Passion is ONLY overwhelming. That "I will DIE for you" stuff on tv...belongs on TV. If it creeps up, may it only happen in the bedroom...lol...but I don't want desperate emotion. I want genuine gestures of kindness and love. I want to breathe you in when you're with me and miss you when you're gone...but also want opportunities to miss you. I want time apart so the coming together is something to savor. Even after we live together, the days will give moments apart where I can miss you and be thankful when we are together again. That's hinged upon being good with yourself, alone, so you CAN savor the moments together (romantic) and not making the other person your "everything" and the "I'll die without you" person. (passion).
And yes, there's a lot of "passion" on "Scandal"...but point to the romance?
And where does being in love fall? My answer is "all over"...as in all over the passion and romance. Love keeps passion from being desperate and romance from being fickle. Love belongs all over...lasting and sustaining.
But that's just my take.With my fiancee, Michelle - Jan 29, 14I am excited to share that I will be directing and filming TWO music videos for John H Gordon aka "The Deacon of Funk"!!John and I have been on this path together since 1990. We're not stopping now! In fact, we're gettin' to the good part!!
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 1993 Backstage "Rent" on Broadway with Taye Diggs, 1997 The first will be for the single, "All The Good Love". We will be filming that video the weekend of Saturday, March 1, 2014, in New York City!!!Photo: John Gordon
I will also be directing and filming a music video for "UNTIL YOU" by John H Gordon aka "The Deacon of Funk", in April 2014, in New York City!!! I'm excited about the story for this particular video. Listen to this song and let your spirit fall in love!! John's voice is EVERYTHING!!
John Gordon for his fan page! You WANNA listen!!Photo: Verta Ayanna Photography
ON iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/soul.funk.drunk.love./id356543795
ON Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Funk-Drunk-Love-John-Gordon/dp/B0038VULI4"All The Good Love"Artist: John Gordon
Video Shoot: March 1, 2014
City: New York City
Director: TDV
"Until You"
Artist: John Gordon
Video Shoot: April 2014
City: New York City
Director: TDV - Jan 29, 14
I awoke to news of people, in the hundreds of thousands, still stranded on the icy/snowy highways of Atlanta. Praying for everyone...please keep warm and be safe.
Those who are laughing and making jokes about ATL and how two inches of snow can shut a place down...stop. Some perspective: in the entire two years I lived there, I saw not one flake of snow. This isn't a city used to getting this type of weather and so investing millions of dollars in equipment that will sit for years without use makes no sense...until you need it, like now. When the weather comes, it's easy to look to the city's infrastructure and say, "It's a shame you don't have salt, sand and a fleet of ice trucks to handle two inches of snow," just like it would be easy to say, "Atlanta ain't doin' sh!t with all that money they spent on them trucks for snow and ice, they never get!" Yeah, it's bad...this scene in Atlanta is bad...which is an understatement...but those on the outside looking in are in not position to kick folk while they're down.
So...to the voices I hear all around (most ironically DC, NYC and all of the people who were earthquake ready a few years back...
or the people in warmer states out west who barely know what to do when it rains much less if two inches of snow hit the ground)...
...give it a rest. There are people's loved ones out there. There are children stranded in schools (imagine you gotta spend YOUR snow day AT school. Wait for your text from Macklemore in 5...4...3...2...).
There are kids who spent the night alone at home last night because their parents were stuck in this grand mess on the highways.
Cut them some slack. - Jan 27, 14
She'll come out WHEN she's ready.
She'll come out IF she wants to.
So don't worry about it...
Stop looking for it.
Because at the end of the day, as much as you THINK it will matter in YOUR life, it really won't.
Queen Latifah's coming out will not be news because we suspect it anyway, so relax. If YOU are out, be out and proud...and be HER share of OUT and PROUD too, if it'll make you feel better or validated. Otherwise, relax. If Queen comes out, it won't make me any more out and proud...it won't make me any less out and proud. My reaction, I can assure you, will be "Oh. Ok. Good for her. What am I gonna wear to work today because DC is colder than a mugg!" assuming she comes out, publicly, in the next few weeks...which again, I wouldn't count on. And still to that I say, RELAX!
Folks are wildly upset about Queen Latifah officiating the mass wedding ceremony at the Staples Center during the Grammy Awards last night. In the hours since the "ceremony", there has been quite a bit of back lash over the choice to have Dana Owens "marry" 33 couples in a mass gay wedding (which needs to be corrected) if she isn't willing to "strip away the fear" and come out herself. Here's my response to that:
1.) While 33 couples were married as a symbol of love and commitment during the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis hit song, "Same Love", a song featuring the support of marriage equality for all, not all 33 couples were gay or lesbian couples. There were a number of straight couples in that group. There were couples of different faith and races in that group. This moment wasn't simply "our moment". It belonged to anyone who believes in love and marriage for all...ALL.
2.) This was the Grammys. Queen Latifah is a music icon. Suggesting Ellen Degeneres or Wanda Sykes or some of the other names I've seen swirling about the internet as viable options fail to meet the level of sensational hype within this musical context that the Queen offers. This moment is connected to a current pop song...and who better than the Queen of Pop and the Queen of Hip Hop to oversee this sensational gesture.
3.) Madonna needs not to wear ALL white...ever again. Bless her heart, ole girl needs some colorin' or somthin'! She looked like the complete OPPOSITE of A Pimp Called Slickback! Besides, if you are NOT in the wedding party, you do not NEED to be wearing all white. And Madonna, boo boo, you shouldn't be wearin' white to ANY wedding. Your own or any one else's! Now...I need me an "Erotica" fix...because I DO love her and that album was my sh!t.She looks like she needs to be on "American Horror Story"...IJS YES! A Pimp Called Slickback!
4.) Congrats to the couples who married each other during this ceremony! HOW FUN! AND...my apologies. This day that SHOULD be celebrated as Day One of your lives together. However, it will forever be the Day Folks Were Mad Queen Latifah Married YOU...and not them...And Didn't Come Out. Ooooo...AND you got her autograph on your marriage license...RIGHT?! Heck Yeah! You WIN Celebrity Autograph Hunt! Don't divorce though...who gets Queen's autographed reminder of your failed...no wait...let's not EVEN put that into the universe....CONGRATULATIONS!!
5.) Mary Lambert's ink and red dress...YES MA'AM!! You looked and sounded great and you DIDN'T need Jennifer Hudson there to take your part and sing over you like she did during the VMA's!!
6.) Mary Lambert didn't need Madonna either. I'm just sayin'...
7.) Congrats to my personal friends and loves: Sean Bishop (who married his husband Taylor Dakota Knuth), Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett (who married each other). I am certain you do not need ANY of us politicizing, even further, one of the most amazing memories you'll have in your lives. I promise you, if my fiancee, Michelle Alexander, and I were among those 33 couples, we would be focused on the love we have for each other and not the mess that's flying about the internet today. Oh...and Michelle, I'll show you who "Cleo" is when I get home tonight. Be ready. ;-)Photo: Sean Bishop Photo: Sean Bishop Photo: Sean Bishop Photo: Quincy LeNear Photo: Quincy LeNear 8.) If I were the producers of the Oscars, with Ellen as the host...I'd be pissed I didn't think of this first.What the Oscar producers looked like during the Grammys last night.
9.) Speaking of swingin' flags and marching...it's simply not for everyone. I have friends who are "out" lesbians but they are not interested is wearing rainbows and marching in June...and I respect that. I went through a phase when I first came out where "rainbow" HAD to have been a clothing fabric because it was ALL I wore! I was rainbow'ed DOWN! Now...some 20+ years later...not so much. I know who I am and I'm out and I'm proud but I've put away my flag and I celebrate who I am in daily acts. I have friends who opt to be even MORE private about their sexual orientation...and that's perfectly fine.
And...
10.) SO WHAT! I have not one f*ck or d*mn to give if Queen Latifah comes out...AND I LOVE HER!! Why do we believe life will be any better or different if Dana Owens comes out? Why? So you can point to her and say, "See!! Queen Latifah is gay so it MUST be ok!!" I don't need the closet of the rich or famous to swing open to validate MY life. We DO NOT need to point to Queen as an example of what being gay and being out should look like. She needs to look to us! She needs to look to those of us who ARE swingin' flags and marching and whatnot to see the water is fine and she is welcome to join us any time. If visibility among the prominent and famous is THAT important to you...no wait...let me rephrase this question...WHY is visibility among the prominent and famous so important to you? Do you. That's it. That's all. DO YOU!
When it's all said and done, Queen Latifah's coming out will NOT make it easier for the young gay boy in New York or the young lesbian in Texas or the closeted father in California, or the gays and lesbians fighting for equal rights in Russia or those whose lives are threaten on all continents on this planet for living their life in their truth. THESE are the people I want to help "come out". Dana Owens can figure it out when she wants to...how she wants to...IF she wants to. You do you...and let the Queen do...the Queen.
AND...
I can not WAIT to marry THIS woman! Queen, you wanna do it? ;-) - Jan 13, 14
Washington, D.C.
Robert Johns is sitting at a long oval table, alone. There is a group of men and women, all dressed in suits and military uniforms, standing...waiting. There is a navy blue folder with an embossed seal on the cover and a black pen resting next to it. Robert Johns, dressed in a dark blue well fitting suit, white shirt, blue tie, is sitting at the table studying the folder, running his fingertips over the seal.
“Sir. You have to sign it. The press corp is waiting.”
“Unless, of course, you are reconsidering...”
“We are well beyond that point...”
“We are never beyond the well being of this country...”
“Gentlemen!” Robert snaps, “I am certain.”
He opens the portfolio.
“Changing America is not something you can just pick up a pen and do. This pen...ink, plastic, metal...was just a pen this morning. Now with its stroke, we are redefining...reinventing...restoring America. This pen will be the greatest instrument of change.
This morning, I bought a newspaper. I took out a single dollar, a quarter, and a dime. I held the currency in my hand, feeling the folded corner of the well worn single...the cool smoothness of the coins. I walked up to the clerk and rather than place the money on the counter, as I always had, I placed the money in his hand. This pen stroke will ensure that is the last time I do that. The last time we look upon the eyes of George Washington on the bill which represents his place in our executive legacy. This ordinary pen of ink, plastic, and metal is about to stroke an extraordinary mark in our lives and in our children's lives and all their children to come. This is no ordinary pen...no ordinary moment. This is the moment the penny becomes special, finally, and the dollar, kindling. With this pen the fires will burn hot with our entire mint, with the stroke of this pen, rendered useless...of no value. This is the moment we kill currency. We watch the faces of former presidents and great statesmen curl when the flames kiss their portraits. This moment is to behold, indeed."
The room is quiet and still. All eyes on well composed and well dressed Robert. Finally one of the other men in the room replies,
“Yes sir, Mr. President."
Robert takes a breath and in a sudden movement, Robert Johns, the President of the United States, signs the papers in the portfolio with satisfied flair. He takes his signature in and then carefully places the pen on the table beside the portfolio. The clock reads 7:45pm.
"Now...I'm ready to address America."To read more or to order YOUR copy of "Passage Home"To order your copy: http://blur.by/1cidDTbTo order your autographed copy:To get the "Passage Home" eBook for $2.99!!Get YOUR copy of "Passage Home" at Amazon.com for your Kindle!iBooks: Get YOUR copy of "Passage Home" for Apple devices at Blurb! - Jan 13, 14
Hi.
My name is
Terésa Dowell-Vest
Or
Terésa Dowell-Vest
And I wrote a book
Passage Home.
That is all.
www.PassageHome2019.com
To order your copy: http://blur.by/1cidDTb
To order your autographed copy:
http://passagehome2020.blogspot.com/p/the-only-place-to-get-your-autographed.html
To get the "Passage Home" eBook for $2.99!!
Get YOUR copy of "Passage Home" at Amazon.com for your Kindle!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GN3RV6Y/ref=r_soa_w_d
iBooks: Get YOUR copy of "Passage Home" for Apple devices at Blurb!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/passage-home/id722298256?mt=11RADIO SHOW AND BOOK TOURCOMING SOON!! - Jan 13, 14
Photo by Michelle Alexander
There is something to be said about a clean slate...a fresh start. With the beginning of a new year, comes the promise of a fresh start. This year, as with many years, I began this year with a fresh haircut...a clean buzz. This wouldn't be that remarkable except this year, I've also moved to Washington DC where the air is considerably cooler than the balmy Los Angeles weather I'm use to or the mild Atlanta winter I most recently left behind. The hawk is out and circling over my exposed scalp. I keep her covered but I embrace, as I do every year, the love for a new cut...a clean slate...a fresh start.
This new year rings in 2014 with a new home, a fiancee who will be my wife later in the year, and a new opportunity to share my writings on a great blog; "Hair as Identity". Created by my college friend, Dr. Tina Opie, "Hair as Identity" will be an outlet for me to explore the power and pretty of hair...despite rarely having any. What does it say to wear your hair cut close or cleanly shaven? What happens when you have no choice in whether you get to keep your hair, losing it to illness or age? I'll also address hair in other regions of the body and examine the beauty and politics of hair...there. Let's play!
SO...here's my introduction to you and Happy New Year!
#53
Color: Fuzzy Wuzzy
March 20, 2011
Song: "I Am Not My Hair" India.Aire feat. Akon
Things I usually hear after a new hair cut clean:
"Oh...you MUST be from the EAST coast. I don't see too many West coast women doing...that."
- Guys who think they know ALL West coast women.
"Sir...?"
- Oh...and it won't matter that I'm wearing large hoop earrings and rockin' a 40 DD!
"Why?"
- Typically from Mom...lol...but always with love...and a chuckle.
"What did you DO to your hair?"
- I usually want to respond, "What did YOU do to yours?!"
"Can I touch it?"
- White women at the club.
"Can I rub it?"
- Black women at the club.
"Well, at least you have a good head for that..."
- Women WANTING to make a change but afraid...too worried they may have, in their own opinion, an odd shaped head...or a hook...or something.
"Don't you miss your hair?"
- My reply is usually, "It's just hair. It'll grow back." If they rebut, and they usually do, "What if it doesn't?" Then I follow, "Well then, I guess I'm happy. No more trips to the barber FOR THE SAME LOOK I CHOSE TO HAVE!"
Buzz of the clipper
Take away
History catch kink
Wipe the slate clean
And start again
I can't be weighted down
At the top
From the top
With bad choice
Wrong voices
And ill taken turns
I have to wash it away
Let the strays fall
Into the drain
And start again
For me
Again.
I'm not locked to my locks.
I'm not locked to my look.
I'm not locked to your look.
I'm not locked to locked ideas of beauty.
I am free to do me...clean.
And yes, I have a great head
for this...
and everything else I choose. - Dec 24, 13This post is a humorous...but serious...but humorous response to the Business Insider associate editor, Kirsten Acuna and her article suggesting this map of the 50 states is labeled with the most popular show SET (not necessarily shot) in that state. Thank you to my guy, Derrick Mathis, for posting this on Facebook, where this particular rant began.OK...here's the map:
Now...the premise of the map is MOST POPULAR show set in each state...I have a bone to pick with a few of these choices:
New York: How did NY go to "Seinfeld" and not "Friends"? Not that I was a huge fan but for 9 of the show's 10 year run, that show was the tv version of The Beatles. My close second would be a three way tie for "Seinfeld", "Sex and The City" and "The Cosby Show"...which, by the way, saved the genre that all of those shows fall under. AND speaking of "Friends", has anyone else yelled, "MEET THE MOTHER ALREADY FOR F**K SAKE!!" I do find it funny that as "How I Met Your Mother" goes off the air after 9 successful seasons, TV Guide decides to run a "Friends" retrospective...daily. I guess they made their choice too.Mike Nudelman/Business Insider
Georgia: "Designing Women" ran longer and harder than "The Walking Dead" and SANG "Georgia on My Mind" WITH RAY CHARLES (!!) as its theme song for a couple seasons...oh wait...just one season but it ran in syndication for so long, it FELT like multiple seasons.
Texas: I'm sorry...Let's just forget a little show called "Dallas". No...an ENTIRE country wasn't asking "Who Shot JR?!" whether you cared or not.
Nevada: "Bonanza"?! I would have guess "C.S.I." but what do I know? I mean all those years of "Bonanza: Miami", "Bonanza: New York", "Bonanza: Los Angeles", and a steakhouse chain says it's a more popular franchise.
Florida: "The Golden Girls"...absolutely spot on! THE SHOW IS STILL RUNNING AND WE WILL WATCH IT AND LAUGH LIKE THE JOKES ARE NEW! "Miami Vice" WISHED it had the legs...and the walkers...and the dentures!
Virginia: Yeah Yeah Yeah..."Homeland" I attended Walton Middle School outside of Charlottesville, VA. If you say, "Good night John Boy" a true blooded 'Merican will know EXACTLY how "HOME" that is. To Virginia, "The Waltons".Oregon: "The Simpsons" has been on tv for 47 years. "Eureka" was cancelled 7 times in 6 years over 5 seasons...on something called a SyFy. Do better, map!Side Note: Ummmm...Montana, North Dakota, and New Hampshire. Bless their heart. Cable access shows, maybe?
AND FINALLY...
Though Washington D.C. is NOT a state, which would you say would take that square? "The West Wing" or "Scandal"? This one would be hard for me. "The West Wing" is the better show. "Scandal" is the...buzzier (A word? I doubt it.) show. Either could take The District, in my opinion, though I do believe I would give the edge to "The West Wing" for setting the tone: edgy sharp political writing, 'walk and talk' performance style, and the rapid fire delivery of those lovely grand standing speeches that people fantasize giving AFTER the confrontation for which "Scandal" and Shonda Rhimes should send weekly thank you cards to Aaron Sorkin. But then "Scandal" has Kerry Washington...and she is killing the game in a "post racial" America...which requires it's own map. That map would look more like Candyland...but I've digressed.What say you? "The West Wing" or "Scandal"?
AND... - Dec 24, 13
2013 has been an extraordinary year but few things touched my spirit as did the making of my short film, "Shirt vs. Skins".
On a hot Atlanta spring day, I watched a man walk up the street with his tee shirt off and tucked in to this back pocket. I sat at a red light, melting in the sweltering heat of my car, coveting the man's freedom to take off his shirt and walk down the street. I want an occasional cool breeze to blow over my bare body too but these girls would likely stop traffic or cause an accident, not to mention get me arrested. The light turned green and I drove on. As I approached the next light, I found myself arguing WITH myself about unfair nature of shirts vs. skins and how liberating it would be to walk out on a basketball court, take me shirt off...no sports bra...and yell, "Check ball!" like it's the most normal thing in the world.
That's when it hit me! TAJIR! I immediate pulled over, called Tajir, and came up with the story for "Shirts vs. Skins" in that conversation. Tajir was on board right away and thankfully so. He was my anchor in the making of this film as I had no experience telling the story of a transgender male or female. I learned SO much from Tajir and in that gained a life long friend with whom I shared producer credit on the film. Tajir gave more than his amazing acting to the project. He came out. He gave his story. He gave his spirit. He gave his body. He gave his hope. He gave his fears. He gave his courage. He gave his love. I am forever indebted to him for there is no repayment for all Tajir gave...to me.
The Youtube version of the film was suppose to be a temporary screening of the film. We wanted to share the film with family, friends, and supporters and then replace it with a final edit. However, in the first 24 hours, we ended up with a thousand hits and a handful of comments and did not want to loose those stats. We have a final version in IMDb for film festival submissions. We are SO incredibly proud of what we have accomplished. And while the world is talking about the lovely and amazing Janet Mock and Laverne Cox reppin' for the T in the lgbTq, please allow me to turn your attention to Tajir S. Hawkins. If you don't know......now ya know!The Final Film Festival Version: http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2877139225/*9369 335/5
AND... - Dec 24, 13Imagine being in a hotel room, with your small child/children, and in a moment of crisis, your child has the responsibility of calling 911...BUT because of the way the phone line is set up, you have to dial 9 and then 911. If you've taught your child to dial 911 in the event of an emergency, they will have NO reason to KNOW to dial 9 first.
On December 1...just 17 days ago...Kari Rene Hunt was murdered in front of her 3 children, all under the age of 10, in her hotel room by her husband. In an effort to save their mother's life, the children attempted to call 911, but did not know they needed to dial 9 for an outside line first. Dr. Annise Mabry and Michelle Alexander are talking to Kari's sister, Loni Faye Jeschke, about her petition to require all hotels and motels to reserve "9" for emergency calls.
PLEASE do the following:
1.) SIGN this petition to get this in front of Congress:https://www.change.org/petitions/louie-gohmert-united-states-congress-require-all-hotel-and-motel-operators-to-change-the-telephone-system-that-would-require-anyone-desiring-an-outside-line-to-dial-an-8-first-freeing-up-the-number-9-for-dialing-911-emergency-numbers
2.) LISTEN to this show and LISTEN to Loni Faye talk about the ways we can support her, her family, and this campaign for change.
3.) SHARE this story with as many people as you can to help get the word out about this needed new legislation.Listen To GLBTQ Internet Radio Stations with Back To Us on BlogTalkRadio
AND... - Dec 24, 13
I'm reaching out to all my friends and supporters ALL OVER THE GLOBE!! No matter which continent you call home, YOU can get "Passage Home" TODAY!! Let me know you're out there!! Tell me what you think of my novel!! SOUND OFF WORLD!!!
HELP ME MAKE "PASSAGE HOME" A BESTSELLER...ONE BOOK AT A TIME!!
AND... - Nov 30, 13
What an AMAZING year 2013 has been!! I achieved a HUGE goal in self-publishing my first novel!! I AM the definition of a SMALL BUSINESS!! So TODAY is MY DAY!! Support Diva Blue Publications on SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY!!!
UNTIL December 3rd, DBPb is offering BUY "PASSAGE HOME", GET "THE BOX 69" FREE!!! If you purchase the hard copy or the eBook version of "Passage Home", we will give you the eBook version of "The Box 69" for FREE!!
Use the link below to order your copy of "Passage Home" for yourself or as a gift for a loved one! If you want the book autographed for a friend or family member, tell us who we should make the book out to that person! You can also purchase "Passage Home" for your eBook devices!!Order your autographed copy of “Passage Home”which will be signed with a personal note.Cover Type To get the eBook version of "Passage Home":What people are saying so far:"Bravo Terésa Dowell-Vest. I just finished reading "Passage Home" and I LOVED it. That's right completed it in 2 days. When is the next book coming out?"-Jan B."Wow, Terésa Dowell-Vest. That was an incredible ride!"-Marcus W."Ummm, Wow!! I recently read, Passage Home, By Teresa Dowell-Vest. I was stunned, shocked, left wanting more and more…Passage Home is a futuristic look at America where Corporations hold the real power, money is not what it used to be, Social Security is destroyed, citizens are given half truths, all of your identity is vulnerable to technology, racism is a driving force and families are torn apart… Wait, maybe this isn’t so futuristic.."-Michelle A."Every single character in the book I could relate back to knowing someone like that in my current circle. What made this book so powerful was there isn’t just one hero–when there are difficult choices that have to be made, there is a hero inside each of us. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away. Let’s just say there are some points that had me screaming NOOOOO!!!! Even though the book is categorized as Science Fiction, my mind kept replaying all of the immigration debates over the last few election cycles. I have always been a huge fan of Dowell-Vests’ short vignettes and her first novel definitely did not disappoint."-Annise M.
Thought Provoking! Wow, this is skillfully written and made me really think! I enjoyed the read, and would definitely recommend.
-Amazinggggg199677
TDV=Talented, Daring & Valiant If you've never had the opportunity to watch or read anything by this woman, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!! I've read excerpts of this book and I cannot WAIT to dive into the full story. Dowell-Vest puts her whole heart and soul into every one of her projects and NEVER disappoints. She's on her way to being one of the biggest names in history, on and off the screen. Don't miss another masterpiece. YOU NEED TO GET THIS BOOK!! NOW!! You won't regret it!!
- Ajerin
Passage Home. Well written and intelligent. Provokes thought and makes you want more. Well done, Teresa!
-SMcDOWE
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Tweets
- The KING of Shade!! My baby...YAAAAASSSS!!! LOL!! http://t.co/GVuUhlJurN
- Sending my prayers to the family of Hannah Graham tonight.
- Even the President is like, "Listen...don't believe the ones stirring up fear just they can have news to report..." http://t.co/rApCyRVzPL
- @CLIOAwards My goal: sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far 212 sold Pls get yours http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- Aight...so...lol...this is my video to support Tamika Miller's Kickstarter campaign for her film boxing drama... http://t.co/klKVceZfI5
- TDV's Undercard Kickstarter Support Video: http://t.co/WWmDIR0Xdu via @YouTube
- @didyoukno My goal: sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far 212 sold Pls get yours! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @PositivityRocks My goal: sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far 212 sold Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @mizstyleNmoney My goal: sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far 212 sold. Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @OfficialAlBSure My goal: sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far 212 sold Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @smokey_robinson My goal: sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far 212 sold Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @singledemayo My goal: sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far: 212 sold. Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @Debbas My goal is to sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far: 212 sold. Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @amyhot My goal is to sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far: 212 sold. Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @Midgetdance1 My goal: sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far 212 sold. Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- @jralover5 My goal is 2 sell 999 copies/downloads of my novel #PassageHome btwn 10/1-12/1. So far: 212 sold. Join in! http://t.co/758uIxN4ww
- Before I begin the #NaNoWriMo2014 challenge, pls check out my #novel #PassageHome at @BlurbBooks. http://t.co/758uIxN4ww Thank you! #book
- @kolleenwilson Hey!! Yeah...that expired on Sept. 6. Go here: http://t.co/BOm8eH0nbj Thank you!!
- Bring The Diva Blue's #Entrepreneurship #BootCamp To YOUR #Campus! https://t.co/RcKBpc1Rrw #businessplan #college #university #education
- I posted 6 photos on Facebook in the album "Diva Blue Logo - Final" http://t.co/VDELKAuFNJ
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Info
- Adjunct Professor at Prince George's Community CollegeHigher Education | Washington D.C. Metro Area, USExperience
- Jan 2014 - PresentAdjunct Professor / Prince George's Community College
I teach courses in public speaking and voice/diction. I also work with non-native English speaker and help them add the standard American accent to their skill sets.
- 2002 - PresentProducer / CEO / Diva Blue Productions & Publications
Writer, Producer, Director, Filmmaker, Publisher, Educator
- Sept 2005 - Jan 2012Professor / American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Teach acting and entrepreneurship courses to varying level students:
Basic Acting: Teaching the beginning actor the fundamentals of working on stage.
Acting for the Camera I: Introduce the beginning actor to the fundamentals ofperforming in front ofthe camera. Monologue work and short two person scenes are used to acquaint actors with the camera and transition them from stage to film.
Acting for the Camera II: Work with the more experienced film actor in advanced scenes. Some multi- camera/tv filming is introduced.
Acting for the Camera III: Teach experienced film actors how to break down commercial copy, give strong camera slate and profiles to earn more camera time in auditions, how to use and read cue cards, and cold readings.
Acting for the Camera IV: Give actors and opportunity to write original material to film.
Entrepreneurship and the Performing Arts: This class is designed to teach the pro-active actor/creative producer how to write business plans and create their own professional endeavors. - Jan 2005 - Dec 2007Adjunct Professor / California State University, Dominguez Hills
Teach public speaking course to non-theater majors.
- Jan 2000 - Oct 2002Program Director, African American Heritage Program - Virginia Foundation for the Humanities / University of Virginia
Among my many duties and responsibilities as the curator of oral histories and tourism destinations throughout the state, I created and maintained an online database the VFH shared with the Virginia Tourism Commission. This position was a general faculty position at the University of Virginia, which I held from January 2000 – October 2002. This is important as it shows my interest and experience leading a program focused in cultivating and preserving history and humanity.
Education-
1994 - 1997California State University-Long BeachMaster of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre/Theatre Arts Management
Activities: Member of the California Repertory Company. Cal Rep House Manager 1996; Cal Rep Public Relations Manager 1997 -
1990 - 1994James Madison UniversityBachelor's degree in Theatre/Theater
Activities: Nationally Ranked Public Speaker with the Speech Team
Additional Information-
Websites:
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ActWrite!
- The 10 Session Script-to-Screen Filmmaking Workshop
