Happy Anniversary to my Fiancee, Julie Noelle

One year has passed since I first met my the love of my life, Julie. I remember the first time I saw her. She caught my eye, but at first, I wasn't compelled to approach her. Then I saw her a few more times and I couldn't resist. The way she held her head and had her hair pulled back was enough to compel me to make my move. She shocked me because her spirit was so full of life and I was instantly attracted to that. Her voice is so lady-like and her eyes are the prettiest shade of green you have ever seen. I am 38 and she is 41 and there has been more than our fair share of tumult in our relationship, but I truly love her and I am glad that I met her.

Now she says I am possessive and while she is always trying to uplift me, however sometimes, she can do the counter-intuitive and put-down. Between you and me, I must admit that I have trust issues and I basically refuse to open all the way up because everytime I've been remotely tempted to do so, I have been burned. I am afraid that if I open all the way up and give her my heart, she will crush it.

So what I will do is enjoy her each day, love her, adore her, cherish her and do my best to lift her up, support her, provide for her and make her happy.

Happy Anniversary, Julie. I love you.

Recognizing Class Struggle

I’m a little behind in the news, because the papers don’t come out here on the day they are delivered. But I recently read that the media was trying to give Paris Hilton $1,000,000 for her first interview after she is released from jail. What?!?! Why is the media so infatuated with White females? Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears etc. Why offer Paris Hilton a million dollars? I’m in jail, I’m the offspring of a wealthy celebrity and I am upset, too. Why doesn’t the media care about me?

It seems like in order to get a break in America, one has to be a White female or male and already rich. I think that maybe the consensus is that people are finally buying into the idea that there is a tacit class system here in America, and the people of all ethnicities occupy the poorer classes and sadly in a country this wealthy, the poorer class really struggling. Is this fair or just? Remember, this is America, the land of opportunity. But maybe not. It seems like the poor are relegated to occupy that position and the opportunities to change that position are disappearing. Is this a healthy America?

I'm Handling My Own Rehab

When was the idea adopted that prison should be more than a cell to contain the convicted and throw away the key? Because I haven’t experienced any real attempts to rehabilitate those of us currently incarcerated. It seems the criminal justice has reverted to the anachronistic idea of way of containing and controlling our every move while on the “inside”, and not really provide the kind of re-education or resources that assist us in re-orienting and succeeding when we are released back to integrate into society.

We are barely treated humanely on the inside. We have to fight to get dental work done, have mail delivered in an expedient way or get pen fillers to write our family and friends, it seems that the Department of Corrections is working against its own professed agenda.

And while I acknowledge and agree that my behavior on February 10, 2007, in the Safeway parking lot was beyond inappropriate, and warranted punishment because I did frighten people with my unbridled anger and rage, I have learned from my mistake and I will not be acting a fool like that ever again.

But at the same time, my so-called rehabilitation has occurred because I have directed my behavior and my aspirations to behave differently when I leave DVI. I am reading books that my friend and fiancée have sent, engaged in my own penchant for deep introspection and good, old solid determination to finally have the CDC’s hold and control of my life released because I don’t want to contribute to the profit margin of the BUSINESS known as the prison industry.

My Swahili Name

I am so blessed and my chosen Swahili name reflects that: Bakari Akili Moja. My entire Swahili name means “Blessed Intelligent One”. I strive to embody and exude that everyday. I have been working on cultivating a cultural consciousness for several years and that’s another reason I adopted that name.

I am also blessed to have a wonderful family and it seems no matter what, they are always in my corner. I have been married twice as well and these were lovely, wonderful women and I am about to be married for a third and final time. I am so lucky to have such wonderful women throughout different junctures in my life.

I thank God everyday for those who love me and never give up on me. My time in prison is coming to an end and wonderful things are on the horizon. I look forward to living life differently and I know a new day has arrived, and I am ready to live a life worthy of honor and respect.

Ethnic Allied Gangs Here at DVI

As of late, I am ashamed to say I have been some issues with racism, as in I’m feeling a bit racist myself. I think being incarcerated is having an adverse affect on my psyche. This is certainly crazy especially since my first wife was Mexican and my son is one-half Mexican. But please, let me explain my dilemma. Prison, or rather, DVI RC is at least 90% Chicano and within the confines of these walls, they are divided into 5 or 6 groups or gangs. Now I used to subscribe to the prison politics that lent itself to the divisions but I abandoned that mode of thinking. It’s foolish, perpetuates genocide and is based on juvenile thinking.

Most of us share the same class and social standing and most are superb artists, but a lot can’t spell or articulate themselves well. I help then with appeals for some of the basic things. And while I am working with these other inmates, I may become involved in their conversations, and this leads to nothing but trouble. The conversations are foolish, juvenile and cumbersome to say the least. Tribalism reigns in here! And not only is the prison population Chicano, but so are the cops and they tend to favor their own people. Not all, understand, but some do in every race.

But I am pretty fed up with this. I’m not a hater of people because of their ethnicity, but I seem to falling into a trap of stereotyping and this is having an adverse effect on me and right or wrong, my tolerance is wearing thin. I am getting angry with people because of their ethnicity and this isn’t me!

Dudes are loud, ignorant, think they know it all and don’t realize that they come off as simpletons. I find it difficult to concentrate because of the “games” they engage in which are really figuratively speaking “pissing contests”, but they aren’t that quiet and apparently volume means superiority of some kind.

I feel like I am becoming racially prejudiced towards a people I love, but my reality here is that I am around so-called gang members and they haven’t yet figured out that a people divided are powerless, so they carry on with the GANG games all day long.

Blogspot News

To my loyal readers, I apologize for the delays and the erratic posting on this blogspot. But there is good news on the horizon: I may have a “My-Space” site coming soon; however, I need to make a few adjustments to it before I determine what is going to be posted there. I may have a picture up on that site as well, so you may see what I look like.

In the meantime, please e-mail me @ Bakari9768@yahoo.com and I will respond via e-mail, blog or I can write you at a PO Box.

We Are Family

I am still seeking personal contact with siblings on my father's (James Brown's) side of the family. I want us to be family and act like family. I am a "Brown" too; however my roots are in CA, and conception and birth were unplanned, and I am tired of feeling unwanted by my dad's side of the family. I am still your brother, nephew, uncle, cousin etc. and we should have our family's best interest at heart, and not treat one another as enemies.

I am beseeching you to treat me with dignity, honor and respect. You may write me directly at:

Mike Brown #P69851
PO Box 600 - DVI - L119
Tracy, CA 95378

Or, alternately, you may contact my attorney, Jennifer Moss, and I believe all of you have her contact information. We are family and I love you all and I want this love to be reciprocal. And I am looking to be treated and recognized equally as well.

My thanks to you all for reading this and I look forward to you sharing your thoughts with me.

Love always,

Mike Brown a.k.a Bakari

My Thanks!

Mia (Angel Girl) and Julie, my fiancee, have really made my life so much easier and improved the quality of my life here at DVI. They did it by sending me books, a dictionary, paper, envelopes, stamps etc. So now I am able to write my friends and family frequently AND I am also able to study and enrich my life and expand my world beyond these prison walls. Now all I need, Angelita, are some photos and a visit.

I am counting my blessings these days. My dental work has been done and now my smile is worth a million bucks. And thanks to my attorneys, Jennifer and Julie Moss, for your work.

So thank you to all who care about me and love me. I love all of you more than words can say.

I Make The Choice

Recently, I took a few days to just reflect on everything. I needed to make my mind quiet and really check my attitudes and beliefs. A friend of mine has reminded me several times that "your day is what you make it, so make the best of your day". It's taken me 2 years but I finally figured out that I choose turmoil and stress or I can choose love and peace. I freely choose the latter.

It's Not Easy

Being the God-son hasn’t been easy. I have “God – Son” tattooed on the underside of my forearm. I have lived a broken and tattered life. My friend asked if I was surrounded by love growing up? Did I focus on what I had or what I didn’t have? I hate to admit it, but I have mainly focused on what was absent over the course of my life.

I know of 8 paternal siblings that are alive and are not corresponding with me. Deanna why do you ignore me? And I ask the same question of Venisha and Yamma. Brother Larry, Man, why do you ignore me? Again, Daryl and Terry, why do each of you ignore me? What have I done to you? I do not know if it as simple as hating me, or if it is something that runs deeper. I would really like to know and understand why things have played out between us as they have so far. It is never too late to change things.

I didn’t do anything to Dad and to this day, I do not understand why he subjected me to what he did. I was born, and he was my father, and he failed over and over to acknowledge my very existence, let alone, embrace and interact with me.

How do you think I felt when I would see things like all of you hugging each other on the stage of the Appollo for everyone to see? Did anyone ever consider how that made me feel? Walk 1 (one) day in my shoes as the bastard child of James Brown, the convicted felon, who suffers daily because of what was flaunted and denied me as a recognized member of the James Brown family. I still suffer to this day and I will until each and everyone of you acknowledge me Michael Brown or Bakari Moja, your brother, James Brown’s son.

My Mom and I

My mother has made it clear that she will not be making my stay in prison a cake-walk. She hates it that I am here and I hate it that I am here. However, I do not believe ignoring me is a healthy way of showing love. I mean, I thought the adage for unconditional love from parents is: I may not always like you, but I always love you.

This is a time when I need people to be in my corner and not ignore me. I love my mother. Mom, I love you always, but sending in your visiting form isn’t difficult. If I died in my sleep tonight, could you live with neglecting me? My father did that for 38 years. Please, don’t assume that role now.

My Siblings

Right now, I would love to hear from my sisters and brothers: Deanna, Venisha, Yamma., Daryl, Terry and Larry. I would enjoy corresponding with all of you and doing the bonding that we were denied of as children. Our father is gone, but there is no reason for us to remain estranged, or pass judgment on one another.

I am reaching out now, and I want to put any volatile issues aside that existed between us. I want to experience the brother/sister dynamic that I enjoy with my mother’s family and extend that to my FATHER’S side of the family. I pray constantly that we all are reunited and that hole in my life is filled.

If my sibs, or their friends are reading this, I would really appreciate a letter. For a few more months, you may reach me @

Mike Brown #P69851
PO Box 600 – DVI – L119
Tracy, CA 95378 – 0600

I really look forward to hearing from any or all of you.

Love, Mike

Declining Services

Back in June, I informed my assigned psychologist that I would no longer take advantage of the psych services availed to me here at DVI. I really don’t believe they are qualified to address or advise me about my issues.

I really believe they just perceive me as just another nigger convicted criminal and they do not care to heal me. It also feels inauthentic to me, because if we don’t utilize their services, then they are out of jobs. They just need us in enough numbers to protect their funding. We all know prison isn’t about rehabilitation for inmates, but rather it is all about commerce. We are all money-makers for the businesses that outsource the few services we are provided.

What I really need is timely delivery of mail and newspapers, as well as getting my necessary dental work done. And a great service to both me and state of CA, would be to release me and save all those Californian’s their tax dollars.

U.S. Mail Delivery

Might I remind the powers that be, that it is a federal offense to tamper with the U.S. mail? The U.S. Postal Service is very expedient and usually most of my mail is delivered to DVI in 1 – 2 days and yet, my mail was taking up to 10 days to find its way into my hand, so I filed an appeal.

I am a fun-spirited dude and I do not wish to engage in conflict; however, my mail is my lifeline, and any tampering of it outside of formal protocol is discrimination, and could be constituted as cruel and unusual punishment.

I have surrendered my freedom as my punishment; however, if any additional punishment is attached, then it is abuse of authority at the expense of what few rights I have retained as a prisoner, and it also compromises my mental health.

Distribution of Resources

I routinely question the assertion that there is liberty and justice for all in this country. For instance, what about little Latasha, who was only 15, when she was gunned down inside a Korean mini mart by a Korean lady? The woman wielding the gun was only given 5 years probation by the so-called impartial criminal justice system. And, why do police officers follow me in my car as if I were a fugitive? Liberty and justice are not enjoyed equally in this society, and I believe that at some level, we all know this is the case.

I love America and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, however I do not live under the delusion that was I was taught the truth about America or the world during my formidable years.

For instance, it is now generally accepted that Columbus did not discover America, and that is the history that is relevant to me. I had to do independent research outside the classroom to determine this. I implemented the concepts of material dialects and deductive reasoning to my search, and along with challenging the notion of Columbus discovering America, I also know now to challenge the conclusion that liberty and justice are enjoyed equally by all in the United States of America.

So, how can we impose our idea of democracy on the Iraqis when we don’t have it here? So until innocent, mentally-challenged people are released from death row, until the duality of powder v. rock cocaine consequences are resolved, until African-Americans receive reparations, until everyone’s civil rights are respected and women are honored as equals or until all immigrants are treated equally, I will not subscribe to the idea that liberty and justice are dispensed equally for all in 21st century America.

So instead of investing our tangible and intangible resources in a war that was wrong from the start, we need to invest in correcting the ills of America. We have enough verifiable injustices happening here everyday, and until we get it right ourselves, how could we ever have the audacity to impose our ideals on another culture and country? And isn’t Iraq really about securing oil, and how can we face ourselves knowing American lives are being lost over a commodity? There aren’t any ideals we are protecting over there, just cheap oil. We have problems and issues in this country; however the brilliance and tenacity of the American public is quite capable of finding alternative sources of oil. Why did we doubt or deny our capacity to address this issue without having to suffer the loss of life and the re-allocation and misdirection of our resources that allow all Americans to go without, as well as saddling generations of Americans to come with repaying our debt incurred by this immoral war.

What will we say when Social Security is gone forever? That is a very possible outcome because of the spending that has occurred in the Bush administration. Everyone receives Social Security that pays into the system, and it isn’t a means tested program. Other social programs directly benefit the poor are being compromised as well. Unfortunately, that group routinely goes without advocates and I’m here to speak up today. First programs for the poor are eliminated, then Social Security, We all have a voice, and we had better find it quickly, or may even be too late for Hillary or Obama to restore the idealistic America we want to believe still exists.

One Last Session

I have agreed to do one counseling session, but all I intended to share was his tidbit of information: if my counselor had not been a woman, I would never have lasted this long. I am surrounded my men because of my incarceration and this is in some ways, a microcosm of the outside world. So this means I am exposed to brilliance, idiocy, filth and uneducated and undereducated MEN. The environment alone lends itself to depression and we who inhabit it have ugly life stories. So when a woman comes around, it is like a ray of sunlight shining through metaphorical darkness. Their presence lifts our spirits, but beware, we have to gauge ourselves very closely since crossing that line is very dangerous because the outcome will be very unpleasant.

I appreciated sitting in her presence and listening to a female voice was very enticing, but I can no longer do that. For a moment in time, I did need it because of my relationship struggles with my fiancée, Julie, so I needed to lean on someone but now I’m back to my normal self and as usual I detach easily and I am not quick to trust others. I have other female friends in my life, such as Mia, whom I trusted but now seems to have another agenda.

So I do not on plan on returning to counseling. Primarily because of our ethnic differences and she is younger than I am and very pristine. So what can she possibly tell me? I’m a 38 year-old Black man, convicted felon, former drug user and labeled as a member of the Black Guerilla Family, and the son of an American. My counselor and I have nothing in common; how could she ever provide meaningful counsel or advice?

I am not that extreme, but I do know my reality and the counselors of the CA criminal justice system will not help me; however, I do believe that God, my real friends and my family can.

Protecting His Greatness

My siblings and I agree that it is best that we share only the best of our father, James Brown, with the outside world. My dad was a very good, spirited and determined man, and America loved him despite his flaws. I also loved him above and beyond our biological connection; I have suffered greatly in my life and I still do, but maybe that was to be my lot in life, and perhaps I will be rewarded for it later in some other capacity or in some other way.

James Brown, “Mr. Please, Please, Please” and the “Hardest Working Man in Show Business”, you were not perfect, by far, but what you will always be is great, determined, and real. And I am proud to say that your spirit lives on in my siblings and me, and our children. And I want to say “thank you” for giving me life and thank you for giving me your spirit. I am going to make something of my life, Pop. Thank you for all that I have inherited from you in every way, I promise none of it will go to waste. That I vow to you and your memory.

And, Deanna, please, I am reaching out to you; please find it in your heart to contact me. You can get my information from Julie Moss @ 800-610-0666 or 916-569-0667, or by fax @ 916-569-0665; I believe that you are familiar with my attorneys. I just need to talk to you. I will be back very soon, in approximately 120 – 150 days or so.

By Whose Standards?

I recently read that Lindsay Lohan is the prettiest woman in the world. Yeah, right. By whose standards? I am so tired of others imposing their definitions on us (the American public) and tacitly declaring we accept these precepts without question.

For instance, I was told that Columbus discovered America and that was a lie. I was told that liberty and justice existed for all and that was a lie. There is also a lie out there about the origin of HIV. The virus is man-made and used in Africa as a way to control the population. The media convicted O.J. and Michael Jackson before their trials began. The media made Anna Nicole Smith’s untimely demise bigger than the 9/11 tragedy.

This is a country of immigrants, that is people from all nations and sporting different hues and incorporating different heritages. We need to see that diversity represented everywhere. The U.S. Supreme Court should be comprised of Blacks, Whites, Asians, Latinos etc. and truly reflect the complexion of America.

Sure, Lindsay Lohan is cute, but my female friends are all better looking. And as far as celebs go, Keyisha Cole, Lucy Liu and Vida Guerra all look much better. But then, I live in a diverse America, not a White America.

My fiancee, Julie

Looks like my life is taking another spin. Julie had temporarily found another; she described him as a distraction. She has returned and confessed all, as well as professing unending and uninterrupted love for me. This has been a pattern with us; we break-up and we re-unite. For whatever reason we love each other and we return to one another, and we forgive, and we move-on together.

Julie is a wonderful person and very unique. I love her and I am extremely grateful for her. It is an uphill battle for us, but I am not discouraged. Having someone admit to infidelity is good and bad. I’m a person with a very vivid imagination and when someone tells me something I envision it. Who wants to imagine his fiancée with another? But I remind myself, that I have put Julie through exactly the same experience during our relationship – more than once.

It will take hard work and willing hearts to prevail. Right now, I’m just trying to see if actions and proclamations are congruent. I’ve presented a list of requests to her and I will see if she is willing to oblige me, and put her money where her mouth is. Time will tell. Please pray for us.

My friend, Elias

My son, Michael Elias Brown, was born nearly 17 years ago on my mother’s birthday. I named my son after a friend of mine, Adam Elias Morales. The last time I saw my friend, Elias, was in 1993.

Well, lo and behold, my friend, Elias, crossed my path again. Who would’ve thought that we would be sitting here together again, nearly 15 years later. I love this man and his family like my own. And I had a secret crush on his sister.

I ended up marrying a Latina woman and when my son was born, of course, he was of Black and Mexican decent, and Elias’ sister commented, “I always knew you would go that way”. That is, I would marry someone who was Latina. However, that union was short-lived and we divorced and I remarried and divorced again.

I believe my friend and I have met again for a reason. And it is so wonderful to have a friend with me; strangers no longer surround me. And additionally, this man knows “Mike Brown”, not “Bakari” as I have attempted to reinvent myself.

Hey Lil Sis, Bina, if you are reading this, “Keep ya head up momma, tough times don’t last for long”. I send out mad props to the entire family and to everyone else I know now and have known for years – I love you all. Peace.

Discontinuing Counseling

I have opted to discontinue my counseling sessions. I didn’t have entirely noble motivations for attending them as long as I did. My psychologist is an attractive Caucasian brunette and I enjoyed her company. But more to the point, I’m tired of sitting in front of people who don’t share my life experience and couldn’t last 10 feet in my shoes.

To some degree, I resent the fact that because these people received a degree from some accredited, as I term it “White” university, that they have the wisdom or knowledge needed to counsel me.

The irony is that under other circumstances, i.e. encountering me on the street, they may fear me, is that cannot “connect” with me because of different life experiences and a savvy that cannot be learned from a textbook.

So my feeling is: if these people cannot with Hip-Hop, TuPac and the ills that plague the Black communities of America, then how can they possibly understand me?

I feel like a test monkey sitting in front of these people and I refuse to be the subject of their frivolous efforts to make an impact. If these people want to help me, the can provide my much-needed dental care, ensure prompt mail delivery to inmates, expedited social visit approval and access to educational books of my choice instead of Bolozoff and Buddhism, but rather the “48 Laws of Power” and books by Anthony Browder.

Absent In Our History Books

Why wasn’t I taught in school that civilization came from Africa, Abyssinia, Kosh and Cemet? That it was the Greeks that went to Egypt and stole their ideas, concepts and philosophy and spread it around the world? They co-opted ideas borne in Africa and accidentally or intentionally imprinted their culture perspective. Why didn’t anyone share this knowledge with me in my history classes in school?

Why wasn’t I told that the Caduceus (two snakes intertwined that represent the medical profession) is from my people? As are the pyramid on the dollar bill, the “Eye on Horus” at the top, the oblisk in Washington and the “Eagle” as American symbol was taken from the Egyptians? Why wasn’t I taught that Africa is the Motherland and that the Black Man is the “Father” of all men?

I was taught about Anne Frank, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and others of European descent. I wasn’t taught the truth about me or my people, nor our contribution to the current advanced stage that we currently reside. I was taught how to “Pledge Allegiance to the U.S. Flag”, but never taught about how all men, all civilization and all life came from Africa. The realization of this angered me over the years. So when people perceive me as hostile, my hostility arises from knowing so many are intentionally kept ignorant in the effort to protect the status-quo.

Double-Standards

In a country that supposedly prides itself on liberty and justice for all, there are arguably a few flaws in the modern execution of the promise made by our forefathers. Seemingly, everyone’s rights have been recognized and legally sanctified. For instance, women have the right to choose, gay people can legalize their relationship; however, a person who suffers from psychiatric issues and/or addiction, and may commit a burglary to support his/her habit, or obtains illicit drugs to self-medicate depression, anger or feelings of inadequacy may have to face a life in prison. Is that justice? And because of extenuating circumstances, as in crimes that are committed because of bio-chemical imbalances, or having suffered a lifetime of abuse, or any of the other plethora of maladies that may lead to criminal behavior, above and beyond character defects and/or an evil soul isn’t morally or ethically right.

So my contention is this: THE 3 STRIKES LAW ISN’T FAIR.

And frequently, we speak of justice. And apparently, the definition of justice isn’t static or seemingly objective. Is it just to kill Iraqi civilians? Is it just to facilitate a civil war in order to impose our idea of democracy on a country with different political or social mores that date back hundreds or even thousands of years?

We have to acknowledge that what we supposedly abhor elsewhere is burgeoning here with little media interest or coverage. We have denied for years that a class system exists in this country, and because of certain political views that took hold in the 80s, a subtle and tacit war on the poor began. And the current administration has expressly continued these policies without any shame.

The poor are oppressed, and are the victims of those in Washington, DC, that openly disdain the poor, and any and all social programs to protect those less fortunate for a variety of reasons. There is an ugly double-standard emerging. Poverty isn’t discerning or discriminating and the poor regardless of ethnicity are suffering equally. Whites, Blacks, Asians, Latinos etc. are all affected.

I recently read an article about a Sacramento Police Officer received only a 5 year sentence for DUI and killing Michael Ramirez. However, another man received a sentence of not less than 15 years – Life for almost the exact same offense. However, his victim was a White Police Officer. I, for one, am weary of this unheralded war. Double-standards have to go!

Edited and posted by Julie Swartzendruber

My Father's Contribution

Why does Paris Hilton make news? Who was Anna Nicole Smith? Why did we care who the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s baby was? I’m not attacking the lady, and what happened to her was a tragedy; she was too young to die. And admittedly, I thought she was hot, especially since she wasn’t the typical Caucasian ideal of emaciated beauty. But the real question is: What did she contribute to the greatness of America? So this kind of selective media coverage begs the question: Why does the media pick and choose certain stories above others to promote? My dad made a difference in American pop culture and I’m upset that my father’s death didn’t command the same kind of attention that two different blonde beauties did, who seemingly used their beauty, and no other apparent skills to garner attention. The American media has a fetish for female white blondes. But in their zealousness to cover the culturally defined norm of ideal beauty, they fail to step outside the box, and acknowledge the richness, diversity and beauty of a country of immigrants compromised of, well off the top of my head: Blacks, Asians, Polynesians, Mexicans, Indians etc. are ALL LOVELY, not just the White, blonde, blue-eyed women.

Edited and posted by Julie Swartzendruber

Speakin' Out

When I began recording my thoughts to share with the general public, I was very selective about what topics I chose to address. For the most part, I shared different experiences, reflections and attitudes about how I lived my life. I was wary of offending people, so I shied away from political and social issues and other topics of potential controversy. Well, I have had a change of heart. No more; I have a lot to say and I am grateful for this platform from which I can speak.

People often question the source of my anger. And, as of now, as for most of my life, I do believe my parentage and the circumstances of my birth significantly impacted me. But I am here to say there is more to me, and my perspective, that derives from my life experiences, over and above, being the “bastard” son of James Brown.

I want to preface my comments here, and for all future blogs as well, I can be very opinionated, but I want to assure my readers that I am not racist. I believe to be racist is very ignorant, and while I am emphatic about some of my beliefs, I am not open to hate, or one to hate.

However, along that train of thought, I need to state some facts about my interaction with the different branches of law enforcement. I see the need for cops on our streets, and that I acknowledge the breaks that have been extended from people in the criminal justice system.

But while I love the diversity of America and the concepts that this country was predicated, as in land of the free and home of the brave, I also know this isn’t experienced equally across this wonderful country. And despite the love I have for this country, I am not deaf, dumb or blind. And my ancestors also experienced their initial introduction to this country very differently than other, shall we say, “immigrants”. Because as Malcom X said, “We truly didn’t land on Plymouth Rock; however, it did land on us”.