The Flip-Side

Preface: OMG! Please do not believe everything Bakari/Michael says in the following. He is bitter and regretful and he is just lashing out because he feels abandoned. Supposedly, at least, according to his previous blog, he accepted responsibility for his actions and his present living conditions. He is very hurt and resentful; so please do not let this determine your feelings or demeanor towards your son, brother or friend, regardless of what he is conveying; anger is hurt that is turned outward. I have lobbied that he continues taking psychotropic meds (drug addicts usually are self-medicating for different psychiatric illnesses) and continues counseling and is open and sincere in those session. Hopefully those are availed to him @ Tracy and he is utilizing all the tools at his disposal to work through his numerous issues/baggage. This is just one of his tantrums; I thought he had evolved past those, but apparently not.

Sincerely, Julie

Being the "Son of the Godfather of Soul" has a flip side, as in I am also a branch on my mother's side of the family. Right now, the only people to whom I am really close are my grand-parents and I have their names tattooed on my chest. Those tattoos are 22 years old and they are the only family members tattooed on my body, besides, my son's name, Eliase.

And sadly, my maternal sister and I do not speak and we really aren't friends. I think she hates me and I also think she is a snob. She grew-up under completely different circumstances: she was planned, raised by two parents in a two-story home, in a middle-class neighborhood. Her values reflected my step-father's and he is contemptuous of people who use drugs and alcohol and is very academically minded. So my sister enjoyed a middle class existence all of her life. For instance, she participated in extra-curricular activities, such as playing softball, soccer and learning karate. None of those activities were extended to me when I was that age.

In contrast, I grew-up around parties, drugs and my mother's multiple boy-friends. I wasn't planned, we lived in apartments for 7 or 8 years and I bought and paid for my first car. The only thing I had going for me was that I was James Brown's son. And like my maternal sister, my paternal sibling, Nicole is a snob as well.

I just want the world to know that I consider my primary family as my grand-parents. My step-dad did his best, and I now believe that my mother despises me and favors her daughter. My son hates me and I do not even know my son, Eliase, or his son (my biological grand-son). And for this, I am truly sorry.

If you have a chance, please write to Bakari/Michael; that really cheers him to hear from all of you. His address:

Michael Brown, #P69851
DVI - PO Box 600 - K217
Tracy, CA 95378-0600

Also, he appreciates money on his books, magazine subscriptions, books (mailed straight from the vendor) b/c we cannot send books from a residential address.
Labels: Reflections