Dad

"Being the son of the Godfather of Soul" has garnered me a lot of attention - curried me a lot of favor and has been a lot of fun. That being said, it has been dysfunctional, crazy and sad. Unfortunately, James Brown was never really good to me but I cannot judge him because I did the same thing.  Regardless of the detractions, my dad was truly "soul brotha #1". His imprint on the black community will never fade; his presence and impact deserve honor. For the most part,  I have always defined myself as "James Brown's son" but I didn't truly find myself until October of 2011 when my grandfather, Mr. Cubbie Wilson (see the post "Big Daddy") passed away. I had known for a long time that I needed to step up, but now that "Big Daddy" was gone, it was really my time to shine.

Momma

I am here to proclaim how much I love and appreciate my momma. She has stood by me through thick and thin, addiction, insanity, incarceration, betrayal and outright disrespect. My momma has shown me unconditional love and always believed in me. Mom, I dedicate the song "Momma" by "Boys II Men" to you.

Thank you!

Siblings

Terry, my oldest brother and his sons, have made me feel good because they, as it turned out, have, for the most part, acknowledged me as Brown family member for some time. It is all that more amazing because I was not aware that they existed until our father's and (grandfather's) death on December 25, 2006. Since then, I have also spoken with and gotten to know 3 of my sisters, Nicole, Jeanette and La Rhonda. My sister, Yamma, responded to a "facebook" message and I really appreciated that.

I will re-iterate my request to become a closer family and as such, I would love to talk with you or correspond with you and as I indicated previously, we can sidestep any reference to any ongoing litigation. So if you would like, you could 'be-friend me' on "facebook" or if we would really like to trample barriers,  you could visit me here in CA. It would be a little more complicated right now because I would have to send you a visitation form, but it seems do-able. I also have a son, Eliase, who I would love for you to meet;  I think it would be great if all of our children met one another.

Sacramento is beautiful; my son and I were born and raised here and we would love to show it off!

My son, Eliase

My son has started to lighten up on me and I am so happy about that. I am ashamed to admit that I haven't spoken to my only son,  Michael Eliase Brown, in 7 years.  Here's the deal: I said some very cruel things to him and it was my own self-hatred I was spewing and it was in no way a reflection of him, but rather, a very poor reflection of me and my lack of self-esteem. I love my son and I want to finally show him that.  Thank God he has matured to a man.

Unfortunately, he has some run-ins with the law but he isn't dumb like I was at his age and I am confident that he won't follow in my foot-steps. I wish to be a good father now and following my release, I plan to be a real father, brother and friend - to be there for him as I cannot now.

His mom also deserves a lot of praise for raising him; the woman has backbone and I can never say anything ill of her. I failed both my son and his mother and she has proven herself and reminds me of my own mother. I don't expect my ex-wife, the mother of my son to forgive me, but regardless, I will always admire her strength.

Big Daddy

My beloved grandfather, Cubbie Wilson, died October 26th, 2011 and my life changed that day; I had to mature. I think my life reached a moment of stasis following that crisis: my hair even grew back after 4 years of baldness. It feels like I am finally ascending out of the chaos; I feel like I finally know what it means to be a man.

Big Daddy along with my stepfather, Garvin, have set a perfect example for me; they are real black men: no drugs, no womanizing and  they love family, God and country. The women on my mom's side of the family pick really decent, solid men. My baby sister, Rissa, has followed suit and picked an extraordinary man, Will, with which to share her life.

To sum it up: I'll be home soon and I plan to live like my hero, Cubbie Wilson lived.

Invitation

I have always been anxious to visit with my siblings. There have been roadblocks when I have made this request in the past, but I assure all of you that I have no ulterior motive and this request is pure of heart. We can chat by phone, exchange letters or I can even forward a visitation form for you to complete so you may visit me at Folsom. I just want to be a family and I would like for all of you to meet my son, Eliase, as well. You may contact me at:

Folsom State Prison
Michael Deon Brown #P69851
PO Box 715071  3-4b-03
Represa, CA  95671

I look forward to hearing from you!

Mark S Allen at "Good Day Sacramento"

Recently, I wrote local anchor/DJ/celebrity Mark S Allen to inform him that I am at 'Folsom State Prison' since he has always seemed to appreciate my father (James Brown) and his music.  And after I wrote him at "CW 31 Good Day", he mentioned me on live television and  the other anchors gave me a shout out as well.  Thanks Mark! "Good Day" rocks!

A new spin on transition

Currently, every aspect of my existence is in flux: my familial relationships, my relationship with Julie and my status in prison; I am anxious to transition to the new and unexplored. This transition begins as I am preparing to be released and as this plays out, my plan is never to return. And yes, I hear the naysayers in chorus as they are claiming that is what I have said many times before. The bottom line is that I am just too old and have too many responsibilities to honor at this juncture in my life for me to continue on this wayward path.

I have come a long ways from where I was and I am forever mindful there is still a ways to go, but I think I finally get how my actions affect my loved ones and I do not anticipate putting them or myself through this again. I miss all of you.

Please write to me at:

Folsom State Prison
Michael Deon Brown  P-69851
PO Box 715071  3-4b-03
Represa, CA  95671

A message to my son...

Son, you have been on my mind a lot lately and I want you in my life. And if you need or want, you will always be welcome to live with me and perhaps this will really allow me to get to know you again. Son, please find it in yourself to forgive me for my selfishness and allow me to be your father and friend.