The Dean's List

I wrote this letter to Michael Jackson shortly after he died. Today marks 8 years since he passed away...     Me holding my very first album Dearest Michael, A piece of my heart died last Thursday.  I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news.  How could you be gone?  I haven’t stopped thinking and reminiscing about you since.  I will never forget the times I spent with you. You came into my life the same day I bought the Jackson 5’s first album – which was my first album too – well the first one I ever owned.  “Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5” never left my record player for months after I got it.  From the first listen to “I Want You Back” and “Who’s Loving You” and how cute you looked on the album cover – I knew you were the one for me.  There are so many times I remember from that day forward….. I Remember The Time ….When the Jackson 5 came to Rochester in the early 70’s.  My sister was allowed to go, but I couldn’t.  I cried for hours into my pillow while

I wrote this a few years ago and will continue to share every Father's Day.... . It's odd...A man that I didn't have that much time with, one that has been gone since I was 6, one that I only have a few memories of, can still to this day have so much influence on my life! As time goes on, I thought it would get easier, but it has become harder! I guess it's the wondering what my life would have been like if he was around a little longer.... For now, all I have are the memories and proof that I had a Daddy...... I was around 5 years old and I was riding in the car with my daddy. A guy cut him off and my father had to slam on his brakes to stop. This was before car seats and seat belt laws, so I flew forward and hit my head on the dashboard. My daddy jumped out the car and ran over to my side to make sure I was alright. He picked me up and held me while drying my tears, at the same time cursing out the guy he had just hit. He took me to his favorite watering h

I originally wrote this as an op-ed in May of 2000 for the local newspaper, the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, NY. I was a member of the Board of Contributors. I have many that I will add to my blog site over the coming weeks.  I chose to post this one because even though I wrote this 17 years ago, I'm sad to say that not much has changed!  Racism Is Alive And Well - (originally published May 2000) I know some of you may say, "oh here we go again!"  Another Black person complaining about racism"!  Please let me explain before you throw the paper in the recycle bin (or hit delete): From the day I was born, racism has always been my shadow.  My mother, White, the youngest of fourteen children born of Italian immigrants.  My father, Black, an only child born in Winter Park, Florida.  My mother originally followed the family tradition of marrying within her race.  She had three children and divorced.  She then met my father.  To her families dismay, she ma