Neglected
by Alvin C. Romer
www.theromerreview.com
A cold and empty bed with just my dreams for company
As I remind myself that you once were here living large.
You’ve rendered me obsolete and unwanted and neglected,
But at times I think that I am blind unknowingly, yet unwillingly
Waiting in vain for a touch from you or a kiss or two.
Perhaps I should take reluctant initiatives and risk rejection…
Only for you to tell me you’re not in the mood? This period of darkness
Is not self-ordained, nor is it self-motivated, or is it just self-pity?
Unloved and untouched for much too long
On the shelf of your mind, neglected and gathering dust;
Soon, I keep telling myself how sight will be restored; I will see you again,
And I will realize the pearly gates, and relish the sugar walls.
As I make my way to your center, wondering as I wander
Will you let me in…will you allow my descent along the southern route?
Looking upon your face I envision you looming large and languid and ever so liquid.
Wet, wild and wonderful as I imagine you to be so ready to receive me;
Soon I hope to see you again – the fire in the hearth with light reflecting
off of your once just and loving face.
For you would have opened wide and spread your love all over me!
The Romer Review
www.theromerreview.com
One Hand, One Heart
by Alvin C. Romer
After all the storms and clouds have passed thru
I realize that the sun continues to shine….
All because of you
I’ll always keep our special moments of embrace
Savoring the time, and knowing fully well
That…It’s not the things that can be bought
Or even taught
That is life’s treasure,
Rather, It’s that very special entity of appreciation
That I ultimately measure.
You entered my life, breaking such a dull routine,
Baring your soul for a much greater role.
Mere words cannot begin to express my zeal….
Nevertheless, I decided to convey just what I
feel. This is my tribute that no one can refute,
for no matter what you call or how you see it,
it didn’t come without a measure of design!
I’d like to think that our togetherness was fashioned by the hand that is ever so Divine.
If true love never fails, and if we adhere to faith in Him,
How can that torch that shines so brightly suddenly go so dim?
No matter what, in my mind I can honestly say – “I Love You….and it’s so true
One Hand, One Heart – I’ll always pledge allegiance to you!
This poem is dedicated to a Woman of Worth
By Alvin C. Romer
www.theromerreview.com
For the First Time
Request to my virgin lover...
by Alvin C. Romer
You are of age, your body ripe and ready for plucking,
I long to make you a woman and taste the fruit you bear.
But are you willing my fair maiden, so naïve and innocent…
Will you allow your flower to burst open ready to blossom?
The sweet sensuous feeling of womanhood, beckons you.
I’m hoping that you are willing and able to comply
As I vie for your trust and consent.
You mentioned that you are scared,
and don’t know what to expect, but
I attempt to soothe you in caring spirit…
I want to make love to you,
Like I’ve always dreamt, with you wrapped around me as one!
I want to let you down easy – slow and sensuously,
And to be your first and only lover for a lifetime.
For the first time my wife, you shall be spared,
Of the hurt and humiliation, real or imagined
But I do wonder how you really feel…
As I view your virgin lips so invitingly, so ready.
I long to swim in your flow, and navigate your canal
of love. Please open up and receive all of me!
By Alvin C. Romer
www.theromerreview.com
AIDS Awareness and What Should be Done to Stay Alive!
Basic information on AIDS/HIV awareness and sexual disease prevention...
By Alvin C. Romer
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, commonly referred to its better known acronym, AIDS has definitely become part of the sexual scenario. Back in the day, we treated casual sex as a way of life – indulging without regard to consequences, real or imagined. And if you were really astute in making good choices, you used prophylactics and called it a day. Nowadays AIDS is constantly in your psyche to remind you of this life-threatening phenomena that forces you to be aware of why unprotected sex can kill. Such is the case that you are made to be careful on what you wish for, and with whom you do it with. By now everyone should know who this killer is and its preferred method. In this report you will get clear definitive ideas about it, how one acquires it, the symptoms, and what is being done to treat them. Moreover, it is necessary to dispel the most common myths about AIDS, and will endeavor to be factual in attempts to reiterate what has continually been given heretofore as heightened awareness.
You will be given helpful information as resource guides where help is available. The purpose is to educate and make aware the solutions to eradicate, hold it at bay and give reasons why abstinence should be the ONLY way to keep it from spreading. Despite efforts worldwide to stem the tide, this virus is spreading among our urban centers and effecting our young Black boys, and most recently at an alarming rate, heterosexual women and other female populations. Somewhere in the mix sex becomes more of a serious venture where dependence on life and death is all in discernable differences where common sense and deductive reasoning share the stage with just doing the right thing. But is it enough?
The Immune System, HIV, and AIDS
There’s quite a bit of speculation as to where AIDS first came from. It’s beginnings have never been discovered. There’s much more of what we DO know, as opposed to the mysteries of this disease. Many experts believe several decades or longer before the earliest cases appeared (1980) that AIDS was present in the United States, Europe, and in Africa a few years before that in simpler forms. HIV was first identified in 1984 by French and American scientists, but the human immunodeficiency virus did not get its name until 1986 after more studies were done to learn more of its association with immunity.
Like any other disease of note, AIDS is far-reaching and can trigger other maladies and viruses. In order to understand the basic workings of AIDS, one must be knowledgeable about how the immune system works, and how it’s relative to HIV. When your immune breaks down there’s no buffer in place to ward off invading germs. Because the immune system cells are destroyed by the AIDS virus, many different types of infections and cancers can develop, taking advantage of a person's weakened immune system. Thus, AIDS can be definitive when diagnosed as an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus attacks the immune system in the body that helps fight disease. It is the main cause of AIDS. How Is HIV Spread? The virus is spread by contact with blood, semen, vaginal discharge, and breast milk. Other body fluids are known to cause the spread of infection internally. Most people commonly associate getting the virus from having unsafe sex or sharing drug equipment, but there are far-reaching consequences that your body is already in contact with that can trigger immunity issues . You have AIDS when you have a positive HIV test and a T-cell count less than 200. Your blood is made of white and red blood cells. T-cells are a part of your blood's white blood cells.
Before going any further, let’s take a look at the immune system as it relates to T-cells. The body's health is defended by its immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes, made up of B cells and T cells protect the body from "germs" such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. When germs are detected, B cells and T cells are activated to defend the body, and act as protective agents against infection. This process is hindered in the case of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), however. AIDS is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down efficiently with no natural defense once T-cells are rendered useless. When HIV enters the body, it infects those T cells, where the virus grows. The virus kills these cells slowly, which perpetuates viruses to flourish. As more and more of the T cells die, the body's ability to fight infection weakens. People with HIV infection are said to have AIDS when they are sick with serious illnesses and infections that can occur with HIV. The illnesses tend to occur late in HIV infection, when few or no T cells remain.
A person with HIV infection may remain healthy for many years, and can even enjoy a healthy sex life. Of course, there must be precautionary methods to adhere to, including taking proper medication that has been diagnosed to be hindrances to the malady. Other myths that should be dismissed: Kissing causes AIDS, bodily fluids are infectious, I.e., sweat, tears, urine and saliva.
Alarming Statistics
In preparing this report I was able to visit several AIDS/HIV treatment centers for critical interpretation and to dialogue among the affected. I also visited area junior and senior high schools and colleges to flesh this piece out for legitimacy in gaining grassroots analysis. I asked students to share what they know about HIV, and was appalled at the various hit and misses among the answers elicited from my queries. I wanted to know at such early ages did they actually know how it is transmitted, and what happens to the body once someone contracts the virus. After talking to them at length I got to work. I made them aware that:
There’s a distinct difference between HIV and AIDS. HIV is a virus that severely impairs the immune system by attacking and destroying white blood cells….and that, AIDS is the final stage AFTER acquiring HIV
Of the 40,000 - 50,000 new cases of AIDS reported in the U.S. each year, 42 percent are men who have sex with other men, at least 40 percent are men and women infected by heterosexual sex, and 30 percent were infected by injective drug use, and/or with unsanitary paraphernalia usage
Our youth and women are being infected in greater numbers than ever before. 55 percent of all new reported cases are those under 25, especially among teens and young adults; If you broke that down, it amounts to approximately two young Americans between ages 13- 24 are contacting AIDS every hour! Among women it’s worse. 40 percent of all new AIDS cases are attributed to promiscuous women.
Now here is the kicker: African-Americans account for more than half of ALL AIDS cases. We’re talking about the 60 percentile range. Hispanics on the other hand, are pegged at 20 percent
I was able to give more statistics, using facts culled from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. What astounded me more than anything else was the fact that a part of the nation’s fastest growing people with HIV was Black women . It should be no coincidence that certain social factors make our women of color vulnerable. To wit: Black neighborhoods it is said are more apt to be subjected societal maladies such as joblessness, poverty, prolonged drug use, and the high ration of women to men who are being shuffled continuously in and out of prison that harbors a significantly high rate of HIV infection 10 times higher than the general population! This is serious business. So says Debra Frazier-Howse, CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS in a recent interview. She further lamented that “we should be very afraid….and we should be planning. When women get sick, there is no one left to take care of the family”.
Demystifying myths and recognizing symptoms
It’s important that certain myths and hearsay about AIDS should be explained and give proper definitive attention for greater awareness. With so many epidemics worldwide, real cases of full blown AIDS has quadrupled with has given new meaning and awareness that this is a force to be reckoned with. One must recognize the symptoms, and be prepared to be tested. Did you know that…An HIV-positive person can also receive an AIDS diagnosis on the basis of certain blood tests (CD4 counts) and may not have experienced any serious illnesses. Or that…Primary HIV infection is the first stage of HIV disease, when the virus first establishes itself in the body. Some researchers use the term acute HIV infection to describe the period of time between when a person is first infected with HIV and when antibodies against the virus are produced by the body (usually 6- 12 weeks). Some people newly infected with HIV will experience some "flu-like" symptoms. These symptoms, which usually last no more than a few days, might include fevers, chills, night sweats and rashes (not cold-like symptoms). Other people either do not experience "acute infection," or have symptoms so mild that they may not notice them. Given the general character of the symptoms of acute infection, they can easily have causes other than HIV, such as a flu infection. For example, if you had some risk for HIV a few days ago and are now experiencing flu-like symptoms, it might be possible that HIV is responsible for the symptoms, but it is also possible that you have some other viral infection. A positive HIV test does not mean that a person has AIDS.
Did you know too, that…..The only way to determine whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You can't rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected with HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV don't have any symptoms at all for many years. Paradoxically, you can't rely on symptoms to establish that a person has AIDS. The symptoms associated with AIDS are similar to the symptoms of many other diseases. AIDS is a diagnosis made by a doctor based on specific criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Preventions and Solutions
In closing, there’s no need ever to throw caution to the wind in dealing with AIDS/HIV. In general avocation of the following would go a long way in prevention and having viable solutions.
All generation should be open to talk about sex related problems, including abstaining from sexual activity to avoid becoming infected. It should be noted that being faithful to practice monogamous relations by limiting exposure to create stronger unions. There will be times for those that will not adhere to abstinence and it wouldn’t be an option, or may not be in a monogamous relationship. If this is the case, encouragement should be to use protection.
Grass root level programming and community outreach communiqués to reach as many people possible to educate, inform and stimulate awareness for challenge and change. More should be done to encourage people to reduce their number of sexual partners. David Wilson, senior monitoring and evaluation specialist for the World Bank’ Global HIV/AIDS Program writes that it is a "simple truth" that without multiple sex partnerships the HIV/AIDS pandemic would not occur and "by extension, partner reduction is the most obvious, yet paradoxically neglected approach to the prevention of HIV." Wilson says that the "Education and debate" authors' position that partner reduction is the "potential centerpiece of a unified ABC approach is good common sense." Wilson adds that partner reduction "is good epidemiology, not good ideology, and we must ensure that the ABC approach remains sufficiently scientifically grounded to withstand shifting ideological sands." He concludes, “We must foster endogenous responses founded primarily on the resources, capital and leadership within communities while enhancing research to ensure these responses are understood, evaluated and illuminated by science"
In closing, sexual contact and other means to extract a deadly virus affecting the immune system should be minimized by making the right choices. Abstinence is the preferred option for those that are not ready for sex, and safeguards should be preferable for those that are willing to take risks. Ongoing efforts worldwide are battling mightily to find cures for this deadly virus and nothing should stop you from doing what is necessary to stay alive!
The Romer Review
www.theromerreview.com
Against All Odds: My Message to America
By Alvin C. Romer
This is a psychological opinion based on the social commentary relative to the status of Blacks and America's non-compliant attitude toward race...
Hello America, you need to listen to me. I’m angry, proud and tired of society’s bondage. I need to say this and be heard. Listen closely if you will: Once upon a time when we were colored, it was said that we stood in hell’s kitchen and licked all the pots clean. It challenged us then, as it does now that institutionalize racism-defined status quo and gave license to allow white supremacy attitudes to prevail beyond reason. I will tell you too, that I will not stand for it! Times have changed. When Jim Crow stood guard at lunch counters and challenged my people to look haltingly toward integration for soluble differences and to implement a system of our own for change, I was too young and ignorant of facts. I’m a grown man now and have nurtured a family of my own. I can see much too clearly, and the Black man I am will mobilized my brothers to be accountable. I will start with the young folk. Boys will transition into men and know what responsibility is. Despite adversity and all that slavery inflicted upon us, we can resolutely say that we are a resilient bunch. We have stood the test of time. We the people, a diverse, hungry, and resourceful entity constitute and demand equal representation beyond second class, and above racist attitudes. Standards of excellence notwithstanding, we vow to excel when chains of bondage continue to restrict us real or imagined…. and embrace the legacy lived on in the efforts of our ancestors who encouraged and imbued equal parity. We are throwing down the gauntlet!
No! We will not lie down and die…. God has a plan for us and we are chosen. We will march to the head of the class and reclaim sovereignty over our destiny and embrace the original covenant. Works and initiative will replace passivity, while fueling the desires of aspiration. We have not been quiet or obedient throughout the annals of time, and in some cases we do not apologize. We’ve stumbled a bit, allowed the jails to overflow, saw our communities become disenfranchised, watched and did nothing to prevent families from empowerment initiatives, and most irresponsive of all, some of us turned our backs on Christ. But you know what? That’s only for a season! We endeavor to rebound and take back what we lack, and embellish what is destined and deemed necessary for success. We dared to dream and vowed to overcome, and in the process created a rainbow coalition. Nothing we have was given to us without compromise. The welfare rolls have been eradicated and affirmative action has run its course. We can say resoundingly that the patriarchs of Amerikkka were never our fathers! They would have been amazed by the very notion of any collegial progress despite maxims put in place to stifle us. We are now over 100 million strong – and growing.
Our brown and Hispanic brothers are cognizant of how you have treated us and have joined the struggle. Yes, we’ve come a long way. In the process we have sat down, stood up, linked arms, blocked doorways, broke windows, prayed, chanted, registered, gone underground, protested by going on strike, or battled our way into public office and STILL you say we don’t belong! As I look back, I hope you understand and realize what I see. I want you to know my hurt and be open to change. Minority spending power is incredulous! We now command over 900 billion spending power, which is equivalent to the highest gross national products of half of the world’s industrialized nations and is cause for intellectual reproach. You should never underestimate our penchant for the playing fields to be equal. Should I go on?
Manifest destiny not only included us, but we had a profound hand in it. We were part of the solution as opposed to being the problem. We stood our ground while others took credit for our inventions. Moreover, if it wasn’t for Black labor and intellect in all areas of applied science and technological advances any of what you enjoy today would be sufficient in your world today. The Bells, Edisons, and Goodyears know too well that success was not the panacea of their labor alone…for we had our good years too! Our contribution to history is well documented despite your efforts at erasing history at every chance you got, but we still hold you accountable and blame you for the commercial takeover of our heroes and our heritage. Your desire to control things will always define you. You were in concert with the Europeans, systematically erasing all of our accomplishments from textbooks. Through your guile and manipulative ways you somehow repackaged our rich illustrious past and sold it back to us in he form of omission and commissioned tactics.
America, you will never learn, nor can you tolerate people having control of their own destiny. You continue to staunch equitable rights, deny freedom to those who endeavor a better life from some of the very countries you’ve forced imperial sovereignty on, thus advancing your own causes. Know that sleeping giants are now awake and moving steadily against you. When we get it all together in the very near future, we would have formed viable coalitions for the betterment of all concerned. Yes, I’m perturbed and bothered by your bellicose attitude and your persistence on using the Democratic Party as our spokesman and savior. You have taken advantage of this, and we will not tolerate it anymore. We now realize what it takes to distinguish between responsibility and consequence. We the people are becoming powerful because we have finally laid Jim Crow to rest, celebrated the event, and will never look back. We reclaim our rights!
Our hands are clean and do not have to revert to clinched fists and sneers to be taken seriously. We are educated and most willing to use discernable options, deductive reasoning and pure common sense to prevail and hope that you don’t mistake confidence for arrogance. You must know too, that after attending schools of hard knocks, and no matter how much you’ve perpetuated to keep us down we are able to reverently look up…and as we get up we will grab a hold of Someone much bigger than any of us. Yes, I’m angry, and all of my brothers that look like me can attest to my lament. You may even want to paint us as undeserving but we admit nor deny your charge, for all we have to do is look back on history then, look today how you subconsciously use subtlety to advance those hard to erase idioms that have galvanized your twisted thoughts. When we look back with you and we both see inequities in how my people were treated, it’s no longer a debatable point of discussion.
I vent my anger at the systemic approach to your imbalance of the scales of righteousness, and the inadequate dysfunction of your idea of justice, as we no longer allow it to be just us. You see, we to a man to not believe that we can restore and expand the freedoms that our lives require unless and until we embrace change and the will to do it on our own…and on our terms. We look at this akin to distinguishing between responsibility and consequence. How will we continue to argue our cause? Let me tell you this, America: We will sustain the rhythm but without the blues; we will continue to run faster, jump higher, and give you our stern and taciturn faces. We now have a Tiger in our tanks and have claimed golf as one of the bastions of our domination! The academies of higher learning will continue to see the difference first and foremost as we conquer your misplaced guidelines to leave no child behind. Hell, we believe in that too, but with a far different approach. We will force you to forget Proposition 48 and decry your public school system for the failure that they are and STILL graduate on time! Corporate America will also know that we can become managers too, hopefully without tokenism, affirmative action and unfair quotas. We know from where we came and where we need to go. The details and symbols of our lives have been deliberately constructed to make us believe what you said and wrote about us at one time, but it’s a new day, with new rules!
We will remain different and ambivalent to your callous ways. We will forever be deft at distinguishing the negative differences in incorporate the positive to joyously attest to the distinctive survivalist attributes we’ve always displayed. We solidify and argue our cause by not fleeing responsibility and reality, but changing it. We’ll do it with pride and with fanatical zeal. This new destiny of ours can’t be accomplished without us praying diligently and without embracing God’s plan of salvation. America, you must be about the Lord’s business too. You must change your ideological mindset concerning all peoples of color. Stop denying them their unalienable rights, bestow upon them the same amenities you do those you consider worthy. It means ultimately that you will give up control, and strive to understand that there’s enough room for all of us to persist. We remember Malcolm, Martin and Mandela…never losing their insight, but you must look up to the skies yourself and know that God is displeased too. Yes, I’m angry and do not apologize. Until you do this America, racism will continue to be your albatross, and people that look like me will be determined still to make it – against all odds!
The Romer Review
www.theromerreview.com
Author Visibility - The Use Of Effective Websites
By Alvin C. Romer
Literary commentary on the effective use of websites for high visibility for writers to showcase their work.
How important is author visibility? This question will always come to fore as it pertain to how products are being marketed. In the world of literature websites play an integral part of this process. What’s the first thing any company does with a new product? It advertises. By almost any means possible they try to get the viewing/listening public to recognize what they’re selling whether it’s by usage of a catchy jingle, or a memorable visual. How many times have you said “I like that commercial about…?” There was something in it that made you remember it, right? Authors need high visibility as well to make a difference with their craft. Websites are the coolest and fastest way to let readers know who they are, and what they’re doing. There should be excerpts from their books, current and past book reviews, effective event planning and information about book signings, along with a plethora of informational conduits from how-to-write a great story, to other helpful hints.
Tools for finding information have their input as Google search engine offers a data element whereby even if you misspell a name it will usual return data that states: DID YOU MEAN…. and it will usually give you the correct name of what you’re looking for. For instance, recently I’ve had to acquire quite a few authors’ names and book jackets for a conference responsibility I’d been assigned. It was easy as pie to enter the name of the author and go either right to their website, or another venue that offered the information I needed. The downside for me was that I was often lost in the intriguing information that almost all of them offered about these talented and prolific authors. I have another bit of news for you too. Agents, publishers, and reviewers all lurk on the web. Yes! They are unseen but become well informed as they scour through various websites to see which authors are promoting their work, if and how many awards they’ve won and what their plans are. How much should an author invest in his/her website? It all depends on how much information the author is willing to provide. Some authors want all their books included, while other requires only their most recent one.
How appealing should the website be?
Questions will always abound relative to the appeal of each website. This usually will depend on perception and how the progenitors want to portray what is to be showcased. In other words, the eye of the beholder will hold sway to any idealistic endeavors. While some of these sites are professionally engineered, others are homegrown and can be just as nice and allow for easy navigation. Authors understand that usually the first impression they make is the one that imprints itself upon the memory of the viewer/reader. There are times when the wherewithal to be turned off by small, lengthy script or too much data on a page is overwhelming in altering preferences. Paradoxically, one may be more apt to read information given in large, eye-catching verbiage and/or colorful photos as opposed to anything bland and unappealing. Not every website is of the author’s own making. Interview sites and web-rings are also viable and exceptionally good ways for high visibility. These sites usually offer pointed and high profile facts about the author and his/her work. It also provides a little peek inside the author’s psyche and inner personality. Included are a few imaginable websites that are easy on the eyes and make you want to revisit.
To wit, author Rochelle Alers felt a need to have her site redesigned and this is what she came up with: http://www.rochellealers.com/. This site is a perfect example of appeal. The soft colors and intimacy of the flash components give reference to something you certainly feel. “When they said new and improved, they didn't lie. They understated. That site is banging and must be mentioned in terms of its technical components. It has everything a website should have without all the bells and whistles…and it's so clean! Many sites are so busy with things ringing and shooting at you, but no real info. I was so impressed with it. I don't know who did it, but that's a person I will consider to do mine”, remarked author, Nathasha Brooks-Harris.
Two other sites that come to mind are authors’ Loure Bussey and Michelle McGriff websites that uses the element of water to illustrate icons of rain. And in the form of the latter she has took it upon herself to using marketing ploys by implementing the use of infomercials as a sign of visibility for added appeal. Alluring and eye-catching they tend to be usurping the idea of commanding time to pay attention to what’s visible or not.
Payback for the author
If websites are used adequately for their intended purpose, authors would want to be pleased for a good return on their investment. More often than not, they want to be as successful as the next person to make sure that readers are up on what they are trying to convey, they want their books to be prominently displayed, and most definitely they want to be known for what they bring to the table. Tracking website visitation is a way to gauge who is paying attention, what they are viewing, and how long they stay on the site. To this effect, authors usually include a counter on their sites to indicate how many hits they’ve gotten to their page. Also included is a guest book providing a way for fans and other authors to leave an appreciative note or just to say hello. I recommend that if you have a favorite author that you visit his/her page and sign the book. It makes them feel good to know that people really are interested in their work and willing to take the time to tell them so. Authors and fans are different horns on the same goat, while each can exist without the other, they’d much rather not. Some of our favorite sites that we think are appealing not only to the eye, but what they offer in quick and easily accessible information throughout this article is indicative of why websites are here for a reason.
Various other websites are available elsewhere on this site for your perusal for your perusal are included here and a few others we feel that are equally viable:
http://www.edc-creations.com
http://www.dsavoy.com/
http://www.brooklynmenus.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=3245
http://www.ivyquill.com/panache.htm
http://www.brandonmassey.com/home.htm
http://www.thesistahcircle.com/interview-wm.htm
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/elynnharris/
http://www.michaelbaisden.com/
Until next time, support your favorite authors and understand the importance of author visibility.
The Romer Review
www.theromerreview.com
As A Man Thinketh
By Alvin C. Romer
Rarely will you see me like this, and I must get it out of my system by just talking about it and sharing thoughts. This is temporary and much tolerable due to circumstances beyond my control. Yes, I know it has been awhile since I last smiled…my mind is heavy with full thoughts. Nevertheless, I'm on the backside of the mountain, looking up from my valley where I'm currently wading shallow waters of river deep concerns. I’m in a dark period of my life, and need to seek more common ground. When I'm like this, I shroud myself with the only refuge most understanding is someone shoulders to cry on, and where time and place demand accountability. How does one go about coping with losing close and loving friends…those that have clung close to the ribs, tugged at the heart, and gave new meaning to significance? I think on things that tend to give me spasms of the mind, dwelling on them, and allowing them to spur me to action. I endeavor to get out of this stupor. As a man thinketh so is he, the adage goes, but who can I turn to?
It's time for me to pay homage to that which will free me from bondage, and allow my cry to be free of this melancholy mood...I'm current, but feel passé and so unnecessary. I'm alone again, naturally feeling the pangs of angst while a sea of nothingness engulfs me. It's akin to that train that chugs up this mountain looking for willing passengers, losing steam each step of the way. The traces of my tears pale against the tracks that this train will traverse, with my thoughts reminding me that I need much more desire with directives that so far has alluded me. I’m looking for destination without being destitute, and better directions to focus for clearer vision. I have a few friends that say they care, but where are they?
As I think and tinker with time, the temerity of fate tests my faith, but I know that I will persevere as long as I can find strength to move. My fellow man in color suffers too; I imagine when things are dank and dark black is the color of choice. Misery loves company, but solidarity in solitude I imagine would give strength to numbers no one wants to count - least of all me at this stage. Okay, I’ve heard that whisper…that still small voice that packs a whale of a punch. When He speaks, one must listen. I have been enlightened! As I stand, the mountain is not so rough after all, the river can now be navigated, and the lilies of the valley are in full bloom! Thank you Dear Lord for joining me on the road to Damascus. You have once again lifted me up from apostasy and righted my true course. As a man thinketh my head indeed is to the sky, and I am alive!
The Romer Review
www.theromerreview.com
Independence For What, and Freedom For Whom?
By Alvin C. Romer
Here we are in a world filled with ups and downs, uncharted emotions abound with no whim and fancy for the much-maligned Third World. Independence Day was yesterday, and here I am one day removed on July 5th pondering the thought if others feel as I do -- chagrined and challenged. With bombs bursting in the air and star spangled banners waving eloquently and equivocally, twenty four hours have passed and I wonder if anyone has thought how free we really are. Modern day slavery is being waged unmercifully without regard to righteous intent and impunity is impartial to justice. Darfur and the Sudan are screaming in our ears for intervention and we ignore the children being forced into all kinds of atrocities. You’d think that people of color would learn the advantages of collective cohesiveness to rise above the social injustices that has held us bondage after more than 400 years of subservience. Are we really free, and independent of what?
Have you ever read the Declaration of Independence? Part of which reads: “…It’s evident that all men are created equal.” They were hardly speaking of us, and we embrace this holiday like we were married to it. It sickens me to see grown men in our streets shooting up firecrackers, sparkles, and other fireworks for misplaced celebratory practices without regard for looking at the bigger picture. The money, mind you, could be spent on more viable things of worth in lieu of some frivolous day that is meaningless when the celebrants are not cognizant of tangible circumstances for valued venues. The sobering thought of just how much we take for granted here in the States is mind-boggling when other parts of the world struggle to even survive on a daily basis. What does Independence Day mean to me?
It means nothing to me when I’m not able to look far beyond my immediate peripheral vision and realize that something is amiss. I don’t do fireworks, don’t barbeque, gave up pork years ago, and glad that Amerikka has given up a day of work less 364 other days with reminding you that you are not totally free. Moreover, you’re certainly not free when you’re still punching someone else’s time clock and not working for yourself. What price freedom? Everything, when living in a country that doesn’t see you as an equal and racism is institutionally entrenched. Think about this intrinsically, and stop following the bandwagon! Don’t sell me a bill of goods and pretend that we’re not responsible to help those that are not fortunate enough to have a spoon, no less a silver one. Give it to me real…simple, straight with no chaser, and realize that you ARE your brother’s keeper. Think about those that are not truly liberated, and free yourself!
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Roots - Still Deep After 30 Years!
By Alvin C. Romer
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the American icon Roots, Reader's Digest has compiled a collection of articles written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alex Haley from 1954 to 1991 in a new book entitled Alex Haley: The Man Who Traced America's Roots. Below is an essay honoring the book, author, and the legacy of Roots.
I remember the talk about a man researching his familial beginnings back in 1976 and shrugged if off thinking it was another individual going the genealogy route looking for legitimacy. Six months later toward the latter part of that year I found out that one, Alex Haley, indeed was serious and had documented through travel, porous research, and due diligence in producing a seminal tome worthy of the literary world’s penchant for proof positive. Roots, was the name of the book and everything documented therein helped to create the legacy of a man on a mission! I grabbed a copy of Reader’s Digest to start my journey with this arduous quest. Reading the excerpts I was hooked, and over the years I’ve read the book twice, including having seen numerous reruns of the mini-series that captivated us, and further sealed the phenomena that commanded our apt attention. Reader’s Digest played a major role in the transformation of this epic to fruition. Commissioned to write a groundbreaking article on his family, it proved to be the forerunner for an all expense paid trip to Africa tracing his family’s history from one generation to another, culminating into the nearly 700-page product destined to become a bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winner. Despite subsequent problematic issues surrounding Haley not being a Historian, along with lack of written records, legitimate sources, and reliable documentation, Roots effected the life of many and impacted race consciousness in a country that needed it most.
Speaking of Reader’s Digest, and to commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the first printing of Roots, they have published a collection of Haley’s important works detailing ordinary folk accomplishing extraordinary feats from 1954 t0 1991. The book, “Alex Haley, and subtitled, The Man Who Traced America’s Roots” should be on the shelves as you read this piece. I found this collection to be quite informative, and gave spotlight to stories of people overcoming great odds to achieve success. Our trials and tribulations being Black in America are full of superlative initiative when the sum of all the parts equals total effort. The book has four sections – Stories of Triumph Race and Resilience, The Search begins, and The Legacy. In them, you find Mr. Haley delving deep to bring portray the blood, sweat and tears of protracted struggle to the fore. Along the way you will meet up close and personal, Mahalia Jackson, Wilma Rudolph, et al; Harlem, USA, the little ‘city’ that could; and a few other gems worth your time. The latter two chapters are purely good journalism ditties where the author gives insight on the steps preparing the search, and revealing poignant revelations that helped build and begat the legacy.
I enjoyed this book because it establishes the foundation for understanding the book Roots just that much better. Moreover, it forced America to look at race for a better reason for reconciliation…accessible regardless of creed, color, and ethnicity. Salute Alex Haley posthumously if you will, but know that he delivered an amusing, intuitive, and majestic work for the ages!
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Overcoming Who You Were to Become Who You Are
By Alvin C. Romer
How difficult is it for us to turn the other cheek, or to do things much different than status quo - even if it means for the better?
The greatest challenge in life is to rise above iniquity to authorize and orchestrate change. This struggle involves one to be mindful of what has to be done to for a modicum of success, which would include dedication, determination, and discipline to start anew. In this essay, I will attempt to produce aspects that will allow stability to reinforce the right mannerisms to materialize from different perspectives. First and foremost, one must look in the mirror to visualize what is seen outwardly to project inner provisions to produce the potentiality to become much more. To achieve this, the basic questions will always be asked – how are you living? What are the misfortunes that should not be a part of your life? Is there anything that would insure that your chances of seeing the footprints of one that begs you to follow for the best example possible? Yes, there are things that should be exercised to warrant change.
I would readily pose these questions to anyone living outside of a meaningful and spiritual life to do the things necessary to have a new lease on life, and to make their election and calling as sure as possible. For sure, there are a plethora of things that can be the genesis for better qualities of life. At some point of your existence you will have had that timely bout with fate where reality is the short distance between letting go and let God! For this to happen I will bring a few things to be tabled to help you along. If you are among the multitude of people who are fed up with your sordid life and want to elicit some measure of balance to it, what better way to start the process by looking within. Once you start with self, other initiatives will be the wellspring for a domino effect to topple the demons that tend to wreck havoc on the best-laid plans.
Once you go beyond your immediate vicinity, the next plateau is to strengthen your familial ties. You need to be the best father you can by holding dominion, living and proclaiming life the way our Father in heaven has decreed you should live. Being an obedient wife can only endear you to the Lord’s decrement of how you should relate to your family. Love your husband/wife in an Agape way, train up your children so that they will not turn from your teachings, and love thy neighbor. Go out in your communities and embrace the church. Congregate and be what you can be in building up the Kingdom.
Our churches are the only bastions left to solidify all that I’ve introduced above, for it’s with the true measure of salvation that you will be able to see any change for the good that is destined for you and yours. I remember how my life changed with making options more discernible for me to have the opportunity to get right with good intent. And that meant that I had to be in position to go through the obstacles the Lord purposely put in place to allow faith to be one of the main ingredients for me to grasp and hold on to. I would like for you to follow the same dictates for I’m a living witness that they work! For instance, take a look below at how a few venues I list can be about the type of change you need to be prosperous:
§ Recognize the worth of spiritual fortitude – What this is implying has a lot to do with accepting the Lord in your life. In order to be the steward of good faith, one first has to create a special bonding with the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ.
§ Make viable choices – I like to think that the choices you make (or don’t make) in life have a lot to do you’re your current and subsequent standing in life. Discernible options are those that are first on the palette when change is eminent. To do this rationally, deductive reasoning comes into play, understanding logic, and just plain common sense to know that one you make a stand you must follow through on works.
§ Employ a self-denial strategy – What this means is that you must have a disciplined demeanor and mindset to know that you are truly in denial of previous sin and to go about doing that, which is pleasing to God! We are human and tend to backslide and allow apostasy to undermine our best intent to change. This is where you can gain the victory and shame the devil! But I will be a test of your will to persevere.
§ Understand the inner reality of who you really are – More often than not we procrastinate and talk a good game. Compromise is a powerful ally to allow you to go back on your word, but once you mature beyond obstacles that will entice you to further fortify your weakness, you will immediately become stronger. Thus, knowing who you are will give you plenty of insight to where you need to go.
True growth demands that you take on other challenges. You must believe and claim the victory…believe too, that you are capable of becoming whoever you want to become. You will then be aware that the potential to become much more than what is being manifested by your outward appearance.
I surmise that effective change starts with the mind, with it being clear and decisive as to where you should be after a certain time in your life. To believe it, you must think it! Endeavor to make appropriate adjustments without compromise and you will surely be on the right track in overcoming that person you once was. A new you are attainable in all things that are righteous and true!
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Alvin C. Romer Contributions
§ Poems by Alvin
A remorseful look at love gone awry...
A poem dedicated to a special Lady in my life...
A request to my virgin lover...
§ Articles by Alvin
Basic information on AIDS/HIV awareness and sexual disease prevention...
This is a psychological opinion based on the social commentary relative to the status of Blacks and America's non-compliant attitude toward race...
Literary commentary on the effective use of websites for high visibility for writers to showcase their work...
A tender moment of angst spelling a melancholy kind of blue...
§ Heritage, Self-Love and Wisdom
A different,opinionated, and introspective look at Independence Day through the eyes of one Journalist. Who's really free on July 4th? ...
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the American icon Roots, Reader's Digest has compiled a collection of articles written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alex Haley from 1954 to 1991 in a new book entitled Alex Haley: The Man Who Traced America's Roots. Please read my essay honoring the book, author, and the legacy of Roots...
Change. How difficult is it for us to turn the other cheek, or to do things much different than status quo - even if it means for the better?...
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