My Contribution to Society

Vernon S. Amenta

 It's always a pleasure to bring forth my accomplishment.  No, its not a degree, its not something that I have accomplished on the work plantation, but its in spite of the plantation.  This accomplishment is about bringing forth good seed.  We all have faults, but I present these young men as a contribution to society and as a positive influence on our society.  I have been given the great fortune by the Most High of being an influence in the lives of these men.  The most high gave me a charge and I took hold of this charge as an opportunity.  The opportunity to produce good fruit.  I cannot tell you about their faults, as most humans have faults, but I would leave that for them to  tell.  What I will tell, is how proud I am of these men, these human beings that I had a hand in nurturing.  Vernon has proved to  be true man and human being.  In less than three years this former Tuskeegee student has become a Journeyman plumber in Southern California and has worked on several huge commercial construction projects and is currently working on a huge federal government contract.  Vernon is a dedicated protector of his woman and child and should be applauded for the stress he has endured and overcome to be a true man.

          

Christopher D. Amenta

Christopher had to deal with a lot of things growing up and I used to worry about him and his mindset.  But, Chris proved to be a very powerful man.  Since Chris was not in the house with me I had to work extra hard to maintain contact, ride miles and even move from my Souther California home to be closer to him.  I could not allow myself to be 3000 miles away when I could be by his side in a matter of minutes.  Chris first attended Virginia Commonwealth University on a track scholarship and quickly learned that most of the scholarships were reserved for people of Africa or Europe and not for people of the U.S. and the Caribbean.  I remember clearly when he had to be out of college for a semester he said "dad I just want to finish college, no matter what it takes"  I was blown away by his statement.  He said he had to have it and sought ways to attain his degree and graduated from Old Dominion University.   He like Vernon had heart and desire to accomplish what they wanted no matter the odds.  Vernon slept in his car when he became homeless in San Diego, CA. rather than return to Atlanta.  Christopher joined the Coast Guard to fulfill has desire to get his degree and is now and officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, married and protects and provides for his wife and household. 

Christopher and Vernon I salute you for becoming men in this society of slackness and debauchery, you are an example for any young man that desires the positives in life.  Each of you had every statistical reason to go the way of the weak and commit crimes and violence, but you didn't.  You became men in a sea of males and "dawgs."  I salute you for being an example of what is needed in the world and this society today.

Peace my sons, Peace!

happy new year; peace!

We are in a new year under the Gregorian calendar. A new start for those making resolutions to bring about a new change or follow through on self promises they’ve vowed to themselves in the previous year. Let’s suppose then, people resolved to bring about peace. I know every year people make a resolution to lose weight, or do something for the family, check off something off their bucket list (I think I should have stayed away from that all too popular phrase, will probably be the new toast for two aught ten.) But, what if people truly, this time, resolved to have peace, what would be the possibilities?

Often I listen to internet radio, mostly tuning into the English speaking Caribbean, but venturing also over into Ghana, Nigeria and Britain. I love hearing the different accents and the occasional caller from the States, or someone whose parents were expats from one of these countries, and after growing up in the U.S. for the first 25 years of their lives, they have returned with their parents to their home country speaking in the accents of the States, or from somewhere in the English speaking Caribbean. Call me strange but I get a Kick out of hearing this.

But, most clearly, in no matter what flavor of accent I hear, I most often hear recurring themes concerning life, politics, religion/spirituality or labor that are quite like and similar to life, politics, religion/spirituality and labor in the lives of people in the U.S. I’m actually convinced that we are more alike than most will admit.

So, I began to imagine the possibilities of people truly committing to a resolution of peace. Understanding that peace is not merely the absence of violence but, creating conditions within one’s self that breed peace. Truly, there may be no real peace without justice, but the beginning stages can begin in each person, home, community and expanding outward and beyond. I guess in a certain way this would be a revolution of sorts.

But, revolution is not without bloodshed, and peace, real peace, cannot be achieved without her twin brother, violence since power, or those in power will not concede to peace easily and without a fight. We have been brainwashed into believing those that have been voted into or put into positions of authority over our lives are seeking the best for us when they’re primarily seeking to maintain their positions, fatten their pockets and by some political byproduct, we the people receive some semblance of security and protection.

War and violence are profitable. Not necessarily for the everyday person, but for businesses and governments down to local governments. Are we so blinded to believe local municipalities cannot eradicate gangs and the violence associated with them? Do we believe there could have been no solution to Iraq and Afghanistan other than war and violence? Probably, and unfortunately we do believe and we are blind.

Maybe gaining real peace world wide will be a long way off. And, maybe to attain peace will bring violence by those in power fighting to maintain their station. And, maybe, just maybe, through the violence wrought by the powerful, we the people will learn what it takes to have peace and learn what real peace is. As I said before, peace is not just the absence of violence. Peace is really a way of maintaining stasis within ourselves and between ourselves. Just finding and maintaining that balance. All most of us really want and need is real balance in our lives.