I have one solid book idea and write random paragraphs on an ongoing basis. The project started with a self reflection on my own life journey and education and then I slowly started adding "other" stories. My muse is my mother, who will always be my first Sociology Professor!
The working title is #theotherscholar. The premise of the book is that education is structured to favor only one group of people (hence the name, "the other scholar"). In this book, I question the structure of education through the power of the story and call for reform of the education system, but also individuals within and outside the system. The book is centered on the idea that we can all make changes and we need not to wait for tomorrow. In our own circle, we can all educate, teach and learn!
I dedicate this book to 'Keith'- a perfect stranger to you, but a man that changed the way I see my world and medicine.
For Keith,
Keith is a sixty- year-old tall Black man, medium built, most of the time Keith smells of beer, sweat and freshly cut grass. A Veteran of the U.S. Airforce. His left arm is twisted stiff from a stroke he had years back. We met the summer of 2011. Keith would tease my boyfriend, because in Keith’s eyes, He was the money maker that would guarantee his next booze. He was partly right! One hot summer day he asked that we give him a ride home- we did. The entire ride home, Keith talked nonsense. When he got off the car, he swayed from side to side- he was drunk as hell! That is how he describes himself, “drunk as hell!”
Keith is “drunk as hell” most of the time. His drunk-ass is the most meaningful part of my day- every day! This book is about Keith. I told him today that I would write a book and will need his picture; he waved his arm in the air and said “bullshit” But he let me take his picture, which means he actually believed me. So, I figured I better start writing. Keith is from the times where you word actually mattered. As such, I intend to keep my word.
We both lived in Cincinnati at the time that I wrote this. I lived in the 'white side of town', but I am not white. Keith still lives in the Black side of town or as he calls it - 'the ghetto'. I have two dogs, Madison and Big Guy (RIP 2016), and he has none, but he recently told me that he would like one. He has a girlfriend of ten years. I am single, although I was once married. I have a car. He can’t even get a driver’s license. He did prison time in the early eighties and has two strikes. Lucky for me, I have never been to jail. Keith was battling cancer when we met. Keith recommends that people drink enough cucumber juice to fight cancer and the fatigue associated with treatment.
Keith called me "BB." Despite our many differences, we also have much in common and we enjoy each other's company- genuinely, like each other (June 2012).
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” – Toni Morrison