Passing It On
Moving Stories of Activists—1960 to 2000
by
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FOREWORD
(in poetic form)
By Bev Jenai-Myers
The purpose of this book
is to celebrate – inform – to teach
to help unify our common bonds
its about having the courage
to simply care
to share one's internal wealth of goodness gifted when born
while all along encouraging us all to listen... to listen
for our sincere hope is that you'll hear
the heaviness of masses unlocking human hearts
listen to the impassioned words that speak between these pages
hear the many diversities and views
while honoring the inherent goodness deeply sown within us all
those who give gratitude empathize – care for one another
who daily erase the blackboards of greed – conceit – even hidden deceit
we present to you the optimists - nurturers – protectors - educators
those who attempt to preserve this earth
for without prejudices WE ultimately stand united
and united – the forces that be... are not strong enough to knock us down.
Listen... listen to those of such
varying hues and views
listen!
Hear them speak
feel their impassioned words even their blues
they speak for the multitudes in our world not the 6 pm news
for the concerned, scared tired sometimes mentally frazzled and worn
because it's within our undying natures as humans
to care passionately for one another
especially when a baby cries out in thirst
or the silence of a wide eyed child can no longer be denied
between these pages are those who've seen and see
the imprisonments of their minds - their fears their tears
while never closing their eyes to blinding prisms that abide
Listen... listen!
to the voices of
such varying hues
and let us embrace the needs of others through our actions
while erasing suffering scenes of impoverishment
for you may not understand my journey nor the journeys of others
but know the need for empathetic ears is what endears
while you register the screeching of tires beneath high - ways
the underpasses of our world's closed minds
and know that it's through our differences
that we ultimately come to understand our inherent human wealth
no longer allowing ourselves to justify forces of abuse
nor should we wear the heaviness of cloaks
designed to drown our minds
or rusted barnyard shackles of history – serving as ongoing deceit upon our feet
these are imprisonments from historical times
let us eliminate greed those false senses of society's weak
for these things can never feed your soul
nor the sorrows of this world
our strength will live within our alignments
like in the universe ...like in the sky... like those twinkling stars you so admire
earthly examples for humans to learn
luminous in presentation - harmoniously resigned to shine
for heavenly masses above and on this earth
always find ways to glow
Listen! Listen!
to all earthly whispers and matters of the heart
for it's simple
the universe evolves – so that we may all survive
and all that's asked is that we in turn - humanely do the same
A dear friend, Rev. Melony McGant states in her submission in this book
“in life I work to be patient, sincere, kind, and responsible. I believe in listening and in providing support or encouragement to every individual. I enjoy people of all cultures. They inspire me, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge with them. Most importantly I have a passion to serve to assist in the healing of hearts, so that more individuals can grow and flourish as productive members of our society.”
As the editor of Passing It On, I could not have said it better... for that's primarily what this book is about.
A special Thank You - for your dedication goes to
Copy Editor, Nicole Dean
and to my wonderful Support Team
Myna Goldstein and Larry Rosenberg
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Book Details
About the Book
Passing It On: Moving Stories of Activists--1960 to 2000 gathers in one volume the accounts of individuals from government, education, business, publishing, the arts, law, community groups, and activists’ organizations whose stories span the decades from the days of the civil rights movement to the turn of the millennium. The editor and curator of this collection, Bev Jenai-Myers, recruited and encouraged this assembly of people, encompassing various ethnicities, cultures, philosophies, and economic standings, to reflect upon their personal experiences. Included in this listing are Dorothy Pitman-Hughes, the co-founder with Gloria Steinem of Ms. Magazine, Iris Gordy, the former VP of Motown, and International sculptor, John Soderberg, PhD.
As diverse as the individuals contributing to this collection, the chapters reveal the many facets of the work accomplished in the four decades beginning in 1960, work that advanced civil rights, women’s rights, the peace movement, equal rights, senior concerns, LGBT acceptance, and mentoring. Touching upon both the personal and communal aspects of these efforts, the reflections, taken together, comprise a mosaic that illustrates the strides made in the period.
You may feel tempted to succumb to frustration over the difficulties facing the movements to advance civil rights and to foster better human relations. The look back that Passing It On offers will give you hope by reminding you of the pervasive presence and the power of many acts, both small and large, to change the course of a culture, given time and individuals’ courage to contribute their efforts.
About the Author
Bev Jenai-Myers, retired from administrative social work, writes poetry and prose, paints in oils and sculpts. A native of Detroit, Michigan, she retired to Sedona, Arizona after 30 plus years in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the past she was honored and chosen to be a part of two major artistic and poetic anthologies honoring Oprah Winfrey and the 1st Lady Michelle Obama. She’s the author of Kin’lin for the Soul and the recent exhibitor of A Tribute to Cowboys of Color, a series of history related oil paintings. Earlier works included an oil series entitled Ghana’s Tiny Eyes which also became calendars.