tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post116964667463447846..comments2023-12-08T15:14:38.162-05:00Comments on Morphological Confetti: I Got The Call From W.W. LawStephen A. Besshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13608563855643263599noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1170101012136267062007-01-29T15:03:00.000-05:002007-01-29T15:03:00.000-05:00Blkfeline-I imagine that true and complete lonelin...Blkfeline-<BR/>I imagine that true and complete loneliness could be worst than death. However, I haven't experienced either so what do I know? :)Stephen A. Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608563855643263599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1170095426392259192007-01-29T13:30:00.000-05:002007-01-29T13:30:00.000-05:00hope u dont mind me asking? which is worst...lonel...hope u dont mind me asking? which is worst...loneliness or death?black felinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15870734802091152646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169910943250278442007-01-27T10:15:00.000-05:002007-01-27T10:15:00.000-05:00It's not the young men's fault, I think. It's the ...It's not the young men's fault, I think. It's the shortage of elders who can be with them when they were little boys. Where are our older folks today, by the way?<BR/><BR/>Mr. Law died too young. I wish the media would make more heroes of our elders.neena maiya (guyana gyal)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01358313821005038118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169821185577082412007-01-26T09:19:00.000-05:002007-01-26T09:19:00.000-05:00Profzero-I think that you would love Savannah. It...Profzero-<BR/>I think that you would love Savannah. It's a beautiful and historic place.<BR/><BR/>Dance-<BR/>That was a fun tag! :)<BR/><BR/>Cathy-<BR/>Yes, and it stays with you forever more. Thank you! <BR/><BR/>Getzapped-<BR/>Thank you! It is still so fresh in my mind. It's going on 15 years now. Wow! :)<BR/><BR/>Barbie-<BR/>Thank you for having me. :)<BR/><BR/>NML-<BR/>Thank you so much! Have a great weekend as well and take care of yourself and the "Bambino." :)Stephen A. Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608563855643263599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169820781866702382007-01-26T09:13:00.000-05:002007-01-26T09:13:00.000-05:00Welcome back Bro Bess! This was a nice story and i...Welcome back Bro Bess! This was a nice story and it's good that you remember who inspires you. Have a good weekend :-)NML/Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14649537721588885703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169766820831355392007-01-25T18:13:00.000-05:002007-01-25T18:13:00.000-05:00welcome backwelcome backbarbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08821705937286771722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169760729540694142007-01-25T16:32:00.000-05:002007-01-25T16:32:00.000-05:00This is a touching story. I loved your description...This is a touching story. I loved your descriptions - they led me to the faces in Africa, sitting in that room in Georgia. Thank you for sharing this moving story. It's nice to hear from you again. Peace.get zappedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07716557355765204155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169743139580764862007-01-25T11:38:00.000-05:002007-01-25T11:38:00.000-05:00This was beautifully written, I enjoyed it. Mr. W....This was beautifully written, I enjoyed it. Mr. W.W. Law would have been proud of this post, such inspiration is a wonderful gift for the soulLyrically speakinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07695704757793935348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169741074204972092007-01-25T11:04:00.000-05:002007-01-25T11:04:00.000-05:00Stephen - That was SO good. I like, I like. Now al...Stephen - <BR/>That was SO good. I like, I like. Now all we need is a beat.Dance_Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01907510290044324133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169702272727722872007-01-25T00:17:00.000-05:002007-01-25T00:17:00.000-05:00Philp: "style, stature and gravitas"This really do...Philp: "style, stature and gravitas"<BR/><BR/>This really does describe Law! Impressive. Very.<BR/><BR/>Now I want to visit Savannah.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169675318979499782007-01-24T16:48:00.000-05:002007-01-24T16:48:00.000-05:00BTW - You've been tagged. Check out my blog. This ...BTW - You've been tagged. Check out my blog. This one should be short and easy - you can even just leave your answer in the comment section. ;-DDance_Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01907510290044324133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169674860556535292007-01-24T16:41:00.000-05:002007-01-24T16:41:00.000-05:00Geoffrey-Yes, the older I get the more I want to p...Geoffrey-<BR/>Yes, the older I get the more I want to pull some of them by their shirt tails or just pull up their pants! Ahh...it makes me so angry sometime. I'll come up with a safe and nourishing way to approach. Otherwise, I may get myself into some trouble if it's a group of them or one with a "roscoe." :)Stephen A. Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608563855643263599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169674553136797382007-01-24T16:35:00.000-05:002007-01-24T16:35:00.000-05:00Dear Stephen,Thanks for this. Whenever I see these...Dear Stephen,<BR/>Thanks for this. Whenever I see these young men who come into my office with their pants around their ankles, already practicing the jail house shuffle, I know they haven't had soomeone like WW law in their lives, so they could have an example of style, stature and gravitas.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>GeoffreyGeoffrey Philphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13442948340176713964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169664375641529872007-01-24T13:46:00.000-05:002007-01-24T13:46:00.000-05:00Dawson-That's cool. Savannah is like home, but I ...Dawson-<BR/>That's cool. Savannah is like home, but I only lived there 5 years. I got to know the place and the people a great deal.<BR/><BR/>UB-<BR/>Well, if you are going to teach Junior High just get prepared for the dramatics. They curse you and want to be babies all at once. :) I enjoyed High School. They were more tolerable and a little bit more mature. I put stress on "little." :) It may be a different experience for you though. So, best of wishes.Stephen A. Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608563855643263599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169663129655593792007-01-24T13:25:00.000-05:002007-01-24T13:25:00.000-05:00I love those professors that encourage you to go b...I love those professors that encourage you to go beyond your textbooks and school lessons to learn about your history and heritage. I used to attend North Carolina A&T State University, in Greensboro, NC. I learned so much while I was there, with Greensboro being the place where the sit-in movement started at Woolworth's restaurant by 4 NC A&T freshman boys. That school is so rich in history and my professors were like living history books. <BR/><BR/>I could probably learn alot from you!!! I'm an English major and I plan on teaching (probably elementary or junior high). Any advice!?! =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169662533401236012007-01-24T13:15:00.000-05:002007-01-24T13:15:00.000-05:00I have lived here since 1991.I have lived here since 1991.Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18010489553846554013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169661502220493442007-01-24T12:58:00.000-05:002007-01-24T12:58:00.000-05:00Dawson-This is great! Thank you for sharing this!...Dawson-<BR/>This is great! Thank you for sharing this! This is a great addition to this post. I happy to hear that someone was directly affected by his greatness. Are you from Savannah?<BR/><BR/>GG-<BR/>The first time that I heard the word "elder" was in church as a young boy in Carolina. Otherwise, it referred to the older folks in that community. I'm surprised at the Jamaican gentleman. Your mother's so right. So much wisdom. :)It's good to see you!Stephen A. Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608563855643263599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169660778379013222007-01-24T12:46:00.000-05:002007-01-24T12:46:00.000-05:00Dance-I try to embrace everything. I try. Still ...Dance-<BR/>I try to embrace everything. I try. Still trying. :)Stephen A. Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608563855643263599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169660484166857572007-01-24T12:41:00.000-05:002007-01-24T12:41:00.000-05:00Interesting that you say 'elders' too...here we sa...Interesting that you say 'elders' too...here we say 'we must respect the elders'. A Jamaican co-worker told me he's never heard that, he sounded half-amused, half-fascinated. <BR/><BR/>Only this morning my mother said to me, old people are so very entertaining and there's so much we can learn from them.neena maiya (guyana gyal)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01358313821005038118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169660105175242822007-01-24T12:35:00.000-05:002007-01-24T12:35:00.000-05:00This is an odd experience reading your comments be...This is an odd experience reading your comments because I had almost the same exact experience with the same exact man in the same exact year.Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18010489553846554013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169660058872833552007-01-24T12:34:00.000-05:002007-01-24T12:34:00.000-05:00My Sociology class took a trip to the museum that ...My Sociology class took a trip to the museum that spring quarter; we went in and began to look around at the exhibits. Mr. Law eased in behind us without anyone noticing, carefully observing our behavior. When we finished our self-guided tour Mr. Law began to ask individuals questions about various exhibits; however no one was able to answer his questions. He then shifted into “Village Elder” mode and exclaimed “those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. So I want everyone to turn around, go back to the door and pay attention to what you’re looking at. This is YOUR history on these walls and in these boxes, its not a good history and you don’t want to repeat it again. You are college students and future teachers and leaders, pay attention!” <BR/><BR/>He then asked me “where are you from son?” The usual answer to that question is “Philadelphia” because that is where I was born, maybe “New Jersey” because that’s where I graduated High School. But he asked again, “no young man, where are your folks from.” After a while we got to the root of his query, and his point is that most Blacks in America don’t really know where they are from nor do they ever thing think about it. Though it was mostly harsh, the conversation with Mr. Law was enlightening, and as a freshman it really shaped my thinking and made me take my studies in sociology much more seriously. Today, when I am asked “where are you from?” I can say “Egypt and America” because as I grew older I have spoken to my family elders (as instructed by Mr. Law) and discovered the lineage of my family through my sir name. <BR/><BR/>Your article was great, thanks for the memory.Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18010489553846554013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169658984754716112007-01-24T12:16:00.000-05:002007-01-24T12:16:00.000-05:00HAHA. Well I guess its better for all of us that y...HAHA. Well I guess its better for all of us that you decided to be bald.... :-O <BR/>Ethiopia - thats just a guess. It may be that when European, Native American and various African genes all get together they make someone who looks Ethiopian. My mom has also been cussed out in Cuba for acting like she was too good to speak spanish even thought it was "OBVIOUS" that she is latina. So - who knows. Unfortuanately for the decendents of slaves - we may never "really" know where we come from. I guess that just gives us more motivation to embrace EVERYTHING. ;)Dance_Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01907510290044324133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169655014785905932007-01-24T11:10:00.000-05:002007-01-24T11:10:00.000-05:00Dance-Beautiful and thanks for sharing! It's good...Dance-<BR/>Beautiful and thanks for sharing! It's good to see you too. It feels like I've been gone to long. :)<BR/>Yes, I take every oportunity to learn from the elders. I can sit all day and listen to their stories. Mr. Law was truly inspirational. He was just one of many great individuals i've met on my path. I try to receive a little from them all so that I can inspire someone as well. Ethiopia, huh...my paternal side is Nigerian Ibo. We also have that European and Native American mixture. I think the Negro got the best of me though because I couldn't get a comb through my nappy head when I had hair. :)Stephen A. Besshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608563855643263599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11923960.post-1169653954149027612007-01-24T10:52:00.000-05:002007-01-24T10:52:00.000-05:00Welcome Back!!! What a great story. You met someon...Welcome Back!!! What a great story. You met someone GREAT and you allowed him to influence you. More of us need that experience (or to recognize when that experience happens). There are so many great elders around us, but instead of sitting down with them and learning from the - we honk at them, speed around them, and occasionally flip "grandma or grandpa" off on the highway. I'm really glad that you chose to learn from W.W. Law. <BR/>When I went to Benin - a man from Nigeria told my mom that she looked like the decendent of an Ethiopian. Interesting - my grandmother is 1/4th Native American.. I guess its true what Ivan Van Sertima says - "They Came Before Columbus."<BR/>~DanceDance_Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01907510290044324133noreply@blogger.com