P.R.I.D.E. Book of Poetry and Essays

By Rev. Dr. Romando James Ph.D.

The P.R.I.D.E. Book of Poetry and Essays is designed to give inspiration and hope to inmates, their families and individuals that have not maximized their potential. The book is also designed to act as a buffer to give direction and encouragement under the paradigm of P.R.I.D.E.: Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Enthusiasm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543429145

Rev. Dr. Romando James Ph.D.

Rev. Dr. Romando James, PhD, professor emeritus at Clemson University, is the founder of Operation Common Sense with PRIDE Ministries, which operates on the paradigm Your Roots Control Your Fruits. Operation PRIDE was created with a mission and vision to lead and encourage youth, adults, and inmates into personal and growing relationships with Common Sense with PRIDE by encouraging them to maximize and pursue the following acronyms: PPurpose RRespect IIntegrity DDetermination and Discipline EEnthusiasm These five roots are aimed to create a continuous cycle of achievement for future harmony. Dr. Jamess vision is to reproduce his paradigm of PRIDE in order that this element will promote peace in an atmosphere and time of war, racial and religious inequality, and political differences.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Rev. Dr. Romando James, Ph.D. 661464

ISBN:   Softcover   978-1-5434-2915-2

EBook   978-1-5434-2914-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Rev. date: 12/08/2017

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Table of Contents

Forward

Purpose

Respect

Integrity

Determination & Discipline

Enthusiasm

About the Author

Voices Crying in the Wilderness

Part 1

P.R.I.D.E. poetry and essays on the survival, love, spiritual, and cultural values of man.

Rev. Dr. Romando James Ph.D.

We must mount up with wings as eagles.

Like eagles we live on mountain tops, not on the floor of the valley with tired wings.

A collection of poems and essays from authors of all backgrounds and cultures. These authors vary from 4-H Club members, to YMCA goers, to prisoners. The one thing they share is that they all experience the uniqueness of P.R.I.D.E. Therefore, these works should minister to all who are seeking success along their journey

Dedicated to:

Kyle and Keenan

Forward

African American men and women, as well as other members of underrepresented populations, have some of the harshest histories in the world. Their stories are powerful, meaningful, and full of wisdom to be had. They deserve to be told. They deserve to be listened to. Such people, who struggle and search for answers to fight the racism in our world, use common sense, poetic voice, and P.R.I.D.E. to tell their stories.

P.R.I.D.E is the creed of Operation P.R.I.D.E. and was conceived by Dr. Romando James in 1991. P.R.I.D.E. was a means to improve the cultural, educational, and spiritual needs of young men and women in lower end neighborhoods. P.R.I.D.E. is an acronym, meaning:

P = Purpose

R = Respect

I = Integrity

D = Determination and Discipline

E = Enthusiasm

Operation P.R.I.D.E. seeks to:

1. Develop ideal characteristics in African Americans, with an emphasis on black males, that will enhance self-esteem and promote productivity.

2. Serve and contribute to the public with a focus on the local community.

3. Build and retain self-esteem to peak level in each participant.

4. Develop self-discipline and respect for self and others.

The prose gathered in this book collects the stories of people who have struggles similar to P.R.I.D.E. members. These stories offer support to P.R.I.D.E. members and are a reminder of how living with P.R.I.D.E. welcomes success.

Special Thanks to:

The authors who made contributions to this body of work.

My editors, Krista Yockel, Ja’Quante Oliver, and Inmates from various prisons throughout the country.

Copyright 2000 by Dr. Romando James

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying without written permission from the author. All inquiries should be addressed to:

Operation Common Sense Inc.

Dr. Romando James

P.O. Box 1713

Clemson, SC 29601

Purpose

"Never forget that we may have many purposes but