20 Days of Love, LBMA...

Love is borne from a place deep within our souls and stems from a place of light, chasing away all evil and darkness. Love is not simply the relationships we as women enjoy with a man, it is the emotions, attitudes, and behavior representative of the Lord God Almighty, which causes us to share them with our parents, spouses, children, siblings, neighbors, and other races of people.

Love is deeper than we can describe, more powerful than what we can feel. Today's 20 Days of Love post is reflective of a deeper love. Read this work of art comprised by a variety of authors...

LOVING BLACK MEN ANTHOLOGY BLURB:

"Above all, the American flag is supposed to represent a free people, who live in a nation where the government works for us and our best interests. And if they don't, we speak. We protest. We vote. Because as Americans, it's our right. But look at us. So here is a voice, a collective, assembled in consideration of the plight of black men in America. It is an illustration based on our points of view. We hope that like all art, you will examine these pieces closely. Consider them, and the artist’s motivation for creating their images in words. Their motivations come from a real place. It’s a place called America."

Violence against black men in America is increasing, in their own neighborhoods and at the hands of law enforcement. The injuries and fatalities have become so common that many are becoming desensitized to the continuous news and images of brutality. The proof is in the commentary on news outlets and social media. Many expect nothing to be done, because so often nothing is done. Thus, the Loving Black Men project. 

The authors who contributed to this project wanted to do more than share their opinions on social media. They have come together to illustrate with words the value of human life, especially that of males of color. 

With their narratives these authors have declared war against ignorance that breeds intolerance, and fear, and racism. This is their weapon to counteract the hate speech mongers, the politicians and the commentators posing as news broadcasters. 

Through their stories and poetry they fight wielding swords of enlightenment. 

Though these authors have declared war, the Loving Black Men anthology isn’t about hate. It’s a project about love. 

All proceeds from this publication will be donated to charity. 

Mel Bynum

Loving Black Men: An Anthology" by Christopher Bynum, Mel Bynum, Ariel Diamond, Kim Golden, Eartha Watts Hicks, Sekinah J, Author Untamed, Akil Victor -

"A Last Good Act"
 Christopher Bynum 

"Johnny always figured if something was going to get him it would be that laminating machine, and as he watched the Maryland state police cruiser roll to a stop in front of his granddaughter’s house that damned device was what crossed his mind. Two cops slid out of the police cruiser. Keeping the front porch rocker back and forth Johnny watched them.

 Yep, they had to be coming for him. His granddaughter was a good girl—a registered nurse by profession. They weren’t here for her; he was pretty sure about that. Not unless something had happened to her at work. Johnny was ashamed of himself that that possibility gave him a little bit of hope.

 The police officer who’d been behind the wheel was black, and wore a state trooper’s uniform. The other officer was white. He wasn’t wearing the colors of the state or this city. So he wasn’t local. That one got out on the curb side of the police car so he made the walkway leading to the front porch first.

 As the white officer ambled up the walkway toward the porch Johnny noted the deep lines etched in a face topped by iron gray hair shot with a few last strands of blonde. Despite his advanced years the officer was slender and looked fit and as sharp as a tack in his hard-starched uniform. When he reached the foot of the porch steps he stopped and nodded at Johnny. “Afternoon there,” he drawled. He didn’t smile but he didn’t look hostile, either. If not for the uniform, by the nonchalance of his manner he could have been anybody, like a neighbor just dropping by to say hello. Johnny had seen too many of the same kinds of stories on the news about black men’s encounters with the police lately, so he kept his hands gripping the arms of the rocking chair and clearly visible as he nodded back. “Afternoon, officer.” 

Now the black state trooper was coming up the walk. He didn’t look so friendly. He walked scowling, like he’d been backed up for two or three days and it was starting to cramp him up. A man can’t be at his best at anything—not work, not sports, not sex, and not making an arrest—when he’s backed up too much. The state trooper was built like he could slap on shoulder pads right now and go line up at defensive end for the Ravens. He stopped just behind the white officer’s right shoulder, popped the strap on his holster and scowled harder. Yep, my time is up."

Start reading this book for free: http://a.co/0wJYJIH
Loving Black Men on #Kindle: http://amzn.to/2dpojYn
Loving Black Men on #Nook: http://bit.ly/2d3SYee

AUTHOR CONTACT LINKS:

Christopher Bynum: TheBlackWriter.wordpress.com
Kimberly Golden: http://kim-golden.com

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Living Life Beautifully Inspired!