I have to admit, the cover of this novel is what drew me in at first. I saw this before I even noticed that the author, Neal Shusterman, is the same one who wrote the dystopian series "Unwind" that held me captive for weeks. Those two factors led to me being compelled to place it on my reading list.
For those who are looking for the presence of deity in this novel and the mythos of the reaper, this is not the novel you may seek. At least it is not in the traditional sense. But if you are looking for the presence of the human spirit in a world ruled by our technological advances in spite of our journey away from our inner spaces, then this is definitely worth the read.
It focuses on two teen protagonists, and their apprenticeships into the society of Scythes. In a world where disease and death are no longer facts of life, society has created a novel way to regulate the population. These young people find themselves chosen to take on the prospect of joining the "solution" as apprentices.
This world of the future is ruled by the Thunderhead, and evolution of sentient world cloud technology, that takes the place of world governance from the hands of humanity. Life, in all its aspects is now monitored by this entity. But with the ability to live forever, the question of death becomes delicate.
"When it was decided that people needed to die in order to ease the tide of population growth, it was also decided that this must be the responsibility of humans. Bridge repair and urban planning could be handled by the Thunderhead, but taking a life was an act of conscience and consciousness. Since it could not be proven that the Thunderhead had either, the Scythedom was born."
This heavy burden is relegated only to a single facet of human society dedicated to this purpose. They are the best of us, the most compassionate. They hold the ultimate authority and trust and power. What could go wrong?
I highly recommend this book for the societal, and spiritual, questions is poses. The juxtaposition of the relevance, and irrelevance, of the humanities as part of our reason for being is subtly thread throughout the story. I look forward with great anticipation to the next novel in this series.
Do not be so quick to celebrate, people who are rooting for the
triumph of the Earth and her Water Protectors at Standing Rock. The
ruling by the Army Corp of Engineers that they will not grant the
easement for Energy Transfer Partners to drill under Lake Oahe. The
Dakota Access Pipeline would rerouteif this were a complete win. But it
is not. The forces behind DAPL having no intention of stopping their
juggernaut towards completion.
In
a response to the Army Corps of Engineers decision, they issues a
statement that left no doubt as to their intent. The full text can be
found here.
The full text conveys a defiant tone that seems emboldened by the
militarized actions that have bolstered the relentless actions of the
pipeline interests. Indeed, a haughty and contempt filled tone laced
itself throughout the jab directed at the current U.S. Administration.
The
White House’s directive today to the Corps for further delay is just
the latest in a series of overt and transparent political actions by an
administration which has abandoned the rule of law in favor of currying
favor with a narrow and extreme political constituency.
To
be sure, the powers that are in place at the reigns of this industrial
machine are hellbent on seeing it run over, through, and atop the lands
of anyone, and everyone, that get in their way. The message is crystal
clear as the waters they wish to endanger.
As stated
all along, ETP and SXL are fully committed to ensuring that this vital
project is brought to completion and fully expect to complete
construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and
around Lake Oahe. Nothing this Administration has done today changes
that in any way.
This is not the time to despair, or
give up. They are willing to take the fine, after all it is only
monetary. The stakes for all of those with flesh and bone in this fight
are much higher. Do not back down, we are with you. Traditional Belief,
Pagan, Christian, Gentile, Jew, African Traditional, and more, many of
us stand with you on this line. That, and the broad backs and fierce
courage of the righteous anger of over 2,000 angry veterans give hope
that this fight is not going to be lost.
For direct information, please contact. This way you can find out exactly what they have to say. Let them hear your voice. Energy Transfer Investor Relations:
Brent Ratliff, 214-981-0795
or Granado Communications Group Media Relations:
Vicki Granado, 214-599-8785
Cell: 214-498-9272
or Sunoco Logistics Investor Relations:
Peter Gvazdauskas, 215-977-6322
or Media Relations:
Jeff Shields, 215-977-6056
To my fellow Michiganders in Flint, stand ready. There may be some visitors headed your way as well. RT News reports that some of those veterans may be headed your way.
A dedication to those of you, and us, who stand with Standing Rock.
Article was previously published in www.pbnnewsnetwork.com
Just in time for the holidays, I am
finally releasing my interview with CJ Grimm. Musician, composer,
performer, businessman, and all around wickedly cool gentleman, this man
cuts a classically intriguing figure. Dashing in his own right, he
glides through the crowds of Pagan Michigan with his equally stunningly
dark beauty, Morganna Grim, as they seem to move in their own space of
Flashpoint Noir. Let's get started.
Who is CJ Grimm, and what is the Terror Network?
CJ
Grimm, is a stage name that I came up with when I was getting started
in industrial bands in 2012. It just kinda stuck, and I felt like it
gave a bit more depth to my stage persona. Off-stage I can be kinda shy,
but once I get that guitar in my hands, I become something else.
C.J. Grimm - ReverbNation
How would you describe your style of music?
Eclectic?
Schizophrenic? It's kind of mash-up of every genre I’ve ever played.
That's the problem, though, when you don’t just subscribe to one genre,
you almost feel its your duty to represent each of them equally.
It kind of crosses genres a bit, so what influences do you feel have come into play with the development of your style?
Ha!
all of them. My top three guitarists of all time are Jimi Hendrix, Kirk
Hammett (Metallica) and Carlos Santana. I also really dig Richard Z.’s
(Rammstein) style. A lot of my songs tends to lean towards heavier
bluesy type stuff and into metal a bit as well. I always try to temper
one with the other.
Vocally, what front men do you feel you share a vibe with in performance and presence?
Definitely
James Hetfield (Metallica). Once you put on a guitar and start growling
into a microphone, you better pay homage to Papa Het. Before it was
always me without a mic, and you could kinda see shades of Zakk Wylde
(Black Label Society, Ozzy), Richard Z., and even some Munky (Korn) but
now, trying to play some of my riffs while singing at the same time, you
have to invoke a little bit of Hetfield.
And your bandmates, how would you describe your collective soul? How did you all meet? How often do you play venues?
Back
when I was in bands, it felt like maybe twice a month. I used to be in
some pretty hard gigging bands. No tours though, we just played the hell
out of Southeast Michigan. right now, I’ve only played the one show by
myself. kinda gotta start back at the bottom, ya know?
What's is going on right now as far as a label?
Haha,
that's in the works, so i don’t want to jinx anything just yet. I’m
currently in talks with someone who I know to be a fantastic business
man, and would love to see this partnership come to fruition.
I’m
not all that tech savvy, so I love that its REALLY user friendly, haha.
I can upload music, pictures, videos, show dates - the whole nine
yards. Back when I first started playing, we barely had Myspace or any
other social network platform to really get out there. Now-a-days, its
so easy if you know what your doing.
Tell us about your fan base.
Mostly
just friends right now, and a few people that remember me from previous
bands, but I’m also getting new people after the last show. Thats one
of the biggest problems when you start a new project - I’ve been a
gigging musician for 13 years now, and every time you start something
new, you’ve got to start all over again. so far though, the new fans
that have been digging my music are just awesome.
Describe for us a typical show.
Nerve-wracking
- the whole day is almost a ritual for me. I wake up, put myself
together, and practice my set. gotta make sure everything is ready for
people to not just hear, but see as well.
Image: CJ Grimm - Reverbnation
You
gotta remember, you’re not just playing music, you’re putting on a
show. You’re not just a musician, you’re a performer - an entertainer.
After
all that, its packing up, getting to the gig, and then its hurry up and
wait. Gotta wait for the other bands to back-line, gotta do the sound
check. It's when people start filing into the venue, that's the hard
part for me. I’m going through a million different things in my head
-did I bring the right guitars, did they need new strings, what the hell
was the set list, did I do this or forget to do that - I’m juggling all
these things in my head, but when fans come up to you and want to talk
before the show, you gotta push all of that to the back of your head,
and be the cool guy that they’re expecting to see, not the worrying
emotional wreck that you are on the inside.
Then there's that moment - that moment when you just hit the stage,
stop worrying and let it all go. You pour out your frustration, anger,
whatever you’ve been holding onto all day, it's cleansing really. And
then after that, I feel ten times better.
And what is the after-party time like?
ha! it used to be “stay up, party, get rowdy”, now its, “holy shit i hurt everywhere, wheres my comfy clothes, is it bed time?”
Do any of your gig experiences feed into your inspiration for your songs?
Not particularly.
Speaking of inspiration, what inspired you to pursue this dream?
I
know it sounds cliche, but being able to really express myself, I
guess. It's such a release to just pick up a guitar and let go. It's
therapy.
You performed at Michigan Pagan Fest this year. And you made some new fans. Tell us about that experience.
Man,
it was unreal. I really wasn’t expecting a big response, mostly because
i wasn’t sure how they were gonna respond to my style, but the crowd
loved it. I don’t wanna say that I “became a rockstar” but they
definitely made me feel like one.
Where can we catch your next performance?
Not
really sure yet. Life’s been so busy lately that while i would love to
have a gig every weekend, it doesn’t pay the bills. Right now, I
essentially have two jobs, one in a factory, and the other is making
jewelry with Poking Dead Things. It's hard to fit what most might consider a hobby in between those things. Yay adulting!
Time to put you on the spot. What is your favorite track right now? And why?
You’re
asking me which of my children is my favorite… honestly, I’d have to
say this cover I just did. It's a mash up of "Freak on a Leash" by korn,
and "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails. I maintained the drums and programming
from NIN, most of the guitars from Korn, and then I threw in vocals
from both. I didn’t sample anything either, so it was a real stretch on
my abilities.
And is this the one you would most like to promote for radio play?
Haha, I’d love to, but I would probably get sued.
Do you have an agent that handles your bookings right now? If someone wants to book you, who do they contact?
Not just yet, the only real way to get a hold of me is either through my band page on Facebook, or on my e-mail, cjbarebones@gmail.com
What are the three things most important to you when it comes to your music right now?
Inspiration, Passion, and Patience.
Why?
Writing music isn’t just something that happens, you have to be inspired to write a song.
That's
the easy part. With my process, most of the time when I’m first writing
the song, I’m also recording it. Every note that I hit has to have the
passion behind it, or it has no life to it at all. George Carlin once
said, and I’m paraphrasing, “its not as important to know which notes to
play, if you don’t know WHY they have to be played”.
And
the tough part is the patience. When I’m recording, it can take me
anywhere, from a first take to the seventy-fifth take, to nail a part.
It would be so easy to just say, “oh that's good enough, lets move on”.
But good enough isn’t good enough. If its not just right, then you gotta
keep going. That persistence, and endurance is what makes a song great.
What is your dream concert location?
Somewhere huge where I can have lots of pyro, hahaha!
Honestly,
I love the smaller more intimate shows. I like it crowded, more
standing room only. It's those shows where you can tell that everyone is
suffering just a tiny bit that you can tell they REALLY want to be
there and get into the music.
For the singers who are just starting out, what advice do you have?
Never
give up. Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain - those guys didn’t have
the voice of an angel, yet they were able to shape generations. If any
of them had given up because their voice wouldn’t win them American Idol
or some bullshit like that where they measure perfect pitch instead of
passion, the world would be a very quiet dull place.
You’re
out there to connect with people, not impress them. You’re trying to
give a part of yourself, and see if someone feels the same. So never,
ever give up.
Since this initial interview,
CJ Grimm has thrilled local Pagans with even hotter performances. This
includes a shredding set at Pagan Pride Day Detroit 2016 for the
closing. He has also, in the tradition of the Blues Brothers, "gotten
the band back together", and we look forward to Terror Network coming to
a venue near you.
If you don't know this man, you need to
know his music at least. He is one to watch. His music is perfect to set
your Pagan gift-giving apart from the crystal clique cornucopia crowd
for the Solstice.
On December 4 – 8 Veterans for Standing Rock will march to “defend
the water protectors from assault and intimidation at the hands of the
militarized police force and DAPL security” in North Dakota. They will
stand to protect the citizens of our nation against forces which they
have deemed so outrageous as needing a direct response. Veterans of the
United States Armed Forces, e.g. U.S. Army, United States Marine Corps,
U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard plan to stand side by
side with water protectors on site. For them, it is a matter of honor.
Original image source: Bykst
The utilization of Facebook to rally the troops proves to be effective. The event, named Veterans For Standing Rock,
is that of former law enforcement officer Michael Wood Jr., and Wes
Clark, Jr., son of General Wes Clark. He makes no hedging about his
place.
“First Americans have served in the Unites States
Military, defending the soil of our homelands, at a greater percentage
than any other group of Americans. There is no other people more
deserving of veteran support.” – Operations Order, Veterans for Standing
Rock
This group got the green light of approval from Elders of the Lakota
Sioux, and plan to work in full cooperation with them every step of the
way. They face a situation that is beyond volatile. Preceding months of
engagement in this fight for water, they list mace, tear gas, sniper
guns, rubber bullets, attack dogs, LRAD deployment, and pepper spray.
But perhaps the most punishing and detestable shock was the now
infamous night November 20. Trapped on a bridge, water protectors were
allegedly barraged with rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons,
concussion and stinger grenades. Photographs, and live feed footage of
these attacks and weapons were covered by independent and mainstream
media sources.
Due to subfreezing temperatures, the use of water to force compliance
endangered the water protectors to very real risk of life. A statement
by the Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council addressed the potential
for fatalities in this statement.
“As medical professionals we are concerned for the real risk of loss of life due to severe hypothermia under these conditions”
Among the injured was Sophia Wilansky.
Wilansky was bringing water to those caught on the bridge when she was
hit by an alleged police weapon. Police dispute this and support that it
was a weapon brought by the protestors at the site. The injuries to her
arm are so severe that they expect at least 20 surgeries in the fight
to save the limb. The confrontation also saw injury to one law
enforcement officer.
“authorities continue to defend our tactics.” – spokeswoman Maxine Herr, Morton County Sheriff’s office
Civilians are also called to come forward. They should read the event
page for specific information about what is to be expected at while at
the camps. Those going should be prepared for cold temperatures and be
reminded that they are there to serve with the protectors side by side.
It is likely they will arrive sometime around the same time as the The Bunk Bus.
The escalation of tactics of pain compliance as part of the overall
strategy of the DAPL, the Governor of North Dakota and the Morton County
Sheriff’s Department show no sign of stopping. Medics are needed, as
are medical supplies.
A registration is in place for those who intend to take part in this
historic decision to muster our nation’s veterans on a grass-roots
level. The form is located at Veterans Stand for Standing Rock – Roster.
To support the fundraising efforts, and coordinate your donations, visit Veterans for Standing Rock on gofundme.
The Standing Rock Youth’s movement against the
corporate, and armed, heavily funded destruction of their Sacred space
and their Spiritual rights and agency calls to the masses for support.
The hearts and hands of the world have followed their eyes as they react
to the actions that are taking place in the action zones of engagement.
Water protectors continue to see their ranks grow as sojourners from
across the continent arrive and stand in prayer with them against the
interests the jeopardize their water and destroy the graves of and
relics of the indigenous peoples in this region.
In the rush to be allies, there is a need to be mindful and aware of
the role that those who come to the site as allies play. In other words,
allies are to be there to aid and direct attention to the goals of the
Standing Rock Sioux. This means many things to many people, but the
facts of the matter are that allies do not seek to spiritually colonize
the movements they are there to support.
A public Facebook post by A. Nason, from Fort Yates, North Dakota hit this chord in such a way that it resonated to my very bones.
Back at Oceti Sakowin. What I’ve experienced today has been painful
and gross. White men took over the Indigenous lead direct action
training. I was talked down to again and again by non-Indigenous folk,
acting like they own the camp because they hold down their own tent.
Then there was a call for all available women at the camp to go to
the Spirit Fire for a meeting. Curious, I went. It was led by 2 white
women, looked like the usual type you would see at the festival circuit
or Burning Man. They made a circle and asked what “we as united women
feel united by under the goddess, because we’ve seen what men have been
doing and it’s so divided.” They policed how we talked, told us to not
talk out of turn and to hold comments for later. Another white woman
told the Fire Keepers, the men tending the spirit fire as it is their
traditional role, to “keep it down and stop talking, because women are
having a meeting.” My blood boiled, but I kept waiting. I had to walk
away for a bit, but when I returned an Oceti Sakowin woman was speaking,
and she felt the same pain I did. She told the women at the circle how
disrespectful they were being by not honoring the ceremonial request to
wear skirts, and that this is her home and make space for the other
Indigenous women from this land. She asked me to speak up after, she
could feel my energy.
I told the white women in this circle that they must keep Indigenous
women centered here, especially the women from Oceti Sakowin. And where
were the elders? Why aren’t our elders holding this? I told them how
colonized this felt, how by telling us Indigenous women how to speak and
when to speak that they’re perpetuating the harm that is continued to
be done to us. I said how gross this made me feel.
I’m disgusted by the Burners and same types at camp. I’m not
surprised that they showed up and are trying to take over our movement
and our ceremony, but I’m not any less disgusted.
Indigenous folks coming up, guard your heart and spirits. POC allies,
please hug us and love on us. We need it. White allies, collect your
people. Center us. Keep Indigenous women and two spirited people at the
center of this. Keep all Indigenous people in the main focus.
So, this is a letter to my Pagan folks and my neo Pagan folks, and my
spiritual folks, hell, my folks. Please understand and take your time
to read the following words repeatedly so that their meaning is not lost
on you.
No matter your race, nationality, color, gender,
politics, spirituality (Yes, I am looking at YOU my tree-hugging,
Goddess worshiping brethren and sistren), economic status, or personal
sense of entitlement, understand that this IS NOT ABOUT YOU OR WHAT YOU
WANT TO DO AS YOUR PERSONAL MISSION.
This is a divinely inspired movement by the Standing Rock Sioux that
has filled with miracles and signs at every step of the way, and our
personal ways and agendas have no place in the center of it. We are
allies, NOT the leadership. THEY, not WE, have set the tone and the
mores of this place in accord with THEIR society and culture. This is a
Holy movement, yes I believe it is, and it is not in need of
colonization and capitalization.
Let us remember what this is really about. It is not about “sticking
it to the man”. It is not about being an anarchist. It is not about the
counterculture. It is not about your Indigo this, or your Crystal that,
or how many Lynn Andrews books you have read. It is not about how many
Kenn Day seminars you have attended, or how many times your heart was
broken by the Bernie Sanders movement. To remember what it is about,
visit the original site of Rezpect our Water and read the letters there about how their drinking water is in imminent danger by this project.
BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE
If you are going to the camps to stand with the protectors, keep your
mind right. Be ready to spend hours in prayer. Be ready to do your fair
share of work. You are entering a society, not a hippie festival or an
anarchist camp. Get your hands dirty; be of help; bring a skill; bring
supplies if you can; do not seek glory, seek solidarity and prayer.
PRAYER
That is what is taking lead in this. Spiritual warfare is the way,
not hands and fists and weapons. Bring no weapons other than faith, and a
willingness to serve.
RESPECT
This is their home, their lands and their Ancestors. This is not a
photo opportunity. This is not a chance to get your continuing education
credits, or activist street credibility. Leave your ego in your
driveway. Respect the Traditions that are in place here and be mindful
of what it means to be a Stranger and an Ally.
DO YOU EVEN MAGICK, BRO OR SIS?
If you are a magickal practitioner, or Pagan, you may wish to brush
up on your manners. This is not a magical situation, but the book “Magickal Manners: A Guide to Magickal Etiquette”
by Puck Shadowdrake is a good place to look in your metaphysical book
shelf for a refresher about encountering other cultures and being a GOOD
PERSON, not a hot dog or a culturally insensitive shame-bucket.
Manifest that goal of aid, make sigils, use Andrieh Vitimus’ chaos book,
do something useful in your own Traditions.
EDUCATE
If you cannot go to the site, but want to manifest change, then do it
at home. Advocate, share posts, educate, and donate. Do circles and
coffee nights about the situation and brainstorm on what can be done by
those who are interested in assisting. Follow through on these ideas. Do
Magick! Pray! Repeat!
BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
When the People were blockaded from the DAPL site, an eagle appeared
and led them to an alternate route. When there was fire, the wind blew
AWAY from the camp all night til it was extinguished. A golden eagle
appeared and allowed them to approach and stayed for a while. The
Buffalo Nation appeared in great numbers to help the water protectors.
Canoes from several states made a route to render aid. Nations all over
the world have heard the call and the injustice and representatives have
arrived in great number on the lands where the Battle of Greasy Grass sought to extinguish this people.
DONATE AND RAISE MONEY
Donations of material support, cash, and supplies are needed. Travel
expenses, legal expenses, and the funding of projects directly involved
with this movement need continual support. Whether sending online
through a personal Paypal to any of the sites, sending medical supplies,
or natural healing aids, it is all part of the effort. If you can do
this, do so. Allies are everywhere, not just the front lines.
SING YOUR SONGS
Many have forgotten the power of Singing. The power of the words and
the emotions behind them can move mountains and melt stone hearts. They
feed the souls of the warrior and the midwife, the child and the elders,
the single and the group. Learn the songs, and use your own, write your
own, sing them and make the world hear.
RECOGNIZE WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING.
These are the times of miracles, wonders, leaders, and the making of
the new Mighty Ancestor stories. We do not have the right to take from
that. All we have the right to do is what is good, right, honorable, and
pure … as allies. We are not the stars of this story.
Remember that, fellow allies. Stand with the Standing Rock Sioux, not on top of them.
Miigs from a Soul Sister with Creek Nation ancestry.
Today, I received a message from one of my former students in the
Black Moon Grove Tradition. Though not one of our teachers, he still
walks our Path and lives his way in it. While traveling his spiritual
pilgrimage through the South this week, he encountered a call for help.
The call came from far away, from Osijek, Croatia to be exact. If you
know about our Tradition, then you know that this is not unusual for us
to receive messages from every place or person. It is part of our Call,
and Human Trafficking is on our list of what we address. We are a
“Hunting” Grove.
Matt., as I will call him here, was alerted to the plight of this
young man via the interwebs. As best he could, he attempted to assist
him, and reached out for resources in doing so. This is his way. While
this, he found out something horrible but true not just there, but
everywhere.
Matt. found out that trafficking is not escaped easily, nor is it
even believed by most authorities. It is the phone call in the dark that
goes unchecked. The shadowy worlds that whisk from place to place are
almost untraceable to law enforcement. Victims and survivors reach out
to what turns out to be empty air, for within the blink of an eye the
aid that was promised can miss them by moments.
The young man in question has been to the authorities. He was not
believed. He is in fear of his life. He is not believed. All we can do
is send him to the Croatian Red Cross Osijek (GDCK Osijek), a local
branch of Croatian Red Cross. We have no international hotline to have
him call.
We hope that someone in Osijek will see this. The branch offers
protection and shelter for human trafficking victims. It is highly
unlikely he will see it, though. But we can try. Matt.
is going to be able to send this link, and because it is in a Pagan
news site, it will seem like this person is just surfing the web.
Although I do not have any idea what their access is to the web, or how
often.
We know you are trying to get to Hungary. So that should tell you we
are speaking to you. Please take this information and screen save it.
Here is your information. Contact person: Tijana Salaj
This is a lousy substitute for actual
assistance. It is horrid. It is inadequate and makes us all shamed that
there is nothing else we can do as citizens of the world. Why is there
no outrage at the sexual slavery that exists side by side by the
continued chattel slavery of the world in every continent?
Thanks to the Polaris Project, we at last have the Global Human Trafficking Hotline Network. Visit the site here at http://www.globalmodernslavery.org/.
Readers, here in Michigan, we have the Michigan Abolitionist Project, among others, if you want to get involved. Boots on the ground time, step up. We cannot keep ignoring this.
To report a tip, connect with
anti-trafficking services in your area, or request information, call The
National Human Trafficking Resource Center at: 1-888-373-7888, or send a
text to BeFree (233733).
I awoke this morning like any other day. The hurried chaos of rousing
a household into motion and the scurrying to get breakfast ready. The
air was cold, so I put on the oven to heat the kitchen. In Michigan, we
wait til the last of fall to turn on the furnaces. The altar boxes
seemed like shadows were unusually soft around them, his and mine, but I
paid no special heed to what that might mean.
In truth, I had paid no heed to my dreams this weekend, even though
they were messengers, since I was going to analyze them later….always
later. This October has been full of dreams, as is customary with the
season of the last of the death harvests. Those who have passed away are
nearer to us, and seek to reach out to let us know they are there. It
is also is a time of goodbyes.
DeAnna Gray, gofundme photo
Then, on the drive into work, it came. That inevitable “it” that
comes in these sort of stories. In this case, “it” was a message request
from an unknown person on Facebook. Now, this is not so unusual. I
write a lot of things that can cause some interesting reactions from
strangers. But for some reason, today I accepted.
In my inbox, there was the image of my friend. Not a friend I see
everyday, mind you. In fact, we probably have not directly spoken to
each other in over 10 years. We just had not run in the same circles,
especially after I moved away from the city proper. But there was her
photograph in my electronic mailbox, the image of DeAnna Gray.
DeAnna Gray, the name itself is so small on the page, but evokes so
much. She was so much more than those collections of syllables and
letters. She was the very first person who accepted me as I am. Accepted
me as someone different, and said it was okay.
DeAnna Gray and I met in first grade, after having been tested and
placed in classes together. All through school, we were in advanced
studies and music and even shared time in the “package lunch room” at
Elizabeth Courville Elementary School in Detroit. She was one of the
girls who would crochet with the crafty girls with the fuzzy yarn and
the fuzzy ribbon in her hair. She was also the one who dried my tears
when the boys put a lizard tail on my cornet case because I said I was a
witch.
DeAnna was the one in Mr. Peterson’s class who would help me with my
art. Our teacher was a hippy with a VW bus, and we had great fun
together. She was there the day I tried to draw my first witchy painting
and simultaneously look at the scandalizing pictures of Prince in a
black G-string behind the clay buckets.
She said that it was okay to be different. She said it was okay. She
knew what it was like to be different because she was tall. And boys did
not like tall girls, so it was the same. She stood there in corduroy
pants and a sweater with little characters marching across in horizontal
lines and said it was okay. And she held my hand.
DeAnna Gray’s signature on her folder with the happy little apple
face on her name card on a string is in my mind now. She was so neat and
her desk was never messy like mine. She wrote well, and we sometimes
would smile at each other. She was not a cool kid, but she was in the
respectable groups. I was always an outcast, but that was to be
expected. In social studies we even had a project together where we
laughed as we shut down the boys, especially Steven Walker, when he
asked if I could turn him into a frog. She had her cross and I had one
too, but mine was enchanted with something other. And that was okay.
In the playgrounds of middle school, DeAnna had taken to being more
to herself. We all experimented with makeup in the classroom of the only
African-American Catholic woman I had ever seen. Lolita Curtis gave me
my first book on magick, and I was outed again. The class bully tried to
come at me, and quiet DeAnna stood up, all tall and straight, and stood
with me as I stood my ground. We did not fight that day, words are
better than animals. Dogs use tooth and claw, and we were ladies. And
when Mrs. Linton and the lunch ladies encircled me to exorcise me and
pray at me because they said I was full of demons for my beliefs, she
gave me her mystery meat and a cookie afterwards (vanilla crème).
We were not best friends. We were friends, though. In high school,
she and I had classes together again. In Detroit Public Schools, back
then at least, you stayed with you pack. Honors kids with honors kids,
vocational students with vocational students, etc. I grew up watching
her refine that “D” in her signature from a large letter block print to
an eloquent signature. A presence that seemed to always be around with a
shoulder, a smile, or even the answer to where I dropped my cornet
valve oil – again.
On days nearing the end of our high school year, I got used to seeing
her in the neighborhood on 7 Mile Rd. We would sometimes see each
other, usually when I was walking home by her mother’s work, M&M
Shrimp Shack. Her mom was really nice as well. Her mother knew about the
little foster girl with the belief in magick. She was a Christian, but
she always treated me sweetly. Blood will tell, and though her mom could
sometimes be a bit hard, she never treated me with unkindness in the
way that many others did in this city of churches. Especially since I
lived right on church row, that meant a lot to me.
Many days, she saw me and would be one of the only ones nice to me,
DeAnna had a great big heart. In the winter, she would sometimes offer
me a glove or burgundy mitten. Of course I would not take it, but it was
good of her. She would get annoyed by me wearing my band gloves as hand
protection. I would joke that I was just really committed and she would
shake her head and smile in that lip gloss way she had. But I remember
her kindness as she stood in the slush and rain those days.
Her eyes were the kindest eyes I have ever seen. That is not to say
she never got mad. Oh boy, could she ever. But they were always the
sweetest I have ever seen. They are not gray, but I will be adding a
gray candle in memory of them to my altar this week, my ancestral one.
Because she is precious to me and I seek to honor the understanding that
she had. The understanding was that everyone does not have to believe
the same thing to be right. She touched my life in shades that were not
lies of black and white, but full of kind grays … like DeAnna Gray.
GoFundMe Information for her Burial.
Unfortunately,
on Oct 21st my siblings and I lost our beloved mother Deanna Gray. She
was a very loving person with such a giving spirit. To know my mother is
to have loved her. Her selfless acts of kindness was enough to win over
the hearts of any and everyone who came in contact with her. We are now
asking for your help to give back to someone who gave so much. With
your help we would like to give her the home going she deserves. Please
help us send our angel home properly. My family and I would like to
thank everyone in advance for the well wishes and support. God bless you
all, thank you. Help spread the word!
I do not do gofundme stories as a general rule. This is my exception.
Because I loved her, and still do. I do this because she me my world
safer and kept me sane and strong when others would have torn me down.
So I share this here, and if you are so moved, please help her family to
send her off as befitting one of such kindness.
The campaign is
I ask that if you are moved by the memory of Deanna, and it is in
your practice, that you light a gray candle with some pink roses on your
altar this weekend. Let us send her family some loving energy. Let us
send some love to DeAnna as she takes her journey home.
.
is going to be able to send this link, and because it is in a Pagan
news site, it will seem like this person is just surfing the web.
Although I do not have any idea what their access is to the web, or how
often.
