Conversations With Rex--a Step Closer

I haven't seen any of my words make their way to print for a few years now, and I've grown somewhat disheartened. That's why, after taking a break to work on this small soon-to-be-book, I predict that writer's glow that will surely hang about me for a while.


Unlike many who enjoy putting their thoughts to paper, creating new stories or content hasn't been a problem; on the contrary, I sometimes overwhelm myself with ideas and struggle to remain focused on one. To say I am a victim of my own creativity is probably true, but I don't really know how creative I am to be honest--maybe I simply think I have something to say. 😃


I often hear people say, "I don't have time..." and usually roll my eyes at the sentiment, but to be honest, time hasn't been a friend of late. During the Spring and Summer, like so many, it seems as though I am running from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. When I do have some downtime, I'm exhausted and find it difficult to think logically, much less work on a book.


Other times, I believe I'm just being lazy and lack focus. This is probably a true sentiment, as well as my inability to manage time. The minutes get away from me, and although I my heart tells me to get to work, my body tells me not to move. My body usually wins the argument.


With a renewed vigor, though, I have pushed forward to finish my latest creation, Conversations With Rex. The cover design is in process, and I am working on a few graphics for insertion into the script. The book will be a small one, but it is one rife with passion and love. It also provided a break for me when it comes to action, adventure, and conspiracy. Now that I can see the  proverbial Rex at the end of the tunnel, I hear Bill Evers hollering for me to get back to work on his stuff (I have three different Evers stories at various points in their respective creation).


The book, Rex that is, is about my discussions with my small dog and his reflections on the world at large. His unique perspective and quirky idiosyncrasies, I felt, were worthy of documentation. Some may call me weird or strange (most do anyway), but pet owners talk to their animals all the time. Rex answers and carries on conversations in my head. His personality makes it easy to understand what he's thinking, and his body language speaks volumes. As my buddy Gary has said on occasion, "Rex knows things." Yes, yes he does.


Lastly, I realize I've posted about works before, and don't want to be the boy who cries wolf. Conversations will be released by Summer's end, if not sooner. So, I beg forgiveness of those who enjoy my writing, and ask that you continue to bear with me (although I doubt anyone will die without reading the next Evers's novel).


Rex's smart mouth will come to you soon--and no, I have no idea where he learned to be so cynical and sarcastic.

The Possibilities

Like most, I spend time on social media getting a feel for how others think. I make my political affiliations known--I am an open book when it comes to things like that. Try as I might, I work to convince others that my skew on things political and social have merit, but attempt to not get into the muck when the conversation devolves into personal insults. Yes, I am more than guilty of doing so, and sometimes post things I wish I could take back, or should not have posted to begin with--but in my defense, the logical side of my mind can take only so much.


It is interesting to me to find that my discourse with most people, regardless of political slant or perception, is very typically civil. Only from the safety of a person's computer or phone will the vileness rear its ugly head. Why folks feel it necessary to take the dialogue to the nasty abyss, I will never understand.


I would love to meet or find a person with opposing views from my own to simply hang out with and have some friendly debate. I run in circles with like-minded individuals, and miss the days of having these debates (I have lived in areas where the majority think differently than I).


Onto social media! Some semblance of civility should be a requirement for anyone with a Facebook or Twitter account, in my opinion. There seems to be a social disconnect, ironically, when engaging is social or political banter. The disconnect, of course, stems from ones inability to control his/her emotions when someone doesn't agree with their point of view. Give it a rest, keyboard warriors! The chances of you impacting someone to the degree that they will change their min on a topic is minimal at best. So, do not get your feelings hurt when someone disagrees. Keep to the facts and try real, real hard to not get personal (this is a difficult thing to accomplish).


It is also interesting to me, when discussing hot political topics with those who may have opposing points of view, to see how much we actually have in common. At best, most people have one, two, or three things they may strongly disagree with the majority about, but other things that do not personally impact them, or things that do not strike an emotional chord on, are largely overlooked. We should all keep that in mind when talking to our friends about touchy subjects.


If we could all sit down and speak face-to-face about various topics, we would most likely move the needle forward. It isn't always about whose side you are on; instead, focus on what makes our lives better. If we do this, the possibilities for human evolvement are endless.

That Uncomfortable Topic

I want to tackle a difficult issue, or at least an issue that makes a lot of people uncomfortable: racism. More specifically, the complexities of racism in today's society and what the word truly means. And lastly, and more specifically, I would like to discuss racism as it relates to business.


At the onset, it is important to understand that there is a clear delineation of racism and misconstrued social injustices perpetuated by one and assumed by the "victim." If we can agree upon a clear definition of the word, it is easier to have a discussion about it--

Racism: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.


By definition, there are actions associated with racism--prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against...


Nowhere in the definition does it say, "...or feelings hurt because of perceived injustices or biases..."


What do I mean by that? If your inner child is bruised because you did not get your way, you aren't a victim of racism; on the contrary, you are a victim of your own bruised ego, even if the person who did the bruising has a different skin color than you.


There now, we have set the stage for an open and honest dialogue about the topic.


Without a doubt, racism has existed and continues to exist around the world. All races are guilty of it, and some even act on their irrational fears. The action of racism is what really matters and is at the heart of this entry. After all, changing a person's heart is as difficult as redirecting the sun, but addressing it in a purely capitalistic sense is much easier.


I am a product of a capitalist society, and believe the almighty dollar has a way of righting wrongs. What do I mean by this?


Let's say, in today's society (and I don't care what region of the country this occurs) that someone is racially discriminated against in a retail environment. What does that discrimination look like? It could take several forms, but let us assume a black customer was refused service solely upon the color of his or her skin by a white attendant. That is blatant racism, by definition, and must be addressed. How it is addressed is an interesting topic, as well. Oftentimes, some greedy lawyer will take up the charge of racism, and his only demand is thirty percent of the take. When a person litigates, the litigation takes on a life of its own and is suddenly thrust into the public eye. Once media outlets pick up the story, the lawsuit becomes a political hotbed.


If the person suing the company wins, he or she may receive a financial windfall if the company is large and financially solvent. Small businesses will likely shutter their doors and people will lose jobs. The small amount of money given the person will be split with the attorney. What justice was served when this happens? It's arguable at best, but if it was someone working a cash register, why punish the shop owner if the shop owner was not at fault? See, things like this can be addressed prior to litigation. The victim, in this case, could have requested a manager or owner to address his or her concerns. If the person responsible for perpetuating the racist act has his or her employment terminated, that should be the end of it. Sadly, that isn't always the case, and an individual feels as though they must take legal action.


Another way to target business without involving an attorney is to take to social media. This, in my opinion, is one of the most effective ways of righting the ship. A business owner does not want negative publicity, and will likely act quickly to resolve the issue. I would caution anyone considering this to first address the problem as I outlined in the lawsuit scenario. No one likes to see businesses shutter doors when the owner is unjustly accused of something as serious as racism.


Now then, I want to address something I wrote earlier. If you or I interact with any person and a given frequency, we are likely to have something said to us that we do not like. Or perhaps, an outcome will be undesirable, even when we expected something totally different to happen. Just because you do not get your way, does not mean you are the victim of racism!

Let me say that again, just because you do not get your way, does not mean you are the victim of racism.


Your feelings are not anyone's concern, most especially in a place of business. When you go to a gas station to fuel your car, you expect a certain amount of gasoline for a price that is determined by someone else. You either accept their price point, or you shop somewhere else. See, you aren't being discriminated against, nor have you been victimized. If you go to that same station and the pump doesn't work, you aren't a victim of racism, you are likely a victim of technology, or a failure thereof. If you see a person with a different skin color using the pump just before you, and it is working fine then fails when you pull up, go ask the attendant what happened. Do not assume they shut it off because of your skin color. Make certain of an action before you scream racism, folks--otherwise, you take away the meaning of the word for an individual who has truly been victimized because of the color of his or her skin.


Believe me when I say, I understand the difficult nature of this topic. For those who want to say, "You aren't black, Hispanic, Asian (insert any race here), so you wouldn't understand," you are correct. But, let me make something clear to you: I'm a pretty smart feller and I understand actions. I get that a certain action must be put in motion before a charge of racism can or should be made. I don't need to be a different color to understand that my service to one group of people and denial of the same service to a different group of people is discriminatory. This is not rocket science, and I do not have to be a rocket scientist to understand this basic fact.


So, please, for the love of God--if you own or run a business, treat everyone the same. Also, if you do not get your way in a certain circumstance, think before you cry "racism." You hurt people I love who are truly victims when you make false claims. If we can all do this, we can live much happier lives.

Peace, love, harmony, and blessings to you ALL.