"Make your life a story worth telling. You only get one shot at this existence, and one day when you’re gone the most important thing you’ll leave behind is the legacy of the life you lived. Make sure you make it is a story you’re proud to have others tell." Adam Braun
When I read “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” by Maya Angelou, it hit a very deep chord. I think that's some of the reason I wrote my book "Love in Action..." I needed to tell Cristina's and my story. I couldn't bear to keep holding it inside of me. Another story that I've really needed to tell, is about being in the Patriot Party, the Coalition with the Panther Party, and my friendships with Judy, Turco, and Paul. We were all war buddies at one of the most tumultuous times in this country and the world. To say it's a total honor and pleasure to culminate this series with Paul is nowhere near how grateful and proud I am. It's beyond anything I could have/would have imagined. But here it is! I learned alot about Paul... his view of our friendships when we were all in Baltimore, his background, experiences with the Panther Party, the community programs he initiated and worked on, and what he sees going forward in his life now as an elder. Paul just exudes kindness, courage, intelligence, and heart. He totally supported and encouraged me every step of the way to make this interview happen. Very grateful! So fasten your seatbelts!! enjoy, be inspired, educated, and of course, laugh and cry!
At the end of the interview I said that this was also to honor Judy and Turco. And that is absolutely true. But the reality is, it's also to honor all those who literally gave their lives and their freedom for something greater than themselvesI This series is a testament to the people and a movement that overcame incredible odds, facing constant repression, murder and incarceration. In the interview, Paul mentions Eddie Conway, who was Turco's cellmate in 1970 in Baltimore City Jail. Eddie was just released in 2014 after serving over 43 years in prison when a judge finally ruled the jury had been given improper instruction.
Tune in next week to Podcast 8:"Starting Over. Rebuilding, Restoring, Renewing. Surviving to Thriving. ACA and Meditation.
More great interviews and stories to come! No topic is off limits! So tune in and tap into your own indomitable spirit! Lets kick some ass together!
“No empire lasts forever, no dynasty continues unbroken. Some day, you and I will be mere legends. All that matters is whether we did what we could with the life that was given to us.”― Krishna Udayasankar, Three