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Nothing on this page
or content, may be used without specific written permission.
© Copyright 2010, Joel A. Freeman, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
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R S V P
An Open Invitation to
Participate in Dr. Freeman's Latest Book Project
(with a rather fluid time
deadline)
"Travel is fatal
to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness and many
of our people need it sorely on those accounts. Broad,
wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot
be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the
earth all one's lifetime."
-- Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain
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In 1869 Mark Twain wrote Innocents
Abroad, a
book about his travels around the Mediterranean region
of the world. Kind of a travelogue. In this book
he made the above telling statement. Twain was not some kind of an overzealous
travel agent trying to drum up business. This statement
was sponsored perhaps by the things he had to confront in his own
heart and mind and also by what he saw as he traveled.
Like Mark Twain, I have embarked on a
similar journey. Co-writing the book, Return To Glory:
The Powerful Stirring of the Black Man has motivated me
to study the cultures of others, opening my eyes to the many
layers of challenges involved in human relations, along with
the tremendous benefits of cultural diversity and mutual
respect.
Wherever I have traveled (50+ countries) -- Europe,
Scandinavia, Thailand, Australia, Canada, Egypt, Yugoslavia,
West Africa, United States, Hungary, Israel, Caribbean,
Iceland, Russia, Singapore, British Isles, Poland, Central
America, Korea and many other
places -- There have been regional evidences of prejudice,
bigotry and narrow-mindedness. After many discussions it has
become abundantly clear that every country, every people
group has its own horror stories, nightmares, hopes and
dreams. Sad to say, it is part of our human condition. |
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Curiosity impels me to keep on learning and
growing in the arenas of cross-cultural understanding and
mutual respect -- from a global perspective...hence the
project to which you are about to be introduced.
Quick introduction:
For 19 years I was the mentor/chaplain of the NBA Washington Wizards ('79-'98),
along with writing 6
books which are currently published in
28 translations.
Over the years I have done a lot of behind-the-scenes work
with people in the music/entertainment industries,
government agencies, corporations, the Federal Judiciary,
African Kings and Heads of State of other nations.
Consider this to be an invitation
extended to you anywhere in the world; regardless of
religion -- whether young or old, male or female,
Black, White, East Indian, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American
Indian...well, you get the picture. |
Even though we will be specific about the
details of each story, the main "Enemy" targeted in this
book doesn't have any particular skin color, gender or
geographical location. The Enemy to be unmasked/exposed in
this uplifting book is Prejudice, Bigotry, Racism and
Narrow-Mindedness -- wherever prevalent -- which is embodied
in a person who does have a particular skin color, gender
and geographical location.
Truth is the main friend of this book.
Truth-centric. I want the reader to feel the heartache
inflicted by prejudice. I also want the reader to feel hope.
I see myself merely as a storyteller through which very
private pain can be communicated, along with the wisdom
lessons that somehow emerge out of grief. That is the
purpose of this book, The Moment.
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My interest in The Moment book
project was enhanced during my research for the book, Return
To Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Man,
which was co-written with Don Griffin, endorsed by
Bill Cosby, Julius Erving, Ben Carson, Tony Campolo,
Tony Evans, Joe Frazier and many others. Soon to be a
45-minute film. I am White and co-author, Don Griffin,
is African American. |
For the RTG book I was talking with African
American men about the subject of prejudice and the grieving
process. During these interviews I was becoming more and
more interested in the idea of people sharing their earliest
memories of prejudice and how they were affected by it --
mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally and
spiritually.
THE QUESTION
I USED DURING THE
INTERVIEWS FOR THE RTG
BOOK
"Do you remember The Moment, when you
realized that because of
the color of your skin that the rules were somehow different for
you?"
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It was this question that unlocked the door for people to
share some deep experiences. I am asking you to answer a
question like that or having to do with other aspects
[nationality? gender? class? language? religion? physical
characteristics?]. But also please consider going deeper, by
answering some additional questions. I am putting together a
manuscript for publication and am very interested in your
expanded perspective.
How did you feel at The Moment?
Plus, how have you dealt with The Moment since it
occurred? What wisdom lessons do want to pass on to the next
generation? I am looking for storytellers. I am also asking
you to draw a picture (No, I'm not an artist either) in 3-5
minutes that best depicts the scene during your experience
of The Moment. This picture may represent your memory
either symbolically or literally. Call me if you need more
clarification. Cell: 410-991-9718.
Are
You Open to Participating in this New Book Project?
... a journey from nightmares to
dreams ...
Please submit
your stories in a timely manner. |
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This new book will be filled with
real/honest experiences, with a hopeful theme. The purpose
of this book is twofold:
A). To educate/sensitize readers regarding the realities
experienced by minorities.
B). Offer a mental, emotional and spiritual roadmap for any
reader who is experiencing prejudice.
(You may even want to function as a
storyteller sharing the story of a friend who is considered
a minority in your country...and what happened to make you
first realize the rules for your friend are different. What
has this understanding opened in your own heart and mind?)
Copy the following points and paste them
into the main body of an email
or as a Word Document. Focus your experience (s) upon the
following items:
1. "This is my recollection of the first
defining moment when, because
of my __________ [color of skin?, nationality? gender?
class? language? religion? physical characteristics?], I
realized that the rules were somehow different for
me..." --Please cover the who, what, when, how, where and why
aspects as you remember them. (If you can't remember a
specific moment, answer this the best you can. I am looking
for the story of your earliest moment) -- something
like..."It was a hot August day and I was in 1st
Grade, on my way home from the store..." To be able
to effectively communicate your story I need to know details
about "the moment", like weather
conditions, what was said or not said, who you were with, what you were wearing, the
location, your immediate feelings, body language, how you responded, etc..
2. This is specifically what happened to me or to a friend
(or how you became sensitized to to this issue through someone
else's experience. For example -- Do you remember The
Moment when you realized that you have "Privilege"
(because of skin color, class, gender, etc.)?
When and how when did you vicariously experience that or
come to that realization?)
3. Immediately and then over the years, this is how I was
affected mentally, emotionally, physically, relationally,
spiritually --
4. "As I look back on my life in relation to all of this, the
life wisdom lessons I have learned are..." -- (In
other words, what wisdom lessons do you want to pas along to
the next generation?)
5. Explain what you currently see on the job, in your
neighborhood and at church with regard to prejudice
6. "This is what I would like to say to young people who will
be facing the same types of things I confronted."
7. "I am (hopeful) (not hopeful) about race
relations/diversity in my country, because..." (I'm not
looking for positive or negative -- just your perspective.
And I am open to you sharing your beliefs about how God
views all of this) --
8. If you live in a country that profited
from the labors of your ancestors in slavery, do you feel
that your country owes you anything? Why or why not?
9. I need some specific information from you, like gender,
race, age, part of the world you were raised in and where
you reside now. And if you are in another part of the world,
it sure would be great if you can share your perspective
about human relations in that part of the world and the
perspectives folks around you have about America.
10. I am also asking you to draw a picture
(No, I'm not an artist either) in 3-5 minutes that best
depicts the scene during your experience of The Moment.
This picture (drawn on plain white paper with a black ink
pen) may represent your memory either symbolically or
literally. Please do not spend more than 5 minutes on the
drawing. With honesty, try to put yourself back in the
moment of the situation you are trying to capture on paper. I prefer that you scan the picture
on at least 300 dpi resolution. I prefer to keep everything
digital. and
email it along with your story.
10. Here are the next steps:
a. After you have responded to this invitation, I will
probably want to talk with you by phone if I have selected
your story. If you are from another country, I will probably
continue to dialogue by email.
b. I will then send you the final edit for your input. I
will be using literary license as I attempt to make your
experiences more accessible to the reader. Most everyone
will be known by first name and last initial, unless you
want your full name to be known (e.g. Brian K. or Susan G.).
You can make up an alias if you want. I will also want to
have a brief bio to introduce your piece (e.g. Susan K. --
34 year-old woman, Sr. Vice President of Sales of a pharmaceutical
company, living in
Manhattan...)
c. I am also positive that my publisher will want you to sign a
release, allowing me to use your story in this book.
d. This process will take almost a year before it is
published, so please be patient...
e. If you have any friends from similar or different
nationalities who might like to participate, please refer
them to this page.
Thank you for your potential part in this
project. I am pleased to mention that a percentage of the
royalties from the sales of The Moment will be going
to The Freeman Institute
Foundation.
If your story is chosen, you
will receive a complimentary signed copy of the book as a
token expression of my appreciation for your
participation, along with a few extra signed copies to give
away...Please send in your contribution as soon as possible.
The sooner the better. Initially you may send an email
indicating your level of interest and when you believe you
will have your story in written form.
100,000 Blessings,
Joel
Joel A. Freeman, Ph.D.
Cell;
410-991-9718
The Freeman Institute Foundation
The
Freeman Institute Black History Collection
Send your friends to www.themomentbook.com
(this page).
Dr.
Freeman's Biosketch
Dr.
Freeman's DVDs and Books
The Freeman Institute -- "Dealing With People Who
Drive You Crazy!"®
Diversity:
The Value of Mutual Respect -- Popular seminar program
A
White Man's Journey Into Black History -- Presentation
and video
Return
To Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Man -- 184
page book |
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Your Contribution to The Moment
E
M A I L
"Sometimes I feel
discriminated against, but it does not make
me angry. It merely astonishes
me. How can anyone deny
themselves the pleasure of my
company? It's beyond me."
- Zora Neale Hurston

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"Dealing
With People Who Drive You Crazy!"®
The
Freeman Institute™
Box 305, Gambrills, MD 21054
TEL 410-729-4011 CELL 410-991-9718 FAX
410-729-0353
EMAIL info@freemaninstitute.com
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