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2013, Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Atlanta, Blue Hurt, Blue Lines, Blue Lines Blog, Chicago, children, Circus, Corey B Brooks, Corey Brooks, Deonta Howard, family, Father Pfleger, Illinois, Key Yemaya Walker, Let The Children Play, Loyola University Chicago, Lucky, Michael Louis Pfleger, Michael Pfleger, New Beginnings Church, Pastor Corey Brooks, Photography, Priest, Roman Catholic, Tay-Man, University of Saint Mary of the Lake., UniverSoul Circus, Violence, Washington Park, What I Learned Sundays
What I Learned Sunday…wow…Lucky
It has been well over a year since I had something to write about that I learned. Have I had learning lessons…yes, but there came a time to walk away from the monotony and detritus of what was going on at that time.
Enter 2013…Chicago…
Late one night, while on location for work in Chicago, several days of violence erupted and the results were murders retaliation and a 3 year old child being shot in the head. The events themselves were disappointing, and the threat of violence frightening to many. But, one sits in a situation wondering what they can do, especially after learning that the young child would survive the violence he as a child should not have had to face.
Our response, we as an organization were able to promote and support the Chicago area children with a campaign called, “Let the Children Play,” with a focus on just that. Giving children an outlet to simply be…children. During that process, I was lucky enough to meet the child and his family. I also got to speak with them about their concerns, gratitude, and the fear that was instilled in their children’s lives, and the Chicagoland children. The experience was heart wrenching to state the least.
My experience also allowed me to meet Pastor Corey Brooks, who with my feeling regarding preachers, was an unbelievably genuine man with the welfare of the people first on his mind. I also, accidentally met Pastor Father Pfleger, another person who impressed me in our meeting, and took part in our outreach.
I am thankful that we as UniverSoul Circus were able to offer this opportunity toward children, I am also fortunate that I was able to be a part of this work, though there us more that I can do.
I wish I could better make use of my words to explain this experience, however ultimately the experience itself is larger than any words that I could string together.
The manuscript Blue Lines is the fictional coming of age narrative of a young California woman Key Yemaya Walker, and her 2 year growing journey through school, love, and life period piece, written by Kenneth Suffern, Jr., taking place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between the years of 1997 – 1998. Loosely based on true events, and experiences during that time, told through the eyes and voice of the main female protagonist, a freshman first attending the school.
Blue Lines Blog 