Conversations with My Father

A person's face tells a story that can reveal sadness, happiness and pain. It can also bear a warm and inviting smile that says, "I am approachable and welcome anyone who would like to meet me with open arms." However, there can be awkward moments when there is a blank stare in someone's eyes and life seems more confusing than ever before. Overall, we learn a lot from life and realize later there is still a lot for us to learn.

Please join my father and me in Conversations with my Father Session Ten as we continue to learn more from life's valuable lessons.

1) Based on what you know about life from your personal experiences what would have been the most beneficial for you to know as a young person?

D. Lester Morgan: I regret that I was not educated more in the Industrial Skills and taught the benefits of working with ones hands and ownership of land. In today's society, it definitely would be a plus.

A.M. Morgan: You cannot adequately prepare for all the things that life will bring into your path. Education is a good foundation but if you don't know how to practically apply what you have learned it won't lead to financial security or long lasting success.

2) Malcolm X was considered a radical yet revolutionary thinker. After his trip to Mecca his perception of race in America changed significantly. Imagine that you are Malcolm X delivering a speech after that trip what would you say.

D. Lester Morgan: My trip to Mecca reinforced to me that Islam is a way of life and not a religion. I met with people from all walks of life, nationalities, and places of origin but we all had one thing in common, we were all Muslims. Contrary to America, there were no racial or personal differences.

A.M. Morgan: I have always been committed to the cause of oppressed people but before my trip to Mecca my perception of that struggle was isolated to the plight of African Americans only. My discriminatory eyes have been opened and recognize this cause is bigger than me, my culture and nationality. Overall, I am still committed to overcoming the struggle to survive by any means necessary.

3) What was your childhood nickname? Who gave it you?

D. Lester Morgan: Many nicknames were given to me. Ironically, the one that stuck was Joe Salvador. It was given to me by a classmate and I loved it because my father's name was Joseph Salvador Morgan. To me it was very fitting.

A.M. Morgan: I have many nicknames as well but the one that stands out the most is Sassafras. It was given to me by you and mom. I guess I am little feisty in a casual sense but I am really only trying to make people laugh with my antics. (Smiles)

4) Name something you do when you're alone that you wouldn't do in front of others.

D. Lester Morgan: I practice my oratory skills which includes a lot of hand gestures and voice inflections.

A.M. Morgan: I am not really into public displays of affection. Displaying physical affection towards someone is a private affair to me.

5) How do you get through the hard times?

D. Lester Morgan: I get through the hard times with a long run usually ten miles or more. It clears the mind and makes me do what is necessary.

A.M. Morgan: Honestly, I pray and sometimes break down and cry. Also, writing and journaling is very therapeutic for me. I use words to explore raw emotion whether it's my own or something I have observed in a person, place or situation.

6) 5 things that annoy you:

D. Lester Morgan: Loud and boisterous people, pretentious people, grandiose people, use of non-standard English and illiteracy.

A.M. Morgan: Extreme Dictators, the talking boxes on gas pumps, cheeky people, The Barney theme song and highly judgmental people.

7) If you could change one thing about America what would it be?

D. Lester Morgan: I would like to eradicate poverty in America. Inequality of wealth is destroying America and everything else is just a symptom.

A.M. Morgan: I would like to change the amount of wastefulness that lead to many of our current problems such as global warming, famine and the nation's deficit.

8) When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

D. Lester Morgan: Lord give me the strength to be what you created me to be and the knowledge to know the difference.

A.M. Morgan: I have to constantly look in the mirror and tell myself, "I will no longer fight me." The person in the mirror is all me flaws and all.

9) Any last words?

D. Lester Morgan: These profound words were given to me by a young man that I mentored his entire life and I am still a part of his life. He said, "Prayer is a greater spiritual awareness of ones self." Peace

A.M. Morgan: Even if you are silent about the true person you are or extremely vocal about it someone is always forming an opinion about who you are without asking for your input. So simply put don't overly concern yourself with what people think of you.

Thanks for stopping by and reading Conversations with my Father Session Ten. Your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated.