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When Professor Clarence Nero and his teaching colleagues walked into their classrooms for the first time after the tumultuous summer of 2016—a summer that in Baton Rouge had seen the murders of Alton Sterling and innocent police officers as well as a vast and historic flood—they had no idea what to expect from students. This wasn’t any ordinary semester at Baton Rouge Community College. Many enrolled students had lost their homes due to flooding; most were still reeling from the shootings and the subsequent protests and riots that rocked the capital city. There were students who had been traumatized in ways that defied simple explanations. Not only did Professor Nero understand that they were pain—he had lived with and through the same hellish nightmare that summer—he was determined to let them give expression to their experiences and reactions. Having seen this type of racial tension fuel students’ creativity in the film Freedom Writers, based on actual classroom experiences of Erin Gruwell, Professor Nero showed the movie to students in his English classes. The result was an instant connection: the diverse women and men he was teaching identified with the students in Ms. Gruwell’s class who had shared stories of frustration and pain growing up in racially hostile, violent communities in South Central Los Angeles. Before long, students in Professor Nero’s classes were sharing their own stories, too, writing narratives and engaging in intense conversations in the classroom around race in south Louisiana. The idea caught on like wildfire around the college; other professors similarly challenged their students, and the school’s Creative Writing Club members likewise joined in the effort. Students who had begun the semester in varying states of distress were writing powerful and unforgettable accounts of their shared experiences coming of age in the South. Thus, Voices from the Bayou was born: a collection of heartwarming and heartbreaking narratives told by college students who bravely put it all on the line during a time when our country is most divided, after a contentious presidential election. Their courageous stories of dealing with racism, the police, and the flood in Baton Rouge will leave an indelible impression, reminding readers that our young people are ever watching and their voices must be heard and studied for peace and humanity’s survival. BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit, has generously aided in the publication of this collection of student narratives. All proceeds from sales of this book will go towards the foundation; in turn, the foundation will help the students who participated in this project continue their education, will assist BRCC faculty with professional development, will facilitate student programming at the college and at literary events for high school students, and will provide scholarship funding for future BRCC students. "Voices from the Bayou presents complex self-portraits of confusion, courage, and wisdom as young people in a racist society become aware, each in their own ways, of the incomprehensibility, blunt brutality, and deep pain of racism and the depth of love required to change it in the only place they can - in themselves.” - Gary Zukav, author of The Seat of the Soul and The Dancing Wu Li Masters. "Creative writing that is designed around meaningful subjects can be amazingly therapeutic for the author as well as for the reader. Therefore, I enjoyed each and every submission of Voices From The Bayou as an open window into the minds, hearts and souls of not just the students at Baton Rouge Community College, but for all of us. How do we all feel about race relations, police brutality and human tragedy in our own communities and around the world? Read, listen, learn and then dare to write an article of your own on a subject that challenges you to be as courageous and as honest as each author included in Voices. This is an awesome and engaging read that cuts to naked the truths of all of us."-New York Times bestselling and NAACP Image Award winning Author and Journalist -- Omar Tyree "The writers in this volume declare their identities as Baton Rougeans—honest, peaceful, hopeful, authentic people who want more than anything to accept and be accepted by the Other. I am proud and honored to join these real, beautiful voices and I invite you to join me." - Sister Helen Prejean, Author of Dead Man Walking Book is now available on Amazon! http://amzn.to/2qNgLUk Visit www.voicesfromthebayou.com Follow The Movement on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/voicesfromthebayou/

IMO, racism comes in degrees and, in its benign form, is wide spread. I tend to believe all white people are racist but they are not rabid ones. Pleasant, civil, white people who think all blacks look alike are racists. Ones who think all blacks have rhythm or are good athletes are racist.. Ones who want to touch your hair are racist. Ones who tread lightly around blacks because they don't want to appear racist, are racist. These racist types mean no harm. They know racism is wrong and choose not to practice it if nothing is to be gained by doing so. And this could apply to mixed couples. A white woman who has a bi-racial daughter is racist when she looks upon her child's nappy hair as an anomaly she has to try and tame. I think Donald Trump was born a racist because he was a child of privilege and wealth, circumstances that go hand and hand with racism and he is well qualified to use racism as a tool. i even think, Bernie Sanders is racist. He is paternalistic and patronizing and thought he knew what was best for blacks. Hillary Clinton, too, but she is shrewd enough to keep her racism in check. Black people can't be racists but they can be prejudiced and when it comes to white folks, they harbor many prejudices about them.. Everybody is bigoted to some degree. But, as we all know, not everybody can empower their biases.

Yes, here we are in agreement. Those Fools are easy to spot. Most of the GOP use racism tools to achieve their goals. 45*s their leader and his racist bag tricks included but not limited to the birther movement (black president is illegitimate) , central park 5 (black thugs attack white pure woman), housing discrimination (blacks bring down the value of the neighborhood) - and it continued to grow until he founded his movement of hate. As you see, he outperformed the GOP religious right leaders in the primaries because he threw in blacks are despicable and ruining this country. He assured his voters,he would remove all that's not white from the land and make America great again... I wouldn't be surprised if his own presidential campaign resurfaced all those past dastardly deeds to his followers so they would believe he was truly one of them... We often forget not everything that hits the airwaves is for our consumption. We have a meme -dog whistle politics so we have to ask ourselves. Who is the intended target for the message. 45* has been trying to become president for a while - so this time he ran a campaign that appealed to the most deplorable beings in this country. The blacks who voted for him are the same blacks who wallow in self-hate. Having said all that, @Troy, No I won't say 45* has to act in a racist manner to execute his racist campaign of hate... Too many people play roles to achieve their goals. It would be naive of me to put anyone in a box. That's dangerous. "Every mark and every play of any con game is different. You have to memorize the elements of con." Any hustler knows you got to play people how they present - to decide they're one thing or another is to get played.

Time is just our way of experiencing the universe, that does not mean that is the nature of the universe, that is just how we are able to experience it. Time is relative; for electromagnetic radiation time, as we perceive it, does not exist. Pioneer what you are calling the future has already occurred in a manner of speaking. You are willing to accept, without proof, the existence of an omnipotent being, why are you so steadfast in rejecting the existence of extrasensory perceptions?

@Mel Hopkins I guess I should have written "positive role model." I'd image most of have models but are they ones worth replicating. Still even if they were would they hold today in a world that is so very different. For example, my Mother says her father treated his wife like she was one of the other children. This, however, was not unusual behavior for the time in the south. However, my mom would never allow a man to treat her in the same manner in the midst of the women's lib era, even by a man who was raised with the same model--it would never work. I've demonstrated far more skill at maintaining a marriage than Umar, but I would never go around telling people how to do it. Obviously, all of his training has not helped him very much. How could he possibly help someone else? @Pioneer1 , maybe you are right. I don't know enough about him. Although I did also see some indications that he was ripping people off with the money he was raising for some school (I did not read the articles, as I was looking for his marriage status). I suggest that you assess Dr. Umar with the same critical lens that you use to assess Del's psychic ability

Pioneer, I gave you a personal example of my ability to know what my mom was cooking for dinner, because I sensed it in a manner that was extrasensory. For me, that is sufficient proof, but it is obviously insufficient proof for you. It would be insufficient proof for a scientist too because I doubt I could reproduce the results under controlled conditions. They would simply say that it was a coincidence or my imagination--even if it happened many times; brains are complex things. I'm sure the experiences claimed by some people are bogus--especially the charlatans who go around ripping people off. The same goes for charismatic people capable of brainwashing people to believe in comets coming for them. Of course, these bad people make it harder to the rest of us to believe in extra sensory perception. Cynqiue, I experience synchronicity as well, but I usually chalk it up to my ability to see something more easily because I've been exposed to it. Have you ever meet someone new and then you start to see them everywhere? Maybe it is like being exposed to racism and seeing it everywhere, even in photos of Viola Davis I also believe as with any human characteristic some people are "better" at ESP than others.

I worked as a psychic. Clairesentient. I also read the unconscious and pattern recognition. Although I am not profiling people. I had a few clairvoyant experiences. And two olfactory experiences. Telepathy I am a better receiver than sender. I have had other psychics say that they can see energy around me when I read. And a couple told me my voice tone and ir cadence changes. Up until recently been couldn't feel the difference. However at times i will feel a stillness. Or like i am reaching fir strands. And once i grab hold it sharpens.

I absolutely would use my extrasensory perception for financial gain. From time to time I feel like I have extra sensory experiences. For example, when I was a kid, if I was in the lobby of my apartment building I knew what my mother was preparing for dinner --especially if it was something I liked. I could "smell" the meal. Years later I realized it was physically impossible for me to smell a meal that was being prepared in an apartment 3 stories away, but if happened so frequently it could not be chalked up to coincidence. I even experienced this in within the last few years. Now I can't do it on demand it just comes to me. I've also had the persistent thought that the Earth as we know it will not persist. Interestingly, it is not a negative feeling, more of a feeling of pending transition. It is not a situation that only I experience, like my own death, but one many people will experience or transition that many people will experience simultaneously. Again I'd know what it means or even if I could understand it, but it feels like something that will occur in my natural life time.

Question: What is your strongest psychic (ESP -Extrasensory perception) ability? Would you, Could you and/or Do you use it for economic gain? Note: Below are general definitions from Merriam-Webster - not necessarily accurate but provided for discussion. Feel free to expand. intuition - (M-W) a quick and ready insight telepathy - (M-W) communication from one mind to another by extrasensory means psychometry - (M-W) divination of facts concerning an object or its owner through contact with or proximity to the object clairaudience -, (M-W) the power or faculty of hearing something not present to the ear but regarded as having objective reality clairvoyance - (M-W) the power or faculty of discerning objects not present to the senses precognition - (M-W) clairvoyance relating to an event or state not yet experienced or retrocognition - (M-W) direct or extrasensory perception of past events ? My strongest psychic ability is Clairvoyance. I can read, feel, hear energy involving living things ... I've used it for financial gain as it relates to gaining the upper hand for securing employment position. For some reason, it hasn't worked in winning the lottery...although I wish it would. But I mostly use it to "read" people or help them.

Black College Bowie State Student And ROTC Cadet Was -Stabbed To .Death By A Neo Nazi .In Maryland..The -Trash,Murderer Had A Nazi Website,Online ,.. The ,Murderer -Has Been. Arrested. Black College Student And Cadet, Was To -.Graduate On Tuesday..The Idiot President,FBI,Talks About -ISIS. The Neo Nazi KKK,Is The Terrorist ,We Should Be -Concerned About..San francisco ,White,Police Likes To Call -Black People Niggers,,,Neo,Nazi,Are In Politics,Military ,Police. and At Colleges. They. Want A Race,War..The F B I Will -Not .Get,On The News And Talk .About White Police Being -.Neo,Nazi Klan. Members....

I completely agree with everything written in the two posts I thought I was gonna have to go to crawling Facebook to find people who agreed with me without reservation, who did not disrupt my tender sensibilities, validated my world view No, Trump is not a Hitler or Charlie Manson magnitude racist, but he would have probably enjoyed abusing and raping any slaves were he alive 150 years ago Sure we all lie somewhere on the bigot and prejudice spectrums. These characteristics in some small degree are necessary for survival. Too much however and your world is a less happy place.

Thanks for sharing information about this book. I have to admit, I was completely unaware of such a severe flooding and destruction in Lousiana less than a year ago. I dunno but this could not have gotten much national media attention. Trump must not have tweeted about it, that seems to be all that gets there attention... It looks like an important book. I know Clarence Nero can relate to these stories. I know what he has gone through with violence and floods. Glad to see him continuing to help young people.

@Pioneer1 , wrong question. I don't believe in "past, future" per se... I only know that "Now" exist... (and sometimes "Now" is even shaky) I may refer to the past -or even indicate that there's something I'd like to come to past but I use those references for conversational purposes. At this juncture, I can't conceive of a location for the past or future... I asked you because you said, you're convinced that only your God knows the future. Anyway, to answer your question - yes. I have met people who knew the future and prepared for it in their past ... My father was one such person. His foresight made sure his family would be taken care of economically and financially long after his untimely death. Also, we both know one person who saw the future - his name is @Troy,. He is in that long list of people who prepared in their past for something that today has met and or beat expectation. Oh and I have to include Larry Silverstein . I don't know him but I've read enough about him to know he had to see the future YES!!!

Troy yiu asked the question four times. The last two are the question you asked me in your head three times. You responded that you thought he did. Trump is a narcissist a misanthrope and greedy. He uses racism as a tool. What behaviour do you have in mind that Trump displays racism.

Wow Del you say I have a blind spot, but clearly, you are not understanding what I've written; which was clear. I've understood that you do not think Trump is racist. What I'm asking for the 3rd time is, do you think Trump, at least sometimes, behaves in a racist manner? While you do not think he is a racist, I'm trying to discern if you think any of his behavior could be confused with someone who is actually a racist. I find it interesting that you could so easily call me a sexist, but find it impossible to call Trump a racist. @Pioneer1, they simply believe; Institutionalized white male dominated racism is not part of the mix The photo is not unattractive The photo no less natural that of the other photos shown Any perception of undying racism is part our imaginations and can't possibly be real (not even a little) This whole thing is not open for debate, as they are objectively right and we are wrong We are simply less enlightened (at least on this issue) It is a religious argument man, and probably time to let it go... I'm not even sure if it is worth collecting the data on the photo. Perhaps a more fundamental question like; does the white racism adversely impact Black people today?

I agree with Mel. And i disagree that we always know when somebody is trying to "clown" us, or do all African Americans instinctively know the back story about situations. Sometimes things are very nuanced and subtle and not everybody perceives the intent of words or images Or if someone is a paranoid, super-sensitive person, they see things that aren't there or misinterpret what they do see because their personality type is one that is not good at being objective. Because we are individuals who come from different circumstances and have different traits and tendencies, our reactions will vary but even if we just observe, what we see can't help but make an impression on us, and be processed by both our conscious and subconscious minds. The ultimate result is a person who has coped well or bad with what he has encountered in his life's journey.

I would think that one would have to believe in time travel in order to consider that the future already exists and is known by a Supreme Being, or by someone who has psychic ability. What if 2 different people in the same circumstances turn out to have a different future - because of the choices they made, - something which figures into the multi-verse theory, I guess. Or what if the future only exists a moment after the present? People frequently accuse me of being negative and urge me to be positive. Positive thinking as a powerful force is a dynamic that rarely works for me, on a personal basis. It's like I am being presumptuous to beileve i can influence a desired result by thinking it will materialize. When i doubt, I get better results because i have put it into the hands of randomness which gives me a 50/50 chance of it happening. Positive thinking does seem to work for other people and my experience may have something to do with my aura or with a negativity i have aligned myself with because for, some reason, i have become afraid to hope. Others think there are no coincidences and that everything happens for a reason. I don't think life is that orderly. It's chaos from which we try to extract order. I do, however, have a peculiar affinity for syncronicity. i've said this before but it happens on a regular basis, that when I am keying a word or even a phrase, that very word or phrase will be spoken on TV. The TV is right next to my computer. The same thing happens when I am reading the newspaper or magazine, the phrase or word I am reading is being said on the TV at the same time. My recliner is right in front of the TV. Life is a great mystery because the answers are trapped in the questions.

I think conceptually. So even thingsi haven't experienced I can discuss. I may get it wrong but I can see other ways. It's an interesting dynamic Mel and Cynique see your point. Or at least can accept that it is valid for you even though they don't agree. It's as if your viewpoint stops you from considering that another viewpoint is valid. This is rhe difference between a masculine and feminine approach in my mind.

But it isn't. or you'd be a clean slate with no perspective. You only know something is offensive to you based on life experience. For example, when flying to Dubai, I wouldn't offer my left hand to any passenger unless I'd want to offend them. Or, you didn't know you were a human male as an infant or even a toddler . You began to have experiences, such as seeing similar beings that forced you to realize you weren't unique, you probably identified with those who looked like you, young or older and you began to imitate them. Then your experiences shaped your life as a boy and you grew into a man. Life experiences and instructions are how we develop our perspective, a point of view. You can be intuitive as in building on what you already know; but intuition is knowing without the benefit of experience, facts or (gasp) proof on a subject.

Mel I use numbers and words to read the subconscious. I feel that intuition thinking and imagination are the same. They are different due to their application rather than how they function. Which was partly why i asked people about metathinking. I decoded every number from 1 - 2099. Then I encoded from 0 - 360. So I have two Magickal languages. I am also creating Astrological charts from words. I'll send you a few if the delineation via mail. Let me know what you think or feel.

@Pioneer1, Yes, how do you know, God knows the future... you've mentioned that you've test humans and they've failed. Have you test God in this respect? THIS! - I do this as well but this is almost a mathematical ability - almost on the order of fictional movie PI - How do we separate ability from intuition? Or do you see them as one in the same?

There is nothing about him that you probably don't already know. You probably know more about him than I do Pioneer. After looking just now I do see the stuff about him and what you call an "exotic dancer" we used to just call them whores. But at any rate, he has children by different women he is not married to. While this is not unusual behavior today, most of the folks that do this stuff don't go around presenting themselves as someone who can help others. Again, Pioneer do you think he is the right person to be talking about maintaining healthy marriages? I know he is a dynamic and popular speaker, so I understand the appeal. But I think we should be a bit more discriminating when we start throwing around accolades like "greatest Black leader," to men based on charisma.

To me God is the Supreme Being. Meaning, the most powerful Being in existence and omniscient As far as only God KNOWING the future...... I actually was taught this AND I arrived at this conclusion....not intuitively...but simple because I have yet to meet anyone who has proven their ability to KNOW what was going to happen in the future. Many people can guess or predict or look at patterns...like I do....and estimate the end result, but as far as KNOWING and then PROVING what you know by a series of recorded declarations detailing everything that will occur as well as the time and having them take place exactly as you said...I've met no human being who was able to do this.

Pioneer do you think Dr Umar should be telling people how to run the lives given his behavior? Mel, my parent's marriage lasted from 1960 until 1977 when my father died. Even if their marriage was ideal, the world is so different today than it was back then their experiences would almost be irrelevant today. The culture is a problem is more ways than I can get into in right now, but pioneer touched a many of them. Do you remember the dance we used to call "the freak?" Nevermind, I would have to tell you things about ghetto culture and how men relate to women that I don't honestly feel like talking about it... Del grew up in Hunts Point he can probably relate a little bit about what I'm talking about. The model's many Black men are exposed to do NOTHING to facilitate a long term relationship with women. But this ghetto mentality has spilled over into the larger culture. Have you listened to rap music lyrics the generation after us was exposed to? Have you considered the consumer mentality, have you considered the transition from books to screens and the information these screen relate... I don't know Mel if you don't see (or perceive) how the culture we live in adversely impact long-term relationship before they get started I'm not sure what I can tell you... Surely you understand how hyper-incarceration, shitty schools, predatory lending, etc have disproportionately destroyed Black families right?

@Pioneer1 Interesting, why are you convinced? Is this something you were taught or is it something that you know intuitively? And what is God to you? (you may have answered this but I haven't heard it and would like to understand your answer better.

Perhaps Intuition is one of my greatest psychic strengths. I believe God has blessed me with a gift of strong insight and being able to discern and see patterns in human thought and behavior. Despite dreams, visions, and precognitions......all of which offer some validity. I'm still convinced that no one can really KNOW the future except God.

This entire story seems to go right down sexual lines with the women on one side, the men on the other....and Delano playing his usual role as female instigator, lol. I'm curious as to what @CDBurns has to say about the issue. Hadn't seen him in this neighborhood in a good while. 　 Troy Well first of all, I don't know about those stats about Blacks voting for Donald Trump. I don't know ONE Black man who told me he was voting for Trump.....not one. But this thread illustrates the macrocosm of the Black community and how so many fail to perceive racism unless it's blatant and vulgar. Unless they're being called a nigger or come to work and find a noose laying across their desk....everything is cool beans. What makes it even worse, when you try to point out racism to those who aren't as perceptive they'll often turn on you and fight you over being too sensative or looking for problems where none exist. Sometimes when you're dealing with people who aren't perceptive enough to recognize subtle racism (and I have to admit that this...in my opinion....IS very subtle), the best thing to do is wait until it IS systemic and happens so often that you now have a pattern you can point to and atleast use that as proof of your accusations. Like drugs. It took a lot of Black people nearly a decade to realize that drugs were being brought into the Black community on purpose and that our community was being TARGETED. They just didn't want to believe it and didn't see a connection.

True, but I think the biggest problem we have is the culture. The world was a very different place 50 years ago when Black marriages were far more likely to succeed. Today there are so many things that work against a successful marriage it is amazing anyone can make one last at all. Perhaps that is why a substantial majority of marriage don't make it. I think it is wrong to lay this problem down solely at the feet of the individual. There is no relationship role model because the culture changes so rapidly as soon a relationship model emerges it is obsolete. It was not that long ago when finding a mate online was impossible, then it was considered weird, now it is one of the top ways people find their mates. I prefer the old fashioned way because it is much easier to assess someone in person than it is online. I don't like algorithms used for this purpose I think humans are losing valuable skills by relying on some corporate algorithm to find a mate. Given the steady decline in the rates of marriage and increasing divorce rates, these algorithms are obviously not doing a very good job and may be making thing worse I don't have the answer. I actually don't think there is an answer in the context of our current culture. The writing has been on the wall for some time now: the days of monogamous, to-death-do-us-part days or marriage are over. The end of children being raised in a household with to opposite-sex biological parents is natural consequence Of course, there will never be a shortage of people who will profit off telling people how to achieve a successful marriage. What surprises me is that the individuals making the most money doing this, including Dr. Umar, have failed to demonstrate the ability in their own lives. I speak as someone who has been married to the same woman since 1990.

I think about this too. I often wonder if the earth is here because we believe it is...and if that could be true, what happens if we simultaneously stop believing it exist? clairolfacation / clairescence...I just looked it up. some folks can smell "sickness" too.

No it's impossible to see what's not in their perspective... see how hard it is for you to understand that? It's because you can't perceive it. You are not unwilling to recognize it - you just can't perceive it. As for Trump voters I want to know why 15% of black men voted for Trump. Further I want to know why 400,000 black men electorate - didn't vote period even though they could. Everything is in your own mind. Your thoughts and beliefs make up your reality. This is why it's important to free your mind from its beliefs and engage in productive thinking so you can "see"... Debates and discussions are important because no one can see and experience everything. Books are very handy for this reason. We can share experiences through our discussion and debates teach us empathy for what we can't see or have experienced.

@TroyWell, "natural" is sort of an ambiguous term. In the first picture, to me, Viola looks excited about something and that's a natural state. Her hair is not in its natural state, although its style is a traditional one that African American women have adopted over many years. There is no such thing as natural make-up; that's an oxymoron. So, technically, the words "make-up" and "natural" are antonyms. Red is not the natural color of any woman's lips and lipstick of that color can look garish on dark skinned black women as well as sallow skinned white ones. In the second picture, Viola's hair is natural but it has been trimmed and groomed to look neat instead of wild or wiry so it is not untouched. She is wearing lipstick, mascara, blush and eyebrow pencil, all of which are flattering to her complexion but she is, nonetheless, made-up, and not in her pristine natural state. As far as the color of her outfit, calling it an "earth-tone" is the vernacular of the fashion industry. Its color is dull brown and does nothing for her. My answer to your vague question is that Viola looks "better" in the second picture because she has been put together better. She comes out of so many bags, we have to ask "will the real Viola Davis please stand up" so we can decide how she appears when she considers herself in a natural mode. Are magazine covers an arena for racism or are they insensitive depictions of people by those who don't realize they are insulting to blacks or other minorities. If they are deliberately racist then people are free to speak out about this and even demand an apology. In regard to the cover of Lebron James, he's apparently insensitive, too, or such a dumb jock that he doesn't know he's being substituted for the giant gorilla King Kong! I guess for me,racism is such a given in this country that It becomes an afterthought. it is also a label that's too convenient to adopt in lieu of giving an in depth argument about a subject. Del makes some good points about racism in regard to this discussion