A LIBRARY I CALL HOME

I had been watching a lot of television and dvd movies (woe is me bluray is on its way and the cost of this new technology will definitely not be covered by the money I will save on federal taxes being shaved off the cost of gasoline this summer--

But I am reading more now...here is a picture of three books I just finished... two by Tim O'Brien, a writer whose focus on the lives of people who grew up during the time of the Viet Nam has got me spellbound; and one by Dr. Price Cobbs, an African American psychiatrist, who, helped me to get a better handle on myself back in the seventies. I just got a copy of the book that helped me then, Black Rage, which Dr. Cobbs teamed with another black psychiatrist, Dr. William Grier, back in those breath taking, heart breaking days. I know that I am ready to get even deeper into Black Rage now than I could then....

Here's a picture of O'Brien's and Cobb's books


What are the reasons I want to go deeper:
1. I am learning how to accept my own dying
2. I have become more aware of my need to love and be loved
3. I am convinced that, like everyone else, the more I know, understand, and accept myself, the more I shall be able to know, understand, and accept the ups and downs off all living creatures.

And the library I call home is the Martin Luther King Library, located on the coner of 19th and Cedar in Tacoma, Washington. A small space, a gigantic treasure house of books and music and films... I just picked up the first volume of the three volume dvd set, Heart of Darkness, The Vietnam War Chronicles, 1945-1975.

Here's a picture of the bust of Dr. Martin Luther King that is displayed in the MLK Library


Let me end this article with two requests:
I encourage you to support the various libraries and museums that focus on the beauty and possiblities of our red/brown/yellow/white/black country.
And I invite you to share your thinking about a book, piece of music, or work of art that you have found helped you to come to know, understand, accept yourself or someone else.

I hope you find the reflection I included on the video taken outside of the MLK Library today helpful...