Free Promotion Live

The free promotion for "Trinity and the Sad Child" is now live. Trinity and her friends try to save the Christmas for one family who has lost a loved one to the war in Korea. This story is dedicated to all of the military families out there who have or will be celebrating their first Christmas without someone special who perished in their service.

The cover has some story related elements. In addition, there is a soldier and a police car. The soldier of course represents all of the people who have given their lives for their country on distant shores and far away places. The police car represents the lives lost by all those who serve in law enforcement. 

As I was revising this story and doing the cover, the city of Dallas suffered such a devastating loss of the lives of police officers. The result of one of the bad cops making the wrong choice in another town far away. We became more divided in this country because the actions of a few will blot out the reputation of all. 
 
I believe in good cops, and I also believe in good people. The goodness of people comes out in how we treat one another. The wickedness tends to come out when people are angry or afraid. Does a cop pull their gun too soon because of fear for their own lives? Are they angry because of the stories we hear of police officers minding their own business or going about their jobs to suddenly be attacked without provocation merely because they wear the badge?

Likewise, has the public become so fearful and angry towards those few who use their badge as a way of bullying those they think can't fight back? I can't say these things for sure, these are only the things I wonder about the way our society regards the sanctity of life. 

What I have to say next, I don't want it to be misconstrued that I am an ally or an opponent of any protest groups. I've heard it said that when people have addressed the "Black Lives Matter" movement, that many people respond with the phrase "all lives matter." It has been understood by me and the things that I have read that saying "all lives matter" is an offensive phrase because it is dismissive of the history of the plight of people who aren't white in this country. I can totally agree with that because to say that to someone whose ancestors have such a history of abuse and suffering is like mocking a battered spouse for not leaving their abuser sooner. 

Not precisely apples and oranges, but I hope the point is made. I'd like to make another point as well if I may. Black Lives Matters is an activist group, individuals may get carried away under their banner but I don't hold the group accountable because no one can predict the actions of a wildcard. However, back to my point about Black Lives Matter being an activist group. If all lives truly mattered, wouldn't that be an activist group too? I've found the Black Lives Matter website, but I still haven't found one for All Lives. 

I don't know how many people will read this. However, I want to issue a challenge to people who say that "All Lives Matter." If you're going to say that, then I insist that you prove it. I insist that once you tell someone that "all lives matter" that you begin to find ways from that point forward in giving your statement some meaning. Volunteer for service in a soup kitchen, donate some clothes to a local charity, pledge money to a worthy cause for the benefit of others. 

If you say all lives matter, then that should also apply to the black lives matter movement. You are saying that their lives matter too. You aren't competing against them, and I hope they aren't competing against society. Because, all should be working closer to contribute to a fair and just society for each other. "All for one, and one for all" as the Musketeers used to say right?

Am I an activist? Yes. What do I do? I write books. What do I believe in? Unity, the mutual respect of one another and our cooperation to build a better world for each other and future generations. To preserve the life, rights, dignity and honor for everyone. The strength of diversity as our ability to adapt as a species. Justice for all.