At the age of eight, I wrote and established my first newspaper in our dinky little neighborhood. Staff members-one person. Me.
Being without a typewriter, I wrote it by hand. Personal computers were a thing of the future. I didn’t tell my parents about it. I desired to spotlight the positive changes in my community and give what I used to call the other people a different light on how they perceived black people. It was a fact that when we made the news, that meant we had done something wrong and was going to jail.
To get writing materials, I went door to door selling the paper to my neighbors. I charged twenty-five cents a piece for each edition.
When my parents finally found out about it through a neighbor who was bragging to them about my inquisitiveness and my ideas, needless to say, they were furious, and I received a spanking that I haven’t forgotten until this day. But, on the other hand, my parents were concerned and worried about what would happen to me if I kept thinking about things that I wasn’t supposed to think about.
Let us fast forward to two thousand and twenty-one. The dream deferred at eight has awoken. It has taken some years. I’ve had to slow my pace when I didn’t want to and quicken the pace when I had found something I like and had no desire to move on. But, the dream was still there. It was deferred but incubating.
Today, I am happy to say I have the privilege to work with THE PIPELINE Magazine and with the woman who has made this magazine what it is today, Nonnie Jules. Beside her is her very talented Editor, Karen Black, and a lady we all admire whom we call Lady Harriet, Harriet Hodgson, with her own personal column. To work with these three has opened doors that fascinate me and extend my writing ability.
Harlem
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
I thank God that my deferred dream of writing for a magazine has exploded into something beautiful years later. THE PIPELINE is an RRBC Monthly Publication and can be read by all. The link for the June issue is posted below.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
https://therrbcpipeline.wordpress.com
* A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes was copied from Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46548/harlem
Congratulations, Pat. Who says dreams don’t come true. Sometimes, they just take a while to form. So happy for you.
A huge congratulations, Pat. It was meant to be. No question of that. You fulfilled your destiny. That is very exciting.
Thank you so much for this Pat. Brings me back to my little girl self writing poetry, while drawing from nature … then years later wanting to study literature and history… responded to with ‘ It’s not serious, you’ll never get a job’. Then fast forward to 2005 … ‘yes, you should write …. Don’t give up, you mustn’t quit something again …. only if I cry for help, then come running this minute’.
Oh well…… life is life …
Susan, your writing has great potential. Don’t give up. Right now you’re finding your niche. By niche, I mean what suits you. As with all writers and that includes me, you have to find a way to get past those critical voices that think they have the right to tell you what to write. Know for sure that your creative genius belongs to you.
Take care.
Shalom aleichem
Thanks Pat, so much for the encouragement. Happy Sunday. Hope to read you soon.
A dream never goes out of date, Pat! Congratulations on the opportunity to make that dream as a child come true. I know the magazine will benefit from your expertise! Thank you for sharing!
My Dear Jan, thank you. I hope that I will be a blessing to the magazine and also that I will learn much. I’m excited.
Shalom aleichem
Congrats! That is exciting.
Thank you, Patricia Josephine. I hope you are fine. Shalom aleichem
Hi Pat,
Congratulations! I’m so happy to see you writing for a magazine.
You were such a blessing and encouragement to me when I started writing and launched my blog ten years ago. Thank you! I’m still at it and God’s keeps opening more opportunities.
Blessings on this new venture and adventure!
My Dear Peggie,
It has been a long time. I’m so happy to hear that you are still at it and that God is opening doors that you never dreamed possible. But we both know that all things are possible with God. That is what makes Him, God.
I will find your blog and start visiting.
Take care.
Shalom aleichem
I’m so happy for you, Pat. You bring a depth to your writing that I cherish. There’s wisdom hard-earned and true compassion. Both take time, courage, and openness to cultivate. You are an impressive woman. 💗
Thank you, my dear Gwen. You see what I can’t see, and I thank you for sharing that with me. It lets me know that I am moving forward and that I am in the process of becoming real.
Shalom aleichem
Wow Pat. I love your story. I talked about your topic on a Rave Waves Aspire to Inspire show several years ago and it might have been the first time anyone ever brought up the subject of how Black people were portrayed in the daily newspapers across the country. Congratulations on your position in the Pipeline.
Thank you so much, Shirley. Because I was living in the midst of the happenings in the Deep South, I was not aware of other parts of the country. So many Black people left the south. Many, like my father, who stayed, didn’t go because they treasured keeping their families together and they were praying for a better day. And that better day came because they all stood behind Martin Luther King and pushed kids like me to step out and be the example for all.
Shalom aleichem
Great to discover more about you, Pat! Sharing… <3 xo
Thank you so much, Bette, and thanks for sharing.
Shalom aleichem
Very early it was evident that you simply had to express yourself in words. God-given talent gave you the “pipeline,” and persistence paved the way.
I see you have been awarded the Encouragement Award, which you so richly reserve. Thank you for this back story, Pat!
By the way, I used to teach Langston Hughes poem, a “must” in literature classes where I taught a diverse group of students. 🙂
Marian,
Langston Hughes and James Weldon Johnson were forbidden in the Deep South. In fact, we had to sing the Negro National Anthem in hiding. If we were caught that was an automatic penalty and some were sent to prison because of it. The first poem I learned by James Weldon Johnson was The Creation. I had an English teacher from up North that was married to an officer in the United States Army and she broadened my cultural world. I haven’t forgotten her.
Shalom aleichem
Amen, Marian. The writing has always been there. It has slumbered within me as I fought to forget it. I’m smiling because God has never given up on me.
Thank you for dropping by.
Shalom aleichem
Pat, what a treat to learn of your “back story.” It doesn’t surprise me that you started out spunky and remain so to this day! I’m so happy that you continue to write and take such joy in your calling. We all benefit from your dedication to your craft and also you great supportiveness for fellow authors.
Thank you, Maura Beth. Actually, it is I who benefit from all the people at RRBC, and I really mean that. I am laughing because I am still a spunky little kid within. Sometimes I have to remind myself that there is such a thing as sleep or eating.
Shalom aleichem
Love this post, Pat! I’ve opened my copy of this month’s Pipeline and can’t wait to read it. I’m happy the energies of the world guided you back to your dream. 🙂
My Dear Yvette,
Thank you. You cannot imagine the joy I receive from waking up every morning, knowing that I can write. Sometimes, I forget to sleep because I am writing. It is pure joy to be a writer.
Wishing you a very lovely day. I hope it is sunny where you are and you can enjoy the sunshine.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat