A Mile In My Shoes

Imagine an America where blacks are the oppressors, and whites endured the brutal ship passage to become slaves. "A Mile In My Shoes" stands exactly on this very premise. In short, it tells the same ol' song and dance of oppression which is not about one's color. It is about whoever is on top, wanting to maintain this position while someone else has to be the "nigga." Human nature is the operative factor; color is only an easy designator of difference. In this tale, whether one labels the religious rites circumcision, castration or mutilation, the truth is that the act is a horrific travesty, a mutilation of God's gift. Regarding race, we have come a long way, but we have yet to "be in each other's shoes." We cannot go back in time. The only way to achieve true empathy is through strong visualization which can allow us to "experience" the other's lessons of the soul. "A Mile In My Shoes" is written at gut level, but with high ideals. Tremaine, the main character, is a young white male who, having witnessed tragedies no child should, grows to manhood by twisting the twisted roots given to him in his own way. The whole country comes to know the gang he initiated at the age of fourteen. Since its inception "Nails" has been his life, but at thirty-six years old, can an old soldier "cross the tracks," join with a black woman, and start a new life? This is but one of the challenges facing "Trim," but no matter the number of problems, the love of God remains the one constant in his life; God declares that His investment of spirit shall not come back void. But can the movement of spirit release him from the bondage of circumstance that he might find true love to surpass all else; that love which begins with love of God and self?