ElleRachelle

Thanks for the recipe! I'm making them kater this week.

Congratulations, Cole! I am so happy for you!

I love reading whatever you write. You're such a good storyteller. I can't wait for your new work. I think I'll reread T&T and Field of Love. It's been a while since I've visited the boys. As always, keep up your good work.

I hope things get better for you. Sending you oodles of positivity.

I really enjoyed your story. It informed me on the plight of indigenous people in Australia. I'm glad that Kenny and Jeff got their HEA, but I wonder what is to become of Billy? Does he have a story in the works? The font you used was OK, but I think Arial is a little easier on the eyes, at least my eyes. I look forward to reading you in the future. Keep up the good work!

OMG! Call Me When You're Sober has been in my head since Tuesday...I guess great minds were thinking alike.

What an incredibly lovely and moving tale. When Glenn's physical and mental health have failed him, his love and trust with Adam remains. Love does endure and your story is a shining example of that. Well done!

Your bravery, sensitivity, and humanity are astounding! Not only are you able to see the humanity in Jeff, you have forgiven him. Very few people would come out of your circumstances being sensitive, optimistic, and vulnerable. The fact that you share your experiences with us is amazing. I feel very privileged that you choose to share your story with us. Keep up the good work! It always makes me feel like no situation is insurmountable.

I'm glad that you wanted to start an honest conversation about race. As an African American woman who was born in 1962, I think that there has been some change. I also feel that these changes are at times superficial. When I was 16, I took the PSAT and received an above average score. I began receiving mail from collleges and universities that was addressed "Dear Minority Student" or something to that effect. It mafe me feel like I was a statistic or an anomaly. I wondered why I couldn't be addressed by my name. Although I was living in the deep south, I was sheltered. I went to parochial school and at that time students were obedient and respectful of one another. I was in a predominantly White environment, but I was never conscious of my race. We truly loved our neighbors as ourselves. I had White friends who came to my house and I spent time in their homes. I never felt uncomfortable or different or inferior. Then I went off to college and faced overt racism for the first time. I had to take a make up exam that was oral. My instructor actually told me that I wzs the first Black student she had ever taught that could solve for x in their head. She was fascinated by the way I spoke. At first I thought it was my heavy southern accent, until she told me that I was extremely articulate for a Black girl. I always thought that I communicated well period. I realized that expectations were not the same for me because I was Black. That was a painful life lesson, but it just made me determined to continue to excel academically. Now that you have a little perspective of what institutional racism can look like, lets talk about the present. I was saddened but not surprised by the incidents that involve law enforcement that has been in the news lately. I think that it is a result of centuries of institutional racism that has become so ingrained in our psyche thst we accept stereotypes as truth. Black men are depicted as law breaking, drug dealing, irresponsible, misogynistic beings that should be feared. I think this steroetype has been perpetuated in hip hop culture. However this is the segment of Black male culture that is conveyed in the media. Seldom are law abiding, educated, articulate men of color who are fiscally responsible, respectful of women, and are good parents portrayed. We live in an age where there seems to be less meaningful interaction between people and we rely on media to inform us. I remember when people talked face to face and really took the time to know someone on an individual basis. Now it seems that people tend to believe what is portrayed in the media. Until people are willing to have open and honest conversation and realize that it will be painful, frustrating, and anger inducing...until we are willing to air our dirty laundry, until we stop revising history, race relations are going to be precarious at best. On an individual basis, I have been blessed to meet and communicate with and get to know people of different ethnicities. We all want the same things. We want financial stability, loving friends and family, good health, and the same opportunities that we were taught to expect to acheive the American dream. I think that not being on a level playing field, having sub par expectations, and being marginalized is the painful result of institutional racism. I also think that despite the state of racial relations in this country, the ramifications of racism can be overcome. I have overcame them. I refuse to be angry or defeated. I refuse to identify with stereotypes. Each and every day I strive to be a positive example for all people. I know that I've rambled, but I think that race relations in this country are at a critical crossroad. I also believe and pray that these issues can one day be resolved.

How brave and unselfish of you to share your experiences with us! I always enjoy your writing, especially your poems, and I've never been that enamored with poetry. Please continue to contribute to this site. Your positivity and sensitivity shine through all of your work and always make me feel hopeful.

That was absolutely adorable! It brought a big smile to my face...Scooby Snack

Thanks!

I looked for Jason under Pyro's content and it said no stoies found. Are you sure the story is still on the site? I was really looking forward to reading it.

Your review has me intrigued. I will begin to read Jason tonight.

Congratulations! Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more chapters of Broken.