Aug 31, 2020
In this insightful episode, Dr. Deeh (Dorothy) Israel starts us off remembering that this day of our recording, August 28, happens to be the 57th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's giving his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln memorial during the March on Washington, attended by hundreds of thousands! On this day, 57 years ago, a sea of people of all colors and cultures came together in celebration of Human Rights. It was a completely nonviolent protest which Deeh remembers as "lovely ... and utterly peaceful." Serendipitously, this one here happens to be the 57th episode of ZLORD podcast, and -- by the time Deeh, Carter and I, the cohosts, have said all we've needed to say -- our taping was (unedited!) a remarkably coincidental 57 minutes! Do you think the Universe is trying to tell us something, in numbers, folks?
Twelve is considered a pretty significant number. Twelve months and zodiac signs. Twelve apostles. Twelve in a dozen. Maybe 12 is about transformation? If anyone knows, please let us know: zlordpodcast@gmail.com
Dr. Deeh then begins her reminiscence where she left off on Part 2 of her poignant oral history, right up to her World War II experiences in Harlem as young woman running home to the sound of practice air-raid sirens.
Carter fields questions to direct her attention Deeh's attention once in a while. I had the very important job of directing the hand-held mic, keeping the appropriate distance from each speaker, as the three of us sat together, not-quite, but almost, social distanced.
Deeh focuses on her professional life as a social, and then mental health worker in New York City's Harlem, then Brooklyn's Bed-Sty, and finally, after earning her PhD, as professor at Stony Brook University on Long Island. She was enlisted as the first Black faculty in the mental health department. This honored position Deeh held for 23 years, to which she drove herself, hours each day, from her long-time cherished home in Harlem.
Deeh shares about the importance of travel, especially for young Blacks, and how it's necessary to expand one's otherwise limited viewpoint. She's been all over the States, and she's seen a good bit of the world first hand. In this episode she shares about some amusing and some racially painful experiences in England. We'll hear more travel stories from the Caribbean and other spots she's visited for our next installment of Deeh's life story. What a honor, to know this lovely woman who has experienced the horror of discrimination but holds true to being the exemplification of Love itself. She's a true believer of Oneness, a devoted follower of the highest of ideals.
We plan on continuing to share personal experiences from other people on ZLORD, to help promote the diversification of everyone's becoming intimately familiar with other's viewpoints and culture that might not be so readily available, to commemorate this special time in history as we become more united, more One. We envision speaking with people from all walks of life, of all color and origins, ordinary folks just like you and me.
Also, I (teZa) plan on sharing my already published books, for those of you who are fans of audial books. The BOOK episodes will be easily identified (by TITLE) for any who'll want to binge-listen to one of my four books. For those who want to hear one now, "In the I" is available as an audible book on Amazon. These readings on ZLORD will take place in-between other episodes in which Carter and I, with or without a special guest, continue having our loving-kind conversations (even though we sometimes disagree).
Blessings to all! And Stay Well during this difficult time of the Covid pandemic raging through our world.
Love and LIght, teZa