Contemplation
‘Part 3: “So You’re Going Where – What’s Up With You In This World?”
G.W.:
You’ve mentioned street gangs in Philly…what were some of their names?
G.V.B.:
Oh man, ‘The 3, 9-D’s,’ ‘The Valley,’ ‘The Tenderlines,’ ‘The Zulu,’ ’30-N (30th and Norris),’ and a bunch of little punk ass groups throughout the city.
The aforementioned gangs were the most prominent groups of young Black men who found sanctuary within those confines. Yeah, confines…it’s just like being in the service – your life is no longer your own. You belonged to the gang, body and soul. That’s just some of the things that occurred during the 5o’s thru the seventies here in Philly. The gang’s that you see on TV was nothing like what I’m talking about. In those days, if you had a beef you duked it out with your fists and maybe an occasional knife would break out. Guns were a rarity… One also had to be careful when visiting a girl in another neighborhood too. If you got caught in someone else’s turf, you generally got ‘moved-on.’
G.W.:
What was it like growing up in Philly?
G.V.B.:
It was pretty cool… I’ve experienced a pretty good childhood here in Philly. My childhood memories take me back to life in North Philly during the 50′s and 60′s. We’ve lived on 20th Street between Norris and Diamond, the 26th hundred block of Myrtlewood Street, The 2100 hundred block of Watkins, Stillman Street near 25th Street in South Philly, 5th and Berks on ‘Hewson Street, 4th Street between Cumberland and York, The East Falls (Schuylkill Falls) Housing Projects near Ridge and Midvale, West Philly in the 70′s at 49th and Locust, 19th and Lehigh on Garnet Street, back to South Philly then to Germantown where my wife and I Married and raised our children. My family moved to Philadelphia back in the 30′s into the 40′s when they settled in ‘Holmesburg.’ My son, ironically, settled and began raising his family without knowing, in that very same neighborhood. My cousins and I spent a terrific time there on Welsh Road, running around Frankford Avenue and through Rhawn Street, as well.
The Fairmount Park was vital to the many Philadelphia neighborhoods. Lehigh Avenue held the ‘Connie Mack Baseball Stadium, The Aquarium was at the end of Broad Street at the Navy Yard. The park held may swimming pools within as well as throughout the neighborhoods in the city. We had the ‘Willow Grove Amusement Park’ that was good for family outings on weekends and holidays. It was good in Philly during the summer when I was a kid.
My Grandmother took us to many places, especially during the church bus touring season. My Mother took my brothers and me to a lot of Philly places as well. The Philly neighborhoods had a plethora of movie houses too. You didn’t always have to travel outside the neighborhood unless you wanted…in order to take in a movie. Philly downtown was just as it implied…”Downtown!” Market Street was Market Street in those days. There were merchants galore, moviehouses, penny-arcades, pizza parlors, pretzel vendors, and water ice salesmen. Damn, it was fun. I used to work in Center City at John Wanamaker’s in the early 70′s. Me and the guys would work all day and leave for home, shower and change – and back to Center City for some evening fun and festivities. To look at it now, sort of makes me sad. It’s become a ghost town in spite of the many people that frequent and work at the tinsel town locations.
G.W.:
You’ve mentioned the name of your grandfather. What is your grandmothers’ name?
G.V.B.:
I would not have allowed you to leave without knowing the family matriarch’s name… Her name is Ms. Irene ‘Butler’ Boulware Bunch. She was 92 years of age at the time of her passing. My aunt Jessie ‘Lee’ Boulware Butler passed at the age of 94 or 96, I can’t recall which at the moment. Uncle ‘Kutch’ George Butler was somewhere around 60 or 65…he could have been younger than that. I’m not really sure. I do know that he was not a very old man when he passed. My granddad, Ernest ‘Buster’ Boulware was 63 when he left us. They were all from Winnsboro, S.C.
G.W.:
What is the political atmosphere like in your neck of the woods?
G.V.B.:
Racially charged and motivated. The racial divide is alive and well in Philly. Even though the city council is predominantly Black, with a two-term insignificant Black Mayor; their remains a racial divisiveness. The many pockets of ‘Fairmount,’ ‘The Northeast,’ ‘Upper West Philly and college campus areas,’ Center City,’ ‘South Philly and the Suburban areas have always and remain to be racially and politically divided – not to mention culture division as well, is alive and well. The television and news media would have you believe otherwise. This statement is not to belittle the efforts of those people who are color-blind and respectful of culture differences, for there are many within the 99% of Philly’s populace that are simply beautiful people caught up in the horrible turmoil of hatred around and throughout our town. Brotherly Love…where? All who indulge in hatred and disrespect are guilty…the Black, Brown, Yellow, Red, and White.
Have you seen the movie ‘Django?’ What about ‘Lincoln?’ ‘Drum’ and ‘Shaka Zulu’ are other films about early Blacks that I’d recommend. If you haven’t you should. The two movies aren’t great epics but they ring true on many of the targeted facts about slavery and white folks. “What would we do without our nigger chattel? Why, the country would go bankrupt!”
G.W.:
I understand that you and your family were adamant ‘Obama’ supporters?
Oh hell yeah… This man was the only candidate (besides Hilary) who could possibly bring some form of meaningful change to this country. I mean not because he is perceived as Black, but because as a person of color combined with a decent education; a law degree and a business degree, as well as being highly intelligent could bring significant change to this American government. Ya know, someone once said, It would take a multi-cultured, multi-colored, wisdom anointed, and firm but soft-spoken leader to govern this country in a proper, fair, and respectful way for its people – a Bi-Racial Child. The sooth-sayer also espoused the difficulty in the future to define the differences in the races as well. Wouldn’t that be interesting…racial harmony?
G.W.:
What do you mean by significant change and the fact that he is a person of color?
G.V.B.:
You know, when Brother Obama first ran for the office, many Black folk didn’t believe that he had any kind of a chance. That attitude really pissed me off. They argued with me (the folk that I knew) to no end that “No way in hell will any men who looks like a Black man will ever be president or come close to such. Remember what happened to ‘Jessie?’” Many Blacks voted for him because he looked Black – it didn’t necessarily alter the fact that he is half Black as opposed to being half White. There seemed to be more votes for him than against him. I did get the chance to give the look of ‘I told you so’ to the ‘naysayers’ after the election. I would like to think that people voted for him because he was the best qualified, the best intelligence amongst the perceived intelligence of the other candidates. I’m not taking anything away from Hilary, she’s a seasoned expert and highly intelligent as well as qualified; if it hadn’t been for Obama, she would have gotten my vote. The other thing that pissed me off was how many of our so-called folks of color jumped on the band-wagon when we won the election. I say we because Our President Represents Us, Thinks and cares about Us, and without question looks like Us. He also represents poor people of all colors at home and abroad. That alone is significant change. The “We The People” actually begins to look like what it’s supposed to represent – not the 1% who currently run the country and boast about “The new world order.” You know as well as I, all those old white guys in the higher echelon (and the ones beneath) as well as the ones who are dead, are turning over in they’re graves in complete and utter disgust. Those individuals were pulling out their hair and poking out their eyes in disbelief – “Oh my God…what is the world coming to? The Black savages are running the country – is it time to pack our bags…and don’t forget the money. Make sure we take what’s left; we have to make sure that none of the poor people get any. After all, they haven’t done anything to warrant the sharing in any of our hard-earned money.” The other hidden money is of course, in the Cayman’s and other off-shore accounts. Outsourcing American jobs really paid off big – didn’t it?
Once we get positively beyond the senate, congressional, and state houses, the elderly might have a chance at living out the rest of their lives in some sort of financial security – as supported by the Obama administration.
G.W.:
What is the job market like in Philly?
G.V.B.:
It sucks…just like any other part of the country. You wanna work at Micky D’s or Pizza Hut? Many of those jobs are nearly right up the alley of the populace society calls “ignorant and without up-bringing.” That fact is supported every time you walk into one of those fast-food eateries and are met with clerks who are not courteous. The cash registers are equipped with pictures of the product and pricing while the ill-mannered service provider continues to get your order wrong – and is willing to argue with you to the point of violence. Are you sure you’d want to spend your dollars there – in support of and with those types of people? The transportation industry isn’t what it used to be either. Take a look at the national and local news reports of so-called professional drivers who constantly run off the road while killing people who decide to take a leisurely ride on a sight-seeing tour or other passenger bus. Tractor trailer drivers who are falling asleep behind the wheel, not seasoned enough, or familiar with what it is they are responsible for when handling a ‘big-rig!’ Nothing is what it used to be…I remember when I was in the industry it was a job that you took pride in and walked around with your chest stuck out because being apart of it produced respect.
G.W.:
Do you watch a lot of television? What are some of the programs that you enjoy?
G.V.B.:
I mostly watch recorded stuff that I’ve collected over the years as well as some new stuff when available. DVD’s are a part of the repertoire, Current television shows really suck. We’ve abandoned our cable service. The commercials were presented more than the shows they were supposed to sponsor. Why should we have to pay good money for something that should be free to the viewing public, especially if since you’re forced to watch commercials? It was my intention in purchasing cable television in order to avoid the viewing of commercials. I am an avid fan of Sanford and Son, All in the Family, The Jefferson’s, Law and Order, That’s My Momma, WKRP in Cincinnati, The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock, Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, Barney Miller, Maude, and the like. TV isn’t what it used to be.
G.W.:
Tell us about the personal photos that you’ve used online. What’s up with the ‘Over-The-Calf-Moccasins? You have a photo of you in over-the-calf moccasins, why are you wearing those? Are they comfortable?
G.V.B.:
Ok… The left ear was anointed with the sterling silver ‘shield and feathers.’ The dangling free-flowing feathers represented the native spirit of the land.
The attaching protection of the turquoise and red stone shield was worn everyday. The Black Eagle around the neck represented the culture and free-spirit of native African and Indian people. The black matching shorts and shirt compliment the over-the-calf-moccasins. I’ve worn and love the regular shoe type moccasins and wanted to always get the over-the-calf or high boot style of moccasin. I wear them to express my respect for the native culture as well as my desire to wear them. Everyone obviously knows that they were made popular by the indigenous people and/or tribes of these United States. And yes, they are very comfortable. One could almost say that it’s nearly like walking in your bare feet. I especially like them when I’m out in the streams fishing. I don’t have to worry about getting my feet wet. They take on an extra added experience when it comes to “wading in the water.”
G.W.:
You’ve placed a certain emphasis on religion in your written work, what’s your religious faith?
G.V.B.:
None! I have no faith in religion and especially no faith in man or his man-made religion. I am a believer. Someone asked the NFL great, Reggie White about his faith after he studied Hebrew in search of the truth. He found that many lies have been told by man in the name of God. He replied to the questioner, “I have faith in God – I am a believer.” You don’t necessarily have to be Jewish in order to be Hebrew, especially if you are a person of color. There is no God but God. Man has hatred for other men when they plot to have him killed in order to take over their possessions and/or loved ones. When Man has a tendency to kill other men, while they wish to be in control of him… When he does not wish to do something for himself, he makes slaves and servants of others to do his bidding. Then he places himself on a high pedestal and calls on others to bow down before him and recognize him as God…if you don’t, you’ll be killed or your life…and that of your family, will be in bondage – “The Maafa” continues to expose itself to those who attempt to cover it up. SANKOFA!
G.W.:
You’ve got a new book coming out — can you give us a sneak peek into what it’s about?
G.V.B.:
Sure, I’d be more than happy to oblige.
It’s based in Philly. Outside folks my not be aware of the inconvenience of out of town regatta’s. People have bitched and complained about the detours in and around Fairmount Park for years. Nothings been done to tame that behavior or pacify the North Philadelphia areas that are directly affected by the heavy traffic flow through the 33rd and Ridge Avenue corridors. The folks in neighboring Roxborough, Manayunk, Mount Airy, Chestnut Hill, and Germantown catch all kinds of hell gaining access to center city, the park, and beyond if they have to travel through the park or I-76. The question arose, what would happen if all that out of town festivities, traffic, and the surrounding people affected found themselves squeezed up in a cauldron of conflict and turmoil…came together in a time of crisis.
“The Fairmount Park Rapist became second fiddle to this latest horror in our city’s parkland…where no one is safe! No one is able to control, contain, or prevent the attacks of this killer that stalks the area…save one man who knows the inner workings of the mind of this murderer!”
“Anglers bitched and shook their fists as they rowed by, causing large ripples in the water where they dropped baited lines, anticipating the fish to bite. Joggers were sucking it up as well and breathing the fresh crisp air. The weekend mornings were usually busier than workouts during the week.
Children were out collecting leaves and exploring the parkland. Parents, coaches, and other responsible adults were busy directing the young ones in organized game playing and such. Three boys, about the age of twelve ran by the busy groups of chess players, hikers, picnickers, bird feeders, and newspaper readers. Saturday morning was one of the best mornings for exploring and cliff climbing in the Fairmounts.” “Gregory Thomas, Eddie Wright, Jean McIntosh, and the brains of the gang, Linda Ann Weston were finally arrested. They were charged with kidnapping and related offenses. The charges stem from the discovery of four mentally disabled adults in a dirty, urine-reeking sub-basement dungeon inside a ‘Tacony’ apartment building. The elaborate but simple scheme was established to steal the social security checks from the victims. With this twist and the DPW bennies from her drugged out kids, she and her cohorts were making a killing – living like kings.”
“A reporter allegedly took evidence from the crime scene, said a newswire report. She acquired a defense attorney to represent her while Wilbur H. Settimyer, Philadelphia’s District Attorney, called for a Grand Jury Investigation into the incident. The mayor and Harold R. Nicklestein, City Controller, made reference to the case when the question was posed by one of the attending reporters. They professionally dodged the question like it was the plague. They frowned and smiled when necessary while only answering with “We’re looking into it as we speak!” The report also unearthed the possible linking of the dungeon queen to the death of a woman who resided in Chester Gardens.
Weston’s son was an infant when his mom was arrested for imprisoning her sister’s boyfriend. She was reported to have locked him in a closet while starving him to death. The siblings were sent to live with a paternal grandmother. The young man stated an aunt abused him and his brothers, when they later went to live with her. The boy also said it was bad but worse when living with his mom.
“It was horrible – really horrible.” He fought back tears while pressing his fingers to his forehead and wiping his eyes.”
“The shells from the guns on the scene weren’t having an affect on the super sized animal. The sergeant ran to the assault vehicle and unloaded a grenade launching rifle.
He loaded the weapon, aimed, and shouted to the defending officers and soldiers, “Fire in the Hole!” He pulled the trigger firing the grenade directly at the beast. The pin popped off right after the trigger was pulled. The grenade exploded squarely in the chest of the raging marauder.”
G.W.:
Tell us a bit about your writing process: do you keep to a set routine? What work habits do you find effective?
G.V.B.:
No. I simply go along to get along…with my pen of course. On some days I just can’t stop writing, or reading for that matter, and I’ll write until I can’t write anymore…on other days I can’t even sign my name for the lack of enthusiasm to write anything. That has caused the separation of me and the scribe for many days in between.
G.W.:
What motivated you to self-publish your books?
G.V.B.:
…Self satisfaction and gratification without the condescending bullshit that accompanies the “Pat on the head.” Another motivation can be described as the ‘knit-picking’ analyzation through various so-called publishing houses and desiring sole-proprietorship over my work. Ya know, one online publisher offered me 35% of the profit margin before taxes and fees. Another wanted me to put up $200 to $600 for the initial startup of my book…one book! A sort of pre-publication in order to become published…after I was/am already published.
G.W.:
What is the most important, hard-won piece of advice you have to share with would-be self publishers?
G.V.B.:
Write, write, and keep writing. If it’s good to you, it’s good for you – and let no one tell you otherwise. It’s also the old saying, “A job well done is a job worth doing.” If there is a book in you, keep it in you until you’re ready to put pen to paper – stylus to interface – fingers to keystrokes and then, only then, get the show on the road. Get your book published as best you see fit…let no one tell you how you want your work published – YOU TELL THEM!
G.W.:
You’re exceedingly generous in sharing excerpts from your books. In fact, you even offer your book, yes?
G.V.B.:
Actually, I’ve given away several copies of the four books in question. I’ve not yet received written reviews or feedback. The word of mouth thing has been going around though. “Wow Greg… That’s a pretty good damn book, I liked it!” “I’ll tell you man, that ‘Demon’s Throat’ is something else.” Damn dude, I didn’t know you could write like that! That sure is one thick ass book…how long did it take you to write it – it’s gonna take me a long time to get through this!” The “Thick Book” is referencing “The Spirit of the Soul and The Death of Morals!” It’s only 484 pages back-to-back. My only ‘pet-peeve’ is the fact that not enough of my immediate family members have knowledge of the fact that these volumes are beneficial to all. They have a direct source…but do not take advantage of the wealth therein. The young ones of my direct line are not the avid readers that I would like them to be.
The older ones…I couldn’t get them to read a posted article let alone a book – my books! Acknowledgement comes and yes, provides a myriad of selfless support to my work by simply reading the stuff. Who are they, one might ask? They are the incessantly inordinate, laudable, and superlative lot who identify themselves as intelligent moguls of internet perusing and ‘Social Networking’ knowledge seekers. It is they who read the published and posted material that could very well provide a much needed supplement to everyday life here on Earth.
G.W.:
Why did you choose WordPress.com for your blog,
G.V.B.:
‘Wordpress’ was actually recommended to me by an online friend, Marta Fernandez. She said that she was having some difficulty with posting content to her wordpress site and warned to stay clear of it. I offered to take a look see at her dilemma. Once there, I could see no real difficulty in posting material to the site. There did exist some minor difficulties and annoyances in the interface, but all-in-all it was quite simple and it got better as I continued to tinker with it. Simply put, once there, I stayed. The site is a good fit for me and the articles that I sometimes compose and post for the world to see. I do like ‘WordPress.’
“That was a simple decision.”
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