Conversations with My Father

A person's face tells a story that can reveal sadness, happiness and pain. It can also bear a warm and inviting smile that says, "I am approachable and welcome anyone who would like to meet me with open arms." However, there can be awkward moments when there is a blank stare in someone's eyes and life seems more confusing than ever before. Overall, we learn a lot from life and realize later there is still a lot for us to learn.

Please join my father and me in Conversations with my Father Session Ten as we continue to learn more from life's valuable lessons.

1) Based on what you know about life from your personal experiences what would have been the most beneficial for you to know as a young person?

D. Lester Morgan: I regret that I was not educated more in the Industrial Skills and taught the benefits of working with ones hands and ownership of land. In today's society, it definitely would be a plus.

A.M. Morgan: You cannot adequately prepare for all the things that life will bring into your path. Education is a good foundation but if you don't know how to practically apply what you have learned it won't lead to financial security or long lasting success.

2) Malcolm X was considered a radical yet revolutionary thinker. After his trip to Mecca his perception of race in America changed significantly. Imagine that you are Malcolm X delivering a speech after that trip what would you say.

D. Lester Morgan: My trip to Mecca reinforced to me that Islam is a way of life and not a religion. I met with people from all walks of life, nationalities, and places of origin but we all had one thing in common, we were all Muslims. Contrary to America, there were no racial or personal differences.

A.M. Morgan: I have always been committed to the cause of oppressed people but before my trip to Mecca my perception of that struggle was isolated to the plight of African Americans only. My discriminatory eyes have been opened and recognize this cause is bigger than me, my culture and nationality. Overall, I am still committed to overcoming the struggle to survive by any means necessary.

3) What was your childhood nickname? Who gave it you?