In September of 1965, at the age of 9, The narrative of my life was created. The best way to explain me was set before me by the CBS Television Network on Wednesday, September 15 Th , 1965 at 7;30 PM- Daylight Savings Time.
The show started with a date on the screen- October 16Th, 1997. The program was - Lost in Space. The Jupiter 2 was set to make a five and a half year journey at near light speed to a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri. A saboteur was paid well to program the expedition's robot to destroy the ship 8 hours after the launch. The saboteur, Dr. Zachary Smith, was trapped on board the vessel.
His weight threw awry the ship's guidance system sending the Jupiter Two into a meteor swarm. The Robot 's rampage added to the damage caused by the meteors. The astronauts barely survived the onslaught which sent the ship into hyper drive causing it to become hopelessly Lost in Space!
I was born and raised in The Southwest Bronx. Given my nature as a studious person, who wants to explore and have engaging and uplifting conversations, that was not at all to my advantage. I was also raised by physically , emotionally and verbally abusive parents. I was often the target of bullies and went to a school which applied corporeal public generously - I felt that I was sabotaged very early in my journey as well.. I was overwhelmed, didn't get and often miscomprehended what was going on behavior. The ways, behavior, moral, ethics of all of those around me often astounded me- they truly made little sense to me.
I attended Theodore Roosevelt High School- 500 East Fordham Road . The school was not far from The Rose Hill Campus of Fordham University. I refer to Roosevelt in the past tense- for the school was folded 6 years ago. It was long poor performing- academically underwhelming for year. The test scores of the school finally caused its end.
When I went there, I complained about how unsafe the school was to attend, it was a crime haven. I was told to " consider the conditions that led the students to see the world as they did". I argued that the school need to be a welcoming haven for all students and a place to not be preyed upon. I was told to " Deal with it or not come." So much for teachers who were dedicated to the futures of those they taught.
I found one safe zone as a teen- Believe it or not Yankee Stadium. It was the one predictable place that I could find some joy, peace and be comfortable with expressing myself. It was a safe planet to set out to to make repairs and gain a chance to learn how to be comfortable in my own skin.
One thing that these early adventures taught me- Why not watch out for children being strangled of their identity, purpose aqnd individuality while they are children. Why not base programs for our poorest citized based on their natures and individuality rather than fitting them into groups based on their own personality, desires and individuality!
I got my way of escape, in part, by going to a tiny college, Frostburg State in very rural Far Western Maryland. It was tough to adjust from living in a community of 7 Plus million people to a community below 8,000 people. I needed that. I need to blossom, to walk without looking behind me and to be with people who saw me as valuable and wanted me to better myself!
I'm back! This blog shall continue. It is an outlet,. an adventure and a new journey of exploration. This Lost in Space traveler- This person who thought of himself as THE FOURTH ROBINSON child- will keep looking to land upon MY Alpha Centauri!
- Johnny -
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