by    Lyn Lomasi; Co-owner of  Brand Shamans & Write W.A.V.E. Media

In our recent interview with Nakia Jones, we discussed the reasons behind writing her book “The Truth Divided” and gained some insights into the book’s title, the Black Lives Matter movement, and what the book can do for all who read it.

Q: What is discussed in your book and why did you feel it needed to be written?

A: In my book, I discuss why I became a law enforcement officer and the challenges of being a women in law enforcement and being an African American mother of two sons and dealing with the divide between the color of my skin and the uniform I wear. The difference is I can remove my uniform, but I can't remove the color of my skin. The book also talks about the first time I felt the divide between law enforcement and the police during the Rodney King beating.  It also touches on black on black crime as well as Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter, and the importance of them both to me .

Q: Would you call “The Truth Divided” a “tell-all” kind of book?

A: No, “The Truth Divided” is not a tell all book. There were many things I couldn't discuss.  The next book will definitely fill in a lot of the blanks.

Q: Were there any parts of this book that were difficult for you to write?

A: The entire book was difficult to write because it’s about such an emotional topic, a subject that has a mass effect on our country, even outside our country, today.

Q: What did you learn through the process of writing this book, about yourself and others?

A: I learned that writing and reading this book has begun to help me heal. It also has taught me that no matter what the color of your skin is in a lot of ways we are all saying the same thing. Lives matter and rights have no color.  I also believe that if we can just dispel some of our fears and biases we will all be capable of living in harmony. Because, at the end of the day, we are all one race, the human race. Our skin, hair and eye color may be different, and we may have come from different regions, but we are all human beings and one race is not superior to another.

Q: How do you feel “The Truth Divided” will help the Black Lives Matter movement?

A: I believe this book will help the Black Lives Matter Movement, because it allows others to see what and why we are fighting and why the movement is so important. It also will help people understand why a movement like this even exist and that it’s not to downplay or be against any other race. Black Lives Matter understands and has never disputed that ALL LIVES MATTER. It is just right now it seems to be fact that the only lives that seems not to be a part of ALL LIVES MATTER are BLACK LIVES.

Q: What do you hope that “The Truth Divided” will do for people?

A: I pray that this book first of all brings Unity and Understanding between Law Enforcement and the Minority Community, as well as it becomes a teaching tool to dispel the myths and biases that we learn when we are younger, which in turn will end racism. I also hope that it brings the Minority community together and also to let Mothers of African American sons know they have a voice.

By, Crystal S. Kauffman, Contributing Writer

If you look in a history book, you will never find the name Viola Liuzzo as a martyr for civil rights. However, in 1965, she became an unknown martyr in the hearts of many civil rights activists. She was shot by self-proclaimed KKK members in Selma, Mississippi, during a civil rights march on March 25, 1965. Now, there is a memorial on the spot that she died, yet no one mentions her name in the history books. According to Mr. Simkin, she was a 36 year old mother of five kids, who wanted to make a difference in the fight for civil rights.

She was married to a man named Anthony J. Liuzzo, who was very supportive of his wife's ambitions. Viola graduated from "Wayne State University" and was pursuing a career as a "medical lab technician" (Simkin) After she watched 'Bloody Sunday' unfold on television in Selma, Alabama. She empathized with the pain and torment of those who fought for the right to vote.

So she decided to stand up and become a civil rights activist, who helped out with driving people to the marches. They followed Martin Luther King and 25,000 others in a march from Selma to Montgomery. Once getting involved, she witnessed the brutality of other Americans in the south.

As a white woman, she could have decided that it was too dangerous to go, but she was also a trained nurse who felt she may be able help. Then, on the night of March 25, 1965, she was shot in the head twice by three KKK members from Birmingham. Viola was brutally killed, while driving some of the protesters home. However, according the FBI, a man named Leroy Moton was driving and became an eye witness to her murder. Before long, three men were arrested and charged with violating Viola Liuzzo civil rights. According to the FBI, an undercover agent named Carl Rowe was also riding with the KKK members that night.

These self-proclaimed KKK members were Collie Wilkins", "William Eaton", and "Eugene Thomas" (FBI, 2006). They were found guilty and sentenced to ten years in prison. Fortunately, the undercover FBI agent Carl Rowe was compelled "testified against them" (Simkin) in court. In an attempt to discredit Viola, some vicious rumors alleged that she had abandoned her children and husband for a black man's affection.

According to Simkin, these damaging rumors, were believed to have been started by the FBI. Sadly, she tried to stand up for the civil rights of others, but was ultimately was denied her own civil rights.. How come Americans are not taught about her courageous decision to stand up, which ultimately cost her own life? Why did the undercover FBI agent choose not to protect her and her companions? What made them spread this vicious rumor about a woman, who chose to stand up for others and their right to be a free American?

References:

Simkin, John (1997) Spartacus Educational: Viola Liuzzo

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on June 13, 2007

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAliuzzo.htm

Federal Bureau of Investigations (2006) Viola Liuzzo Murder

Retrieved on the World Wide Web on June 13, 2007

http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/liuzzo.htm