Is the Truth Divided Between Community & Law Enforcement? - Interview with Author & Officer Nakia Jones of "The Truth Divided"

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: How did you come up with the title “The Truth Divided” for your book?

A: The title reflects how I feel wearing both hats as a Law Enforcement Officer and being an African American, as well as being an African American mother of two sons.  The divide that is going on between the community and the law enforcement community is the same divide I feel inside of 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.