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;void(0)) On the morning of Labor Day some 15 years ago my father took his final breath on this earth. His passing on this day was significant in that he was a hard worker who was always very conscious and proud of his “working man” status. He came from a time when unions proliferated and hard work ensured rewards. Like so many others of his generation, he embodied an almost selfless work ethic, which was aimed at attaining the American Dream for his family. My father’s consciousness of his status in this society as a “working man” made him just as conscious of his responsibilities to his family and community. One worked to provide for family and to become a functional and proud member of one’s community. We grew up in a Brooklyn public housing project and the neighborhood was considered one of the more dangerous in the New York City area. However, he worked into the early morning hours, walking those streets, without fear. He often said that it made no sense for a man to be frightened in his own “home”. He saw the community as an extension of his household and he saw the people – the good, the bad, and the baddest of the bad – as part of his world. He did not believe that they would ever harm him and, although muggings and robberies were numerous there, he was never victimized. When we discussed the class system in America we touched on some of the characteristics of members of three stratum of class based upon economic factors. As we mentioned, the upper economic portion of our society tends to be the most class conscious and guarded as to protecting the exclusivity of their status. They all do not necessarily all reside in the same area nor do they necessarily speak the same language, but they are made aware of the fact – from a young age – that they belong to an exclusive group, and that what affects one affects the others. This sense of belonging contributes to another fact that we mentioned. That fact is that this class of individuals enjoys the best of mental and physiological health. Any helping professional knows that a good support system goes a long way toward healthy living. The average working man of my father’s generation did not read research studies on sociology or psychology. What they were conscious of was that somehow or other, whatever served the community’s evolution also best served the individual, and vice versa. They felt most comfortable chilling out after a hard day’s work with their circle of friends and extended family. Although they dreamed of someday achieving millions through their work they probably would not have known what to do outside of their familiar surroundings once they moved into that secluded “mansion”. With the emergence of computers, and various and sundry items of technological advance today’s sense of community has taken on so many different forms. It resists being pinned down by definition. However, in researching and preparing this article, the Aton Project was able to come up with about three definitions that are pretty inclusive: Community is a dynamic whole that emerges when a group of people: - participate in common practices; - make decisions together; - commit themselves for the long term to their own, and other members’ well-being. If you feel part of a community maybe you can come up with some others to add to this list. We will continue our exploration into the world of the community. We will look at the ramifications of community on our physiological and emotional well-being. Oh yeah, don't forget your autographed copy of “The Ackee Chronicles”. Tony VanSluytman - the Author Now let’s explore the solution to last month’s Ackee Quandaries. More of you had the answer than I had anticipated. Thank you for the overwhelming response.  QUESTION: Who murdered Peter Calloway, and how? ANSWER:If the poison was not administered by food, drink, or inhalation it must have been administered by touch, through the victim’s skin pores. The only thing that Calloway touched shortly before his demise that he hadn’t touched earlier, and that no one else had touched was the inside of the napkin served with his hor d’oeuvres. (Notice that Ms. Wayne was still holding a napkin.) Therefore this had been doctored with poison. The critical event was Calloway being bumped and spilling his champagne. Since he was not carrying a handkerchief he must have opened his napkin to wipe up the spill. Investigators found that Jackson was not in on the crime. Further investigation brought out the fact that Mr. Calloway, a gourmet cook in his own right had been in the process of writing his own cookbook.. Ms. Wayne’s publisher was thinking about setting up a major marketing campaign for his book while giving Ms. Wayne’s most recent book (like her last two) little to no attention. Ms. Wayne was convicted of murdering Mr. Calloway after feeling threatened by his book’s success. Newsletter Directory The Aton Project - Home Page Tony VanSluytman info Tony VanSluytman - the Author | Return Home | The BOOK DOCTOR | The BANYON NETWORK | The Banyon Buzz Newsletters | The Aton Project Newsletters | Contact Us | |
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