NOTE: Special thanks to Linda Lee Cadwell, Shannon Lee Keasler and Chris Storti of The Bruce Lee Foundation and its subsidiary, Concord Moon, for allowing me to use select quotations from Bruce Lee's seminal martial arts doctrine The Tao of Jeet Kune Do in this novel.
NOTICE: This site is copyright 2006, 2007, 2008 by Lance Berry. All text and images are the property of the author. Any request to reprint any portion of this site, including the sketches or paintings for the author's novels, must be submitted in writing and must have a reciprocative written response.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THE CHEROKEE NATIONS VOTE:
(this may seem somewhat long-winded, so please bear with me)
NOTE: As of this date: July 4th, 2008, the situation below has still not been decided.
On Sunday 3/3/07, an overwhelming majority of the Cherokee Nation voted to cast out all black and white adopted members of their tribe. In fact, anyone who was not an original Cherokee by blood descent. Many of the blacks were descendants of freedmen slaves adopted into the tribe decades ago, and had immersed themselves fully in Cherokee culture, faith and beliefs. While I intellectually understand the reasons for the Cherokee vote--to determine once and for all who should be able to call themselves actual citizens of their nation--my heart does not, especially considering the history of all the Native American nations, and the injustices done to them. In my opinion, they should have had more empathy for others that had been cast out like them; others who held an affinity and respect for their beliefs in their hearts.
Be aware: This was a special vote called by tribal leaders, with nothing else on the ballot. While the Cherokee do have an inherent right to determine who call themselves Cherokee--one would think that a people with such an intimate knowledge of their own history would recall that a similar motion in 2000 by the Seminole Nation was fully rejected by the United States government, which did not recognize the vote and cut off most federal programs--including the right to conduct gaming(a now-integral part of financial income for many tribes). Ultimately, the Seminole had no choice but to allow the freedmen slaves back into the tribe.
The reason in part why I am writing this, is because on the "Art & Culture" page of this website, you will read about a character named "Agehya", whom I decided to make a Cherokee, as I myself feel a sort of kinship with this tribe, based on the similar pains experienced by their people on the Trail of Tears--which I feel reflects in some ways the injustice done to Africans by being ripped from their homeland. I thought that making this character a Cherokee would help bring attention to the history of the people, which I'm certain many others don't know about. Upon hearing of the Nations' vote however, I debated whether or not to remove the character from my page in protest. Ultimately I chose to keep her, because A)her existence references a different point in history having nothing to do with the vote, B)I felt that the act of removing her might come off as petty to some degree. Also, enough people have already seen her that I myself consider her to be a part of canonical history in the timeline of "The Reign", and felt it would hurt the integrity of what has been established and finally C)I believe that like the Seminole vote, the Cherokee one will be overturned.
I also considered referencing the Cherokee Nations vote in Agehya's storyline, but see the first part of B above for the reason I didn't.
Is the Cherokee Nation vote racist? I feel it both is and isn't. It isn't because any race has the right to determine whether someone can actually call themselves a member of their tribe through blood(black, white, asian, native american or what-have-you...we are all "tribes" to some degree). However, it is racist in the fact that some of the whites and blacks cast out were intermarried with blood members of the tribe, and in fact there was no need to vote them out. What harm have these people done to the history of the Cherokee? Were any of them criminals that had committed atrocious acts against the group as a whole? Or were they simply lost folk, once adopted into a proud people and given something greater than their singular selves to believe in? And what adoptive parent casts out the child they once loved anyway? What sense does it make?
I firmly dislike bringing any sort of politics to a site such as this, which is meant to be simply viewed and enjoyed by others. However, I could not let the character "Agehya" remain on this site without any explana-tion as to my feelings on what I consider an unjust vote by the Cherokee Nation. I do still believe in the richness and beauty of their culture...but I also earnestly hope they come to their senses and realize the mistake they have made. Any culture is enriched by diversity--not harmed by it.
Praise for "The Reign: Destiny - The Life of Travis Rand":
"Love the cover{for "The Reign: Mara - A Passion Uncontest-ed"}. I can't wait to read the second book. I really enjoyed reading the first book. I was captivated and wanted to read on."
--L. Barrett, VA
"I liked the depth of the characters and felt they were relatable. And last but not least, this novel would make a rockin' movie!"
--J. Pepper, VA
"WOW!"
--H.Smith, VA
Upon reading a special preview section of the next book, "The Reign: Tholin - Son of Augara"
ATTENTION: Due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, the next book in the series--The Reign - Tholin: Son of Augara--has been delayed. Look for it toward the end of 2008!
Updated: Arriving in December 2008!
