Chapter 1

When I was little I saw this movie. A girl went to college and it looked fun. The movie was funny and I started going to college, Harmony University is this new college under the HBCU. To me, as an Afro baby, it didn't get built in 1964 so... why?

I walk about the list of clubs at Harmony or HBHU, we have an Anime club that is incomplete, next to it is a Soccer club, and next to that is Hip Hop Diversity. I look at the incomplete anime club poster, Anime Club Charter

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Anime Club, hereinafter referred to as the "Club."

Section 2: Purpose

The purpose of the Club shall be to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals who share an interest in Japanese animation (anime), manga, and related aspects of Japanese pop culture. The Club aims to facilitate discussion, appreciation, and exploration of various anime genres, series, and themes, as well as to foster friendships and connections among members who share a passion for anime.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

Membership in the Club shall be open to all students, faculty, and staff of [School/University Name] who have an interest in anime and agree to abide by the Club's constitution and bylaws.

Section 2: Rights of Members

All members shall have the right to participate in Club meetings, events, and activities, as well as to propose and vote on Club decisions.

Section 3: Responsibilities of Members

Members are expected to attend Club meetings regularly, respect the opinions and perspectives of others, contribute positively to Club activities.., and uphold the values of inclusivity and mutual respect.

We also serve tea and cookies on Tuesdays. We'll be holding a party for the first year in the Library with Liberian Kwame Johnson.

It sounds interesting, I turn my attention to the Hip Hop Poster. Section 1: Name

The name of this organization shall be Hip Hop Diversity, from now on referred to as the "Organization."

Section 2: Purpose

Hip Hop Diversity aims to celebrate, promote, and educate about the various cultures, histories, and artistic expressions found in hip-hop and related genres.Through events, workshops, performances, and community outreach, the Organization aims to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment that honors the roots of hip-hop while embracing its evolution and intersectionality.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

Membership in Hip Hop Diversity shall be open to all individuals who support the Organization's mission and values regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic.

I thought they just created music. I leave the wall alone and think about my classes. I have Human Rights and Social Justice, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Financial Literacy and Personal Finance, and the fourth Creative Writing Workshop.

-

"To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity," spoke Dr. Maya Patel. She continues with the lesson, "As the consequences of violating human rights are examined in greater detail, it becomes clear that these acts not only hurt the immediate victims but also undermine the foundation of our shared humanity. There are several instances throughout history where tyranny, misery, and even horrors have resulted from the denial of rights."

Miss Patel is a short woman. She wears a white suit and black pants. My major is Environmental Sustainability and Resource Management. I picked the wrong one.

What does this class have to do with grass?

"For this class, you need the Voices for Justice: Understanding Human Rights in a Global Society textbook. That's 400 dollars."

"400?" I'm astonished. "Yes, 400," she says. "Now, this is introduction and new students don't have the book yet so, you have a project."

I blink, I check my clock. It's just 9: 10.

"Every student will have the chance to present their research results and insights to their classmates during the presentation delivery phase," she says. She seems so stern. I raise my hand. "Excuse me, miss, what can we talk about?"

"Refugee Rights and Protection, Gender Equality, and Women's Rights," she counts on her fingers, "Racial Discrimination and Equity, Indigenous Rights and Cultural Preservation, and LGBTQ+ Rights and Advocacy."

"Can we use other books?"

"Yes, I prefer it." she says.

-

The first period is done. Now, I have to think of a subject. I have to look for a book about LGBTQ+. She recommended LGBTQ+ Rights and Advocacy, and I don't have the $400 for the book.

My next class is Entrepreneurship and Innovation. I don't know where the library is. My first class was upstairs. I went downstairs and saw one of the school's hall monitors. They get paid 25 dollars for 10 hours. If I worked as a hall monitor, let's see first class was an hour and 30 minutes. Multiplied by 25 that's... I was never good at math.

I should drop out.

I go up to the hall monitor. "Excuse me, where is the library?" I ask. I grip my school bag over my shoulder. "The library is in the second building. That's C, it's on the first floor next to the boy's bathroom. Inside, you should see, Miss Kwame Johnson. She handles the books, and the janitor's door is next to the library. Go past the brown door, and the first door you should see is on the far left of the room to the library."

I blink rapidly. "Thank you." I didn't hear anything. I got to the library, but I didn't get the book. I walked in and picked a book from the line. I opened this one titled Threads of History: An Anthology of World Literature. It's pretty tattered.

Introduction

In the vast tapestry of human existence, woven across continents and epochs, lies a rich tapestry of stories, poems, and narratives that illuminate the essence of the human experience. "Threads of History" seeks to unravel these threads, tracing the interconnectedness of cultures, civilizations, and individuals through the lens of literature.

In this anthology, readers will embark on a journey through time and space, exploring the diverse voices and perspectives that have shaped our world. From ancient epics to modern masterpieces, each selection offers a glimpse into the hopes, dreams, and struggles of humanity across the ages.

As we turn the pages of this anthology, we encounter the enduring themes that bind us together: love and loss, triumph and tragedy, resilience and redemption. From the ancient wisdom of Confucius to the revolutionary fervor of Frantz Fanon, from the lyrical verses of Rumi to the stark realism of Chinua Achebe, the voices within these pages speak to the universal truths that unite us as human beings.

Through literature, we bridge the gaps of time and space, forging connections with people and cultures far removed from our own. We discover the beauty of diversity and the power of empathy, as we walk in the shoes of characters whose lives unfold in distant lands and distant times.

But "Threads of History" is more than just a collection of literary works; it is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling to transcend barriers and inspire change. As we delve into the pages of this anthology, let us not only appreciate the beauty of the written word but also reflect on the lessons it imparts and the truths it reveals about the human condition.

In the words of the poet Maya Angelou, "We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike." May this anthology serve as a reminder of our shared humanity and our shared responsibility to uphold the values of compassion, justice, and understanding that unite us all.

So, dear reader, immerse yourself in the pages of "Threads of History" and discover the timeless truths that bind us together as members of the human family. For in the stories of others, we find echoes of our hopes, fears, and aspirations, and in the tapestry of world literature, we find the threads that connect us all.

I'll take this one just to read. It's 350 dollars, maybe I can steal it. "Honkidesu ka?"

I hear an ominous tone. My shoulders have a touch of cold on them. I'm still going to steal the book.

"Dō shita no!" I hear something crack, and I realize it's my back. The pain is so intense, tears swell in my eyes. "What the hell!" I yell. My back bends. It's a monster with solid black skin and red glowing eyes. He has a powerful presence that demands attention, standing tall and commanding with strong arms. "I pick you," he says in a deep raspy voice. Pick me for what?

He takes the book from me. The book sits in his hand and begins to glow. "の時代へと導く扉を開けよ,

時の流れを超えて過去へと導く,

我が意志を封じ込め,過去への旅を始めよ."

I don't speak that tongue. I'm African American. The pages flip rapidly as he repeats this spell. When I see the pages float, the world changes.

Is that a blue sky?