2026 - My Tribute

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The main notoriety I have achieved in this life is based upon my writing.  I have written six books (Pan-African Chronology [three volumes], The Muslim Diaspora [two volumes], and The Creation [one volume]) which achieved some notoriety, and I have begun several blogs (Biographies, The 100 Greatest Muslims, The Muslim Compendium, Who's Who in Islam, Jewish Biographies, Buddhist Biographies, Biographies of Notable Women, and Words of Wisdom) which have garnered additional notoriety.  However, whatever notoriety I have achieved for my writing has always seemed a bit undeserved.  Truth be told, I write not for notoriety, but for God.  In the coming days, I hope to be able to elaborate on why I do this.  However, suffice it to say that every book I write and every blog I begin, begins with a tribute to God.  I can only pray that God will continue to find what I write to be an expression of God's will.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Fairfield, California

November 28, 2021

December 6, 2024

January 27, 2025

February 28, 2025

November 16, 2025

May 20, 2026

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While I cannot profess to be a Christian, I must admit that the song that most resonates with me today is a Christian song.  Written by the great Andrae Crouch, the song is the Christian standard "My Tribute" and the rather profound lyrics for the song go as follows:

My Tribute

Song by

Andraé Crouch

How can I say thanks
For all the things that You've done for me
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love to me
And the voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee

To God be the glory
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
For the things He has done
For with His blood He has saved me
And with His power He has raised me
To God be the glory
For the things He has done

Just let me live my life
And let it be pleasing Lord to Thee
And should I gain any praise
Let it go to Calvary
His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me

To God be the glory
For the things He has done

To God be the glory
For the things He has done
For the victory is won
For the things He has done
To God be the glory
For the things He has done

I first heard this song in 1978 at the Berkeley Community Theater.  It was a Christian themed date with my soon to be wife.  And this is the way that I remember how Andrae sang this song:

Bing Videos

In later years, this became such a staple in the Christian world that an all-star assemblage of Christian singers could be assembled to sing this song for a charitable cause

Bing Videostle

and most recently I have found the Wintley Phipps version to be the most persuasive version and the one I cherish the most

Wintley Phipps - My Tribute [Live] | GodTube.com

However, whichever version is listened to the message is always the same -- To God be the Glory.  And it has been the hallmark of my life and my writing career.

Peace,

Everett Jenkins

May 22, 2026

Sexual Identity? Racial Identity? Does It Matter?

Composed and posted on June 16, 2015

Rachel Dolezal, just resigned as the President of the Spokane NAACP, essentially because it has been revealed that she is a white person who self-identifies as being black.  If a man can self identify as being a woman, is there a reason why a white person cannot self identify as being a black person?  Does it matter any more?  Isn't the most important thing what is contained in the person's heart?

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Health Initiatives of Local YMCAs

Composed and posted on June 15, 2015

For those interested in "acting locally" to make a difference, I offer the role that organizations like the local YMCAs can do.  Here is a recent New York Times article on such work, including a profile of the work done by my local YMCA.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/15/the-y-m-c-a-s-work-outside-the-gym/?_r=1

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

In My Younger Days

Carol,

In my younger days, I might have argued that the name of the college should be changed.  Given my Native heritage, I might have even wanted to change it back to an "Indian" name.  But I am not that young anymore.  

These days, it is the best I can do to merely "support" the actions of others ... when those actions make sense to me.  With regards to changing the name of the mascots, I think it is a teachable moment (if done appropriately) that can foster a better understanding of other cultures.  I certainly think it can make one pause to think about whether every Amherst student should be indoctrinated by singing a song that historically is not true.

However, whether the mascot is changed or not will not cause me to lose any sleep.  As you and I both know, there are more important things to do in this world than to fret over a college mascot.  For me, on today's agenda, is getting home by 7pm tonight so that I can sneak onto my local golf course and play six holes while watching the sun set.  That is my highest priority for the day.

Skip

________________________________________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Lord Jeffrey Amherst

Do you feel the name of the college should be changed? Why or why not? 

Carol
__________________________________________________________________________________________

I have been following the debate about the retention of Lord Jeffrey Amherst as the College's mascot with some interest.  Initially, I had ambivalence about the retention.  Now, after reading the various posts, I find myself being inclined to support the perceived initiative of the current administration to change the mascot.

By way of background for this position, I should point out that I was born in Oklahoma and like so many African Americans from Oklahoma, I have Native American (more specifically Cherokee) blood coursing through my veins.  In learning about my Cherokee heritage, I learned a great deal about how my Cherokee forefathers came to be in Oklahoma. You can read about some of the history yourself at   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears

In light of the recent discussion, I ventured on to Wikipedia and read what it had to say about Jeffrey Amherst.  You can read it yourself at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffery_Amherst,_1st_Baron_Amherst

While the Wikipedia article does not conclusively say that Amherst engaged in using chemical warfare against the "Indians", it certainly indicates that he was generally supportive of the idea.  And most importantly, it gives credence to the fact that Amherst was not the benign general that I once so proudly sang about.  You may remember this song...

Amherst Song

Amherst Song

Lord Jeffrey Amherst was a soldier of the king
And he came from across the sea,
To the Frenchmen and the Indians he didn't do a thing
In the wilds of this wild country

But for his Royal Majesty he fought with all his might
For he was a soldier brave and true
He conquered all his enemies whenever they came in sight
And he looked around for more when he was through.

On Amherst, Brave Amherst
'Twas a name known to fame in days of yore
Reign ever victorious
Till the sun shall climb the heavens no more.

It once was so much fun to sing this song.  But, over time, and with a growing awareness of the good general's war time activities and relations with the "Indians", I no longer feel comfortable in heartily saying "To the Frenchmen and the Indians he didn't do a thing".  Of course, Amherst is the name of the College and it might seem odd to not have the College's namesake be the college mascot. However, I am also aware of the stance

that the Indigenous Americans have taken with regard to Columbus which led to many communities and states no longer recognizing Columbus Day.  See

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Peoples%27_Day

I also am aware of what happened in South Africa, after the end of apartheid with regards to the renaming of cities and places that had been formally named for apartheid leaders, so, for me now, the issue of the changing of mascots is not a "foreign" idea.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_placename_renaming_in_South_Africa

In conclusion, I am inclined to agree with the changing of the college's mascot and even it's signature "fight" song.  Indeed, in light of the town's two most famous authors, I would suggest that we consider calling ourselves the Amherst "Poets".  

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

Lord Jeffrey Amherst

Composed and posted on June 12, 2015

I have been following the debate about the retention of Lord Jeffrey Amherst as the College's mascot with some interest.  Initially, I had ambivalence about the retention.  Now, after reading the various posts, I find myself being inclined to support the perceived initiative of the current administration to change the mascot.

By way of background for this position, I should point out that I was born in Oklahoma and like so many African Americans from Oklahoma, I have Native American (more specifically Cherokee) blood coursing through my veins.  In learning about my Cherokee heritage, I learned a great deal about how my Cherokee forefathers came to be in Oklahoma. You can read about some of the history yourself at   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears

In light of the recent discussion, I ventured on to Wikipedia and read what it had to say about Jeffrey Amherst.  You can read it yourself at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffery_Amherst,_1st_Baron_Amherst

While the Wikipedia article does not conclusively say that Amherst engaged in using chemical warfare against the "Indians", it certainly indicates that he was generally supportive of the idea.  And most importantly, it gives credence to the fact that Amherst was not the benign general that I once so proudly sang about.  You may remember this song...

Amherst Song

Amherst Song

Lord Jeffrey Amherst was a soldier of the king
And he came from across the sea,
To the Frenchmen and the Indians he didn't do a thing
In the wilds of this wild country

But for his Royal Majesty he fought with all his might
For he was a soldier brave and true
He conquered all his enemies whenever they came in sight
And he looked around for more when he was through.

On Amherst, Brave Amherst
'Twas a name known to fame in days of yore
Reign ever victorious
Till the sun shall climb the heavens no more.

It once was so much fun to sing this song.  But, over time, and with a growing awareness of the good general's war time activities and relations with the "Indians", I no longer feel comfortable in heartily saying "To the Frenchmen and the Indians he didn't do a thing".  Of course, Amherst is the name of the College and it might seem odd to not have the College's namesake be the college mascot. However, I am also aware of the stance

that the Indigenous Americans have taken with regard to Columbus which led to many communities and states no longer recognizing Columbus Day.  See

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Peoples%27_Day

I also am aware of what happened in South Africa, after the end of apartheid with regards to the renaming of cities and places that had been formally named for apartheid leaders, so, for me now, the issue of the changing of mascots is not a "foreign" idea.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_placename_renaming_in_South_Africa

In conclusion, I am inclined to agree with the changing of the college's mascot and even it's signature "fight" song.  Indeed, in light of the town's two most famous authors, I would suggest that we consider calling ourselves the Amherst "Poets".  

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

The Counted

Composed and posted on June 5, 2015

For the first time, an investigative journalism project has begun to gather statistics associated with police killings.  The statistics and the stories behind the statistics are compelling and, for those who are participating in the debate, are worth knowing ... and sharing.  Please see

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jun/01/the-counted-police-killings-us-database

and

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/18/police-killings-government-data-count

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

DuBois' Credo or Affirmation of Faith

Composed and posted on June 4, 2015

My previous post had some typos in the DuBois' Credo.  This one is cleaner.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

DuBois' Credo or Affirmation of Faith

New York -- October 6, 1904

 

I believe in God who made of one blood all races that dwell on earth. I believe that all men, black and brown, and white, are brothers, varying, through Time and Opportunity, in form and gift and feature, but differing in no essential particular, and alike in soul and in the possibility of infinite development.

Especially do I believe in the Negro Race; in the beauty of its genius, the sweetness of its soul, and its strength in that meekness which shall inherit this turbulent earth.

I believe in pride of race and lineage itself; in pride of self so deep as to scorn injustice to other selves; in pride of lineage so great as to despise no man's father; in pride of race so chivalrous as neither to offer bastardy to the weak nor beg wedlock of the strong, knowing that men may be brothers in Christ, even though they be not brothers-in-law.

I believe in Service--humble reverent service, from the blackening of boots to the whitening of souls; for Work is Heaven, idleness hell, and Wages is the "Well done!" of the Master who summoned all them that labor and are heavy laden, making no distinction between the black sweating cotton hands of Georgia and the First Families of Virginia, since all distinctions not based on deed is devilish and not divine.

I believe in the Devil and his angels, who wantonly work to narrow the opportunity of struggling human beings, especially if they be black, who spit in the faces of the fallen, strike them that cannot strike again, believe the worst and work to prove it, hating the image which their Maker stamped on a brother's soul.

I believe in the Prince of Peace. I believe that War is Murder. I believe that armies and navies are at bottom the tinsel and braggadocio of oppression and wrong; and I believe that the wicked conquest of weaker and darker nations by nations white and stronger but foreshadows the death of that strength.

I believe in Liberty for all men; the space to stretch their arms and their souls; the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of God and love.

I believe in the training of children black even as white; the leading out of little souls into the green pastures and beside the still waters, not for pelf or peace, but for Life lit by some large vision of beauty and goodness and truth. . . .

Finally, I believe in Patience--patience with the weakness of the Weak and the strength of the Strong, the prejudice of the Ignorant and the ignorance of the Blind; patience with the tardy triumph of Joy and the mad chastening of Sorrow--patience with God.