Brotherly Love

Book excerpt: Dr. Michael Allen and Gilbert D. Allen come from extreme poverty. Their parents battled drug addiction. Their siblings were homeless and displaced at various points during their childhood. Gilbert is five years younger than Michael-and the youngest. Gilbert was living between multiple places when Michael went to college. Michael had just finished football practice and a team dinner when he received a call from his brother Gilbert in the fall. Gilbert said there was a void he was feeling. It was a hard conversation for Michael; his brother was sobbing. Michael's college football team was having a magical championship season winning but his baby brother was hurting.Ultimately Michael consoled his brother, connected to his brother. Still, it got worse. Michael decided to go get his brother and take him with him to college. Gilbert finished high school while Michael was in college. Gilbert was reading at the fourth-grade level as a sophomore in high school. They had to navigate his readiness (in the northwestern part of Indiana at a majority white school). There was segregation within the community. Very few people thought Gilbert would finish high school-now he has his master's degree in social work and is working on a doctorate in counseling, community care, and trauma. Gilbert works as a social work supervisor; Michael has a doctorate in educational leadership and is an elementary school principal. This book is about bonds-especially their bond as brothers, and the importance of mentors, related or not. This book is a glimpse into the collective political correctness eroding genuine connections. It also is much about love, fond dreams, and what it means to give back to marginalized people. Their goals are to encourage people to believe and hope.They give insight, perspective, and share their journey within these pages. "It would be disrespectful to the journey if we don't give back," Michael said. "We have lessons to give back to humanity." The voices of Gilbert and Michael make it clear society is ill-equipped. It's a beautiful struggle. Diversity is good. They hope you'll read this-and participate by reaching out to someone.