Biography

In the beginning...

BIOGRAPHY

Music has been a cherished legacy in Michael’s family for generations. His maternal great-grandfather, Albert Tam Scott, was a violinist and the first American-born member of the family, born emancipated in 1873. The musical tradition continued with Michael’s grandfather, who played the tenor saxophone and clarinet, and his great-uncle Lloyd, a drummer. The legacy lives on today through Michael’s Uncle Cecil Jr., who plays the alto saxophone and flute in Harlem, and his beloved sister Beverly Johnstone, a Newark's Arts High School alum, who continues the family’s violin tradition in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Manhattan’s Harlem, the epicenter of Black culture, was home to vibrant jazz clubs like the Savoy Ballroom, where legends such as Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie performed. It was also where Michael's maternal grandfather, Cecil X. Scott, made his mark as an American jazz clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, and bandleader. As a teenager, Cecil performed alongside his brother, drummer Lloyd Scott. Together, they co-led bands and held residencies across Ohio, Pittsburgh, and New York City, including at the iconic Savoy Ballroom, cementing their place in jazz history.

Michael's mother, Sarah, was deeply committed to addressing the social and economic disparities afflicting the United States. She dedicated much of her life to serving her community as a parent coordinator for the federally funded Head Start Program, an anti-poverty initiative to support early childhood education in low-income communities. Later, Sarah took on a significant role within the federal welfare system, assisting those facing financial hardships. Her work touched many lives as she helped individuals navigate various welfare programs, including Medicaid, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). As a welfare caseworker, she ensured that low-income families received food stamps, among other essential resources.

Michael's maternal grandparents, Cecil X. Scott, and Nina Evans-Stewart, were both born in November 1905 and built a large and loving family. They resided at 440 West 164th Street in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, nestled between Edgecombe and Amsterdam Avenues. Over the years, Cecil and Nina became the proud grandparents of 47 grandchildren, extending their legacy through their children and grandchildren. Here is a listing in chronological order of their offspring along with their respective spouses and number of children: 1. Sarah & Sonny Van Allen - 7 children, 2. Betty & Howard Johnson - 6 children, 3. Connie & Joe Besson - 3 children, 4. Norma Jean & Clarence (Pinky) Gregory - 3 children (Pinky was a percussionist known for his light skin tone, which earned him his nickname.), 5. Loraine & Dicky Davenport - 5 children, 6. Carol & Red Coleman - 3 children, 7. Elaine & Artie Drakeford - 3 children, 8. Cecil Scott, Jr. (Saxophonist) & Dorothy - 1 child, 9. Ronald Scott & Janice - 2 children (Ronald notably dated singer and actress Leslie Uggams.), 10. Barbara & Bobby Smalls - 5 children, 11. Annette & Fred Pihl - 5 children. (Fred was a redheaded Scandinavian-American.), 12. Richard Scott & Betty - 3 children, and 13. Darryl Scott & Christine - 1 child.

Religion played an important role in Michael’s family, with most of them adhering to the Christian faith, including his grandmother Nina and many of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. However, there were notable exceptions. Michael's father, Morton, along with his grandfathers, Morton and Cecil, his uncle Pinky, and Michael himself, were atheists, standing apart from the predominantly Christian family dynamic.

Michael's paternal grandparents, Morton C. Van Allen, Sr., and Ella Lowery-Johnson, were born in 1899. Morton, an atheist by belief, worked as a chauffeur, while his Catholic wife Ella was a talented seamstress. They lived at 400 East 165th Street in the Bronx, New York, and had two sons: Morton, born in 1922, and Melvin, born in 1930.

Michael's father, Junior, or Sonny, was a man of immense character, intellect, and resilience. He was a trailblazer, paving the way for future leaders like General Colin Powell, who hailed from the Bronx. Sonny grew up during the Great Depression, which began with the 1929 Wall Street Crash and witnessed the harsh realities of poverty and racial inequality firsthand. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically, graduating as the Salutatorian from Morris High School in the South Bronx. At seventeen, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army, much like Colin Powell, who would later follow a similar path as an ROTC cadet and graduate of the same high school. Sonny served honorably in World War II, rising to the rank of sergeant in a racially segregated military.

Michael’s dad was sent overseas and fought in a racially segregated military. Despite fighting for democracy abroad, Sonny returned home to find that the civil rights of brown Americans were still disregarded. Soldiers who had expected their country to change its policies after their sacrifices were met with brutal realities. Many veterans of color faced violence and discrimination. Many WWII veterans, like Michael’s dad, were denied their GI Bill benefits, including college tuition and mortgage guarantees for homes.

One tragic case involved Isaac Woodard, a soldier who had his eyes gouged out while still in uniform simply for asking to use the restroom on a bus in South Carolina. In Monroe, Georgia, two brown veterans were murdered by the KKK while walking with their wives in uniform, and a young man named Mapes was killed for attempting to vote. Stories of racial violence and injustice, like that of Rosalee Ingram, whose sons killed a white man for molesting her and were sentenced to the chain gang, were far too familiar. Many of these atrocities fueled the urgency for the Civil Rights Movement.

Sonny was a veteran and a participant in the fight for civil rights. He was deeply affected by the oppressive climate of McCarthyism, which targeted those who sought justice, equality, and freedom. Figures like Ossie and Ruby Dee Davis, Paul Robeson, and the Rosenbergs were among those persecuted. These injustices helped ignite the activist spirit in America, culminating in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Sonny participated in the historic March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, inspiring the nation and renewing the call for equality.

Career-wise, Michael’s father worked as a letter carrier, delivering mail from the NY Times Square Post Office for 30 years. This was one of the better-paying civil service jobs available to African Americans.

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1953

Indeed, 1953 was an incredibly productive year for Michael’s family and the nation. It saw many significant moments that shaped the civil rights landscape and the broader history of the United States.

Significant inventions, legal cases, and events profoundly impacted history in the mid-1900s. The Korean War ended, and the U.S. Supreme Court took a historic case against racially segregated schools in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. Several cases were consolidated under this title, challenging the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund argued that segregation in public schools was inherently unequal, setting the stage for the pivotal ruling that would come the following year. In the world of science, perhaps the most groundbreaking scientific discovery of 1953 was the identification of DNA structure by James Watson and Francis Crick. They revealed that DNA is structured as a double helix, which laid the foundation for modern genetics and molecular biology. The development of the transistor radio by Texas Instruments revolutionized portable entertainment. While transistors were invented earlier, the Regency TR-1, the first commercially sold transistor radio, was a key step in making electronics smaller and more accessible to the public. And Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine. Medical advances continued with the first successful open-heart surgery. Dr. John Gibbon performed the first successful open-heart surgery using a heart-lung machine. This invention allowed surgeons to stop the heart and operate on it without causing damage to the brain or other organs due to a lack of oxygen. At the same time, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Culturally, James Baldwin made waves by publishing his powerful novel “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” McDonald’s opened its first restaurant, marking the beginning of a fast-food revolution. Playboy magazine debuted, featuring a nude Marilyn Monroe on the cover. The musical Porgy and Bess was revived in theater and toured many European cities.

The music scene was vibrant in 1953, especially in jazz. Iconic albums like Jazz at Massey Hall by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Piano Reflections by Duke Ellington, Blue Period and Young Man with a Horn by Miles Davis, Thelonious by Thelonious Monk, and The New Oscar Pettiford Sextet by Oscar Pettiford were all released. Additionally, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn composed the jazz standard “Satin Doll” with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The classic Rocket Ticket “88” by Jackie Brenston - an African American- and his Delta Cats has often been cited as the first rock 'n' roll record. Meanwhile, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, frequently called the "Godmother of Rock and Roll," was a trailblazer who influenced future rock legends like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Rock and roll began to make its mark on the music charts, with Ruth Brown topping the charts with her hit “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” helping pave the way for the genre’s dominance in later years.

Once upon a Thanksgiving Day, Morton Curtis Van Allen and his loving wife, Sarah Cecilia Scott, conceived a baby boy whose heritage was a rich blend of 55% African, 41% European, and 4% Native American ancestry, as confirmed by Ancestry.com in 2024. [AncestryDNA is always collecting more data, and their methods constantly improve; results may change over time.] On Sunday, August 3, 1953, at precisely 1:43 a.m., Michael Anthony Van Allen was born on the island of Manhattan at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

Mike has no memory of learning how to swim. However, repeated family conversations at the dinner table informed him that his dad had taught him to swim at Coney Island’s Manhattan beach before attending school. Michael became a competitive swimmer, channeling his energy into the sport while growing up in the dynamic cultural tapestry of 1950s New York. His formative years unfolded in the heart of Harlem during the civil rights era, where he lived in the Abraham Lincoln high-rise public housing projects located at 1980 Park Avenue, Apartment 5F, between Amsterdam and Lenox Avenues. His mother, Sarah, known for her beauty, warmth, and protective nature, was deeply respected in the community and was honored as the "1953 Lincoln Houses Mother of the Year."

Shortly after the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, Michael's family moved from the bustling streets of New York City to the quieter suburbs of New Jersey, leaving behind the Empire State for the neighboring Garden State. This move made a significant change for Michael, as he had to sever ties with his beloved Boys' Cubs Pack, just one year short of advancing to the Boy Scouts in Harlem's Troop #540. At ten years old and in the fifth grade, Michael continued reading Boy's Life magazine, finding comfort in its familiar stories while navigating the newness of his life in New Jersey.

One of the most intriguing parts of this new chapter was Michael's budding relationship with a girl named Betty Waters, a classmate who conveniently lived next door. Their connection was innocent and sweet; they would play outside together until they grew tired, at which point Michael would rush home and call Betty on the phone. Each time, the conversation followed the same script: Michael would ask, “Would you go with me?” and Betty would respond with a simple “OK.” They would then both quickly say goodbye" and hang up, as if the mere question and response were the full extent of their relationship. The cycle would repeat on Saturday afternoons, with Betty sometimes exercising her feminine prerogative to abruptly end things without apparent reason by declaring, “I quit you!” Yet, their cordial relationship would inevitably resume with Michael’s optimistic next phone call.

There were no hugs, kisses, or even handshakes for all their playful interactions—just that simple question, her answer, on a brief phone call. Until one day, everything changed. While playing the traditional "Post Office" kissing game with a small group of boys and girls at the Irving family's house up the street, Michael finally saw an opportunity. In this game, the "postman" would call a recipient into the closet to deliver their "mail." When it was Michael’s turn, he called Betty his recipient and seized the moment. He didn’t just deliver a simple letter (one kiss) or even the airmail (two kisses); he gave Betty a "special delivery"—three kisses, marking the only incident he ever kissed her. This playful moment was a brief, sweet culmination of their innocent childhood bond, etched into Michael’s memory as the singular time their relationship went beyond a playful question and answer.

THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET

You are not to be so blinded by patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it. Malcolm X

On April 3, 1964, Malcolm X, also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, delivered his famous “Ballot or the Bullet” speech, challenging America to confront its deep-seated racial injustices. As a Pan-Africanist- and staunch critic of white supremacy, Malcolm was often mischaracterized by mainstream propaganda as a proponent of violence despite never having committed violent acts himself. In reality, he was a victim of violence from the very forces of racism he spoke out against. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a white supremacist Christian terrorist group founded in 1865 immediately following the abolition of slavery, murdered Malcolm's father by tying him to railroad tracks, where he was fatally run over by a speeding train. Later in life, Malcolm’s home was firebombed while his young daughters were inside, and he, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was ultimately assassinated by gunfire.

Malcolm X’s message was clear: he demanded life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for African Americans by “any means necessary.” He stood against the legacy of oppression that had begun in 1619 when Africans were forcibly brought to America. This country had, for centuries, stolen, raped, terrorized, and enslaved brown people. In 1865, with President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved Americans were legally freed from bondage, but their struggle for equality and recognition as citizens persisted. By 1964, America was at a crossroads. It could either continue the brutal and illegal mistreatment of African Americans or honor their constitutional rights and recognize their humanity under international human rights law.

Malcolm X's speech highlighted America's strategic choice: adopt the peaceful, passive resistance championed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi, or risk bloodshed through an African-American revolt. Malcolm's call for justice, rooted in the fierce desire for dignity and equality, resonated as a stark warning that the time for change was now.

“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Letter from Birmingham Jail," April 16, 1963

On March 26, 1964, a historic moment unfolded when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X met briefly on Capitol Hill. This once-in-a-lifetime meeting, immortalized in a photograph, now hangs proudly in Michael’s home office as a reminder of that powerful intersection of two civil rights leaders with differing yet complementary approaches to justice. By this time, Malcolm X had begun securing international support for the African-American liberation movement. He garnered backing from African leaders, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, and Maoist China, all of whom recognized the global implications of the civil rights struggle in the United States.

The growing potential for international condemnation and the threat of violent consequences from external powers forced America to confront its hypocrisy. The nation could either live up to the ideals enshrined in its Constitution or continue down a path of domestic terrorism, deploying attack dogs, State police, and the National Guard to suppress peaceful demonstrations. The brutality inflicted on African Americans, broadcast to the world through television, became too glaring to ignore for a global superpower that prided itself on freedom and democracy.

Malcolm X's "Ballot or the Bullet" message was clear: either America granted brown Americans their rights through peaceful democratic means, or it would face the possibility of violent revolution and international backlash. The weight of this global scrutiny and the internal civil rights pressure was too much for the United States to bear.

In 1965, America finally passed the Voting Rights Act under President Lyndon B. Johnson, a critical piece of legislation ensuring African Americans could exercise their right to vote free from the systematic barriers that had long oppressed them. In contrast, President John F. Kennedy is often remembered as a champion of civil rights, although he never actually signed any civil rights legislation during his presidency. In fact, as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Kennedy had voted against the 1957 Civil Rights Act proposed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, revealing a more complicated legacy on race relations. Ultimately, the combined pressure from leaders like Dr. King and Malcolm X and the mounting weight of domestic and international outcry led to significant changes in American law and society.

Newark, NJ

Mike Van Allen attended Broadway Elementary School in Newark’s North Ward, a predominantly blue-collar, Italian American residential neighborhood. Michael’s passion for swimming was sparked when he was enthusiastically recruited and drafted onto the Newark Boys’ Club Swim Team, where he earned numerous certificates, awards, and trophies. As he advanced academically to Broadway Junior High School, he thrived in the protected environment of his home at 14 Chester Avenue. However, beyond his insulated world, political and social unrest simmered in Newark and across America.

According to U.S. Attorney Herbert J. Stern, Newark was under the control of the Mafia, a criminal organization that contributed to the heroin epidemic ravaging the Black community. The civil rights movement had stirred unrest among both brown and white Americans. In Newark, figures like Anthony Imperiale, a race-baiting civic leader and politician, emerged as symbols of white backlash. Imperiale gained national attention in the 1960s for his opposition to busing for school desegregation and his calls for armed white self-defense. He organized the North Ward First Aid Squad, which, under the guise of providing medical aid, carried out vigilante-style patrols to "protect" Italian Americans from supposed racial threats. Imperiale became infamous for warning, “When the Black Panther comes, the white hunter will be waiting.”

Tensions escalated in Newark, and on July 12, 1967, the Newark Rebellion ignited, triggered by the brutal arrest of a brown cab driver named John Smith. After allegedly driving around a double-parked police car, Smith was stopped, interrogated, and beaten by white police before being taken to the fourth ward precinct headquarters. False rumors quickly spread that Smith had died in police custody despite having been taken to a hospital. A crowd gathered outside the precinct, and when civil rights leaders emerged from the building after visiting Smith, they urged the crowd to remain calm. However, they were shouted down, and soon, bricks and bottles were hurled at the precinct. The unrest escalated into full-scale rebellion, spreading from Newark’s Central Ward to downtown.

As the violence intensified, the New Jersey State Police and the National Guard were called in. Over six days of rebellion, from July 12 to July 17, 1967, the city saw deadly confrontations between residents and law enforcement. Dozens of people were killed, 725 were injured, and over 1,500 brown American citizens were arrested as Newark burned. The rebellion exposed deep-seated frustrations with systemic racism, poverty, heroin addiction, and police brutality in the city.

At the time, Newark was controlled by a corrupt Italian-American political machine led by Mayor Hugh Addonizio, a former U.S. Congressman. Addonizio’s administration was rife with scandal, and in 1970, he was convicted of extorting $1.4 million from city contractors. His notorious comment, “There’s no money in Washington, but you can make a million bucks as mayor of Newark,” highlighted the extent of the corruption that exacerbated the city’s problems.

In response to the uprising, Governor Richard Hughes appointed a commission to investigate its causes. The commission’s report concluded that Newark’s urban renewal efforts had failed the city’s poorest residents, who were supposed to be the primary beneficiaries. It also condemned the state of “ghetto schools,” noting that poor, primarily brown children had no hope of success in the current system. While a few might overcome the barriers, the majority were left behind, a waste of human potential that society could no longer afford.

By 2014, Newark’s public education system had evolved, but racial and economic segregation persisted. The rise of charter schools, often segregated by SES and skin color, became the new face of urban education renewal, raising questions about whether actual progress had been made since the rebellion of 1967.

THE PHANTOM PUNCH

“I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee; that’s why they call me Muhammad Ali.”
Muhammad Ali

During the turbulent social and political unrest era, Michael found solace in the world of sports. His athletic hero was Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali. The Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston fight on February 25, 1964, for the world heavyweight boxing championship, captivated audiences around the globe and remains one of the most anticipated and controversial bouts in sports history. Clay, a 22-year-old challenger with a brash and charismatic persona, had already won the light-heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics and was known for his speed, agility, and boundless confidence. His unfiltered comments and fearless demeanor struck fear into his opponents and irritated the racists, who optimistically referred to any white opponent as "The Great White Hope."

The fight culminated in a dramatic and mysterious moment called "the phantom punch." Most people at ringside, including Clay himself, were unsure whether the punch had even connected. After Liston fell, Clay asked his entourage, "Did I hit him?" Footage and slow-motion replays later confirmed that Clay had landed a quick, chopping right hand, dubbed the "Anchor Punch," as Liston was moving forward. Liston struggled to regain his footing, and though he eventually got up, Clay landed four unanswered punches before the referee, Jersey Joe Walcott, belatedly declared a knockout, ending the match.

In the aftermath, Clay leaped to the center of the ring, performing a celebratory jig while shouting, "I'm the greatest!" and "I shook up the world!" It was a defining moment in sports and cultural history as he proclaimed his new name: Muhammad Ali. Ali's brash style, refusal to conform, and advocacy for his principles made him an icon beyond the ring.

Michael proudly holds onto this pivotal moment in sports history. In his home gym, he proudly displays the iconic photograph of Muhammad Ali standing triumphantly over a fallen Sonny Liston. The picture reminds Michael of the fighter's courage, skill, and impact on the world, a source of personal inspiration throughout his life.

THE MOTOWN SOUND

“Say it loud! I’m black, and I’m proud!” James Brown

Before the 1967 Newark Rebellion, Michael’s father had relocated the family from Newark to 330 North Maple Avenue in East Orange, a neighboring 3.9-square-mile, tree-lined town that, while safer, maintained a similarly racially intolerant political environment. To follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, Michael sought solace in music. He took music lessons at his Columbian Grammar School at the corner of Springdale Avenue and Grove Street in East Orange, where he began playing the clarinet.

Music became his escape, and Michael found joy in spinning 45s and LP 33s on his phonograph, immersing himself in the legendary sounds of Motown. He was enchanted by the voices of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Lionel Richie, The Jackson Five, and many other Motown greats, which provided the soundtrack to his youth. Michael navigated the world's complexities through music, using rhythms and melodies to find peace and happiness during social upheaval.

Michael and his dad spent quality time sitting at the dining table listening to iconic musical artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole. They would also listen to 710 AM WOR talk radio personalities such as Long John Nebel, rambling with John Gambling, and Paul Harvey on WABC radio before retiring for the evening.

Paul Harvey was an American pianist, radio broadcaster, and a former host of News and Comment on ABC Radio Networks. He was famous for a compilation of over 50 stranger-than-fiction true stories with unexpected endings. His storytelling style was unique, and his narrative framing kept listeners on the edge of their seats. His “The Rest of the Story” segments were iconic, often revealing surprising or touching twists at the end. Paul Harvey always shared interesting stories. He would typically begin the story with a rather mundane event, but the climax of his narrative would characteristically be at the end. And he would always end that part of his story with the phrase, “Now you know... the rest of the story!

Here is one of the interesting Paul Harvey stories that Mike and his dad attentively listened to over the years: “Years ago, a teacher in Detroit asked Steven Morris to help her find a mouse that was lost in the classroom. You see, she appreciated that nature had given Steven something no one else in the classroom had. Nature had given Steven a remarkable pair of ears to compensate for his blind eyes. But this was the first time Steven had been shown appreciation for those talented ears. Years later, he says that this appreciation was the beginning of a new life. You see, from then on, he developed his gift of hearing and became, under the stage name of Stevie Wonder, one of the greatest pop singers and songwriters of all time. "Now you know ... the rest of the story!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QblkQ-J6zio

Those evenings with Mike and his dad, listening to Paul Harvey wrap up his tales with the signature phrase, “Now you know... the rest of the story!” were meaningful and treasured.

EAST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL

In the late 1960s, East Orange High School was undergoing a cultural transformation as more Black students enrolled, bringing racial tensions to the forefront. One of the most striking symbols of this tension was the swimming pool. Decades earlier, in the 1930s, Robert L. Carter, a brown high school student and future civil rights strategist, protested the discriminatory policies surrounding the pool. At the time, brown students were allowed to use the pool only on Fridays after school, alternating by gender, and the pool was drained and “cleaned” afterward before white students used it again. Carter’s persistent protests eventually led to the pool's permanent closure, denying access to all students. The once Olympic-sized pool was filled with sand and cement and replaced by marching band facilities, ostensibly to address segregation but leaving students like Michael with no opportunity to pursue their love of swimming.

When Michael entered East Orange High in 1967, he was already grappling with these limitations. A natural swimmer, the rising freshman had no pool or swim team to join, so instead, he focused on joining the school’s marching band. That summer, his supportive and optimistic mother took him to the City Music Center in Newark for clarinet lessons to prepare him. They hoped these lessons would help him secure his place in the E.O. High School Marching Band.

However, Michael’s encounter with the music teacher, Mr. Tony, was a devastating experience. Instead of teaching him the clarinet, the Italian American teacher subjected him to demeaning treatment by painfully squeezing his mouth while pretending to adjust his embouchure. At 13, Michael couldn’t fully process or articulate the racism and unprofessionalism he had faced. Emotionally hurt, he quit after the first lesson. His mother, unaware of the cruelty, assumed he had lost interest, leaving Michael to process the pain on his own.

When his freshman year began, Michael faced more challenges. Despite the new marching band facilities, he failed to qualify for the band under Director Mr. Hanson. Meanwhile, at 5'5" and 150 pounds, he lacked the height and weight helpful to a typical basketball or football player, so he failed to make either team. Without swimming, music, or sports to turn to, Michael’s options seemed increasingly limited.

Adding to his isolation, Michael lost his closest Columbian Junior High School friends. Mark Lago, Robert Flaherty, and David Schwartz all went on to attend other schools, including the predominantly white Scott High School and private institutions like Seton Hall College Preparatory. The camaraderie and support he had once relied on were now absent, leaving him to navigate these challenges alone.

Despite these setbacks, Michael showed remarkable resilience. With no extracurricular swimming or musical activities to fill his time, he found a job. Employment and studying martial arts became ways to reclaim a sense of purpose and productivity, allowing him to channel his energy into meaningful things. These decisions marked the beginning of Michael’s ability to adapt and overcome adversity, using intelligence and grit to navigate life's challenges. While the scars of systemic racism and personal injustices like those inflicted by Mr. Tony stayed with him, Michael found ways to rise above them. By seeking employment opportunities and focusing on personal growth, he began building a foundation for a future defined by perseverance and strength. These early experiences, though painful, taught him valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of creating his path forward.

Laverne Robinson

“No, this trick won't work. How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?” ― Albert Einstein

When Michael was a teenager, he took his first employment as a pharmacy clerk at Kaye's Drug Store on the corner of Lincoln and Main Streets in East Orange. One day, a beautiful girl patronized the store. Michael immediately recognized Laverne from school. They exchanged glances, smiles, and friendly words as he bagged her purchase. Michael waved “adios” to Laverne and reassured her that he would see her in Spanish class on Monday. Albert Friederich or Al - the owner and pharmacist - notified Michael that he had failed to ring up her purchase on the register. Having witnessed the flirtatious juvenile behavior, the pharmacist realized that this was an oversight and did not make him pay out-of-pocket for this distraction. Michael was relieved because he only earned the minimum wage of $1.40 per hour. The next day, Laverne approached Michael in the school's hallway with the money and apologized for not having paid at the store. Michael refused the money but accepted her apology and explained that he needed her telephone number in case he had to 'follow up.' Laverne knew where Michael was going with his alternative motive, and it was for that reason that she gave him her number. They both laughed aloud and staggered disorderly into their Spanish class- tardy, yet still laughing disturbingly loudly, while being admonished by the teacher, Ms. Margaret Yobbi.

At this time, Michael found an extracurricular activity outside the school. He studied mixed martial arts, including Korean styles of Taekwondo, Aikido, Karate, Shito-Ryu, and Jujutsu, under master Instructors, the honorable senseis Aaron J. Walker (https://ajwmartialarts.com/about-us/) Ibrahim Sharif (AKA George Pryor), Bernard Truesdale, and Harry Baker, Jr., at the East Orange School of Martial Arts on Main/Clinton Street. Michael then unofficially changed his middle name of Anthony—which he never used—to his secular fighting name, Ali. Kenpo Ju-Jitsu Karate Academy -----> https://bakersredirondragon.com

He took the martial arts seriously from an athletic and a way of life - standpoint. He advanced through the various intermediate grades (white, yellow, green, purple) before qualifying to defend for the brown belt classification. He had to fight an advanced martial artist with a black belt status to do this. The opponent assigned happened to be a high school friend. Michael fought Buddy and scored adequate qualifying points in his performance against Buddy with a risky, unexpected, well-executed Taekwondo spinning back 'phantom' kick and avoiding the brunt of Michael’s kick and either sincerely caught by surprise or generously deciding not to block and counter - something that he had done many times before - Buddy fell back into the hanging beads at the end of the dojo, looking like a defenseless victim, while securing Michael’s newly acquired advanced status.

To this day, Buddy humbly says he was caught by surprise and denies taking the proverbial ‘dive.’ Michael questions but still credits Buddy for being complaisant and allowing him to advance, thus placing Michael in contention for his brown belt. Buddy - better known today as Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr. – a former college president - is a Princeton University-educated PhD scholar, minister, well-known author, and distinguished Ivy League professor at Columbia University. Michael remembers how well Buddy played the guitar and how often they competed for the identical girls’ affection. Today, they occasionally share commentary via Facebook. Whether Michael delivered the swift spinning back roundhouse 'phantom' kick – with no friendly assistance - remains inconclusive.

So, you see, Michael did make new friends at the larger city high school. One of his friends was Beverly McCloud, a high school and college friend who was part of an extraordinary family. She was an Ivy League-educated attorney and a proud graduate of Brown University. Her family’s warmth, intelligence, and kindness are truly remarkable.

Her mother, Bernice, was a beacon of love and positivity, always sharing a smile and words of encouragement. Her father, Andy, was a devoted husband and father, a dedicated community organizer in the East Orange Head Start Program, and a cherished friend of Michael’s mom. Mr. and Mrs. McCloud raised five exceptional children. The eldest, Andy Jr., was a gifted jazz bass player who graciously shared his knowledge, teaching Michael piano scales. Beverly’s older sister, a fellow Brown University alum with advanced degrees, carried herself with grace and influence, earning respect despite being slightly older than Michael and Beverly. Beverly’s younger siblings, Gail and Steve, reflect the same values of education and kindness that define their family. And then there’s Bruce—once an adorable little boy who played with Michael’s little sister, Sarah, who eventually grew into a tall, determined, passionate basketball player and a committed and inspiring coach, creating his remarkable legacy.

The McCloud family holds a special place in Mike’s heart. They are a handsome, talented, educated clan whose impact he will always treasure. Michael will always love the McCloud family.

UNDERGRAD

After high school graduation, at 17 years of age and with the Vietnam War underway, Michael flew to Greensboro, North Carolina, and enlisted in the North Carolina A&T State University Air Force Recruiting Officers Training Corps, where he studied military science. Exhausted of tuition, room, and board resources, he returned to East Orange, took a semester break, and washed dishes at the Ormont Coffee Shop, where he saved enough money to attend Upsala College.

Although born in the Big Apple, Michael made history in the Oranges. He was a commuting student at his hometown college, where he drove his British MGB convertible sports car to school. He was the first student of color awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Uppsala College. He also rode his French Motorbecane bicycle back and forth to the Rutgers Newark Medical School, where he matriculated in “The Students for Medicine program.” Many notable students who attended the premedical program under Foster Burnett and Lonnie Wright with Michael became distinguished physicians like Drs. Byron Delemos - who graduated from grammar and high school with Michael; Homer Nelson- who graduated from undergraduate college with Michael; Ruby Sampson- who graduated from Arts High School as Valedictorian; and Montclair’s Mayor Renee Baskerville, and Maria Soto-Greene, MD Executive Vice Dean, Rutgers NJ Medical School Professor of Medicine, et al. https://njms.rutgers.edu/archives/spotlight/articles/4_22_19.php

His hometown’s health department hired Michael immediately after college graduation. He was proud to wear a white lab coat in his first professional employment as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. He conducted microbiological tests to detect bacteria in public food, water, and milk, employing various bacteriological techniques. He screened children for contaminated blood levels of lead, and he prepared, organized, and secured Pap smear slides used for the detection of cervical cancer. Michael enjoyed doing the Wednesday bacteria testing. On these mornings, inspectors would go to various local delicatessens and take shrimp and tuna salad samples in plastic bags for lab testing. Michael’s lunch was determined for that day. If the samples were safely within specifications, all he needed was a couple of slices of bread, which he conveniently usually had. If he had not ridden his bicycle to work daily, he would have undoubtedly gained a couple of pounds that summer. In any event, all of the local delicatessens were in code.

Michael moved from his parent's home and rented a bachelor’s crib at the Andrea Towers Condominium studio apartment #608 at 70 South Munn Avenue, East Orange. After being awarded a chemistry certificate by Fairleigh Dickinson University, he resigned from his hometown's health department to work as a Biochemist at Merck & Co., a world-renowned pharmaceutical giant. He performed qualitative and quantitative analysis in Quality Control labs using instrumental and wet chemical procedures. His talents and skills were quickly recognized. He was promoted from analytical chemistry to research & development to support the Microbial Chemotherapeutic, Pharmacometric, and Antibiotic programs. Still in his 20s, he earned enough money to fully pay off his college debt, buy a luxury one-bedroom Apt#705 condominium apartment at Andrea Towers, and purchase a brand-new Sapphire Blue 325i BMW automobile.

Michael fell in love with his high school sweetheart, whom he had taken to the senior prom at the West Orange Manor. Succinctly, Laverne had a miscarriage and later died of cancer. These were the saddest times of Michael's life. These heartbreaking events prompted him to take a life audit and re-prioritize his life's values. Initially, he submerged himself in his work. He accepted a medical research position at St. Michael's Medical Center in Newark and worked at the Blood Institute in the Hematology/Oncology department. He coordinated medical research projects to separate and purify plasma proteins from AIDS patients’ blood using Isoelectric Focusing, High-Pressured Liquid Chromatography, SDS Three-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis, and several hematological methods. After this, he transformed from the life and physical sciences to the social and political sciences.

He was appointed chairperson of a chapter of the Organization of African Unity and a supportive member of the "People’s Organization of Progress” (POP) chaired by Lawrence Hamm. He was elected block association president, appointed municipal fourth ward Treasurer, and Essex County Committee executive board district leader. He hosted his cable television show, "The First Step." He was appointed by the mayor (unanimously confirmed by the City Council) to serve as the Commissioner for the City of East Orange. After several campaigns and re-elections, dissatisfied with politics’ failure to serve the people's best interest, Commissioner MAVA returned to the pure sciences via academia. He continued his formal education and returned to the island of his birth. He did graduate studies in Biochemistry at Columbia University in Harlem, New York City. After getting a Master's degree, he returned to his roots, becoming his undergraduate college's first African American instructor in the chemistry/physics department. He taught Inorganic, Organic, and Biochemistry. Listed in Who's Who in American Education, he served as a debate coach and senior class advisor at Newark Central High School.

Michael accepted a chemistry teaching appointment at America’s oldest public high school, specializing in the Fine and Performing Arts, Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey, where his older sister, Beverly Marcell, graduated as a violinist. In addition to his sister, many talented people graduated from Arts High School, including the legendary songstress Sarah Vaughn, Melba Moore, Beverly Marcell, Woody Shaw, Connie Francis, Jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter, actor Tiesha Campbell-Martin, Savon Glover, Haas Manning, and Michael B. Jordan. Michael was the advisor for Allied Health Careers and the National Honor Society. Michael returned to Rutgers Medical School to do Pharmacokinetic research and co-authored publications in medical journals, including Clinical Research. He worked under the guidance of the remarkable scholar Professor Ophelia De Laine Gona, MD. #MichaelVanAllen

In 1997, Van Allen was appointed to a teaching position where he taught biochemistry in the pre-medical program at Rutgers Medical College. Contemporaneously, he was promoted to the position of science department chair by the Newark Public Schools. Education runs in his family; his sister Barbara teaches college mathematics, and her son David attended Dartmouth University and studied the Japanese language during his stay in Japan. Michael received his pinnacle of recognition- after ten years of service as a high school science educational leader- when appointed in 2007 by the New Jersey Department of Education to establish the benchmarks for the NJ Board of Education for the Science High School Proficiency Assessment. (HSPA is a NJ exit exam that 80,000 science students throughout the State must pass to graduate from High School.)

Michael's granddad, Cecil X. Scott.

"Lawd, Lawd" by Cecil Scott & his Bright

Click PIC for audio

Living Life to the Fullest: Michael A. Van Allen's Inspiring Journey

“I love it when people doubt me. It makes me work harder to prove them wrong.” Derek Jeter, NY Yankee Captain, and Short Stop

Although Michael A. Van Allen still doesn't qualify to join any official bands, he continues to practice on the baby grand piano in his living room and the keyboard in his home office. He finds great joy and fulfillment in his administrative work, positively impacting students' lives. His contributions extend beyond his profession, as he regularly supports his favorite charities, the United Negro College Fund and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the Boys & Girls Club of America, which brings him deep personal satisfaction.

Michael is living through the happiest times, fully immersed in the present. He has a passion for his career, social connections, and many hobbies. His life is filled with meaningful experiences, from helicopter flights down the Grand Canyon, European tours, camel rides across Africa, and climbing the Great Wall of China to scuba diving in the Pacific Islands. His daily routine includes early morning laps in the pool, coffee, watching MSNBC-TV, and reading The New York Times. He finds relaxation in movies, music, and playing in his hometown softball league. He enjoys the thrill of driving his BMW 5-series.

For 15 years, between 1990 and 2005, Michael embraced the life of an international bachelor. He resided in a colonial home at 3 Watchung Avenue in West Orange Township, just up the road from where the famous scientist Thomas Edison once lived and developed his inventions. During this time, Michael lived a cosmopolitan lifestyle, forming friendships with books, sipping fine wines, and enjoying dinner dates with diverse women from across the globe.

Later, he moved with Jasmine—his intelligent, loyal, and beautiful Rottweiler, whom he affectionately called the daughter he never had—to Randolph in Morris County, New Jersey. He also served as Morris County Committee District Leader and Treasurer of the Randolph Democratic Committee. Their home in Mount Freedom felt like paradise, set amidst a peaceful suburban environment. Michael’s civic engagement extended to running for Randolph town council and studying legislation at the Rutgers Eagleton Institute in New Brunswick. He took pride in his political nomination and the overwhelming support from neighbors who braved the rain to vote for him in the November General Election. Michael played second base and catcher on the baseball field, earning the nickname Derrick Jeter. This is not because of his skills but due to his Jeter jersey, which is an easy distinction among the other Mikes in the league. His Dutch Colonial “castle,” nestled on several bucolic acres, provided a serene suburban setting.

Michael’s passion for leadership and advocacy shone through his re-election as labor leader on the City Association of Supervisors and Administrators union’s executive board (CASA, Local #20) under the leadership of Leonard P. Pugliese, Ed.D, President of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFL-CIO). https://www.theschoolleader.org/board-and-staff/dr-leonard-p-pugliese. He also became an active member of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) and the New Jersey Science Education Leadership Association.

Michael served as the Affirmative Action Officer at Malcolm X Shabazz High School, formerly South Side High School. Notable alums include former NYC Mayor Ed Koch and comedian Jerry Lewis. He has had the honor of meeting President Bill Clinton and, on another occasion, Malcolm X's daughters at the school. The school holds significant historical value, as it was where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his last public speech before his assassination.

Michael’s educational contributions earned him further recognition when he was appointed Trustee for the County College of Morris in Randolph Township, his hometown. He was later promoted to School Administrator at Malcolm X Shabazz High School for the Newark Board of Education.

Michael A. Van Allen’s life is a testament to resilience, passion, and a commitment to living each day to the fullest. From his impactful career to his vibrant personal pursuits, Michael continues to inspire and lead by example. He graciously donates and supports "A Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival." https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org

“A bachelor is a man who comes to work each morning from a different direction.”

Sholom Aleichem

Michael spent several decades living as an international playboy bachelor. Michael’s insatiable thirst for Pinot Noir, compounded with his libidinous appetite for women of all nationalities and ethnicities, has meant partying and laughing loudly among his baseball teammates about his world travels. He roared, “I take ‘em from 18 to 81, blind, dumb, and crazy; if they can’t walk, I’ll drag ‘em!” On his recent return from Denmark, followed by the “Virgin” Islands excursion, he boasted with laughter from the batter’s circle, shouting to his team in the dugout, “Oh, they just call them the ‘Islands’ now!”

The Genesis of a Public Policy Analyst and Advocate

"If you've got 'em by the balls, their heart and mind will follow."
—U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson

The most intriguing course Michael undertook during his recent doctoral studies in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy at Seton Hall University was "Higher Education Public Policy Analysis," led by Professor Rong Chen. Ironically, it was during this seminar that Michael broke his perfect attendance record. He “cut” the class to participate in a critical vote on a highly contentious public policy issue in higher education.

The County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees was holding an extraordinary meeting in the college gymnasium. The space was packed with students, protesters, supporters, community leaders, politicians, advocacy groups, Tea Party activists, stakeholders, and media representatives. Michael had just flown in from an educational conference in Vancouver, Canada, and made it to CCM in time to vote on a policy allowing undocumented immigrants to matriculate, provided they met the federal DREAM Act requirements. This policy change was the most significant in over a decade at CCM. The previous board, in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, had enacted a policy barring "illegal aliens" from attending the institution.

In 2011, Michael—an advanced doctoral student in education policy—was recently appointed chair of the Minority Enrollment Committee. The motion allowing undocumented students to attend CCM was the first to emerge from his committee, and it was during this process that Michael developed a deep understanding of the policymaking world. Upon his return, he explained the "behind-the-scenes" intricacies of the policymaking process to his colleagues, providing insights beyond the media's portrayal of events. Michael's goal remains to bridge the worlds of theory, research, law, policy, and practice to promote educational success for underserved populations.

Michael firmly believes that socialism has never gained a foothold in America because many citizens—particularly the 47%—perceive themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed members of the wealthiest 2%. His advocacy for racial justice continues to be unwavering, and he identifies several key issues that demand urgent attention: racism, white privilege, the racial academic achievement gap, the racial health and wellness gap, and racial segregation in housing, employment, and schools.

He is mainly concerned with mass incarceration, the war on drugs, the "school-to-prison pipeline," income inequality, felony disenfranchisement, voter suppression, unemployment, police brutality, and the pervasive "blue code of silence" within law enforcement. Michael advocates for comprehensive reforms within the criminal justice system, including sentencing reform, raising the minimum wage to a livable standard, increasing voter participation, and advancing global justice and democracy.

As a scholar and advocate, Michael remains committed to these goals to address the systemic challenges hindering societal equity and justice.

CITIZENSHIP: Earth, SPECIES: Homo sapiens sapiens, RACE: Human, SEX: Cis-Hetero Male, AGE: Aspiring Octogenarian COLOR: Ethiopian brown, the global average human skin tone. [Like a piano's 88 keys, the human skin color spectrum spans from the lightest treble beige (1-24) to the darkest bass brown (64-88); Michael's melodic skin tone is middle C, Ethiopian brown, or #44.] POLITICS: Freedom & Justice. Democratic Socialist, Pro-Labor Party, Pro-Liberal Party. RELIGION: Love DENOMINATION: Non-Delusional GENETIC: Mike's genetic composition informs him that he has a 55% likelihood of sharing African ethnicity, 41% European, and 4% Native American, but to be clear, he is 100% Human. CREED: Agnostic-Atheist. [Michael identifies as an atheist because he does not believe in any gods and as an agnostic because he believes imperfect humans cannot confirm the existence of perfection. PHILOSOPHY: Michael studies evolutionary biology, neurology, and psychology. He navigates his life and draws from various ancient Eastern and modern Western philosophies—including Stoicism, Existentialism, Humanism, and Buddhism (minus the karma, rebirth, bald-headed radical extremism. and other philosophies as well—selecting and adapting ideas to create a personal, evolving philosophy that he refines in real-time to fit his circumstances and environment. Mike enjoys company that seeks the truth but shies away from those who claim to have already found it. LANGUAGE: (Bilingual) Math & Music DIALECT: Laughter ACCENT: Smile :-) DIET: “MIND” stands for “Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.” The MIND diet is a hybrid between two of the healthiest diets known, i.e., the Mediterranean and the DASH diets. HOBBIES: Deep sea scuba diving, reading (old classics and new releases), and journaling as a tool for self-reflection, personal growth, and emotional processing. We should all tell our own stories. Let the naysayers do what they do: deny, lie, and crucify, but write their own story they dare not do. INTERESTS: Psychology, philosophy, proverbs & astronomy NEWS: Newspaper - NY Times, Radio - NPR, TV - PBS, and Journal - "Science" published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). ENTERTAINMENT: Theater, Film, TV and streaming services, WQXR-FM 105.9 Radio, and Facebook. FITNESS ACTIVITIES: Michael maintains a balanced approach to health and wellness through physical and mental practices. While longevity is one of the long-term benefits that accompanies regular and rigorous exercise, he does it for the present. He enjoys it and feels accomplished; strength and cardio exercises improve his quality of life and well-being. Mike doesn’t do these healthy lifestyle habits to extend his lifespan; He does them to feel better (physically and emotionally) today, have a restful sleep tonight, and extend his health span. [The British Journal of Sports Medicine] SWIMMING provides cardio, builds endurance, and keeps his heart strong. STRENGTH TRAINING - (including Bi-Weekly body strength, free weights, machines, resistance bands, and functional strength activities)- increases his power and keeps his muscles healthy. VINYASA YOGA enhances balance, flexibility, and overall mobility while mindfulness and gratitude. MEDITATION sharpens his focus and brings peace of mind, helping him stay present in every moment. Together, these routines create a holistic foundation for physical strength, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. SLEEP: Mike and Deb understand sleep's critical role in maintaining overall health. Studies show that sleep deprivation can lead to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity, and numerous other health issues. To support their well-being, they’ve made sleep a priority. They follow a consistent bedtime routine every night: flossing at precisely 8:57 PM and settling into bed by 9 PM. This commitment allows them to enjoy 9 hours of rest each night, reinforcing their health and resilience each day. PASSION: Music, literature, canine, and human socializing. PROFESSION: Teaching & Research VOCATION: Saxophonist, Clarinetist, Keyboard. ASSOCIATIONS: U.S. Masters Swimming, Montclair Literary Festival - through Succeed2gether, Morris Museum Astronomical Society, the Morris County New Horizon Band, Mountain Lakes, NJ,

Michael A Van Allen's Manifesto:

At 70, Michael A. Van Allen reflects on a life shaped by determination, accomplishment, and leadership. His mission has always been clear: to eradicate the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation, White Nationalism, and so-called ‘Christian’ nationalism while promoting global, secular, humanitarian values grounded in science. He believes thoughtful individuals must always stand on the side of justice, never with the executioners. Guided by the Golden Rule, you should treat others as you would want to be treated. Michael has worked to create justice and equality, not just ideals but realities.

Driven by a love for science, art, and the humanities, Michael’s identity as an educator, scientist, and activist has been central to his life. He has championed human rights, animal and environmental justice, and Black suffrage. As a proud supporter of Womanism and a conservationist, he advocates for equity for all. His passion for knowledge and learning fuels his identity as a lifelong reader and bibliophile. He reads fiction and non-fiction, from the classics to the New York Times bestsellers.

Maintaining balance through habit, Michael finds peace in his daily routines of long-distance swimming, playing the saxophone, and practicing yoga and weight training. His interests include stargazing as an amateur astronomer, where he contemplates humanity's place in the universe. A world traveler, atheist, and racial justice advocate, he consistently challenges anti-Black propaganda, Christian fascism, and white nationalism. His activism spans many issues, from prison abolition to the Critical Race Theory, always striving for justice. He believes deeply in globalism, multiculturalism, and humanity's interconnectedness. As a Secular Democratic Socialist, Michael sees himself as a constant advocate for justice.

For decades, Michael has worked to dismantle white supremacy, science denialism, and resistance to facts. He has fought against income inequality, the wealth gap, the for-profit prison industry, and school segregation. He has opposed police brutality, human trafficking, and various forms of bigotry, including racism, xenophobia, and misogyny. Michael has stood firmly against poverty, climate change denialism, and the damaging effects of capitalism, militarism, and theocracies.

Michael has remained committed to reason, critical thinking, and evidence-based action throughout his fight for a better world. His professional life as a biochemist—teaching inorganic, organic, and biochemistry at Upsala College and New Jersey Medical School—was grounded in these principles. As a scientist, he embraced rationalism and empiricism; as a human being, he sought peace through mindfulness meditation and yoga. Michael is a proud member of the 100-mile Swim Club, an avid gym-goer, and a deep-sea scuba diver. He loves books, dogs, music, nostalgia, and engaging in personal growth.

Mike has done his best to eradicate injustices, suffering, and misery. He’s an atheist fighting against Christofascism and White Nationalism and for Church-State Separation. However, Mike has passed his activism torch. His advice to the following generation is simple: embrace lifelong learning, remain adaptable, follow your passions, and take risks. Cultivate healthy habits, live within your means, and build meaningful connections. Above all, make a positive impact and believe in yourself. While Michael has dedicated his life to reducing suffering and injustices, and his values continue to be embedded in science, humanity, environmental conservation, freedom, and justice, he now passes the torch to younger generations. He plans to spend his golden years with Debbie, using his time, talent, treasure, and toil to practice self-care and invest in his health, happiness, and serenity. Living a lifelong triad of learning, exercise, and music practice. Michael’s current motto is: “Physician, heal thyself.” He has turned inward, focusing on wellness, gratitude, and peace. He believes the most significant investment is in oneself, yielding the best returns. Living authentically and unconcerned with others' opinions, he recognizes that freedom comes from being true to oneself. Oscar Wilde once said, "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."

DEBBIE

You don’t marry the woman you can live with; you marry the woman you can’t live without.

Michael and Debbie started dating during President G. Bush's administration. They share a passion for science and teaching and a deep, enduring love for each other. They taught chemistry, supervised science instruction, developed curricula, and led science departments for decades. Now, they enjoy a fulfilling life together in their beautiful home at Lake Valhalla in Montville, New Jersey. Shared social, political, and philosophical views strengthen their union, and their home is filled with joy and laughter, especially during their ‘uncontrollable, breath-stealing belly laughs.’ Their relationship is built on love, humor, and mutual respect.

They disagree, but their resolution is founded on giving up on being right! Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Who cares? For example, when Mike was invited to play a late-night set at the Jazz House in Montclair, it was a nostalgic thrill, like stepping back into Harlem in 1962. Ever the realist, Debbie says, “Honey, it starts at 10 p.m. You’ll be asleep by the first chorus. Plus, the drive back? Not safe.” “I’ll nap beforehand!” I reply. Debbie reminded him, “You nap during Netflix movies. Just go jam with Mark on Saturday afternoon like you always do.” After a moment of sulking silence, Mike nods: “Yes, dear.” In the rare moments when they disagree, their arguments always end in the same loving way. Michael often jokes that as the man of the house, he gets the last word, and those words are usually, “Yes, dear!” He knows that a happy spouse makes for a happy house and a happy wife makes for a happy life.

Debbie comes from a distinguished family rooted in the medical profession. Her grandfather was a general practitioner, her father a gynecologist/obstetrician, her uncle a psychiatrist, and her brothers—one an oncologist in Australia and the other a surgeon in Connecticut—carry on the family’s legacy. One of Michael’s favorite family members is Sherry, Debbie's sister-in-law. From day one, Sherry welcomed and loved Michael sincerely. Sherry, a Harvard law-educated immigration attorney who attended law school with Michelle Obama, is kind and brilliant. Debbie’s mother, a remarkable woman, graduated from Bronx Science High School at just 16 and earned a chemistry degree from NYU at 19, a testament to her intelligence and determination.

While Debbie's family has a legacy of medicine, Michael's family comes from a rich musical background. Both their fathers were born in the Bronx, graduated from Morris High School, and served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Debbie's father delivered babies at Harlem Hospital, while Michael’s father delivered mail from the NYC Post Office. Coincidentally, both families moved to New Jersey in 1963, and both mothers became widows when their husbands passed away at the same young age of 72.

Debbie’s love of gardening isn’t just a hobby—it’s practically a superpower. With flowers around the house for flair and a caged garden to fend off the local wildlife buffet (because Black bears don’t do Whole Foods), she’s growing more than just veggies and spices. Gardening is a science-backed health boost disguised as dirt therapy: sunlight for vitamin D (your immune system’s BFF), fresh pesticide-free produce for healthy eating, and all that digging, planting, and weeding doubles as strength training. Plus, it’s a natural stress buster—who needs yoga when you’ve got a hoe? Debbie isn’t just cultivating plants; she’s sowing joy, wellness, and maybe even a little bear-proof brilliance.

Debbie, like her siblings, is fiercely competitive. One day, a note appeared on their front door—a warm invitation from a new neighbor in their cul-de-sac to a chili cook-off. This was an excellent opportunity to meet the community, have fun, and engage in a friendly competition to see who could make the best chili. Each family prepared a unique recipe, keeping their dishes anonymous as the neighbors gathered to judge.

The chili was judged on consistency—requiring the perfect balance of sauce, meat, beans, and other ingredients—and aroma, color, taste, and aftertaste. All the neighbors acted as judges, tasting and scoring each dish.

Michael already knew Debbie was an exceptional cook, but wanting to be gracious, he chose not to vote for her chili and opted for the second-best pot instead. As they waited for the children to tally the votes, Michael glanced at Debbie with a playful smile and asked, “Which pot did you vote for?” Debbie’s face flushed as she bashfully admitted she had voted for her own. They both burst into laughter.

Debbie’s competitive spirit paid off—her chili won the cook-off! They returned home proudly with the Blue Ribbon and the coveted wooden spoon engraved with "World’s Best Chili." It was a day filled with laughter, good food, and the forging of new friendships—one they would always cherish.

Debbie is an intelligent, graceful woman, standing 5 ft 7 inches tall, with a fair complexion, striking green eyes, a slender build, and natural blonde hair. Fluent in Spanish, she is an accomplished and devoted mother to two remarkable daughters. An inspiring educator, Meredith lives in Florida with her husband, a successful business owner, and their four adorable children. Lauren, a talented corporate attorney, resides in an elegant NYC condo with her husband, a dedicated healthcare professional at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan. Debbie's daughters reflect her nurturing spirit and commitment to excellence, thriving personally and professionally.

When Deb’s not at home cooking healthy Mediterranean cuisine, gardening, or watching Netflix with Michael, she can often be found on the pickleball court. She has successfully transferred her outstanding tennis skills to the new craze sweeping the nation—America’s fastest-growing sport - Pickleball. She practices daily and competes in tournaments across the county. Now a medalist in pickleball, Deb is kind and friendly, and her personality has made her a beloved member of their Mountain Lakes pickleball community, where everyone adores her. To know Debbie is to love her.

Despite their different backgrounds, Michael and Debbie always support each other, even in fierce competitions on pickleball courts or during home ping-pong matches. They celebrate their anniversary on June 12, Loving Day, in honor of the Supreme Court decision that legalized interracial marriage—a day that holds deep significance for them. Since meeting on Match (dot) com during President George Bush’s administration, their love has grown stronger each year. Michael continues to learn so much from her - on a regular. Grateful for their shared laughter, love, and companionship, they look forward to decades of happiness. Thank you, Match (dot) com, for years of love since 2008.

SUNSET

As Michael grew older, he modified his physical fitness routine. He transitioned from competing in the Randolph Lake Triathlons and Rutgers Half-Marathons and practicing martial arts to a more sustainable regimen. Following the advice of his U.S. Masters Swimming coach, he began swimming one mile three times a week. On alternate days, he embraced weight lifting and vinyasa yoga, practicing 60-minute sessions under the guidance of instructors at his Mountain Lakes yoga studio.

Michael A. Van Allen once had lofty academic goals, including earning a Ph.D. in education and writing a book. Unfortunately, his journey was interrupted when faculty changes in his doctoral program left him with an "All But Dissertation" (ABD) status. His former advisor, Dr. Rebecca Cox, accepted a position at a university overseas, which obstructed his progress. Although Michael passed his qualifying exams and completed his coursework, he struggled to find another advisor willing to support his dissertation on the Critical Race Theory, a controversial subject at the time. Rather than choosing a more straightforward and obvious topic, such as confirming that affluent students with no employment have better attendance and higher grades than underprivileged students working shift jobs, Michael held firm to his desire to contribute meaningful literature on Critical Race Theory. He didn’t just want a Ph.D.; he tried to turn his dissertation into a book, making a lasting impact.

Michael's life and times have met with adversity, success, and a conglomeration of various relationships.

Michael is glad to have maintained a close relationship with his 8th-grade friend, Mark. He fondly remembers playing basketball with Mark and visiting his house, where Mark's grandmother would bake them cookies. Mark became a high school math teacher, retired as the president of his teachers' union, and now lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Linda. Michael and Debbie visit Mark and Linda, and the couple reciprocates by visiting them in Montville. Michael and Mark text, chat on the phone, and occasionally meet at a diner for a bite.

In addition to Mark, Michael had another 8th-grade friend, David Schwartz. Michael, Mark, David, and others played basketball together at their school's Columbian Park playground. Michael recalls visiting David's house in the fall of 1967, raking leaves together, and enjoying sandwiches prepared by David’s mother. Michael was surprised to learn that not all Jewish families followed the strict dietary laws, but he appreciated the ham and cheese sandwiches since both boys were hungry. After 8th grade, their paths diverged: David went to a predominantly white high school, while Michael attended East Orange High School, which was predominantly Black. They lost touch for over 50 years but eventually reconnected through social media. However, Michael was disheartened to see a Confederate flag on David’s profile, the American equivalent of the swastika. When questioned, this Texas resident, now Dr. David Schwartz, dismissed it as "heritage," but to Michael, it echoed the same "cut-and-paste" racist rhetoric. It reminded him of the Civil Rights murders of Black and Jewish workers like Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, stirring emotions of betrayal. Michael’s feelings about race are further complicated by innocent images of children of different races hugging and playing together. While such pictures symbolize hope for a better future, they remind Michael of the scene in Roots where Missy Anne, a white character, betrays her Black childhood friend, Kizzy, despite their bond as young girls. This memory hits close to home, as Michael personally knew the actress Leslie Uggams, who played Kizzy, decades ago when she dated his uncle Ronald in Harlem. Some friends are for life, others, well, they spoil like milk, so you pick them up and throw their ass out before they stink up the place.

THE PROMISED LAND:

After celebrating his 70th birthday, Michael considers his activism coming to a conclusion. Having dedicated years to fighting injustice and striving to reach "Promised Land," he now enjoys a more peaceful, reflective phase of life. While he votes in every election, joyfully serves jury duty, graciously donates to political and social causes, and entertains himself by sharing thoughtful social media posts on race and the social constructs of faith, his activism has significantly lessened remarkably, i.e., no more protracted, often unfruitful, community meetings.

Michael has shifted his energy toward personal wellness and self-improvement, focusing on habits that enhance his overall quality of life. He prioritizes mindful meditation, strength training, quality sleep, healthy eating, and maintaining meaningful relationships. Gone are the days when he immersed himself in the relentless 24-hour news cycle or was consumed by the world's problems, most of which were beyond his control. Now, in his Golden years, he passes the torch and leaves those issues to younger and future generations to tackle in their way while he practices self-care.

He and his wife, Debbie, have created their personal "land of milk and honey," filled with health, happiness, and tranquility. Michael lives by the motto, "Physician, heal thyself," emphasizing the importance of self-care. He is committed to a healthy Mediterranean diet and practices yoga and meditation to balance his mind and body. He begins his day every morning with black coffee, soft classical music, and a good book.

Exercise remains a vital part of his routine. His days involve cross-training with swimming, weightlifting, and yoga to maintain physical strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Michael also stays mentally sharp by engaging in activities like reading, writing, journaling, and music theory. Mike continues to work to maintain a lifelong delicate, dynamic, optimum balance with diet, exercise, sleep, study, entertainment, social relationships, and music practice, including the practices of self-reflection, meditation, gratitude, letting go, forgiving others, and, most importantly, of self. He plans to join Debbie in her fluency in Spanish, making language learning another shared passion. Their evenings together are filled with wholesome, nutritious, delicious meals and Netflix movie nights, creating a life brimming with love, humor, and joy.

Michael’s philosophy in retirement revolves around maintaining a balance of mind and body. He refers to this as his "ménage à trois" of personal fulfillment: the mind, through reading, writing, and journaling; the body, through swimming, strength training, and yoga; and his essence, through his love of music. His library, gym, and band practice give him a sense of growth, strength, and emotional well-being.

TRAVEL

Michael has traveled the world, including Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Pacific islands. He eagerly anticipates more travel adventures. A perfect example is his one-month trip to Australia with Debbie. After an 18-hour flight covering 10,000 miles, they arrived to stay with his brother-in-law, Robert, a surgeon living there. Robert and his wife, Gem are building a new home. Sometimes the family reunites for a week at the halfway point in Hawaii.

During their Australian adventure, Michael and Debbie engaged in various activities. Michael even drove Robert’s manual stick-shift truck—on the left side of the road! The truck’s stick and steering wheel were also on the "wrong" (English) side, which made for quite an experience.

They spent their days sailing on Robert’s private boat, camel riding, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. They also took helicopter flights, witnessed breathtaking sunrises and sunsets under the clear skies of the Southern Hemisphere, and attended an astronomy lecture outdoors. Dining under the stars, with the Milky Way above them and thousands of lights all around, was spectacular!

They visited zoos, rainforests, and Australia’s arid outback. They walked through a glass tunnel at the aquarium while exotic fish swam above and around them. One of the highlights was a cable car ride with a glass-bottom view, floating a thousand meters above the rainforest, followed by a scenic train ride back. Before the trip came to a close, Michael and Debbie stayed in a hotel on the 70th floor and took in a performance at the iconic Sydney Opera House. They stayed in four other hotels along the way, ensuring they experienced everything Australia had to offer—and they did!

They explored much of Australia, only staying with Robert and Gem for one week. After that, they took four domestic flights to explore Southern, Central, and Eastern Australia. Michael shared pictures on social media, including a playful shot of himself pretending to play a traditional musical instrument at a local store.

While there, Michael also kept up with his musical practice, playing his clarinet. He helped Robert collect firewood for a late-night bonfire, which they built exactly where Robert and Gem’s future living room would be. Friends, neighbors, co-workers, and guests gathered around the bonfire to share food, drinks, stories, and laughter. At one point, four wild horses wandered into the gathering with the intent of helping themselves to the food! Robert politely shooed them away, and the horses obediently left the party.

One neighbor at the party later confessed to Michael that she heard him playing the clarinet. She mentioned that her excitable American Terrier was unusually calmed by the "Sounds of Music" that Michael played. The terrier would lie down as if to sleep during Michael’s playing and spring back to life once he stopped, eager for more. The story was incredible because the neighbor’s house was so far away that Michael couldn’t imagine anyone other than snakes or kangaroos hearing him play. But she knew the song, leaving no doubt!

Pictures on Instagram show Debbie dancing on the Australian hills, singing to the "Sounds of Music." The trip was a joyful adventure filled with laughter, exploration, and cherished memories.

THE REST OF THE STORY...

In 2005, Conductor Rich De Cicco (Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education) re-introduced Michael to the clarinet after a nearly 50-year hiatus, sparking his post-retirement musical journey. Conductor David Mende (Pequannock Township BOE) gifted him his first tenor saxophone a few years later, making Michael a proud third-generation saxophonist. Adding to this legacy, band leader and conductor Larry Ripley drafted Mike into his Morris Plains Community Band.

Michael is deeply grateful to the New Horizons of Morris County band conductors for rekindling his connection to this rich musical heritage. The New Horizons of Morris County Band has been a cornerstone of his journey, allowing him to embrace and celebrate his family’s enduring love of music.

Music has become Michael's passion in retirement, creating joy and fostering connections with others. He cherishes the privilege of playing and sharing music, not only for the personal fulfillment it brings but also for its ability to strengthen bonds with family, old friends, and new acquaintances. Through music, he feels a deep sense of belonging to a global community that spans history and culture.

Music serves multiple purposes in Michael’s life. It creates social cohesion by bringing people together in a shared, safe environment. It also supports his mental sharpness, providing a kind of cognitive workout. Research in music and cognitive psychology reveals that engaging with music—whether by playing, listening, or studying—enhances memory, focus, and concentration. It also boosts emotional well-being, reading skills, and executive function. Music, in this sense, is not only an enjoyable pastime for Michael but an essential tool for maintaining cognitive and emotional health as he ages.

Furthermore, scientific studies underscore music’s broader health benefits, such as reducing stress, anxiety, and blood pressure, while improving sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory. Music enriches Michael’s life in various ways, offering relaxation and invigoration.

His musical journey begins each morning with classical music during his reading time, a ritual that centers his mind for the day ahead. Sometimes, he dances to hip hop, Funk and House music for fun and energy. And when he turns on Motown, R&B, and Classic Soul from the 1970s and '80s, it’s a trip down memory lane, romanticizing his school days and reliving the nostalgia of those eras.

Each genre serves a unique purpose in Michael’s life, whether fostering joy, facilitating reflection, or deepening his connection with both past and present. Through his love of R&B, Classic Soul, Funk, House, and Concert music, Michael finds pleasure and a way to keep growing, learning, and connecting with others. Music is therapeutic for him. Music gives him meaning and purpose in life, and as a third-generation saxophonist, she is his mistress, passion, and legacy.

Everybody Loves Cecil X. Scott

Art Hodes, a devoted advocate for traditional jazz, fondly remembered Cecil X. Scott. Hodes was celebrated as one of the greatest white blues pianists, and he contributed to jazz through his distinctive piano style and his writings, radio shows, and educational television programs. A noted composer, historian, and teacher, Hodes’ admiration for Scott highlights the deep respect Cecil commanded within the jazz community. Hodes wrote:

"I’ll never forget the day I visited Cecil at his home in Harlem," Hodes recalled. "He lived in what we called a ‘railroad flat,’ a first-floor apartment with a long hallway running the length of it. Cecil welcomed us into the kitchen for a taste of something, and then he called in the family. He had 11 children, from the baby to the eldest, who was almost seventeen. I had to ask, ‘Man, how do you guys operate?’ Cecil laughed, saying, ‘We eat in shifts and sleep in tiers.”

Amidst the challenges of raising such a large family, Cecil remained devoted to his music, and it was clear that his wife, Nina, played a central role in his success. "I think my wife Nina is the real reason for most of my success," Cecil once said. "When I lost my leg and became afraid to face people, she was the one who revived me and gave me the confidence to continue. She’s always been my encourager. We were born in the same town, in the same month, in the same year. We went to school together. She’s been with me all my life!"

Michael A. Van Allen's grandfather, Cecil X. Scott (born November 22, 1905, in Springfield, Ohio – died January 5, 1964, in New York City), was an American jazz clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, and bandleader. During their teenage years, he started his musical journey alongside his brother, drummer Lloyd Scott. The Scott brothers co-led a band through the late 1920s, securing residencies in Ohio, Pittsburgh, and New York City's Savoy Ballroom. The ensemble featured iconic musicians such as Dicky Wells, Frankie Newton, Bill Coleman, Roy Eldridge, Johnny Hodges, and Chu Berry.

In 1929, Cecil led the group while Lloyd continued managing it. Unfortunately, a severe leg injury in the early 1930s sidelined Cecil's career. However, after recovering, he resumed his musical journey, performing with Ellsworth Reynolds in 1932-33 and later with Teddy Hill, Clarence Williams, and Teddy Wilson, accompanying the legendary Billie Holiday. During the early 1940s, he played with Red Allen, Willie "The Lion" Smith, and Alberto Socarras before forming his own band in 1942, which included luminaries like Hot Lips Page and Art Hodes. Cecil also collaborated with Slim Gaillard during the latter part of the 1940s.

By 1950, Scott disbanded his group, choosing instead to work as a sideman, notably with Jimmy McPartland, while occasionally leading smaller ensembles. He remained active in the jazz scene until he died in 1964, leaving behind a legacy that includes contributions to some 75 albums.

Cecil credited much of his success to his wife, Nina, who stood by his side through thick and thin. Born in the same month and year as Cecil, Nina was his lifelong partner, raising 13 children while providing him unwavering support and encouragement.

For more about Cecil Scott, visit these links: Everybody Loves Cecil Scott, Cecil Scott and His Bright Boys, Cecil Scott Biography on All Music, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkipJWjrN1o

Michael Finally Made the Band!

The race is not given to he who runs the swiftest but to he who endures to the end.

Overture: A Rocky Start

Michael’s grandfather advised him, that if he wanted to learn the saxophone, he should first master the clarinet. So, in 8th grade, Michael began taking clarinet lessons. However, he struggled so much that the music director told him not to blow into the instrument during the end-of-year concert—to pretend. Mike’s proud parents watched from the audience while he silently mimicked playing alongside his classmates.

Michael didn’t make the high school marching band. At just 5’5" and 150 pounds, he also failed to make the football and basketball teams. With sports off the table, he turned to academics, excelling in biochemistry. Though his knowledge of polypeptides and nucleic acids restored some confidence, his early setbacks in music lingered. Nevertheless, this academic path led him to study biochemistry at Columbia University, become a research biochemist at Merck Pharmaceuticals, and later taught college chemistry. After a very successful 40+ year career in research and academia, he retired as an officer of the County College of Morris Board of Trustees and an administrator with Newark Public Schools.

Interlude: A New Beginning

As Michael transitioned into retirement, keeping active with his distant swims, he overheard a concert band near his Mountain Lakes swimming hole. Succinctly, curiosity led to investigation, and he quickly joined the Morris County New Horizons Band—an international community band for musicians aged 55 and up. The band, which includes musicians of all experience levels, even boasts a 96-year-old drummer, Gene.

Fifty-five years after he took his grandfather’s advice, he found comfort with his "licorice stick" after attending his first band camp at the New England Adult Music Camp in Sidney, Maine. Today, he plays both the clarinet and saxophone.

His clarinet, affectionately named Black Brenda, allows him to “double” and travel lightly. The Sax (aka Beverly, his Golden Lady) lets him play Classic Soul, 1970s Old School R&B, Funk, Pop, and House Music on the bandstand in parks, festivals, concerts, and jam sessions.

CODA:
Today, as a 3rd-generation American Saxophonist, Michael doubles on the Tenor Sax and Clarinet for the "Swing Tones" orchestra, a talented 17-piece traditional swing jazz big band in Morris County, NJ.

As Paul Harvey would say, “Now you know the rest of the story!”

In conclusion:

Closing thoughts, epitaphs, and requiem

FYI: More pictures on my Instagram account. More narrative on my Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. Click the taps for social media, race, and God.

Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones. So, I don't know if God exists, but it would be better for his reputation if he didn't.

"Until lions have historians, hunters will be heroes." -Kenyan Proverb

It's hard to win an argument against a smart person, but it's almost impossible to win an argument against a stupid person. So, never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. And never argue with a fool in public, passersby won't know who's who. So, before you try to convince a fool against his will, make certain he doesn't have the same problem.

Avoid bitterness and holding onto regrets. I never lose, I either win or learn. “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” So, what can you do? Pick social/political causes that are important to you and consistently fight for them. I've chosen racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and war. But remember, ultimately, the only revenge worth having is living a successful life.

Live, Love, Laugh, Learn, Repeat... I hope to live long and die young.

You’re going to realize it one day — that happiness was never about your job, your degree, or being in a relationship. Happiness was never about following in the footsteps of all those who came before you; it was never about being like the others, or worshipping so-called Gods.
One day, you’re going to see it — that happiness was always about discovery, hope, listening to your heart, living with awe and following it wherever it chose to go. Happiness was always about being kinder to yourself; it was always about embracing the person you were becoming.
One day, you will understand that happiness was always about learning how to live with yourself, and that happiness was never in the hands of other people. It was always about you.

A Gentle Reminder: This life will go by fast. Don't fight with people, don't criticize your body so much, don't complain so much. Don't lose sleep over material things. Recognize the person that makes you happy. If you make a mistake, let it go and keep seeking your happiness. Never stop being a good person. Don't worry so much about buying things you can't afford, with money you don't have, to impress people that don't like you. Don't kill yourself trying to leave an inheritance for others. Those benefits should be earned by each person, so don't dedicate yourself to accumulating money. Travel, enjoy your journeys, see new places, and give yourself the pleasures you deserve. Allow dogs to get closer. Don't put away the fine glassware. Utilize the new dinnerware; don't save your favorite fragrance, use it to go out with yourself; wear out your favorite sports shoes; repeatedly wear your favorite clothes. Live in the present.

Why not forgive now? We wait so long for holidays, for Friday, for reunions, for another year, for when I have money, for love to come, for everything to be perfect. Look, perfection doesn't exist. Here is an opportunity to learn. So take this challenge that is life and do it now.

love more, forgive more, embrace more, love more intensely. Start with loving and forgiving yourself. Stay away from toxicity. To avoid unhappiness, anxiety, and depression, we need to control those things that are within our power and be indifferent or apathetic to those things which are not. Don't worry about the future, don't regret the past, but live in the present. Expect less, and stay grateful. “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” We allow our happiness to be stolen from us when what we think we desire is not aligned with what we might think is reality. Be careful of what you wish for, and remember, one hundred years from now, none of this will matter. Don't worry about tomorrow, and don't regret yesterday. Live, love, and be grateful for this very moment.

The mathematical formula for happiness is very simple. It's (t)=w0+w1∑j=1tγt−jCRj+w2∑j=1tγt−jEVj+w3∑j=1tγt−jRPEj. Ok, mathematically challenged, are you? The Happiness Equation in words is: your happiness is equal to or greater than the difference between the events of your life and your expectations. Be mindful, that “events” are subject to your perception, values, and vision at the present time only.

My dear ole' dad, who I will always love, was my best friend in life. He taught me well by modeling, to be true to myself. And he taught me, there is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly behooves any of us, to talk about the rest of us! He taught me how to be a compassionate man with integrity, how to be generous with praise, and parsimonious with judgment. For, the virtuous and the wicked are just exchanging notes. Every good person has a past and every bad person has a future.

Eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure! Life is short, so live your life, be happy and keep smiling. Just live for yourself and before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you meditate, forgive. Before you hurt, feel. Before you hate, love. Before you quit, try and Before you die, live.

"To be a writer you must write; to be a good writer you must read." Dr. MAVA

I want to die young as late as possible.

Life is short...break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile!

All that lives will die, and nothing is everlasting. But, our inevitable death is not the worse. The worse include the moments spent regretting the past. I never lose, I either win or learn. The worse include the moments spent worrying about the future. I practice acceptance of the things I cannot change. The worse is allowing too much of our brief voyage through space-time to slip away without doing our utmost to give it joy, meaning, and awe.

They will criticize you for what you are, for what you are not, and for what they think you are. They will judge you for what you do, for what you don't do, and for what you fail to do. They will talk about you for what you say and for what you keep silent about. They will point at you for your successes and for your mistakes, for your decisions and for your doubts. No matter how much you try to please, there will always be opinions. So, live for yourself, because in the end, the only thing that matters is being true to your own path.

Dr. MAVA’s EPITAPH - Let the music play!

Manhattan-born, New Jersey-bred;

Studied science, then books he read.

Smoked his stuff;

and drank his wine.

Multi-ethnic womanizer;

human rights sympathizer.

World traveled, well-read;

Late to wed, never bred.

Tried triathlons but no win to boast;

Loved his music, the arts engrossed.

Chased life's dreams with a hopeful cry;

Wished to laugh till the day he'd die.

Now at Mt. Freedom dead;

much good, some ill, he did.

So, hope all's even, you that survive;

For if you're getting this, you're still alive.

May you be happy, and live with ease;

for everyone, you will never please.

For only the actions of the just;

Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.

REQUIEM: To Deb: Thanks for being the love of my life, but for also being my best friend till the end.

And, as the Chief Rocker, Frankie Crocker from NY radio WBLS (1972-09) would say, signing off at 8:00 PM,

“I hope you live to be 100, but me, one hundred but minus a day, so I’ll never know that nice people like you have passed away.”

I'm in the mood for love

Simply because you're near me.

Funny, but when you're near me

I'm in the mood for love.

Heaven is in your eyes

Bright as the stars we're under

Oh! Is it any wonder

I'm in the mood for love?

Why stop to think of whether

This little dream might fade?

We've put our hearts together

Now we are one,

I'm not afraid!

If there's a cloud above

If it should rain, we'll let it

But for tonight, forget it!

I'm in the mood for love

King Pleasure - I'm In The Mood For Love (aka Moody's Mood For Love)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QziwjSGLaVw

The life and Times of Michael A Van Allen

The life and Times of Michael A Van Allen

Swimmer, Reader, Saxophonist, Traveler, Thinker Loves Philosophy & Dogs

Biography

In the beginning...

World Travels - Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, the Americas, the pacific and CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

Photo Gallery

Adult life

Pictures

The race is not given to he who runs the swiftest but to he who endures to the end.

Photo Gallery

In conclusion:

Closing thoughts, epitaphs, and requiem

The life and Times of Michael A Van Allen

Swimmer, Reader, Saxophonist, Traveler, Thinker Loves Philosophy & Dogs

Biography

In the beginning...

World Travels - Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, the Americas, the pacific and CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

Photo Gallery

Adult life

Pictures

The race is not given to he who runs the swiftest but to he who endures to the end.

Photo Gallery

In conclusion:

Closing thoughts, epitaphs, and requiem

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