Intro to my autbiography OUTSIDER

     Based on the reception of my other books, OUTSIDER will never be a bestseller.  In fact, I doubt it'll ever be finished.  That's probably why I feel constrained to put what I've written as an introduction (so far) here on the blog.  

    I will never know what it's like to be anybody but me.

    I will never know what it's like to be part of an identified minority: ethnic, religious, national or linguistic.

    But I know what it's like to be on the outside. I know what it's like to be automatically excluded because of who and what I am.

    So, when people say to me, “You don't understand,” because I'm not a member of that group, I find it ironic.

    They're right; I don't understand.

    But there are things I do understand.

    I understand what it's like to be told, “This doesn't concern you,” and then be expected to leave quietly.

    I understand what it's like to be told, “We'll see you tomorrow,” because somebody suddenly showed up and my presence is suddenly an embarrassment.

    And I understand the feeling that comes with the knowledge that people feel good about themselves when I'm included: “Oh, you can come too, Stevie; it's okay.”

    Because, in one way or another, I've always been an OUTSIDER.