DeLoach writes about legacy of African people

A rousing debate among friends sent Antioch's Ronald DeLoach, 61, on the path to writing his first book. The debate left each of the friends going back to doing some research and got DeLoach sitting at his desk and writing his feelings about the issue on his computer.
It took some time and a great deal of work, but when he finished his last page, DeLoach had a book on a subject he felt was important for people to read. The title: "Living Without a Name: A View through Black Eyes."

DeLoach was born and raised in Sacramento's Oak Park district, where he was one of the last to be drafted in California during the Vietnam War and served for two years in the military police.
Upon returning to the States, DeLoach majored in African studies at San Jose State.

Shortly after graduation, he became a San Jose police officer serving as an undercover narcotics officers, working in a street crimes unit as well as dealing with gangs and prostitution. Later he worked in intelligence dealing with black and Hispanic gangs on the streets and in prison.
He even had the chance to do some dignitary protection at one point protecting former President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore when they visited the San Jose area.
After 25 years on the force, DeLoach had served his time and was able to retire, taking his final commute home to Antioch, where he has lived for the past 13 years.

"I was having a conversation with the guys that I worked with about what was wrong and where black people were headed," DeLoach said. "It became an exercise after I retired. I'd open up a doc file to write my thoughts. This was a true person's endeavor."

In his book DeLoach questions who are black people and do black people exist as a race?
"Although much of their (black people's) connection to the African continent's history and culture is gone, including the names of approximately 85 tribes that comprise African-Americans, I attempt to answer those and other questions," he explained about his book.

The book traces humankind's beginning and destiny, from recognition of the soul, to a belief in a supreme being, to God, the state and the family. DeLoach says that slavery should be seen as the birth of a people, a people who are yet unnamed. He stresses the importance of family, education and history as a means of moving forward and gaining acknowledgment as a people. His goal is to make a plea for direction.

"This book is about the legacy of African people in America, their struggle for survival and their continuing search for identity," he said.

DeLoach said he came up with the name "Living Without a Name: A View Through Black Eyes" by talking with his sister, an assistant fire chief in San Jose.

"Her first thought almost was what I wanted to say, but I changed it to really fit what I was thinking."

DeLoach said that he would like young people of all cultures to read this book and understand what being black is.

"Color is not a root cause and a root reason for racism. Drop the reference and we can move away from racism," he said.

He also said that older folks should read this book so they can understand where African-American people are headed.

"We should name ourselves and define who we are. Don't just randomly stand up and claim discrimination until you really know what discrimination is," he said.

"Living Without a Name: A View through Black Eyes" is a 94-page paperback available through Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. It can be found under ISBN978-4349-0361-7 at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Google Books and Markus Books in both Oakland and San Francisco.