I have had an opinion almost all of my life.

In fact, I remember early on being told to keep my thoughts to myself at an age when adults believed children were to be seen and not heard. Undaunted, as you can see, I’ve managed to turn my dexterity with the English language and my interpretation of the human experience into a professional vocation which I love.

Most of what I felt personally about this or that was only exposed in private conversation. I sought to find a forum where these hidden opinions could not only surface, but also have the effect of a stone on the total consciousness of the pond of people around it. Like a ripple, I hoped my words would bounce thoughts one way or the other out of still stagnation.

I originally wanted to write for a big national black magazine, but after a "start-up" operation I was a part of failed, and one-time print journalist friends forgot their promises to help me find a home for my thoughts, I thought the time for that opportunity had not yet approached.

That was 18 months ago, and I think that it is safe to say the tried and true cliché of "things happening for a reason" is more than true in this case.
A conversation I had with Michael Schenkler about writing for him would arise and the timing of my phone call would coincide with the labor pains of a long overdue idea for Southeast Queens — its own community newspaper. So I would become a columnist, even though I think we both weren’t sure if I could have something to say about our community every week.

With the exception of one overwhelming week, I have had something to say on a variety of subjects. Some topics have concerned our community, many involved our larger village, but all I felt were timely. From gun violence in our streets to City Hall punditry, from domestic interaction to national voting action, I have been blessed with the opportunity to do what I wanted to do and that is simply stimulate thought. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, I have reached people far away from the corners where the PRESS’ black boxes dispense our work.

I think of all the subjects, the one that I still have a personal connection to is that of police-community relations. My own arrest brought me up close and personal to the great New York City divide. My position as probably one of the most recognized black men in this city didn’t stop the injustice that would befall me. The act of being bullied and humiliated by a person in a position of power would bring me kindred with so many other black men before and after me. Fortunately, the damage was minimal, due in part to being in the company of federal law enforcement officers who could provide credibility to what really happened. Needless to say the incident will forever make me cautious about whatever a cop says his or her motivations are for any aggressive action.

I am a different person now, because of that night. It even took me awhile to look at my own friends who wear uniforms in the same way I did before I was loaded into a cell full of prostitutes. It is the one single event that altered my personality from the Gary Anthony Ramsay who wrote, "Calling all Dads" to the man who is typing these words now.

I think in the last year and in this year to follow, it will continue to be the prevailing issue for our communities, both here in SEQ and in the rest of the city.

The next will be the political power to control their actions through policy and procedures. I believe we will only get that through flexing numbers at the ballot box and also making sure that those votes aren’t subverted through conspiracy or ineptitude.

The selection of a president through the "coup" in Florida should not be a forgotten memory to anyone who cares about his or her rights.

Over the last year I have heard from and spoken to so many of you about my thoughts and how you felt about them. Some of you said you felt the same while others have said you weren’t in touch with them at all. But I think all were moved to think more deeply about the subjects I touched on. For me that is the mission — not to superimpose my views on you but to inspire you to carve out an opinion for yourself. To this, I hope we can share more thoughts over the next year.

— Gary Anthony Ramsay is a weekend anchor
and journalist on the all-news
cable station NY1 and along-time resident of Queens.