Who Controls the Heart? Confessions of a Love Child

The great diva Ms. Diana Ross sang about me and millions of others like me in her hit tune: "Love Child." Well, I am a love child. I have spent a great part of my life feeling ashamed of being born out-of-wedlock. Perhaps, I would not have felt so ashamed if I had felt like I had one loving parent, but the person whom I felt should have cared about me constantly made fun of me and belittled my very existence. I retreated into a fantasy world, and I listened to the songs of Elvis Presley like "Don't Be Cruel" and "Love Me Tender."

Listening to Elvis Presley made me feel wanted, and oh sure! I heard what Elvis Presley was rumored to have said about black people. That still did not stop me from loving his image, because he sustained me when I had no one else to love me. I never saw Elvis in person, but his singing made me feel alive.

I am proud that I went in search of my father and myself. The great Greek Philosopher said, "Know thyself." Well, I have learned many things about myself, and I AM LOVE.