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The Pilgrimage To Mecca (Straight Talk)
Forgive Them Father For They Know Not What They Do
In the civil unrest years of the 1960's minorities needed hope, we needed prayer to bridge racial disparity among the masses.
I am writing this in regard to an important part in our history, some if not all have long forgotten, in addition, for those who have survived it.
May your nights be restful and for the ones who were left beyond, may the memories stir your mind to give it much needed comfort and rest.
Let’s visit the year 1977-1978. Guyana. And Jim Jones Peoples Temple.
The Peoples Tempe opened its doors in 1956
The phrase, 'Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid' holds far more importance than one would ever know, a mental memento to a many, but in such of those horrific memories. Those very same words were the amalgamation of 909 people including children and babies. Could this incident have been prevented, did the congregation of the The Peoples Temple imagine this could be their fate under the dictatorship of a Cult Fanatic.
As I was delving into the research of writing this piece. It saddens me so many average minded people, believed in a man who was mental unstable; was it the words of society againt, us the soothing mechanism to one’s soul when uplifting was crucial during that time.
The truth shall set you free, if that was the philosophy that had most members, seated every Sunday in Jim Jones’ church, could they have not predicted the outcome of someone who was accused of abuse in July of 1977.
For anyone to ask you to isolate yourself from the world, denounce your world possessions, and come and follow me is somewhat questionable. Several members defected from the Peoples Temple was deemed a traitor.
Jim Jones was considered a Messiah of his evangelical flock who led his loyal followers to a remote jungle in Guyana to live in Jonestown. Jim Jones commenced his followers with the ideology as an agricultural commune rich with food, no mosquitoes or snakes and in good faith for people who wanted somewhere with dry air climate, temperatures hovered around a perfect 72 degrees every single day.
Welcome to Jonestown
1977 Guyana 150 miles from Georgetown
It was such a beautiful beginning of a new world. No televisions, no phones to connect to the outside world. A paradise was what most expected, a labor camp defined by others was what was given.
A new fostered appreciative of untilled virgin lands that weeped of honey and milk. A galaxy for the eyes to see. Building a community where color was not burdensome, and the gospel upheld the core of dying souls thirsting for wisdom and spiritual knowledge.
Jim Jones had expectations of his flocks once his community of the Peoples Temple was erected. Peace was there at a hidden cost. You were punished for trying to flee, due in part, no one could leave on their own free will; permissive was not an expressed option. There were reports of sexual abuse of children, drugging, and guards patrolled within the realm of the dwellings and grounds.
Jim Jones held several mass suicide drills to see how the crowd would respond, and who would cause him trouble. He made those people line up first, his philosophy was, if they killed the children first, then the parents wouldn’t have any reason to live.
In 1978, Jim Jones was accused of violating Human Rights.
11-13-78 through 11-18-78
The five days leading to such a horrific mass suicide noted in history. For the defected members who still had love ones, including children residing at the Peoples Temple, the concern for their loved one’s safety prompted Congressman Leo Ryan to investigate.
Congressman Ryan and several family members, his traveling entourage, and several news reporters, landed at an airstrip in Guyana.
Jim Jones was alerted of their presence for his belief that society wanted to condemn his dream and investigate his congregation’s antics, he had his members to show them hospitality with song and dance.
11-16-78
One of Jim Jones members slipped a note to one of the reporters who was touring Jonestown; a note advising him of the concerns, however the deception was observed by another People Temple's member.
Several more members came forward, sixteen in all, asking Congressman Ryan for safe passage out of Jonestown. As the Congressman, his traveling entourage, and the departing members were boarding a plane to leave, they were all gunned down. Five people were killed that day, including Congressman Ryan.
11-18-78
Back At The Camp
Fearing that those who had escaped might bring in authorities, Jim Jones activated his suicide plan. He alerted his flock out of the comfort of their dwellings for a state of emergency. Most assumed the panic call was just another drill.
Jim Jones sat upon a stage in the Settlement’s Pavilion and what would be his final preaching to his congregation.
Jim Jones and his loyal servants under gun wielding, mixed a concoction of Cyanide laced punch for everyone to drink. Babies and children were ordered first, over a course of several hours, men, woman, and children, voluntary and some involuntary drunk of its deadly poison After the planned mass suicide, several dead bodies rested on the soil of Peoples Temple in Jonestown.
Nine Hundred and nine blessed delivered souls until the Creator they all returned on 11-18-1978.
Jim Jones died from a single gunshot wound to the head, self-inflicted.
I wanted to write this piece in remembrance to an event that occurred in history, an unforgettable time, whereas, I was not even conceived.
What a sad Straight Talk to have researched and sadly to have written of its history.
In the civil unrest years of the 1960's minorities needed hope, we needed prayer to bridge racial disparity among the masses.
I am writing this in regard to an important part in our history, some if not all have long forgotten, in addition, for those who have survived it.
May your nights be restful and for the ones who were left beyond, may the memories stir your mind to give it much needed comfort and rest.
Let’s visit the year 1977-1978. Guyana. And Jim Jones Peoples Temple.
The Peoples Tempe opened its doors in 1956
The phrase, 'Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid' holds far more importance than one would ever know, a mental memento to a many, but in such of those horrific memories. Those very same words were the amalgamation of 909 people including children and babies. Could this incident have been prevented, did the congregation of the The Peoples Temple imagine this could be their fate under the dictatorship of a Cult Fanatic.
As I was delving into the research of writing this piece. It saddens me so many average minded people, believed in a man who was mental unstable; was it the words of society againt, us the soothing mechanism to one’s soul when uplifting was crucial during that time.
The truth shall set you free, if that was the philosophy that had most members, seated every Sunday in Jim Jones’ church, could they have not predicted the outcome of someone who was accused of abuse in July of 1977.
For anyone to ask you to isolate yourself from the world, denounce your world possessions, and come and follow me is somewhat questionable. Several members defected from the Peoples Temple was deemed a traitor.
Jim Jones was considered a Messiah of his evangelical flock who led his loyal followers to a remote jungle in Guyana to live in Jonestown. Jim Jones commenced his followers with the ideology as an agricultural commune rich with food, no mosquitoes or snakes and in good faith for people who wanted somewhere with dry air climate, temperatures hovered around a perfect 72 degrees every single day.
Welcome to Jonestown
1977 Guyana 150 miles from Georgetown
It was such a beautiful beginning of a new world. No televisions, no phones to connect to the outside world. A paradise was what most expected, a labor camp defined by others was what was given.
A new fostered appreciative of untilled virgin lands that weeped of honey and milk. A galaxy for the eyes to see. Building a community where color was not burdensome, and the gospel upheld the core of dying souls thirsting for wisdom and spiritual knowledge.
Jim Jones had expectations of his flocks once his community of the Peoples Temple was erected. Peace was there at a hidden cost. You were punished for trying to flee, due in part, no one could leave on their own free will; permissive was not an expressed option. There were reports of sexual abuse of children, drugging, and guards patrolled within the realm of the dwellings and grounds.
Jim Jones held several mass suicide drills to see how the crowd would respond, and who would cause him trouble. He made those people line up first, his philosophy was, if they killed the children first, then the parents wouldn’t have any reason to live.
In 1978, Jim Jones was accused of violating Human Rights.
11-13-78 through 11-18-78
The five days leading to such a horrific mass suicide noted in history. For the defected members who still had love ones, including children residing at the Peoples Temple, the concern for their loved one’s safety prompted Congressman Leo Ryan to investigate.
Congressman Ryan and several family members, his traveling entourage, and several news reporters, landed at an airstrip in Guyana.
Jim Jones was alerted of their presence for his belief that society wanted to condemn his dream and investigate his congregation’s antics, he had his members to show them hospitality with song and dance.
11-16-78
One of Jim Jones members slipped a note to one of the reporters who was touring Jonestown; a note advising him of the concerns, however the deception was observed by another People Temple's member.
Several more members came forward, sixteen in all, asking Congressman Ryan for safe passage out of Jonestown. As the Congressman, his traveling entourage, and the departing members were boarding a plane to leave, they were all gunned down. Five people were killed that day, including Congressman Ryan.
11-18-78
Back At The Camp
Fearing that those who had escaped might bring in authorities, Jim Jones activated his suicide plan. He alerted his flock out of the comfort of their dwellings for a state of emergency. Most assumed the panic call was just another drill.
Jim Jones sat upon a stage in the Settlement’s Pavilion and what would be his final preaching to his congregation.
Jim Jones and his loyal servants under gun wielding, mixed a concoction of Cyanide laced punch for everyone to drink. Babies and children were ordered first, over a course of several hours, men, woman, and children, voluntary and some involuntary drunk of its deadly poison After the planned mass suicide, several dead bodies rested on the soil of Peoples Temple in Jonestown.
Nine Hundred and nine blessed delivered souls until the Creator they all returned on 11-18-1978.
Jim Jones died from a single gunshot wound to the head, self-inflicted.
I wanted to write this piece in remembrance to an event that occurred in history, an unforgettable time, whereas, I was not even conceived.
What a sad Straight Talk to have researched and sadly to have written of its history.
Published 26th May 2020
Author's Note
A lot of people are tired around here, but I'm not sure they're ready to lie down, stretch out and fall asleep.
Jim Jones
Jim Jones
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26th May 2020 2:29am
26th May 2020 2:56am
I must truly thank you my handsome poet, this was such a sadden piece to have written, and I sincerely appreciate you for taking the time to read and then adding a comment for such an ill-fated piece. I am wishing you a relaxing evening and a remaining blessed week as well
26th May 2020 7:43am
I lived through the news of these events at Jonestown. (I was in college at time and followed it mainly through Time magazine.) Tragic. It also caused some people to be wary of Christian groups for fear they would be cults.
Muslims might criticise you giving it a title The Pilgrimage to Mecca (said to be one of the Pillars or duties of a devout Muslim) when it is not alluded to in the text. I opened this thinking it was an observation on the pilgrimage, about which I wonder is it being affected by Covid19? Pilgrims to Mecca have freedom to go home to their respective countries, the people in Jonestown (under Jim Jones' edict) did not. Although there have been fatal accidents at Mecca, there have been no ritual suicides.
Muslims might criticise you giving it a title The Pilgrimage to Mecca (said to be one of the Pillars or duties of a devout Muslim) when it is not alluded to in the text. I opened this thinking it was an observation on the pilgrimage, about which I wonder is it being affected by Covid19? Pilgrims to Mecca have freedom to go home to their respective countries, the people in Jonestown (under Jim Jones' edict) did not. Although there have been fatal accidents at Mecca, there have been no ritual suicides.
26th May 2020 8:05am
Thank you, my poet, for taking the time to read and then adding a comment. However, the word Mecca is a city in western Saudi Arabia, an oasis town in the Red Sea region of Hejaz, east of Jiddah, considered by Muslims to be the holiest city of Islam
In as much the word, Mecca within my title was utilized in the form of the noun definition; meaning, a place that attracts people of a particular group or with a particular interest.
Therefore, sometimes you must take a second glance at the aspect for which someone is conveying their point, and not so much as to rationalize, that is the beauty of poetic art. It is always perceived through the eyes of poet/poetess, and on occasion chastised in the eyes of the beholder.
In addition, the pilgrimage to Jonestown by Jones' followers was their voyage, and if I stand corrected the word mean a religious journey of devotion per say. Which it was to start a new life in Guyana; it was only sadden by the outcome of such.
Thank you, my poet, for taking the time to read and then adding a notable comment. Enjoy your early morning in the UK.
In as much the word, Mecca within my title was utilized in the form of the noun definition; meaning, a place that attracts people of a particular group or with a particular interest.
Therefore, sometimes you must take a second glance at the aspect for which someone is conveying their point, and not so much as to rationalize, that is the beauty of poetic art. It is always perceived through the eyes of poet/poetess, and on occasion chastised in the eyes of the beholder.
In addition, the pilgrimage to Jonestown by Jones' followers was their voyage, and if I stand corrected the word mean a religious journey of devotion per say. Which it was to start a new life in Guyana; it was only sadden by the outcome of such.
Thank you, my poet, for taking the time to read and then adding a notable comment. Enjoy your early morning in the UK.
I did not think of the odyssey of Jones' followers as a pilgrimage, pilgrims normally return home, but as an emigration. This was before I began thinking of the Pilgrim Fathers who intended for a religious reason to stay where they landed.
I am aware of Mecca as a metaphor for places that attract travelers for a particular cause.
I am aware of Mecca as a metaphor for places that attract travelers for a particular cause.
27th May 2020 00:09am
Must you remember Jones was a very charismatic evangelical figure to his followers, and yes it was an pilgrimage to Guyana, and a free will to returns at free will, however, as you've read my narrative the rules of engagement changed once Jonestown was erected.
26th May 2020 8:44am
26th May 2020 11:56pm
Thank you my poetess for taking the time to read and then commenting, Have a great evening and a better Hump Day as well
26th May 2020 12:16pm
Most of these guys seem to have some mental defect, their only ability seems to amass followers. Hitler, along with several leaders of old had quite the following. We won't ruin your piece by bringing up the whose and whats of today. But these mental defects that rise up out of the church are the slimiest, they work on people mental and religious beliefs. This is a tight piece lady, we could had said more but no
27th May 2020 00:21am
Thank you my friend for the pondering wisdom on such an engaging write. Have a great evening and a relaxing Wednesday as well
