FOOD, WORK AND WAR

WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP OF A BIG CITY. MY LARGE, NEARBY METROPOLITAN PIE IS DIVIDED INTO 3 PARTS. THERE IS THE POPULATION SECTOR CENTERED AROUND THE INNER CITY WHICH MY ERA CALLED 'HOODS.' THEY ARE USUALLY DOMINATED BY UNCONTROLLED BLACK YOUTH. THERE IS A SECOND GROUP RESIDING IN DOWNTOWN PENTHOUSES AND ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE METROPOLIS CALLED BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. THIRD, THERE IS THE OLDER, GREATEST GENERATION DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE URBAN COMPLEX. LET ME CHARACTERIZE THESE THREE GROUPS WITH REGARD TO FOOD, WORK AND WAR BECAUSE LINES OF DEMARCATION ARE EASILY DRAWN. THE 'HOODS' HAVE NEVER KNOWN A HOME-COOKED MEAL. THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WILL NEVER KNOW HOW TO COOK A MEAL FROM SCRATCH. THE GREATEST GENERATION HAS PROBABLY SERVED MANY HOME-COOKED MEALS. THE 'HOODS' WAR WITH EACH OTHER. THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WAR WITH TIME AS IT RAVAGES THEIR BODIES. THE GREATEST GENERATION HAS SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN A TIME OF WAR. TO PHYSICAL OR MENTAL WORK, 'HOODS' SAY, 'NO WAY'. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WORK FOR BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE IS ONLY JUSTIFIED IF IT IS RELATED TO RECREATION. PHYSICIAL AND MENTAL WORK FOR THE GREATEST GENERATION IS A WAY OF LIFE.

THE 'HOODS' - THEIRS IS THE "HOWL" OF ALAN GINSBERG. THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE - THEY ARE THE "HOLLOW MEN" (AND ESPECIALLY WOMEN ) OF T.S. ELIOT. THE GREATEST GENERATION - THEIRS IS THE "UNWEPT, UNHONORED AND UNSUNG" HEROISM OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. WITH THEM WILL BE LOST THE CREED OF SERVICE TO FAMILY, WORK, COUNTRY AND RELIGION. WHAT WILL BECOME OF AMERICA WHEN ITS GREATEST GENERATION PASSES AWAY? . THE CLARION CALL IS OUT FOR THEIR REPLACEMENT.