With all the controversy surrounding Bill Cosby's comments about poor minority youth, the release of Michael A. McKenzie's book Ghetto Passport is perfect timing. With an overall theme that promotes resiliency and philanthropy, Ghetto Passport is a candidly written realism book that explores and recants the intricacies of welfare checks, gun fights, drug addiction, political naivety, social retardation, and low socioeconomics while growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"I wanted to be a voice for not only those that broke the cycle of dysfunctionalism, but too, for children that are entrenched in uninspiring environments as we speak," said McKenzie. "I hope this book serves as a means of healing, hope, and understanding. Also, it seems as though the story of poor minority is too often being told by those that are clueless as to what a day to day life of poverty is like."

McKenzie went on to say, "And although I agree with Bill Cosby's comments, I am a bit frustrated at how easy it is to scrutinize rather than help. Let's just be real, Bill Cosby has no idea of what life is like in 5th Ward Houston, South Jackson Mississippi, or the avenues of North Baton Rouge, I do, and that is why I feel this book is so important."

Before suffering a torn achilles while at Millsaps College, Michael aspired to be a professional football player. Resilient, Michael continued his education and earned degrees from Millsaps College, St. Thomas University, and Texas Southern University. In addition to a career in education in Texas'' largest public school system, Michael is the editor-in-chief of tHorOUgh (a Houston-based magazine).

Ghetto Passport (ISBN 1-4137-2351-9, Publish America 2004) is available everywhere books are sold.