Why I Write
Can we believe everything we read about our nation's history given the results this Grand Experiment has shown us? Challenging the norms is a true American value. Absorbing life's documented information without creating alternative possibilities only saturates the sponge. Asking Why? leads me to creating exciting answers to questions history has created. Blindly excepting the historical narratives I've consumed throughout my life opens more doors to venture through. Seeking answers takes me on journeys of excitement. The fiction writing switch turns on the light in the dark rooms of life's mundane, unveiling blind acceptance. This fictional novel series squeezes the juice out of the holes in our history. Creating my own conclusions to challenge the norms keeps the juices flowing and the fruit growing.
My History
Born and raised in inner-city Washington D.C. during the tumultuous 1960s and 70s, my curiosities were fueled by the heat of the times and my public school k-12 education in Chocolate City. These times gave me foundational experiences and close-up exposures to the strains of the Civil-Rights Movement and post Vietnam societal changes happening before my eyes.
My father, a Black educated journalist and a 40-year Department of State career Diplomatic Corp Communications Specialist, who specialized in African affairs, taught the value of understanding US History, international affairs, US race relations, and the joy of writing about my experiences.
My mother, also a product of D.C. Public Schools and a Howard University Kappa Alpha Psi Queen, taught me the nuances of living and navigating the city, including the Smithsonian Museums, and the Maryland horse racing tracks in Laurel, Rosecroft, Pimlico and Timonium.
Meeting people from a wide variety of backgrounds filled my young years with many memorable characters. My 30-year federal service placed me in uncountable world environments, from wartime to natural disasters, to the halls of federal policy and operational arenas. After serving 30 years in public service, the foundation to develop this saga was laid.
Telling Tales That Thrill, Teach, and Resonate
Ask yourself, “What if?” and allow Lincoln’s Ghetto to disclose the answer. My storytelling combines a bit of U.S. history with fictional characters who harbor many traits of real people who shaped my existence. I merge the lives of many people I know into an alternate version of the path our nation is taking. I create heroes from the ghettos of my life. You may identify with them, feel them, live through them, as I did. They are you, us, they. This MPope Media platform allows me to give meaning, substance and purpose beyond these people and our legacy as a nation. I want to tap into your version personal experiences as you evolved in this nation. But this is not merely an homage to my people, they are the conduit to a larger narrative which we all can recognize. I take it to another level. I build the story slowly with intent and into to a higher meaning in the end. I respect your time and intellect and want the small medium and large payoffs to be worth every moment you spend with this untold story. Go back, remember, research, share and awaken to the under currents that shape the unspoken psyche of this nation. This tale is vessel to get you there. Welcome to Lincoln’s Ghetto.
Message from the Author
Welcome to Lincoln’s Ghetto. A place many of you call home.
I crafted this tale of an alternate historical saga of our nation's journey from nothing to something since pre 1776, in response to America’s complex promises made, denied, and unfulfilled for so many of its people. For many, The Grand Experiment of a Democratic Multi-Cultural Society bathed in equality for all of its people, has fallen short for reasons that continue to mount since Europeans left their land for a better life and came to this side of the world. Their roots of progress development had many layers. As with an onion, when each layer peeled back, a stench wafted. The olfactory senses of the many different types of people who began flooding the land, were rooted in smells that did not commingle well in the stew that was mixing, boiling.
Our nation’s history is colored with grand hypocritical paint. How and why this nation started is our root National Debate. How we reconcile with the horrid events that created the world we live in today, is where the golden chalice of humanity hides its answers to human dignity and freedoms for all people. Uniting as one Human Race seems to have left the barn. Today’s political environment is screaming for reconciliation, open and honest debate for solutions to the negative complexities of the systems American political leadership has guided its people into.
So this tale is an off ramp. A place to go to ask more “what if” questions that can lead to creative solution and discussion. We know history is real yet manipulated. And we know people who can, will hide and destroy it for perceived self preservation. The American Winner Take All mantra has reared its ugly head again, I say, as the three headed Hydra has flown over this land on multiple occasions, leaving horrid disaster in its wake. Each time pushing Americans to decide, Left, Right, Center or check out and take the spoils.
So I present to you my take on the American Train Ride that took an off ramp that has its sights set on a corrected path that can finally park its massive engine in the yard that antiquity and the ancients intended it to rest.
Of course I must take you on a journey through beauty, and ugliness to get to the final destination. But there is humor in much of it. The music of the tale will jump off the page.
Enjoy the ride through LINCOLN’S GHETTO. A Place Many Call Home
Michael R. Pope
A Little About Me
Before I entered the literary world, I had the honor of serving as both a U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Superintendent and a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Public Affairs Multi-Media Producer. My career in journalism took me across a broad array of government projects, both domestically and internationally, giving me a front-row seat to the realities of human experience, society, and history. I've spent years in TV news, often serving as an on-camera spokesperson for television and YouTube. Those experiences shaped my understanding of storytelling, media, and how to communicate complex truths in compelling ways.
What I Offer
Through MPope Media, I offer:
Books
The Lincoln's Ghetto series and related works packed with suspense, history, and unforgettable characters.
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Authoritative Services
Writing guidance, media consulting, and public speaking for those looking to explore storytelling and communications.
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Global Reach
I connect with readers and clients worldwide, sharing my stories and expertise wherever there's a thirst for knowledge, suspense, and creativity.
Suspense, History, and Culture Like You've Never Experienced
I bring a unique combination of journalism, real-world experience, and imagination to every story. My novels are not just a suspenseful thrill ride—they are immersive experiences that blend suspense, history, and cultural insight in ways that are unmatched and unforgettable.
From Page to Stage: Meet the Stories in Person
Whether you’re here to explore my books or collaborate on author services, you’re stepping into a world where history, suspense, and imagination collide. I invite you to dive into the Lincoln’s Ghetto series and then join me at upcoming events to experience the stories, meet the characters, and see MPope Media in action.