Tunnel Vision: The State of Our Union

By Shannon L. Ayers

This book was born from an experience far greater than I ever imagined. I began memorializing an event that forever changed my approach to wanting more out of life, people, and experiences. It was so surreal and hard to leave that moment and say goodbye. And so I didnt. I couldnt. Therefore, I decided to capture the very essence of what I was feeling so that I will always have a sincere and fresh recall of what transpired, and I weaved it into the fibers of my existence, striving to be my best self not just for me but also for every life I have an opportunity to impact and affect. It is my hope and prayer that this book will take you there, to that place and that specific moment in time where you will be transplanted, influenced, and inspiredjust as I wasto be your best self.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543484601

Shannon L. Ayers

A loyal native to one of the most diverse, entertaining, culinary destinations of the world - New Orleans, Louisiana. Ive held a varied and interesting career with extraordinary and unique experiences spanning from the Pacific to Europe. From the halls of Capitol Hill to the offices of the United States Transportation Command, the shores of Pearl Harbor and historic mountains of West Point Military Academy - where leaders are born, Ive excelled among my peers, honing exceptional management and personal skills. These experiences set me upon the trajectory I currently enjoy and forged in me a fire to bring out the best in others.

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Copyright © 2018 by Shannon L. Ayers.

Library of Congress Control Number:     2018901875

ISBN:              Hardcover                978-1-5434-8458-8

                        Softcover                   978-1-5434-8459-5

                        eBook                         978-1-5434-8460-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/13/2018

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1   The Journey Begins

Chapter 2   The End of the Line

Chapter 3   The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Chapter 4   The Experience of Change

Chapter 5   The Cupcake Bandit

Chapter 6   Take a Knee Then Take a Bow, Sir

Chapter 7   Race Matters

Chapter 8   Capitol Hill

Chapter 9   Yeah, Me Too!

Chapter 10   The Game Changer

Chapter 11   The Next Chapter

Chapter 12   Letters to POTUS and FLOTUS

DEDICATION

T HIS BOOK IS dedicated to the many people whom my God has placed in my life and have played integral roles in shaping and enriching my very being in such a way that has inspired my greatest self to be born and continually grow: my husband and only true love, Marlon Sr., and my babies and true joy, Taylor, Lesley, Marlon Jr., and Sydney. And to Mama, Daddy, Auntee, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, and my lifelong friends. We share a spirit of love and connectiveness that binds us together at the seams to keep us strong and forever a family.

FOREWORD

I N TUNNEL VISION , you will find yourself captivated on a relatable journey as Shannon Ayers intimately shares glimpses of her innermost self and snapshots of a compelling, life-changing moment while recounting an electrifying atmosphere of anticipation, hope, and unity. On a cold winter’s day in January, she pressed her way through a crowded and damp tunnel, unexpectedly becoming a witness to one of the most momentous and awe-inspiring occasions of her lifetime. She went into that tunnel one way and came out on the other side forever changed.

This book elevates the joys and triumphs of a universal brotherhood and racial unity over the challenges of deeply embedded racial and social justice issues. It unapologetically provides candid commentary on some of the most controversial race issues of the twenty-first century. Drawing from personal experiences and lessons from her employment on Capitol Hill to the multiracial mentors throughout her life in the city of New Orleans, Shannon Ayers tells a captivating story of personal reflection, conviction, and growth.

Growing up in the same city and working in the military and government for more than twenty-two years, I can relate to every word of this book. She speaks of the concerns and struggles on how to appropriately channel emotions that are racially influenced based on personal life experiences. Shannon has spent the last twenty years of her life working in civilian and government organizations with peers from various racial, economic, and religious backgrounds and has remained an outspoken, unrelenting advocate and voice for equality and mutual respect for all mankind. She has poured her heart and soul into these pages to help us all relive those moments over nine years ago, where she experienced an event that opened her eyes and heart to bring us all closer to personal truth and racial unity. Her praise for the poise and optimism of the POTUS and FLOTUS during such a volatile political and racial climate is gracious and endearing. Readers will definitely be able to relate to the inner struggle of personal racial biases brought on by past experiences while simultaneously feeling inclined to embrace a vision of solidarity and hope for a better and unified humanity.

Husband,

Marlon A. Ayers Sr.

PREFACE

T HIS BOOK WAS born from an experience far greater than I could have ever imagined. At the very moment I put pen to paper, I thought I was just memorializing an event that forever changed my approach to wanting more out of life, people, and experiences. It was so surreal and hard to leave that moment and say goodbye. And so I didn’t. I couldn’t. Therefore, I decided to capture the very essence of what I was feeling so that I would always have a sincere and fresh recall of what transpired. I have subsequently weaved this experience into the fibers of my existence to always strive to be my best self—not just for me but for my husband, my children, and every life I have an opportunity to impact and affect. This project started out as just a simple two-page paper I had written to capture one of the most surreal encounters one could