Northern Adams
Northern Adams: A Life of Passion and Purpose
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Northern Adams was born as Norbert Allen Adams on January 12, 1910, in rural Oklahoma. He is often referred to by his initials "NA" and occasionally mentioned as N.A. Adams.
Birth and Death Dates
Norbert Adams lived a full life that spanned over nine decades, passing away on November 15, 2002, at the age of 92.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Adams was an American by nationality and led a multifaceted career as a poet, novelist, educator, and social activist. His writing often reflected his deep connection with nature and his commitment to social justice.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in rural Oklahoma during the early 20th century had a profound impact on Adams' worldview. He was raised by parents who valued education and instilled in him a love for literature and poetry. Adams spent much of his childhood exploring the vast open spaces of the American West, which later became a staple of his writing.
Major Accomplishments
Adams' literary career spanned over five decades, during which he published numerous collections of poetry and novels that explored themes of social justice, environmentalism, and personal growth. Some of his notable works include:
"The Open Range" (1942), a collection of poems that celebrated the American West and its people.
"The Earth Shall Weep" (1965), a novel that examined the struggles of rural communities in the face of economic hardship.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to his writing, Adams was also an active educator and social activist. He taught creative writing at several universities and worked closely with local organizations to promote literacy and environmental awareness. Some notable actions include:
Founding member of the Oklahoma Poetry Society, which aimed to promote poetry as a tool for social change.
Keynote speaker at numerous literary festivals and conferences, where he shared his insights on the role of literature in shaping society.
Impact and Legacy
Norbert Adams' impact on American literature is immeasurable. His writing not only captured the essence of the American West but also inspired a generation of writers to explore themes of social justice and environmentalism. His commitment to education and social activism has left a lasting legacy, inspiring readers and writers alike.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Adams' quotes are widely quoted due to their timeless wisdom and relevance to contemporary issues. Some notable quotes include:
""The earth is our mother, and we must care for her.""
""Poetry is the voice of the people, speaking truth to power.""
These words continue to inspire readers and writers today, serving as a testament to Adams' enduring legacy.
As a poet, novelist, educator, and social activist, Norbert Adams led a life that was marked by passion and purpose. His writing continues to captivate audiences with its beauty, wisdom, and relevance.
Quotes by Northern Adams
Northern Adams's insights on:
Contrary to popular opinion or the escapist trends of society, false hope is in no way better than a harsh truth. A harsh truth is painful to accept, but there's healing at the end. False hope, on the other hand, is a very dangerous thing that offers no reward. Not immediately, nor with the passage of time. It never pays off.
Diversion is pernicious to depressives. Our lives are like waking dreams--correction, nightmares--where monsters chase us, never breaking off pursuit in order to rest or to eat or to look for easier prey. Diversion prevents us from confronting those monsters. If we never confront them, we have no hope of ever defeating them. Diversion does NOT work.
Diversion is the absolute worst remedy for depression. When we ignore the things that haunt us or taunt us, not only do they keep coming back, but they’re bigger and stronger each time they return. Stop shoving us depressives in that direction.
Laws don't limit freedom. Laws insure the freedoms of the majority. Laws are unjust when they serve to put the majority of the people at the mercy of an aggressive, hostile minority.
People today will have you believing life is a blank slate upon which you can write anything at all--this is poetic, even romantic. Unfortunately, it's also a lie, because life exists in, is bound by, shaped by, controlled by, and functions within a construct. Attempt to function outside that construct, or bend it to our will, or remove it completely, and you throw all of society into chaos. We're seeing that now.Like it or not, birds don't fly upside down...and neither can we.
Any time someone gives you drugs, the purpose is to subdue. Always. Whether it is from a dealer, a friend, your mother/brother/sister/son, or your government--especially your government--the intention is to subdue, and always to feed another motive. Why? Because in getting high, your power and your intellect are blunted. Can the motive ever be in your best interests? Governments notoriously use sex, drink, and drugs to subdue their people. Notoriously. And we're falling for it.
Avoidance therapy does not work. One major reason for that is because Avoidance Therapy (diversion, think yourself happy, positive affirmations) is predicated on the validity of 'Failure of Will.' Depression is not a choice.
True friends never turn you away when all you need is someone to talk to. Ever. It's not the only thing that helps, but it's the only thing that works. Real friends never walk away, letting you slip deeper into the pit of despair.
The Bible itself can be used for both good and evil. That doesn't mean it's flawed. It means that it is perfect.