Chapter 2 Socioeconomic impact on my relationships 1966-1998 This chapter is an excerpt from my book “An Ethnic Profile” which was written to show the difficulty of being a responsible African American Male in the United States. November 1941 to February 1960, I experienced what African Americans males did in the racist, religionist, segregated south, but don’t feel sorry for me, my life was no pity party. My parents inspired me to grow beyond unequal circumstances; teachers, relatives and neighbors saw in me what I did not understand and a stint in Europe with the Air Force completed the process. I left Roanoke, Virginia in 1960, was able to take college course on the base, send home a stipend home to help my siblings; traveled and learned from people in England, France, Germany, Ireland and Turkey. In 1978 I joined the airline industry and traveled to Indonesia, The Philippines, Guam, Spain, Mexico, Jamaica, St. Thomas,… because I wanted to see if I was treated in other countries as in the United States. I moved between California, Texas, Georgia and Colorado; made brief stops in many cities and as I prepared for a recent visit with my doctor I thought: “Wow I have lived an awesome life!” I have veterans insurance, Medicare; had more highs and fewer lows than most I know. I have loved and been loved by some awesome women, traveled to awesome places; fought many skirmishes, faced challenges and walked away having only to bandage my ego, but without deep psychological wounds. My effort was to leave a trail of good, become more than a number and never cower to political threats, racist/religious dogma or psycho-social bondage designed to make me average. A police officer friend I have known for over 40 years told me that many who tried to hinder my efforts weren’t worthy of shining my shoes, so as I enter each day I am reminded of a sales colloquialism. The message on his tomb read: “Here lies John Q. Average man; he asked little of life and life paid his price!”
Posted on: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 00:32:02 +0000