Jersey #1 has an assignment for her history class to interview a person who has lived through a major historical event in the recent 100 years. I suggested to her that we could arrange a visit with a family in our church. I have been meaning to visit them anyway, but I knew they would love to share stories of their lives with me and the kids. It as an amazing afternoon. History comes alive when it is told through the eyes of someone who has lived it.
Mrs. J is 98 years old. She is mostly home bound, and lives with her daughter and son-in-law. Her grandfather was a slave as a child, and was freed by the time he was an adult. She has amazing stories to share about her life. A few years ago, I had an opportunity to sit and talk with her. After hearing many of her stories, I asked her when did things get better for her. I was asking what point in history did things improve. Her answer was amazing. She told me her life became better as soon as she knew Jesus!
Mrs. C is Mrs. J's daughter. She is 74 years old. She is the caregiver to her mother, as well as her husband. Mr. C is 79 years old. He suffers with Parkinson's disease. In the prime of his youth, he was a tough marine. He served 2 deployments to the Vietnam war. He also served in Korea, in the "clean-up" part of the war's end. Mr. C was stationed in Japan when President Kennedy was shot and killed. He said it was scary to be overseas when your President and Commander in Chief of the military is killed.
Mrs C did most of the talking, since her Mom's mind does not work the way it used to, and since her husband's voice is affected by the paralysis of Parkinson's. I could listen to Mrs. C talk all day long. She has such a sweet way to expressing herself. I find her to be very inspiring.
After a few initial questions and conversation, the history lesson turned toward growing up in a segregated United States. Mrs. C knew nothing else. She was expected to sit in the back of the bus, use the restroom labeled "colored," and ride a city bus across town to the "colored" school, even though there was a large school for white children, near their home. She could purchase items in stores, but if she purchased food, soda, or ice cream, she had to take it outside to eat it. She said she learned what behavior was expected from her, by observing the modeling of her parents. She explained that black parents could correct their children's behavior with just a look. It was necessary for their children to obey. If a black child disrespected a white person, the consequences could be dangerous.
Mrs. C explained that the segregated way of life was what she was born into and all she knew. That was the way that life went outside the home. In her home, she was taught that she was the same as everyone else. She had confidence in herself, based on this value that was expressed in her home.
Mr. C explained that the military was segregated too. Things were different when the servicemen were sent overseas though. He observed that his unit became very united and bonded, regardless of skin color, the further they got from home and the closer they got to war. Then, as they were returning back to the USA, the divisions would continue, and the unit would segregate the closer they got to home.
Segregation ended while Mrs. C was finishing high school. She noticed the changes very slowly. She said that even though opportunities were suppose to be equal by law, there were still schools and careers that were protected for white folks only. To meet the legal requirements, they would admit 1 black person into the program. The year that Mrs. C entered an x-ray tech school, she was that 1 single black student allowed into the program.
Both Mr. & Mrs. C explained that when you are ignorant, you don't know any better. But, as soon as your eyes are open to the truth, you know better than to act the way you previously acted. Mrs. C said that as her classmates got to know her, they treated her well and did not discriminate against her. She felt included as part of that group of students. Later, she felt the same way with her group of coworkers. She worked for a Catholic hospital for 30 years. She said that even though her work environment was integrated and she was treated equally on the job, there were still situations where she was excluded based on skin color. Each year, the head of the radiology department would host a Christmas party. She was the only coworker not invited. This went on for 10 years. That boss retired, and held a party 4 years later. This time, social times had changed enough that he included an invitation for Mrs. C. She decided not to attend that party!
One of the strongest memories that both Mr. & Mrs. C have is having to use hand-me-down textbooks from the "white" school. When the "white" school received new textbooks, their used textbooks would be passed on to the "colored" school. The other student's names were in the front cover, and the cover was worn and torn. Mr. C had a teacher who explained to not judge a book by its cover. Even though the cover was used and abused, the content inside the book was still intact. This lesson applies to more than just textbooks.
Jersey #1 learned so much. During the van ride home, she summed up her position on the matter. She explained,
"It is really strange that some people choose to not like other people because their skin is black. They are made by God in God's image. So, if you hate black people, then you are saying you hate God too."
Wow. What a blessing to have such a learning opportunity!
Typical of her sweet, encouraging personality, Mrs. C ended the conversation on a positive note. She explained that life is so much different for her now, especially now that she is older. Random strangers have gone out of their way to help her load her husband's wheelchair into the car. One man stopped his truck in front of the grocery store, and jumped out, just to help her re-position her groceries that were falling out of the cart as she went down an incline. She does not sense racial discrimination very often, anymore.
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