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Just thinking
January 22, 2008 
Chinua took this photo of his father on Christmas Day this year, and as I've been thinking of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I keep coming back to this picture, in my mind.
My father-in-law was born in 1943 in Alabama. His entire youth was spent in a pre-civil rights era, an era when he was made to feel as though he and his people were second-rate, or worse than second-rate. Worthless.
I've heard many stories. He told me stories of how everyone would gather at his grandmother's house and eat together, how the women cooked and sewed and crafted. These memories are warm and beautiful, and his voice rings with affection and nostalgia, remembering the gatherings. These were safe places, within the homes of family, within the circle of people who were like one another.
I've also heard stories of the other side. Late one night Chinua and his father stayed up and Ade told story after story about life in the south. He told of being stretched out and whipped. He told funny stories of the tricks they would play on their supervisors. His stories were full of tension. It wasn't a safe time.
One day I would like to write all these stories down.
And I think of this now, and how things have come around, full circle. I think of how I walk in the black neighborhoods of Detroit, and never feel anything other than safe. I think of the warmth of Chinua's family, the gatherings, and the love that I feel when I am with them.
Sometimes I think of how Chinua and I would be persecuted if we were born in another time. How if we had grown up in the South in the 40's and 50's, our story would be so different. How people like my father-in-law have persevered in rightness and have paved the way for better possibilities for their children.
I think of how it wasn't just a vision, that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is about a man who ended up dying for his beliefs, and how he encouraged the people around him to shine in their righteousness without raising a hand in their own defense. I think of those who were imprisoned, who were met with crowbars when they got off the trains, those who were hosed down like dogs. I am angry, and I am thankful.
Reader Comments (10)
It's wonderful to read your thoughts about this. I often struggle on how best to teach the children these things. Both my biological children and school children. It seems so difficult coming from a white teacher in a black school. It was heartening to see that the children didn't seem to understand about racism but also alarming. Things are better than what they were but still not equal or fair on all accounts.
the cry out for Rights and Equality live on, so many communities and children are still faced with adversity and oppression, i feel immensely thankful and so blessed to have been survivors of a time of brutal and senseless discrimination, torture and death that so many still need our voices to speak up!
Children of today face great challenges, It is through the rise of change that we can gain this momentum we need to continue on with the message of equality and peace.
It's stories and lives like your family and so many others that can give our future generations insight. ...I hope our youth can read and reflect on your gift to write
still so much can change,
POWER TO THE PEACEFUL!!!
Write it down! His stories + your way with words = brilliant book. You could fictionalise it or write it as literary non-fiction. I see it, Rae, I really do.
Like in South Africa, the USA's persecuting past is only a generation away. It's so important to remember.
Yes write it.
Stories like that should not ever be forgotten, and you are so very good at making things personal with your writing, in a way that stories like his should be.
I need to remember.
I want to hear his stories.
I live in Alabama and though I'm sure racial tensions are better than they used to be, I saw this MLK day that it's not perfect. It's not even as good as I thought it was.
My office full of white employees didn't close. The bank sign said that they were closed "for a National Holiday." I've heard the n word multiple times this week.
At each of these things I have cringed. When will these people GROW UP?
Anyway, I've never commented on here though I've been reading you for a little while. This post just struck a cord with me. Just wanted to say hello and that I enjoy your site!
This is powerful Rae. It really is, and it is so important. I am really thankful for you bringing it to the forefront of my mind in such a real and tangible way.
I agree with other commenters...I think it would be an amazing thing...his stories being documented.
Thank you for sharing and expressing in the wonderful way that you do.
Amen.
Yes, write them.
I share Traci's view. Yes, things are better, but they're far from right.
A friend who was in a mixed-raced marriage got quite persecuted by churches in Alabama. Not a single friendly face in a sea of faces...
May MLK's dream someday be realized.
Write them please. Great post. xoxoxo