BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Book Review

Top 16. Feb 17, 2002 9:53 AM

» Mountain_lady - Re: Re: Black History Month

In response to message posted by Nichel:

Thank you Nichel, Mary informed me you left a post for me...that is very kind of you. I've lived a long time in Arkansas and I've seem many changes...some good and some bad. It takes time I am sad to say for some people to change. I had an experienc when I was sixteen that changed everything for me. I was a white teenager in a very white community. I got a job on the weekends as a waitress at a local truck stop. At the time they were constructing a new highway through our area. The workmen came into the truckstop for their lunch. On this particluar Saturday it was cold and very windy. The men came in and I began to take their orders. I noticed a black man standing just inside the door. I went to him and being the country bumpkin I was asked him to sit down. He smiled and politely said no. He just wanted something to eat. I told him to sit at the bar on one of the stools. He again politely refused and just asked for something to eat. So I took his order, I don't remember now what it was. I asked the owner of the truckstop if the man could sit at the end of the bar cause it was freezing outside. She quickly said no, his kind eat outside or at the back in the little room off of the kitchen. I was stunned that this man was refused the warmth of the inside of that cafe. I got his order and asked him to go to the back and he could eat lunch with me in the kitchen. Remember I am a very nieve country girl. It was my lunch time and I saw nothing wrong with it. All eyes were on me needless to say. He looked around and again smiled a gentle smile and said thank you but I would rather eat outside in the fresh air. I told him I was so sorry and he told me it was all right. Not to fret about it. The kindness he showed me that day preceeded any kindness shown at that cafe the entire time I worked there. I quit the job that afternoon.
I will never forget that day for as long as I live. Now as an adult I understand what that was all about. I thank God that now we don't have that hate to have to put up with. At least not around here but deeper down south I am told that changes are still to be made. Let us all unite and pray to our God that soon all man will be seen as man and not as color.

-- posted by Mountain_lady

Top 17. Feb 17, 2002 4:29 PM

» Red - Re: Re: Re: Black History Month

In response to message posted by Mountain_lady:

Bert,

Thanks so much for responding to Nichel's post and for letting us share your experience at the truck stop. I wish that everyone in the world thought the way you do. If so, this old world would be a much different place to live.

-- posted by Red

Top 18. Feb 17, 2002 4:50 PM

» Nichel - Re: Re: Re: Black History Month

In response to message posted by Mountain_lady:

Hi Bertha

Thank you so much for sharing your memories of those times. I too pray that over time we can be able to reflect in order to gain better perspective of how we fit in the journey of life and talk openly of the wrongs done and the right that was done. We learn from these experiences, at least I know I do and it is awarding because it heals those wounds. And it reminds us to never forget...to repeat the wrongs.

Your reflection is a wonderful tribute to those that see the spirit and being righteous rather than being ignorant.

You Are Indeed Blessed Bertha Because Your Heart Is Big As The Beaming Sun.

And so it is.

-- posted by Nichel

Top 19. Feb 18, 2002 3:57 PM

» jerrib - You have been busy, Mary

I'm sure all of these would be of interest.

-- posted by jerrib

Top 20. Feb 18, 2002 4:01 PM

» jerrib - Re: Re: Re: Black History Month

In response to message posted by Mountain_lady:

You should really be proud of yourself, Bert, for this. I can't imagine treating someone like this.

-- posted by jerrib

Top 21. Feb 18, 2002 5:09 PM

» Red - Re: You have been busy, Mary

In response to message posted by jerrib:

Jerri,

I love reading as much as I love writing. I read between a half hour and an hour a day, at least. I hope you will look up some of these books. They are very enjoyable.

-- posted by Red

Top 22. Feb 18, 2002 5:27 PM

» Mountain_lady - Re: Re: Re: Re: Black History Month

In response to message posted by jerrib:

Thank you Jerri, I think the little girl in me kinda grew up that day. Otherwise it wouldn't have stayed so fresh in my memory. Thank you too Mary for sharing your posts with me. I think we make a great team, don't you...hugs

-- posted by Mountain_lady

Top 23. Feb 18, 2002 5:43 PM

» Mountain_lady - Re: Re: Re: Re: Black History Month

In response to message posted by Nichel:

Thank you, Nichel, for those wonderful words. Learn from your mistakes is my outlook to life. If you do that, you grow wise with age.
I heard a story once about a man that went to heaven and on the way he met all those he had hurt during his lifetime. When he got to the gates of heaven the only thing that would open it was a heart of understanding and pure love. He had neither.
Hugs.....

-- posted by Mountain_lady

Top 24. Feb 24, 2002 6:09 PM

» PrairieRose - Black History Reviews

Hi Mary,
I love reading about books. I read a children's picture book about Ruby Bridges to students in the library. I was happy to see another about school integration on your list. No Crystal Stair sounds fascinating too. Thanks for the reviews.
Verna

-- posted by PrairieRose