Ours was a 1-one paycheck family. Our Mom nurtured her children, kept
our home clean and labored over the stove daily. She loved being a
mother.
Even though our father knew how to cook. He only cooked if our mom
fell ill. I know he learned a thing or two from my mother. We all did.
I viewed those circumstances as a part of that era...the natural and
unnatural order of things back then.
The impact of all of these family pressures was indeed stressful for black
fathers. I'm speaking of Jim Crow, the attitudes, bias restrictions, and
other racial pressures they had to deal with every single day of their
lives. I think of my father's pressures...11 mouths to feed every day, 11
personalities to deal with daily. Miss a week's pay, nowhere to stay. We never received
any Gov't public assistance.
Because of his relationship with his boss, I don't think my dad had the
entirety of those pressures at work. I never heard any. There were only 2
black men of 50-60 employees working there. Other than pay, I believe
they were treated without incidence.
The other black guy working there was actually our neighbor who lived
directly across the street from our newly purchased home. Ironically,
they never car-pooled. I often wondered if he got the same home
purchase offer as our dad.
I'm positive my father's counter-parts would not have made it if the
shoes were reversed.
Yes, I know these things still persist...Not eliminated, just a tad bit different.
Yes, I know women dealt with more (sexism, abuse). Again, a different oratory.
OK...Back on track - While this book is about my father's early influence on
me. I stress these words are mine.