I started Montessori school in Jackson, Tennessee when I was around 3, and I loved it!!! My very first best friend in that school was a guy named Walter. I do not have a lot of memories of him other than I just loved to play with him on the playground and used to do some stuff in class with him.
But I do have one memory that is burned in my brain. He and I were leaving our classroom to walk somewhere – you know the good ol’days of single-file lines 
! We were just having fun . . . joking around with each other – being silly, and then it happened. . . . . A couple of older kids were coming down the hallway towards us, and they looked at me in my eyes with disgust and said “What are you DOING!?!” . . . . . . .you see. . . . Walter was African American, and about the only one in the whole school. . . and well, . . . . where I was in Tennessee – Not everyone was ok with me being such great friends with “one of them”.
TODAY IS A BIG DAY –
When I was in sixth grade, I became friends with one of the new boys in my school named Ronnie. Once again, one of the few African Americans in my school. He and I were in the same home room class, and we hit it off well with each other. Ronnie was picked on a lot and even bullied by some of the older kids - and I just remember how angry it made me feel when they did that to him, but I was kind of round at the time, and not as bold as I am now. I remember that people would pick on him, until it was P.E. class, and then guys wanted him on their basketball team – because he could jump out of the gym. Man! did that make me mad!!!!! - and it gave Ronnie such a hard time being flipped back and forth. . . loved. . . despised. . . etc…
I remember one day one of my best friends (Scott W.) was picking on Ronnie, and I went up to Scott and threw a punch right towards his nose, but stopped about an inch away. . . . . and I told him to leave Ronnie alone. I wish I could say things changed, but they really didn’t, and Ronnie left our school after that year. . . a wounded boy.
TODAY IS A VERY BIG DAY –
and it is my opinion that regardless of who you voted for. . . today is a tremendous day of hope for reconciliation, equality, and unity for all colors of people!!
Comments
I agree!
I grew up with similar situations in my school. Racism has been passed down from my grandparents, into my parents lives and I’m breaking the trend. The fact that President Obama is an African American did not play a role in my vote at all. He is another American citizen with every right to be in office just like McCain.
I simply want to tell you that I’m all new to blogging and site-building and actually savored you’re web site. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You absolutely come with incredible articles. Thanks for revealing your blog.
Many thanks the right to go over our, I find myself boldy in it and moreover like understanding read more about associated with study. Most certainly, though you generate feel, do you really your thoughts replacing your blog with additional manual? Extremely helpful for my family.
Superb post, I’ve saved as a favorite this internet site so with any luck , I will see more on this topic in the foreseeable future!
Simply desire to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is just great and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.