A Lost Boy
A most unforgettable trip41 total reviews
Comment from Terry Broxson
Nolan, this is an interesting slice of American history for us to contemplate on this Memorial Day. Many have given their lives for freedom for those who live in this country. Yet some who lived abused that freedom in relation to integration. We need more men like you and the cook who stood up for what they believed to be right. Well done. Terry.
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Nolan, this is an interesting slice of American history for us to contemplate on this Memorial Day. Many have given their lives for freedom for those who live in this country. Yet some who lived abused that freedom in relation to integration. We need more men like you and the cook who stood up for what they believed to be right. Well done. Terry.
Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Thank you Terry. This experience taught me the valuable lesson. Just as love has no color or complexion, neither does hate. The kindness this white cook showed me was greater than what I have received from some of my own color and race.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
This is a superb telling of the prejudice that went on before the Civil Rights Act was signed into law later in 1960. I was intrigued by the story which was true to life when I noticed my personal feelings becoming abruptly changed because I know you as a friend and thought it was terrible to be treated that way yet the country hasn't come so far that this doesn't go on today sometimes. I have been privileged to read your writing and know you to be a good friend and colleague. Thanks for telling it like it is and reminding us we haven't gone far enough yet. We still need to care for one another as brothers!
Jesse
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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This is a superb telling of the prejudice that went on before the Civil Rights Act was signed into law later in 1960. I was intrigued by the story which was true to life when I noticed my personal feelings becoming abruptly changed because I know you as a friend and thought it was terrible to be treated that way yet the country hasn't come so far that this doesn't go on today sometimes. I have been privileged to read your writing and know you to be a good friend and colleague. Thanks for telling it like it is and reminding us we haven't gone far enough yet. We still need to care for one another as brothers!
Jesse
Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Thank you Jesse. As I pointed out, none of the white passengers acted in a hostile manner toward me. The only hostility came from the conductor, who seemed to be acting from a prepared script. Later he was still the only person I interacted with, but this time it was in a friendly manner. Go figure.
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This makes it all the worse.
Discrimination in any form is wrong!
Comment from Pam (respa)
Thanks for sharing the photo and story, nomi. You tell it very well, and I can picture the scenes you describe very well. Thank you for your service to your country. Hard to believe someone could be charged with the same thing and never go to trial. Kudos to you for standing up for what is right. Being eighteen is usually an experience for most teens because we think we know everything at that age, and little do we really know!
I was glad to hear you were treated to a nice meal by the kitchen staff, but you shouldn't have had to do that, either. It sounds like you had a very good discussion that was promising for things to come. Also interesting is the conductor changing his mood and demeanor. Your concluding line says a lot; it is "a strange world that prejudice creates."
I enjoyed reading your story. One thing to think about is separating your paragraphs.
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Thanks for sharing the photo and story, nomi. You tell it very well, and I can picture the scenes you describe very well. Thank you for your service to your country. Hard to believe someone could be charged with the same thing and never go to trial. Kudos to you for standing up for what is right. Being eighteen is usually an experience for most teens because we think we know everything at that age, and little do we really know!
I was glad to hear you were treated to a nice meal by the kitchen staff, but you shouldn't have had to do that, either. It sounds like you had a very good discussion that was promising for things to come. Also interesting is the conductor changing his mood and demeanor. Your concluding line says a lot; it is "a strange world that prejudice creates."
I enjoyed reading your story. One thing to think about is separating your paragraphs.
Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Thank you for your generous comments. I will attend to that, I think it may be a problem with the editor.
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You are welcome.
Comment from BethShelby
This is a good story. It is a shame things were like that. I'm glad they have changed. I have one posted also that called Safe Keeping it is still paying. The last part tells of me having lunch in a fine hotel in Jackson, Mississippi with a black lady in in 1960, I was nervous about it due to the rules back then. We were allowed to eat together to my surprise. Someone told me there were signs posted in Portland, Organ in the 60s that people of different races couldn't eat together in restaruants.
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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This is a good story. It is a shame things were like that. I'm glad they have changed. I have one posted also that called Safe Keeping it is still paying. The last part tells of me having lunch in a fine hotel in Jackson, Mississippi with a black lady in in 1960, I was nervous about it due to the rules back then. We were allowed to eat together to my surprise. Someone told me there were signs posted in Portland, Organ in the 60s that people of different races couldn't eat together in restaruants.
Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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You just never know. Prejudice rears its ugly head in unsuspected places and from sometimes unexpected persons. When I was stationed in North Dakota, there was a young white airman who insisted on hanging out with the blacks. When he thought that everyone was asleep, I heard him refer to the black airmen as 'N' words in a very hostile manner. You just never know.
Comment from Pantygynt
Back in the 1950sand 1960s we in Britain made a great fuss about South Africa's apartheid laws. We largely ignored the discrimination that was going on in the USA which must have been hell to live through all the while the USA was calling itself the land of the free when in reality it was nothing of the sort.
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reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Back in the 1950sand 1960s we in Britain made a great fuss about South Africa's apartheid laws. We largely ignored the discrimination that was going on in the USA which must have been hell to live through all the while the USA was calling itself the land of the free when in reality it was nothing of the sort.
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Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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I do not want to, everything within me does not want me to, but I cannot resist. It was a definite case of the kettle calling the pot black.
The United States continues to be labelled hypocrites because of their duality when it comes to race relations. They insist that they are not like that as they continue to mistreat its black, brown, red, and yellow citizens.
Comment from Wendy G
I am Australian and I am appalled that you were treated in such a way! While racism can and does get expressed here at times, it always was and is against the law. Your writing is excellent and your story was both shocking and moving. I hope things are better now, although from what I hear and read there is still plenty of prejudice and discrimination, and blatant racism. It's arrogant ignorance on the part of perpetrators, and shows them up for being shallow and hate-filled people. At least you showed integrity and could hold your head high for being honorable.
Wendy
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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I am Australian and I am appalled that you were treated in such a way! While racism can and does get expressed here at times, it always was and is against the law. Your writing is excellent and your story was both shocking and moving. I hope things are better now, although from what I hear and read there is still plenty of prejudice and discrimination, and blatant racism. It's arrogant ignorance on the part of perpetrators, and shows them up for being shallow and hate-filled people. At least you showed integrity and could hold your head high for being honorable.
Wendy
Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Thank you Wendy. Your kind and supportive comments mean a great deal to me. What is even more appalling to me is the number of so called, self anointed Christians who disobey the second greatest commandment found in the Bible. Treat is person as your neighbor. This much more far reaching than the guy next door or the guy down the street. Also keeping the neighborhood white does not exempt you from mistreating the guy from the black neighborhood or the Bario.
Comment from Debi Pick Marquette
Nomi, I love this story. This is what made our interview so wonderful that we did together last year and I was so happy to see that you had written about it. I love the train. I love the you going against the sergeant I love every part of it, and it was a pleasure to read it again, even after we did it last year, I think that it has the makings of a great movie and I wish there was somebody. I knew that I could have them read this.. Anyway great job I love the story I can't get enough of it and it's about time that I come over to your place for a change Love you big brother .
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Nomi, I love this story. This is what made our interview so wonderful that we did together last year and I was so happy to see that you had written about it. I love the train. I love the you going against the sergeant I love every part of it, and it was a pleasure to read it again, even after we did it last year, I think that it has the makings of a great movie and I wish there was somebody. I knew that I could have them read this.. Anyway great job I love the story I can't get enough of it and it's about time that I come over to your place for a change Love you big brother .
Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Your awesome review has given me the largest smile of appreciation you could eve imagine. Thank you.
Comment from LateBloomer
Hi Nomi, being born in Detroit and then going south was a real eye opener for you. I was born and raised in NYC/Manhattan, so I did not see these acts of prejudice--not that they didn't exist. I just never witnessed them. Just sharing--My school was a mix of people--different colors and different nationalities. Some were born in other countries. Everyone got along, so when I read stories about segregation and prejudice in 1960's, it bewilders me, but I know those stories are painfully true.
--No respectful sir, nothing else. Disrespect me and you get it right back. I know it was childish, but I was only eighteen, fearless and I just did not care.
(Amen.)
Also:
(I wondered if that meant he would be leaving the train).
(Good point. He should have.)
A well told story from a shameful time in history. Great photo! Margaret
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Hi Nomi, being born in Detroit and then going south was a real eye opener for you. I was born and raised in NYC/Manhattan, so I did not see these acts of prejudice--not that they didn't exist. I just never witnessed them. Just sharing--My school was a mix of people--different colors and different nationalities. Some were born in other countries. Everyone got along, so when I read stories about segregation and prejudice in 1960's, it bewilders me, but I know those stories are painfully true.
--No respectful sir, nothing else. Disrespect me and you get it right back. I know it was childish, but I was only eighteen, fearless and I just did not care.
(Amen.)
Also:
(I wondered if that meant he would be leaving the train).
(Good point. He should have.)
A well told story from a shameful time in history. Great photo! Margaret
Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Thank you Margaret. It was actually fool hardy. It could have set me up to be harmed later on.
Comment from Ben Colder
You did right by holding your peace. God always fights your battle through wisdom. I took training with a group of white soldiers and one black guy. The men in the barracks one night wanted to throw him in shower but being the guy slept near me, I took offense and stood between him and the happenings. It changed the whole issue. That guy and I became the best of friends. Come to find out he was the grandson of Sachal Page, the best baseball pitcher ever was. A great guy.
Thanks for sharing your story.
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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You did right by holding your peace. God always fights your battle through wisdom. I took training with a group of white soldiers and one black guy. The men in the barracks one night wanted to throw him in shower but being the guy slept near me, I took offense and stood between him and the happenings. It changed the whole issue. That guy and I became the best of friends. Come to find out he was the grandson of Sachal Page, the best baseball pitcher ever was. A great guy.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Comment Written 29-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Thanks Ben. Your kindness I am sure will always be appreciated. Ignorance knows few boundaries if indeed any. My prayer is that some day it will all go away.
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Me too.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Being from Philly, I did not witness the travesty mentioned. My playmates were not Negroes to me, simply friends. We lived on corresponding blocks in row homes. When the Civil Rights Act was passed Southern Democrats voted against the act of 1964 but Ohnson I hear tell said we will control the black vote for fifty years. How true that has been.
Nice to see you submit again
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reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Being from Philly, I did not witness the travesty mentioned. My playmates were not Negroes to me, simply friends. We lived on corresponding blocks in row homes. When the Civil Rights Act was passed Southern Democrats voted against the act of 1964 but Ohnson I hear tell said we will control the black vote for fifty years. How true that has been.
Nice to see you submit again
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 28-May-2023
reply by the author on 29-May-2023
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Thanks Tom. The struggle continues as those opposed to racial harmony are tireless in their efforts to be the only ones on top, refusing to share the wealth this great nation has to offer.