Integration
One young man's experience.21 total reviews
Comment from lancellot
The narration begins with a bit of summary of American history during a turbulent period, from a personal POV. Then we get a brief (only white and black) demographic breakdown of the authors university population, and some very general information about the school. This is followed by two jokes of the same nature, by a black student, then a white student. The End.
We do not really 'see' one man's experience. We get about ten seconds of it. We don't know what the feelings about integration were for any students, including the young men. We do not see anything of "significance" involving integration with the young men. No development of a friendship, hurdles, revelations, journey to understanding. What was the author like? What was Pee Wee like? How did their friend evolve and grow? What effect did all the set-up of the period have on their friendship and integration? (Who knows?) We are only "told" a friendship happened at the end.
The editing and structural writing elements are fine. This is a good start.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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The narration begins with a bit of summary of American history during a turbulent period, from a personal POV. Then we get a brief (only white and black) demographic breakdown of the authors university population, and some very general information about the school. This is followed by two jokes of the same nature, by a black student, then a white student. The End.
We do not really 'see' one man's experience. We get about ten seconds of it. We don't know what the feelings about integration were for any students, including the young men. We do not see anything of "significance" involving integration with the young men. No development of a friendship, hurdles, revelations, journey to understanding. What was the author like? What was Pee Wee like? How did their friend evolve and grow? What effect did all the set-up of the period have on their friendship and integration? (Who knows?) We are only "told" a friendship happened at the end.
The editing and structural writing elements are fine. This is a good start.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Appreciate your input, Terry.
Comment from jmdg1954
Have you and Pee Wee been in contact during the remaining college years and there after?
Terry, this is a great story, Well written, and read very smoothly. Seems like the two of you didn't see each other with different skin color! Which is great!
Ivv be enjoyed this post.
John
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Have you and Pee Wee been in contact during the remaining college years and there after?
Terry, this is a great story, Well written, and read very smoothly. Seems like the two of you didn't see each other with different skin color! Which is great!
Ivv be enjoyed this post.
John
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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John, thank you for your review. Like almost every other guy I knew in college I have not kept up with them. I heard he became a teacher and coach. Terry
Comment from karenina
Excellent true story, Terry. This reminds me that the "global" view of racism need not filter down to the microcosm of two people just relating to one another in a natural and congenial way. With all the "history" of 1967 it does my heart good to know two young men from Abilene had it all figured out. We need more of these accounts.
Karenina
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Excellent true story, Terry. This reminds me that the "global" view of racism need not filter down to the microcosm of two people just relating to one another in a natural and congenial way. With all the "history" of 1967 it does my heart good to know two young men from Abilene had it all figured out. We need more of these accounts.
Karenina
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Karenina ,thank you for wonderful review, the six stars, and your wise insights. Terry.
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Welcome, Terry!
Comment from shelley kaye
i always wonder what it was like being a teenager or young 20s in the sixties... crazy times? scary times?
this was a great story!
i have no suggestions
thank you for sharing
shelley :)
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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i always wonder what it was like being a teenager or young 20s in the sixties... crazy times? scary times?
this was a great story!
i have no suggestions
thank you for sharing
shelley :)
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Shelley, thank you very much for reading and reviewing. Terry.
Comment from Rachelle Allen
You were the impetus behind the meme: "Be the change you want to see in the world" and the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth" which states, in its lyrics "Let peace begin with me."
Did you remain friends throughout your lives?
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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You were the impetus behind the meme: "Be the change you want to see in the world" and the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth" which states, in its lyrics "Let peace begin with me."
Did you remain friends throughout your lives?
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Rachelle, thank you for the kind words and the review. Like so many from my college days, we did not stay in touch. I believe I read in an alumni publication that he became a teacher and coach. A good guy with a good sense of humor, and a good pool player too. Terry.
Comment from John Ciarmello
Sensational, Terry! This piece has so much history, and the beautiful story you weaved within it was perfect.
I especially enjoyed your and Pee Wee's friendship. It fits so well into the content, or perhaps Vise versa. I loved it! Best, JohnC
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Sensational, Terry! This piece has so much history, and the beautiful story you weaved within it was perfect.
I especially enjoyed your and Pee Wee's friendship. It fits so well into the content, or perhaps Vise versa. I loved it! Best, JohnC
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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John, thank you for much for the kind review and the six stars! Terry.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
A gem of a story with a brief review of the times and your funny interaction with Peewee. I do not think I can rate this lower than a six!
Well done.
Best wishes
Mary
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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A gem of a story with a brief review of the times and your funny interaction with Peewee. I do not think I can rate this lower than a six!
Well done.
Best wishes
Mary
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Mary, how very kind of you to say those words. And thank you for the six stars. Terry.
Comment from LJbutterfly
I truly enjoyed this very well written article. It reads like a piece from a published book or well known magazine, or editorial page of a major newspaper. I appreciated the recap of the mid-sixties. I was there.
I began my career in 1969 with the VA. To bridge the generation gap, they had a company newsletter for employees under age 30. We were the younger generation.
There is still civil unrest. However, there are many people like you and Clarence, who live, love, and work together in friendly peace and harmony.
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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I truly enjoyed this very well written article. It reads like a piece from a published book or well known magazine, or editorial page of a major newspaper. I appreciated the recap of the mid-sixties. I was there.
I began my career in 1969 with the VA. To bridge the generation gap, they had a company newsletter for employees under age 30. We were the younger generation.
There is still civil unrest. However, there are many people like you and Clarence, who live, love, and work together in friendly peace and harmony.
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Lorraine, they were indeed strange and usual times for our generation. Thank you for the review and the six stars. Terry.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Nice writing. Good work.
You wrote a pretty fair historical account.
But who reads the newspaper anymore? (Your profile photo)
lol - I would if we had one fit to read here in Arkansas.
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Nice writing. Good work.
You wrote a pretty fair historical account.
But who reads the newspaper anymore? (Your profile photo)
lol - I would if we had one fit to read here in Arkansas.
Best wishes.
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Thanks, Wayne, I consider our newspaper like beer...light. Terry.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job with your story, Terry. You described those
turbulent 60's well. With everything happening then, the focus
on racial tension seemed to become more and more in the news.
However, many many Black men were in the military fighting for
all. I enjoyed the comradery of you and Pee Wee. I believe at that
time more could've been done to show how the two races were
acting in ways you described. You and Pee Wee seemed to have had
some great times.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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You did a great job with your story, Terry. You described those
turbulent 60's well. With everything happening then, the focus
on racial tension seemed to become more and more in the news.
However, many many Black men were in the military fighting for
all. I enjoyed the comradery of you and Pee Wee. I believe at that
time more could've been done to show how the two races were
acting in ways you described. You and Pee Wee seemed to have had
some great times.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
Comment Written 02-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 02-Apr-2023
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Jan, thank you for the review. College students had deferments from the military. That was the reason we were not in the military at the time. Terry.