I had just moved to Conn from Maryland. It was the early 1970's and I was 11 or 12.Where I had grown up, everything was segregated. Whites and blacks lived in different areas, shopped in different stores. I always hated prejudice but it was intertwined in the very fabric of life there at the time.
When we moved to Ct, I went to an inner city Parochial school.
For the first time in my life,I had African Americans not only in my school but in my class.
I remember one by one, the silly things I had been told to believe fell away.
However, I still felt shy around my black classmates.
Then ~ the last day of school before Christmas break came.
It was a half day so the teacher let us have a party and play records.
We started playing Jackson 5 albums and my black classmates and I each pretended we were each one of the Jackson 5, singing our hearts out ~ "ABC... it's easy as 123."
I remember looking in their eyes, laughing hysterical as my heart lite up knowing we were all the same.
Micheal Jackson and The Jackson 5 were the bridge that I walked over to find my way to truth about prejudice.
5 comments:
Hi Terri,
Loved your story... Nice way to remember MJ..
His children are so beautiful. I hope they will be O K.
Thanks for sharing
xoxo
((((hugs))))
Maggie
Funny how MJ connected the world like a missing puzzle piece.His music was ageless and universal. I was just telling DH last night that MJ was not seen as black or white to so many, including myself. I never thought about his race as I watched him perform and listened to his music so many times. He was truly a unique one of a kind person and artist that we may never have the privilege to see again.It still hasn't sunk in that he is gone.
A sweet story you shared. I could see tiny Terri singing and dancing your heart out with classmates!
Hugs,Pat
Hi Terri ~
Thanks for sharing your MJ memory ~ he was so extremely talented.
Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you.
Bunny Hugs ~
Jayne
Thanks for sharing such a special story, and a valuable lesson for all of us. His talent will be missed, he was also a great humanitarian.
What a great post and how true it is. Thanks for the visit. Chester says that your squirrel is his cousin Louie from the east coast branch of the family LOL. Lawn furniture circa mid 80's, was my parents originally. Still great after all these years. Love your fourth post too. Sharon
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