Some of my closest friends are Black

Autos of beauty

For today:

That title statement is NOT true. But I do have some good friends who are Black. However in my life I have had several close friends of different nationalities, colors and sizes.

           

  In business some of my best subcontractors have been Black. One is a friend and Pentecostal preacher, good solid young man, Jerry Bridges. In Cuba there was Wayne Hodge, he worked for me and was also my FRIEND in caps. He was out at the house a good bit and the boys enjoyed him. We were also on the same bowling team. Later, he was the only person I ever requested come to work for me again.

 (Wayne from Kentucky)

Oh in DC also there was Lois Wright, Seaman. She was a friend and absolutely the best junior that ever worked for me; a single mom and dedicated worker. My son Jack Jr. asked her to marry him and she turned him down. LOL

Ahh, and Denise Friday. She was our banker for a while and a close friend with Shirley. Mr. Friday was also a mason and worked for me at times.

I also met Mr. John Moore (aka Sticky), heavy equipment owner operator, thru work. Some of you may have met him thru my first book, title: STICKY. Sticky has appeared with the rest of the cast of the Larry Wiley Novels.

So I would be lying to say some of my closest friends are Black.  But I would not be stretching any truth to say some of my best and trusted friends are black.

Oh yes there was Petty Officer Ronald Sikes, Ron was the only militant Black I ever had as a friend. In a conversation once he looked at me, you white people look at my hair and think it feels like steel wool. He had a big neat afro. He said, “Feel my hair!” Hesitantly I did, and to be honest I was surprised how soft and smooth it felt. We laughed. He was easy for me to like.

He invited Sherry and me to a party at his house. Time 9-PM until….   We arrived at 9PM most folk did not show up until about 11-12, by that time this white couple was ready to go home.. Imma tell you I could not keep up with ‘em Black folk, I had to go to bed.  LOL I had one Black Sailor say, “Jack if you was Black just one Saturday night, you would never want to be white again.”

 That is ‘some’ of my experience in Black History.

Nite Shipslog  

PS: It is hard for many people to fathom, But neither Sherry nor I ever attended school with a Black person and she finished 12 years. The Black kids were bussed right by our school to Reid High. I met and enjoyed Mr. Oscar Reid, even built for him. The school was named in honor of his family.  It is an honor to know him, Denise and Sticky here in town.