Segregation Hits Home

As I journey through life, I often remember experiences and lessons I should write down. This is the story of such an event. I need to add this short story to my book.

Seeing without seeing is a tagline that describes my story. Not only can you see the story, but you let it touch you, making it challenge your values and attitudes toward people not like you. According to the researchers, the brain relies so heavily on prior experience that it can often “see” without seeing.

For example, upon graduating from college (1962), I went with nine other young men, including five black men, to be physically tested for induction into the army. This act was part of the law that required all able young men to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Before we got on the Greyhound bus to travel to Jacksonville, Florida, I was put in charge because I was the only college graduate. With this designation as the leader, I was given a sum of money for each individual and told it would be used to pay for dinner for our return trip.

When our exams were completed, we returned to the Greyhound bus station. We went inside to eat (yes, they served a good meal in 1960.) Once inside, I looked for the group and found the five black draftees missing. They were outside the door looking doubtful they could eat inside with us four white draftees. "

This is when segregation hit home. I saw but didn't believe it; we could travel together, take our physicals together, and serve our country together, but we couldn’t share a meal. I verified with the manager that everyone was welcome to eat, went to the door, and invited the others in.

We ate together and rode the bus home together.

by Wayne Nalls, author of "That Reminds Me of a Story" Amazon