Do you Remember When …?

…George Gant threw a party to celebrate moving to his new house on Wood Street and fell out in RED “hot pants?” Remember how light he was on his feet and how he and Sandy Haughton would just perform on the dance floor?

… We were often warmly greeted using someone else’s name, when there was no physical resemblance that we could see? Just proof of the general misconception that we all looked alike.

… Betty and Preston Jones had those annual soul food parties on New Years Day? The house was full of people – children and adults of all ages to watch football, gossip and celebrate Black food traditions and joys associated with the new year. Preston’s barbecued ribs grilled in the January snow were finger lickin’ good, and Betty fixed chitterlings for a “once a year” treat. All manner of good luck food was on the table – sweet potatoes, collard greens, black eye peas, corn/okra/tomatoes, crackling corn bread, sweet potato pie, and whatever else. And just before the table was blessed, Betty would tell the children our mythical beliefs – how black-eyed peas eaten on New Years Day brought good luck and collard greens meant plenty of money. And chitterlings… a special joy for the soul!

… Walt McKinnie went home from one of the Jones parties after drinking too much of Preston’s Scotch, and slept all night in the altogether in the bathroom sink?

… We had our first confrontation as Black parents with Midland Public School officials when our children complained about a teacher at Northeast Intermediate who displayed the Confederate flag in his classroom and reminded Black kids that their ancestors were slaves? When we contacted the school administration the teacher was so upset, he hired an attorney to protect his job.

… Ed and Linda Francis had a cross burned in their front yard in the early 70’s?

… Ann and Leroy Hampton renewed their marital vows in a second wedding on their silver anniversary? “The Hampton Wedding” the second time around was held at Memorial Presbyterian Church and was the event of the year.

… Rudy and Sarah Lindsey held their family reunion at Plymouth Park, and we were all invited? AND Rudy roasted a pig on a spit, and we did the Electric Slide line right out on the grass?

… Ron Haughton would do anything to scare up a game of Bid Whist? And then he couldn’t stand to lose?

… Ann Hampton had a hat for every occasion? A tradition which she still proudly sports.

… Bill Greene grew collard greens in his front yard? Bill would faithfully deliver a big bunch of greens to all his good friends to share in the harvest.

… Walt McKinnie would mow his lawn in a suit? Walt did not OWN a pair of blue jeans and believe in maintaining his dignity in all occasions.

From Stories of My People by Dr. Betty Jones. Used with permission.