Bogart could have been color-blind. He got to know a man before he decided if he liked him or not. —Sammy Davis, Jr.
In considering the many handicaps of my father, I suppose his biggest is that he is “color-blind." A NY policeman until retirement, he always had the uncanny ability to “see" beyond a person’s exterior regardless of race, religion or nationality.
As his daughter, I always cherished my father’s heart but many, especially the white, middle class neighborhood I grew up in, resented it… especially during the summer of 1970.
That summer, my dad’s post is changed to the heavily black populated neighborhood of Roosevelt, Long Island. Not surprisingly, my father and his partner, “Uncle Robbie," are elated with the change of pace. It is here that my dad is free to “magically work" his nightstick and when he is assigned to traffic his moves make the newspapers—Michael Jackson’s “Moonwalk" couldn’t hold a candle to my father’s moves….
He loved the people on his post and they loved him.
One day, returning home from the “eight to four" shift, a young, black teenage boy is sitting alongside my father in the passenger’s seat. As I run closer toward the car, I recognize the boy and enthusiastically greet him. Almost abruptly, my dad pushes me aside and quietly whispers, “Judi, not now. Davey’s been through a lot and is going to stay with us for awhile; we’ll talk later."
Puzzled, I quietly follow them into the house and my mother immediately welcomes the boy with a tender embrace. Apparently she expected Davey because the guest room is prepared for him.
Desperate for details, I impatiently blurt out, “Can somebody please tell me what’s going on here?"
Simultaneously, both my parents look at me, and, as if an afterthought, motion me to sit down. Without taking my eyes off of Davey’s solemn posture, I obediently sit down and listen as my parents explain the disheartening circumstances.
“Sometime during the night, Davey’s entire family was perished in a fire and, until we can find an appropriate home for him, he will be staying with us."
Understandably grief-stricken, my parents arrange for bereavement counseling for the child. It is a difficult time for everyone but, with the family’s support, Davey slowly adjusts to his new environment to the best of his ability.
As the months progress, our “close-knit" neighbors become disgruntled and we suddenly find ourselves banned from all neighborhood gatherings. The warm “howdy-do’s" no longer come our way and whenever Davey and I walk down the block, I notice nosy eyes peeking at us from behind the curtains of our neighbors’ homes.
Shaking his head in disgust, Davey says, “You really don’t get it, do you Judi?"
“No, Davey, I don’t and don’t you dare say it’s because you’re black."
“Okay, I won’t but that’s exactly what’s happening."
I look up toward my friend and am taken aback by the sudden angry expression on his face. I visually follow his stare down the block and sight three neighbors aggressively encircling my father. As we approach the scene, the yelling becomes audible and my heart sinks. Instinctively, I grab my friend’s sweaty hand as we witness the attack against my father.
“Jack, we understand you’re a cop but you can’t bring those kind of people into our neighborhood. It’s just not right!"
Fully composed and oblivious to our presence, my dad asks, “Herb, what’s not right? That we care for a child who has lost his entire family? That we help him get a jump on life through a very difficult time? Explain to me, Herb, what is not right?"
“Oh, Jack, you know very well what’s not right about this! It’s one thing you have to work with those people but darn it, leave them out of our neighborhood, will you?"
Fighting his composure, my father responds, “Herb, I’ll tell you what. “Those people" you callously refer to have as much right to walk our streets as much as anyone does and the boy stays."
Just as Mr. McKeon shouts out “ni#@er lover," I impulsively let go of Davey’s hand and run to my father’s side. Almost immediately, silence fills the area and all three men gathered around my father suddenly seem uncomfortable.
I reach for my father’s hand and quietly take notice of each man surrounding us. I’ve known them all of my life and have always respected them… until now. Their inner hatred spewed from their eyes and I was disgusted.
Before my father could stop me, I quietly address the deacon of our church, Mr. McKeon, “Mr. McKeon, wasn’t it just last Sunday that you preached about that every human being was created in God’s image? Doesn’t that hold true for Davey as well?"
“Uh, well, yes, Judi, I suppose it does but—“
By now, all eyes are on me as I ask my final question, “Well, I’m just wondering, Mr. McKeon, if that’s the case then what color is God?"
No response. Within moments, the small circle disperses leaving my father, Davey and me alone.
Still shaken, I tearfully ask my father how something terrible like this could happen.
As he puts one arm around Davey’s shoulder, he grabs my hand and says, “People who judge others based on nationality or race are ignorant. There’s good and bad in everything and it’s the heart of a person that matters, Judi. We are all God’s people and that’s all there is too it."
Judi Lynn Lake has kept up with leading edge business trends throughout her varied and successful career. She had already had her ‘15 minutes of fame’ over and over again before starting her family. Judi and her family now reside in South Carolina but, having been born and raised on Long Island, NY, it is clearly evident that she will always be a "New Yorker." Today, she successfully runs her own advertising agency which handles everything from logos, branding and package design while she continues to work closely with self-published authors from design to promotion.
» left by Teresa Ortiz(4,446) Teresa Ortiz (110 days 22 hours ago.)
Hi E, thank you for sharing this heart-warming and thought provoking article. Good for your father--he taught you well. It's one thing (though still wrong), for non believer to be racist, but those who call themselves Christians, it's shameful to the inth degree. Don't they read there bible? They obviously do not know the heart of God and that is a shame. May God open their eyes to their wicked ways. I am sure your question haunted Mr. McKeon for quite sometime. Love you girl, think of you and praying for you. Next time you call me, try my cell phone. It's the best way to reach me. Hugs!!! L.
» left by Judi Lake(2,858) Judi Lake (110 days 15 hours ago.)
Hey L! Sadly, I've come to realize a long time ago that many who proclaim to be "Christian" have no clue about the "heartbeat" of Jesus Christ -- We need to be careful there because it's one thing to preach the word but it's another thing to "live" the word which is, in my opinion, where our true test stands. Thanks for commenting, friend, and when I can get from under, I will call you! Respond to this comment
» left by Avis Ward(8,248) Avis Ward (110 days 20 hours ago.)
A touching story, Judi. It was told with your usual mastery of storytelling. We're taught love and hatred. Sometimes with subtlety and other times overtly. As a result, there's good and evil. I still believe in the inherent goodness of man. It's easy when you know the Creator. I'm happy your father taught you by example. Somehow, I feel if you were taught differently, Judi Lynn would have found her way and learned the err in your father's teaching. I adore you, my friend!
» left by Judi Lake(2,858) Judi Lake (110 days 15 hours ago.)
Hi Avis! I guess it wasn't until I became a mom myself did I fully realize that indeed we are "taught" love and hatred -- what a testimony it is to witness the innocence of a child's heart and what great lessons there is for all of us -- perhaps a crime with adults is that in becoming "overly educated" we loose our innocence and perspective -- God made everyone in His image and I would imagine that many are gonna be a smite surprised on judgement day because... Thanks for commenting, my friend! Respond to this comment
» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(6,790) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (110 days 20 hours ago.)
Bang Zoom as Jackie Gleason would say. It says it all and it say's it about you as well. That is at the heart of everything. Sadly Judi many don't get it and I'm not talking just whites, catholics, Jews, Arabs, no I'm talking creation. You shall know then by their works. What a powerful article to share. Well what can one expect from a lady like you. Always the very best that one could expecet in a person. It seems you were raised well and in a similar environment. You are a blessed lady.
PS I hope all is well and you are hppy and fine, regards Robert.
» left by Avis Ward(8,248) Avis Ward (110 days 18 hours ago.)
"What a powerful article to share. Well what can one expect from a lady like you." Here! Here! So very true, RM!
» left by Judi Lake(2,858) Judi Lake (110 days 15 hours ago.)
Ha, Robert -- I love Jackie Gleason! Like I mentioned above it's easy "to preach it" but it's another thing to "live" the truth and that, I believe, is our true test -- God must surely shake His head in sorrow at the stupidity of His children - He gives us a beautiful world to live and love in and yet we continuously screw things up -- Yes, my father taught me many things mostly by actions and I've kept them deep in my heart -- Thanks for commenting, my friend and all is okay, I guess just still hectic and crazy... would love a vacation... maybe Paris? (smile) Know dear Robert you always remain in my prayers! Respond to this comment
» left by sue thom from nj (110 days 16 hours ago.)
hi judi, what great lessons to learn at such an early age. and hopefully, some lessons taught. beautiful story, beautifully written and God Bless your dad,
my best,
sue
» left by Judi Lake(2,858) Judi Lake (110 days 15 hours ago.)
Thanks dear Sue -- yes, I am fortunate to have had a father like mine and I've always credited him in teaching me what unconditional love is all about -- The very best to you as always and you may just get a call from me next week! (smile) Respond to this comment
» left by Missing Link(2,359) Missing Link (109 days 20 hours ago.)
Judi what a terrific article! You're a great story teller. Thanks for sharing!
Missing Link
» left by Judi Lake(2,858) Judi Lake (109 days 8 hours ago.)
ML, I guess "life" gives us a great deal of "plots" for all of our stories - good and bad. Thanks ML for your kind comment! Respond to this comment
» left by Roschelle Nelson(589) Roschelle Nelson (89 days 7 hours ago.)
Hi Judi, that was a great piece. I'm so glad you took the time to share. It's important to remember hatred is taught. If we all practiced what we preached, the world...oh, wouldn't it be a lovely place? Thanks again
» left by Judi Lake(2,858) Judi Lake (89 days 4 hours ago.)
Thanks, Roschelle - I was fortunate with the father I have and actually, being my age and having an 8 year old is truly a grace -- the purity of children is absolutely something we all need to pay attention to -- when they get mad it is not because of someone's race or religion it's "just because" and then they usually make up a few minutes after anyway -- Thanks for commenting! Respond to this comment
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