My Own Personal Experience
...ways sat on the pew with the mothers of the church. That is what they called the older members that have been involved in the inner workings and functions of the church. I was put there because my grandmother played the piano and organ in the church. So seeing and hearing about the “Holy Ghost” was nothing new to me. I can always remember once church was over on Sundays we would have Sunday dinner in the church basement. Sunday dinner at the church would consist of fried chicken from one of the mothers of the church, as well as macaroni and cheese, sweet peas, jello, cakes and a number of other dishes parishioners decided to bring. I don’t know if this is only at southern Baptist churches, but I know it was at my church. We also had grape Kool-Aid that they would always make for the children. Of course I had to stay because my grandmother was a mother of the church and on the usher board and in the choir and how would that look if she didn’t stay! That was one of my favorite memories because my grandmother has passed on, and I feel you need to find the good to remember people. I also remember the older women with their Sunday hats on and the really high steps and I remember thinking dang why don’t they have an elevator? I really missed the days of church revivals, Sunday school, vacation bible school and my grandmother. Just now thinking of my grandmother makes me think of all the promises I made to her and myself and I am fulfilling them now continuing my education, going to school to pursue a career as a Doctor. Trying to get through school especially high school. With all the stress and peer pressure to fit in and be a part of the “in crowd” or “your acting white if you make good grades.” Race was a big issue because you had teachers that would not try to help you or they would tell you “ I got mine now get yours,” meaning they have their degree and even though i'm not going to help you need to figure out a way to get yours. So I spent my high school years praying, because my grandmother and mother always have told me that prayer will always prevail and rule all. Being of mixed race I get the typical stereo types of African Americans and Hispanics, but always the African American stereo types first because of my color. I get stereo typed and put into a class that makes everyone thinks blacks are lazy and they don’t know anything. I get judged before people get to know me. ...