Once again, CreoleGen welcomes back James Guidry as a guest writer to our group. James has given us several articles which have been read and commented on by so many of you. His subject matter always centers around his life growing up in Opelousas, LA. ” Birthday Reflections of a Greenwood Boy” was written on his birthday. It is short but quite poignant in relations to the world many of us experienced in the past and the one we are living in today. We hope you enjoy…Lolita
Today I celebrated my 74th birthday. I was born in Opelousas, La at 4 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. My mother was 6 days shy of her 19th birthday. She said that the hospital staff hung a sign saying “colored baby” over the place where I laid. I was marked even before my first dreams. The first community that I remember was the all black Greenwood neighborhood in Opelousas. It was a five by five cross section of dirt streets. I spent my boyhood summers running barefoot through those streets.
Tin roof houses lined the streets. Inside those houses our parents marked the passing of time on funeral home calendars. They counted the days to cotton season, to cane season, to sweet potato season. They counted and waited; waiting for the repurposed school buses to take them to the fields; waiting for the sawmill whistle at the break of big day; waiting for government commodities; waiting for the doctor’s appointment at Charity Hospital; waiting for their brothers to return from Korea; waiting for justice.
I attended the one room neighborhood school for first and second grade. Second and third graders attended in the morning, first graders in the afternoon. Our parents fought for more substantial school buildings and finally won. They fought for the right to vote and finally won. The few victories of our parents allowed my peers and me to run outside the confines of Greenwood. But, they did not free most of us from the yoke of poverty. It was not from lack of ambition, intelligence. imagination or education.
Our country was still letting us down. This majority Christian nation is ensconced in a great coat of dyed in the wool racism. It has been that way since the beginning. The constitution did not abolish slavery. It assumed that slavery would continue and gave the slave states enough representative power to delay emancipation until 1863. It continued to let us down after the Civil War, failing to protect Reconstruction from white supremacists. It let my parents’ generation down after WWII. Returning black veterans did not receive access to education and financial markets equal to their white counterparts. Redlining shut them out of property ownership that has become a significant part of the wealth of white families. Our country is continuing to let us down. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is being eroded by all kinds of suppression tactics.
I begin my 75th year on this planet not surprised that black COVID-19 deaths and black male deaths from policing intersect within the same timeframe. They are caused by the same virus, first carried to these shores by slave ships in 1619. At heart I remain a Greenwood boy. I dream for my grandsons just as my parents dreamt for me; that although they are labeled before they dream, their dreams will be unblemished. Hopefully, our country will not let them down.
James Guidry
Baton Rouge, La
June 1, 2020
Excellent article James!
What a sad commentary on what it was like to grow up in that space of time in that area. I remember it well, having spent the first thirteen years of my life (12/44 to 05/58) growing up in Opelousas! Because of the death of my mother, I was transported to family members in California where I spent (for the most part) my remaining years.Although, there is some sadness when I reminisce over the years spent in that environment, I am still that little Opelousas, LA girl in my heart of hearts! Thank you for “painting” such a vivid picture of remembrance!
Wonderful article.
Beautifully written
James a.ka. dad!
I shared this with co-workers. Discussions regarding Covid-19 and discussions regarding race, safety and police reform dominate staff meetings. An older co-worker disillusioned that things were”fixed” in the 60’s commented the reflection have her insight.
Very powerful story. It just shows you that it’s not where you’re from, it’s where you’re going. I’m so proud to have been acquainted with such awesome people from Opelousas. It really makes me proud.
Amen James for a great article! When will we ever see “true” justice and equality” in the good ole USofA?
The protests we are seeing today are a display of a future generation of humanity who will bring about a NEW AMERICA. They will not tolerate the inhumane treatments of the past. GOD BLESS THE NEW GENERATION.
Amen, Jacqueline!
Your story is our story! True American history recorded in real time!
Here we are in 2020 and you still feel the same pain you did as a young boy. You and your family have taught me so much about racism and injustice. The stories you share with the boys are so important and we will continue to fight for the dismantling of our racist systems.
I learn so much from your reflections, and am moved by your beautiful, heartful sentiments. Continue telling your story.
You have such a wonderful way with words, Mr. Guidry! Your story transported me through time – from the arrival of the first slave ships over 400 years ago, to the Civil War era, to your childhood spent in the Greenwood neighborhood, to the civil rights movement, and finally to “modern times,” where, sadly, injustice is still being served. Today, I stand with you – hopeful and resolute that the dreams of equality by the next generation will come to fruition during our lifetime. Wishing you continued blessings and a belated Happy 75th Birthday!
James, I have so much respect for you. Your young life and how things were and still are.
I’m printing this for my daughter and Zaiden to read.
Please keep writing.
Love and miss you, James. You and your family stay safe and well. God Bless you and your family.
Wow! I used to hear my family talk about Greenwood. I think grand-dad had a cafe and smoke house out there.