Mr. Reginald Johnson responded with a comment to my latest post dealing with past racial issues in the east Texas town of Greenville, Texas. I approved his insightful comments and they have been posted. The following additional blog comment was, at my request, an elaboration of his first-hand experience growing up in Greenville. It is a simple yet elegant statement for diminishing racial tensions and one that bears reading. I thank Mr. Johnson for his thoughtfulness and willingness to share. And also THANKS go to the unexpected benefits of high school football! Let the season begin.
MR.Hutton, Thank You
The reason for my response, is I’m a Trucker, and so I speak with a lot of people. I’m Very Tired of All the Racial Tension These days. Sad to Say, By the Current Administration. I’m Trying to Defuse it, in my Own Way. GREENVILLE, TEXAS : At the end of my 1st grade year, we were Told that this School, Would be Closing ( Frederick Douglass Elementary/ All Black ). That some of us would be going to other Schools, Named Bowie, Lamar, Crockett, and Travis. I went to Travis.
The older kids, said that WE ARE GOING TO SEE WHITE PEOPLE !! AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO FIGHT !!! At that Young Age, I DIDN’T REALIZE, THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE, IN PEOPLE. My parents NEVER MADE RACE, AN ISSUE. Not to me, nor my sister. And So, my 2nd grade year, just about EVERYDAY!!!! When walking home, there Was a house, that some White Kids, From the same School would congregate. These Kids WOULD HOLLER “NIGGER’S !!!!! AND, WE WOULD HOLLER BACK ” PECKER WOOD’S ” , THEN WE WOULD START FIGHTING !!! AGAIN, EVERYDAY. …
I GOT TIRED OF FIGHTING, EVERY DAM DAY.. And, I would wonder, WHY ARE WE FIGHTING ???? I COULDN’T UNDERSTAND.
BUT, A BEAUTIFUL THING HAPPENED, ” FOOTBALL ” !!!! ( REMEMBER THE TITANS ) As the football season began, training together, and then PLAYING TOGETHER, AGAINST ANOTHER TEAM…. Well, WE ALL BECAME FRIENDS !!!!!!!! UNTIL THIS VERY DAY !!! WHENEVER, WE SEE EACH OTHER, ” NOTHING BUT LOVE “…… I went to there house, and would play, and Eat. And, some would Come to my house, would play, and Eat. ” RACISM ” IS FOR , STUPID/IGNORANT PEOPLE…. THESE PEOPLE, ARE THE niggers.
Thank You
Tagged: Frederick Douglass Elementary, Greenville TX: The Blackest Land and the Whitest People, Race Relations
Views From Medicine Spirit Ranch 
Thank you, to Mr. Reginald Johnson, for your heartfelt response to the Greenville Texas article. I appreciate your sharing your personal experience.
In our school library, we have short focus lesson each week (as well as allowing students to select and check out a book). I have shared your story with our school children here at Crockett/ K.G.Johnson S.T.E.M. Elementary School in Greenville. Because of the “Black History” focus in February, for one of our lessons this month, I included information about Frederick Douglass and the Historic Marker at the location of the previously all-black Fred Douglass Elementary School building here in Greenville. Without saying the specific “bad names”, your story spoke to our children about how children (and all people) were mean and unfriendly and how playing football and spending time together made a difference to you and your team mates.
I hope you are well, and I would appreciate any information about you (perhaps you still follow Dr. Hutton’s blog). But at least, I want to let you and your family know that by your sharing of this good story, you continue to make a difference in the lives of children. You add to the story of such great men as Frederick Douglass, and your story helps to make a connection with school children these days.
Rebecca Kobylecky
Library Media Specialist Paraprofessional
Greenville ISD
Crockett Elementary School/STEM
kobylecr@greenvilleisd.com