Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1962-06-15

+ a n r Day, -
here is a reprint
of that letter: Maurice White
Dear Dad:
Each year, one day is set aside
to honor fathers for their part in
the family function. Dad, let me
take the opportunity this Fathers
Day to express my gratitude for
the role you played in my life.
You called yourself an ignorant
man, but Dad, sometimes I think
your eighth grade education gave
you more insight into the minds of
children than all of Gesells re-
search. Yourself being one of nine
boys in family of seventeen, you
knew and understood boys. You
could sense when it was best to
talk to boy, as well as when to
use the backhand.
You believed in disciplined chill
dren. You did not tolerate a dis
respectful or disobedient crild and
there were many times when was
both. When I refused to heed the
talk, and the backhand was no
longer proper, you devised the two
week punishment - which Just
happened to include the days when
I wanted to go to that dance or
party. But somehow all the resent
ment I built up toward you for
your discipline, seemed to ebb the
moment you threw your arm
around my shoulder, grinned, and
said to someone, This is my old
est SON."
Many winter morning I dread
ed hearing you call, Get up and
go fill the stoker." And oh how II
hated to be working in the store
those hot summer afternoons and
nights while other boys were in
Washington Park, playing base
ball or at the 63rd Street beach.
However, as. 1 look back, this was
your way of putting into practice
your conviction that every boy
should have some responsibility.
At the time I disagreed with
that conviction, but perhaps, that
was what kept me from becoming
member of one of the many
gangs that roamed ago's
southside - carrying homemade
zip guns, switch blade knives, and
rubber hose blackjacks - in those
restless years following World
War II.
While business did not allow you
too much time to spend with us
as you would have liked, the mo-
ments you did share with us boys
were filled with happiness. Like
the times when you, Freddie, JOS
eph and I land later Gregory
would sit around the kitchen table
playing cards, drinking pop, or
just plain having a good time talk
ing. And remember when you
would take us to see a movie at
the Met" on 47th and South Park
and each September when you
took us downtown to 1.-THE Hub"
shopping for new school clothes?
All was not joy, however. Before
you could afford to buy a home
for us, there were those after dark
moving days, because the landlord
did not allow neither dogs nor
children. And when he found out
you had the least desirable of the
two - children the eviction
notices soon followed.
Then came the days in court as
we boys stood stairstep beside you
in our Sunday clothes as you
pleaded with the judge for more
time to find another apartment.
There are so many things you
did that could point to as having
been an influence on my life. But
think the thing which had the
most profound effect was your
pride in being a Negro. Many of
the things you told us boys years
ago are now being effectively used
as instruments for social equality
and justice. Such things as never
spend your money where you can't
work" and vote for the man who
will do the Negro the most good"
You had another saying, too:
''Never do business with a man If
he did not show you respect as a
man" I think one of the vivid re-
collections I have is the one when
I observed you practicing that bit
Of philosophy.
A new salesman strolled into the
store one day representing a COM
pany which sold some fast moving
items. But as he grinned and
reached out to shake your hand,
he said, Hi there, Boy! The
mans mouth gaped open in sur
prise as you told him that you
would not handle his product any
more and why, and that he need
never come back.
Thank you, Dad, for these and
the countless other experiences I
have had with you that have served
to shape my life. Now that I have
children myself and am experience
ing the joys they bring, sincerely
hope that I may be as great an in
fluence and do as much for them,
as you did for me. Your Son.