Was talking with someone about Mr. J.T. McRae this evening and these thoughts surfaced: 1962 -at the age of 13, one Friday, he visited in our home and HE TOLD ME to memorize the poem 'Creation' by James Weldon Johnson for Sunday evening BTU.
1963 - at the age of 14, HE TOOK ME to the Centennial Celebration of Emancipation Proclamation in Bearden. 25 years later, I was the keynote speaker.
1963 - at the age of 14, HE TOOK ME to the District Meeting Of Section 2 of Greater Bradley District Association Youth Meeting, the next year, I was elected president of the youth group.
1964 - at the age of 15, HE TOOK ME to Homecoming at AM&N College in Pine Bluff. My first trip ever to a college campus. Six years later I earned a B.S. Degree in History & Polical Science at the same institution.
1965 - at the age of 16, HE TOOK ME to his farm in the McRae Bottoms to drive his car back to town as he drove his Dodge truck with a trailer load of cotton. (I didn't know how to drive a car) 1970 - at the age of 21, HE TOOK ME as his assistant for a Boy Scout Troop in Hampton, we attended a camporee at Camp Logoly.
1970 -at the age of 21, HE TOOK ME to a Black Caucus meeting in Little Rock to learn about issues facing people of African Descent in Arkansas.
He never said anything to me about what he was doing, or why he was doing, HE JUST TOOK ME. Now you know why I have always lived within 25 miles of where I was born. I owe so much to this mentor, example, community leader, who sacrificed his own dignity sometimes with the powers that be, just so my generation could have a chance. HE TOOK ME. Now you know why I TAKE THEM!
