The "Colored Man"

When you're about to become 93 years old some of "the old ways" remain no matter how liberal you might be.

The other day Mom and I were sitting talking about her day and her busy times on the telephone.  She loves the telephone...

"I called my insurance company today to ask them some questions."

Did you get the answers you wanted?

"Yes.  I spoke to the nicest colored man.  I'm sure he was, I could tell by his laugh."

(Me...cringing)  There are lots of ways to describe somebody.  It could have been just a man. What does it have to do with the story that this man may have been of color?

"Oh nothing, but he was so kind to me.  I've found, through the years, that colored people are the kindest and most gentle folks I've ever known."

I decided that sometimes it's best to keep quiet.

And, so it goes...

Comments

[Dan Johnson]

Your mom is a blast! Similar to things my dad says, he's just 82 but grew up in small-town North Dakota. Never saw a black man in person until his high school basketball team traveled to Watford City where they had a "colored janitor". Quite the curiosity.