My son wrote this on his Facebook page last night. He's an elementary school principal in the Bowling Green area.

 

As we approach the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, today was definitely a day of reflection for me. Many of you know me and know that I very rarely will spend money on myself. Well today I decided to go shopping for me for once. During my day, I had several events that I believe Dr. King would say are a part of his dream. At the mall I saw several people I knew, however, only a select few made it a point to take time out of their day to stop and have a conversation. Those individuals were all of a similar background. They were former refugees who fled their war torn countries to seek asylum in America. I was greeted with smiles, hugs, and more from the individuals from Bosnia, Iraq, and Africa. The gentleman from Iraq immediately noticed I was by myself and asked if I was alone or with family. Through his kind heart and generosity, he offered to buy me lunch native to his culture. As we say and ate lunch, I received many strange looks from fellow Americans. There I was a black man having lunch with a middle eastern gentlemen. During our lunch we spoke about the many refugee students that came through Warren Central where we met and he was delighted to tell me about the businesses they owned and how they all started at the Perdue Chicken plant. Slowing down from my plans to sit and have lunch also afforded me the opportunity to learn that his family had traveled back to Iraq to take care of an ill family member while he stayed to take care of their store. I truly feel Dr. King was smiling during my day today. However, we as Americans still have much to work on.

 

One thing I have always wanted was a nice pair of leather gloves. I decided splurge and buy some today. Well after I purchased the gloves this evening, I went to workout and as I was leaving I had the strangest feeling come over me. As I exited, I realized I had on a black hooded sweatsuit and black leather gloves. My mind immediately begin to think should take off my hood and gloves as I walked to my car. There I was a Black man with a Masters degree and still having the thoughts about wearing all black, gloves and a hoody at night.

 

As I lay in bed I hope and pray that we as Americans continue to improve upon the dream of Dr. King. I pray that we see past the hateful rhetoric that is being displayed by some of the current political hopefuls and media. I pray for the refugee families that only want a better life and that they not be subjected to the painting of a broad brush. I pray for our African American teens who must be conscious of what they wear at night. Most importantly I pray for peace! Goodnight!

I can't really put into words how much I admire, look up to, and respect your son. My fiance cried when she was told he was moving on to the Elementary school he's at now. We're both hoping he eventually makes he way back because he was a great influence on not only the students, but the faculty and staff as well.

Great post.

 

But make sure he doesn't advertise where he shops. From what I can tell, there are a lot of folks that don't care too much fer ferners.

I can't really put into words how much I admire, look up to, and respect your son. My fiance cried when she was told he was moving on to the Elementary school he's at now. We're both hoping he eventually makes he way back because he was a great influence on not only the students, but the faculty and staff as well.

 

Thank you very much for the kind words. We are very proud of him. I know he really likes it in Bowling Green. Our daughter who lives there also will graduate in May from WKU with her masters in social work wants Mrs nWo and I to move there when I retire next year.

 

Great post.

 

But make sure he doesn't advertise where he shops. From what I can tell, there are a lot of folks that don't care too much fer ferners.

Oh we know. He ran into some problems at a furniture store a couple a years ago when he first moved to Bowling Green.