I know an old guy from Jamaica who drove a taxi in Washington DC while he studied dentistry. He is now in his 80s and I see him once in a while at extended family gatherings. He is a very genial and kind fellow, soft spoken.
Once when I asked him how it had been back in the 50s when he came to America. It had not been easy he said:
"I could have gotten A's in everything but I had to earn money, so I couldn't study as much as my classmates. I had to settle for B's and even C's sometimes. Without driving the cab, I couldn't have afforded dental school."
His eyes went a bit distant as he reminisced about that time of his life.
Life was harder for Black people back in the 50s, I added, desegregation hadn't happened yet.
"People were a little apprehensive to get in a car with a Black driver, but once I spoke to them and they heard that I was from the islands, they became friendly."
He chuckled a little.
"The rich women whom I took home from the airport or after shopping used to invite me up. They'd ask for help carrying things up to their apartments or into their houses or they say they had the money for fare and tip inside."
In some round about way without using any vulgar words, he led me to understand that he had turned a boring shopping trip into a very exciting day. It had happened more than once. There had been a pattern to it.
He had not set out to brag or tell a story about himself. It had all risen up out of triggered memories.
I didn't press him for any details.
My guess is that these women probably mostly married. People don't have to have a premeditated plan to join AM to cheat. An opportunity came along in the form of a handsome, athletic, upward striving man with a charming accent and some women just seized it.
Once when I asked him how it had been back in the 50s when he came to America. It had not been easy he said:
"I could have gotten A's in everything but I had to earn money, so I couldn't study as much as my classmates. I had to settle for B's and even C's sometimes. Without driving the cab, I couldn't have afforded dental school."
His eyes went a bit distant as he reminisced about that time of his life.
Life was harder for Black people back in the 50s, I added, desegregation hadn't happened yet.
"People were a little apprehensive to get in a car with a Black driver, but once I spoke to them and they heard that I was from the islands, they became friendly."
He chuckled a little.
"The rich women whom I took home from the airport or after shopping used to invite me up. They'd ask for help carrying things up to their apartments or into their houses or they say they had the money for fare and tip inside."
In some round about way without using any vulgar words, he led me to understand that he had turned a boring shopping trip into a very exciting day. It had happened more than once. There had been a pattern to it.
He had not set out to brag or tell a story about himself. It had all risen up out of triggered memories.
I didn't press him for any details.
My guess is that these women probably mostly married. People don't have to have a premeditated plan to join AM to cheat. An opportunity came along in the form of a handsome, athletic, upward striving man with a charming accent and some women just seized it.
Put the internet to work for you.
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