Another incident that I found particularly hurtful was when I was invited to a girl classmate’s birthday party. My mom took me to the store and picked out a suitable gift (I would of course have no clue as to whether a girl would prefer a GI Joe or maybe a monster). My mom was encouraged as this represented the first invitation I had received since enrolling in the school. My mom waited in the car as I went to the door and knocked. The birthday girl opened the door and was welcoming me in when her mother saw it was me (I have no clue how she knew that I was an undesirable) and intervened, “You’re not invited. This is only for girls.” I saw multiple boys inside the house. I presented the written invitation the birthday girl gave me, and the mother said it was a mistake. I tried to leave the gift, but it was refused. I was refused and my gift was refused.
So, I had significant direct and personal experience with racism as a child growing up in progressive California. I know what racism is. I felt its sting and trauma from about 1960 to the early 1970s (I didn’t experience racism prior to 1960 because of my mom’s protectiveness prior to school). But I was unaware of the diminishing scale of racism as the earlier trauma over-sensitized me and I assumed racism and rejection even when there was none. I wouldn’t come to this conclusion until much later.
In 1972 I remember the first real letter I got that wasn’t a birthday card or equivalent. It was from the U. S. Government, the Selective Service, ordering me to report for processing in compliance with the draft. I was so excited that I said to myself, “If the government wants me, they won’t have to ask twice.” I quit high school in my senior year, got my GED and enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserves. My experience in the military is interesting to me and overwhelmingly positive (but that’s another story).
The reason my experience in the Navy is relevant here is because this is where I first realized racism was no longer a factor in my life. As enlisted pukes, we were all equally unworthy and useless, and any officer, even ensigns, were like Moses leading the exodus to the promised land.
