This is an email I sent to a friends mixed race granddaughter in England. She was writing a paper on Barack Obama. You can imagine the excitement she feels being a mixed race child growing up in England and seeing a black man take office in America.
So I call this. The Way we Were. I had six campaign buttons. I have given two to a friend in Canada, one to a friend in Holland, one to a stranger I met going door to door, and two to my friend in England. I have kept the last one, the one we all got at the last campaign meeting after the election. Here is my story of growing up white in America in the 1950's.
Well, I was raised in Miami in the 1950's. We had segregated schools, bathrooms, water fountains. And all blacks lived in one neighborhood off US. 1. Now blacks
live in all neighborhoods, schools are integrated, public restrooms. When I was small I would sit in the back of the bus with black people. I don't know why. My mother
doesn't know why. She said they would put money in my hand because I was a cute little redhead. I just know I felt more welcomed back there.
When I was growing up, the only black person I knew was my Aunt Lois's maid. And she became like one of our family. I still remember her name, Essie May,
and her whole family was like part of our family. Even after my Aunt Lois passed away my Uncle Richard kept Essie May. She is probably gone now.
When I was about 18, I worked in a shopping Mall in a cafeteria. At lunch I would sit in the green-way on a bench. A black college student who was a music major
and worked in the music store would sit and eat next to me. We became friends. He called my house and wanted to go out with me. I told him because of my
father being born in the South, that I could never go on a date with him. Finally his mother called and said, "Why don't you want to go out with my boy? He is a good
boy. " I said, "Because I am afraid my Father would hurt him." Those were the times I lived in.
My children always grew up with black and white friends from grade school up. My sons all had best friends who were black.
I was on Barack Obama's volunteer campaign. I had never done anything political in my life. It was not that he was black. It was his voice and his
vision. I believed him. He seemed to make me believe we could change our path and turn this country around. I never in my life thought that he
would get elected. I never even thought he would get the nomination and beat Hilary Clinton.
When Obama came to Jacksonville for a Rally I went with three friends to hear him talk. I had never done any of this before. And he brought so
many black, asians,white,young and old together. I met a black neighbor through him. He brought so many of us together with one common goal. To
change this country to one we can be proud of. To hear him speak in Jacksonville, Florida was something I will never forget. And to hear the thousands
of people cheering of all races was a very moving experience. He will be one of the best presidents we have ever had.
Candace Pfau
