SHADES OF COLOR
A few Reviews:
“My wife and I both read your terrific book and enjoyed it very much. We liked the way you toggled between stories about campus life and current national events of the 1960s. We found the soldier's letter from Vietnam very moving and love his quote, “We’re a mix, just shades of the same color.” The book is very much appropriate for today, with the renewed divisions our country is experiencing. Thanks again so much for writing it! Our daughter, an elementary teacher, is planning to share it with staff at her school. So much food for thought in it!” R. Eugene, Oregon
“Amazing stories! Loved all, but especially the one of the cowboy and Indian friends on Thanksgiving trip thru the OK Panhandle into northwest Texas. Pictures and history fantastic.” J. & B. Western OK
“I loved it, and cried when I read the parts about my husband!” M. Mohawk Reservation, NY
“Eye-opening. Recommend. Lived across the hall. Played ball together. Don’t remember any hostile or racial events. Fun guys to be around.” S. Wisconsin
“I played ball with several of these athletes of color. No issues among us. Great guys. The message of our relationships is so right for today.” ... J., OKC
“Thought provoking and entertaining. Many lessons should be re-learned today.” K. - Tulsa, OK
Purchase Now... click one of the online sources below or check your local bookstore:
Purchase Details: December 2021 as Paperback (978-1-7376498-0-9), Epub (978-1-7376498-1-6) and Hardcover (978-1-7376498-2-3)
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Description continued:
To put the 1960s in proper perspective, the decade was one of the most divisive, violent, and bloody in United States history; maybe second, only to the 1860s divided Nation in the Civil War with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and some six hundred thousand war deaths. Assassination after assassination occurred, including: President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At times, hundreds of thousands protested in Washington, D.C., as Congress struggled with Vietnam War issues, as well as its longest filibuster in history—one to block the Fourth Civil Rights Act. Marches, protests, and sit-ins were frequent and met with inflamed resistance—even university doors were blocked, and some protestors were killed. Bomb blasts of houses and churches killed others. The one hundred years and the lynching of thousands of blacks, as well as white sympathizers, by the KKK in the push-back against Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation; and the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution; and ‘separate but unequal’ were coming to a head.
The escalation of the Vietnam War added more dissension and violence. Some protestors even set themselves on fire and died. Many university and college campuses also were hotbeds of anti-war sentiment, which boiled over into clashes with authorities. And, Indian tribes from the east remembered the Trails of Tears, forced land allotments and dark times without tribal leaders. Such news events dominated TV lounges and made lasting impressions.
What was it like for the first Indians to enroll and play a sport at this Oklahoma university? The first Blacks? Relations with others? Sharing dressing rooms? Playing side-by-side, or asked to room together on trips? How did it feel to walk into a restaurant with the white owner, who months previously said, “You can’t eat here?” How did it feel to watch teammates walk by into an eating place as a couple of black brother stood outside after being told, “We don’t serve coloreds?” What reaction occurred upon being asked if “Any problems with black guys rooming with you on the trip (or vice versa)?” How did it feel when a dining club denied entrance? Why would a white girl stop to ask if a black stranger needed a ride to the campus? How did it feel to be called the N-word? Did some sort of racial guilt trip influence the homecoming queen election? Did the white guy object to crowning a black woman in front of the mostly all-white crowd? Did the all-white church have conditions to attend? Could you date a person of another color? Any white friends? Called an ‘Uncle Tom?’ Motive of the white guy to invite a Black to his home-town and be one of the first to stay the night?
Did this university epitomize the ‘Promised Lands’ vision of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Were the one-on-one relationships a picture of his dreams? Did the university have an unequaled legacy? Let these stories speak for themselves. A gauntlet of emotions will occur—laughter, sorrow, tears, and joy. As the final word is read, you’ll also discover hope for ‘Freedom’ and the future of our Nation.
The escalation of the Vietnam War added more dissension and violence. Some protestors even set themselves on fire and died. Many university and college campuses also were hotbeds of anti-war sentiment, which boiled over into clashes with authorities. And, Indian tribes from the east remembered the Trails of Tears, forced land allotments and dark times without tribal leaders. Such news events dominated TV lounges and made lasting impressions.
What was it like for the first Indians to enroll and play a sport at this Oklahoma university? The first Blacks? Relations with others? Sharing dressing rooms? Playing side-by-side, or asked to room together on trips? How did it feel to walk into a restaurant with the white owner, who months previously said, “You can’t eat here?” How did it feel to watch teammates walk by into an eating place as a couple of black brother stood outside after being told, “We don’t serve coloreds?” What reaction occurred upon being asked if “Any problems with black guys rooming with you on the trip (or vice versa)?” How did it feel when a dining club denied entrance? Why would a white girl stop to ask if a black stranger needed a ride to the campus? How did it feel to be called the N-word? Did some sort of racial guilt trip influence the homecoming queen election? Did the white guy object to crowning a black woman in front of the mostly all-white crowd? Did the all-white church have conditions to attend? Could you date a person of another color? Any white friends? Called an ‘Uncle Tom?’ Motive of the white guy to invite a Black to his home-town and be one of the first to stay the night?
Did this university epitomize the ‘Promised Lands’ vision of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Were the one-on-one relationships a picture of his dreams? Did the university have an unequaled legacy? Let these stories speak for themselves. A gauntlet of emotions will occur—laughter, sorrow, tears, and joy. As the final word is read, you’ll also discover hope for ‘Freedom’ and the future of our Nation.