Disillusionment to bitterness

Somewhere in urban United States of America, a fifteen year old black male youth was out of high school during summer break. It was the summer of 1968 and Crow so nicknamed by his friends because of his dark oily skinned complexion, like the appearance of the feathers of the bird . Crow was an industrious young man, and that summer he enrolled in the summer break high school city wide work program. He was assigned to work in an area called the Teen Lounge, where teens got together bought refreshments and played the Juke box. He had been working there three weeks, one week in the hold. It was payday and he didn't receive his check. Crow went to the supervisor of the program who happen to be a city official, and asked about his check. He was told that it would be looked into and straightened out.

He continued to work another two weeks, it was during this time that he nearly lost his life. You see there were gangs on every side of town and Crow just happened to look like a East side gang leader named Rabbit. They were the same height, weight, and complexion. Rabbit was excessively cruel. He had a reputation of beating someone within a inch of their life, then letting them go. He would let them go just so they would spread his reputation of violence, putting fear in everyone who lived on the East side.

One night while working at the Teen Lounge, it was around 6:00 pm Crow was cleaning off a table of soda bottles, when six gangsters entered the lounge and preceded to the back area, where Crow was working. One gangster said, "There's that nigger Rabbit lets get him". Crow turned around and said, "My name is Crow I'm not Rabbit". All six members pulled out switch blades and started edging there way towards Crow. Crow's thoughts were racing and his reality turned into a dream like state, and he thought to himself I'm about to die. As they drew nearer almost on top of Crow, suddenly flashing around the corner was Crow's older brother Bobby with his gun in hand. He shouted, back up off my mother-******* brother". Crow's brother was well known for carrying a gun. The leader knew Crow's brother and said, "Bobby we didn't know that he was your brother, we thought he was Rabbit". Crow's brother screamed, "He ain't no mother-******* Rabbit, and all you mother-******* better get out of here before I start busting caps.

Afterwards Crow asked Bobby how did he know I was in trouble. Crow's older sister worked in the front of the Teen Lounge where the sodas were sold, She had over heard the gang members plotting and telephoned Bobby. Another two weeks passed and still no check, Crow went to the supervisor of the program he was told to continue working and he would get both checks at once. Crow continued to work believing what he was told by this city official. Crow now had worked seven weeks and still no check. His supervisor called him in and said, "there was a error in paper work and that you never was officially on the payroll. He says to Crow, "Your a very well dressed young man and it looks like you don't really need the money". By the way the work program has ended.

Crow left his office in disillusion, anger, and bitterness. He told no one of his experience including his parents. This set the pattern and path of a life time of resentment for Crow.

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