Souls of Black
John’s story, from W .E. B B DuBois’s Souls of Black Folk, became a pillar that drove the actions of many folks in my school. I felt that the book was directly addressing me. John was hope for his family, religion, and community but what befell him is a tragedy that no determined person would want to face in life.
Since childhood, growing up under single-parenthood with all the responsibilities bestowed upon my mother was the initial debt that I felt worth settling. My father died in the line of duty as a police officer after receiving several gunshots from his fellow cops. In my community, there had never been any female police officer. My friends encouraged me to follow my dream. The church, on the other hand, backed my decisions by sponsoring my college education and supporting me both financially and emotionally until I finished my training as a cadet.
Having lost a father at a young age and the subsequent struggles of my mother to get me basic education against all odds, I felt that I needed to bring a smile upon her face again. Mother was devastated after losing father to the corrupt and racist police fraternity. The community members relied on the father’s position for protection. He was the only Black cop in the neighborhood. His death left a fearful community with no one to protect their interests in the police department. The church was never safe as well. Black folks had no permission to congregate in churches, but Dad’s position made that possible. As the only daughter and child in the family, the people knew that the force will take me in easily as a replacement to my father after completing training. The decision was weighty on my side as I had a passion to be a stewardess. Considering the situation and the burden I felt upon me, I had to join cadet after my college to protect my community and family at large.