12/08/2023
Today, I stumbled across my father, James Herman Plush's, college yearbook for the first time online. I wanted to share it with you and more of his story! In the early 1960s, his portrait graced the lower left section of the Johnson C. Smith University yearbook, a testament to his determination in the face of immense adversity.
His chosen motto, "A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds," truly sums him up. It explains why he was my biggest advocate when I started my first business at just 14 years old. He believed in me and invested in my potential, proving that just one person can make all the difference.
His journey is a testament to his remarkable resilience. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, and spending time at his grandparents' farm in South Carolina, he witnessed firsthand the horrors of racial injustice. The brutality of the Jim Crow South was a daily reality for him.
One of his friends was tragically killed in front of him for simply looking at a white woman around 1961. It never even made the news. To intimidate him and discourage his activism, the Ku Klux Klan surrounded his entire home with burning crosses one night.
He was arrested a staggering 21 times, often by members of the K*K, for peacefully protesting. One absurd charge was "reckless driving" for driving three miles per hour past a yield sign on a sunny day. "They" didn't like black men who spoke up for equal rights. "They" felt in their hearts that it was against God to do so as they were taught that.
It goes without saying but it should be illegal to be a member of the K*K and the police department. That's a conflict of interest that I hope will be enforced one day.
Even in the 1990's, I was invited to join the K*K. Everyone in the neighborhood got an invitation. It stated that it was a "Men's Bible Study Group". As a gay peaceful person, I declined. I did see them in the woods playing dress up and it was creepy!!! I was told half the members were police officers. Man, did I miss Southern California then!
Even in the 1980s, racism permeated institutions like AAA when he worked for them. When money went missing from the company, they arrested my father, the sole black employee in the vicinity, without questioning him first. AAA said in court "We just know that he did it" in a hateful voice and thankfully the judge said "that won't work in court, you need evidence" and threw the case out. Without the "right" lawyer he would have gone to prison for no reason other than his employer being ignorant and racist.
It turned out shortly thereafter that a white employee had stolen the money, and AAA allowed this person to quietly leave without any legal consequences. Rather than seek prison time for the guilty party they felt sorry for him. This incident highlights the disparity in how the justice and economic system treated my father compared to his white counterparts. They don't consider themselves racist and yet they only wanted prison time for the innocent person. That's how deep it goes!
Despite the racism and injustice he faced, my father never lost hope. He actively participated in the Martin Luther King movement, his unwavering spirit and dedication to justice inspiring all around him.
Kindness and compassion paved his path to college funding. As a young boy, he cared for his elderly neighbor, running errands and ensuring her well-being when she had no one else. His genuine love for others touched their lives in profound ways.
This paid his way through college. They had already seen Arthur Ashe grow up a block away and do well. My dad even helped his close friend, Mr. Prince, or "Brother Prince", achieve his dream of becoming a lawyer and politician.
He funded his college in a remarkable turn of events when he was just eight years old in 1952, his neighbor left him her three-story home. She did so because he really loved and cared for her. He would stop by every day to visit and do all of her grocery shopping. She felt he deserved a large paid-for home in return!
Recognizing the opportunity, his parents rented the house instead of selling it, allowing him to save for his future education. This not only enabled him to graduate debt-free but also marked the beginning of our family's legacy as landlords in Virginia. That home was later given to a childhood friend of his that struggled with mental health. That was his way.
My father's story serves as a powerful reminder that resilience, determination, and unwavering faith can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. He is an inspiration not only to me but to countless others. His journey teaches us that even in the darkest of times, hope and the pursuit of justice can illuminate the path forward.
I was fortunate to have known him and be a part of his legacy. Growing up in a bi-racial family provided me with a unique perspective on the realities of being black in America yesterday and today. It also allowed me to marry the right person based on character and not race.
His memory continues to inspire me to strive for a more just and equitable world.
As Dad would ask his students,
"Tell me, what color is love?"
They would shrug, and he would smile and simply say, "Exactly!"
I am grateful to share my parent's name. Love you, Dad, and my wonderful mother Anita Plush!
