The Rose Parade, Joan Williams and '50's Style Racism

In January of 1958 I had just turned eleven years old.  I was in sixth grade, and had already had my first lesson in racism.  We had moved to Denver, Colorado two years before and I had wanted to go to a certain amusement park.  It was, “restricted” and my mother made it clear that we would NEVER go to that amusement park until they opened it to (my mother’s word), “Negros.”  Now, the interesting thing is that my mother harbored lots of stereotypical ideas about Blacks.  She was, after all, a child of her era, just as I am a child of mine.  But to her, discrimination was, “un-American” (also her word).  I had learned my first lesson in civic morality.  There are some things that are morally wrong and a morally right person does not do those things.  

            One time zone to the west, in sunny southern California, some adults (who had not been raised as well as my mother) were demonstrating 1950’s style racism.  The object of their mean spirited bigotry was a very pretty young woman who worked as an accountant-clerk at city hall.   Her name was Joan Williams and she had been chosen as, “Miss Crown City” the equivalent in that time of the Rose Queen title.  No one knew that she was an African-American.  But that was soon changed by some horrible (jealous???) person who decided to bring the fact of her Black ancestry to public attention.    [And how would you like to be the cheap piece of trash that has to live with that guilt for your whole, small, pathetic life?]

            The 1950’s being what they were, Ms. Williams did not ride on a Rose Bowl Float, or wear her crown, or get her picture taken with the mayor.  She even had to deal with co-workers who now shunned her.  This is the kind of mindless, defenseless, cruel discrimination that my generation worked to end.  This was not an easy fight but I refer to my mother’s lesson: There are some things that are morally wrong and a morally right person does not do those things.  

            You will see a semi-happy ending to this story if you watch the Rose Bowl Parade this year.  On the banner float, the one carrying this year’s parade theme, “Inspiring Stories” you will see 80 year old Joan Williams.  She will be seated on a throne, smiling, waving and receiving the accolades she has been too long denied.  It isn’t enough, but it is a good start. 

            But how do we square a generation committed to Civil Rights, with the current racial unrest?  The problem is, we fought for equality not privilege or license.  Our 21^st century problems do not seem to involve people like Joan Williams.  Defending the rights of a criminal or defending the rights of a profane, threatening, rude, ne’r-do-well are not the lofty goal for which I fought.   Dr. Ben Carson (see my blog: Dr. Benjamin Carson: Vision, Integrity and One Wrong Idea on Aug. 2, 2013) said in a recent AP interview, “Police have to admit that maybe there are some other tactics and things that can be utilized.  People in neighborhoods have to recognize that people who are thugs are thugs.  You can’t make them into angels.  Unless the two sides can admit those things, meaningful discussion will never be had.”

 

            Really, it all goes back to Mom’s morality lesson, There are some things that are morally wrong and a morally right person does not do those things.  

 

            Wave at Joan Williams and keep the faith.