What is inside the book

As we go into the twenty-first century, I often see other books written in the past years. I read some of those books, and it caused my mind to wander back in time. I asked myself the question, “What did my parents, great-grandparents, forefathers, and other community leaders go through here in Kemper and Lauderdale Counties in Mississippi?” Some of the readers of this book may not care!

Progress through Struggle is my second book regarding the journey of my community, my people, cousins, forefathers, schoolmates, and my neighbors. This story contains references of individuals that impacted my life along the way as a young African American boy. At times, we were known as Negroes. These people, like my great-grandparents, grandparents, daddy, mother, aunts, uncles, my many cousins, and community people had a great imprint on my life, teaching me important lessons that continues to impact me even today.

An eighteenth-century statesman Edward Burke once said, “People will look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.” This perspective has guided my story of my ancestors and community people for over one hundred years. I believe over the years, we were given an equivalent to a blank check needing a signature. The check has gained many signatures as generations grow and develop and prove their knowledge in many other fields.

How did we, as African Americans, initially go wrong? Was there one apple in the barrel that spoiled the complete group and all others followed behind? Maybe we did not go wrong or maybe the way it was planned. Let us all be joyful and sing the song “We Shall Overcome Someday”!

In additional, I have included some African Americans as the first to make American life easier. In this story, I am including some Kemper and Lauderdale counties residents who may not have ever been noticed for some remarkable challenge or know-how they contributed to the community, state, and America. While some may be surprised about the many things discussed in this book, I am in hopes this book will not be uncomfortable for some to read. This is not a fiction story! This is a true story in the African American communities in the southern part of the United States and how I grew up from that day until today! I must point out over 90 percent of the residents of Kemper Springs community owned their homes and real estate. Thank you for your time and interest in reading this book!

This story is a snapshot of my life as I came through all the rough places to get where I am today. In this book will be a snapshot of some of my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents and how they struggled. The struggle for my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents was especially made difficulty for them to fail! I also covered some history within my boyhood community of which I considered especially important. This is the reason I selected the title of the book Progress through Struggle. This has been a struggle after leaving a lowest graded high school in this country and less ability to learn in any place located in Mississippi or the United States of America. I pray and hope no one in our country will ever go through the things I experienced over my lifetime. Despite all the setbacks, I worked and retired from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) as a GM-14. No, it was not all easy!

I was successful because I love God, have faith, was blessed, trusted, and prayed many times each day! My prayers were answered! My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all prayed! I believe and love the Bible verse, John 3:16! May God bless each of you!