November, 23-2010
Time: 12:32 am
Location: Natz steamboat pilot house river front.
After reading about Tyler Perry interview with Oprah W in a Oprah magazine given to me by my wife,It caused me to reflect back on my life's journey back unto when I was about maybe six years old or younger and up to now. I could remember a happening back then of me cleaning weeds out of this very wise and elderly lady 's garden who we use to call Ma'many, she on that day came out onto the porch, look down at me with this amazing glow and smile and said to me God has something great for you to do, I was at that moment puzzled and all the way up into adult hood concerning that statement. Growing up in the 50's as I did most people would associate with being in poverty, that being as I can remember; Living in a two room rented apartment with no running water or bath facility inside, kerosene stove and having to heat water to bath in what was call a number three tub, which two adults an four siblings shared for bathing. My father help raise us along with my mother by hustling shooting dice and selling corn liquor, while my mother clean and iron for well off white folks. Even in that trying time of my youth my parents channeled us through the madness being generated by way of prejudices, which made it all most impossible for people of color (black) to expect or hope for any of the now possibilities tangible to success. I and my siblings attended school with the bare necessities. Simple thing as going to watch a parade was a sixty percent chance of getting beaten up by racists white folk and policeman, being chased by police dogs. With the strength given to me by two God serving parents I was able to finish high school,welding school and some college and safe journey through those times into adult hood which carried and still today it's challenges, that being; blocked away from certain opportunities on jobs (fair wages and promotions) while whites were not. I've always love working with the youth in enhancing their lives for productive living. I truly believe that my time spent around my cousin Eva Dykes while being a kid and watching the way she would use recreation and hands on with the other kids in the community played a great part in where my life's passion now is. I remember in the early seventy's a co-work approach me and asked would I have a problem working with white kids in recreational basket ball, my response was; of course not! he didn't tell me how racists the people in that community was though, lol! It took me two years to get black and whites to be able to play together in the same gym (boys and girls). I got married at twenty five years old , which lasted for ten years. I started coaching boxing/fitness and moral and educational awareness in the inner city in the early eighties up until the present time, I find myself still today waiting on the blessing of having my own boxing/fitness gym for the providing the kids and young adults an environment of safety , love, care while they pursue their dreams and or enjoy the moment while journey on their path to a predestine destiny. I am seventeen years married to my lovely wife Betty B. Joseph ,blessed with four kids and grand kids, we own a nice home (and the bathroom and running water is now inside). Because of the words of that elderly lady and Tyler perry's story I've been strengthen and will continue reaching for my dream/desire of owning my on gym. Thanks!to the both of you for the push! love! God Bless!!
Written by: Coach James Joseph.
"Copyright 11-23-2010 James Joseph. "All rights reserved."
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