}
I grew up in Chambers County, Alabama, in a family of poor farmers and cotton mill workers. We were as poor as the only African-Americans whom I knew. The Brown family lived approximately five hundred yards from my house. My siblings and I grew up playing with the Brown children, so socializing with African-Americans was something that came easy for me.
I was not aware of bigotry, deep-rooted hate, and overt discrimination until I entered high school, which was the beginning of the 60s. I became aware that the South, especially Alabama, was giving birth to hate and racial tension. I was ashamed of Alabama, as I became painfully conscious of the bigotry and discrimination that existed in my state. A desire for justice and a deep resentment for racism and discrimination took root inside of me, giving me strong convictions about justice, equality, and the positive role that government should provide.
Ronald A Edwards
Shirley A. Aaron is a retired Alabama English teacher and a Georgia media specialist, with forty-two years of experience in education. She didn’t attend college until her son and daughter were born. Teaching allowed her to present to her students important values through literature. She has published a book of poetry, DROPS OF LIGHT, and has recently completed a second novel, SWEET TEA WITH LEMON, which deals with friendship, cancer, and drug addiction.
© Shirley Aaron 2016 | Website by Digitalmonkeys