Colored People

A Memoir

Born in a one-horse East Texas town near the end of World War II, the author experienced some of the worst the Jim Crow South had to offer. But, taught to read by his mother when he was four, and raised by a fiercely independent grandmother, he never fell prey to the stereotypes that others tried to apply to him, Black or White, insisting instead of defining himself and charting his own course.
From pig farm to palace to Pentagon, a journey that could not been imagined when the doctor in a smalltown clinic cut the umbilical cord on July 5, 1945.

A continous life time of learning.

My book review of the memoir by the author Charles Ray was an enlightening peek into the life of someone I can associate myself with and look up to as an older brother, whose life and experiences in the US Army military were similar to my own, recognizing the commonsense approach to executing orders while satisfying the mission commanded to be done.

His life reveals the trials and tribulations of life's journey, beginning in America’s segregated democracy, where his intellect and imagination were born from reading books and magazines, acknowledging the importance and power of an education.

His diplomatic career reveals how his ethics and morals are the foundation, complied with his continued education as a military officer, learning to deal with the diversity of others, while being the exact representation of what Dr. Martin Luther King's speech expresses, how the Character of a human being is more important than the title and status given to a person.

The Rudyard Kipling poem “IF,” which he memorized as a child, reveals the reinforcement of his ethical and moral values throughout his life’s journey.

I’ve read many biographies, and this author’s memoir captured my attention because it shares many similarities with my life.

Great read, and I recommend this memoir because it teaches how life’s journey is filled with the continuation of education, curiosity, and the desire to explore and learn.

Started out great

Started out great. But by chapter 4 I totally lost interest. Virtual voice didn’t help. I like a real persons voice and change in tone. Seems more like a spark notes time line after chapter 3. Could not finish. Explaining pictures on and on like we can see them. Guy moved around so much that’s basically all they ended up talking about is when he went where. Sorry I really tried.