REPORT CARD

Back in school… failing forward… excellence and ways of knowing…

In Febuary of 1969, I had just turned 15. I was midway through the tenth grade, my parents had just separated but not yet divorced. A lot happened that year none of which is recorded on this archival record. I am learning to write Finding Aids. Breadcrumbs so folks can find their way. We weren’t supposed to tell anyone and my father had ALWAYS signed my report card and would continue to do so whenever he was presented to do so and usually with commentary why my mother tried not to smile and looked ou feigning serious regard.

I had never failed ANYTHING before but this was my first taste of freedom. And since my dad was no longer in the house and my mother was barely keeping together with her new taste of freedom; we were all discovering like any newly emancipated folk; slavery was bad, but freedom doesn’t have much to recommend it early on.

I told my mother about the F in FRENCH and the borderline in Speech which was my favorite with Ms. Balf… She shook her head. Reminding me I would be alright and it would pass. Proud of my miraculous recovery in Math. She declined to sign and suggested I review the grades with my Father as it was a practice we would not stop.

Though he was no longer living there, he declined to give up his key or his perogative to show up at any time to check on…