LloydMarcus.com
Posted on 10/19/2009 4:35:34 AM PDT by Lloyd Marcus
A knock came to my front door. It was a small built, average height white guy in his late thirties, early forties dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt. "Excuse me sir, I need work. I have seven kids and a wife to feed." Kenny proceeded to tell me in his thick southern accent about his many skills; construction, lawn care, tile, mechanics and more. Due to downturns in the economy, Kenny was having great difficulty keeping steady employment.
As I am admittedly technically and mechanically challenged, I put Kenny to work. Upon discovering that I was a black man married to a white woman, Kenny looked surprised; not judgmental or disapproving, just surprised. Kenny did a meticulous job tiling a floor at our Arts Center. He tuned up my car and fixed my lawnmower. He poured the concrete for our patio; very professional, meticulously done. Kenny likes to listen to country music on his radio while he works. When Kenny was working on my patio, he asked if the music bothered me and offered to turn it off. I said, no problem, enjoy yourself.
When Kenny was working on our air conditioner, we chatted a bit. Through my typical probing questions, I learned that Kenny had a difficult childhood. His dad was an alcoholic. Kenny himself has also had problems with alcohol in the past. Kenny's wife is ill, suspected cancer. They have a combined family of seven kids from previous marriages. So, Kenny has a lot on his plate.
I am struck by this simple man's positive attitude, character and pride in everything he does. Kenny told me he has forgiven his dad and moved on. When hit with bad news about his wife's medical condition, Kenny's response blew me away. He said, "Sometimes "laufe" (life) challenges you and you just gotta deal with it." I thought, Wow!
Sadly, many in America today are infected with an entitlement mindset thinking they should reap the benefits of hard work by others. It was refreshing to meet Kenny, a man who does not believe anyone owes him anything and simply wants to work.
I've grown to have the utmost respect for Kenny. Rather than whining, he literally knocked on doors seeking work. He is a man of his word, does a great job and always goes the extra mile. He loves his kids and his wife. They are a happy family. My wife Mary and I are growing close to them. Though I do not require it, Kenny insists on addressing me as sir. Some would call Kenny a redneck, country music, southern drawl and many times shirtless. I call Kenny, a friend.
Lloyd Marcus, (black) Unhyphenated American.
LloydMarcus.com
Excellent article, Lloyd. I like your picture, too - very sharp!
“Somebody should have checked your 6 before posting”
Who ‘should’ this “somebody” be and why?
What was the original question and whot do you NOT understand?
Hard working, polite, independent, not a victim. Sounds like Kenny didn’t spend much time in the govt school system.
The Confederate Flag has taken such a beating, all false! I’m a proud daughter of the South and that flag to me is part of our heritage...NOT HATE! Don’t broad-brush those of us who respect that flag as automatically racist. I realize there are those who are (racist) but a heck of alot more of us who aren’t. Wonderful story and it probably happens more than some want to admit.
As I have said for many years, sir, the color of the skin does not matter. It’s the size of the heart that counts.
Most of us, instead of looking for new friends, prejudge to protect ourselves. ‘Tis a pity.
Thanks.
“What was the original question and whot do you NOT understand?”
There was no original question. There was a statement you made about illegal aliens knocking on your door. While I agree that is annoying, irritating and should be illegal I cannot reconcile your statement with the info in the article.
‘Scuse me if I’m dense but I think there were a couple of others here that did not make a connection either.
Well, if more than one of “you” don’t understand then perhaps I have a communications problem.
OK, I have a communications problem. Now what?
As a new member, you are being ‘vetted’ if you like: are you sincere, and a poor communicator, or are you a disruptor.
You ask “Now what?”
Wait and see. Perhaps you will create responses and controversy; perhaps you will be ignored.
In regards to this particular article by Lloyd Marcus, he was raised in the housing projects of Baltimore, where he saw firsthand how government “help” destroys lives.
He has chosen to be a black conservative activist.
He wrote an article about a white southerner, who fit the leftist stereotype of ‘cracker’ redneck’ etc, and how his personal relationship with this man was rewarding to both of them.
For you to introduce illegal immigrants to this particular thread was not helpful to the theme of the article. So you have just “communicated” to the readers of this thread that you have a strong reaction to anyone asking for work, and make the assumption that they must be illegal.
Our current administration is trying as hard as possible to reduce our own native-born population to a situation similar to the Great Depression, viz. The Grapes of Wrath. Lloyd Marcus is giving us a first hand example!
Never heard of the guy and my opinions about anything is what we in America enjoy as a right. Now come the Thought Police(?).
May I just suggest that you go to the link for the American Thinker article and read the comments posted there. Very heartwarming by posters reminiscing about the America we seem to be losing.
Of course, you are entitled to think write and whatever you want on these threads. Just as I am entitled to comment on your comments.
If you have never heard of Lloyd Marcus, then you did not follow the Tea Party movement all across the US states to its completion in Washington on Sep 12. Lloyd was a highlight of the ‘entertainment.’
I believe you are simply lonely and in need of someone to talk to, go here: http://www.angelfire.com/ok5/we_listen/
You’re welcome.
Believe me when I say you are not alone.LOL
Oh, gosh, you have saved my life, now I don’t have to feel so alone any more!
I knew they could help you.
“Well by golly, I say let’s let them ILLEGAL ALIENS stay here...I’m so “touched”.
I smell troll. The article under discussion in no way mentions illegal aliens.
Did you have a point or just want to draw attention to yourself?
The lack of sunspots may be at fault here as my crystal ball is deeply affected by them. A thousand and one pardons for nibbling at anything with the word ‘illegal’ attached.
In other words you had no point.
My point is well presented. You need to look inward.
No because it mentions “his southern drawl” which is not something someone who grew up in a different country usually carries.
The question comes from being invaded by trolls here a good bit so rather than be mistaken as a troll don’t prove it by being combative!
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