Where are We

Going?
Honors 1000 Essay Two

YazMyne Roberts
10-29-2014

Zeek! Stop that runnin round and come help yo pa load the truck. I yelled.
The boys were running around the front yard, saying their last goodbyes to the children who
lived in our neighborhood. But ma, this is the last time well be able to see them whined my
youngest son Isiah. Cant we just have a little fun, youre already moving us half cross the
world. chimed Zeek. The boys seized every opportunity to remind me that I was making leave
everything they knew behind for better opportunities on the North. My boys deserved the best,
and their father and I was going to give it to them.
Boys! yelled my husband. Listen to your mother and load these boxes. The boys said
their final farewells and hurriedly ran towards their father. My husband is a strong man. 6ft
7inches, broad shoulders and deep dark skin. He obviously didnt need any help loading Mr.
Walters truck (Mr. Walter was the white man my husband worked for). His image intimidated
many men, but as soon as I looked into his soft brown eyes, I knew he was as sweet as can be.
His muscular frame contrasted drastically against my daintier one. I was only 5 feet 3inches,
mahogany colored skin, my hair was a light brown color that drifted pass my shoulders thanks to
my creole grandmother.
After the last of our family belongings was loaded on the tuck, we headed to the train
station. Even though my boys seemed disappointed about leaving their friends behind, the
anxious looks on their faces told me that they were excited for a new world. As soon as James
heard about the job opportunity in Detroit to work at Ford Motor Company we started packing
our things. Thankfully my cousin Diane and her family had already moved and settled into
Detroits Black Bottom. She had already informed me on the school my boys would be attending
which wasnt far at all form the house we arranged to stay in. Once we arrived at the train station
the boys unloaded the truck while their father and I said our thank yous to Mr. Walter.

Boarding the train always scared me. The hateful stairs we blacks endured every time we
came to the Louisiana Railroad was indeed intimidating. With my husband tightly gripping my
left hand, I held on to my youngest boys with my right. Ezeikal tried to act like he wasnt fraid
of no white man but he treaded closely behind. We found our seats in the colored only section
without any trouble. I calmed my beating heart, soon enough wed be out of this malicious
environment.
Once we get off the train we are greeted by Diane and he two beautiful daughters Lillie
and Millie.
Diane! I exclaim. Its been almost 3 years since Ive seen her.
The girls have grown so much.
And your boys are so handsome said Diane.
Wheres Walter? I asked referring to her husband.
Oh, hes at work over at Ford. Hell be home soon. Said Diane.
Maybe he can get James in, hell need a new job I replied.
Oh, Of course! Ford has been hiring like crazy. She said
We had already caught wind of Fords hiring spree, after all that was the reason we were here.
Since James was such a prideful man, he didnt enjoy asking for assistance from any one. Hed
much rather work for everything he had so no one could ever say that he owed them.
After our heartwarming family reunion, Diane showed us around town. She showed us
the neighborhood grocery store, a big brick church where all the colored folks worshipped, a
playground where the boys could play right outside the schoolyard.

This will be a great place to start our new life. After we settle into our new home, I allow the
boys to go outside and play. I unpack most of our things and put them in their designated places.
What we had wasnt much but it was enough to make a house a home. After I cook dinner I set
the table and prepare for the men in my life to come home. The time is now five thirty, my
husband walks in and lightly kisses my forehead I tell him that dinner is ready. He washes his
hands and sits down at the head of or table soon after, our boy hurriedly walks into the room.
Isiah looks flustered.
Whats gotten into you? I ask him.
He got into a fight with some whit boys Zeek explains.
Oh my goodness gracious! I exhale deeply.
What happened Isiah? Better yet why didnt you help him Zeek? Asks James.
Well we was just skipping stones in the stream, minding our own business. And these white
boys comes over and gets to bothering us. We told em we wasnt looking for any trouble.
Explained Isiah.
And then what happened? asked James.
And then the tallest boy spit towards my foot and called me a coon, I hit him might upside the
head too mama. I didnt have much of a choice he thought he was gonna play me like a sissy.
Finished Isiah.
Now boys, didnt I tell you that violence was not the answer to anything? I huffed.
Now what if you al would have gotten into some real trouble! Yalls both new here , you dont
wanna go around and start making enemies yall first day in a new city! We moved here to get

away from all that southern negativity! Yall are not about to brig that negative spirit into my
house!
But ma, they were. whined Zeek.
But ma nothing, go and wash up for dinner, you heard me get! order James.
James could tell that his wife was bothered heavily by this situation.
Itll be fine Lucille, boys will be boys. He tried to comfort her.
You are right darling, thats just not how Im raising my sons.
OUR sons he corrected.
I know you dont want them to be violent, but hats what young boys do Lucille. You have to let
them learn that every battle isnt meant to be fought, but they also have to demand respect be it
from a colored boy or a white one. We are raising men, not pushovers.

As much as I didnt want to listen I knew my husband was right.

Youre right, are you ready to eat? I asked trying to change the subject.
Of course, Im starved he exclaimed.
The boys retuned to the dinner table shortly after and we enjoyed our meal a family for the first
time in our new home. This was going to be a great new start, in a great new city.

References
Great Migration-Black History
www.history.com
Library of Congress-Immigration
www.loc.gov