I was in first grade in the late 60’s. I was walking home from school with my two older brothers. I remember at 27th street my brother saying “Walk as fast as you can and run straight home if you have to.” They knew of danger. It was introduced to me because it was introduced to them. Whatever happened on the 6th grade playground was much different than the play on the first grade playground. However, out of school walking home we were on the same ground and fear had set in.
I had only heard of the buddy twins until that day. They sped past in a cream Chevrolet, yelling threats at us. They turned the corner, we ran and I didn’t see them again. The families in the parochial schools knew of them too being expelled they gained a reputation for truancy.
I don’t know what happened to them. I can’t imagine they got very far on their course. I do remember they put fear in us that day. I learned what the words being jumped meant. No thanks to the bullies.
Then I remembered block mothers. They were the ones who watched the neighborhoods. A white cardboard sign with a “B” hung in their windows. If kids saw that sign they could go to that door for help, call home, a porch refuge. These moms were involved in their children’s schools, in community and what I remember their churches.
Block mothers were the brick houses. A big bad wolf couldn’t blow them over. They were volunteers you’d see at the school carnival working the cake walk where they MADE the cakes. They were the CampFire Girls leaders, Cub Scout den mothers, PTA and Sunday school teachers. They held out their hands for others and invited your family to their church rummage sale or vesper service.
They were positioned in neighborhoods for good. That’s what I remember. They didn’t want their hands in the PTA candy money or their children as the teacher’s pet. They were the eyes, ears and hearts of the neighborhood. It’s sad when the Big Bad wolf comes for them. We need to think about that.
Writingpambo 