My heart is broken over this National Day of Hate. Until my podcast #Redpillforblackwomen is up, writing has become my favorite coping mechanism. I suffer secondary PTSD as a graduate from Madison High School, Virginia Tech & University of Virginia . My friends from #Baltimore like to tease me about how soft I am. I admit it, I grew up in literally in one of the greatest towns in America, Vienna, Virgina, named so by MONEY magazine .
Vienna was founded in 1862. Capt. Harmon L. Salsbury, a Union Solider wanted to build an interracial community after witnessing the valor of Black Union Soliders. My great grandfather contributed to building First Baptist Church of Vienna in 1867. My mother was one of the first black people to graduate from Madison High School in 1969.
I graduated in 1996 from Madison and I loved every moment. As my last child graduates from Glenelg High School this year (whose school colors happen to like Madison’s), I am so sadden by how the world has changed. I remember praying at the pole for the peace in our schools, but could never imagine a school shooting.
We had our issues with race, but for me there was more love than hate because we Christians stuck together. My friends went to Vienna Presbyterian Church, Saint Mark’s, UMEC, Vienna Baptist and Mclean Bible. Then one day, 30 years ago I was beaten so bad in a game of one-on-one by this red headed white girl, that I questioned my blackness for 2 weeks. I thought being black meant I naturally had basketball talent, but Katie Smrcka Duffy broke all those streotypes and we became best friends. Today Katie and I are both God fearing moms who have raised amazing kids.
Finally, I can never forget being in the Pride of Vienna, our high school marching band with John Kilkenny , Blakely Rosengaft , and Bethany Hoang. When racism got too bad at school like the day I had to explain to my AP American History (Mrs. Dubin) why we needed #blackhistorymonth , I would soothe my soul by going to band and creating the beauty with kids of all races.
Then there was this one day in band camp when a tuba and trombone player kind of fought this weird Civil War, because one was wearing a Confederate Flag and the other was wearing an American flag. I passed out and Amanda had to help me off the field. Some how through all of that I developed a hankerin for Southern Gentlemen White boys 😂 Oh baby, them Band romances were intense 😂😂 I am so happy I get to pass down my band experience to my son, but glad somethings have changed because he is actually a tame young man compared to his Lady Miles mama 😂😂