Prejudices and Racism-8-The Clandestine Move

My parents lived at 62 Interboro Parkway, Brooklyn, NY for 50 years. I grew up in this house.  For a good deal of my growing up years an Italian-American family lived in the house next door and although the driveway between us was completely on our property, we willingly shared it with them. 

This couple, Jeannie and Armando, had two sons, Victor and Armand. The older son, Victor, was the same age as my younger sister, Meg, and they were good friends. 

My father was a very smart man who could fix just about anything. He was also very generous when it came to sharing his talents in this area.  He freely offered to help Jeannie and Armando on a rather regular basis.   My mother was a great cook and a loving and kind person who opened her home and her heart to everyone.  My Mom and Jeannie would sit and visit over coffee and cake on many occasions.  Given the length and nature of this relationship, it was unbelievable and shockingly offensive that Jeannie and Armando and their boys snuck out of their house in the middle of the night without so much as a wave goodbye.  They were as quiet as thieves, moving stealthily in the darkness but in the morning light it was obvious that the house was barren and they were gone.  They left no note and no forwarding address or contact information.   Why do you think they would do such a thing ?   

Our neighbors sold their home to a black family and this just wasn’t done.  I imagine they felt they betrayed the neighborhood.  

I think it is time we talk about what really happened then and is still happening now. Deeply held beliefs do not change overnight and we certainly can’t change what we deny ever happening.  

Postscript: My parents loved their new neighbors!! 

A Heartfelt Request to the Catholic Army Chaplain

The Catholic Chaplain 

38th Infantry Regiment 

2nd Infantry Division 

APO # 248

San Francisco, Calif. 

Dear Father, 

         My wife’s brother 1st Lt.. Joseph T. O’Donnell was a member of Company A when he was killed in Action on October 13, 1951.

        On October 30th his wife received the sad news via a Department of Defense telegram, and a few days later a confirming letter was sent to his parents. In this letter it was suggested that details surrounding Lt. O’Donnell’s death might be had from the Company Commander or the Chaplain.  Accordingly I am writing to you and the CC of Co A on behalf of his loved ones ( and he had many, Father )to ask you to give us as many details as you see fit. 

          In the past few days there have been many, many tears shed amid so profound a sorrow that words are almost useless to describe. A situation such as this shakes the pillars of one’s faith. Even now I have not really become reconciled to what my wife insists must have been the Will of God.  ( Since this letter is written in pencil on yellow legal paper there are certain things that are crossed out.  These couple of sentences are crossed out” [She must be right. During the last war, our Joe was _____  _______.   I keep asking myself what about the prayers we said each night for his safe return.  Where was his guardian angel? ]

You either have to agree with her and pray harder, or say say that prayers do not produce the results wanted and so are useless.  We expect to pray harder. 

           Lt. O’Donnell was in Korea only a few days so that I doubt that you could have known him very well. I am sure that you would have agreed with me that here was a God-fearing man and a fearless soldier. And from my perspective, let me assure you, Father, that as a son, husband and father, they don’t come any better. So you see, we think we gave a lot. We hope the sacrifice was not in vain. The thought that this might be some kind of “political” war and perhaps serving only the ends of some greedy politicians or party, makes the cross very heavy indeed. 

      Another sentence crossed out - [ I am also sending a request for information to the ______ Commander of Co. A.] 

   Let me thank you in advance, Father, for the time and effort required to help us with this problem.  Be assured that you will be remembered in our prayers.

     My family and I expect to continue the 

“ October” rosary each night. A petition for the success of your work, your safe return and the cessation of hostilities will top the list.

                  Respectfully yours,

                   Charles A. Fries 

October 24, 1951 Return to Sender

It is actually very difficult to transcribe this October 24th 1951 return to sender letter.  There is a tremendous feeling of sadness as I read between the lines and sense my mother’s and the entire family’s growing concern over their beloved Joe.  “ It’s over two weeks” my mother writes.  “ Marie hasn’t had a letter from you since the 9th of October and she’s getting awfully anxious.”

Why do I bother doing this then since it is so far in the past ( almost 70 years )? “Just get over it”, some may say.  

 I don’t want people to ever look lightly on war.  I want people to know that the death of a dearly beloved young man at the age of 29 years old is a terrible tragedy that must be avoided at all costs.  It leaves a wife without her husband and children without their father.  It leaves parents without their son; sisters without their only brother.   It takes away a man’s opportunity to meet his son- in-laws and his grandchildren.  Death is final and war robs us all of so much.  Lt. Joseph T. O’Donnell 0-1059578 Co A 38th Inf Reg., 2nd Inf. Div. APO # 248 c/o P.M. San Francisco, Calif. was killed in action on Heartbreak Ridge in Korea on 10-13-1951.  

October 24, 1951 10  P.M. 

Dear Joe, 

           You’ll probably get the same news from Marie tonight but I’ll drop a line anyway. Maybe you like getting extra mail. 

           I hope everything is quiet over there. We don’t get hardly any information on the radio or television lately. I hope it means your getting a little rest. I sure wish the peace talks would be something more than talks. I was talking to Steve’s Mother (the girl up the street) yesterday and she is considering giving blood. Is it urgently needed over there? She read that as soon as it is given here it has to be shipped immediately it is needed so desperately. 

        Wednesday is released time for Charlie and Mary Beth so I took them down to St. Michael’s today.  Marie, Sharon and Diane met me at Atlantic Avenue bear the church and we went shopping together.  Marie exchanged a birthday present of Diane because it was too large. Then we all came home to my house. I made chicken chow mein for supper. It turned out very good. I’ll make some for you when you get home if you like it.  Charlie Jr. and Sr. took Marie and the girls home about eight o’clock. Charlie teases Sharon by pretending to hug and kiss Marie.  It just burns her ( Sharon ) up. He made loud smacking ( kissing ) noises in the kitchen when we were doing the dishes and poor Sharon almost raised the roof.  Marie says you’d think she didn’t trust her the way she acts. 

        Marie hasn’t had a letter from you since the 9th of October and she’s getting awfully anxious.  It’s over two weeks. It certainly takes a heck of a long time, doesn’t it?  I hope she’ll get something tomorrow. Charlie called Sears for those pocket warmers. We’ll send them as soon as possible. 

Love from all, Rita  

Return to Sender - So Very Sad 😢

Thursday, October 18, 1951 

Dear Joe, 

        I saw your three darlings last night. Charlie took me down to Bushwich and Linden and then picked me up at about eleven fifteen on Bushwich. I had to call him from Maureen’s because Marie’s phone isn’t connected yet. Your apartment looks lovely - Marie made nice grey drapes for between the living room and bedroom and they look wonderful. Also drapes for the windows. It just puts a finishing touch to the place. Marie is awfully lonesome but she says the kids are like two little old ladies comforting her and telling her that you’ll be home soon. We are all praying hard that you’ll be home soon, safe and sound and I’m confident you will. I prayed to the Sacred Heart when Marty was sick last winter and my prayers were answered and he was allowed to come home sooner than I had even hoped for. So I’m saying the same prayer for you now. 

Sharon was doing her homework when I arrived last night. She gets plenty for the 2 A. Diane was asleep, but she awoke after an hour or so because she had a nightmare. I gave her a birthday card and she was quite pleased. I think Marie is having a little party for her on Saturday. Charlie, M.B. and Marty were more than pleased to hear it. 

          Tomorrow Charlie’s class is going on a boat ride around Manhattan island if the weather permits. 

        I made some cookies for you and I hope Charlie will pack them to mail tomorrow. He took the day off to help Joe so he didn’t get a chance to wrap the package today.  How is the food over there? I read your letter 10/6 when you told about the cold nights. I hope it is warmer now. We have had some beautiful days this week. It’s just a year ago since Marty got polio. Boy, an awful lot can happen in a year. I hope things will change for the better by next year. 

    Loads of love,

          your sister, Rita 

Aunt Dorothy Regina O’Donnell

Dorothy Regina O’Donnell 

My mother told me that they weren’t sure what caused her younger sister, Dot, to get epileptic seizures.  They had a couple of theories as to what might have happened.  At one point Dot had a fall off a ladder or a rope in gym class and was injured ( head injury? ). At another point, Dot suffered a ruptured appendix and was deathly ill afterwards ( possibly sepsis). The family prayed with all their might that Dot would survive and she pulled through.  But my Mom thought that such a severe illness left Dot with a seizure disorder. I really don’t know at what age the seizures began or exactly what they entailed. Aunt Anne (December 10-1920 )was a year younger than Dot ( Dec 7, 1919) and I know they were very close and it appears that Aunt Anne was something of a guardian for Dot.  When they were in a store together (possibly the 5 and 10) Dot would take things out of the store without paying and Aunt Anne would have to defend Dot and explain that she didn’t really know what she was doing.  Aunt Anne also told me that once when they were out together, Dot had a grand mal seizure on the sidewalk and a crowd developed around them and Anne had to handle Dot and ask the people to step back.   Dot’s mother, my grandmother, Margaret Coleman O’Donnell had a heart condition ( she had her first heart attack at approximately 46 or 47 years of age ) and was a bit incapacitated after that making Dot’s behavior more and more difficult to handle. Apparently Dot would sometimes wake up and leave the apartment and go out walking the streets in the middle of the night.  I was told that was the reason that residential care became a necessity. I don’t know what year Dot was admitted to Craig Colony or how many years she resided there before she died. I recently came across the hand written death certificate and I will enter the information in this Blog entry when I locate it. I believe that the family was told she died of a seizure.  Dorothy Regina O’Donnell is buried in the Friendsville Cemetery in Friendsville, Pa on one side of her parents ( Margaret and Thomas J. O’Donnell) and Anne Rose O’Donnell is buried on the other side of her parents. 

Craig Colony - this is where my Aunt Dorothy O’Donnell died. Dorothy Regina O’Donnell was born 12-7-19 in Brooklyn, NY and died at Craig Colony in Sonyea, NY on 6-2-1942 

History

Situated at a former Shaker colony,[1] the facility was established in 1896 on 1,900 acres (770 ha).[2] Its inspiration was the colony at Bielefeld, Westphalia, Germany.[3][4] Craig Colony was situated 70 miles (110 km) southeast of Buffalo and 40 miles (64 km) south of Rochester. The facility was maintained by New York State appropriations. To be admitted to the Colony, the patient had to be a legal resident of New York State, and been declared epileptic by a physician. The Colony School, under the auspices of the Geneseo State Normal School, convened in 1921. The Peterson Hospital was on the premises, as were a farm, garden, and dairy.[5] Before the facility opened, it was known as Sonyea Colony but the name was changed to Craig Colony after Oscar Craig who was serving as president of the State Board of Charities. Its name continued to change over the years: Craig Colony for Epileptics (1896), Craig Colony (1920), Craig Colony and Hospital (1951), Craig Colony School and Hospital (1966), Craig State School (1968), and Craig Developmental Center (1969).[6][4] Even though there were approximately 2,000 patients at the colony in 1967, it closed it doors a year later.

Prejudices and Racism-7- Labels

Prejudices are not limited to race, religion or sex. Sadly, when I was growing up in Brooklyn I learned very quickly that nationality and ethnicity were also a big reason for feelings of superiority and exclusion. The labels and adjectives that were used to describe one nationality or another were nasty and downright hurtful.  

Maybe, you are familiar with some of these yourself although to be perfectly honest, just putting them down in writing makes me feel sad: 

Cracker, Guinea, Spic, Chink, Coolie, Honky, Wop, Hillbilly, Hick, Coon 

Why, do we human beings  have to find so many ways to hurt each other?  Interestingly when I Googled this subject I discovered that the largest percentage of derogatory labels have to do with being black.  So, please do not tell me that there is no racism in our country.