Reginald D Jarrell – författare
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In 31 essays Reginald Jarrell tells stories of his life as a student, lawyer, pastor, professor, and communications professional as he lived in different locations across the United States. He is unstintingly truthful as he describes the people he encounters, some displaying the worst and others the best of America''s culture.
The life experiences he shares in these brief essays paint a vivid picture of how race intersects and shapes lives. Attending a local parade with his young children in a Midwestern town, the impact of a stranger''s racial epithet hurled at him while he was out walking his dog at twilight, the kindness of other strangers including a Mexican family, the verbal abuse he must swallow as a lawyer, experiences in congregations and universities--all convey a haunting disquiet and startling insight on "being Black in America."
Jarrell''s story shifts locations across the US with special attention to his years in Iowa and Kansas. His vision is honest; no group escapes his observations. A powerful, beautiful memoir not so much about one man''s life but of the United States of America.
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Reggie Jarrell was adopted as a newborn by a childless couple who were part of his extended family.
They agreed to let his teenaged birth mother be part of his life. But no one would speak of his birth father.
Jarrell grew up in a loving home with parents who encouraged and supported him. His birth mother came in
and out of his life. Despite knowing he was cherished, in his teens he longed to know who his birth father
was. That longing resulted in decades of starting and stopping a search for the mysterious man whose
genes he carried. It culminated when, in his fifties, Jarrell met Myron. What he uncovered about the secret
man who had haunted him was shocking. As he learned more, his view of his birth mother was also altered.
Jarrell tells this story with candor. He lets readers know of his ambivalence that stopped him from responding
once he located his birth father. He shows readers the charismatic Myron, a teenager who got in trouble and
the radiant Wanda who gave him life when she was fouirteen.
Readers meet his adoptive parents who taught their beloved son to value books, hard work, and learning.
Jarrell''s story traces his own restlessness through an assortment of careers and the accumulation of multiple
advanced degrees. We see him puzzling over what traits he may have inherited from Myron and why his
family kept Myron a secret from him for so long was.
This is a moving story of loss and recovery, of love in its various forms. It is an important read for people whose
lives intersect it from any of the viewpoints: birth parents, adoptive parents, adoptees, those considering adoption,
social workers, church groups. It is appropriate for families with middle school or older children to read together
and for use in schools. Now, when most children experience multiple parent figures and many are estranged
from family members, Jarrell''s story shows that one can love and be enriched by multiple parent figures. And that
love comes in various forms and can survive despite everything.
31 photos of enhance the text.