Doug Worgul’s novel, “Thin Blue Smoke”, chronicles the life of LaVerne Williams, the owner of a Kansas City restaurant, and touches upon everything from God to race to friendship to character to, as you would expect of a Kansas City writer…Barbeque.
At one point, LaVerne’s son Raymond (who is african american) and his best friend A.B. (who is caucasion) are arrested after they locked their keys in their own restaurant. As the officer comes to release Raymond and A.B. from the holding cell, he says to the young men:
“‘We called your father and he collaborated your story,’ he told Raymond. ‘Be more careful next time. We see a black kid trying to break into a business establishment at night, well, bad things can happen.’ He looked at A.B. ‘And you; you should know better. You need to be careful who you associate with.’ A.B. glared at the man. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ ‘You know what it means,’ the cop replied.”
LaVerne’s response to this situation is poignant:
“LaVerne approached the cell. The cop smirked. ‘So which one of these is yours?’ LaVerne looked at A.B. and Raymond. ‘They’re both mine,’ he said.”
In the face of power, LaVerne, in his wisdom, simply insists that the lines that the officer is asking him to draw are artificial. And he claims both boys as his own.
Recall a time when you have met racism face to face. What was your response?
(Quotations are from: Worgul, Doug (2012-08-23). Thin Blue Smoke (Kindle Locations 1778-1785). Burnside Books. Kindle Edition.)
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