This year, as a 60-turning-61 white man, I am going to highlight African Americans that have had some kind of influence in my life. Some are famous, some are friends, and others are just people. #blackhistorymonth
February 3rd - Michael
When I was 16, I got my first job, as a frycook at the local amusement park, AstroWorld. I worked at the stand called “Coney Island”, in the area of the park called the same thing, home of the Texas Cyclone roller coaster. The stand sold hot dogs, cokes, and cotton candy.
I was really earnest and worked really hard (or as hard as maturity would let me). One of my coworkers at this stand was this quiet African-American fellow, my same age, who had been there since the park opened in March (I joined in June). He was hard-working, had figured out how everything worked, knew how to deal with people, and quickly became the person put in charge when the manager would go on break. He was friendly when you interacted with him, and it was apparent to me that he was off-the-charts smart.
He got Employee of the Week for the entire Food Service department twice that summer. I got it zero times. He was also amazingly good looking. I was completely jealous and in awe.
Later, when I showed up at Rice, he was there. He graduated with an electrical engineering degree on time; I had spent a year as a music major, and struggled to my computer science degree a full year and a half after he graduated.
A mutual friend says that he is doing well. Michael does not do social media, so apparently he is still really quiet. Still, I would love to get together with him and catch up.
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