Photo by Kelcey Shotit on Pexels.com Prejudice is a Two-Way Reality Durene sat in her apartment in Houston thinking through the proposal she'd received today. It had come as a shock to her, and she had to think through the implications of what…
Durene sat in her apartment in Houston thinking through the proposal she'd received today. It had come as a shock to her, and she had to think through the implications of what would happen if she accepted. The events of the past six years came vividly to mind, and she shuddered at the impact on her life since she'd left St Louis to follow her ambition. She'd matured since facing those events and was not anxious to cause a further rift with her family that was just beginning to thaw as Badrick began to realize how this challenge to his authority could have added to his reputation as a far sighted and astute person.
He was beginning to grudgingly concede privately his daughter had made the right choice and his heart swelled with pride hearing how she was already considered a rising star in the computing industry in Houston. People hearing this in Jamaica were praising him for his foresight in sending such a talented daughter for studies in the US as her success was proof Jamaicans can be successful anywhere in the world. Her success was one more piece of evidence and those not of the Brown clan felt equally complemented by her success. Badrick accepted this praise proudly but still forbade his family from having any dealings with his daughter as he'd felt humiliated by the turn of events six years previously.
When Durene had refused to follow his orders to return home Badrick decided not to send his other daughters to the US for their college degrees and many tears had been shed over this decision. Her sisters were estranged from her for spoiling their chances. She'd learned this through correspondence with elementary school friends she'd known since childhood she still communicated with. Durene felt wretched about spoiling their chances.
Durene remembered how she'd come from the interview with the company she was now a confirmed employee having successfully negotiated her internship period. She was now making an acknowledged contribution to the company working with top clients and studying toward her master's degree. Her initial tests in interviewing for a position with the company had been severe and difficult, and she'd left Houston shaking then with her adopted uncle on that first occasion because of the experience. They waited several days before receiving word she'd come out top of those interviewed and requested she return for a final interview with top administrators.
This time she had to make the trip by herself and while there the subject of the visa came up and this was a hurdle not raised before so they sent her away again to consider if it would be possible to hire her. But Durene had made such a good impression that the company made strenuous efforts with immigration. Initially their best efforts failed but they kept pushing and finally it was agreed if she left the country and applied for a work visa from abroad it would be granted. This happened to correspond to a time when Aaron Brown was visiting his family to tell them of his developing relationship with Julie. He was in constant contact with now.
Aaron had learned that Julie was scheduled to be flying into Mexico and their relationship had reached the stage where Aaron wanted to request her hand in marriage and start proceedings to get her a suitable entry visa to live in the US as his wife. So, arrangements were made for Durene to fly with Aaron to Mexico where the company had arranged through their contacts in immigration for the visa to be processed to enable her to work in the US. Durene had explained her difficulty in entering Jamaica to attend embassy requirements there because of her father's threats. She stayed with Julie while there in Mexico attending to requirements at the US embassy and Aaron accompanied Durene to the embassy with Julie during the day.
Julie accepted Aaron's proposal and the three of them had a celebration together before Julie resumed her duties with the airline looking forward to the day when she'd be married and permitted to transfer to the US permanently. Aaron had promised to finance her further studies as he was now firmly established and in full-time employment.
Durene had returned to the US with the appropriate visa allowing her to work and after a tearful farewell with her adopted family she established herself in a Houston apartment with assistance from company human resources personnel and her grueling internship began. It felt good to have the career of her dreams now and tentative rapprochement with her family in Jamaica through a recent visit from her brother Kalel now a boarding student in another city.
That initial meeting had been strained but Kalel had thawed out and was now in regular contact and confided in her their father Badrick was secretly proud of her. So, she'd recently written him a letter apologizing for defying him and after several weeks of waiting for a reply she'd received a letter in which he forgave her and was no longer demanding she return all the money he'd put into her education along with pocket money he'd sent to her bank account over those four years. He'd stated she could feel free to visit home anytime it was convenient for her in future.
But that rapprochement with family was now probably in jeopardy. Paul Sheffield from work had proposed to her today. They'd been working together on projects for two years now and developed a close working relationship she valued as he was five years older and more experienced in programming and she'd learned a lot from him. He was outgoing and personable and insisted on her joining in company functions and had even talked her into going to some community events with him. It was just a good friendly relationship as far as Durene was concerned though she'd caught him eyeing her off approvingly increasingly and she began to dress up more to continue to gain his approval. She had a warm feeling when he showed an obvious interest in her.
The fact he was white, and British didn't seem to matter as the company employed people from several ethnic groups and countries of origin and company culture encouraged all to feel part of the corporate family culture. They were all paid well when eventually confirmed as employees and the company provided many in-house perks to encourage fitness and a balanced lifestyle.
She'd felt a rush of pleasure when Paul proposed to her and almost accepted without giving thought but then quickly said she'd think about it over night as she wanted it to happen but was aware of the immense dislike of British in her family. She decided to phone her adopted uncle the professor and to her surprise he counselled against such a union. Ten minutes later he'd phoned his devastated ward after receiving a tongue thrashing from his wife Camila and meekly apologized telling her she and this man Paul would be welcome as their guests and as family any time they chose should she decide to go ahead with marriage.
Next, she phoned Aaron who'd been her confidant in the past and whose opinion she respected. He was quite relaxed and wished her well if she decided to marry this Britisher but cautioned that she may face prejudice from some on both the black and white ethnic side. Many were into mixed marriages in this age. Some mixed marriages worked out for life, and some collapsed after facing prejudice from both races. He urged her to contact her parents in Jamaica to get their reaction before accepting Paul's proposal as she'd need their support when prejudice reared its ugly head.
Durene took his advice and immediately contacted her father Badrick who was obviously happy she'd phoned. That was encouraging so Durene decided now was the time to test her father's reaction. She told him of the proposal. There was silence for a few minutes and Durene wondered if her father had hung up on her but could hear him breathing heavily on the phone. Badrick then spoke calmly.
"You said this Paul was white and you are brown in name and brown in skin daughter. I've heard too many stories of white men taking advantage of our race and my initial reaction is not positive. I need to know more about this man. Where is he from?"
"He is from London father."
There was an explosion of curses on the line as Badrick vented his displeasure against this colonial power he detested then responded in an angry voice.
"You have gone from being a very disrespectful daughter to a traitor to your people Durene. The thought you are giving credibility to this proposal is bad enough but if you marry this enemy of our family, I'd not consider you a part of this family anymore. I rue the day I sent you to the United States."
The phone responded with a bang as it was replaced roughly on its base and Durene burst into tears. She cried most of the night and after a few fitful hours rose from her bed to shower and prepared for another intense day at work.
Paul looked as she entered the office searching her face for an answer to his proposal but was shocked at what he saw. His love looked wretched, and he wondered if she was sick. Other early attendees at the office were equally shocked. Allison Grant, one of the team and a close friend of Durene's rushed to her side.
"You look sick Durene. Go home! We'll cover for you today."
Their immediate supervisor arrived as the little group gathered around her and came over to see what was happening and heard Allison's words. He looked at Durene and spoke.
"Durene you should go home or to a doctor. I'm giving you time off on pay until you're well enough to come to work. Keep me informed in case we can be of assistance to you."
He turned to her team leader Paul.
"Take her to the doctor or home if she thinks that's best."
"I want to go home!"
Paul guided her down to the basement where the staff assigned parking was situated and drove her to her home building and took the elevator up to her apartment. Durene silently produced a key, and he opened the door, and she sank to the floor sobbing. Paul sat beside her and cradled her in his arms, and she put her head on his shoulder. When she recovered, she softly recalled the events of the past evening and how her father had reacted. Paul bent down and lifted her face up looking her in the eyes.
"Durene, I want you to say yes to my marriage proposal. Eventually we will win your family around to accepting me and I will treat them with the greatest respect. What happened to your people by my people was tragic and wrong, but I want to show you and your family that you are respected, and we are not all like our ancestors. So, say yes! I understand what has made you sick now, and we need you back at work tomorrow as there are important jobs to complete. Say yes and trust me, I will look after you for the rest of our life together. Can I come back this evening with an engagement ring?
Durene gave the hint of a smile and nodded.
"I want to hear you say it!"
"Yes!"
She shouted, getting on her knees, and circling him with her arms.
"I'm feeling better now, can I come back to work?"
"No, you need to catch up on some of the sleep lost last night. I'll call this evening after work with an engagement ring, and we can make plans. I think we should get married immediately. I'll be taking you to work every morning from now on. Now I need to return to the office and get on with our project to see we don't fall behind."
He stood and helped her to her feet, and she clung to him. Then on an impulse she took his arm and placed hers against it.
"Brown and white not such a bad combination but I think I may have to work on you and feed you with some brown genes to improve your looks."
Paul continued chuckling as he opened the door and headed to the office again.
"Improve my looks indeed! Looks like there's going to be a lot of fun in the home after our marriage."
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