Song for My Father : Memoir of an All-American Family

Rating:
Summary: A True American Family Memoir in Living Color
Review: Song for My Father: An American Story by Stephanie Stokes Oliver is a memoir of her African American Republican family, her life in Seattle, Washington and the career of her father, Charles Stokes, who became a judge and legislator in Washington State. Her story details the racism and politics of growing up Black in the 1950s and 1960s.

The story is actually a memoir of both parents. Her mother, Josephine was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Though she grew up in Jim Crow conditions, her middle-class family life sheltered her from the most hideous racism. She was taught to hold her head up and not bow down to Whites. She went on to attend Spellman College in Atlanta. Josephine was known for her exquisite dress and style; at one time she dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. She eventually though became a librarian and school teacher.

Charles Stokes was born in Kansas, a staunch Republican state. He was the son of a preacher and came from a community of hard working, Black folk who had migrated from the Deep South to build a life free from racism and to educate their children. Charles and his brothers went to college, he himself went to law school and after working for a number of government agencies, and working for the Republican party, moved to Seattle. There he continued his work in the Republican party, working with prominent men including Richard Nixon. He eventually went into politics, running for Lt. Governor of Washington, which he lost and eventually became a legislator.

Stephanie grew up in integrated neighborhoods in Seattle, went through the usual teen-age angst and self-centered behavior. She clashed with her mother over wearing a natural hair style and the Black Power movement. She also clashed with her father over his conservative views about Negroes progress in a changing America. She recounts that she was ridiculed one election year when she was the only Negro child to admit her parents were voting for the Republican candidate. There are memories of church life in Seattle and family trips, particularly one road trip where they were pulled over in Texas and questioned about their late model car.

This was a poignant look at a girl and her family growing up in the United States with the duality of everyday life as an American family not unlike the Donna Reed Show or Leave it to Beaver only in shades of Black that definitely gave it more color in lessons of life.

Dera Williams
APOOO BookClub