Milt Thompson Visited Middle School, Talked about Race

 By Mary Ann Inman, REPORTER

MARY ANN INMAN, PHOTO – The Clinton Topper.
Milton Thompson was the guest speaker for the sixth grade class. He spoke about race.

Speaker Milton Thompson captured the attention of sixth grade students from the English/Language Arts classes taught by Mrs. Cernek and Mrs. Crane. Two sessions were held with about 40 students attending each. Students had already studied America’s civil rights journey and were prepared to ask questions.
Thompson’s speech was full of personal experiences and observations. Milton referred to some of the experiences shared in his book, “The Only One in the Room.” The book was published last July.

When he talked, he expressed things he has noticed about how we, as a society, oscillate from being raw to not talking about race issues, at all. Thompson called for open communication in a non-emotional way. He talked about his experiences from the 1950’s to the present – a time when society is media and technology driven. Thompson said, “Interestingly, when I decided to write the book, race was hardly on the national radar screen. During my time authoring the book, Michael Brown was shot in Fergusson, Missouri, by a white police officer. Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy, was shot in Ohio when officers thought his pellet gun was a real gun. Buildings were burning, cars were demolished, and private businesses were literally destroyed in minutes. Though I did not agree with the means, I know from experience that nothing changes unless it is kept in the forefront of the national conversation.

I hope to start dialogues to help those who struggle with their racial identity as I do, and also hoping that it will awaken the hearts of those who have no personal understanding of the pain racism inflicts. It is risky, I know, but I genuinely hope conversations will offer comfort, insight, and healing to those who have traveled the same journey and found few companions.” He went on to explain, “For others who have never walked this road, I hope my stories will help you to see and feel the world from someone else’s skin.” Thompson says he’s become more reflective about race as he’s gotten older. He has become more seasoned, gracious, and looks at life with a peaceful perspective, which he believes is exactly what we need right now.

One student asked, “Can you tell us about experiences you had growing up in the 1960’s?”

Milton told the students about traveling from Racine to the south when he was 9 years old, in 1961. His father stopped at a gas station and Milton asked to use the bathroom. His father was furious because he used the restroom marked white men and not the one for colored men. After this experience, Thompson vowed not to return and kept his vow until his aging parents needed help traveling to see southern relatives. He talked about growing up in the North. Living in Racine, while not perfect, offered opportunities that his black relatives who stayed in the South didn’t have. His Uncle, Aunt, and family lived in a shack without running water or an indoor bathroom. His cousins slept four in a bed in poorly drafty rooms heated by a wood stove. At least, living in Wisconsin meant his father (who had a third grade education) could work as a chauffeur and for a reasonable wage. His mother (who graduated from high school) worked and cooked for wealthy people of influence. Thompson went on to say people living in the south meant people of color couldn’t vote. Finally when laws were passed, violent attacks on voters were common. One black man, who tried to vote, was struck with an ax in the face. That action was intended to discourage others from voting and the suppression worked. Some students winced at the thought and most agreed they would not want to vote under those circumstances.

One student asked if Thompson ever saw members of the KKK. Thompson explained that he only saw them on TV because they are generally cowards. They mostly burn crosses and meet secretly. Change takes courage and in his parent’s case they needed to leave their children behind to seek a better life, in the North. Thompson believes the life altering decisions his parents made in the late 50’s were not only the key to their own success, but enhanced his achievements and the quality of life for his brothers and sisters. Milton concluded with a message of hope by telling the students that he has been lucky to have positive opportunities, not often offered to other people of color. He credited his wife, her parents and his parents as being supportive and helping him get an education which, in turn, led to professional employment.

About the Speaker/Author

For those of you that did not have an opportunity to meet him during his year-long service as Clinton Community School Interim Administrator, he is tall, thin, and talks using a quiet demeanor. Aside from being a professional educator and superintendent, he is also a pastor and openly speaks about life as a Christian. He pastored Omega Christian Fellowship from 1983 to 2002. He is currently a pastor of Living Stones Charismatic Fellowship in Racine, Wis.

Milton has been married to his wife Peggy for forty years. Peggy’s parents welcomed Milton, a black man, into their white family during a time when interracial marriages were unconventional. They have four sons, Nathanael, Mathew, Thomas, and Daniel. He credits his parents, in-laws, and his family for encouraging him along the way.