Family Circumstances
there is an added guilt of pursuing a career that precludes giving much needed assistance to the family.
Moving In
Five-floor walk-up in one of the shabbiest blocks in the Lower East Side–a mixture of poor Jewish holdovers, unable to flee to the suburbs, and the impoverished and newly-arrived Puerto Ricans.
Though far from a palace, my building was nevertheless off limits to people of color.
Through subterfuge…I moved in shortly after.
Deep Goodness
Not sporadic sweetness of one who has never known suffering or the struggle for existence, but the powerful love of one who, tempted by deprivation, has been dropped in the sordid and emerges life-affirming.
McCarthy Period
FBI Twice
The Quest for the Truth
I was beginning my quest for the truth, a journey that led away from my father’s bible and away from the romance magazines, away from all syrupy concoctions. It was a journey that led me from John O. Killens through Maxim Gorky & Shokolov. But it was also a journey through scrubbing of the people’s toilets and endless dirty dishes. A journey accompanied by hunger.
Joe – Sarah Loved People & People Loved Sarah
The household workers who came by to visit with Sarah on their day off.
Doctors, nurses, medical secretaries who signed statements of sympathy.
Professional relationships become personal.
