LETTER TO THE EDITOR
When one goes to an author’s book signing: one secures a book; stands in line; the author’s says “hello;” autographs the book; and encourages you to keep moving.
In my life’s journey, I have had conversations with notables that have included: Nobel Prize Winners; criminals; militarists both uniformed and not uniformed; academics; medical personnel and patients; clergy; et cetera. Those conversations have been positive, negative, and profoundly enlightening.
High on my list of remembrances are the conversations that I had with Dr. Anthony Fauci, then Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Astronaut and Captain of the United States Navy James Arthur Lovell, Jr., and Mrs. Carole Keeton Rylander. The conversation I had with Dr. Fauci centered on the Haitians initially being classified as a separate risk-factor group in regards to human immunodeficiency syndrome. Haitians and their communities were mercilessly disparaged in so many ways. Prior to this conversation being a Black American, it was for me “here we go again.” At the time of this conference, after having been drawn the blood contributions of dark skinned Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, news films depicted the blood drawn was immediately discarded in trash receptacles. Dr. Fauci shattered this preposterous intolerable mendacity with proven, established scientific rebuttal for these groups’ blood as being unacceptable.
As I stood there, he would have continued to expose the on-going disreputable egregious mendacity leveled against Haitian people. I ended the conversation, not him.
Along with other Naval ROTC Cadets, I was honored and privileged to visit the Houston Space Center where Astronaut James Lovell was going through the checklist in a full mock-up of his Apollo Spacecraft for the Apollo Eight Mission.
He placed me in the center seat and two other cadets to my left and right. He continued his checklist. He answered our queries extendedly. He was in no hurry. Then who walked in, Astronaut Alan Shepard. Later Rear Admiral Shepard’s gregarious demeanor and blinding smile rivaled only by President James Carter. After exchanging pleasantries, Astronaut Shepard left. Astronaut Lovell continued with our queries and his checklist pointing out switches and monitors along the way. He would have probably taken us on his mission after completing the checklist with us. We had to leave this unannounced visit. He did not terminate it.
Now for someone closer to home. The late Mrs. Carole Keeton Rylander. Mrs. Rylander had just been appointed to the State Board of Insurance by Governor Mark White. I had just won my election as a freshman board member on the San Marcos, Texas Consolidated Independent School District. I believe here I am pictured with Mrs. Rylander subsequent to a meeting of the State Board of Education. Mrs. Rylander stopped by impromptu after she heard we were meeting.
During her campaigns, I recall her mentioning that she was a Parents Teachers Administrator President for Casis Elementary School. In my mind, Eureka! A fountain of knowledge is at hand. In my conversation with Mrs. Rylander we covered everything that was relevant to public schools: finance, re-districting, staff retention, state mandated programs, community involvement, athletics versus academics, et cetera. What added credibility to our conversation was that, with her being a PTA President and me a certified teacher of high school biology and chemistry and a Registered Nurse, this conversation was a “no holds barred” event. With her having four sons, she was happy to know that my wife, Joan, and I were heavenly involved in scouting. “That helps,” she replied. To this day I appreciate her ingenuous candor. Her willingness to speak with me after everyone had left the room. Rest in peace: Madame Comptroller of Public Accounts; Railroad Commissioner of Texas; and, 49th Mayor of Austin, Texas.
James Bryant Jr. San Marcos
