Allen Jones picture and personal story are on Page 17 of the Summer 2014, Volume XV, Number 1 edition of Res Ipsa magazine published by the California Western School of Law. Im glad I read through it before tossing it since I didnt recall subscribing to it, and I am not a lawyer or law school alumni. According to the article, Overcoming Obstacles, he and his several siblings grew up poor in rural Florida, the son of a migrant worker. However, he and 30 other students were fortunate enough to be educated in a gifted class during his elementary school years and he eventually entered law school at age 43. Racism abounded in the area of his upbringing, and once in high school, a white teacher graded his essay with an F and justified it by stating that black kids couldnt write that well. On the spot, I wrote another essay and told her I expected an A and got it, he recalled. He and his wife lost their son, Abram, in 2006, and since then he has been devoted to a foundation he and his wife started in his honor. Were going to create a summer academy to mentor kids and equip them with skills while exposing them to great role models who look like them, and who have achieved success--not as pro athletes and hip-hop stars--but as scientists, lawyers, and teachers. If we dont invest in our youth--and not just African American kids--and give them a vision and a path to success, then our country, which is already in trouble, will be truly lost. I refuse to sit around and watch that happen. Bravo, Mr. Jones.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 01:03:47 +0000
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