My name is Uncle Tom and I love who I am, where I work and live, and how I got there. My co-workers and neighbors are swell people; the way they walk and talk and the way they think, act and look. Damn myself because I am only a shade away from who I should have been. But they do not care about the color of my skin because they tell me so. Most of their best friends are like me and that makes it alright.

Everything in the past is past and what happened then is history. What matters now are the opportunities given to me to achieve whatever I want. This is what we have all struggled for, a chance to obtain a decent life among those who have generously opened the door. Anyone should be thankful for that chance.

I had the chance to mind my business and graduate high school then go on to college and at some point land a good job and work around others like me, and them. If I can avoid the obstacles of my environment - the drugs and gangs and prostitutes and crime - and take advantage of the public school system, someone will notice what I am doing and give me a chance.

What is wrong with giving them what they ask for? When they say jump I say, "How high?" When they say sing I say "On who and how loud"? When they say dance I say, "Give me a beat." When they say play ball I say "For how much?" It is better than living in the prisons they built for me.

If I can prove to them that I am worthy of the better life and that I can show myself friendly and not present a threat to the system of things, I know I'll make it. If I can make friends with some influential people in that neighborhood and win their respect and trust, at some point someone will notice how good I really am.

My name is Uncle Tom and I made it. I stuck to the plan and overcame the obstacles and now I am where I was promised I could be. I socialize with the socialites and hob-knob with the snobs and I have learned a higher culture. I listen to good music and smoke good cigars. I eat exotic food and travel to exotic places.

I support my family, my perfect wife and my 2.5 children. I subscribe to the Journal and submit to the Times. I invest in the market and earn for my retirement. I take what is left over and give to the local charity. I donate to the needy and wave to my old friends. I toss change to the homeless and smile at what I used to be - black.

I ride by my past and reflect and shake my head because I cannot understand why they still remain. They have the same opportunities as I and yet they remain. No one is holding them back; they must be shiftless in their thinking, as the Journal says they are. If I can do it so can they. It is as easy as minding your own business and focusing on the future.

Fate and chance happens to all so there really is no excuse. Take advantage of that opportunity that lies before you. I left behind all that talk and all those games and all that bump and move and I decided that I would not be who they wanted me to be; I would be what they thought I could not be.

So I do not care when those people look at me like I have done something wrong and when they call me out my name. I shake my head because I am not the one who ignored opportunity when it knocked; I am not the one who chose to be what they think I am and not what they want me to be. I am someone now.

I care. I ride by the hood and speak to them who were once a part of me. I care. I talk to Junior when he calls collect and when Sister ask for a dime. I like to hear the Oldies and reminiscence on good old times. I care. One thing for sure is that I can always fit in when I have to. My shade will not let me forget.

Am I wrong for being who I am now? No. I am completely justified in my actions because that is what life is all about. Making a way for yourself and your family the best way you can by using all the opportunities given to you. This is a great life and a great country. We have freedom and liberty and the world is jealous.

We have culture and history and are the world's superpower. We give to the under-developed nations and support the weak and protect the innocent of the world. We offer relief to countries that cannot seem to come into the now. We can do these things because we work hard and do good by our god.

We worship Christ who gave his blood for our sins. We show our respects to him on holidays with giving at his birth and praise at his resurrection. We are a Christian people who believe in justice and honesty. We are pure like snow and innocent and righteous. Unlike the wicked and sullen hostile type who walk in darkness and waste their lives.

What is so wrong with me? I am to be admired by those below me who can learn from me. I am willing to teach them and encourage them. Why will they not listen? Just look at me, I am Uncle Tom and I have made it. My troubles are over. All I have to do is make sure I do nothing to offend those who gave me this chance.

© 2004 by CR Hamilton