Everybody in my parents’ generation
remembered who did what, during the war.
One man went to
to keep from being drafted. “And worked with niggers.”
This was before desegregation. “His mother ran a boarding house
and took in washing.” I don’t remember which was the bigger disgrace,
being a coward or being poor. At least a lady couldn’t help it.
A man had more say-so over his fate. I guess a woman
could become a whore. I guess a man could too.
I guess he could kiss ass to get ahead.
Could be a careerist.
This is how
the patronage
is dispensed.