This is the story of Dr. Johnson who not only grew up during the depression in the United States of America, he was instrumental and became one of the champions fighting against racial injustice and discrimination.
Dr. Johnson says of his dad:
My father, Richard Jackson Johnson,
lived to be 104 and was too positive a thinker, too great a Christian, too
forward-looking and loving to feel racial hatred because of long-ago history.
During my growing years, Dad
patiently stressed day after day, the good that is within men and women. He
said often, “If you look for the worst in a person, you will find it. If you
look for the best in a person, you will find that too.”
Dr. Johnson recalls how his dad emphasized good work ethics. He said if you are being paid a dollar give 1.50 worth of work. And he never lacked for having a job.
Johnson joined the marines in the 1940s with a goal to serve 20 years in the marines then go into private business and run for the Senate in 1974. Some people laughed at him.
How many times had Dad told me how
proud we should be to be Americans, proud of the flag that stands for all of
us, not just the majority, or the rich, or the lucky. God would prove that the
American dream was still possible. And He would let me be privileged to be one
of His instruments
Beyond Defeat tells of Johnson’s joining in the Marines, working up through various promotions and becoming the 1st member of the black race to become a commissioned warrant officer in the United States Marines, fighting discrimination which he did successfully. He was successful in breaking down discrimination. He got out of the Marines after 20 years with the plan to run for the Senate in 1974, which he did. Though he did not win the Senate race, he did become the Assistant Secretary of the United States Navy and served his country in several other positions.
I recommend this book highly. You can read the first chapter on line click here. You can also order a book on line or purchase one in a book store
This is definitely one of the most inspiring autobiographies that I have ever read.
ReplyDeleteI, Paul Glenn, was fortunate to have been friends with Johnny, I called him Dr. J and his wonderful wife Juanita. They were even more special and lovely people in real life as the book Beyond Defeat portrayed them to be.
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