The Blind Heart as I See It

By Marian Olivia Heath Griffin

Our nation can hardly realize the severity of the African American and Latinx people’s plight as they are marginalized and subjected to harsh treatment despite the end of slavery over a century ago. Yet we are fighters and have played a definitive role in shaping America’s economics, traditions, culture, values and beliefs. We must move forward to witness a new era even in the midst of a Coronavirus Pandemic, racial prejudicial and gender disparities and a lack of respect for humanity.

I see a glimmer of hope as we barely realize that we need each other in society and we will need to utilize every strategy available to the human mind to survive together.

“There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress, for the people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (Is. 9: 1-2)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781984581068

Marian Olivia Heath Griffin

Marian Olivia Heath Griffin lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her husband of fifty-eight years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and College Administrator (retired) for thirty-six years, the last seven years as Director of International Student Affairs. After she retired from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she decided to utilize her degree in Mass Communication and Photography to tell her people’s stories and history. Griffin graduated from Delaware State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Psychology, a Master’s Degree program in Atlanta University School of Social Work, a Master’s Degree program at Gammon Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. She received her Master’s Degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Psychological Counseling and Social Work. She received a Master’s Degree in Educational Supervision and Mass Communication and Photography from Southern University. She did further study at Louisiana State University and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She studied Genealogy at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library in Baton Rouge. She has traveled over the fifty states of the U.S. and six of the seven continents. She has written eighteen books in two years, published them with XLIBRIS and compiled and published two photo books with MYCANVAS BY ALEXANDER. She is proud of her three children: Rev. Bertrand, II (Rev. Kotosha Seals Griffin), Karen G. Phenix, (Keith Phenix) and Dr. Michael (Tracie Haydel Griffin). She adores her eight grandchildren: Nia, Kiara, Christian-Paris, Michael, II. Amelia-Grai, Victoria, Olivia and Sophia – all Griffins and one god-child, Whitney White, one great grandchild – Keomi Phenix, one great- godchild, Amelia Pleasant and her brother, Warren, six great- nieces, Whitney Foucheaux, Amoree Sanders, and Danee Heath, Tikia and Lentia Brown, and great nephews: Bobbie, Jr., Enrique and Alberto Garcia, Tyler Heath, Lauren and Kee Kee Dennis, Arshawon Brown (recently deceased), Willie, Jermaine. Brown, Michael Martin and sons, and Devonte Walker.

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Copyright © 2020 by Marian Olivia Heath Griffin.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Rev. date: 05/26/2020

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Contents

Dedication

Forward

TRAINING THE VOLUNTEERS

Author’s Notes

WE ARE WINNERS!

Acknowledgements

Introduction

A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

THE SENIOR PAPER

THE HARD LIFE OF THE MIGRANTS AND THE

HOMELESS MEN

PART 1. DECADES OF NEGLECT OF THE

POOR IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

Chapter 1     Speak To These Conditions

THE RESULTS ARE COSTLY

Chapter 2     Condition of The Migrant

HERE IS WHERE THE DISPLACED MAN LIVES

Chapter 3     Modern Day Slavery in A Prosperous Nation

Chapter 4     Slave Labor on The Move

ON THE JOB

AN OUTSIDER

REACHING OUT TO THE FARM LABORERS

Chapter 5     The Church and Migrants

Chapter 6     The Children of Migrants

SCHOOLS FOR MINORITIES

Chapter 7     Policies on Civil Rights

THE CHAPULTEPEC CONFERENCE WITHIN THE

INTER-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Chapter 8     Who Should Speak Out?

AMOS SPEAKS

ABRAHAM LINCOLN SPEAKS

Chapter 9     The Government of The People

THURGOOD MARSHALL’S STANCE ON THE

CONSTITUTION OF THE U.S. AND OTHER ISSUES

AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

IS FREEDOM FREE?

Part 2.The United States’ Attention Span is Short

Chapter 10   Sociatial Norm Without A Cause

Chapter 11   The Immigrant Worker’s Plight

Chapter 12   Testing School and The Streets as An Immigrant

THE LANGUAGE OF IMMIGRATION LAWS

Chapter 13   The Homeless Soldiers, Mentally Challenged and Others

Chapter 14   On The Streets

Vagrancy Laws

Chapter 15   The Effect of Hurricane Katrina On Blacks and Latinx

PART 3. THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS AND

THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Chapter 16   The Coronavirus and The Universe

THIS IS MARCH, 2020!

"DISCOVERY OF CORONAVIRUS

THE NAME CORONAVIRUS

THE CORONAVIRUS GROUPS

VACCINES AND ANTIVIRAL DRUGS

VIRUS CLASSIFICATION – UNRANKED

IDENTIFYING THE VIRUSES

Chapter 17   The Coronavirus’ Effect on The World

Chapter 18   The Coronavirus in The United States

Chapter 19   The Coronavirus and People in Poverty

Chapter 20   Statistics of The Coronavirus on African Americans

and The Latinx

ATROCITIES

PRISONERS

NURSING HOME PATIENTS

Chapter 21   The Homeless Near Home

Chapter 22   Border Closings

Chapter 23   Seasonal Workers During The Coronavirus Crisis

THE MEAT PROCESSING PLANTS DEBACLE

Chapter 24   Poor Blacks, Latinx and Other Minorities

Chapter 25   Our Needs During The Coronavirus Crisis

Chapter 26   What Next is The Cry of The People

WELFARE FAMILIES IN NEED

Chapter 27   Now is The Time

Conclusion

I DEPEND ON YOU, LORD

Bibliography

Reference Books

Special References

DEDICATION

To: my mother, Lettie Harper Heath, who taught me how to think for myself,

To: my father, George Wesley Heath who taught me how to defend myself.

To: my grandmothers, Sadie Fountain Harper & Hattie Wise Heath, both mid-wives who oversaw my birth.

To: my grandfather, Herbert Sidney Harper, who taught me to have a blind heart (Love is blind; love is color blind.)

To: my grandfather, William ‘Will’ Heath, Jr, who taught me discipline and how to love myself.

FORWARD

BERTRAND GRIFFIN, SR.

O VER FIFTY-SEVEN YEARS ago in 1963, my wife, Marian and I went from Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia to work with migrant workers and immigrant workers to help make a difference in the lives of these strangers in Frederick, Maryland and Milford, Delaware that summer.

It was readily discernable that many decades ago, in order for the conditions of these persons to be combated, the public must be made aware of the existence of their plight.

TRAINING THE VOLUNTEERS

Before I was sent to Frederick, Maryland in June, 1963 to serve as Student Chaplain to the migrant workers housed in camps, I was sent to Purdue University in March for two weeks to train for the job.

It became readily discernable that I would need to practice cultural sensitivity. I needed to understand the vast differences between me and the culture of the migrant workers and immigrant workers from another country. While I was training at Purdue University, I realized that this was much like missionary work in a foreign country. I had to get adjusted to their patterns of living, their eating and thinking habits.

I was informed that I would have volunteer workers who needed to be trained to be open to new experiences for the sake of developing positive relationships with each other and the migrants/immigrants. During my two -week training period, I discerned that effective migrant ministry happens in a cross-cultural setting when we set aside our personal preferences for others’ sake.

Much would be on- the- job training for me as well as my volunteers.

Nineteen white teenagers, ranging in ages sixteen to twenty, from several states and countries: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Germany and Finland, volunteered to work with the migrant workers in Frederick, Maryland that summer.

Among these young people was a seventeen- year -old youngster named Galen Hahn. Galen was very impressive to me, (said Bertrand). Frederick, Maryland was home to Galan. He was dedicated and proved to be one of the leading actors in the unfolding drama of American history to be played out later.

He made my job easier as he knew the terrain and was able to point out pit-falls to me with the migrant workers as well as the volunteers. Many of the volunteers became home-sick and Gahan or I was able to help those persons to adjust to their surroundings. These youngsters lived in private homes of the towns people which was another adjustment for persons so young.

Most of the young volunteers remained for the summer. Some of these youth exhibited manipulative behavior and power struggles or emotional and interpersonal defenses, but stuck it out. One or two were unable to adjust to the way of life of the migrants or immigrants and returned home.

I recall the subsequent involvement of these teenagers in helping with the migrant workers, especially the children. They were instrumental in helping to build several sand boxes for the children to play in and making swings for the children. They taught the children many games which made it easier for the children and their parents.

It became clear to me that these volunteers, even though little more than children themselves, were dedicated and thoughtful to humanity. With few exceptions, their helped make my job much easier.

The public must be shown that it is not only possible for each citizen to be helpful in removing this blemish of migrancy from our land, but that it is every man’s responsibility to be troubled and moved to action by the conditions of his underprivileged brother. Whenever the pangs of hunger strike at any of the inhabitants of our world, there is a need for all of us to feel with the person in pain and to comfort him. (Bertrand Griffin’s Thesis, p. 3.)

This can be done while seeking to bring about a balance in the social order that would allow for enough bread for all of us to eat.

The migrant workers and their families, including some homeless soldiers, were on the bottom rung of society. Some cities across the nation sought to help them as they too were human beings living in squalor. They were the persons picking fruits and vegetables in the fields of many states, the very fruit that we all eat.

Considering the fact that the United States had closed slavery in 1863, but continued to practice the acts of slavery through tenant farming and migrant workers and segregated soldiers platoons who worked for little or no compensation or wages, I learned that each person, including small children who worked in the fields had to pay two dollars each week for housing. Mostly substandard housing was the order of the day.

This left very little money for food and other necessities for the migrant families and a running bill was left in the country store.

Gahan Hahn was from Frederick and was very helpful to me and the migrant workers. Somehow Gahan and I have kept in touch over these many decades.

Gahan has informed me of his many activities including his activities with the Boys Scouts. As a young teenager, he met President Lyndon B. Johnson twice and interacted with him on a very personal level. (President Johnson walked by Galan and accidently knocked him down.) This was a highlight of Gahan’s life as he was very impressed with President Johnson.

Our President was one of the leaders in the civil rights movement. President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Bill and the Voting Rights Bill.

Gahan recently wrote to me about his feelings during those five decades ago. He knew I had written a Senior Paper (Thesis) concerning the 1963 migrant ministry. He found that unpublished document that I submitted to get my Master’s Degree in Theology.

Galan sent a copy to me which I had never thought to look for after I left seminary. I will forever be grateful to Gahan for researching, finding and sending me a copy of my thesis. That was a real act of kindness.

As our migrant ministries and jobs were finished at the end of that summer, and the other eighteen teenagers were on their way home and back to high school and college, Gahan was left in his hometown of Frederick, Maryland to ponder over the years how he could bridge the gap and continue the job started those three months in 1963 with migrant workers.

Marian and I left Frederick, but the migrant workers and few homeless soldiers stayed on our hearts and minds. We knew that we had done little, even though it was the best we could do in such a short period of time.

Also, Gahan felt like a son to me. I was ten years older than he was. Marian and I did not have any children. It was heart -warming to me that we developed a close and mutual relationship with him which has lasted over a half century.

Time has moved on, over fifty years later; so much has changed but much remains the same.

In the early 1960’s, Marian and I compared notes and thoughts which helped me to write my ‘Senior Paper’ or Thesis. After completing all my course work and submitting this Thesis (with Marian’s help) to Gammon Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center, I received my Master’s Degree in Theology.

I came home to Louisiana with the hope of helping to eliminate fear and desperation of such persons as migrant workers, immigrants from other countries and ‘return home soldiers’ in our world right up until today. After serving for three years as a pastor in two churches, I saw a need to enter a different ministry - as a state prison chaplain.

We see pain and disappointments in the lives of the migrants and immigrants in the 2020’s, as well as soldiers who become homeless as soon as they left the armed services. Apparently, I was called to meet the needs of unbearable suffering of humanity.

In