Cat Keith-L
Lack I remember when I was a little girl How I used to grow up with lack and limitation uttered in my house— “Don’t use this up.” “There’s not enough money.” — Over and over again. Finally, there was a BIG DAY— a freezing cold day in January, maybe 1965— I think I had turned 7 years old. My mother and some little friends (maybe all white) were all gathered for MY BIRTHDAY at Howard Johnson’s! I think my father was there, too. Everyone was allowed to order whatever they wanted on the Children’s Menu. I ordered a VEGETABLE PLATTER. I hated it. I felt miserable. I did not eat it. Why did I order a VEGETABLE PLATTER on my birthday??? BECAUSE IT WAS THE CHEAPEST THING ON THE MENU!!!! This is what LACK AND LIMITATION can do to a child!
Situations 47
