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Amtrak highlighting “Great Migration” exhibit for Black History Month
It is too bad that Amtrak no longer serves many of the Great Migration routes — such as from Atlanta to Detroit, Louisville to Chicago, etc. etc.
My mom moved from Florida to New York in the 50’s as a young woman. She had to leave for a better life - and to get work. All of the well paying jobs went to white people. The mode of transportation was by train.
My first memory of a train trip was when Mom took her 3 small kids to Florida to visit our grandparents. I was maybe 3 or 4. We went in a sleeper. I stayed up all night, looking out of the window of The Champion. It was dark outside, but I didn’t care - I was hooked!
Mom had 4 kids, all born in New York. One of the by-products of the Great Migration was in our neighborhoods. Everyone was from somewhere in the Southeast, or from the West Indies. Southern Hospitality extended to the Bronx. It was like one great big family because you were accountable to every adult. If you got locked out of your apartment, there was always a neighbor to take you in until Mom got home from work. You’d better not step out of line because you would pay the price, right then and there. Then you’d pay again after Ms. Marie told Mom you misbehaved. Can you say positive reinforcement?
I sometimes point out the effects of the Great Migration to some of my co-workers. I’ve kind of come full circle since I live in Georgia after living in New York for half my life.