The Nine page 2

 The Nine page 2 by ric gustafson

My name is Clarence Thomas. I met my father when I was 9 years old. His name was M.C Thomas. My mother divorced him in 1950. He moved to Philadelphia. I was born in Pinpoint Georgia. While I was growing up, I only saw my father twice. The fatherly influence in my life was my grandfather. To me, he was the hero in my life.

I was descended from West African slaves. Pinpoint Georgia was 10 miles southeast of Savannah. Only 100 people lived in Pinpoint. A lot of them were related to me. I was born in a shanty with no bathrooms or electricity. Pinpoint was right on the water. For work, men raked oysters and caught crabs and fish. 

In fall 1954, I entered grammar school. In Savannah, I went to Florance Street School for first grade. To me, school lessons were slow moving and repetitive. At home, I was always cold and hungry. Being hungry and cold is what I remember from the winter of 1955.

That following summer, my brother Myers and I were sent to live at my grandparents house.

research help: ' My Grandfather's Son' by Clarence Thomas

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric