Journal 7 - Alia Eddauod

 

                                                       JIM CLYBURN - WENDELL SCOTT

I found many meaningful profiles in the book Callings by Dave Isay. The stories that stood out to me the most, were about people who stood up for what they believed was their calling, and would not let anyone stop them from doing what they loved in life. These are stories about determination and perseverance. Two, in particular, are Jim Clyburn, from the philosopher's section  (213-215) and Wendell Scott from the groundbreaker's section (251-254). Both men are African American men from the South, that had to face many obstacles in following their careers, but neither of them gave up.

 

Jim Clyburn, a United States congressman, was asked by his granddaughter if he ever wanted to do anything other than politics. His reply was, “no never” ( 213 ). He loved the campaigning, traveling, and meeting people. In November of 1970, the media announced that he had won the election for the House of Representatives at 3:00 in the morning someone knocked on his door to tell him there was a miscount and he actually had lost. It was devastating, but his wife's advice  “When you win, brag gently. When you lose, weep softly” (214) got him through it. Jim met his wife in the late 1950s, when he was active in protests and sit Ins, during his college years at South Carolina State. Since I had never heard of sit-ins I decided this would be a great research question, so I looked it up. Sit-ins are a way of peacefully protesting for a cause. Sometimes the protesters would be arrested. In this case, it was used to oppose segregation. Their actions made an immediate lasting impact. They forced places and people to change their policies.

 

Something kept telling him, “You can't throw in the towel. You’ve got to stick this out” (215). He finally won United States congressman in 1992, the first African American to hold that position in South Carolina in 100 years!  

 

Wendell Scott, a NASCAR racer, is being talked about by his son and grandson. His son said that his father never wanted to quit racing even after receiving death threats. He said, “If I leave in a pine box, that's what I got to do, but I'm going to race.”(252) Even with an ulcerated stomach and had to be carried into the car, he wouldn't quit. In Jacksonville, Scott's son remembers when his father beat everyone in the race, but they didn't drop the checkered flag until he was in 3rd place, depriving him of a victory. He was still proud of his accomplishment and said all he wanted was his money and his trophy! Two words Wendell Scott did not allow in his house were can't and never. He passed away in 1990 and was the first African American to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015.

 

Both Jim Clyburn and Wendell Scott are examples of how perseverance and determination can lead to success if you keep trying. These men are true role models and heroes in American Society.

The Greensboro Four standing up for what they believe in.