Journal 7: From Daniel Arndt

     Honestly I have struggled with some of the stories in the book Callings by Dave Isay. However, I have also found some exciting and inspiring stories in Isay's book that have made me want to dig for more information about the individuals involved. Two particular stories that stand out to me would be Congressman Jim Clyburn (213-215) and NASCAR driver Wendell Scott (251-254).

I can't lie; I am a fan of the underdog. When people are tested and pushed to the point of breaking but come out on the other side victorious, clean, and fulfilled, that makes life interesting.  Both Jim Clyburn and Wendell Scoot are model images of the underdog persona never giving up on themselves or their dreams.

Both men growing up in the South during the height of segregation faced many trials and tribulations throughout their career paths, never giving up on their dreams or calling in life.  Both Jim Clyburn and Wendell Scott were people persons that enjoyed serving others. Jim Clyburn served his constituents and his race through public service and fish fry for the locals. In contrast, Wendell Scott served his neighbors with a place to hang out and have a sandwich or a piece of fruit, or even some positive, encouraging words.

When digging for my research question, I found that both Clyburn and Scott were trailblazers in their respected careers.  Congressmen Clyburn, losing the election for the South Carolina House of Representatives, was offered an advisor position in Governor John C. West's cabinet, making him the first minority advisor to the governor in South Carolina's history (en.m. Wikipedia.org). 

Wendell Scott was the first black man to break the NASCAR barriers, being the first to compete in the all-white sport. Scott would later win a race in Jacksonville, Florida, never receiving the credit as the winner because the raceway chose to extend the race and awarding Buck Baker with the win. Website catawiki.com states Wendell Scott's family was awarded the trophy and winnings in 2010, and NASCAR inducted Scott into the hall of fame in 2015. Scott passed in 1990 due to spinal cancer. 

Both Clyburn and Scott were instrumental in the development and moving forward of equal rights.  Both of these men had grit and refused to be denied their dreams; when the world knocked them down, they came out swinging. I am thankful people like these two men exist. They are role models to us all.