Reflections from Jeanette Hurst

It's Black History Month 2006 and you and I are thinking and remembering again and again the days gone by. Jeanette Hurst and I talked recently about youth and family. We talked about our days as young black mothers raising, loving and guiding our children through their fresh learning years. Jeanette spoke about raising her five children, Carolyn, Jimmy, Ricky, Bobby and Ronny and remembered those days as having little financial help but being filled with respect, pride and her commitment to be the best mother she could be.

She remembers some of the boys growing up with her sons, like James Harden and Dennis Terry and many others who still call her "Ma" or "Aunt Jay." She recalled how her house was always full and people wondered how she could stand all those kids in her house and she replied she would rather have them there than in the streets getting in trouble. She went on to say that she never had any problems with the kids who came to her house who were always very respectful to her.

Her children attended neighborhood schools such as Eastern Avenue and I reminded her of my three children who went to Hooker school in the north end of Springfield, then onto Chestnut Jr. High School. Education was always very important to Jeanette where her children were concerned, and she insisted that her children attend school regularly and graduate from high school. She is very proud of the fact that her four surviving children all went on to get a college degree as well.

RBL: Did your children like school?

JH: Oh, yes. All of my children liked going to school to learn. I remember being able to go to their schools and speak with their teachers. The teachers in the 50’s & 60’s seemed to work together with the parents and that cooperation helped them in all facets of their life – in their homes, schools and communities.

We touched base about our mutual dislike of the things happening within our community today and Jeanette reflected on how much harder it is to raise kids today with all of the abuse and violence.

On another note, we also discussed Christmas long ago and remembered the one or two gifts we used to receive and that wonderful stocking with the apple, popcorn ball or orange in the toe. Jeanette spoke of the warmth and love she observed among her children during the Christmas season and now that they are all adults, parents, and some even grandparents – how they are helping their children to grow into educated, productive citizens.

She mentioned how she lost one of her sons, Ronald, in the Vietnam War and that the monument on the green of Mason Square has his name listed along with others who were lost from our area. She remains very active in the Vietnam Era Veterans yearly commemorative activities.

Through the years we did our best to nurture our growing families and now we are alone. But as Jeanette stated, she doesn't feel lonely because she keeps in constant touch with her extended family, belongs to her church and several organizations and is constantly using her skills and talents to try to make and keep “our” Springfield a good community to live in.

RBL: Do you have any words for young mothers today?

JH: Yes. Raise your children up to get a good education, discipline them when necessary, keep them out of trouble and make sure they are aware of the good things in life because as African American children they must always strive to be the best they can be.

My friend, Jeanette Hurst, is a beautiful, living model of one of the many older African American citizens of Springfield. I thank her for her thoughts. n