How Do You Learn — Grace Linton Part I

“I am sorry,” Jermaine Pollen said to the four parents staring back at him in the office of the Fullerton Community Center. “Like I said over the phone and in your letters, I don’t think four ex-cons are the right candidates to motivate our children at their graduation next week.”

“But they were exonerated,” Nora, George Millburn’s mother reminds him in shock and anger. "They have educate themselves and are model citizens in their community and jobs."

“True, but he is still an ex-con,” Jermaine states.

“And you don’t want their donation too?” June Karrin’s mother Sharon asked fighting her frustration.

Mr. Pollen nods.

“You don’t think the children in this community needs all of the help they can get?” Andrew Dias’s mother, Arlene, questioned.

“We are doing fine,” he said avoiding eye contact. "The relevant companies have fulfilled their obligation to us and we are good."

“You are lying,” Verona, Ingrid Jackson’s mother argues.

“Sorry, we don’t want ex-cons in here,” he defends. "We don't want negative idea running around in our children's head ."

Nora Millburn walked out, and the other parents followed her.

As they exited, Nora asked, “Did you get the tickets?”

“Yes,” Arlene said.

Three days later, all four parents parked close to the entrance of the Fullerton Community Center watching as everyone entered were greeted by Mr. Pollen. As soon as he turned the greeting over to someone else, they waited for a few minutes, then exited the car and went in.

Grace Linton was on stage as they entered and Nora Millburn asked as she was led to her seat, “I was listening to you last week on the Spot 110 FM in New York City and you asked a question that I would like to ask the members of this community.”

Mr. Pollen and several of his friends cleared their throats.

Nora went on, “How do you learn?”

Grace smiled and signaled her. Nora obeyed and someone handed her a cordless microphone as she walked towards Grace in the center of the stage.

“Thirty years ago, this community and some of its members helped to send four of its children to prison,” Nora recalls, sending hearts and consciences back into the past.

“The evidence sent them to prison,” Mr. Pollen shared. "Not this community."

"It was the people in this community who provided the false evidence against their own children," Nora recalls the agony she and her son went through.

“The two males and two females were exonerated after doing almost twenty years,” June replanted into their brains.

“We don’t want any ex-con coming here talking to our children,” he repeats. “I already told you that in in your letters and face to face.”

“How do you learn?” Grace Linton asked, staring at him.

“His name is Jermaine Pollen,” Nora shares.

“How do you learn Mr. Pollen?” Grace repeats.

“I have no debt. No parking tickets. Never been in trouble with the law, at school or anywhere else. I have been employed at the same place for more than twenty years. I was never late for work or reprimanded for anything, and gets along with everyone. I owe no one and pay all of my bills on time,” Mr. Pollen shared with the audience.

“Is everything true?” Grace asked.

“Every word,” many in the audience agreed.

“So, what? You have lived a perfect life?” Grace asked.

“One I am proud of,” he boasted. "Not many people in this community can say that or live it like I do."

“If that’s your life, there is nothing in it to teach anyone,” Grace said.

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoy it