Customer Reviews

A Black Cop in the South: In Spite of Everything

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Ronald Kaye Rawlings gives us his life story in A BLACK COP IN THE SOUTH: In Spite of Everything. He was raised in a single parent family because his father died when he was five. His mother worked two and three jobs at a time but was a strong disciplinarian as well as a spiritual woman. Ronald knew at age twelve when he was selected as a safety officer at his school he wanted to be a policeman.

Even though it meant uprooting his family, Ronald accepted a position with the State Patrol. He endured discrimination, name calling and was passed over for promotion. At one point, all the white troopers were watching him to catch him in an error so they could have him written up yet he continued until he finally did receive recognition for his efforts and some promotions. He retired as a District First Sergeant.

This is an intriguing book and brings the Old South to life. It is especially good for those who were not aware of how hard it was for blacks to succeed back in the seventies and eighties, and even today. It shows the raw racism that still exists in this country. Ronald did finally give up his family as a result of the stress and pressures of the job and I found myself wondering if any job is worth that price. There could have been better editing for grammatical errors yet the book was readable, enjoyable and uplifting.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers