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Graham County (N.C.) Back to search results
WCU - Highlights from Western Carolina University

Experience of Birth and A Change

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  • This document includes two essays by Arnold James Hyde (1914-2010), written for a reviewer, perhaps a teacher. One titled “Experience of Birth,” is a third-person account of childbirth with perspective shifting between the fetus, mother, and father. The ending appears to be missing since the essay cuts off abruptly, mid-sentence. The other essay is titled “A Change” and describes how he was raised to think of Black people and how he now feels about Black people after working side by side with a colleague. This essay has a reviewer’s note at the bottom. Hyde was born in Graham County, NC, graduated from Robbinsville High School, and then later from Western Carolina Teachers College (Western Carolina University) in 1938. He married Dorothy Roberts, of Buncombe County, NC, in 1943, and they had two daughters.
  • ,F &:ed in adjusting to outside pressure. The pain and sudden change brought·signals of' protest, which could be heard for the first time by the partially uncon•Jcious mother, and the nervous father, as he pac􀈭d back and forth outside the ltoom, wringing his hands and impatiently waiting for the pr6- / verbial announcement, nlt's a big fine boy11, In the struggle of birth the mother and the odds for-the first time. The muscles within the baby find themselves at phyeica} mother -are pushing and fighti/ I : I /, , / • I ' I ., and the fetus is reluctant to move. Thie brings on pain 1!o:r both. 'I'he mother has looked forwa:-􀋅,1 to this :noment, partly f'rom anxiety, partly because it is a duty that had to be performed and only she could do it, but l'l!ostly because of' the great deaire to experience the enjoyment and spiritual signif'iance of bringing into the world a ner individual, which she protected and nourished as a fetus and now can motber, love; and enjoy as a baby. Yea, the physical part was difficult, but ahe now possesses something that only a mother can describe - an unselfish love and ,m exhilaro.tim; experience to always remember and cherrish. ?or many hours the father has been spen􀋆ing his +ime pacing the rloor and making himself' a general neuiaance by insisting on 􀋇 - latea;;. and detailed. information concerning the progress of the birth. he is £'ee1 i,ng very helpless and insignificant in the part he is permitted to play and a little guilty ,eca.use he c:rn not share a part of the pain and participate equally in this common endeavor. The nurse, as she f ... ·. 􀀅 passes back and forth into the room,. 􀀅a 'him to try and make himself' as miserable . ' " as possible, because she knows that is what he will do any way, but to quieten his nerves Na:1nu1 informs him tk!llx of the fact tha.t no husband has ever suucumed to child birth. Tranquility f'ollowa the sudlen excitement and rapid movement 1'lithin the room. The docto .r comes out, drying his hand on a towel and says reluctantly, 11 Its a girl". ":he t'ather, somewhat disappointed at f'irst, rushes in, l-1.saes the mother on the cheelt :l.nd retiuests to se0 HIS child. The now reviving mother can har 1 ly wait to hold it in her a.rma, to nurse it, to observe it•x pa,sical features, and enjoy 0 what God hath Wrought11 • The nurse· brings it forward, places it in her arms. Ghe looks at ite face -than sloitTly tu:rns her eyes toward the father as ahe says with a feeling of accomplishment and contentment: in a low , weak, distinct voice, 11 Beautif'ul, very beautiful, yes, o·uR baby. She closes her eyes and relaxes with an expression of' pride on her face. She ha.a brought forth into the world a new indivi'lual, which was part a part of' her, A ehange As a child, I grew up in a montainous county, where Negroes were not permitted to live. I rememver, while very small, hearing my mother tell about the white people, gathering one night, and driving all the Neg􀃀o families from the county and nerver permitting them to return. At present not one colored person lives in the county and few will hazard a wisit to this white man's restricted area. Coming up under these influences, I felt haat all Negroes were bad. College life broadened :ny vie"-'S but did not remove that feeling of racial superiority or soften my attitude toward the colored man. I often resented the fact that certain leaders in America were endeavoring to promote racial equality and were making an effort to raise their moral, social, and econO>mic standardsto our level. Upon analyzing my thinking, prior to the past few weeks, I had never considered the Negro as an individual. As a race, to me, he was inferior, should be kept in his place, and always subserv􀃁nt to the white man's wishes. My field work has thrown me in direct contact with two colored workers. My desk, in fact, ie placed end-to end with that of' one of' the colored workers. Being a social worker trainee, I was determined that my racial feelings would not manifest itself' in my actions or work. Upon meeting these workers for the first time I was slightly confuced. Should I shake hands upon introduction? Just what is the relationship within the office? Should I accept them as co-workers with all the friendliness a .white worker would expect? 2 These questions and others flashed through my mind, but I was s-oon put 0-j; ease by the very courteous and considerate responses of' the colored workers themselves. James is no longer, to me, just a "Nigger" but an individual, whth all the human qualities that you or l possess. 1 1 􀀁 no longer ill at ease in his presence or feel that someone is looking at me as I drive through town with him in my car. In the office, I have not only recoginized him as my e4ual, but my superior, in many ways. He has gone out of his way to assist me with my work and to enlighten me on many points of doubt. I now consider it a priviledge to nave the opportunity to work with these people of another race, who have struggled through the handicaps of' racial discrimination without bitterness, but with generosity toward all. o fi t" l J l / r/o /o ' 1 i ; f') fl L / 1.,-LJJ f I "" U,i.t u ( tu. f (\ • ' 7 􀀄􀀅{ (' t-· ·, y ,, ,,;i t,,. t, I' 1,,,.1 ' e, tt 1( 􀀐10,

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Highlights from Western Carolina University

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