THE RAGE OF THE BLACK MIDDLE CLASS

I am a retired NFL player who, along with two others, became the first blacks to attend and play at a predominantly white university in the South (Wake Forest University, 1964-1968).

I never set out to integrate anything, just to pursue opportunity. Black elders used to teach us that we had to be twice as good as whites when we were competing for anything. I have never had a problem with that. It was, in fact, great motivation.

Contrary to the picture painted, we of that era did not set out hoping to become white, nor did we believe that legislation would change what was in anyone’s heart. We sought opportunity and an equal right to compete.

BOB GRANT

Beverly Hills