By D. Scott

Romance Me

By D Scott

Four weeks earlier some tense times at work brought me to a place I’d left years ago. A place where bigotry and hate were commonplace in my realm of existence. These thoughts were long since slain by my new man in Christ — or so I believed. But just lately I found comfort in entertaining them rather than casting them off. That black guy they had brought in seemed destined to have my job as lead psychiatrist. Then the next surprise, a Hispanic woman hired to re-write the procedural handbook I authored six years ago! It came down in a Memo from “the top.“ She was in like Flint and I was wondering how long before I’d be out.

All my fears fed the old racist I buried in the baptismal pool 10 years ago and he rose from the dead, taunting me day and night. “You fool! It seethed, You should’ve listen to your pops when he warned you about them niggers, wops and degos. They are all going to take the country over and your job is on the list.” Then the new Dr., so arrogant, he presumed to write me an advisement about phobia patients and his findings. I knew my fears were right, I was being replaced by more inferior races. Me a brilliant white man.

While reason along with some co-worker argued my concerns were unfounded, I was tortured with anxiety. Then the latest Memo explained that Mr. Black -man and Ms. Hispanic would be joining me on the Clinic’s decision-making board.

It was the last straw. I’d seen the handwriting on the wall . I’d better have my résumé done and start looking for a place where my brilliance could again be given their place at the top. I’d find a place where the blacks, browns, reds and yellows would be kept in their place.

Meanwhile, at work I grimaced facing all the changes. New faces, unlike mine, new voices and ways of talking I couldn’t relate to. Swirling rumors, whispered comments: “He’s out, too stale, not with it. “ Were they really talking about me?! The brilliant mind that had finished college by his own wits and wisdom was now online at every opportunity searching job databases. And wondering why my personally-written resume was getting no hits.