The Influential Male Department

The influential Male Department.
When I visited any of the many Center City department stores in Philly, I could take the escalator or the elevator to the area where I wanted to shop that day.  When you took the elevator, someone was stationed there to direct you to the respective department on each floor. Today, I want to take on that role for you. Consider yourself stationed in my elevator. Going up!

I want to share my visit to the Men’s Department, specifically, the men who influenced my growth and development: my Dad and grandfathers.

Growing up in the big-city Philadelphia during the late 60’s and 70’s–wasn’t a cakewalk with the historically and culturally turbulent times for African Americans.  I vividly remember my parents purchasing their first home in the Germantown section, where many other working-class families lived, worked, played, educated, and instilled values in their children in the quiet, well-kept community.

I remember my Dad organizing block parties and designating clean street days where nearly everyone came out to clean, socialize, and participate. It was a time when you knew your neighbors. I can recall those hot summer days when he would get permission to turn the fire hydrant on so all the children on the block who didn’t have a pool could cool off because of the scorching temperatures during the summer. I even remember when he participated in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

My older brother and I had to attend the mandatory Gene Russell Summer School, i.e., my Dad purchased summer home-school curriculums for us to do every summer. Most times, when other children were playing, we had to be inside to complete our assignments, but when it was sweltering, we did get to indulge in the cool water of our backyard pool. We were always anxious to complete our tasks to play until the street lights came on.

My Dad made me read the Philadelphia Bulletin daily to learn about current world events and increase my vocabulary. I still enjoy reading newspapers and set aside time every Sunday to read the New York Times.

My Dad’s Dad, whom we fondly called “Russ,” was a chef. My Nana was fortunate that she seldom cooked. He worked at Horn & Hardart (some of you may remember this first automated restaurant) and owned his restaurant at 19th and Rittenhouse Streets until his retirement in the late 1950s.

My fondest memory is that I can recall my grandfather having a wrought iron fence put around their home when his grandchildren visited, especially the granddaughters, because, at the time, there were only two granddaughters, cousin Tish and I.   He didn’t want the “10 boys to come around.”  I remember the enclosed yard had everything a child could want for fun (playhouse, pool, bikes, and swingset).  I can see him smoking his pipe while listening to baseball on his transistor radio.  My “Russ” lived to the ripe old age of 92 in 1992.

Photo of Paternal Grandfather Robert “Russ”  Russell (June 10, 1900 – October 30, 1992)

My Mom’s Dad, whom we called Grandpop, was a big mason/laborer who liked to play baseball in his free time. My memories of him include coming to my parents’ second home in Mt. Airy, nearly always bringing his Bible.  Widowed at a reasonably early age, he would bring fresh produce from the Italian Market on South 9th Street to share and cook with our family.

Photos of Maternal grandfather, Robert Lee Davis (February 28, 1908 – August 20, 1989) (big guy in the middle of the second photo)

Thank you for riding up in my elevator of memories as I acknowledge the men who impacted my life. I still don’t believe a holiday is necessary to recognize a loved one, but I enjoyed reflecting on how my Dad and grandfathers have impacted my life.   I don’t talk to my Dad like I do my Mom, but I love that I can text him and email him. he is a Facebook friend, so we can stay connected.
What sweet memories do you have of male influences in your life?