I’m Charlotte, Angela’s co-author.
I met Angela through a dear friend, because I was described as somewhat of a “Crusader” who might could help her navigate some of the issues she had encountered while trying to help her brother, Ivory.
The first time we talked, we learned we had a lot in common: first, our hopeless love for dogs; then our common bond in the Delta Sigma Theta Sisterhood; and I think most of all, I loved the FIGHT in her. I immediately felt an immense respect for her determination to fight whatever powers that be for the sake of preserving her brother’s dignity as a human being and as a mentally disabled person — a promise she had made to her mother who has crossed over.
That’s the short of it.
The long of it is that as I learned more about her odessy, the whole adventure resonated with me. Being an “old school” civil rights fighter, I understood several things.
First, a retired Educator, I understand well the challenges and the rights of the mentally ill. As an undergraduate in the 1970’s majoring in special education for emotionally and behaviorally disordered children, and having studied extensively the phenomenon of abnormality, I learned about mental and emotional disorders as well as various personality disorders. When I was an undergraduate in college, this idea of expanded rights for the intellectually and mentally disabled was a new emerging idea, and I was attracted to the field. These expanded rights were being written into the law at the federal level — yet every state was compelled by law to comply. My years in the classroom taught me well. Education can’t “heal” the disordered. As teachers of disordered children, we try to help them cope — get through the day — one day at a time; and hope they learn something academically in the process. But in the final analysis, many of our difficult children grow up to be difficult adults; disordered children grow up to be disordered adults. Schizophrenic children grow up to be schizophrenic adults.
Second, the daughter of a Civil Rights Pioneer who rose from the dust of Alabama during the 1950’s, I grew up with a man who taught me everything he knew about fighting the good fight. So, not only had I followed and embraced the Civil Rights movement all through childhood, I had to help and be “hands-on.” Help my father (May He Rest In Peace) with various and sundry tasks related to whatever hard cases he was working on over a period of 4 decades of serving as President of the local NAACP in a rural Alabama community.
I learned a few things, and Angela’s quest to free her brother immediately resonated with me. So, as a soror, and a long-time warrior for justice, I just couldn’t let her continue this journey alone.
Professionally, I have a unique set of skills that make this kind of work a good fit for me.
I hold both a Bachelor Of Science and Master Of Education Degree from Auburn University.
As a matter of fact in terms of “pioneering” I was one of the first 9 Deltas to establish Auburn University’s Charter Chapter (Kappa Upsilon Chapter – K-OOP Chapter) of Delta Sigma Theta National Service Sorority.
I am a professionally trained mortician, funeral director, grief counselor, and still work at my family’s 50-year old Mortuary business which I operate along with my adult children
In addition to my entrepreneurial activities, I worked as a Professional Educator in Georgia Public Schools for more than 21 years.
I have worked in the field of Civil Rights my entire life, having served as a former president of my local branch of the N.A.A.C.P. which laid the foundation for my understanding of Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs.
I served for 18 years as an elected member of my County’s Local Board of Education. And last year, I ran as a proud Democrat for the office of State Representative for House District 37 of the Alabama House Of Representatives.
I presently serve as a member of the executive board of my county’s Democratic Executive Committee —
I can still type faster than the speed of thought — and on and on and on….
Understanding that Angela works everyday and I have more time on my hands, I try to be on hand to support her by writing on the blog; helping her organize, archive and prepare documents for review on this blog, and anything else I might can do to help. And my reward will be knowing that one day — sooner rather than later — Ivory will be back in the custody of his family, where he belongs; and where he can feel secure and receive the love and genuine help that he needs.
I’m challenging others of you who may encounter this blog, to come along. Friends come along. Today, trouble is knocking at her door; but when it knocks at YOUR DOOR, you may find yourself in need of company as well.
Justice For Ivory Rucker 