|
 Burnet
is "home" for a graphite mining operation; where this
black, silky substance is brought from the earth, separated from
the rock, and sacked for shipment. The men who work with this
"pencil-lead" material look like Black Power, Inc. at
the end of the day. They wash away much of the grime at Company
showers; but usually crevices around their eyes, and the
eyelids, must be cleansed at home.
So,
this old Burnet man is quick to notice the "sweet young
things" on the campuses and streets of many cities, who
"work at the Graphite Mine." Amazing, how many girls
they work in the mines these days -- and who have to go
shopping, and even to worship, before they have opportunity to
properly cleanse their faces. Maybe the brutal work today's
women must endure accounts for the premature greyness so
prevalent. Our heart aches for those teenagers whose "old
grey head" bespeak toil and sorrow long before their time.
We have yet to figure out why or how some heads have turned
green — or purple. Maybe they are "things" from
outer space; like INVADERS, and stuff.
But
the saddest of all our observations has to do with the
tremendous increase in "mother dominated" boys. There
have always
|
|
been a few cases, here and
there, of mothers who wanted a girl, and got a boy — and were
determined to have a girl anyway. The Pitifully dominated boy
was dressed like little Lord Faultenroy, with big lace collars,
necklace and medallion, and his hair was allowed to grow long.
Sometimes "dad" could sneak the boy out for a haircut
and some "pitch and catch" but Mother's little darling
was often doomed to much suffering.
I
always figured the God-made boy would finally triumph, if
there was really enough boy there — even though it
meant running away from home. But what I see these days makes me
realize girl-thwarted mothers are becoming far more powerful and
numerous. Grown men, I suppose, wear long curly locks. Their
bangs hang down over their eyes — maybe because they are so
ashamed, or maybe so they can't see the agonized look on the
faces of the girls who work at the mines.
One
encouraging note! The "Poverty Program" must be
working well among the Arizona Indians. Their women seem to be
fully clothed. But in Phoenix, I judge there is a shortage of
cloth.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
