Synopsis
Just A Little Country Boy is a story of the trials in the life of a young black boy born during the late Depression years in Arkansas. In 1940, when segregation was at its worst in the South, his father moved the family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in search of a better life. An industrial revolution was taking place throughout the North at the time, offering better employment opportunities for the black man. Therefore the Black Migration began with black families leaving the servile attitudes of the South with the dreams of a better life. LeRoy Allen was blessed with good, hard-working parents who taught him to take pride in himself, to work hard, use good manners, and to respect all people. As a teenager, he took an interest in, and competed in almost all sports, but his big interest was boxing. He became Wisconsin's State Golden Gloves champion for 3 different years. Later, he spent a few years as a professional boxer, meeting and sparring with many well-known boxers of that era. As a young adult, he became more aware of the prejudices and inequities surrounding the black man. Most of his adult years were spent moving from job to job, trying to improve his circumstances, while searching for decent employment to support his growing family. After experiencing nearly 50 different jobs, he succeeded in being hired into a position for which he was trained and well qualified. He was well into middle age before the job market began to hire women or blacks into responsible positions. Mr. Allen records many of the changes in the attitudes towards blacks in Milwaukee, and across the nation, as they occured during the last half of the 20th century. It is a story of faith, determination, and fortitude and a real insight into our nation's awakening to the talents of our black citizens and our growing respect for their contributions to our society.
About the Author
LeRoy Allen was born on a small farm in Arkansas and at the age of five, moved with his family to Milwaukee. Over the years he became the oldest of 11 children born in his family. He pursued boxing in his teens and became Wisconsin State Golden Gloves champion for 3 years and later turned to professional boxing for a few years. These were the years of racism, bigotry, and de facto segregation when black men had difficulty finding meaningful employment. He married and fathered seven children and many times worked two, sometimes three jobs at a time just to meet the financial obligations of raising a family. He worked relentlessly and put his trust in the Lord to see him through. He involved himself in Civil Rights movements when time allowed, but he wore many hats before he found a position in sales management for which he was best suited. He organized and established the Baby Joe Gans Scholarship Foundation and was involved with many of the civic events in Milwaukee throughout the years. He is now retired and living in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has fallen in love with the beautiful mountains and friendly people of Colorado, but after spending 59 years in Milwaukee, working, raising a family, and watching the many changes taking place through the years, he will always consider Milwaukee as "home."
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