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Event
Think Black: A Book Talk and Signing with Clyde W. Ford
Join us for a book talk and signing with Clyde W. Ford, author of "Think Black".
ABOUT "THINK BLACK"
In this thought-provoking and heartbreaking memoir, an award-winning writer tells the story of his father, John Stanley Ford, the first black software engineer at IBM, revealing how racism insidiously affected his fathers view of himself and their relationship.
In 1947, Thomas J. Watson set out to find the best and brightest minds for IBM. At City College he met young accounting student John Stanley Ford and hired him to become IBMs first black software engineer. But not all of the companys white employees refused to accept a black colleague and did everything in their power to humiliate, subvert, and undermine Ford.
Yet Ford would not quit. Viewing the job as the opportunity of a lifetime, he comported himself with dignity and professionalism, and relied on his community and his street smarts to succeed. He did not know that his hiring was meant to distract from IBMs dubious business practices, including its involvement in the Holocaust, eugenics, and apartheid.
While Ford remained at IBM, it came at great emotional cost to himself and his family, especially his son Clyde. Overlooked for promotions he deserved, the embittered Ford began blaming his fate on his skin color and the notion that darker-skinned people like him were less intelligent and less capablebeliefs that painfully divided him and Clyde, who followed him to IBM two decades later.
From his first day of workwith his wide-lapelled suit, bright red turtleneck, and huge afroClyde made clear he was different. Only IBM hadnt changed. As he, too, experienced the same institutional racism, Clyde began to better understand the subtle yet daring ways his father had fought back.
ABOUT CLYDE W. FORD
Clyde W. Ford was born in NYC. Hes the author of thirteen works of fiction and non-fiction. Hes also a psychotherapist, an accomplished mythologist, and a sought-after public speaker. In 2006, Ford received the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Award in African American fiction. He was named a Literary Lion by the King County Library System in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Clyde was voted Best Writer of Bellingham, Washington in 2006 and 2007 by readers of the Cascadia Weekly and he received the 2007 Bellingham, Washington Mayors Arts Award in Literature. Ford is currently a speaker for Humanities Washington, an affiliate of the NEA, where he presents a program entitled, Lets Talk About Race, around the state. Clyde has participated in hundreds of media interviews and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, New Dimensions Radio, and National Public Radio. He lives in Bellingham, Washington where he writes aboard his 30-foot trawler, and cruises the waters of the Inside Passage.
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LocationBainbridge Island Museum of Art (View)
500 Winslow Way E
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
United States
Categories
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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