The Haunted Traveler Vol. 1 Issue 1

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for instance, much more on the condition of their character
rather than outward appearances. It’s therefore much easier
for you to obtain a good job and keep it in my time than it
would be in yours.”
“But yo’ still needs education and all, which I ain’t got!”
said Jones. “I s’pose they still gots them separate schools for
us. I know ‘bout that Supreme Court decision, but….”
“There is no segregated schooling in 2009!” answered
Gooch. “All students are treated exactly the same! Even at
the university level. That’s where I come from. I’m a professor
of quantum physics at Harvard University.”
“Ha’vard?” exclaimed Jones, in shock. “You is joking! Dey
don’t let niggers anywhere near dem white people’s schools!
I could understand if you said you was from Fisk or Morehouse,
but not Ha’vard, man!”
“Well, technically I got my B.A. at Yale, but I got my Ph.D
at Harvard,” Gooch qualified. “But it’s true. African Americans
have more opportunities for advancement and achievement
than at any time in the history of America in 2009. We
are simply fulfilling the dreams that Dr. King had for us….”
“Who?”
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
“Man, I don’t know nobody by DAT name!”
Dr. Gooch was going to scold the man for not knowing
the name of the famed civil rights leader, but then he checked
himself. He was, after all, in 1955. The Montgomery Bus
Boycott was two years away. As were all of King’s achievements.
As were most of the major achievements of African
Americans in the twentieth century. Gooch could not communicate
these events to Jones, as they were yet to come.
But, possibly, he could convince Jones to return with him to
2009 and educate him in the new ways of African Americans.
Especially when he knew the most miraculous achievement
that African Americans had yet been able to achieve.
“Never mind that,” said Gooch. “Just know that a lot of
good things will happen to our people in the future.”