Lords of the Lash
Page 7
Working notes: Windsor was the first born. Philip had a twin Henry who died in 1946. Three of the four surviving brothers work for the same company. In his narrative family tree Philip hinted that he has not been successful in the family business. However, Charles and Donald were quite successfully as were many of the children. Find out what the family business entails, financial industries is a vague description, and I wonder why more detail has not been provided. Judging by the estimated Zillow price listings of each family members homes (according to the addresses Windsor provided me with) their company is quite lucrative for a small operation, either that or the inherited money has not run dry. Note: If family members are reluctant to talk about family business try to find someone within the oganization who will talk about day to day operations. A general description of the workings of the company could be crucial to identifying possible sublimations that the CMR trait. Question: Will those family members who test positive for the CMR trait correlate to have better or worse business acumen or will their be no correlation? Question: If family members with theCMR trait do correlate with the business success stories will such successes be a possible sublimation of the CMR trait? And how will you possibly measure this? Note: Identifying possible sublimations will make or break your report. Therefore, keep all options open and develop an especially keen eye for any odd behaviors within the family…
Working notes continued: This is the second instance in which male children have died within the Thurmond family. Here Manfred and Aldric died before they reached adulthood, while a generation earlier Charles’s brother Henry died as a child. How did these tragedies effect those family members with the CMR trait versus those family members without the CMR trait? Question: Does the CMR trait correlate to feelings of grief that are more or less intense than people lacking the CMR trait, or is there no correlation at all? Note: Get descriptions from family members about the levels of their grief and use a standardized grieving scale. Note: Have Sam send you such a scale via snail mail as you will not have access to materials once you are on the road: The Philadephia Grieving Inventory 3rd Edition may be the most reliable and valid of the various grieiving scales (if memory serves correct, so ask Sam her opinion).
Working notes continued: Edbert and Elvin are the second time that at least 2 male children have died within an immediate family grouping, and the third time that at least 1 male child has died within an immediate family grouping. Kolby is the fourth time that at least 1 male child has died within an immediate family grouping. Statistically this seems like a high child death rate percentage. However, a common statistical error is to derive general conclusions from a small sample size. Within a small sample there can be wild swings in variability. Furthermore, the causes of death are varied. This seems to be a case of bad luck within the Thurmond family. In Philip’s narrative description he explains that his wife has titled this bad luck, “Herod’s Curse.” Ask the family members their opinion about this curse. It is a somewhat fitting name, though in the biblical story infants died, and in the Thurmond family the children who died all almost reached adolescence. Also, in the biblical story the infants were murdered while the children in the Thurmond family have died of natural causes. Note: This streak of bad luck offers you a good opportunity to continue to study the correlation of levels of experienced grief for people with the CMR trait versus levels of experienced grief for people without the CMR trait. From this grieving data you may further be able to extrapolate empathy measures, as grieving and empathy are related emotions. Question: Do people with the CMR trait correlate with lower levels of empathy?
Working notes continued: Again male children have died within the Thurmond family. Continue to follow up on grieving data and administer Philadelphia Grieving Inventory (or some other norm-referenced measure) to both Philip and Laural…
Zachary planned to use his working notes to brainstorm research questions concerning the CMR trait. However, this assumed that other Thurmond family members besides Windsor would test positive, an outcome which was entirely uncertain. Nevertheless, Zachary had prepared CMR contingency testing (such as the planned grief studies mentioned in his working notes). However, his exorbitant salary was being paid to help Windsor choose an heir-apparent through simple CMR trait testing, not CMR contingency testing, and therefore only if time allowed would he engage in both testing formats.
The method that Zachary had decided upon for detecting racism in Windsor’s family was a test created by his colleagues at Harvard University: the Implicit Association Test (available at: implicit.harvard.edu). Zachary had decided to use this test (though his own variation) because he did not believe that racism was a topic about which people would be explicitly honest, especially with billions of dollars on the line. Ironically, Windsor had been explicitly honest about his deep-rooted racism, though he needed a confidentiality agreement to accomplish this feat. Importantly, when implicit beliefs are measured they are extremely difficult to hide or change because what is being measured is not conscious but subconscious thought. A person can easily say, “I like to eat sushi,” when in fact they do not like to eat sushi. However, if their implicit approval of sushi is measured, then it is much more difficult (some might even say impossible, Zachary noted to Windsor) to fib their answers. The Implicit Association test is a tool that psychologists use to measure implicit thought, and a variety of subjects can be measured, racial prejudice being one of them. The test is based on quick sorting. Words or images are sorted into groups as quickly as possible. For example one group could be (1) black or bad, while the other group is (2) white or good. Then a word appears on the screen such as thief. The test taker needs to sort that word into the black or bad category. Next a word such as George Washington might appear and the test taker needs to sort that word into the white or goodcategory. After a baseline score for these categories is obtained the two groups are switched to (1) black or good and (2) white or bad. Then a word such as charity worker appears on the screen. The test taker needs to sort that in the black or good category. Next a word such as crack addict appears on the screen. The test taker needs to sort that word into the white or bad category. These scores are then compared with the baseline scores. If there is little discrepancy between the scores then no prejudice is indicated for associating white with good and black with bad, or in the rare case, white with bad and black with good. If there is a discrepancy then the magnitude of the prejudice is assigned a value from slight to strong. Zachary liked this test, but he had designed his own version meant to tease out any lingering cannibalistic-murderous-racism that still might exist in the Thurmond family tree, and therefore when compared with the free versions of the test available on the internet, his version was more viscerally graphic and gory.
His cell phone rang, the screen read Samantha, and without hesitation he answered, saying, “Hello, I have just landed.” She apologized, told him she had discussed the Windsor-matter with Omar, and would help from a research perspective but that neither she nor Omar could travel due to other work arrangements and therefore could not conduct testing. Eventually, Zachary apologized and Samantha accepted his apology. The conversation ended well and he finished his draft of beer contentedly. He mused over the phone conversation that he had with Windsor before boarding the airplane. Windsor had provided some instruction, saying, “I would like the money to continue on with a male heir.”
&nb
sp; “Are you sexist too?” Zachary asked.
“Nothing of the sort – however, for personal reasons I would like the money to continue on with a male heir,” said Windsor.
“And what reason is that?” Zachary asked.
“Please, respect my privacy,” said Windsor testily.
“Okay subject closed…but does that mean I should not test females?” Zachary asked.
“That is up to you. You may want to still gather the data for your Trait Theory research,” said Windsor.
“I know that you don’t want to talk about your family but can you at least tell me about your mother?” Zachary asked.
“My mother was a very brave woman,” said Windsor.
“In what way?” Zachary asked.
“This is not something that I wish to talk about,” said Windsor.
“Can you at least tell me if she was a racist so I can start to build my Trait Theory?” Zachary asked.
“This is not up for conversation Zachary. Please respect my wish. However, feel free to talk to my brothers or anyone else who would have known her – they will doubtlessly have an opinion on the matter,” said Windsor, who then hung up the phone.
I guess now he has a right to hang up on me, because I am, in a sense, his employee…
However, Zachary wondered if it hadn’t merely been his probing that had caused Windsor to end the call prematurely. Earlier in the conversation Zachary had informed Windsor that his home was for sale and that he might have to abandon testing while closing a deal.
Windsor had responded with a suggestion, “I know of a great agent. If your house isn’t selling old boy this fine fellow can really get the job done. I’ve used him for multiple properties and I’ve never been disappointed, and he is a real whiz-banger when it comes to negotiations, he’ll get you a top price.”
Although Zachary was now employed by Windsor, he didn’t want to accept favors from this cannibalistic-murderous-racist (and possible sexist), and so had declined the offer – which Zachary noted seemed to have peeved Windsor.
What can I say old boy, I just don’t feel like being buddy-buddy…
A few minutes later Zachary received a call from Tony Blanchette.
“Zachary I heard the good news.”
“Yes, I guess I’m going to be a movie star.”
Tony laughed. “Can we get started? Where are you now?”
“Actually Tony I’m in Washington,” said Zachary.
“The capital?”
“Yes.”
“For work?”
“Yes, for a job. But I have to say Tony, this job is even more confidential than what I normally do. It might be best just to wait until it is over,” said Zachary.
“That’s how you want to play it?” Tony asked.
“I’m afraid so yes,” said Zachary.
“Well, how long will it take?”
“It’s hard to say. But I’ll let you know when I have a better idea of the time frame.”
“Roger that – I would like to get started somehow though. Is it okay if I start installing the cameras in your house?” Tony asked.
“What do you mean?” Zachary asked.
“We didn’t talk about that?”
“No…”
Tony cleared his throat. “We want to get a real-life angle of what it is like to be in your shoes. So we want to follow you around everywhere with cameras, but also, have them inside your house.”
“That sounds intense.”
“Not really Zachary -- it might seem anti-intuitive but you will forget the cameras are there. And it will make for a much better documentary…”
Zachary did not like the idea of cameras inside his house. Yet what did he expect, this was a documentary after all? And furthermore if he ruined this chance at free publicity, he couldn’t imagine the reaction from Samantha.
“Tony, I’m all-in on this thing. I’ll get you in touch with my real estate agent. She has a key to my house...”
The call having ended, Zachary looked around, wondering if John the photographer was looking around for him. But he saw no one in the vicinity scanning for people (Zachary had informed him via text that he had brown hair and was seated at the Box Bar) and so he decided to call Jasmine to inform her that he had landed safely.
“When will you be back?” she asked.
For Zachary it felt like they had had more than one date, perhaps because the date had lasted into the wee hours of the morning, and he replied, “I don’t know. It all depends on how much work we can get done on this trip.”
“I’m just asking because I think I left a shirt at your house, not because I necessarily want to hang out again,” said Jasmine, laughing.
“Wow, the mind games have already started…”
Ten minutes later, an African-American man sat at Zachary’s table and introduced himself as John Perkins, which surprised Zachary because he hadn’t expected John to be black. Thinking it rude to display his astonishment he did his best to remain poker faced and asked John if he would like to join him for some pub grub – all the while wondering if John had been informed of Zachary’s mission: to weed out cannibalistic-murderous-racists, which that meant John, as a dark skinned black man, would potentially be snapping photos of folks who wanted (even if subconsciously) to eat his flesh.
Something doesn’t feel right…
“You finish up Zachary. I have already had lunch. How was the flight?” John asked.
“Fine. So did you meet with Windsor in person, or was it a telephone interview?” Zachary asked, trying to be nonchalant and adding, “I ask because I find Windsor an odd-sort and I am always interested in how people make his acquaintance.”
“I met him in person, and yes, he is an odd duck. I kept feeling as if he were trying to stare right through me,” said John, shuddering.
“So do you travel a lot as a photographer?” Zachary asked.
“I go where the money recommends me…”
“You must be top-notch in your field,” said Zachary.
“I operate within a small circle, no advertising, all word of mouth. And I believe you are a psychologist correct?” said John.
“That is correct,” said Zachary, wondering if he should tell him point blank about the nature of his testing.
“Don’t worry, I won’t get in your way. Windsor told me that your testing is confidential and that I wasn’t supposed to ask you about it. I will just be snapping pictures while you do your thing. But don’t worry. I won’t be nosy,” said John, smiling widely.
Zachary decided to call Windsor as soon as he had a moment away from John.
Perhaps there has been a mix up and Windsor doesn’t even realize that John is black…
As they drove together to their hotel Zachary noted that John was an able conversationalist and wondered if this skill aided his position as a portrait photographer. After speaking to him for a few minutes -- as they sat in bumper to bumper traffic -- Zachary began to forget that he was black.
Is this what it feels like to be Windsor…
“You should show me some of your work. I’d love to see it,” said Zachary.
“I’d love to, but I didn’t bring any of my binders with me. But if we pass through my hometown Baltimore, or if we take a break from working, and then meet back up, I will grab some, why? Do you think you might know some people who might need portraits?”
“John, up until very recently I worked at Harvard. Talk about egomaniacs. I bet 90% of the professors there would like to know a good portrait photographer for that prestigious- looking portrait that they can hang of themselves and their family above the hearth,” said Zachary.
“I take it you don’t have a wife and kids?” John asked.
“Yeah I sounded a little cynical there didn’t I? Sorry about that. I’m not opposed to families. I come from one as a matter of a fact. No, I am just opposed to families who do thi
ngs like take gushy family portraits and then send them out on Christmas greeting cards,” said Zachary.
“I’m sure lots of my work has been relegated to the Christmas card arena by families eager to impress their Christmas card list,” said John.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything disparaging by that,” said Zachary.
“Oh, I don’t mind, really. That sort of thing just comes with the territory. We can’t all be Irving Penn,” said John; Zachary recognized the reference and approved of his artistic taste.
Once at the hotel they unpacked, though minimally, as they would only be staying in D.C. for a few nights. Their agenda was not set in stone. Optimally, there were eleven households and two college students to test: 1) Charles’ household 2) Alburt’s household 3) Kaci’s household 4) Teal’s household 5) Donald’s household 6) Chase’s household 7) Mick’s household 8) Yetta’s household 9) Fara’s household 10) Nikkie’s household and 11) Philip’s household (he lived with his adult daughter Laural and her household). The two college students were Jonnie and Fayne, but fortunately they were both at Harvard.
However, it was inevitable that someone would decline, even with the possibility of a gargantuan inheritance. Initially Zachary had been skeptical but Windsor explained, “Everyone has things to hide. And some family members are already extraordinarily wealthy. They might not think it worth the bother...”
Because Windsor had only recently sent out the letters, letters that requested consent in an RSVP format, it meant that not everyone had replied. Therefore, an optimal route was impossible to calculate at this point – so the route would have to be calculated on the fly as the RSVP’s were received. Luckily the family was overwhelmingly concentrated in Washington D.C., and therefore, Zachary believed it logical to start the testing in D.C. and then move to the fringes (such as Texas and Pennsylvania as the RSVPs continued to arrive), and then loop back to D.C. if necessary. Windsor had provided Zachary with an address list, which Zachary used as a paper method of noting who had replied to the RSVP:
Thurmond Family Address List:
Charles:
2933-2943 Benton Place
Kalorama Neighborhood
Washington, D.C.
20008
Note: RSVP accepted
Alburt:
1714 Massachusetts Ave
Dupont Circle
Washington D.C.
20036
Kaci:
8542 El Paseo Grande
La Jolla, CA
92037
Teal:
8802 Memorial Drive
Houston, Texas
77024-5809
Donald:
2510 Foxhall Road
Foxhall Neighborhood
Washington, D.C.
20007
Note: RSVP accepted
Chase:
108 Timberwilde Lane
Houston, Texas
77024-6922
Note: RSVP accepted
Mick:
2520 Foxhall Road
Foxhall Neighborhood
Washington, D.C.
20007
Note: RSVP accepted
Yetta:
3259 R Street
Georgetown
Washington, D.C.
20007
Fara:
4 Thompson Circle
Cleveland Park
Washington, D.C.
20008
Nikkie:
4847 Rockwood Pkwy
Spring Valley
Washington, D.C.
20016
Philip:
1410 Monk Road
Gladwyne, PE
19035
Jonnie and Fayne:
Fayne: 175 Main St. Apartment 3, Cambridge MA
Jonnie: Harvard: Quincy House, Room: 7
Zachary noted that there were six Thurmond households in Washington, D.C., two Thurmond households in Texas, one Thurmond household in Pennsylvania, one Thurmond household in California, and two Thurmond college students currently residing in Cambridge Massachusetts, and of the eleven households that four had accepted the invitation to be tested -- three in Washington D.C. and one in Texas – and that none of households had yet refused. Neither college student had replied to the RSVP.
Windsor had set up a joint G-mail account with Zachary so that in theory they could both monitor who had replied. But as Windsor qualified, “It is only a joint account in the case that by some whim of the muses I decided to log on and check out the progress. I don’t think that likely. I’ve stayed out of my family’s business for all these years and I really don’t want to start now, even if I am the ring leader of this whole circus…”
Windsor had also hired a computer programmer to supply Zachary with a computer program to keep track of who had accepted or declined the testing invitation, and for those who had already been tested: a display of the results. It was a virtual version of the family tree that Zachary also had in paper form – though without any of the narrative details. Households who had accepted the testing invitation were shown in green font. Households who had declined the testing invitation were shown in red font. Households that had already been tested had their results transferred to a graph, where their degree of implicit cannibalistic-murderous-racism was to be ordered sequentially by magnitude, and also by generation. Zachary thought it a nifty bit of computer programming.
As John began flipping through television channels, Zachary told him he was going to the lobby to search for internet access. He walked down two flights of stairs and stood in the corner of a hall, near an ice-machine. Before he called Windsor, Zachary wanted to plan exactly what he would say about John. He didn’t want to sound like a racist himself. However, he also worried that he was pestering Windsor with needless questions.
Every time I question him I drive him crazy…Plus, he bragged to me that he has some amazing ability to discern the blackness of people…Also, this would be an absurd conversation, me informing another human that another human is black…
Considering the matter a few more moments, he decided not to call.
Besides, John won’t be in danger because I wouldn’t be conducting this testing if the CMR trait wasn’t dormant, and if it wasn’t dormant these family members wouldn’t all be such success stories, as described in Philip’s narrative, they’d be in jail and on the news – for eating people…
Zachary returned to the room, reviewing with John the schedule and procedures. Later they found a comedy program they had discussed during the car ride and watched it until they fell asleep.
Newton, MA: On one hand, Ralph thought that he might have avoided punishment. Yet on the other, he knew his father, Mick, to be a calculating man and with trepidation he followed him to the garage. His father did not say a word and held a metal baseball bat. Once inside the garage Mick ordered Ralph to drive his Benz to the back driveway. Ralph parked his car and got out.
“I know everything from the officer so we don’t have to talk about it. I don’t want to hear denials. I don’t want to hear admissions. But if you ever do anything illegal like that again, so as to put our family name up for ridicule --.” said Mick, suddenly ceasing with his lecture and smashing the baseball bat through the front windshield.
“Dad, no!” shouted Ralph.
“Oh, this is just the start, son. Here, hold my cell-phone,” said Mick, handing his Ralph his cell phone and taking safety glasses from his pocket and putting them on.
Predictable, even this
was planned…
He smashed all the windows, bashing the car until it was completely demolished.
“You are holding my phone because that number there is for a scrap metal company. I want you to call them and tell them you have some scrap metal for them to pick up…”
Newton, MA: From inside, Mick watched his son fumbling with the phone and practically in tears while waiting for the scrap metal company to arrive. Previously, he had thought that he could spare Ralph the rigors of his own upbringing, but as time passed that looked less like a reality. Soon a choice had to be made. He would be leaving for the hunting lodge in one week and if he took Ralph on a “hunting trip” then the trajectory of Ralph’s life would be changed forever. He’d sworn to himself that he would never again impose that fate upon his children, but Ralph needed toughening up. Taking him to the hunting lodge would fulfill that objective. Still, it was not a decision to be made lightly….
Assessment One: Charles Thurmond
Relation to Windsor: Brother
Address: 2933-2943 Benton Place, Kalorama Neighborhood, Washington, D.C, 20008
Phillip Narrative Tree Snippet:
Charles Thurmond…son of Norman and Virginia Thurmond
Profession: Financial Industries
B. 1932. Age: 76
Of everyone in the family, I look up to Charles the most. He has accomplished it all!
Charles like his bother Donald, and like me, also lost his first two boys. But unlike Donald and me, where the deaths came in the same year (for me 1977 and for Donald 1972) Charles had to suffer through two horrendous years: 1978 and 1982. His boys Manfred and Aldric embodied all that was right, innocent, and pure. Having the looks of their mother they were quite handsome and pleasing to the eye. But it was the strength of the love-bond between Charles and Cindy that kept them strong and kept them moving forward for the sake of their other three amazing children: Alburt, Kaci, and Teal. It is no secret that while Charles shaves his head bald each day, in fact he has a full head of hair: a rare feat for a 76 year old man! This bald head makes him look somewhat imposing and menacing, and I once asked him why he didn’t grow his hair long, as is the fashion of most men who still retain it. He replied, “I shave my head bald so as to give me an edge in negotiations. Shaving my head makes it clear that I have nothing to hide. My thoughts are just below the level of my skin. Admittedly I would look better, were I to grow my hair and style it with a part, or some such styling. But that is vanity. And vanity does not put food on the table for my family. And everything I do I do for my children– but also my brothers and their children – and even the memory of my parents, and the memory of my dead wife and children, and the memory of your dead children, and the memory of Donald’s dead children, for I know they are with us still. What we do now echoes for eternity!” As I said at the start, Charles is the man that I look up to most – man being the operative word – for Charles is not afraid to do his duty, to take his lumps, and to follow through on his commitments in the proud and honorable tradition of the Thurmond family way!
Washington: Normally Zachary didn’t wear dress shoes, but as a representative of Dunbar and Associates he thought it professional to wear shoes rather than sneakers. However, as he walked around the hotel room in his new digs he realized that the shoes were awkwardly uncomfortable. Therefore, he decided to buy inserts. The front desk clerk pointed Zachary on his way. Outside he passed a small anti-poverty demonstration but declined to make a donation. At the drug store the cashier cut the inserts to the correct size by using a store razor. Zachary immediately applied the inserts and approved of the result. Walking outside with happier feet he now made a donation.
Maybe the world’s problems would be solved if people just wore inserts…
After a complimentary hotel breakfast, Zachary and John left for their first meeting: Charles Thurmond. The narrative family tree described Charles as (1) a skilled negotiator who at 76 still had not retired (2) a husband with a deceased wife named Cindy and (3) a father with two deceased and three living offspring. Phillip Thurmond, who had written the narrative family tree, also described Charles as the family member he “admired most.” Zachary planned to gather as much interview case history material from Charles as possible, such as (a) his relationship with his mother (b) his relationship with his father and (c) any information he could provide concerning his parents’ viewpoints, especially racial ones.
Furthermore, in the event that Charles tested CMR positive Zachary had prepared CMR contingency testing. Zachary had attempted to set up an appointment with Charles’s company, Pinnacle Corp but declined their offered appointment date because the soonest slot they had available was in 30 days and Zachary did not know if he would be in D.C. at that point in time or even if the appointment would be of any use, as it was entirely possible that no Thurmond Family members who worked for Pinnacle (or any in general) would test CMR positive.
The robotic voice of the GPS stated that it was only 2 miles from the Ritz Carlton Georgetown (their current location) to Charles’ home. And as John drove, Zachary wondered if he should offer to drive.
I hope that he doesn’t think that I expect him to drive because he is black …maybe I should tell him to pull over and that I will drive…no, that wouldn’t sound natural: I’ll offer on the way back…
The drive was pleasant, almost exclusively on a greenbelt. Charles lived very close to Embassy row. Each home in the neighborhood was indicative of the top 1% income bracket. Parking was not a problem and Charles met them at the door. The three quickly shook hands, exchanged greetings, and Charles led them inside. Zachary verbally observed the Tuscan feel to both the architecture and the home’s decorations.
“Yes, my wife, though not Italian, was impressed by Italy. Fittingly, the Italian Embassy is just around the corner. We have had some Italian diplomats over for coffee or dinner and they…”
As Charles continued with his story, Zachary noted that his physical description did not correspond to that provided in the narrative family tree; he did not in fact, shave his head bald, instead it was covered in thick white hair. Having just finished with his story about the Italian diplomats, Charles pointed to six massive portraits above the hearth and said to John, “You have some competition.”
“Although of course I will not be painting, these are your ancestors I take it?” said John.
“Yes,” said Charles, and pointing added, “Allow me to introduce my father Norman, his father Roland, his father Norman, his father Nigel, his father Benjamin, and his father Windsor.”
Zachary noted that in some of the paintings the subjects looked bored, as if they had been sitting for all eternity.
Which if the paintings hold up, they will be…
In the third painting Zachary noted the peculiar inclusion of a whip. Charles observed Zachary staring at this painting and said, “That is Norman, my father’s grandfather.”
“It looks like he is holding a whip,” said Zachary.
“Yes, that is a whip. Most people don’t notice that. I think because the painting is dark and it is coiled on his lap,” said Charles.
“Why the whip?” John asked.
“Well, you can probably guess it I’m afraid,” said Charles.
“He was a slave-owner,” said John.
“Yes, and in fact my families’ slave owning past goes back far before that. It was the seed from
which the wealth of my father’s side was generated. Apparently my great-grandfather believed his position as slave-owner significant enough to his identity to pose for all posterity whip in hand,” said Charles.
“Does that bother you?” Zachary asked.
“Do you mean do I find my ancestors’ involvement in the ‘peculiar institution’ morally repugnant? Of course I do. Do I blame them? No. They were products of their time. They honestly thought they were doing the Negros, as they were called then, a service by enslaving them. For example, they believed that Negros had smaller brains, were sexually promiscuous, and were prone to disease. My ancestors believed that they were saving their slaves and giving them a better life. Of course now we know all these theories to be utter nonsense. John here is just as capable as, you or I, Zachary of doing anything as good or better than we can do it; though all humans live somewhere within a bell curve of performance and talent but that bell curve has nothing to do with race. In fact the study of biology gives no credence to the reality of race as a scientific construct; race is a social construct. Under our skin, in a scientific sense, there is no difference between a black and a white. Blacks and whites are completely equal in all senses of the word. Furthermore, I think that racism is on the decline.”
“And how did you come to this conclusion?” John asked.
“Well, to make up for past grievances towards African Americans we have programs such as Affirmative Action. Also, Barak Obama has been nominated to be President, and that is another step in the right direction. I guess that if there were still slavery, as strange as that statement sounds, then I would feel more ashamed at what my ancestors had done. But since we as a people, both black and white, have made so much progress I think that things have turned out acceptably well. I’m proud of both my country and my family. My country has made mistakes such as slavery. But it has made up for them through Emancipation, the Reformation, Civil Rights, and Affirmative Action. My family has made mistakes, such as owning slaves. My family has tried to make up for that by becoming active philanthropists and donating heartily to black causes such as civil rights causes,” said Charles.
“Yes, I remember reading in the narrative family tree that your father Norman wrote a personal check to MLK for some $50,000, a tidy sum of money in 1962,” said Zachary.
“Don’t tell me you got your hands on Philip’s family tree?” said Charles, smiling.
“Yes. I’ve actually read it quite thoroughly so as to get an idea of what is what within the family,” said Zachary.
“What did he say over and over? ‘The great green pasture in the sky!’ And he kept talking about the Thurmond family honor,” said Charles laughing.
“He also said that you shaved your head bald so that you could better negotiate,” Zachary noted.
“I did do that. But only once I think in 1970. To read Philip’s rendering of things you would think that I go to sleep at night with a razor in my hand, counting the hours before I can shave my head again,” said Charles.
“So why the exaggeration?” Zachary asked.
“Sadly, Philip wrote his family tree about six months ago and had started his decline into dementia about 9 months prior to that. The decline has been swift and so what he has written is peppered with both fact and fiction. Therefore, if you need to know if any particular statement is true I’d ask that person it relates to; don’t rely on what Philip has written,” said Charles.
Zachary nodded. “I’m sorry about your brother.”
“Philip? Yes. Dementia is tragic. But it won’t be the first time I’ve lost a brother,” said Charles.
“Henry,” said Zachary.
“You have thoroughly read the family tree,” said Charles.
“What happened? Pneumonia, right?” said Zachary.
“Yes. I was 14. That is the age at which the reality of such a loss sinks fully into the heart. Had I been but a little younger I believe that I would have been immune to the pain,” said Charles.
“You also lost two children,” said Zachary, flipping open his notebook. “Manfred and Aldric.”
“This family seems quite prone to horrific tragedy,” said Charles.
“Yes, it is what Philip wrote that his wife termed ‘Herod’s curse.’ Did she really do that?” said Zachary.
“That is accurate. She did come up with that term,” said Charles.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. But is there a bathroom I could use?” John asked.
Charles led him around the corner, returning a moment later.
“And what is your opinion, if I may ask, of Herod’s curse?” said Zachary.
“Ah, the family curse -- yes, I believe in it completely. Unfortunately I think that the universe has a way of evening the playing field. Oftentimes in human affairs great victory is followed by great defeat. This family, the Thurmonds, we have been quite successful. I think these personal tragedies are the universe’s way of reminding this family that we are mortal. Look at the Kennedy’s. The same thing happened to them. Victory after victory in the business and political arenas, followed by a series of heart-wrenching personal tragedies,” said Charles.
Zachary nodded.
“Why do you ask? Or rather, will the answers I am giving now also inform your decision as to who to recommend for the inheritance? I knew from Windsor’s testing that you had planned on giving racism testing, but I wasn’t aware that other factors would also take precedence in a decision,” said Charles.
“All aspects of the testing are confidential so I can tell you this now because John is still in the bathroom: it is important for me to gather a good case history on each subject that I test. My assessments are reliable and valid but the more interview information that is gathered the better. It will all be included in the final report. And by the way, I won’t be making a recommendation; I’ll just be reporting the facts. So I don’t know exactly how Windsor will make his choice. For all I know he could be looking for the most racist family member, the least, or the one right in the middle. Who knows?” lied Zachary, hoping this disinformation would filter its way through the family and the possibility of bribes, blackmail, or other stressful situations would be headed off from the get-go.
“Well, I hope to be considered seriously for the inheritance. Not for the personal vanity, but for the good that I could achieve,” said Charles.
“Windsor has told me that he would like nothing more than for this money to remain in the family,” said Zachary.
John returned from the bathroom, saying, “That was more impressive than our hotel.”
“Where are you staying?” Charles asked.
“The Ritz,” said John.
“Good to see that Windsor didn’t turn into a miser, though I guess this whole exercise in a way proves that he hasn’t…So as I understand we have two things to accomplish here. Photographs and testing – which will be first?” Charles asked.
“I will test you first,” said Zachary, turning towards John. “And I think John – what did you say to me on the way in – you want to look around and find a place that will make for a good shot?”
“Yes,” said John, and aft
er quickly clearing his throat, he added, “If possible Charles, I’d like to wander around your impressive home and use my photographer’s eye to find a location that will be flattering to both you and your home.”
“That is fine, though I assume that you have of course finished the sexual offender and criminal background checks by this point?” Charles asked.
“I’m sorry I haven’t had time to get to that email yet,” said John.
“Well, we can work that detail out now then. I’ll let you use my personal computer,” said Charles.
“Is this really necessary? I have to say that as a photographer I’ve never had to take a background check. I take pictures – that is all there is to it,” said John.
Charles moved closer to John, his expression suddenly sharp and he said, “My family hasn’t retained its wealth for generations by taking unnecessary risks, Mr. Perkins. So before you meet up to photograph any of my family members I’d like you to take that sexual offender and criminal background check. This is not personal Mr. Perkins. But the households of this family are replete with unimaginable valuables. If someone is going to be wandering I would like to know that they haven’t been convicted of theft. And also you will be working with children in the family and I want to be certain that you don’t have an appetite for any perverted indiscretions. One can’t be too careful these days… and I see how you are looking at me, and so I say for the record, here and now, and you can add this to your report Zachary, that this has nothing to do with the fact that John is an African American!”
“Doesn’t it? You’re telling me that you would accuse a white photographer of being a thief and a pedophile,” said John, bluntly.
“Watch your tone young man!” said Charles, his face suddenly red.
“Gentlemen, please. John, I completed my background checks 3 days ago. I didn’t bring the subject up with you because I figured you had already done it,” said Zachary.
“You had to complete sexual offender and criminal background checks?” John asked.
“Yes, I did. It took five minutes, no big deal,” said Zachary, after which the ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner of the room sounded, to his ears, suddenly noticeable.
“Charles, I’m sorry for the insinuation. Maybe it has just been all this talk of slavery and people with whips, but it has put me on edge. I reacted inappropriately and I apologize for that,” said John, holding out his hand.
Charles shook hands with John while saying, “And I apologize as well. Sometimes my temper just flares, a symptom of the financial life.”
“You’ve got a strong grip,” said John.
“Yes, I’ve heard that before,” said Charles, releasing John’s hand.
“Well, good, then it is settled,” said Zachary. “Charles, where is your computer? Let’s set up John and then we can go to a quiet room and begin our testing.”
“I’ll grab my lap top and be right back,” said Charles.
“I’m sorry to disappoint but I still don’t feel comfortable with the background checks,” said John.
“And why is that?” Charles asked.
“I’m a libertarian. Surveillance, no matter what the source, is something that I do not adhere to because it is inimical to my personal philosophy,” said John.
“Then this is a working relationship, Mr. Perkins that seems it is not going to work,” said Charles.
“Allow me to speak to my associate for a moment in private,” said Zachary.
“Of course, I’ll be one room over. To your left there is a bell, so when you are ready give it a jingle, but not too hard, as it is an antique,” said Charles.
Zachary nodded and waited for Charles to leave the room. “What the hell is going on here?”
“Like I said I’m a libertarian--.”
“You also told me that you were excited to get all this work. I had the idea that this job was something of a windfall for you. Why are you trying to mess it up?” Zachary asked.
“I’m not. I still want to do the job. But that doesn’t mean that I am going to discount my personal beliefs for the progeny of a slave-holder,” said John.
“Is that what this is about?” Zachary asked.
I hope that didn’t come out wrong…
“A little bit – this bastard makes no apologies for his barbarian kin, and has the fucking audacity to lecture me on racial progress. You know how many times I’ve been pulled over in the last year, for doing absolutely nothing?” said John, his previously whispered voice now rising. “And that is just the tip of the iceberg – racial progress my ass… and everything here, that stupid antique bell, these stupid Tuscan decorations were all provided by the broken backs of my ancestors, and he has the fucking audacity to insinuate that I’m the fucking criminal here? Slavery is a state of perpetual submission, and, no, I will not submit to these background checks!”
“John, I like you. I do. I’ve learned a lot about your family over the last day, and also your passion for your work. But you know that nothing in the world is perfect. Sometimes we have to compromise. So what if you don’t want to be this guy’s best friend? Honestly, Windsor gives me the creeps. But I have a massive mortgage to pay and I need the work. Compromise a little, take the background checks, and make some money. Your family will be thankful that you did,” said Zachary.
“Zachary I appreciate the pep talk. It isn’t just the libertarian thing,” said John.
“What is it?” Zachary asked.
“There might be something on my record. I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought this would all be necessary. But if there is something on my record I don’t want to ruin my reputation. My business is built on word of mouth. I can’t take the background test here. I need to talk to my attorney first,” said John.
“Okay, I understand. Ah, what do you think it might be?” Zachary asked.
“Nothing big, something that happened 30 years ago when I was 17, so I don’t even know if it will show up. But I will need to talk to my attorney in Baltimore,” said John.
“If it is not a big thing it might not matter even if it comes up,” said Zachary.
“If I were white, yes --but as an African American male these things become very touchy, very quick,” said John.
“Okay let me talk to Charles and we will see where we stand for today’s testing and photography,” said Zachary.
“Are you really going to ring that bell?” John asked.
“No, I’ll just go get him…”
Phone Conversation, 4 PM, Washington to Boston: As soon as Zachary heard the ringing of his cell phone, he expected the call to be from Windsor.
Perhaps John has already called him.
However, the call was Samantha. She wanted an update on testing progress.
“It went well,” said Zachary, choosing not to discuss the unresolved John-situation. “I haven’t had a chance to analyze the results. It appears that he might have been CMR positive so I implemented the contingency testing. But I will have to analyze the re
sults first. At this point it is still guess-work to be honest.”
“You know you should never say ‘to be honest’ because then people will suspect that everything else you have been saying is a lie,” said Samantha.
“Yes, of course I know that. But you are not ‘people’ and so I know you know what I mean,” said Zachary, peeved and hoping that she wasn’t about to launch into one of her personal-professional analyses of the romantic psyche.
“Well, the reason that I called is because…”
Please don’t be some preposterous new theory…
“…a corporation has finally contacted us again. It seems we might not be pariahs after all,” said Samantha.
“That is great news! So what is the job?” said Zachary.
If work keeps up maybe selling my house will no longer be a necessity…
“They want us to consult. They are looking for a program to ferret out which prospects with no sales experience will make the most effective sales people,” said Samantha.
“Great! That’s our specialty. How did they hear about us?” Zachary asked.
“I’m not sure. Do you want to come to the initial meeting with me, or should just Omar and I go? It is in Texas,” said Samantha.
“Texas! Our reputation must be spreading. I’m not sure if I will be able to make it. There are some Thurmonds who live in Texas so it is a possibility. But if not are you and Omar okay going alone – or as our Texas President once said – ‘Going it alone’?” Zachary asked.
“Very witty – yes that is fine. But there is something else I wanted to talk to you about but I am a little nervous to do so because Omar is in the next room,” said Samantha, her voice lowering to a whisper.
Here we go…
“Well if it is that kind of conversation maybe you should just wait,” said Zachary.
“I know,” said Samantha, still whispering. “Like I said I shouldn’t be saying this because he is in the next room, so I can’t talk too loud. But I would just like to say --.”
“Please not if he is in the next room,” said Zachary.
“That why do things always have to be more passionate when there is a degree of illicitness involved?” whispered Samantha.
“I know. I remember reading your passion study – what was it titled? Doing Wrong Feels So Right,” said Zachary.
Samantha hurriedly whispered, “Then you’ll understand why I need to say right now that lately when I been making love to Omar I’ve been seeing your face transposed onto his face, especially at the moment of orgasm, especially right then --.”
Has she been drinking from Windsor’s cup?
“Stop Samantha! Omar is a real person with real feelings and I am too. You cannot constantly apply these abstract principles to the people around you that you are supposed to care about and think that there will be no consequences!”
“Zachary, please don’t shout. Omar, might hear you --.”
“I’m hanging up. Call me tomorrow…”
A few hours later Zachary received a text from Jasmine. It read:
So Professor, have you made any vacation plans yet? I hope you haven’t forgotten our discussion. You see I not only hand out free advice I follow up on it. Jasmine.
Zachary replied:
Jasmine you are going to be disappointed in me. I have made no vacation plans yet. Work has been hectic but I know that is no excuse. I still plan to take your advice. Any suggestions of a good place to go?
Jasmine replied:
I find that it is best to just go on a whim. That makes the plane tickets more expensive but it is also more fun. I advise just opening up some free time in your schedule and then making a last minute split second decision. By the way, I had a lot of fun on our date because it was slightly adventurous and I’ve been thinking about you. It’s been really boring here! Why did you have to go away right after we had that cool date? Now I’m going to build you up in my mind and when I meet you again it is going to be such a major let-down. Jasmine.
Zachary replied:
Thanks for the continued advice. I seriously never would have thought of doing that. And no, your images of me are not an illusion, I really am as breathtaking as you remember. Zachary.
Jasmine replied:
Hahaha. And by the way: that was a really cruel trick, ordering me that drink and then never telling me the name. I want another. Jasmine.
Zachary replied:
That was all my ploy for getting you out a second time.
Jasmine replied:
Hahaha. Good night.
Washington: At first Zachary delayed calling Windsor because he did not want to endanger John’s job. However, the question had to be posed whether, without John, testing should continue.
But I don’t want to throw John under the bus…
When Zachary made the call Windsor immediately informed Zachary that John had already called, adding, “So he is slowing things down – what do you think the best course of action would be?”
Is this a test? To see if I am a phony and cannot work with African-Americans? To see if the person he has hired to weed out racist family members is a racist himself?
Of course not, he wants to eat black flesh for Christ’s sake…
“I don’t want to ruin his job opportunity here. But I would like to move forward with testing, and you are paying Dunbar and Associates a substantial sum of money, so I assume the expectation is not that I will just sit around and twiddle my thumbs,” said Zachary.
“Yes, I think that continuing with the testing is a good idea. Don’t worry, he won’t lose his job. It might take him a little while to get this settled though, so he will loop behind. You will no longer be staying together as he needs to go to Baltimore to get this matter settled,” said Windsor.
“Understood…”
Curiously, John had forgotten his camera in the hotel room. Zachary called John but there was no answer. Scrolling through John’s pictures, it seemed that he had been snapping away the moment he entered the house. In Zachary’s opinion, the pictures were horrendous: blurry, unframed, badly positioned, poorly timed, and dimly lighted.
Does this guy just get work because he is black and people want prove they are not racist by hiring the black photographer?
Stop, why would you think that? You probably just don’t understand his work…What would Jasmine think if she knew you were thinking like this?
Assessment Two: Alburt Thurmond’s Household
Alburt’s Relation to Windsor: Nephew
Address: 1714 Massachusetts Ave, Dupont Circle, Washington D.C., 20036
Phillip Narrative Tree Snippet:
Alburt Thurmond…son of Charles and Cindy Thurmond
B. 1972. Age: 36
Profession: Financial Industries.
It can’t be easy to be the son of a financial maestro like Charles, but Alburt pulls in off marvelously! I know that his work is second to none. And what is also second to none is his stunning wife Cathy! When she walks into a room heads turn and old men like me pine for earlier days! Alburt has also done well in fathering three fine children, Prestin, Dwade, and Hazel. Oh yeah, and when it comes to collecting sports cars can someone please call the doctor because this man has an addiction!
Prestin Thurmond…son of Alburt Thurmond and Cathy Thurmond
B. 1997 Age: 11
I see in Prestin the good character and proud citizen
ship of his father Alburt. Prestin is a boy who will never be satisfied with good enough. Prestin has already achieved three merit badges from the Gray Cliff Lodge! Prestin you are a boy who from great things will come!
Dwade Thurmond…son of Alburt Thurmond and Cathy Thurmond
B. 1998 Age: 10
What a fine young boy! He excels at sports, has already achieved his first merit badge from the Gray Cliff Lodge, and his school marks are impeccable! Dwade keep up the good work because you are on the path to great glory and riches!
Hazel Thurmond…daughter of Alburt Thurmond and Cathy Thurmond
B. 2002 Age: 6
In her eyes you see all the purity of the world! This dazzling child dazzles all who come within her sight!
Washington: Alburt Thurmond and his three children, Prestin, Dwade, and Hazel, all tested CMR positive. Alburt’s wife, as expected, tested negative. Although the magnitude of their positive results was clearly above the level of trace elements, it would be hours before Zachary had completely analyzed the results and could construct a graph. Oddly, when Zachary stated that both Prestin and Dwade’s results indicated racist tendencies, Zachary believed that he detected relief in Alburt’s expression. When Zachary told Alburt the positive results of his daughter Hazel, he could see no expression of relief. Was his poker face up at this point?
Zachary asked Alburt about Herod’s curse and Alburt waved it off as a silly superstition, saying, “Look at my boys -- healthy as lions.”
As Alburt prepared to leave for work, Zachary informed him that the results were non-conclusive because psychologists are still studying the ramifications of implied beliefs.
“So you are saying that your testing may have no value at all?” Alburt asked.
“Basically yes,” said Zachary.
“And yet it will be the basis to determine who will inherit 3.5 Billion. The world never ceases to amaze me,” said Alburt, with a whimsical smile.
Zachary qualified, “Scientists must heap on the proof before we can declare that a test is valid and reliable. What I am testing for is such a small population that it will be difficult to ever do this in accord with the stringent standards that science requires. Science, in general, tries to avoid placing too much emphasis on expert opinion, because expert opinion is just the opinion of one man or woman. However, in new areas of research, expert opinion is quite important – that is in areas where the research leg of evidence-based-practice has not had sufficient time to develop. This is just such an area, and thus my expert opinion does carry more weight than science would prefer.”
“I see. So what would you recommend?”
“You and your children have all tested positive for a strong strain of racism, and I can make therapy recommendations,” said Zachary, having decided at the outset not to get into revelations of thecannibalistic-murderous part, thinking that, if anything, it would outrage the Thurmonds and put an early end to his testing circuit.
No matter the facts, people seek, at all costs, to protect their egos…
However, in the interests of ethical disclosure, he did plan to inform them in the final report if they had any tendencies toward covert (i.e. dormant) CMR, and also to provide therapy suggestions for any family members who wished to grapple with the reality that they were carriers of a dormant trait with tremendously negative social implications.
After Alburt left for work Zachary interviewed his wife, Cathy, discovering that she was concerned about the behavior of her children, “I feel like my boys have grown up at such a young age.” She stated that Herod’s Curse was often discussed at family events, and that yes, she was concerned about this as well.
“What did your husband tell you?” Zachary asked.
“That it was a silly superstition and that it wouldn’t happen to our boys,” said Cathy.
“And what do you think?” Zachary asked.
“Well, the doctors can find no illnesses, and while I think it is a silly superstition, when a black cat crosses the street in front of me I take note. I wonder: is there some bad luck coming my way?” said Cathy.
“Thank you Mrs. Thurmond. You have been most helpful and you really do have a lovely home here…”
Before Cathy said goodbye she told Zachary that she wanted him to examine her daughter Hazel’s bedroom and led him upstairs. There she showed him Hazel’s toy box: it was filled with decapitated doll heads.
Having examined the heads, Zachary replied, “Sad to say, children commonly do this. It is often an early manifestation of dealing with body image, though admittedly this theory is up for some debate. It also could be something as simple as a desire to understand human anatomy. The sense of inquiry is the foundation of science and so she may show an aptitude for this discipline.”
“Well, there is something else, something I had hoped not to show you – but I think it will shed more light on the doll decapitations,” said Cathy.
“Well, what is it?” Zachary asked.
“Better you just see it,” said Cathy.
They walked in silence out of the house and into the woods immediately behind the garage. There, a small path took them about 100 feet into a pinewood forest. The ground, covered in pine needles, was soft. There were lush ferns here and there and Zachary thought it must be a wonderful place to play make-believe as a child.
“This is all our property,” said Cathy.
“Yes, it is very nice,” said Zachary.
“It was one of the main reasons we bought the house. We really liked the grounds…Ah, here we are,” said Cathy, stopping.
Zachary froze, shocked. The scene was markedly different from the idyllic pine forest in which it was contained: wooden spears had been stuck into the ground, and at the top, impaled doll heads.
“This was your daughter’s work?” Zachary asked.
“Yes, she freely admits it,” said Cathy.
“Why don’t you take it down?” Zachary asked.
“I have, three times,” said Cathy.
“Yes, this is more serious,” said Zachary, approaching the heads. He could see that in most cases the eyes had been plucked out. “Is she seeing a therapist?”
“Alburt won’t allow it. He said that he was violent as a child too. But that he grew out of it,” said Cathy.
“And what do you think?” Zachary asked.
“I think that she should see a therapist. I don’t think this is normal,” said Cathy.
“I agree. I don’t think this falls within the range of normal behavior for a 6 year old, or any age for that matter. If you like I could talk to Alburt about my recommendation that Hazel see a therapist. I could even talk to some colleagues in the area and see who would be best suited for this sort of issue,” said Zachary.
“And what exactly is the issue?” Cathy asked.
Either (a) your daughter is sublimating the fact that she wants to eat black flesh through the construction of impaled doll heads, which if true, though shockingly gratuitous, has achieved its aim of preventing an illegal and much more destructive behavior or (b) she has the underpinnings of major negative body issues, ones that will perhaps lead to the development of anorexia or bulimia in the early to late teens…
“It is tough to say, but it could be that your daughter has what could turn into some major negative body issues,” said Zachary, having decided to suggest the explanation that would be easiest for Cathy Thurmond to handle.
“Oh, no! Is it my fault?” said Cathy.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This is not my area of expertise. Furthermore, I still haven’t fully analyzed your daughter’s data. By the time I have written my final report I will have some better informed conclusions and recommendations,” said Zachary.
“I see. Well, if you could make those t
herapy recommendations in any case that would be great. That way I could get a head start,” said Cathy.
“What about the boys? How has their development been?” Zachary asked as they walked back to the house.
“Rocky, they were violent, lots of fights with each other and other boys,” said Cathy.
“And how has your husband responded?” Zachary asked.
“He disciplines them when they beat up another boy, or each other, but his basic attitude is, I would say: boys will be boys,” said Cathy.
“That must be frustrating,” said Zachary.
“It was,” said Cathy.
“What do you mean ‘was’?” Zachary asked.
“Well, as I said earlier my boys have grown up so fast. They are the pinnacle of mature and good behavior now. And as Alburt predicted they have grown out of their violent tendencies. There have been no incidents since they turned 10. Alburt says the same thing will happen with Hazel,” said Cathy.
“Well, maybe he is right,” said Zachary.
“Yes, maybe…”