“fair-skinned”

from the archives of the Hugo A. Dubuque School, Fall River, MA.

the debate inside the smoky teacher’s lounge

centered around Frank Leo-Davis, a 6th grade student.

over fatty lunchmeat sandwiches and thermos soft drinks,

they debated whether Frank was racially black or white,

or more accurately considering the times; “negro” or white.

It was a casual discussion, as if centered around rye vs. pumpernickel,

but lacking any hint of potential retribution for Frank or for that matter,

of common sense for themselves.

the resolution found a middle-ground

among the lunchroom debaters, which was:

Frank adjudicated as “negro”...but “fair-skinned”.

Frank Leo-Davis was decidedly not

the kid he used to be after the debate, but not as

questionable a kid as he was perceived to be before the debate.

writ by his friend, William, an American of Italian-saturated

family parentage, and according to the parameters set by

the lunchroom gang of 1953...60% one or the other.