My brothers (Colston and Cody) and I attended Chambersburg Area Senior High School in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. They were upper classmen; both of them excelled in sports (e.g., football, baseball, basketball, etc.); and both were very strong.
I'll never forget the many things Colston did for me, but I will share one memory at this time. Picture it. The year was either 1953 or 1954. I was the only African-American in one of my classes. I forgot his name, but a heavy-set, tall bully sat at the desk in front of mine, a bully who regularly called me the "N" word, made other racial slurs, pushed and shoved me, and even punched me occasionally whenever the opportunity presented itself. I could not tell our mother what was happening at school because I was afraid that she would go berserk, come to high school and thrash the bully, the teacher, and anyone else who dared to interfere during her tirade. However, I finally told Colston about my ongoing trouble, and he solved it.
Colston told me he would stand in the doorway of my classroom the following day shortly before the class was dismissed and he instructed me to tap the bully on the shoulder at that time and deliver a message.
Well, Colston, who (figuaratively speaking) had muscles of steel, appeared in the doorway and I followed his instructions. The bully turned around sharply and barked at me: "Why are you touching me, "N"? I smiled, proudly pointed to Colston and gleefully relayed the message, which was: "That's my brother, and he said he would kick your butt if you ever bothered me again." Colston rippled the muscles in his arms and chest and glared menacingly at the bully, who actually trembled with fear, averted his eyes, and lowered his head. From that point forward the bullying and namecalling ceased--all because of Colston.
Eposi.....Thank you so much for honoring Colston here on the internet. This is a beautiful memorial. I've always admired what Colston has done for the people. I remember once, while taking his class, he gave me the assignment of writing an essay on Africa. In that essay I wrote that it was my destiny to work towards building a unfied Africa, under the banner of Pan-Africanism. I wrote that it would be a powerful Africa that would take control of its resources, using them to remove poverty from the continent, and then the diaspera. After reading my essay, Colston told me that I was someone special. That I was an asset to our people, and that he'd hope that I could accomplish that goal. His words gave me a strength that still reside with me today. Colston will always hold a special place in my heart. He was special to us, and now that you've posted this memorial, others can learn (somewhat, because they didn't have the pleasure of meeting him) how special he was by reading about him. Colston was one of the greatest minds that God could have ever brought to this planet.
Ngeke on his first day of life; happy/proud parents.
Enjema (Mima) was baptised at Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church in Richmond California. 1976.
Colston at the International Christian University in Japan
Sister Naomi, Cousin Sandra, Bill and Pippa, 1980 in Albany California
We were invited to a barbecue in Richmond. Around 1973
One of the last pictures taken by the family in 1988.
This was when we were leaving our wedding reception at Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church in Richmond California, family and friends were joking and we smiled.
While friends were gathered at a surprise baby shower when Colston and Eposi were expecting our first born Ngeke, Coslton was very excited, he was cracking jokes at the shower in Albany University village housing for Berkeley students. 1973.
Photograph of Wedding Reception @ Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church Richmond California 1973 with sister Diane, Mr/Mrs Masango, Mr Ndah
"Sister Mojoko,when you get to london, try to make arrangements with the doctors
in the hospital there to bring sister Enjema's husband here in the states so that Eposi and I can take care of him". AS usual, having concern for family members alike. You felt disappointed the doctors refused. I always remember with much
amusement how you tried to be a martch maker between Iand the guy from
zimbabwe. Iremember the comic expression on your face when I said "No I no like him because the sink in his kitchen was very dirty and nuseating and other
negative excuses. "booming laughter" That apart, our visit to your cooperative
store ,where you proudly introduced me to the staff. You and Eposi organised a wonderfull welcome party for me. That was the first time in my life I had an
open thank you and appreciated guesture by inviting acrowd because of me. It
was WONDERFULL. I always feel amused when I remember the day Ngeke carried Tanya on his bike and they had a fall. We had a good laugh when you
looked from Ngeke down there to Tanya right up there. Remember the way you drove us to the airport when Iwas going to San Diego.Men that was real film
driving on the famous golden gate bridge,however I still missed my flight. I was
amusing bcause my luggage went and I was left behind and you had to call
brother Mbella not to live the airport at the other end because Iwill be in the next flight coming. You had to live Eposi and I at the airport because yu had to go and pick up the children from the school. Do you know that Eposi and I had a GIANT HOT DOG EACHAFTER YOU LEFT?. AND THAT YOU ADVISED HER WHERE AND WHAT BUS SHE HAD TO TAKE BACK HOME? Yah!!! It dawned on me that perhaps just perhaps that , that was her first ride alone by public transport or was it? It could be because you were always protective to all you came in contact with
