Growing up in Berkeley, CA in the 80’s was a very unique and interesting experience. Berkeley (aka B-Town) was unlike any city on the planet! It was very diverse ethnic pool of individuals. To the average person not from Berkeley, when the city is brought up in a conversation, the first thing that comes to mind is “Hippies!” My world was miles away from that. We saw them when we hung out in Uptown Berkeley at Leopold’s (record store), or Silver Ball Arcade (remember those?), or got pizza from Blonde’s, LaVal’s or Empire State Pizza. I grew up in South Berkeley. Totally different world altogether! South Berkeley was full of Black Folks and not too many “Hippies” hung out there ….but I digress. I attended Berkeley High School. The background of young people who attended, their parents, and the instructors that guided and molded our future was, for the most part unbeknownst to me, until I was much older. I didn’t realize I was friends with the daughter of one of the founding member of Creedence Clearwater Revival, or the nephew of actor Art Evans, or the son of the owner of the legendary KC’s BBQ, right across the street from the legendary Fantasy Records Studio (who had recorded everyone from Lenny Bruce and Creedence, to the likes of Santana and Johnny “Guitar” Watson). Rumor has it that Patrice Rushen lived right down the street from me during a time she was recording at Fantasy. Rumor also has it that Marvin Gaye lived in a camper on Ward St. (also down the street from me) for a short period in front of the house of his very good friend (I digress again). BHS, although pretty tame in the 80’s, had “campus supervisors” called “Red Coats”. One of them (who was also the baseball coach) was Mr. Green. He was a favorite for many because he was even-tempered and very calm. I never knew about him or him background. I just remembered him for being very cool. Well, I found out about him over 3 years ago, the morning after a gig. A documentary came on HBO or Showtime called “Reverse of the Curse of the Bambino”. I learned The Boston Red Sox were the last team in the majors to integrate. I also learned when they finally did in 1959, the player was Mr. “Pumpsie” Green! WOW!!!! I felt like “you mean, this whole time, he was at BHS and I never knew? Did I miss my opportunity to thank him because just didn’t know my history?” That morning I vowed that if I ran into him again, I would bow to him and thank him for his contributions and courage! That was over 3 years ago, and today while in line at the credit union, a familiar looking “salt and pepper haired” gentleman and his wife spoke to me with their eyes. WAIT…..It was Mr. Green from BHS/The Boston Red Sox/The NY Mets! I must have talked a mile a minute, trying to explain who I was and thanking him all in the same breath. I felt the warmth of appreciation from him to me. As we parted ways, I tried to explain to the clerks who he was and they were just excited as I was! I was granted the gift of honoring a legend, as it truly was a gift. It was a very illuminating experience! It really brought home what I was taught by my brother Charles “Nat. T Prep” Douglas, “Just because people don’t wear who they are it on their coat sleeve, doesn’t make them less than.” Thank you Mr. Green! Enjoy!

P.S. see more on Mr. Green here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpsie_Green

Your Friendly Neighborhood DJ C.J. Flash