My mother taught me to judge others by the content of their character, just like the Good Reverend.
This is an actual photo of me with my baby doll.

This is a Good Thing

The little white Texas toddler

Bathes her black baby doll

With her mother's help.

She changes the baby’s clothes

By herself,

Bestowing kisses and hugs

On the doll, a gift,

And her mother says

This,

Is a good thing.

The young white six-year-old

Plays with the black girl,

Her same age,

Sharing her toys,

Knowing the other 

Has few,

And her mother says

This,

Is a good thing.

The 13-year-old white girl

And her mother wait,

Standing behind the black man,

Getting a drink

From the same common water fountain,

And her mother says

This,

Is a good thing.

The 18-year-old white college girl

Gets a summer phone call

From her black friend

And classmate, Patsy,

During vacation.

They talk for a long time

With frequent giggles.

Patsy is smart, beautiful

And so very funny,

And her mother says

This,

Is a good thing.

Fifty years on,

I still have the photo.

Of these events,

I still have my memories of them.

And I say

This,

Is a good thing.