I'll fix it to your approval

 I'll fix it to your approval




      Just another mundane experience that Greg turned into a life lesson on racism in Los Angeles. He was heading up the fairly new Santa Monica freeway in his Datsun when suddenly traffic slowed quickly and a big Cadillac banged into him from behind. They managed to reach the shoulder where Greg met the slightly inebriated Larry Brent, an older black man who was apologetic but not wanting police involvement. Greg was always an open-minded man and he listened to what Larry said as he assured Greg he could fix the damage without getting an insurance company involved. It was at that time that Larry Brent said in a beseeching tone "I do a little bodywork on the side...I'll fix it to your approval!"  However, by the time the cars were off the freeway lanes a highway patrolman was on the scene and took charge of the situation before Greg could answer the gentleman. The cop immediatelay blamed the man of color and brusquely ordered him to stay away from Greg and stand by the patrol car shouting "Alright Mr. Brent...that's enough!". Poor Mister Brent knew he was in trouble but he also appeared to have experienced police vs. black man in LA. and it was highly doubtful he had insurance to cover the damage. This was back before you had to have insurance to register a car and there were many a poor driver out there throwing the dice of  car accidents. Greg was sympathetic but unable to do anything but watch the law handcuff the old fellow and put him in the back of the squad car. A lonely old Cadillac El Dorado was left on the shoulder to be towed to some crooked lot where Larry would probably be unable to pay the fees. Greg always talked about the event as an example of how the cops just assumed the black man's guilt before even looking at the facts of the accident. Greg most probably went over the J.M. Taylor Oldsmobile on Long Beach blvd. where a fine man named Myron Ray would repair our cars at a fraction of the cost because he was a good pal of BC's. Greg drove that Datsun across the country and did not stop until I lead him down a one way street in Whittier where he got t-boned and that is for another story.




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