Errol Uys Riding the Rails October 13, 2000 Back to main page

John West

Listen to a phone interview with John West (approximately 45 minutes) Windows Media | Real Audio

John West in his youth

John West today

When John West, a 17-year-old runaway from Texas, reached New Orleans he had 15 cents in his pocket. He walked along Canal Street wondering how to fill his empty stomach; the bright lights and people enjoying life didn't seem to hold out much hope for a hungry boy. Then he came to a poorly lit section of Canal that had few pedestrians. Here is an excerpt:

"I went into a small café and sat down at the counter. A waiter came over and I told him my story. 'Could he serve me something for 15 cents?' I asked.

"He told me to sit down at a table. He brought a plate piled high with food, including spicy black-eyed peas. It was the best meal I ever hooked a lip over.

"When I sat back to enjoy the feeling of being well-fed, I saw that I was the only white in the café. Cook, waiter and customers were all black, something I hadn't noticed in my hunger to eat.

"When I laid my 15 cents on the counter, I told the waiter the food had been very good.

"'That's what we always serve,' he said. He pushed my 15 cents back across the counter.

"I had tears in my eyes as I left. I couldn't help wondering what would have happened if a little black boy had showed up in a white café."