“THEY” Cripple Society Volume 2: Who are “THEY” and how do they do it? An Expose in True to Life Narrative Exploring Stories of Discrimination. Cleon E. Spencer

some consideration, he thought that perhaps he could get through to her over a period of time, and without interfering with her zeal and initiative he could steer her into being a compatible officer of the church. When a new chairperson of the board was needed, she was, in Durwin’s opinion, the most effective prospect. There really wasn’t a non-belittler willing to take it on. They were mistakenly feeling inferior to the proud and belittling power and control people. Durwin recommended her and she was elected to the office. Perhaps, thought Durwin, where the belittlers on the board won’t cooperate with me, they may cooperate with her, and we will get improvement in some things at least. In future, I will refer to this woman simply as the chairperson.

      “It became obvious that it was a big step for the new chairperson. She was nervous and awkward at her first meetings. Durwin gave her pointers and coaching about conducting meetings and about her duties as chairperson. This he did unobtrusively through brief conversations, often just a word or two here and there, and in ways unnoticed by others. She learned from it and soon was doing the basic task well, but in time showed even less desire to align her work in cooperation with the minister’s plans for the church. To use an analogy, she became more like an immature and overly prideful adolescent who was rebelling and becoming more independent than was good for her or her family. In this case the family was the local church. Later, she would actually turn on Durwin.