Jerry Salak – 50th Reunion Essay

Jerry Salak

835 Lincoln Place

Brooklyn, New York 11216

jerrysalak1947@gmail.com

917-554-3122

Spouse(s): Kathy Salak (1973)

Child(ren): Cristina Moore (1974); Michael Salak (1975)

Grandchild(ren): Kali Moore (2004); Ella Moore, (2007); Lexi Moore, (2010); Jack Salak, (2016)

Education: University of Pittsburgh, Masters, 1973

Career: High school history teacher, 40 years

Avocations: Fighting against racism and sexism and for a better world, tennis and photography

College: Silliman

Fifty years and I’m still fighting the good fight against racism, sexism, and imperialism. Being a history teacher, I know that change is the only constant and, as all previous social systems, capitalism will have its end. But the end of capitalism and the birth of a better world seems far off. I’ll have to pass on the fight to my children and grandchildren and their generations.

My daughter, Cristina, is happily married to Rodney with three girls, aged 7, 11 and 13. My son, Michael, is more recently happily married to Melanie with a son, Jack, who just turned one. Both are teachers and very much into volleyball, as are Tina’s girls, Kali, Lexi and Ella. Jack, I’m sure, will start volleyball soon.

My wife, Kathy, and I stay fairly busy in retirement. Recently we’ve been involved in a campaign to integrate the New York City public schools. New York City has one of the most segregated school systems in the country. Kali goes to a mainly Black and Latin school in a wealthy neighborhood in Brooklyn. The principal there has led a fight to integrate the school and that has gotten her in trouble with the Department of Education. Our liberal mayor is highly indebted to the city’s real estate interests and is not interested in school integration. But it was inspiring to see many well-to-do white parents join the very multiracial group of parents, teachers, and students fighting for integration. The struggle continues.

Since retiring I’ve done more traveling, both social and political. I went to Haiti to support struggling teachers. I met some incredible, young, revolutionary-minded students. I’ve never seen the poverty I saw there. Kathy and I went to Ukraine. Michael’s Russian volleyball buddy has connections in Kiev and made us some fantastic arrangements. We got a nice apartment in the heart of the city and a young college student was our guide. We took an overnight train to Lviv, where I have some family. Ukrainian-speaking Lviv was very different from largely Russian-speaking Kiev. We finished by relaxing on the beach in Odessa.

I went to Ferguson, Missouri, after the police killed Michael Brown, and young Black workers led a militant rebellion. The fight against racism in Ferguson sparked multiracial demonstrations of support not only in Ferguson, but in New York City and worldwide.

Kathy and I have been to Jamaica twice, a destination retirement party in Montego Bay, and a destination wedding in Ocho Rios. We went to Puerto Escondido for another destination wedding and were in Seattle for a family wedding. In 2018 we are heading back to Ocho Rios and then to Napa, California, for two more weddings.

I’m playing more tennis, swimming a little, doing some photography, even a little gardening. A little sad about the shitty state of the world, but every day I’m uplifted and inspired by my friends and family, especially the younger generation.