"In the meantime there was a very sweet young man whom I did like. His name was Robert and he played football and his father owned the hardware store. They were one of the few families that had a little bit of money. The problem was, Robert was white. My brother caught us kissing behind the store and ran to my father."

"Two nights later Robert was jumped by several of my brother's friends and put in the hospital. I was beaten as well and was accused of being a black whore who wanted to be used by white men. After that I never bothered to leave the house, the...