About Melba

Welcome to my blog! I grew up in a small Southern textile town in what is called the Piedmont of North Carolina in the 1950s and 60s, the daughter of a Baptist minister. Historians use the word “boom” to describe a lot of things about the 1950s: the booming economy, the booming suburbs and most of all the so-called “baby boom.” I am a “baby boomer.” Those were “boom” years for some of us, but not for everyone. Then came the 60s and 70s, a time of great social change that often turned to violence. Being blessed with parents who were socially aware of the issues of justice and equality, I also became well aware of social issues at a very early age. 

I left the small Southern town to attend Mars Hill College, a small Baptist college in the mountains of North Carolina. The Appalachians were an area of great poverty. I was shocked to see firsthand the hidden poverty that went mostly unnoticed and how generation after generation walked the same path. My first college roommate was from a small hollow hidden away in Madison County. Going home with her was like going back in time. The income gap in this country continues to widen today. We must level the playing field.

 Upon college graduation, I went to teach in another small town in rural South Carolina where I finally had the opportunity to put my beliefs into action. The Federal government had set the minimum requirement for desegregation as having one white teacher in a black school and one black teacher in a white school. I volunteered. It changed my world and I believe it changed the world of my students. Some people mistakenly believe we have reached racial equality, but we have not. The fight continues.  

A few years after the Stonewall Riots of 1969, I moved to New York City and attended NYU graduate school. Once more, I was thrust into a social revolution and experienced first-hand the beginning of the struggle of the LGBT community for justice and equality. I had gay friends who could not go home. The AIDS epidemic struck that community and no one seemed to care.  Their battle for justice and equality continues today. We fight for marriage equality, a cure for AIDS, social acceptance and respect for our trans friends.

After over 30 years in public education in high poverty schools, I now teach adjunct classes at a community college where I have a lot of international students. Immigrants came to America mostly for economic reasons, religious rights, or to escape war, famine, or unrest in their homelands. Now, the Trump administration’s harsh rhetoric and threats, instills fear in this community. Once more, we are thrust into another battle for justice for all people.

If there was ever a time to stand up for human rights, now is the time. Silence is not an option for me. Silence means consent. The world is in turmoil. This is a time when we need all hands-on deck.  As Hillary Clinton recently said, “Never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”  For these reason, I have decided to blog about some of my life experiences that led me to never stop fighting for social justice. I hope that my memories and experiences help you. We are in this together.

The Basics: I earned a BS in Education at Mars Hill University and M.Ed at NYU where I also worked on a PhD. I attended Winthrop University for Administrative Certification. I am married and have two adult children, a step son and two other young adults I have “adopted” who are a very vital part of my life. I spent over 30 years in public education, all in Title 1 schools.  I retired from public education as the facilitator for a magnet program for gifted children in a high poverty neighborhood.  I now teach adjunct classes in Developmental English/Writing at Central Piedmont Community College.  Hobbies are hiking, gardening and reading.
Active Memberships:  Vice President of Charlotte NOW, ACLU, NAACP, Healthcare Justice, Americans for Separation of Church and State, United We Dream, National Wildlife Federation
Volunteer: Here To Stay, Latin American Coalition 

Contact Information:

Email: melsevans123@gmail.com or melsevans@yahoo.com Facebook: Melba's Musings
Available to speak at local events.