Everyone knew our last name and there was a great deal of respect that came with it. At least that's what I was led to believe. My paternal great-grandfather, Papa Jim, had a white father and a black mother. He owned his own business at a time when colored men did not own businesses. I might add that he was often mistaken for a white man. My great-grandfather gave many black families a chance to earn money to feed their families. Even though my great-grandfather was helpful, some people resented his success. This resentment was passed down through these families in the same way that heirlooms are passed down through the family.