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work there was my typical naivete. You know. I re-read YOUTH IN THE GHETTO, and I saw stark romantic naivete permeating the whole thing.
Well, hell -- that's it. Academicians should stay in the academic world, unless they're Pat Moynihans or -- well, no -- that's late -- or Galbraith, or -- you know, those who make the switch totally, such as Humphrey or Morse. There are a number of people who have gone from the academic world into the political world as a career shift, totally.
But I withdrew. And promised myself that I wouldn't get involved in anything like that any more. And as usual, broke those promises.
I mean, for example, the very next year, I think, -- I think it was Ray Jones, it must have been Ray, because no other politician would have recommended or nominated me for Regents. And in spite of Adam's general appearance of power, he persisted in under-estimating Ray. Ray Jones, you know-- because Ray still had the power in the New York area, community. And I came out of the HARYOU experience very close to Ray Jones. Not only because we shared the feelings about Adam. That was a factor. Because obviously, if he were still close to Adam in that fight, I'm sure he wouldn't jeopardize any relationship with Adam for any relationship with me, because I obviously had absolutely no power whatsoever.
But we came out of that relationship very close personal friends. And he will never admit it, but I'm convinced that he was the political force behind my election, first black member of
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