Tom Bradley is an American politician who for twenty years (1973-1993) served as the mayor of Los Angeles. As a representative of the black population, he paid much attention to the fight against interracial intolerance. He made a huge contribution to strengthening the financial well-being of the city. California historian Kevin Starr gave him this characteristic: "Tom Bradley was the greatest public figure. I do not know anyone who would have a great gift of reconciliation and healing."
Biography: childhood, family, school years
Thomas Bradley was born December 29, 1917 in a poor peasant family living near the city of Calvert, Texas. His parents worked on rented land, and gave part of the harvest to the landowner. Tom's grandfather was a slave. In search of a better life, the family moved to Arizona to pick cotton. Of course, little Bradley was also attracted for feasible help.
In 1924, a relocation followed again, this time the family settled in Los Angeles. Father got a job on the Santa Fe railway, his mother worked as a maid. Many years later, Tom Bradley recalled how, after the divorce of their parents, they lived for some time on state aid. In addition to him and his older brother Lawrence, three more children remained in the care of his mother - two younger sisters and a brother. In addition, one of the girls - Ellis - was ill with cerebral palsy.
While studying in primary and secondary schools, the boy often heard that he had no reason to go to college. However, his fate was determined by the sports successes that Tom demonstrated in the classroom at the Recreation Center next door to his home. There, a guy was noticed by Ed Leahy, a track and field coach at the Polytechnic High School. By his patronage, Bradley went there to study, although black people in this educational institution were not respected.
Despite the difficulties and racial prejudices, in a new place Tom became a real star. He led the school athletics team, showing outstanding success in running, long jumps and relay competitions, playing for the football team. For his outstanding sporting achievements, Bradley was admitted to the Ephebians National Honor Society. In addition, he was elected president of the Poly Boys' League school organization. Prior to him, none of the black students did not seek such recognition.
Student years and the beginning of a career
Thanks to a sports scholarship, Tom Bradley has the opportunity to continue his studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. He entered there in 1937 and joined the Kappa Alpha Psi student fraternity, which supports African-American youth. During his studies, Tom worked part-time as a photographer with the American comedian Jimmy Durante.
In 1940, Bradley dropped out of college for admission to the Los Angeles Police Department. At that time, racial prejudice was still strong in American society. This was reflected in the overwhelming advantage of white cops over black ones: out of 4, 000 employees, only 100 were African-American. Despite the status of a representative of the law, Bradley often refused to serve in the shops, hotels and restaurants of the city. The duties of black police officers were limited to patrolling only two districts, and they were never assigned with white partners. In the police, Tom Bradley rose to the rank of lieutenant and in 1961 resigned. Shortly before his dismissal, he graduated from Southwestern Law School, and soon began to practice law.
Personal life
Tom Bradley met his future wife Ethel Arnold at the New Hope Baptist Church. Their wedding took place on May 4, 1941. The couple raised two daughters - Lorraine and Phyllis. Another daughter of the couple after birth did not live a day.
Tom and Ethel did not spend much time together. The head of the family worked hard, almost seven days a week. But rare joint evenings turned into a holiday for them. According to the memoirs of Lorraine Bradley, his father liked helping his mother in the kitchen with cooking and washing dishes, and at least once a week they found time to play cards.
For many years, Tom Bradley's personal drama was the fight against the addiction of his daughter Phyllis. She was arrested several times and even detained for six months.
