Rooting for Plants: The Unstoppable Charles S. Parker, Black Botanist and Collector
Charles grew up surrounded by green green forests where conifers tickled the sky green banks washed by the rolling Spokane River and the lush everywhere green of Spokane Washington And like the winds over the green grasses of the Palouse Charles S. Parker moved fast
On the racetrack he drove his legs over the finish line and in the classroom his quick mind raced through homework and good books Folks called him brainy boy The brainy Charles came from a family of achievers a barber inventor a businesswoman a debater two champion athletes and a quick fingered pianist The talented Parkers believed in working hard and helping others
TIC Charles did both At twenty six Charles and his best friend started a newspaper they called the Citizen He wrote about life in Spokane and new jobs for Black workers
Charles raced around the city and its surrounding farmlands searching for news To Charles the Spokane countryside looked like a big green garden a garden that planted a dream Charles wanted to own a farm But in 1917 terrible news swept his dream aside The United States was going to war US IS AT WAR
