Re “God and Parents Made Forte the Right Choice”

In 1966, when native Texan James Forte, who is black, sought to join the all-white Culver City Police Dept. via a pass-fail test, he was told, to his surprise, he had failed.

While he was certain he had passed, he swallowed. “They advised me of what I needed to study in case I decided to take the test again,” said Mr. Forte.

As he straddled the greatest social upheaval in American history – when Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy were at their most influential, when many rowdies ruled – Mr. Forte, typically for him, did not challenge the leaders of the Police Dept.

He had been taught better. His religiously educated parents taught him moral values that were not fungible.

“I have always been humble, I have always been gentle,” said Mr. Forte.

“I always have known who I am.

“I always have known where I am going.

“I learned all of this from my parents in northeast Texas.”

In contradistinction to contemporary America, the 77-year-old Mr. Forte, who retired from the Fire Dept. 22 years ago, lives every day by his parents’ code:

“Love everybody. We are all the same.”

Sitting on a bench beside his interviewer, Mr. Forte did not have to convince any listener of his gentle-centric values.

If he ever needs corroboration, his life partner happily will testify.

Mr. Forte noted that as of yesterday afternoon, “at 2:30,” he had been wed to his beloved Jobie for 59 sunny years.

They are the parents of three who were taught the values of their father – and mother.

Therein reposes a story.

(To be continued)