The Unlikely Relationship

This book describes a mentoring relationship that began in 1999 between a forty-year-old, white, upper-class physician and an eight-year-old African American boy from the inner city. It is told in parallel; we each wrote our recollections without reading each other's. This was done so that neither of our writings would influence those of the other. In some cases, the memories actually differ or even conflict. This is exactly the point that the book hopes to convey. Due to our background and environments, we viewed the same events differently, sometimes creating very conflicting memories. This is central to the misunderstandings people often have with one another, as well as those that whole groups may have with one another. It is especially true of the divide that exists between our races today. We must try to see, to experience, and to feel something from a totally different perspective than our own. We hope this book encourages the reader to reexamine relationships between individuals and groups in their own lives from a new perspective, and experience the transformation that can result.