THE LIVINGSTON PAPERS

An unfortunate individual, Airman Kerry, finds himself accused of larceny, Communist leanings, involvement in drugs, and most serious of all, homosexuality. He swiftly becomes entangled in a web of tenuous evidence, shakey gossip and downright lies which, if proven against him successfully in court, would result in his dishonorable discharge from the Air Force and his being denied American citizenship. All this because he may have had a simple sexual experience with another man. It becomes clear that war is an 'American activity' but love is decidedly 'Un-American'. The Ancient Greeks saw war and love as part of the same necessary order of life, whereas today, the complex military structure denies all personal expression of feeling, subjecting the individual to the State’s uncompromising ideal of Manhood.

Thomas Ralph Tindall arrived in the world, specifically the Springfield, Missouri, part of it, with a new snow fall. It was December 23, two days before Christmas, 1927. Calvin Coolidge was president, the Yankees had shut out Pittsburgh 4-0 in the World Series, prosperity had some time yet to run. Dr. Clark delivered the child.

Tom attended Lincoln Elementary, Junior and Senior High School in Springfield beginning in 1933. The school was segregated and just two years old. Breaking precedent, Tom was elected student body president both his junior year and his senior year. He graduated first in his class, and his valdictorian's address, "The Negro and Social Equality in America," was followed by a standing ovation.

While studying at Berkeley, Tom worked for Bob and Carol Sibley as cook and major-domo. Bob was president of the University of California Alumni Association. The Sibleys and their children became lifelong friends. At Berkeley Tom was active in the Newman Club, serving as president of the club in 1954 while Father Francis G. Quinan was director and ultimately receiving the Cardinal Newman Medal. Tom was also a member of the Drama Club and the Scouting fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. The last three weeks in July every summer were spent working at the Bohemian Club in their grove at the Russian River. Through 1959 Tom continued at Berkeley doing graduate work in special education.

In 1954 Tom started at Livingston High School, where he was head of Special Education. He was also Scout Master of the Livingston troop. In 1960 he moved to the Sacramento schools, teaching Special Ed in Lincoln Junior High School In 1962 he returned to the Bay Area., accepting the position of Head Teacher at Homewood Terrace, a private Jewish secondary school in San Francisco. Some years after Homewood Terrace became part of the San Francisco Unified School District, Tom moved on to James Lick Junior High in Special Education. He made one final move to Portrero Middle School, near his home, before he retired in 1991.