"Rush" by Lisa Patton

Freedom and the ways of the heart are the soul of this book. "Rush" is filled with togetherness, friendships, loyalty, generosity and hope. It's a story about how our past shapes our future but doesn't have to. It's about learning what's really important and going for it. It's about doing for others because, in doing so, you're actually doing something for yourself. It warms your heart. This brings light to the lives of the house staff who, in all reality, are the amazing people who make the sorority house a place of welcome and love. Life in a sorority house provides feelings of being wanted, needed and appreciated. So, would you do something big for another? Would you change the laws so that others have the same gems in life as you? Life is filled with hatred. Life is filled with love.

I interviewed Lisa. Hi, Lisa.

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. I am honored.

I’m honored! Thank you for inviting me!!

I have a few questions for you:

1.  How did you come up with the idea of writing a book about how the black people are treated differently in the south?

As you know, race relations in the South are an on-going issue. For me, it’s always been a sensitive subject because I was raised in the 60s and 70s in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King had been assassinated in my hometown, the Klan had marched on several occasions and the city’s children were bussed across town to attend public school – a resented attempt at integration from both sides. Many white families, regardless of their socio economic status employed black domestic workers. I fell in love with the ladies who worked for my family and also my friend’s families. Oftentimes they were kinder to me than some of my own people. RUSH is a love letter to the women who loved and cared for me, both in my home and in my college sorority house.  

2. I read that you attended the university and spoke with many people about the subject at hand. Did you meet with a lot of resistance? Were the people happy to help you?

Actually my alma mater is the University of Alabama. I only chose Ole Miss for the setting because Oxford has a more charming backdrop. I went back and forth on which location was best for my story, but it would have been the same story on any campus in the South. I spoke with all kinds of people – collegians, sorority alums, housemothers and most importantly, a lady who worked for a sorority house for several years. Many of the people were willing to be acknowledged as they agreed with my sentiments. Others who agreed with me still preferred to remain anonymous. I’m sure the resistance is yet to come. As far as the story goes it was important to me to paint a picture of redemption and hope. I believe racism is passed on from generation to generation. People act as they’ve been taught. In RUSH, I compare racism to a weed. It never stops reseeding itself until someone decides to pull it out by the roots and destroy it once and for all.

3. Are you worried about the ramifications of writing about Black America in the South? Yes and no. When I learned about the lack of living wages and benefits among the Greek staff members, who are predominantly black, I felt, without question, an overwhelming sense that I was there in that moment for a reason. I felt like God was calling me to write the story. Ironically I’m a people pleaser and stray away from conflict. Never would I sign up for controversy but that’s how much I believe in the hope for change. Plus the book took much longer than my others and I’ve experienced all kinds of conflict on the road to publication. I’m spending my own money to promote the book so all combined this is not a moneymaker. It’s my heart telling me I have to keep going. The biggest resistance is that I’m a white lady writing from the point of view of a black lady. Some have stated that Miss Pearl could not and does not exist today. That is simply not true. I know people exactly like her. The majority may be unlike Miss Pearl and I don’t profess to have gotten everything about her culture perfec,t but God knows I tried and my heart was in the right place. There are still many black domestic workers in the South and I know several of them personally. 

4. As a northerner, I see people as people. I was shocked at how there is still segregation issues to this extent. When you wrote the book, did you realize that all America does not know about this issue? I can say, for myself, that I am appalled. I see the book as an eye opener for all of us.

While racism definitely still exists here in a big way, I believe it’s all over the country. Perhaps it’s more covert in the South. I’m glad to know you don’t experience it where you live, though! My antagonist, Lilith is a bit of an exaggeration. I did that on purpose since she wasn’t a point of view character in the story. Although she would have racial bias in her heart, I’m not sure she would allow people to see that dark side of her in real life. Maybe some people would but most would not.

5. I LOVE how you wrote about hope and helping the staff. I LOVED the characters and would love to walk up the steps of The House and see it for myself. It's a land of change. Just what we need.

Thank you, Judy. Your words mean the world to me and make me think I’ve accomplished my goal! This is exactly what I was hoping to hear from my readers. 

6. I read that you almost did not finish the book. I am SO grateful that you did! You put together a story that moved me.

You’re right. I almost threw in the towel! Steven Pressfield, the author of THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE has written an entire book called THE WAR OF RESISTENCE. He talks about the blocks that are thrown in a writer’s path when he or she is writing. It seems to be worse the more important the work is to the writer. All kinds of things happened while I was writing RUSH and they are still happening! I’ve had to gird my loins and strap on a coat of thick armor. People have different tastes when it comes to literature. Not everyone likes every book. I understand that. What I don’t understand is a person who sits behind a desk wearing a computer mask, and slashes a writer’s work to pieces. To me, that’s cruel, and unnecessary. There are so many ways to get in touch with authors these days. If someone doesn’t understand something they should send that author a note and give her a chance to explain.

Lisa, I LOVE your book and look forward to reading more of your work.

Again, Judy, thank you. These are the words I’ve been living for! The best takeaway I could hope for is that people would read RUSH and understand that no matter the circumstances we can all use our voices to effect change.