Rodney Strader

Rodney Strader came from poor means in Virginia. He says his single mom did the best she could, but that sometimes it wasn’t good enough. He has three brothers and sisters, not with the same father.

Mr. Strader had an early interest in music, singing in the boys’ choir and playing the trumpet in school. But, instead of working to emulate the jazz greats he idolized, he ran with the wrong crowd, getting arrested for petty theft and assault.

SECOND CHANCES: "Everybody gets a second chance. I think it’s what you do with your second chance. What do you want to do with your life? I’m not complacent with this. I see bigger and better things in my life. I want to go back to work. I’m not happy with this.”

Rodney says he was wrongly sent to prison in Florida from a fight he had with a white colleague who was enraged that Rodney had a white girlfriend. He says he’s seen “two different laws” in the racist South, witnessed cross burnings and had a friend lynched who was dating a white woman. He’s also known Black on Black racism.

Early on Rodney rebelled against what he called his sanctimonious, righteous family, who gave money to the church. He didn’t’ think it was right that the preacher rode in a fancy car while his family had no lights or food. In prison, with no basic education offered, he educated himself on different religious doctrines, studying the Bible and the Koran.

Mr. Strader has moved from state to state, looking for a better life – Virginia, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina. He had a wife and lost a wife, had a home and lost a home. Rodney’s father died of alcoholism, a disease that Rodney himself has fought all his life. He’s been five years clean and sober. Right now, he says, he struggles with liver disease, hepatitis and psychiatric problems.

Rodney has two children he’s just starting to know and two grandchildren he hasn’t seen. He wants to get his health back, get back out in the world, and develop his musical talents. He calls his sound recorder, electronic gadgets and computer his friends. He finds solace and excitement in the music he’s making.