Lindenhurst resident Kevin Moore found inspiration for his book "Have You Ever Wondered Why Black People Do the Things They Do?" during a plane ride for a business trip. (Sandy Bressner photo)

Lake County Journals

20 July 2007

Breaking down barriers

By TARA CLIFTON - [email-masked]

LINDENHURST – Kevin D. Moore likes to talk.

This is something he states flatly, and it also is obvious after meeting him.

This trait gets him into many interesting conversations, he said, many of which take place on an airplane while he travels for his business.

Almost always, the talk turns to matters of black and white, Moore said.

For example, during one trip, the Lindenhurst resident sat next to  an inquisitive white woman. Eventually, she felt comfortable enough with Moore, who is black, to ask him why black people wear 'do rags.

He answered that many black men wear them to tame their wild curls into a flat, wavy style.

Moore said he has had so many of these exchanges, and such fascinating questions and answers, that his plane friends suggested he write a book.

"Did You Ever Wonder Why Black People Do The Things They Do?" was released in February. Moore uses conversational, witty language to offer his take on questions that most people are too afraid to ask.

Chapters are split into different questions such as "Why Are Black People Greasy?" or "Why Can't Black People Swim or Float?"

Taken at face value, the subject matter could be extremely offensive.

But Moore explains that the people who were brave enough to air their innocent curiosities meant no harm at all.

"[The book] is supposed to get thoughts going, get juices flowing, and people talking," Moore said. "The book is really designed to bring us together. If you're serious all the time, [we] can't loosen up."

Moore said he believes that black and white Americans are so afraid of offending each other that simple mysteries remain unsolved, making the divide between the two seem even larger.

Yes, some inquiries really did get under Moore's skin, he said, such as some travelers who couldn't understand why slavery was still such a "big deal" with black Americans.

But if nobody ever talked about these thoughts, Moore said, the issues behind the feelings would never be resolved.

"I feel I have a responsibility to help people understand," Moore said. "So I'm willing to be outgoing and talk to people. Somebody's got to do it.

"I'm just glad they are willing to ask and that they are willing to listen."