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The Almost-Black Phoneman : The Adventures of a Telephone Repairman in Los Angeles
The AlmostBlack Phoneman The Adventures of a Telephone Repairman in Los Angeles Author:Bill Bridges This autobiography is the memoir of a native Angeleno that utilizes a keenly observant detachment to illustrate the life of a utility worker in Los Angeles. Bridges is able to evoke the vagaries and observe the social stratification of life in the City of Angels from the unique perspective of the barely visible but ubiquitous "phoneman." ... more » As a light-skinned black in a diverse major metropolis, Bridges has been mistaken for Mexican, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, Samoan, Turkish and in one semi-comic episode, Arabic. This has placed him in the throes of some very interesting situations. What has also posed problems with his black brethren is his embracing all things Californian, including rock and roll, surfing, and an eclectic group of friends. This has earned him the label of "oreo", or when met by black approval, "almost black." His nontraditional behavior has alienated those who don't understand him, but his outsider status has given him a unique perspective from which to observe life and society. Bridges' style is that of a literary documentor, evoking scenes from various strata of lives, all connected by their need for telephone service. This book is more than a memoir, encompassing the totality of the human spirit of the City of Angeles. The elements of dark humor, a tragic love affair, class consciousness, sexual tension, fear, hostility and hope which wind through Bridges' episodic tales are evidence of the commonality of the experience of urban living. The author's paranoia, engendered by corporate mandate, had caused an initial distance between himself and the customers or "subs" whose phone service he provides. Over time, however, he saw each encounter as a unique opportunity to hear and understand the voice of others and the cities shifting demographics. In the 18 years that he has worked for the telephone company, he can claim to know Los Angeles and its people as well.« less