When David A. Paterson was denied a summer job after his junior year of college, it was not because he was African-American.
Rather, explained the prospective employer, himself a civil rights activist, it was because he thought that Paterson, blind since infancy, would be unable to pack lunches for day campers.
At age 19, Paterson concluded that school was useless since no one would hire him.
Paterson later attended a living skills program for blind people. Instead of finding empathy, however, Paterson was shocked by some of the racist remarks made about African-Americans.
The two experiences initially left Paterson hostile and bitter. But he also felt empowered, as if fate had provided him with a heightened perception of humanity and an opportunity to foster understanding.
At age 31, in 1985, Paterson entered the New York State Senate, where today he serves as Democratic Leader. "I remembered that feeling of being isolated," he said.
"I wanted to find people who felt excluded and, through the arm of government, invite them to be part of things."
