I think some of the best public speakers of the past and today, are Martin Luther King, Jr; Billy Graham; Margaret Dole, the wife of Senator Bob Dole.  I think Margaret Dole is one of the best public speakers ever.  I remember when her husband was runnying for President of the United States...Margaret got up at the Republican Convention, and got the microphone, and dazzled the crowd and millions on television with her speaking ability.  She made it seem so easy.  (darn her) 

What makes Margaret Dole special, is that she has that cute southern 'twang' already in her voice, which makes her an exceptional speaker.  I could listen to her talk all day and night. 

My problem with public speaking came early in my life, as, a Hispanic, I was born and lived in the 'barrio' in the worst part of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  My family lived about 3 houses from the railroad yards, and where hobos were the norm, and looking over your shoulder was a norm, too.  A tough neighborhood, filled with gangs; prostitutes; drug dealers, winos...and those were the neighbors...Hobos would jump off the trains and comb the neighborhoods, looking for food and money...

For those of you around the world, who are not familiar with Albuquerque, New Mexico, I will put it on the map for you.  Albuquerque and New Mexico, are located in the southwestern part of the United States...bordered by the states of Texas; Arizona and Colorado.  New Mexico's main industry is hospitality, as toursim is New Mexico's leading industry.  We also offer our guests and visitor's electricity; running water and indoor facilities for your convenience. 

My problems started when I was born.  The doctor didn't slap ME...he slapped my MOTHER  for having me!  Hee hee... I stole that joke from Rodney Dangerfield or was it Milton Berle?  Maybe, it was Pee Wee Herman...

In the family household, Spanish was never spoken, except between my parents.  All ten kids always spoke English at home.  I was the only kid who spoke Spanish, and I spoke a combination of Spanish and English...or Spang-lish.  Speaking Spanish in the neighborhood, may have been my downfall, because I developed a terrible Spanish accent, and I would pay for it in the classroom.

I grew up in this neighborhood for about 14 years, and the problem of speaking well, was not a problem, because I think everyone in the neighborhood spoke poorly.  The neighborhood consisted of mostly Hispanic and Black families...and, nobody gave a damn about speaking well.  Whenever I gave an oral book report...I was lucky if anybody ever heard it...most of the kids were usually asleep in class, anyway.  

The problem of public speaking turning into a nightmare, in 1957, when my father moved my family out of that dreadful neighborhood and into a white neighborhood, where speaking well was an issue.  I was in the 7th grade at the time of the move, and that was an age when teenagers would crucify you for any reason.  My deep Hispanic accent that I brought with me, was laughed at by the white kids.  

My first oral book report was a disaster!  I have never heard so much laughing at just about every word that came out that awful day.  After that dreadful oral book report was over, I swore to myself, that I would never give another oral book report again.  That notion hurt my grades in middle school and on into high school and even in college.  I was just reluctant to get in front of an audience, regardless what the reason.  It could be a round table discussion; an oral book report; or answering a problem that was placed on the black board, etc.  I just had trouble speaking in public... 

The inability to speak English well, haunted me throughout middle school; high school and on into college.  Not being able to speak, was a monkey on my back, that I swore during my lifetime, that I would make good one way or another.  My grades suffered because I was not able to speak publicly...and I had to make up the grades some place else. 

Year after year, I had to work on my English, and it has always been important to me to speak well.  I may not be able to get up in front of the class to speak...but, I wanted to speak and later on, write well, too. Throughout school, I've always done well in English.  Even in college, I brought back good grades in English class.  Put me in front of a class...and I'm a bowl of dried oatmeal...

I hate public speakers...they make everything look so easy...

I don't hate public speakers...I admire them, because they can do something I cannot do.  I placed this article under the category of 'psychology,' because, those of us who have this 'stage fright' problem is a psychological problem.  Throughout school, I DID get up in front of the class and give oral book reports, but it was torture and a circus.  I usually got poor grades on the masterpiece, and I usually had to make up the grade someplace else. 

I got through Jackson Middle School, and then I went on to Sandia High School, which was going to make me or break me.  You see, Sandia (watermellon in Spanish), was the biggest school in New Mexico at the time (3,300 students) and, academically, it was ranked #2 in the state behind Los Alamos High School, where all the scientists and engineers live. 

I knew this was going to be a tough road...as Sandia doesn't lower its standards.  I stumbled through the classes giving terrible oral book reports that were laughable, and I was teased and made fun of although high school. 

Finally...after three years...it was graduation time, and my graduating class was about 550 students.  As I put on my red cap and gown that joyful night, I was so proud, and I graduated last in my class...summa cum lousy...BUT I graduated!   My poor showing in class, was the fact that I did so poorly in public speaking and giving oral book reports, etc.  I was never a good student...and, I think some of it was because I made poor grades in public speaking.  After graduating from high school, I then went on to Highlands University and the University of New Mexico...I must be crazy...

One thing is certain...I admire people who can do public speaking...see ya...

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