Westside Author Ron Diorio

"The West side was the best side. The houses we lived in were not the newest, but they were strong and kept us warm and safe. The roads were not the best paved but we all played together in them. But we had the best schools, the best teachers and received the best education. We grew up in a time in American History were a war, race riots and protest were seen on the news every day. But for you and I and the way we grew up together we are Dr. Kings I have a Dream Speech generation. Where little Black Girls and Boys played with little White Girls and Boys. Where you did not judge a person by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Growing up on the West Side of Pittsfield with the people I did taught me the greatest lesson I learned in life and through all my travels. And that is the Golden Rule, to treat others as I would want them to treat me. I do take pride in the fact that my Roots are buried deep in the West Side of Pittsfield, Mass."