First of all, I'm 63 years old. You will understand the relevance.

Last year I connected with a cousin I had not seen since the 1960's. In a conversation, he mentioned that one of the things he remembered about me was that, when we were in our teens and with another cousin, I admonished that cousin for using racially disparaging language. I did not remember the incident, but I was not surprised to hear this, because at that age I was challenging racially disparaging language, often, among members of my family and extended family. There were a lot of heated, angry conversations, and more than a few times, I was accused of being a N lover. I didn't care. I knew racism was wrong, and I spoke up.

In the 1970's I was almost drummed out of a liberal organization when I suggested that the men running the organization resign and let the women take over. Everyone was taking about women's rights, so it seemed like a logical suggestion. Apparently not, and I was amazed at the anger this suggestion caused. I didn't care. Dr. King, Jr. had shown us the path, and I was determined to travel it.

Fastforward to 2008. I wrote a book that described a camp designed to preach abstinence but also to familiarize teenagers with condoms, diaphragms, patches, and other forms of birth control. I have received more than a few comments from reviewers suggesting that such a camp was not believable. I don't care.

I stood against racism as a boy and gradually changed my family's attitudes. I stood against sexism as a young man and saw my country gradually let women be all they can be. I'm an old man now, but I still have things to say, and one of them is that it is time to accept that urging young teenagers to be sexual abstinent and teaching them about all forms of birth control is totally compatible. That is one part of Surviving the Fog I would never change.