Can’t We All Just Get Along?: The Paul Dysart Story

by Paul Dysart, Kelli Schmidt-Bultena

Paul Dysart, Sr. has lived a life filled with experience, both complicated and colorful. The story begins with his family’s move from an all-Black neighborhood in Kansas to a predominately white community in South Dakota. Sioux Falls is where he recalls the many firsts that occurred for first Black family to attend the Catholic Church (1946), first Black man to work at John Morrell’s (1964), the first Black Realtor in South Dakota (1978). The story is also comprised of complicated family affairs, divorce, prison and pardons.It is in the messy reality that one is able to uncover what is important — the lessons about welcoming family, voicing your truth and sharing love. As Paul often says, “Why can’t we all just get along?”

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2020

Reviews

[Jennifer Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good and interesting story, definitely not what I thought his life was going to be like. Crazy with lots of twists and turns.

The book itself is not written very well though…typos and grammar errors and just overall not good writing. It felt like it was written by a high schooler and then not proofread by the teacher before turning it in. Not the most coherent reading at times and it felt like the story would jump around, with events not always in chronological order. Characters/places/events weren’t always the best introduced or explained.

Very interesting man though and I recommend reading it, especially if you are from South Dakota.

[Mikaela O'Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of getting this book right from Mr. Dysart in a coffee shop in Sioux Falls (and some BBQ sauce). He was such an interesting man to visit with and I wanted to jump right into his book. It is a great story that is a little fractured and kind of jumpy at times, but to finish it and process was easy. I am honored to have met Paul and to have read about his life. To be a fellow South Dakota and to know we met in a great time, 2022, was meant to be. We need more personal stories in our lives!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Paul on a cross country trip when we were stopped at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A very friendly man who has lived quite a life. He graciously gifted us with a copy of his book, as well as a small bottle of his BBQ sauce. It was interesting to read about his life and the odds he had to overcome.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting life story....maybe of special interest to South Dakotans.... The author grew up in Sioux Falls SD.