To complete this activity, read about Trent's opportunity; then read about his doubts. Finally, become familiar with the questions he has about his predicament. Afterwards, use the available links to investigate the problem.
Trent's Opportunity: During the last year, Trent Mauthe was transferred to a new division of International Tile, the company for which he has worked for eight years. The transfer has forced Trent to relocate his family in New Bedlam, Indiana. After six months at the new job, Filbert Twaddle, one of Trent's co-workers and a native of New Bedlam, offered to sponsor Trent for membership at Ashen Acres Country Club. The club has operated near New Bedlam for eighty-five years. The club attracts wealthy professionals, and the membership fees are quite expensive. Ashen Acres has hosted several important professional golf tournaments. The club is very exclusive, and membership is prestigious.
Trent is attracted by the offer of sponsorship. He loves to play golf and has played on the "Championship Course" at Ashen Acres as a guest on a few occasions. Membership in the club affords a person several social and business advantages. As a member, a person becomes accepted as one of the elite citizens of the community. Trent's family would gain much by exposure to wealthy and influential persons who could help them financially, politically, and socially. The opportunity for membership in the county club offered many advantages, yet Trent remained undecided about attempting to join the club.
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Trent's Doubt: Trent hesitated because he would be the only African-American member of the Ashen Acres Country Club. Ashen Acres has no written rules to exclude African-Americans, but there has been no African-American member in eighty-five years. Although Filbert was supportive and Trent had played at the club without incident, it would be a different matter as a member.
Trent harbored several concerns. First, it would be embarrassing and humiliating if he were nominated for membership and then the majority of the members voted against admitting him to the club. Such a rejection would anger Trent and upset his family. Second, once Trent was a member, he could meet with stinging prejudices of some of the reactionary members of the club. There might be guarded slights, open insults, and even physical confrontations. Third, Trent worried about the acceptance of his family as club members. Would club employees serve the Mauthes as well as they served others? Would immature club members tease his children? Would family members be victims of pranks, or even physical attacks? Trent worried that he might be making his family vulnerable to insults and attacks.
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The Question: Trent Mauthe pondered the decision to apply for membership at the Ashen Acres Country Club. The prospect of membership was scary. It is always difficult to be a pioneer, yet the potential rewards might make the risks worthwhile. Trent had several options: Withdraw from consideration. Allow his friend Filbert to present him for membership. Aggressively pursue membership, whether or not he is accepted in an initial vote. Pursue membership in another country club, one that is exclusively African-American. What should he do?
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