Musings of a Native Son
by
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About the Book
"My story begins in Montreal on August 6, 1931, the day before my father died. I was not quite 5 years old, and I was the fourth of six siblings that my mother was left to raise -- at the height of the so-called 'Great Depression'.
"I trace and comment on my life struggles through public school, high school and thence to my first university degree. Throughout, I faced the dual problem of going to school without having the mandatory fees. But I point out that I completed my education debt-free, never having applied for or received a student loan.
"I also reveal how I coped with the double-edged difficulty of being both black and ambitious, while persevering in a mostly unwelcoming, white dominated environment. Then I tell how I managed to overcome numerous obstacles, to obtain a doctorate (in Organic Chemistry), and eventually go on to become a pioneering Canadian-born black scientist and educator -- more than 40 years ago. Parenthetically, the pivotal breakthrough in my professional career, took place at about the same time (1947) in the same city (Montreal), that Jackie Robinson was making his breakthrough into organized baseball.
"So in every sense, this is the story of a 'Native Son'."
Thomas (Tom) F. Massiah
About the Author
Thomas F. Massiah is a graduate of Sir George Williams College (now Concordia University) with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1947. He later received a Masters in Science in Organic Chemistry from McGill in 1956, and a Ph.D. from Université de Montréal in Organic Chemistry in 1962.
For 22 years Massiah did post-doctoral research work primarily in the area of pharmaceuticals and was granted five patents. He became a Chartered Chemist in 1984 and was elected as a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada in 1988. Massiah's biography was listed in American Men and Women of Science.
Massiah taught Chemistry as an evening-division lecturer at Sir George Williams from 1949 to 1964. He was also a faculty member of Seneca College from 1985 to 1991 where he taught Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science and Mathematics.
In 1986 Massiah was appointed to the Ontario Ministry of Health's Drug Quality and Therapeutics Committee (DQTC) and served on this committee until 1989. He received a book-prize from the DQTC at the conclusion of the appointment. He served as president of the Association of The Chemical Profession of Ontario from 1979 to 1981 and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Association in 1986.
From 1985 to 1999 he functioned as a consultant in the pharmaceutical field. Massiah is now retired from the active practice of chemistry.
Massiah founded the Montreal Negro Alumni Group (MNAG), dedicated to furthering post-secondary education among blacks, in 1953 and was their first president. The MNAG gave more than $30,000 in scholarships and bursaries during its 15-year existence. During 1968, Massiah served as president of the University Negro Alumni Club, a Toronto-based group with similar objectives to the MNAG that Massiah founded.
Massiah liaised with the Toronto police as chairman on behalf of the National Black Coalition from 1972 to 1975 in an attempt to improve police/community relations.
From 1988 to 1996 Massiah tutored black students in mathematics (grades 11 to OAC) at Vaughan Road Collegiate, as a member of the Saturday morning program, sponsored by the York Board of Education, in cooperation with The Canadian Alliance of Black Educators.
Massiah was an Anglican church warden from 1977 to 1980. Concurrently, he also served as a fundraising chairman for Anglicans in Mission.
Some Inspirational Thoughts Gleaned From My Memoir: 'Musings Of A Native Son'
* How To Sustain Belief In Yourself
I detail my innermost thoughts about retaining belief in oneself in Chapter Four (p. 31-69), entitled 'To The Garden Alone'
* How To Bounce Back From Adversity
On p. 97, I point out that one should not waste time feeling sorry for oneself, in response to the vicissitudes of life. Rather, this is the time for purposeful reaction to adverse occurrences.
* How To Snatch Victory From What Seems Like Defeat
After my unexpected early retirement from my research position at Canada Packers, almost immediately, I came to the conclusion (as documented on p. 99), that this was the best thing that had ever happened to me, throughout my working career.
* How To Maintain Your Sense Of Worth
On p.104, I point out that what one does for a living, does not define who you are. And I also point out that since self-respect is something that no one can give you, you should never allow anyone to take it away from you!
* How To Adhere To Your Basic Principals: Useful Watchwords
I summarize several signposts for my life (and hopefully for others), on p. 137. These have been of great use in guiding my academic and professional actions over the years. They mirror some of the views expressed by Harvey Mackay in his 2004 best seller 'We Got Fired!' (published by Random House).