Leon Gleaton was born and raised in Druid Hills, Charlotte, North Carolina, and has lived in the neighborhood much of his life. Mr. Gleaton describes the major differences he perceives between the community of his youth, which he claims emphasized a communal effort in child-rearing, versus modern day Druid Hills, where he feels that youth do not respect their elders. He also reflects that there were more activities for children to be involved with when he was a child in comparison to current times. He describes how the Druid Hills neighborhood has dramatically transformed from farmland with chickens, outhouses, and dirt roads into an urban environment. Mr. Gleaton served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, and recalls that discrimination played a major role during his time in the service. He also describes his time being homeless and expresses appreciation for his faith which he feels has kept him strong.
