Reading
your stories have never been a bore.
Interesting
you should mention it. It was a very interesting story. Are you ready of at
least half a page, maybe more?
Talked
to Mom this morning and asked if she remembered the trip through Mississippi
back in the 1950's. I wanted to confirm my memory.
============= Treece Jeanice ===============
Roland James =========================
I
was raised in Minneapolis, in an average part of town. Had black and white neighbors
and friends of many shades. I didn't have a concept of segregation, none, zero.
Our whole family was the same.
This
sounds interesting. I know you survived and are not lame.
Quickly seeing the beautiful Gulf and scenic bay drives would
be our fate.
For NASA's Stennis Space Center 1 PM tour bus we would not be late.
Saw the construction hangers, the Space Engines multi-story test stands.
Saw model space home, engines and museum with 2 local school bands
I'm
sure she added clarity to an epic story.
MISSISSIPPI
(Magnolia State)
One
of the things I remember most was the gray-black deteriorated non-painted building.
We were driving in the summer and we saw very few people. I don't remember if
cars had air conditioning then. I know that we didn't. We aimed the little front
triangle windows on us and learned to live with the muggy heat.
Living
in Texas about that time, I know the sun through windows can make a real hot
seat.
We
were out of all our supplies: water, milk and even food. The only place open
was a small run down store. There were two blacks in front of the store. Formerly,
in Minnesota, the black skin labeled them Negroes. We did not think much of
it, as we never hesitated to go in a black store in Minneapolis. I noticed a
look of fear. If we didn't really need food, I think we would just have went
on. I was only 14 or 15 at the time.
I
know, you added the last line so it was easy for me to rhyme.
They
stopped us at the door. Looked around scared and said they couldn't help. Ma
told them we were really desperate. Looking even more scared, a nice wrinkled
aged lady said, "What do you need, I'll bring it out for you." Ma told her our
needs, the lady got the items and brought them back. "Take them and leave now,"
she said, looking around, still very anxious. Ma thanked her profusely and handed
her money. She didn't even want it. Ma set the money on the Pop Cooler and we
drove off with our load.
Being
raised in Texas, I knew a lot of Rednecks. Mississippi Rednecks were much worst;
much, much worst. They were very brave people to help you out on the road.
Living
in Texas about that time, I know the sun through windows can make a real hot
seat.
We
did not stop at that. That evening we started looking for a place to stay. We
pulled into the first nicely painted motel. It was well kept, with a new coating
of white.
The
owners were the same color as the buildings; Right?
Afraid
not, they were also a minority. A very big Negro man greeted Ma at the motel
office door. We could see on his face, we were not welcome. Ma asked anyway,
in her gentle pleading voice, for a nights lodging. The big man looked over
Ma's head to our license plate from Minnesota. He then looked at Ma, Dad, Lois,
Richard, David and myself all sweating and looking a little despoiled. Although
very muscular he still looked a little scared. However, he smiled and said,
"You can have room nine."
And
everything hopefully turned out fine.
Yes,
it was a nice one-night stay. He had a family our age. I remember having shy
eye contact with his pretty daughter who was my age. My brothers and sister
all had kids to play with. Had a wonderful stay and the motel owner's whole
family was out to give us a goodbye wave.
So,
in theory you might have started integration before it was the Rave.
Never
thought about it that way before. It was just the six of us.
One
never knows your one-day friendship may have been what moved Rosa Parks to not
give her seat up in the front of the bus.
