Transcribe
Translate
NAACP newsletters, Fort Madison Branch, Fort Madison, Iowa, 1963
Page 001
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
Fort Madison Branch OF THE National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Fort Madison, Iowa 52627 NEWSLETTER IN MEMORIAM, SEPTEMBER 18, 1963 The members of the Fort Madison branch of the N.A.A.C.P. are asked to respectfully comply with the request of the Civil Rights leaders, by observing Sunday, September 22, 1963 as a day of mourning. Last Sunday, Birmingham, Alabama gave birth to a tragic scene in the fight for human rights. The lives of four young girls were taken as they attended Sunday school. How ironic that the lesson should be one about 'forgiving' and 'loving'. The fifth youngster was killed by a couple of other boys who certainly lacked capable guidance. Many tears have been shed and the pain in these families hearts will be hard to ease. Certainly the whole of America should pause and meditate.. for this was truly an American tragedy. With a black arm band and your hearts full of prayer, others will also be aware that we shall not soon forget. " ... Men have died that men might live ! ... If necessary, your life give For something. ere in vain you die." - Dandridge Bigotry which is exhibited in any form reflects a degenerative force in the society in which it is present. Retaliation in a 'like' manner is not the solution, ... in fact , this would lead only to self destruction. As we bow our heads respectfully in memory of those whose lives have been lost in our struggle for full citizenship rights, let us not forget our responsibilities are also growing. None of these lives can be allowed to have been lost in vain. This fight for human rights belongs to not just to Negroes ... for it involves all minorities... all Americans... in fact, all of mankind. The destiny of America and its minorities are now inseparable. Hundreds of years of oppression and morally destructive humiliation have left us with a store of experience no other Americans can claim. Nor, as is evident from their actions, would they want to. Our goals are not complex ... for we want only the chance to enjoy those opportunities which white Americans take for granted. We want only that which is our right ... the chance to live and be judged by our merits as individuals. Today, as NEVER before, we must maintain that inner strength which has brought us this far. Many white Americans are lending their support in our drive for first-class citizenship. These people are sincere in their efforts although they can never know the extent of the barbarism which has been afflicted on the American Negroe. However, his awareness of the extent of the moral corrosion which is in existence has brought about a new sense of urgency. We cannot expect them to understand our refusal to 'be patient; .. and our demands of first class citizenship 'here' and 'now'. It is our responsibility to recognize those reasons which make their grasping the importance of 'time' to us, an impossibility. Today, even in sorrow, we cannot afford to 'slow down' or retreat... nor can America afford to have us do so. Our cause is just and by keeping God on our side we cannot lose! Our contributions to what America is... have been many.. but our victory in the fight for human rights will be an even greater one. In memory of those who have given their lives..., our determination must be stronger than ever before! "Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed... Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man crushed by one above! " -Hughes University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa Women's Archives
Saving...
prev
next
Fort Madison Branch OF THE National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Fort Madison, Iowa 52627 NEWSLETTER IN MEMORIAM, SEPTEMBER 18, 1963 The members of the Fort Madison branch of the N.A.A.C.P. are asked to respectfully comply with the request of the Civil Rights leaders, by observing Sunday, September 22, 1963 as a day of mourning. Last Sunday, Birmingham, Alabama gave birth to a tragic scene in the fight for human rights. The lives of four young girls were taken as they attended Sunday school. How ironic that the lesson should be one about 'forgiving' and 'loving'. The fifth youngster was killed by a couple of other boys who certainly lacked capable guidance. Many tears have been shed and the pain in these families hearts will be hard to ease. Certainly the whole of America should pause and meditate.. for this was truly an American tragedy. With a black arm band and your hearts full of prayer, others will also be aware that we shall not soon forget. " ... Men have died that men might live ! ... If necessary, your life give For something. ere in vain you die." - Dandridge Bigotry which is exhibited in any form reflects a degenerative force in the society in which it is present. Retaliation in a 'like' manner is not the solution, ... in fact , this would lead only to self destruction. As we bow our heads respectfully in memory of those whose lives have been lost in our struggle for full citizenship rights, let us not forget our responsibilities are also growing. None of these lives can be allowed to have been lost in vain. This fight for human rights belongs to not just to Negroes ... for it involves all minorities... all Americans... in fact, all of mankind. The destiny of America and its minorities are now inseparable. Hundreds of years of oppression and morally destructive humiliation have left us with a store of experience no other Americans can claim. Nor, as is evident from their actions, would they want to. Our goals are not complex ... for we want only the chance to enjoy those opportunities which white Americans take for granted. We want only that which is our right ... the chance to live and be judged by our merits as individuals. Today, as NEVER before, we must maintain that inner strength which has brought us this far. Many white Americans are lending their support in our drive for first-class citizenship. These people are sincere in their efforts although they can never know the extent of the barbarism which has been afflicted on the American Negroe. However, his awareness of the extent of the moral corrosion which is in existence has brought about a new sense of urgency. We cannot expect them to understand our refusal to 'be patient; .. and our demands of first class citizenship 'here' and 'now'. It is our responsibility to recognize those reasons which make their grasping the importance of 'time' to us, an impossibility. Today, even in sorrow, we cannot afford to 'slow down' or retreat... nor can America afford to have us do so. Our cause is just and by keeping God on our side we cannot lose! Our contributions to what America is... have been many.. but our victory in the fight for human rights will be an even greater one. In memory of those who have given their lives..., our determination must be stronger than ever before! "Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed... Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man crushed by one above! " -Hughes University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa Women's Archives
Campus Culture
sidebar
