DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Ed Spannaus correspondence, June-September 1964 | 1964-09-01 Ed Spannaus to his parents Page 3

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Ed Spannaus correspondence, June-September 1964

1964-09-01 Ed Spannaus to his parents Page 3

Now to get down to the nitty-gritty. In other words, this is not for publication. 

I suppose you have been expecting this: I am finding it very hard to consider leaving and going back to school right now. I expect that if you have been in contact with the parent's group, you have found other cases like this. Over 200 of the summer volunteers are staying on this fall, as well as practically all the SNCC and COFO staff. 

I don't think that this is the type of thing that can be put off until I've finished my education and then presumably would be better able to do this type of thing. The movement here has gained a certain amount of momentum. In Pascagoula we are really just beginning to move. The community has a lot of potential which we haven't been able to reach yet because we haven't been able to get an office or a place to meet We are getting an office today, I believe, and soon should have a place to hold mass meetings. 

If I stay I can become more deeply involved with the federal works project. This involves investigating discrimination in hiring, wage payments, etc., in plants under federal contract, investigating discrimination in federally-supported public programs, and researching as to where federal programs could be utilized. This is the type of project which can show very tangible results if there is someone available and willing to do the work.

To put it another way: There are certain abilities and talents that I have that can be used to help my fellow human beings better their life condition; it seems clear to me that these should be put to use. When there is so much that can be done right here and now, the idea of going back to school right now and studying sociology seems rather sterile.

Financially, I won'y have much of a problem. As you are aware, there is quite a bit of money which has been donated to me. I am fairly certain that my scholarship would hold; if it didn't. I am sure I could find scholarship support elsewhere. One of the permanent LODC lawyers who has been most vociferous in his encouraging me to stay has practically guaranteed me scholarship support when I want to return to school. I would also probably be put on COFO or SNCC staff on subsistence wages. 

As far as the draft goes: Of course this is a major consideration. However, no one has ever been drafted out of the movement. I am told this is because they consider us trouble-makers; whatever the reason, I have written to the local board to find out what my status would be if I stayed. 

Our staff situation here is this: In Moss Point we will have three volunteers plus the project director (SNCC). Jackson wants us to set up a separate Pascagoula project, so there would be me, the abovementioned Smith, and possibly one other. I would be assistant project director at this time as I know the community pretty well, but am still somewhat limited in experience. 

I will call by telephone sometimes this weekend after you've had time to get this letter. 'Till then 

Love Ed

Saving...

Now to get down to the nitty-gritty. In other words, this is not for publication. I suppose you have been expecting this: I am finding it very hard to consider leaving and going back to school right now. I expect that if you have been in contact with the parent's group, you have found other cases like this. Over 200 of the summer volunteers are staying on this fall, as well as practically all the SNCC and COFO staff. I don't think that this is the type of thing that can be put off until I've finished my education and then presumably would be better able to do this type of thing. The movement here has gained a certain amount of momentum. In Pascagoula we are really just beginning to move. The community has a lot of potential which we haven't been able to reach yet because we haven't been able to get an office or a place to meet We are getting an office today, I believe, and soon should have a place to hold mass meetings. If I stay I can become more deeply involved with the federal works project. This involves investigating discrimination in hiring, wage payments, etc., in plants under federal contract, investigating discrimination in federally-supported public programs, and researching as to where federal programs could be utilized. This is the type of project which can show very tangible results if there is someone available and willing to do the work. To put it another way: There are certain abilities and talents that I have that can be used to help my fellow human beings better their life condition; it seems clear to me that these should be put to use. When there is so much that can be done right here and now, the idea of going back to school right now and studying sociology seems rather sterile. Financially, I won'y have much of a problem. As you are aware, there is quite a bit of money which has been donated to me. I am fairly certain that my scholarship would hold; if it didn't. I am sure I could find scholarship support elsewhere. One of the permanent LODC lawyers who has been most vociferous in his encouraging me to stay has practically guaranteed me scholarship support when I want to return to school. I would also probably be put on COFO or SNCC staff on subsistence wages. As far as the draft goes: Of course this is a major consideration. However, no one has ever been drafted out of the movement. I am told this is because they consider us trouble-makers; whatever the reason, I have written to the local board to find out what my status would be if I stayed. Our staff situation here is this: In Moss Point we will have three volunteers plus the project director (SNCC). Jackson wants us to set up a separate Pascagoula project, so there would be me, the abovementioned Smith, and possibly one other. I would be assistant project director at this time as I know the community pretty well, but am still somewhat limited in experience. I will call by telephone sometimes this weekend after you've had time to get this letter. 'Till then Love Ed